2011 NHL Mock Draft Big Board: The 50 Best Players Who'll Get Taken
The 2011 NHL entry draft is just around the corner. With the Stanley Cup wrapping up this week, now is a good time to take a look at the big draft board.
There are many talented players from across the globe who are entering the draft. Not everyone will become an instant success as it is a long and winding road from the minors to the NHL.
Here are the 50 best players in the 2011 NHL draft that will get scooped up on draft day.
1) Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
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There has been a lot of hype and excitement when it comes to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Nugent-Hopkins is a center with great burst of speed and excellent playmaking abilities. His spectacular on-ice vision just improves his overall game. He seems to have an easy time finding teammates on the ice and feeding them with clean crisp passes.
Hopkins has even been compared to the "Great One" Wayne Greztky so there is a lot riding on him once he is drafted.
2) Jonathan Huberdeau
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Jonathan Huberdeau has skyrocked up the draft board this season after a recording 105 points this season. Huberdeau had contributed only 35 points the year before.
Huberdeau is a force to be reckoned with on the ice. He is gifted with a great skill set which are complemented with his agile hands and his size.
He is a very clutch and skilled player, and this was his season during the playoffs as he racked up 30 points in only 19 games.
Huberdeau has a lot of the tools required to be a top center in the NHL, but it is anticipated that he will spend a year in the AHL for some fine tuning. In the off chance he hits the NHL out of training camp, Huberdeau is a serviceable third or fourth liner until he earns his stripes.
3) Adam Larsson
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Adam Larsson is a Swedish defender who is a great puck handler with a superb on-ice vision. Larsson is very calm and collected under pressure.
He is the top defensive prospect in this draft and is NHL-ready. Larsson is a great skater who can turn on the jets to play defense but can also join the offensive rush.
Larsson has been compared to Nicklas Lidstrom in many ways. Simply put, even if Larsson is half as good as Lidstrom, he can still have one hell of an NHL career.
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4) Gabriel Landeskog
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Gabriel Landeskog is the one of the most NHL-ready players in this year's draft class. He has a lot of skills and an impressive two-way game.
Landeskog is a decent goal scorer who has some grit to his game. He works hard along the boards and fights for puck possession. He has been compared to his fellow countryman Daniel Alfredsson.
Landeskog has a bright future because he does what it takes to score. He doesn't rely on pure talent but relies on his superior work ethic. Wherever this kid lands in the draft, he will make an immediate impact.
5) Sean Couturier
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Sean Couturier is a solid offensive player. He has good hands and speed. He has a good offensive touch as he posted back-to-back, 96-point seasons in the QMJHL.
Couturier is one of the players that could slide up and down the draft board. This year's class has a lot of talented centers, but teams in the top five all have different needs.
What is clear is that whatever team drafts Couturier is going to be happy as he will make some major contributions for many years to come.
6) Dougie Hamilton
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Dougie Hamilton is a sizable two-way defender who has a booming shot and good hands. He excels in both facets of his game and is NHL-ready. Hamilton is a 6'4" almost 200-pound physical defender whose hands make him able enough to run a power play.
Hamilton could go in the top five depending on where the big three land first. A lot can change between now and draft day, but Hamilton is a top pick for sure.
7) Ryan Strome
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Ryan Strome is a talented top player in this year's draft. What sets him apart from others in this draft is his work ethic. What Ryan Strome may lack in size and stature, he compensates with his talent and speed.
Strome is a player that could use a bit more seasoning in the AHL, but over time, he will become a future 30-40 goal scorer.
Strome will not be on the board for long as each team in the top 10 could use a center in the next two years. Strome finished the 2010-11 OHL season with 33 goals and 73 assists for 106 points overall.
8) Ryan Murphy
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Ryan Murphy has been scouted as a top five pick because of his abilites. However, his size pushes him back significantly. One scout even said if Ryan Murphy was 6'1", he would be the No. 1 pick overall.
This kid is known through Canada as he was Don Cherry's pick on Hockey Night in Canada to be the No. 1 pick overall in this year's draft.
