2011 NHL Draft: Power Ranking the Top 11 No. 1 Picks in Draft History

The 2011 NHL Entry Draft is less than two weeks away. It is arguably the most exciting event for a hockey fan during the offseason.

There is always a question looming: Will the first overall pick pan out, or will he be another Alexandre Daigle?

The 11 players that I've chosen--I couldn't narrow the list down to 10--are some of the greatest players to have ever laced up skates in the NHL. They lived up to all of the hype and expectations.

I'd like to give honorable mention to Joe Thornton, Vincent Lecavalier, and Eric Lindros, all of whom nearly made the list, but just missed the cut.

11. Steven Stamkos, C

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TAMPA, FL - MAY 25: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning controls the puck in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Bruins during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at St Pete Times Forum on May 25, 2011 in Tampa, Florida.

Drafted First Overall, 2008

(243 GP, 119 G, 113 A, 232 points)

I know, I know: I may be jumping the gun with this selection.

But does anyone really think that Steven Stamkos won't be seen as one of the league's all-time greats once all is said and done?

I mean, come on, in three seasons, he's already scored 119 goals. The 51 that he tallied during the 2009-2010 season earned him a share of the Rocket Richard Trophy, given to the league's top goal-scorer.

At 21 years old, Stamkos is only getting better.

10. Ilya Kovalchuk, RW

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 08: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Ottawa Senators at the Prudential Center on March 8, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Sens defeated the Devils 2-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Drafted First Overall, 2001

(702 GP, 369 G, 333 A, 702 points)

Ilya Kovalchuk had been one of the league's most dangerous snipers up until last season.

I'm sure he'd like to have the beginning of his first full season with the New Jersey Devils back. The 60 points he posted was Kovalchuk's worst since his rookie season.

If Kovy's play after the All Star break is any indication of things to come, he will certainly rebound in 2011-2012 and start proving his worth, much like he did during all those years on the Atlanta Thrashers.

9. Mike Modano, C

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DALLAS - APRIL 08: Center Mike Modano #9 of the Dallas Stars waves to the crowd after his last home game of the season against the Anaheim Ducks at American Airlines Center on April 8, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Drafted First Overall, 1988

(1499 GP, 561 G, 813 A, 1374 points)

Mike Modano has had quite the illustrious career.

He has scored more goals and points than any other American-born NHLer.

He has scored 30 or more goals in nine seasons, including one in which he tallied 50 (1993-1994 with the Dallas Stars).

It looks as if his playing time has come to an end, but the Stanley Cup champion and eight-time All-Star has a lot of great memories to look back on.

8. Mats Sundin, C

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TORONTO - FEBRUARY 5: Mats Sundin #13 of the Toronto Maple Leafs shots the puck against the Florida Panthers during their NHL game at the Air Canada Centre February 5, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Drafted First Overall, 1989

(1346 GP, 564 G, 785 A, 1349 points)

Mats Sundin holds the record for most points as a Toronto Maple Leaf.

Interestingly enough, his best season, both goals and points-wise was in 1992-1993 (47 goals and 114 points) when he played for the Quebec Nordiques, the team that drafted him.

Sundin was named an NHL All-Star nine times in his 18 year career. 

7. Gilbert Perreault, C

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BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Former Buffalo Sabres players Gilbert Perreault #11, Rene Robert #14 and Rick Martin #7 skate out to meet new Sabre owner Terry Pegula (not shown) during pre game ceremonies prior to play against the Atlanta Thrashers at HSBC A

Drafted First Overall, 1970

(1191 GP, 512 G, 814 A, 1326 points) 

Gilbert Perreault is best known as the centreman of the Buffalo Sabres' "Flying Frenchmen" line that dazzled during the 1970s.

Perreault, regarded as one of the great playmaking centres in NHL history, captained the Sabres.

He won the Calder Memorial Trophy awarded to the league's most outstanding rookie and was a nine-time All-Star.

