2011 NHL Mock Draft: Projecting All the First-Round Picks
The NHL Draft is just a day away and the fans, the players, and all the organizations are extremely excited to see who the next members of their franchise.
From the likes of Tavares and Duchene making huge contributions to their teams in their first years, to Taylor Hall creating some excitement in Edmonton.
The NHL Draft seems to be certain to produce some exciting talent for whatever team drafts them.
The best part about the NHL draft is that there are so many players to choose from, that players can find some serious gems throughout the draft.
While a lot of players can be discovered in the later rounds, the first round is where many teams end up finding their future stars.
So here is my prediction for all the first-round draft picks.
1. Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
1 of 30
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 164 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Nugent-Hopkins seems to be the consensus number one overall pick in this draft by almost any expert that I can find.
There is so much hype surrounding this kid that it is pretty insane, although you definitely expect to hear that sort of talk about the first overall draft pick.
The thing that seems to be the most consistent comment about RNH is his incredible ice vision, which all great set-up guys need.
Plus, when people are comparing you to Wayne Gretzky in any aspect of the game, you know there's a lot of expectations.
Nugent-Hopkins could be a great compliment to Taylor Hall as his primary set-up man, and if the two develop a chemistry, the could create some pretty exciting plays.
Unless Edmonton has something up their sleeves, count on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins as your number one overall draft pick this year.
2. Colorado Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog
2 of 30
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 207 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
One thing that the Colorado Avalanche are big on for their players is that they are character guys.
Obviously they want to bring a player in with the No. 2 overall pick that is immensely skilled and can be a building block for the future of the team, but building blocks also have to be leaders.
The Avalanche have already seen a lot of good leadership coming from former third overall draft pick, Matt Duchene.
Landeskog's scouting report talks about his leadership ability, his great skill, ability to use his size to his advantage, and the way that he sticks up for his teammates.
When you draw comparisons to Mike Richards, you know you're being praised for ability and toughness.
Great leadership, toughness, amazing ability, and character are all things that the Avalanche are big on, and this guy brings all of them in spades.
In that scouting report, Landeskog is also described as a player that can step right in and help a team move towards winning a Stanley Cup.
If ever there was a team that needed help right away, it would be the Colorado Avalanche, and Landeskog is a perfect match.
3. Florida Panthers: Adam Larsson
3 of 30
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 200 pounds
Shoots: Right
Current Team: Skelleftea (SEL)
Larsson is one big guy.
His scouting report praises him for his fantastic skating ability, and calls him one of the best skaters in this year's draft.
With a draft that is shaping up to be as deep as this one is, that is very good praise.
His great defensive ability should make it very easy for him to jump right onto any NHL team and make them better on the blue line right away.
That is a very good thing for the Florida Panthers, who are in need of a really solid defender around whom they can anchor their blue line.
Larsson definitely provides that kind of ability for Florida. Match made in heaven.
.png?w=256 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=256 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=256)
4. New Jersey Devils: Jonathan Huberdeau
4 of 30
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 170 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: St. John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
By winning the NHL Draft Lottery, the New Jersey Devils were propelled into the fourth overall position and were given the chance to draft a really great player.
Huberdeau shot up the draft charts towards the end of the junior season, and especially in the junior playoffs, where he was the Memorial Cup MVP for the winning St. John Sea Dogs.
Huberdeau plays a similar game to that of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, as a skilled, play-making center with great stick handling skills and ice vision.
He simply makes the people on his team better when he is on the ice.
Fourth is about as low as Huberdeau will likely go, and some think that he would even go as high as second, but that remains to be seen.
If the Devils are fortunate enough to get this kid, he would make a great center for Zach Parise. Those two could be an incredibly dynamic goal scoring combination.
5. New York Islanders: Dougie Hamilton
5 of 30
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 187 pounds
Shoots: Right
Junior Team: Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)
New York has a lot of great young scoring talent in a lot of places, but need improvement on their blue line.
Hamilton isn't shy about jumping into the play and is capable of contributing offensively, but plays the kind of gritty, hard-hitting defensive game that the Islanders really need right now.
For a guy who is 6'4", he could still probably stand to gain a bit of weight, but one he gets into the swing of an NHL workout regiment, I don't think that would be an issue.
He's a guy that can use his size very well, still, and size is something that will help the Islanders out a lot.
6. Ottawa Senators: Mika Zibanejad
6 of 30
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 194 pounds
Shoots: Right
Current Team: Djurgarden (SEL)
Ottawa needs scorers in a bad way, and Zibanejad definitely gives them that.
He's a power forward that is lauded in his scouting report for also having great hands.
Just as important for Ottawa, Zibanejad doesn't only perform well when he's in the offensive zone, he also gets praise for playing well in the defensive zone.