Murphy has a lot of tools that make him a great two-way defenseman. Murphy has the potential to be a sleeper pick in this draft. His pinpoint-passing accuracy makes him a dual threat on both sides of the ice. Watch out and don't blink because you just might miss Ryan Murphy.
9)Nathan Beaulieu
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Nathan Beaulieu is another St. John's Sea Dog in this year's draft. He is another defenseman that could slide up and down the draft board.
He is a natural power-play quarterback who moves the pick with accuracy and ease. His speed helps to complement his great skating abilities. He is a hard worker who has no hesitations in shooting the puck. He has been compared to players like Mike Green and Dan Boyle given his skill sets.
Nathan Beaulieu will only get better with age in experience, but he has proved up to this point that he is deserving of being a top draft pick.
10) Mika Zibanejad
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Mika Zibanejad has really climbed the draft board in many mock drafts over the course of the past few months.
Zibanejad has the potential to become a good power forward because of his soft hands and his great scoring touch. He also is a great skater with good on-ice vision, and he isn't afraid to get physical when it is deemed necessary. He has been compared to Mikko Koivo given both his size and skill set.
11) Duncan Siemens
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Duncan Siemens is a solid defender who will occasional join the offensive rush. His booming shot makes him a threat when playing the point on the power play. Siemens also isn't afraid to get physical as his 121 penalty minutes are a testament of that.
While Siemens isn't quite NHL-ready, after one more year of seasoning and improving his overall game, Siemens will be tearing up the ice on an NHL blueline.
12) Sven Bartschi
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Sven Bartschi is the next player in our top 50 ranking. Bartschi contributed 85 points in only 66 games for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. Bartschi has been heavily scouted by many teams and a lot by the Hurricanes in particular.
"“Bartschi is a creator...He’s highly-skilled, smart and competes hard.” -said Tony MacDonald, the Canes’ chief amateur scout.
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Bartschi has good hands and on-ice vision and is a speedy winger standing at 5'11" and 185 lbs. Bartschi will flourish in the NHL if he is paired with a good center. He will most likely land anywhere from 12-16 in this year's draft.
13) Mark McNeill
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Mark McNeill possesses hockey knowledge and skills that aren't taught. He has a great hockey IQ and is a creative playmaker.
McNeil is at his most dangerous in close quarters inside the slot when he uses his body to his advantage. His quick hands allow him to get off a quick shot. His physical game comes in handy when he is working down in the trenches along the boards fighting for a loose puck.
McNeil comes in at No. 13 on our list of the top 50 prospects.
14) Jamieson Oleksaik
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Jamieson Oleksaik stands at an impressive 6'7" and weighs over 240 lbs, and he is the biggest prospect up for grabs in this year's draft.
He is a big guy and is being compared to players like Zdeno Chara and Tyler Myers because of his sheer size. Oleksaik needs a bit more time to develop his abilities before he can hit the NHL level.
15) Joseph Morrow
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Joseph Morrow is a solid puck-moving defender. He had 49 points last season, 40 of which were assists. He stands 6' and is 197 lbs.
He is a solid player who has a good two-way game. Morrow's strengths are his passing and skating abilities which make him a dual threat on both sides of the ice.
16) Jonas Brodin
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Jonas Brodin is another defender in this year's draft which is full of defensive prospects. He stands 6'1" and is a meager 165 lbs. To be a successful defender, he is going to have to bulk up and put on some muscle weight.
Brodin is only 17 years old so he will play in the minor leagues to gain some more experience. He is a solid and reliable pick that could flourish into a great player but could also be used as an asset.
17) Boone Jenner
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Boone Jenner is a two-way center man who is defensive-minded. Jenner has decent speed and solid hands. He has the skills to be a solid third-line grinder currently, but if he is given some time, he can turn out to be a solid second liner.
Jenner is a good pick for a team looking for a serviceable player to add to their farm system. Jenner has a solid offensive put last season with 25 goals and 41 assists for 66 points.
