2011 NHL Draft

[leaffan]

Well the cup is over and we're off to the offseason.

Draft Order (1st Round):

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 Vancouver Canucks
30 Toronto Maple Leafs (from Boston)

Draft Websites:

NHL Central Scouting: http://centralscouting.nhl.com/

 

[Ravin]

There has been a bunch of talk about what the Oilers will do, but I see no way they take anyone other then Nugent-Hopkins. They do need a franchise defencemen, but when a player such as Nugent-Hopkins is there, and has such vision on the ice, play making ability, and can not only make your offence better, but also your PK, he turns into a more franchise player then Hall can.

Plus how do you honestly pass up Hopkins2Hall4Goal? The line of Hall - Hopkins - Eberle would be just insane, or if they moved them around and made it Hall - Hopkins - Hesmky and Paajarvi - Gagner - Eberle on second line, Edmonton goes to a sick top 6 line combo, that in my opinion is fairly solid. Obviously need time to grow, but with 5 of the 6 all RFA, you can allow them that time to grow.

I also think with Edmonton, they need to go out and get a solid goalie. If I am GM of Edmonton, I say who I am drafting, and then go to a guy like Vokoun and say "ok, this is what we got, and we are about to make our move. We need someone like you, and we have way more then what Florida had." They cannot rest of Bulin being the goalie of the future, and sooner or later need to get someone in net full time who is going to be the clubs goalie.

The defence is someting to work in progress. But as far as the draft goes, passing up Hopkins just isn't in Edmonton's best interest. With Hopkins, Hall and Eberle, you got 3 franchise players who could run teams over once they really find their stride.

 

[Ravin]

http://tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=44969

So by TSN, Hopkins goes first, and I really can't see Edmonton letting this slip. The kids vision is being compared to the Great One's, and the idea of Hopkins-Hall is actually making some scouts cringe at having to face them in a couple seasons.

Larsson goes second despite a lot of people jumping on his back saying he can't do this and that. He is NHL ready as he plays with men already in the Elite league.

Huberdeau jumps into the 3rd spot. His stock is huge after the playoffs and Memorial Cup he had.

 

[wingsfan77]

Lots of rumors of the Flyers and Columbus talking about the #8 pick....if nothing happens the Flyers don't pick until the 3rd round....ugh.

 

[Ravin]

Lots of rumors of the Flyers and Columbus talking about the #8 pick....if nothing happens the Flyers don't pick until the 3rd round....ugh.

So they said they wanted Kris Versteeg...​

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

RNH is a unanimous #1...after that, the next group of 6 guys are all very f'n good.

Landeskog, Huberdeau, Dougie Hamilton, Sean Couturier, Ryan Strome, and Adam Larsson are all very nice prospects.

Panthers sitting @ #3 have a lot of really nice options.

/Prefer Landeskog...but wouldn't mind a small trade down for Couturier or Strome...wouldn't hate Huberdeau either...I like players from winning programs, especially to a team that doesn't know anything about winning, like Florida.

 

[wingsfan77]

So they said they wanted Kris Versteeg...​

Don't even get me started.....uke2:

 

[Ravin]

RNH is a unanimous #1...after that, the next group of 6 guys are all very f'n good.

Landeskog, Huberdeau, Dougie Hamilton, Sean Couturier, Ryan Strome, and Adam Larsson are all very nice prospects.

Panthers sitting @ #3 have a lot of really nice options.

/Prefer Landeskog...but wouldn't mind a small trade down for Couturier or Strome...wouldn't hate Huberdeau either...I like players from winning programs, especially to a team that doesn't know anything about winning, like Florida.

Florida takes either Huberdau or Landeskog. Couturier and Strom are 5-6, and I can't see them passing up on either of those two. Benefit with Landeskog is that he is NHL ready now.

What does it tell you when of the top 5 (3 canadian, 2 Sweds) that the two sweden players are the most NHL ready.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Florida takes either Huberdau or Landeskog. Couturier and Strom are 5-6, and I can't see them passing up on either of those two. Benefit with Landeskog is that he is NHL ready now.

