1. Edmonton Oilers-- Ryan Nugent Hopkins (C) Red Deer (OHL)-- The Oilers are once again picking #1 overall, a place they certainly didn't expect to be again, after taking Taylor Hall first overall in the 2010 draft, in Los Angeles. While Hall, and fellow rookies Magnus Paajarvi and Jordan Eberle enjoyed much success in 2010, the Oilers, as a whole, struggled to find consistency on the back end, or in net, and once again plummeted to the bottom of the standings. GM Steve Tambellini knows that he must address Edmonton's glaring need for a true top-line pivot, as well as the need for another top-pairing defensman, to play along side Ryan Whitney. Nugent-Hopkins is an undersized center, and may not make an immediate impact in 2011-12, unless he can bulk up quite a bit over the summer, but he posseses the most upside of all players available. RNH could be the no. 1 center for Edmonton, for many years to come. NHL Comparables-- Claude Giroux / Matt Duchene
2. Colorado Avalanche-- Adam Larsson (D) Skelleftea (AIK)-- GM Greg Sherman could not have envisoned a worse year for his team, than that of the 2010-11 season. Despite losing newcomers Tomas Fleischmann Peter Mueller, early in the year due to injury, the Avs were atop the Northwest division for much of the first half of the year. That is until leading scorer, and budding all-star Chris Stewart broke his hand, in a fight. From that point on, the Avs really fell off a cliff, and to make matters worse, once the team began to struggle, GM Sherman made a much-criticized trade, sending Stewart, and rookie blueliner Kevin Shattenkirk to St. Louis for former number 1 overall pick, Erik Johnson. While Johnson certainly has the abilities to be a true number one Defenseman, it's still questioned, whether or not he can reach his full potential. Despite losing Stewart, the Avs have plenty of young depth upfront, with the likes of Ryan O'Reilly, Paul Stastny, and Matt Duchene, so therefore I beleive they will take a defenseman who can step in next year, aid the team's rebuliding process. Larsson has long been considered the most NHL-ready player in this draft, after playing 2 seasons with grown men, in the Swedish Elite League. Comparisions to Nick Lidstrom, and Ulf Samuelsson are just silly, but If both of these guys can reach their potential, a Larsson-EJ pairing in Denver, could become one of the best in the NHL. NHL Comparables-- Marc Staal / Ryan Suter
3. Florida Panthers-- Jonathan Huberdeau (C) Saint John (QMJHL)-- There really isn't much you can say about another dissapointing season for the Panthers, as their seemingly eternal rebuilding process continues. GM Dale Tallon has done a good job of cleaning house, and bringing in some top prospects. With goaltender Jacob Markstrom, and d-man Erik Gundbranson ready to step in next year, it seems that Florida is setting themselves up in a good position, for the future. I beleive that taking Huberdeau will be the best option for Tallon to take. Huberdeau was by far the fastest rising player this year, in terms of draft stock, after an amazing year with Saint John, posting 105 points in only 67 games, good for a 1.57 point-per-game rating! NHL Comparables-- John Tavares / Patrick Kane
4. New Jersey Devils-- Dougie Hamilton (D) Niagara (OHL)-- The New Jersey Devils had an uncharacteristically poor season in 2010-11, and missed the playoffs, after an atrocious start to the season. Losing Zach Parise for the length of the season, was a tough blow to take, for New Jersey, and the firing of John MacLean wasn't a tremendous surprise, after a horrific start. The Devils need to focus of re-signing RFA Zach Parise, ahead of anything else, this off-season. The biggest need, going forward, for the Devs, is a true top-pairing defenseman. Dougie Hamilton, of the Niagara Ice Dogs should provide an immediate impact on the New Jersey d-corps next season. Hamilton is a great puck-mover, with some great offensive upside, and is also a big physical presence, in his own zone. I wouldn't be surprised is Hamilton is the first defenseman taken in this draft, he is that good. NHL Comparable-- Kris Letang / Jack Johnson
5. New York Islanders-- Mika Zibanejad (C) Djurgardens (IF-Sweden)-- Here is my surpise pick for this draft. GM Garth Snow has been known for making some out-of-the-box type of decisions, during his tenure as GM os the Isles. Playing in the IF, in Sweden, Mika posted a 12-9-21 line in 27 games, for his team. Mika is a skilled a highly skilled pivot, who can also be a physically intimidating presence, in all 3 zones of the ice. He plays the game of a modern power-forward, but has the skill set and hands, of a smaller player. When he'll be ready to make the transition to the NHL, is unknown at this point, but with young talent like Grabner, Okposo, and Tavares already playing for the big club, there is no need to rush this kid. NHL Comparables-- Jeff Carter / Ryan Kesler