18) Zack Phillips
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Zack Phillips comes in at No. 18 on our list of the top 50 prospects. Phillips is a solid center who made a big jump in scoring over the past two season. He went from only contributing 44 points in 2009-10 to 95 points this season.
Zack Phillips has a high hockey IQ and is very talented. He is only going to get faster and better as he grows in an NHL system.
Phillips is another sleeper pick in this year's draft and could hit the top 15.
19) Nicklas Jensen
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Coming in at No. 19 is Nicklas Jensen, a 6'2" winger who is an average skater weighing in at 187 lbs.
This year, Jensen put up 58 points, 29 goals and 29 assists, for the Oshawa Generals in 61 games. Jensen also contributed 13 playoff points.
Jensen is a solid winger who will make a good adjustment to the NHL. He has good size, and if he could bulk up a bit, he could become a physical and dominant power forward.
20) Mark Scheifele
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Mark Scheifele is one of the players in this draft that can hit the NHL right after the draft. Scheifele is a playmaker with skilled and agile hands. His speed and legs are essential to his game. Scheifele is a smart two-way forward who has the makings of becoming a dominant power forward in the NHL.
He is on the small size for his position, but there is hope. If Scheifele can bulk up and hit the 185-190 lbs. range, he will be viewed in a completely different light.
21) Tomas Jurco
21 of 52Tomas Jurco has some impressive skills. The video above tells you all you need to know about this man's balance, hands and puck-handling ability. Jurco has impressive speed and is also one of the nine St John Sea Dogs in this year's draft.
Jurco had 56 points in 60 games this season for St. John and also recorded 16 points in 13 playoff games.
22) Vladislav Namestnikov
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Vladislav Namestnikov had a great rookie season in the OHL. The Russian forward made a good adjustment playing his first year in a new country.
Namestnikov led the Knights with 30 goals, 11 of which came on the power play and averaged a point a game. He would finish with 68 points in 68 games.
Namestnikov has been touted as a solid two-way player with a great wrist shot. Many mock drafts have him penciled in as the last pick in the first round, but I wouldn't be surprised if he is picked as high as 16th overall.
23) Jonathan Miller
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Jonathan Miller played in 48 games for the USA U-18 team in the USHL and tallied 11 goals and 26 assits for 37 points overall. Miller plays with some grit in his game and has a good shot.
Miller is a decent passer and plays well in his own zone. He is a creative playmaker and plays a solid two-way game. Miller could conceivably be drafted anywhere from 16th overall to 25th. He could fall up and down the board depending on where the other big centers fall.
Miller needs to spend some more time developing and improving his conditioning before he makes the jump to the high-paced NHL level.
24) Ty Rattie
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Ty Rattie is a member of the Portland Winterhawks. He had an exceptional season tallying 28 goals and 51 assists for 79 points.
Rattie is a good scorer with an accurate shot that can be triggered from anywhere in the offensive zone. At 6'0" and only 170 lbs, Rattie could become an effective power forward if he bulked up a bit. A man his size could be great if he set himself up in front of the net. He has the hands to be a great puck deflector.
Ty Rattie is a great solid mid first-round pick.
25) Joel Armia
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Joel Armia is a soft-handed sniper with a big skill set. Armia has great legs and is an impressive skater.
Armia is a great two-way player with good vision and a laser-quick wrist shot. Armia loves to dig it out below the hash marks in the trenches and shows he can play with skill in both ends.
26) Brandon Saad
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Brandon Saad is a big-bodied winger, skating at 6'1", 208-pounds. Saad has been scouted and noted for his ability to play exceptionally well at both ends of the ice.
Saad finished the season with 27 goals and 55 points in 59 games for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL.
Saad is known is for his physical player and his speed. These traits will suit Saad as a potential two-way penalty killer.
He has the potential to become a top six forward in the NHL.
27) John Gibson
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Coming in at No. 27 is John Gibson who is the top North American goalie prospect for this year's NHL draft.