It's hard to tell what his effectiveness will be based off of his Elite League number, since he was called up from his junior team halfway through their season, but did log 21 points in 29 games while playing for his junior team.
Zibanejad power might be what is the most attractive about him for the Senators, who really need the offense.
7. Winnipeg "Jets?": Sean Courturier
7 of 30
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 197 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
One of the things that the former Atlanta Thrashers have been lacking is an elite level center that can pass and score.
Couturier definitely has the potential to be an elite level center, as he scored 96 points during the QMJHL season.
Even though this scouting report does say that he is responsible defensively, play in the defensive zone sounds like the only knock on him.
Perhaps the only reason that it seems like he might be a bit slow at times is the fact that he is always on the ice.
According to thescoutingreport.org, Couturier occasionally finds himself on the ice for about 40 minutes of the game.
Imagine being on the ice for two full periods of a three period game!
If anything, that should increase his value, knowing that he is able to be effective in literally every single situation conceivable.
Winnipeg will love having Couturier on their team, and Couturier will like not having to log 40 minutes of ice time for his team.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Nathan Beaulieu
8 of 30
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 174 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
Columbus really needs a defenseman that can produce offensively, and quarterback their power play.
Beaulieu can do both for Columbus, if the Blue Jackets don't trade this pick.
Columbus will be active during this offseason, as their GM has stated that he wants to bring in a big time player that can make an immediate difference.
Beaulieu would be a great compliment to whatever players are brought in with his offensive skill and puck moving abilities from the blue line.
9. Boston Bruins (Via Toronto): Sven Bartschi
9 of 30
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 181 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Bartschi is a human highlight reel who has hands that make everybody drop their jaw. Just check the scouting video of this guy.
The NHL Central Scouting office says that he might be the "...best in the WHL at distributing the puck."
NHL teams will love his work ethic as well. When your coach actually has to tell you go get off of the ice 45 minutes after practice is done, you know that work ethic isn't an issue.
That should match up very well with the defending Stanley Cup champions. It might even make him work harder.
A guy that can pass the puck the way Bartschi does will seriously benefit Boston's struggling power play, something that Boston desperately needs as their power play ranked 20th in the NHL during last year's regular season.
10. Minnesota Wild: Ryan Strome
10 of 30
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 175 pounds
Shoots: Right
Junior Team: Niagara Ice Dogs
The Minnesota Wild have a brand new head coach for their team, and are looking to start competing in the Northwest Division again.
A very good way to start in that direction would be to draft Ryan Strome.
He's fast, is very strong on the puck, and has insanely good puck handling skills.
He is probably going to be the most dynamic player available in the draft at the No. 10 spot, and will help to boost Minnesota's offense, which hasn't been all that great.
11. Colorado Avalance (via St. Louis): Duncan Siemens
11 of 30
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 192 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
The Colorado Avalanche are a team that lacked a lot of grit and intensity last year.
Any time there was a battle for the puck along the boards or down in the corners, the Avalanche lost those battles.
Partly because they are small, but partly because they didn't want to pay the price and, perhaps worse, they didn't make their opponents pay the price.
Duncan Siemens is a gritty guy who will always let the opponents know when he is on the ice.
He's a good skater as well, which is good for the fast paced Avalanche system, that is able to chip in offensively.
He also was defensive partners with another Avalanche prospect who many expect to make the team this year, Stefan Elliot. So he could come in with an immediate chemistry with his defensive partner.
12. Carolina Hurricanes: Jonas Brodin
12 of 30
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 169 pounds
Shoots: Left
Current Team: Farjestad (SEL)
Carolina is in need of defense, as they were sitting in the bottom 10 of the league for goals allowed during last season.
Brodin's scouting report lists him as a very effective one-on-one defenseman, which is never a bad thing to have on your team.
He's also said to be very smart with the puck, and very cool in his decision making, which is key if you are going to be a good NHL defender.
He might not play for Carolina right away, as he is still a bit small at 169 pounds, but as he develops and puts on some more muscle, he could develop into a solid NHL defenseman.
13. Calgary Flames: Jamieson Oleksiak
13 of 30Height: 6'7"
Weight: 244 pounds
Shoots: Left
Current Team: Northeastern (NCAA)
There are very few words that can describe this guy, but some that come to mind are "big kahuna."
Calgary lost out earlier this year on one of their other defensive prospects for whom they had great expectations, and are looking to fill that void.
At his size, Oleksiak will fill pretty much any void that you give him, and will help Calgary solidify their blue line whether he plays for them now, or after a few more years in college.
14. Dallas Stars: Vladislov Namestnikov
14 of 30Height: 6'0"
Weight: 166 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: London Knights (OHL)
Dallas will have a hard time replacing Brad Richards because of of what a special player he is, but Namestnikov can move them in the right direction.