He played his entire career with the Buffalo, retiring midway through the 1986-1987 season.

Unfortunately, he was never able to hoist the Stanley Cup, but he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1990. 

6. Dale Hawerchuk, C

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INGLEWOOD, CA - 1988: Dale Hawerchuk #10 of the Winnipeg Jets skates against the Los Angeles Kings during their game at the Great Western Forum circa 1988 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)

Drafted First Overall, 1981

(1188 GP, 518 G, 891 A, 1409 points)

Dale Hawerchuk may be one of the most underrated players in NHL history.

During an era in which he was overshadowed by the Great One, Hawerchuk managed to produce six seasons of 100 points or more.

He was a five-time All-Star and won the Calder Trophy.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.

5. Denis Potvin, D

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UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 02: Denis Potvin of 'The 'Core of the Four' New York Islanders Stanley Cup championships take part in a ceremony prior to the Islanders game against the Florida Panthers on March 2, 2008 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York

Drafted First Overall, 1973

(1060 GP, 310 G, 742 A, 1052 points)

Denis Potvin was the captain of the New York Islanders during their dynasty years when they won four consecutive Stanley Cups.

He was a three-time recipient of the Norris Trophy, awarded to the league's best defenseman.

Potvin was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.

4. Guy Lafleur, RW

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MONTREAL- DECEMBER 4: Former Montreal Canadien Guy Lafleur speaks to fans during the Centennial Celebration ceremonies prior to the NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins on December 4, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Cana

Drafted First Overall, 1971

(1127 GP, 560 G, 793 A, 1353 points)

Guy Lafleur is one of the most prolific scorers in Montreal Canadiens' history.

"Le Demon Blond" has a Conn Smythe Trophy (most outstanding playoff performer), three Art Ross Trophies (top league scorer), two Hart Trophies (awarded to the league's most valuable player), and five Stanley Cup rings under his belt.

Lafleur was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.

3. Alex Ovechkin, LW

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WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 01: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Brooks Laich #21, Alexander Semin #28, and Nicklas Backstrom #19 after scoring the tying goal in the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game Two of the

Drafted First Overall, 2004

(475 GP, 301 G, 313 A, 614 points)

Alex Ovechkin had the worst season of his NHL career last season: 85 points in 79 games.

Needless to say, 90 percent of the NHL would kill to post those numbers.

But, for a guy who is used to tallying at least 50 goals per season, 32 just won't cut it.

The Great 8, who scored 52 goals in his rookie season on his way to winning the Calder Trophy, is well on his way to becoming the greatest left winger that the league has ever seen.

All that's missing is that elusive Cup... 

2. Sidney Crosby, C

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks to pass against the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Washington won 3-1. (Pho

Drafted First Overall, 2005

(412 GP, 215 G, 357 A, 572 points)

Sidney Crosby is, in my humble opinion, the best player in the NHL today.

He has a Stanley Cup Ring, a Hart Trophy, an Art Ross Trophy and a Rocket Richard Trophy to his name.

Quite the accolades for a player that has only played six seasons.

Crosby is turning 24 this summer. Provided he doesn't have concussion issues, he'll be dazzling hockey fans for years to come.

1. Mario Lemieux, C

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23 Apr 1997: Center Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates around the ice during a playoff game against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Penguins won the game 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsp

Drafted First Overall, 1984

(915 GP, 690 G, 1033 A, 1723 points)

Mario Lemieux is one of the top-three players to ever play the game and hands down the best ever No. 1 draft pick.

The Magnificent One exhibited dominance and resilience throughout his career, beating cancer and twice winning the Stanley Cup.

He won the Calder Trophy, the Hart Trophy (three times), the Art Ross Trophy (six times), the Conn Smythe Trophy (twice) and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997 just after his first retirement.

If it wasn't for the back problems that shortened his career, who knows what Super Mario could have done?