John Gibson started in 40 games for the U.S development program in 2010-11 and posted a record of 24-11-4 and finished with a GAA of 2.55 and a SV% of .921.
Gibson used his hulking frame of 6'3" and 205 pounds to push pucks aside with ease.
Gibson is committed to the University of Michigan for next fall so it will be quite a couple of years before you see Gibson sporting an NHL sweater.
28) Tyler Biggs
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Tyler Biggs is a tough and nitty gritty player who uses his body against players with heavy checks to make his presence known. Biggs has a decent shot but still requires some more seasoning before he hits the NHL level. He hopes to improve to the point where he makes it in the bigs unlike his father Don Biggs who was a career minor leaguer.
At this point of the draft, a lot of things can change. Players may have fallen or risen up the draft board, trades may have been made.
Biggs is one of these players who can fall up and down this board.
29) Matt Puempel
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Matt Puempel is a high-octane scorer who recorded 34 goals and 35 assists for 69 points in just 55 games with Peterborough this year.
Puempel fell down the draft board after being afflicted by a hip injury. The injury kept Puempel out of action for 13 games.
His case is also hurt by the fact that he was a shining star on one of the weaker teams in his league. This is no way a knock to Puempel, but he will bottom out in the first round of this draft, potentially being an early second-round pick.
30) Alexander Khokhlachev
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Alexander Khokhlachev is a small offensive player with good intentions. Speed is the biggest facet off his game, but he is a bit apprehensive when it comes to shooting the puck. If he can work on his descion making, he can become a better defender and overall two-way forward.
31) Oscar Klefbom
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Oscar Klefbom is a defenseman who has a good offensive game. He is on the small side and would need to bulk up before hitting the NHL level. He could improve his game in his own end after adjusting to playing with some AHL'ers.
If Klefbom can become a bit more seasoned and can complete his game, he can be a dual threat and a future power-play quarterback who would be comfortable from unleashing his shot from anywhere.
32) David Musil
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David Musil comes in at No. 32 out of the top 50 prospects in the 2011 NHL draft.
Musil has above-average skating skills and soft agile hands that could turn him into a solid two-way defender one day.
Musil uses his balance and strength to his advantage when attempting to separate other players from the puck. Musil stands at 6'3" and is just under 200 lbs. He will probably gain some weight in muscle once he adapts to the NHL grind and lifestyle.
If Musil can develop his offensive capabilities, he could become an offensive force and top power-play quarterback.
33) Rocco Grimaldi
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Grimaldi is a very small player. He stands at 5'6" and almost 160lbs.
Though it is early, he shares some traits with Martin St.Louis. He is a tough and fearless players with skilled hands and a great shot. If you blink, you can miss Grimaldi as he blows by a defender.
His skill should be enough to make him a mid first-round pick, but his size is a big detractor. The biggest question concerning Grimaldi is, who is going to take a chance on him?
Marty St.Louis was given a chance and look how he turned out.
34) Brett Ritchie
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Brett Ritchie comes in at 34 on our list of the top 50 players on the big board in the 2011 NHL draft. Injuries and a bout with mononucleosis affected Ritchie's game when he first entered the OHL, and he was sometimes overlooked.
Since then, Ritchie has looked to get himself notice. Last year, Ritchie contributed 21 goals and 20 assists for 41 points in 49 games for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. Ritchie is hard to miss at 6'3" 210 pounds.
Brett Ritchie has the tools to be a good player but will require some seasoning before he ever hits the NHL.
35) Connor Murphy
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Connor Murphy is a typical US bred defender. He is big-framed and a solid skating puck handler. He is a work in progress as he needs some developments to his offensive game. He won't slide down the draft board because he has notoriety.
The fact that Murphy's father is a former NHL pro means he has spread the word about his son to his contacts around the NHL.
Murphy is one of these picks that will be worth the wait. In three years, Murphy could hit the NHL and be a dominant player.
36) Rickard Rakell
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Rakell is an opportunist. He has some good hands and stick skills. However, he is a work in progress. He needs to develop his offensive game a bit more before he makes the turn around to become an NHL'er.
