2011 NHL Draft: Ranking the Top 12 Goaltenders Available and Where They'll Go

In the 2011 NHL draft, the first goaltender probably won't be drafted until the second round.

Goaltenders are typically not drafted as high as skaters because they take longer to develop, so most teams would rather use their first-round pick for a skater.

The exception to this is when a truly remarkable goaltender is eligible and teams don't want to risk missing him. There are quality goaltenders in this year's draft, but no one that will be taken in the first round.

There are plenty of teams that have pressing goaltending needs; however, they won't solve those needs now by drafting a goaltender, since it'll be some time before they would make it up to the NHL.

Here are the top 12 goaltenders in the 2011 NHL draft and which team will draft each of them.

12. Stephen Michalek

Stephen Michalek is the pride of Loomis-Chaffee, a prep school in Connecticut.

In the 2010-11 season, the team had an abysmal finish, going 3-20-2. Despite these poor numbers, their goaltender, Michalek, finished with a .918 save percentage and made 1,000 saves throughout those 25 games.

Additionally, Michalek represented the U.S. in the U-18 Ivan Hlinka tournament last August. In the tournament, he stopped every shot he faced but one, and that goal was by none other than top prospect Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Michalek helped the U.S. to the silver medal and their best finish in the tournament in years.

Team That Will Draft Him:  Vancouver

Photo Courtesy of: nehockeyhub.com

11. Lars Volden

Lars Volden spent two years playing for the Stavanger Oilers, primarily for their Division 2 team, in Norway.

In 2010, Volden represented Norway at the U-20 WJC tournament and posted an incredible .958 save percentage and 1.47 GAA.

After going undrafted in the 2010 NHL Draft, Volden moved to the Finnish leagues so he could face tougher competition and prove himself in order to get drafted.

Volden played for the Blues Jr. team in the Finnish Junior league, posting a .907 save percentage and 2.76 GAA.

When Volden is drafted, he'll be the first Norwegian goaltender taken in the NHL draft.

Team That Will Draft Him: Washington

10. Benjamin Conz

Despite his last name being "Conz," there are a lot of pros in favor of Benjamin Conz of Langnau in the Swiss leagues.

Conz has played three seasons for Langnau: 2008-09, 2009-10 and this past season. He has posted GAAs of 2.50, 3.30 and 2.98, respectively.

This past season, as starting goaltender, Conz posted a save percentage of .905.

Team That Will Draft Him: Winnipeg

9. Jaroslav Pavelka

 According to Central Scouting's rankings, Jaroslav Pavelka of Czech Republic is the third best European goalie.

Pavelka remained consistent, as he was ranked No. 3 in both the Midterm Rankings and Final Rankings, whereas most players moved either up or down in the rankings.

Playing for the HR. Kralove Jr. U-18 team in Czech Republic this past season, Pavelka posted a save percentage of .924 and GAA of 2.68.

Team That Will Draft Him: Edmonton

Photo Courtesy of: hchk.cz

8. Matt Mahalak

Matt Mahalak is ranked as the eighth best North American goaltender, according to Central Scouting's Final Rankings. Mahalak moved up 17 spots from the Midterm Rankings to the Final Rankings.

Mahalak played for the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL. He posted a save percentage of .908 and GAA of 3.08.

Before the OHL, Mahalak played in the USHL for the Youngstown Phantoms after being the top pick in the 2009 USHL draft.

Team That Will Draft Him: Colorado

7. Mike Morrison

Mike Morrison is ranked as the sixth best North American goalie on Central Scouting's Final Rankings, 14 spots higher than he was on the Midterm Rankings.

Morrison played for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL, posting a save percentage of .912, GAA of 2.65 and record of 15-6-3 during the 2010-11 season.

In three playoff games, Morrison had a save percentage of .939 and GAA of 2.33.

Team That Will Draft Him: New Jersey

Photo Courtesy of: prohockeynews.com

6. Matt McNeely

Matt McNeely is ranked as the fourth best North American goalie on Central Scouting's Final Rankings.

McNeely has been overshadowed by his fellow USA U-18 goaltender John Gibson; however, going into the draft this weekend, McNeely has received significant attention and will likely be one of the first few goaltenders to be picked.

In 25 games this past season, McNeely posted a save percentage of .893 and GAA of 3.82.

Team That Will Draft Him: Florida

Photo Courtesy of: mnhockeypulse.blogspot.com

5. Jordan Binnington

Jordan Binnington is ranked as the third best North American goaltender, according to Central Scouting's Final Rankings, up four spots from the Midterm Rankings.

Binnington played for Owen Sound in the OHL this past season. During the regular season, he posted a save percentage of .899, GAA of 3.05 and record of 27-12-1-4.

He was even better in the playoffs. Binnington was named the Most Outstanding Goaltender in the Memorial Cup playoffs after posting a save percentage of .951, GAA of 1.42 (the best in the tournament) and the only shutout of the playoffs.

In the OHL playoffs, Binnington posted a save percentage of .943 and GAA of 1.94.

Team That Will Draft Him: Calgary

4. Magnus Hellberg

Magnus Hellberg is the second ranked European goaltender on Central Scouting's Final Rankings of European goaltenders.

Hellberg played for Almtuna in the Swedish Division 2 league. During the 2010-11 season, Hellberg had a save percentage of .935 and GAA of 2.04.

Another positive of Hellberg is his size. He's 6'5", giving him a large frame to guard the net.

Team That Will Draft Him: Chicago

Photo Courtesy of: hfboards.com

3. Samu Perhonen

Samu Perhonen is the best European goaltender available in the 2011 NHL draft, according to Central Scouting's Final Rankings.

Perhonen played for the JYP Jr. in the Finnish Junior League. During 2010-11, Perhonen had a save percentage of .922 and GAA of 2.71.

His play helped his team go to the league championship, where he posted a save percentage of .930 and GAA of 2.14. He also played in five international games, posting a save percentage of .918 and GAA of 2.80.

Team That Will Draft Him: St. Louis

Photo Courtesy of: tsn.ca

2. Christopher Gibson

Christopher Gibson is, in some eyes, the best goaltender in this draft. Central Scouting named Gibson the second best North American goaltender in their Final Rankings.

Gibson played for Chicoutimi in the QMJHL. He finished the 2010-11 season with a save percentage of .920, GAA of 2.42 and four shutouts.

This for a Chicoutimi team who had a losing record, going 27-29-5-7 in 2010-11.

Team That Will Draft Him: Toronto

1. John Gibson

John Gibson is the best goaltender in the 2011 NHL draft. He's been ranked No. 1 for North American goaltenders by Central Scouting in both their Midterm and Final Rankings.

Gibson played for the USA U-18 team and in the 2010-11 season, posted a save percentage of .918 and GAA of 2.64.

His best performance, though, was in international play, winning gold at both the 2010 World U-17 Challenge and the 2011 U-18 WJC. At the WJC, Gibson led the U.S. team to consecutive OT wins in the semifinal versus Canada and final versus Sweden.

After winning gold, Gibson earned the Best Goaltender award for the tournament after posting a .926 save percentage and 2.34 GAA.

He will join the University of Michigan's prestigious hockey program in the fall to further develop his skills.

Team That Will Draft Him: Ottawa

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.