5 Possible Islander Draft Options

The 2011 NHL Entry Draft is just a few weeks away and the Islanders are looking to build on what is already a team on the rise. There is a lot of talent in the top 10, so the Islanders should get a good young player with the fifth overall pick.

This is a list of who the Islanders could potentially draft. It is not in any specific order, but it is based on who could possibly be there when the Islanders pick. There is a lot of talent here, so let's get started.

1. Jonathan Huberdeau, Center, Saint John, QMJHL

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MISSISSAUGA, CANADA - MAY 20: Jonathan Huberdeau #11 of the Saint John Sea Dogs skates against the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors in the opening game of the 2011 Mastercard Memorial Cup at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Canada. The Sea Dogs defeate

Jonathan Huberdeau is a center that has great hands and can put the puck in the back of the net. He's a great skater and is quick. He is one of the few NHL ready players in the draft which could make him possibly go higher and force the Isles to choose someone else.

In 2010-11, Huberdeau finished third in scoring in the QMJHL with 43 goals and 62 assists for 105 points in 67 games. Huberdeau is a great all-around player and can help a lot of teams.  The Islanders aren't in desperate need for a center, but it wouldn't hurt them at all.

Also, with the possible question mark of whether Josh Bailey can improve more this year, it wouldn't be a bad move for the Islanders to take Huberdeau with the fifth pick and add some depth to the position.

2. Dougie Hamilton, Defenseman, Niagara, OHL

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TORONTO, CAN - JANUARY 19: Dougie Hamilton #27 of Team Orr skates against Team Cherry 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 Anderse

Dougie Hamilton is one of the top defenseman in the draft. He could very well fall to No. 5 and to the Islanders. Hamilton is a great puck-moving defenseman and is great on the power play. He's a very good skater and plays very physically. He has good size and would be a great addition to the Islanders' blue line.

Last year, playing for the Niagara IceDogs in the OHL, Hamilton scored 12 goals and had 46 assists. He finished with respectable 58 points in 67 games played.

Much like the center position, the Islanders aren't in desperate need of a defenseman. But this addition could have a big impact. Hamilton has NHL-ready size and plays the game smart. There is a strong possibility that Hamilton will be there at No. 5 and it would be strange if the Isles pass on him if that's the case.

3. Sean Couturier, Center, Drummondville, QMJHL

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TORONTO, CAN - JANUARY 19: Sean Couturier #7 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/

If the Islanders want to go with a center at pick 5, it will probably be either Johathan Huberdeau or Sean Couturier. Couturier has great size that a lot of teams will want. Much like Huberdeau, Couturier could go as high as top three because of his ability.

At 6'4" and 197 pounds, Couturier is hard to knock off the puck. He has very good puck handling and playmaking skills which makes him one of the best two-way players in the draft.

In 58 games in the QMJHL this past season, Couturier scored 36 goals and had 60 assists for 96 points, which was tied for fourth in the QMJHL. He was named the QMJHL MVP. In the 2009-10 season, Couturier led the league in points again with 96 points. He was the first 17-year-old to lead the league in scoring since Sidney Crosby.

This is the second possible center that the Isles could get. I think the Islanders have a better chance at getting Couturier then Huberdeau. Most mock drafts have him going anywhere from fourth to eighth. Couturier would be a great fit for this Islanders team and with his playmaking skills, he would be a great set guy for some of the other players on the Islanders.

4. Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchner, 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 would an unbelievable pick for the Islanders. He is ranked as high as second, and it is unlikely that he would fall to the Islanders. But with the talent in the top 10 of the draft, anything could happen.

Landeskog is a very physical player. He gets the puck to the front of the net and creates many scoring chances. He's a good skater, and this allows him to get around defenseman and to the front of the net. Many scouts say that he is NHL ready and can step right into the NHL this upcoming season.

Landeskog's season was cut short because of an ankle injury. In 53 games with the Kitchener Rangers, Landeskog scored 36 goals and had 30 assists for 66 points.

It would be great to get a guy like Landeskog on Long Island. He has great leadership that this team could use after the retirement of Doug Weight. His skills are some of the best in the draft and he could change a team for the better. Very unlikely the Isles get him, but you never know.

5. Ryan Strome, Center, Niagara, 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

Ryan Strome made a huge jump in the prospect rankings this year. Strome is a great skater and has good speed. He likes to go to the net and get rebounds. Strome has great hands and amazing playmaking ability that is among the best in the draft. Strome has great skill and ability.

Ryan Strome finished third in scoring in the OHL. In 65 games, Strome scored 33 goals and had 77 assists for 106 points. He has many highlight goals; one of them against Plymouth in October is one of the best goals you will ever see.

Personally, I think the Islanders should take Strome. He is an exciting player that would fit in nicely with this team. He has the ability and all he needs is the chance.