Rakell made the adjustment moving from the wing to center seemlessly so he can play anywhere at the forward position.
Once this work in progress blossoms, Rakell can be a good three-zone, two-way forward.
37) Scott Mayfield
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Scott Mayfield is a player who is a couple years away from being NHL-ready. He had great size and puck skills. So far he has shown some accurate passing abilities that will allow him to hit teammates up the ice for an offensive rush.
Once properly developed, Mayfield will impact the game both offensively and defensively.
38) Shane Prince
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Shane Prince is a gamble pick. On one hand he has displayed superb handling skills with the puck and has an average shot.
Prince's skating makes him a great two-way player in both ends who was an effective penalty killer.
The gamble is that Prince's season was ended with a concussion. We have seen what concussions have done to players like Sidney Crosby.
If he can make a recovery this once mid first-rounder can make his presence known.
39) Stuart Percy
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What Stuart Percy may lack in size and speed, he makes up for with his hockey mind and positioning. The 6'1", 175 lbs blueliner has that has great hands and composure.
He never rushes or forces a pass through traffic but waits until just the right moment. He never appears to be lost when he has the puck on his stick. If he could improve and develop his offensive game, Percy will become a good power-play quarterback.
Percy will require a year or two of further seasoning. He needs to bulk up and improve his game a bit to adjust to the increase of talent at both the AHL and NHL level.
40) Phillip Danault
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Philip Danault is a player who showed he is willing to work hard to improve his game. Danault made a jump from 28 games in 2009-10 to 67 points in 2010-11.
He isn't the type of winger that will stand out because of his flash or swagger, but one that has a great work ethic. He is an intense player and a great teammate that can play on the powerplay or kill a penalty when needed.
A player like Danault is a great steal in the early second round of the draft and can work his way to becoming a stalwart on his future NHL club for years to come.
41) Ryan Sproul
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Ryan Sproul is a 6"4 190 lbs defender who will go early in the second round. He is a solid point producing defenseman who has good hands.
Sproul had 14 goals and 19 assists in 61 games for the Greyhounds of the OHL.
He will be a pick that will most likely return to the OHL and eventually the AHL for more development.
42) Daniel Catenacci
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Catenacci is a player on the small side but plays with a huge heart. His speed is on par with some of the best in this draft class, and it is complemented with agile and quick hands. He is a strong, hardworking player and a solid skater.
Catenacci is a player who is very determined and will work as hard as it takes to become a top forward in the NHL. He is a few years away, but Catenacci will only continue to improve.
43) Victor Rask
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This Swede has been described as a creative forward with good hands. He is a solid skate who can protect the puck well. His work ethic complements his overall game.
Victor Rask didn't put up impressive numbers and will fall down the draft board. He will need some major developing to improve his defensive game so he can become a dependable forward.
44) Xavier Ouellet
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Xavier Ouellet is a 6' defender from the Montreal Juniors of the QMJHL. He is a good playmaking passer who scored only eight goals but assisted on 35 others for 43 points in 67 games. Ouellet also contributed eight assists in 10 playoff games.
45) Dmitri Jaskin
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Dmitri Jaskin is a big power forward whose physical game is complemented with a nice quick wrist shot. He is quite deceiving given his size because no one expects a player like Jaskin to have great hands.
The only minus against the young Russian is he has suffered a significant knee injury in the past. The Russian Rocket Pavel Bure was ailed with knee injuries during his short-lived career so Jaskin may be passed over and could fall down the draft board.
46) Lucas Lessio
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Lucas Lessio is going to go late in this draft. He is a left winger who was a member of the Oshawa Generals. Last season, Lessio scored 27 goals and 27 assists for 54 points in 66 games overall.
He had a points drop off after adjusting from the OJHL to the OHL. He previously had a 72-point season back in the 2009-10 season.
Lessio would greatly benefit from some more time spent in the minors where he can grow to his full potential and can develop skills that are essential to play in the AHL let alone the NHL.
