2011 NHL Mock Draft: Five Players Who'll Be in the Rookie of the Year Running

Following the completion of the 2011 NHL draft lottery, teams are lining up to get their hands on this year’s most-talented prospects. The 2011 NHL draft is not considered a particularly strong group but boasts the likes of Adam Larsson, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Sean Couturier and Gabriel Landeskog at the top of the draft.

Teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers are hungry to land one of those talented youngsters after benefiting from the 2011 NHL draft lottery.

 Are any of these players capable of turning around a franchise? The teams at the top of the draft certainly hope so. Let the race for the Calder Memorial Trophy begin.

These are the top five candidates for the 2012 Calder Memorial Trophy available in the 2011 NHL Draft. Only 2011 NHL Draft prospects were considered.

5. Adam Larsson, Defense, Elitserien

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BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 31: Defenseman Adam Larsson #5 of Sweden during the 2011 IIHF World U20 Championship game between Canada and Sweden on December 31, 2010 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Traditionally, defensemen have struggled to bring home Rookie of the Year honors in the NHL. Only Tyler Myers and Barret Jackman have done so since the year 2000. It takes a special type of talent.

Adam Larsson is that prospect. The Swedish superstar possesses three ideal qualities that will make his transition to the pro game a smooth one—tremendous puck handling, a natural eye for the game and rare poise on the blue line.

In some scouting circles, Larsson has slipped recently. However, he is still a candidate to be taken first overall and has the skill set to make a smooth transition to the National Hockey League.

4. Joel Armia, RW, SM-Liiga

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BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 31: Forward Joel Armia #20 of Finland during the 2011 IIHF World U20 Championship game between Slovakia and Finland on December 31, 2010 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Joel Armia has skyrocketed up draft boards recently and with good reason.

The 6'3'' winger has a rare offensive skill set. Armia is talented enough to dangle through multiple defenders and sets up as many plays as he finishes.

The Finnish prodigy has that "wow" factor on tape. He is simply a magician with the puck.

Armia could take some time to fully realize his potential, but he is a definite wild card to emerge as a Calder Candidate.

3. Ryan Strome, C, OHL

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TORONTO, CAN - JANUARY 19: Ryan Strome #16 of Team Cherry skates against Team Orr in the 2011 Home Hardware Top Prospects game on January 19, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Team Orr defeated Team Cherry 7-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Ge

Another sleeper candidate for the Calder Trophy is fast riser Ryan Strome.

The Rookie of the Year usually has a combination of untouchable one-on-one moves and rare offensive playmaking abilities. Strome has both.

The big knock on Ryan Strome is definitely his strength. However, consider what a summer in an NHL weight room will do for a prospect who has the innate ability to make plays on offense. An NHL team can add mass to a kid's frame but cannot coach the instincts and natural ability this kid has. 

2. Gabriel Landeskog, LW, OHL

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LAKE PLACID, NY - AUGUST 05: Gabriel Landeskog #12 of Team Sweden skates against Team Finland at the USA Hockey National Evaluation Camp on August 5, 2010 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Gabriel Landeskog may lack the astronomical upside of some of the other top prosects available in the 2011 NHL draft, but the Rookie of the Year candidates are those that can make a quick jump to the next level. Landeskog's improvement throughout this season is a testament to his ability to take that step in his progression.

Gabriel Landeskog may never be a 100-point kind of guy. What the Swedish power forward will be however, is an instinctive, hardworking leader who is both strong on his skates and on the puck. He is truly a fearless competitor.

1. Sean Couturier, C, QMJHL

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TORONTO, CAN - JANUARY 19: Sean Couturier #7 of Team Cherry skates with the puck against Team Orr in the 2011 Home Hardware Top Prospects game on January 19, 2011 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. Team Orr defeated Team Cherry 7-1. (Photo by C

The cream of the crop offensively in the 2011 NHL draft, Sean Couturier has it all. Like a handful of other prospects atop the 2011 NHL draft rankings, Couturier has an elite skill set making him an immediate offensive threat. What Couturier has that the others lack, however, is his prototypical size.

At 6'4'', Sean Couturier has the size to wear down opponents in the corner in addition to having tremendous range. A summer in the weight room and Couturier will get up over 200 pounds, which is ideal size for a centerman. Not to mention, his skills are on par, if not better than most of his classmates.

Other elite offensive prospects in the 2011 NHL draft include Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Johnathan Huberdeau. The issue with the two of them is that they are currently undersized and not strong enough for the pro game. Both possess exceptional offensive talent, but a quick transition requires strength and size that they severely lack.