He's still a bit small, and may need a little bit more time to put on a few more pounds, but his high energy game helps him to excel in both ends of the ice.
He's very creative with the puck and can pass just as well as he can shoot, which has made him very dangerous in the OHL.
If he can transfer all of those things to the NHL, then Dallas will only miss Richards for a little bit.
15. New York Rangers: Zack Phillips
15 of 30Height: 6'1"
Weight: 178 pounds
Shoots: Right
Junior Team: Saint Johns Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
The Rangers need a little bit of help at center, and are planning to be a top contender for Brad Richards, but could still use a bit more depth up the middle.
He was a big part of Saint Johns' Memorial Cup winning team, and his coach sees a lot of great potential with this kid going forward, comparing him to Adam Oates.
He's got pretty decent size, and works very hard, and is a right-handed center, which seems to be pretty rare in today's game.
All in all, Phillips could make a great addition to the New York Rangers.
16. Buffalo Sabres: Boone Jenner
16 of 30Height: 6'1"
Weight: 204 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Jenner gives the Sabres some more talent at the center position, which is where they are missing the most overall talent with only one center breaking 40 points.
He also works very hard defensively, on the forecheck, and fighting for pucks.
He might not be the greatest skater in the world, but Buffalo has several very talented skaters already and could use somebody that is more straight forward with his play.
Good match here.
17. Montreal Canadiens: Brandon Saad
17 of 30Height: 6'1"
Weight: 208 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Montreal needs some more size up front to help the likes of Brian Gionta and Mike Cammalleri who are both quite small.
Saad is not only solid offensively, but he is just as responsible in the defensive zone.
Saad can definitely provide a nice change of pace to a Montreal team that isn't really all that big up front, and could develop into a great power forward.
18. Chicago Blackhawks: Tyler Biggs
18 of 30Height: 6'2"
Weight: 210 pounds
Shoots: Right
Junior Team: USA U-18 Development Program
Something that I wrote about the Chicago Blackhawks a little earlier this summer reminded me about Tyler Biggs.
I said that for the Blackhawks to get back to their Stanley Cup form, they needed a guy that did all the things that Dustin Byfuglien did. Play physically, go to the front of the net, pound home those dirty goals, and out-work the other team.
Biggs has that kind of size and ability to get to those dirty spots and make a difference for his team.
Obviously he's not going to come right in and do all of the things that Byfuglien did for the Hawks when they won the cup, but he could grow into that player very fast, which would be great for Chicago.
19. Edmonton Oilers (via L.A. Kings): Ryan Murphy
19 of 30Height: 5'10"
Weight: 166 pounds
Shoots: Right
Junior Team: Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
I'm probably going to be wrong about this one, but I think Murphy's size might be something that hurts his draft stock for the teams up top.
Edmonton, with their second pick of the first round, would love to have a guy like Murphy be able to jump in the line-up and be that fourth guy on the rush that everybody forgets about.
Murphy is probably the best offensive defenseman in this draft, and could be a real shot of energy for that power play.
He will make plays, and smaller guys like him are still capable of being effective defensively as long as they play well positionally. That will be his big challenge.
Most mock drafts like him going earlier, but I think Edmonton at 19 is a good spot for him.
20. Phoenix Coyotoes: John Gibson
20 of 30Height: 6'3"
Weight: 205 pounds
Catches: Left
Team: USA Under-18 Development League
If there's a team that makes sense to get a goalie in the first round, it's the Coyotes, who now have absolutely no idea what they're going to do in net.
Gibson is the best goalie available in the draft, and is a big guy.
The word on Gibson is that he is very sound technically, and is also very calm with his play.
He is committed to play for Michigan next year, and might not crack the line-up in Phoenix for a couple of years, but giving him a bit more time to develop and experience big time college hockey in one of the biggest hockey universities in the country should help him in the long run.
Gibson could represent the future in net for Phoenix, or wherever they end up by the time he actually suits up for them.
21. Ottawa Senators (via Nashville): Tomas Jurco
21 of 30Height: 6'2"
Weight: 187 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: St. Johns Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
Before you read any more of this, you have to go check out this guy's scouting video. I can only think of one word to describe what you see there, SICK!
Ottawa continues to look to improve their depleted offense, and Jurco definitely does that.
The hands on this kid are just absolutely insane, and not just with his ability to do trick shots.
Not to mention, he's got some pretty good size on him, so it isn't as if he'd come into the NHL and just get steamrolled by the bigger, stronger players. He's already as big as most of them.
Jurco will not only help put more pucks in the net, he will pull fans out of their chairs and drop their jaws doing it.