What does it tell you when of the top 5 (3 canadian, 2 Sweds) that the two sweden players are the most NHL ready.

I'd love to get teh 'Kog...Panthers need a big power forward, but could also use a scorer and playmaker...fuck it, they need lots of front line help...the D is kind of set, but if you have Larsson or Dougie Hamilton as the BAP, you just got to take him.

Perfect world, Panthers are sitting there @ #3, with RNH going 1 and Aves going with Larsson @ 2.

Last year's draft, the Panthers loaded up on BAP...Guddy, Bjugstad, Howden, McFarland, Petrovic...we ended up with some nice skill guys up front...but, need to keep feeding the skill up front...

If the Avs take teh Kug #2, tough choice between Huberdeau and Larsson, IMO. Larsson is higher rated but Huberdeau kind of gives you what you want in the skill player for a 1/2 line.

Gonna be interesting.

 

[Ravin]

Hopkins is going to Edmonton unless they for some reason want to go the defence route. Larsson I am for sure saying goes to Colorado because they could really use a good defence there as well. The team is fairly loaded when it comes to forwards and centremen.

Florida and Kog just fit so well. They don't need a bunch of centre's, but they need that difference player. Kog could be that identity player every team needs. Big strong kid, isn't flashy, just wants the puck so much and goes for it all the time. People say often he is a "man in a boys league". I really think he goes third. Huberdeau is a good pick, but at this point, Kog is probably the best route for Florida.

 

[Xixak]

Again the Flames waste a season by finishing just outside the playoffs and ending up with a mediocre first round pick :smh:

 

[killgod]

Again the Flames waste a season by finishing just outside the playoffs and ending up with a mediocre first round pick :smh:

Flames and Leafs draw too many parallels.

 

[Ravin]

To be honest, outside the top 9 which are basically set in stone, the draft is fairly deep, so even having the 13th pick is actually still a decent one. It isn't going to be help they can use tomorrow, but it is still going to finally put a useful piece back into the mix.

If Calgary could land someone like Nathan Beaulieu that would be huge for them and add a good solid defence. Going with his sea dogs teammate in Zach Phillips at centre would be good as well, considering they really could use some solid help down the middle. Or someone like Sven Bartschi on the wing.

I think what you will find is that the draft from the 10-20 position is going to really open up, and guys will be picked off the board. It isn't going to go in order this year down the line.

 

[leaffan]

I keep reading on different blogs and such that Carter to Columbus with the 8th overall going back is pretty much a go, of course they have to finish up the final details because philly would be getting fleeced if it was just that.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Hopkins is going to Edmonton unless they for some reason want to go the defence route. Larsson I am for sure saying goes to Colorado because they could really use a good defence there as well. The team is fairly loaded when it comes to forwards and centremen.

Florida and Kog just fit so well. They don't need a bunch of centre's, but they need that difference player. Kog could be that identity player every team needs. Big strong kid, isn't flashy, just wants the puck so much and goes for it all the time. People say often he is a "man in a boys league". I really think he goes third. Huberdeau is a good pick, but at this point, Kog is probably the best route for Florida.

I like what Tallon is doing though...

The players he is drafting are BIG (Guddy, Bjugstad, and Howden, his first three picks...6-3, 6-5, and 6-2...)...I think Kog goes in that group nicely and is a top 1-2 line forward going down the road.

Huberdeau is a nice pick, it just really depends on the direction you want to go in and what you need. I think you can get a Huberdeau every year...might not get a Landeskog every year...those type of skilled grinder types.

 

[Obst]

I keep reading on different blogs and such that Carter to Columbus with the 8th overall going back is pretty much a go, of course they have to finish up the final details because philly would be getting fleeced if it was just that.

Jakub Voracek and the 8th is what I have been hearing, not sure how true the rumors are though.

 

[leaffan]

Time to rumble.

 

[leaffan]

Larssons hair is straight from the 80s.

 

[leaffan]

The nuuugggge

 

[leaffan]

Drunk ass jets fans.