47) Michael St.Croix
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Michael St.Croix is a 5'10" center from the Edmonton Oil Kings of the WHL. He has consistently increased in point production. He went from 46 points to 75 points over the course of a year. It is anticipated that he would benefit from another season in the WHL. Michael St.Croix could develop into a good play-making center man but suffers from being on the smaller side.
48) Stefan Noesen
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Stefan Noesen is a player who can be a dark horse in this draft. He had an explosive season with 34 goals and 42 assists for 76 points. He is a member of the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL and will most likely return to Windsor for next season. If he can increase his point production at a consistent and steady rate, he will hopefully make a smooth transition to the AHL.
49) Scott Harrington
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Scott Harrington comes in at No. 49 on our list. Harrington is a 6' defenseman and is a member of the London Knights. He contributed 22 points in 67 games. He won't be in the NHL anytime soon but has a lot of potential. If he can increase his numbers and develop his game a bit more, Harrington has an opportunity to one day play in the NHL.
50) Nick Cousins
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Cousins is another small player with good hands and vision. He sees the ice well and is a good passer but also has a knack for finding the back of the twine
His soft and agile hands enable him to generate offense. He is also like Sean Avery in the sense that he is a little pest that lives off getting under an opponents skin. He is a decent late pick who will have to bust his tail in order to ever skate in an NHL rink.
His size hurts him, and there are a lot of quality centers in this year's draft.
Draft Pick Order
51 of 52Order of Picks Courtesy of NHL.com
Round One
1 Edmonton Oilers
2 Colorado Avalanche
3 Florida Panthers
4 New Jersey Devils
5 New York Islanders
6 Ottawa Senators
7 Atlanta Thrashers (Sale pending approval)
8 Columbus Blue Jackets
9 Boston Bruins (from Toronto)
10 Minnesota Wild
11 Colorado Avalanche (from St. Louis)
12 Carolina Hurricanes
13 Calgary Flames
14 Dallas Stars
15 New York Rangers
16 Buffalo Sabres
17 Montreal Canadiens
18 Chicago Blackhawks
19 Edmonton Oilers (from Los Angeles)
20 Phoenix Coyotes
21 Ottawa Senators (from Nashville)
22 Anaheim Ducks
23 Pittsburgh Penguins
24 Detroit Red Wings
25 Toronto Maple Leafs (from Philadelphia)
26 Washington Capitals
27 Tampa Bay Lightning
28 San Jose Sharks
29 Stanley Cup Loser
30 Stanley Cup Winner
Round Two
31 Edmonton Oilers
32 St. Louis Blues (from Colorado)1
33 Florida Panthers
34 New York Islanders
35 Ottawa Senators
36 Chicago Blackhawks (from Atlanta)
37 Columbus Blue Jackets
38 Nashville Predators (from New Jersey)
39 Toronto Maple Leafs
40 Boston Bruins (from Minnesota)
41 St. Louis Blues
42 Carolina Hurricanes
43 Chicago Blackhawks (from Calgary via Toronto)
44 Dallas Stars
45 Calgary Flames (from NY Rangers)
46 St. Louis Blues (from Buffalo)
47 Florida Panthers (from Montreal)
48 Chicago Blackhawks
49 Los Angeles Kings
50 New York Islanders (from Montreal; compensatory)
Comments,Questions,Concerns
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This was a very challenging and fun assignment. There are so many factors that went into this list. Before you criticize or argue the order, realize that a lot of consideration went into this. The order and players included are based off multiple mock draft predictions and scouting reports.
I hope you enjoyed the read and my insights to this draft. A special thanks to THN's 2011 Draft Edition. It helped me learn a lot about most of these players and made me want to learn as much as possible about them.
If you have a comment or gripe, leave it below, and I welcome a lively debate. While the order may appear to be where each player will be picked, it is a combination of where they may be picked in conjunction with their overall ranking in the pool of 50 players.
For more New York Rangers and NHL news follow Tom Urtz on Twitter and at SportsHaze NYC
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