22. Anaheim Ducks: Joel Armia
22 of 30Height: 6'3"
Weight: 191 pounds
Shoots: Right
Current Team: Assat (Finnish Elite League)
Another pick that may be a bit of a stretch, Armia may actually be the best player available for the Ducks here.
Plus, Teemu Selanne has to retire at some point, why not allow this kid to actually learn the NHL game from the best Finnish player ever to play the game.
I'm sure that it can't hurt that he's already being compared to Selanne, and has the same kind of sniping ability.
Plus, Armia is the kind of big body that the Ducks like to have on their teams. If he can put even five more pounds of muscle on, this kid could be a force to be reckoned with.
23. Pittsburgh Penguins: Nicklas Jensen
23 of 30Height: 6'2"
Weight: 187 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Pittsburgh needs secondary scoring from their wings in a major way.
The return of the Penguins' dynamic duo of Crosby and Malkin will obviously get things rolling, but much more is needed.
Jensen could be a big difference maker on the second or third line for Pittsburgh, helping to set up Staal or Malkin throughout the season.
His size should definitely help him make the jump to the NHL, as well.
24. Detroit Red Wings: Oscar Klefbom
24 of 30Height: 6'4"
Weight: 200 pounds
Shoots: Left
Current Team: Karlstad (SEL)
Detroit is a team that likes to think ahead, and develops talent probably better than anybody in the league.
Knowing that the defense is getting older, Detroit might want to draft a good, strong defenseman that can develop for another year, maybe two, and then be prepared to play NHL hockey when they do get their chance.
The later round picks have been equally intriguing for the Red Wings, and still seem to produce legitimate stars.
25: Toronto Maple Leafs (via Philadelphia): Matt Peumpel
25 of 30Height: 6'0"
Weight: 196 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Brian Burke likes to draft people that are scrappy, tough, and hardworking. Each of those words describes Puempel.
In fact, his scouting report pretty much is an outline of the things that Brian Burke always says that he loves to have in his players.
"Goes to the net...battles...not shy about getting involved in traffic in front of the net" are all words that are used for him.
It helps that he's got a lot of skill to go with his ability to get dirty.
26. Washington Capitals: Connor Murphy
26 of 30Height: 6'3"
Weight: 185 pounds
Shoots: Right
Current Team: USA Under 18 Development Program
Washington could use a defenseman with some good size that is also able to chip in a bit offensively.
Murphy has an injury that kept his USHL season a bit shorter than he would have liked, but he still goes in the first round.
He also understands how to perform on a pretty big stage, as he scored the game winning goal in the Under-18 World Championships against Sweden to give the USA the gold.
Washington wouldn't mind a guy who knows how to get things done in clutch situations, as they have had trouble with those once they get to the playoffs.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning: Scott Mayfield
27 of 30Height: 6'4"
Weight: 197 pounds
Shoots: Right
Current Team: Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
Tampa is a very solid offensive team, and could use a bit more help on the defensive side of things, especially when building for the future.
Mayfield is a big, strong, active defenseman who is physical in his own end and can put up points in the offensive zone.
Scouts say that he plays like a seasoned veteran and will make a fantastic quarterback for a power play because of the control he has from the point.
Tampa Bay will love this kid as he develops.
28. San Jose Sharks: Phillip Danault
28 of 30Height: 6'0"
Weight: 170 pounds
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
San Jose is strong up the middle at the center position, and could use some more depth on their wings.
Danault is the best available wing left at this point, and would still probably spend one more year down in juniors before joining the big squad.
His hard work ethic would be a good addition to a San Jose team that likes to out-work their opponents.
29. Vancouver Canucks: Alexander Khokhlachev
29 of 30Height: 5'10"
Weight: 188
Shoots: Left
Junior Team: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Another high skill guy to add to one of the highest skill teams in the league today.
Khokhlachev adds great versatility to the team as he can play both at the center position and on the wing.
Plays with a high energy level and always has good effort when he is one the ice.
Vancouver lost in the finals largely because their effort wasn't there when it needed to be, but this guy will always give it to you.
30. Toronto Maple Leafs (via Boston): Ty Rattie
30 of 30Height: 5'11"
Weight: 163 pounds
Shoots: Right
Junior Team: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
During his time in juniors, Rattie has been a better than a point per game player, racking up points in the physically tough Western Hockey League.
Leafswire.com calls him "one of the few forwards in the top 30 with pure raw offensive talent."
The Leafs have been very streaky, just like Phil Kessel, when it comes to offense, and the kind of talent Rattie brings to a team should help them be a more consistent offensive threat.
For more 2011 NHL draft coverage, stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated NHL mock drafts, NHL draft rumors, NHL draft results and draft grades.
.png?w=480 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=480 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=480)
.png?w=600 "B/R NHL Staff Second-Round Predictions 🏒")