6. Ottawa Senators-- Gabriel Landeskog (LW) Kitchener (OHL)-- Landeskog is undoubtedly the safest pick in this draft. The first european captain in Kitchener Rangers history, is the most solid of prospects, in most part, due to his willingness to play a 200-foot game. Gabe has put himself above the rest with his combination of skill, leadership, and passion. Though he does not posess the offensive skil of a Nugent-Hopkins of Huberdeau, he still finds a way to get it done, posting 63 points in 53 OHL games, in 2010-11. Whether it's scoring a goal, throwing a hit, or throwing some punches, in defense of a teammate, Landeskog can always be counted on to provide an emotional spark, to a team in need. A definate future captain in this league. Whether he slips to 6, or the Sens move up to grab him, I can't see Landeskog going anywhere else but Ottawa. NHL Comparables-- Mike Richards / Patrice Bergeron
7. Atlanta Thrashers-- Sean Couturier (C) Drummondville (QMJHL)-- At the start of the 2010-11 season, Couturier was the consensus #1 overall pick. However, his stock has fallen quite a bit since then, mostly due to his poor performance at the WJC, as well as the notion that he isn't always emotionally prepared for a game, and can dissapear on the ice at times, much like a Blake Wheeler, or Dustin Penner. Couturier is still one of the top playmakers in this draft. His size (6'4", 200lbs) and physicality make him a solid 2-way player, who shows commitment to hard work in his own end, but it's his speed and stick skills that make him a true threat to score, every time he's on the ice. With Couturier centering young power-forward Evander Kane, and captain Andrew Ladd, Atlanta ( or Winnipeg) could have one of the most phyisical top lines in all of hockey. NHL Comparables-- Joe Thornton / Vincent Lecavalier
8. Columbus Blue Jackets-- Ryan Strome (C) Niagara (OHL)-- Columbus has their future top line center fall right into their lap. Ryan may be small in stature, and his defensive game may be suspect, but their is little doubt that Strome is the most skillful and crafty offensive player in the 2011 draft. Strome finished the year with 106 points in 65 games for the Niagara Ice Dogs of the OHL, and will likely spend one more season up in Canada, just to gain some bulk and muscle, that's needed to excel at the NHL level. What really separates Strome from other high-end skill players (i.e. Tomas Jurco, or even Alex Semin) is his work ethic and never-say-die attitude. He is commited to improving his game, and solidifying his play in his own zone. With Ryan Johansen assumably ready to step in next year, and Strome coming in 2012-13, it appears that Columbus has finally found their young offensive core, to compliment perennial all-star, Rick Nash. NHL Comparables-- Danny Briere / Brad Richards
9. Boston Bruins-- Ryan Murphy (D) Kitchener (OHL)-- If Murph was 6'2"-6'4", he'd easily be the number one overall pick in this draft. INstead, the Kitchener defenseman is a mere 5'10" and 160lbs. He is an extraordinarily prolific playmaker, and excels as the quaterback, on a power-play. His 79 points in 63 games, in 2010-11 is further proof that he has one of the best first passes, in the entire OHL. What makes Murphy great, is not only his offensive prowess, but his dedication and hard work. Murphy has worked tirelessly to improve his game, in his own zone, and is no longer a one-dimensional player. Ryan could provide Boston's much-maligned power play with a stable playmaker on the back-end, for years to come. That sounds like the perfect remedy for a Bruins team that's going at about a 5% clip, during this post-season. While he does need to gain some more bulk over the summer, #24 could make an immediate impact in 2011-12, as a 6th defenseman and power play specialist. NHL Comparables-- Dan Boyle / Kris Letang
10. Minnesota Wild-- Duncan Siemens (D) Saskatoon (WHL)-- Siemens is one of the younger players in this year's draft, as well as possibly the most physical of draftees. The rough-and-tumble Blades' d-man always plays with an edge, and isn't afraid to make a big hit or throw some punches around, when the time calls for it. He is perhaps a year or two away, from making an impact at the NHL level, and will need improve his skating game, before making the jump, but he will definately be a solid shut down type defender on the Wild blueline for many years to come. NHL Comparables-- Johnny Boychuk / Ed Jovanowski
With The Bruins making such a deep playoff run, I have not been able to keep up as much with the Draft and it's prospects, so being that the NHL Draft 2011 is tonight, I will simply post the names, positions, and teams of my remaining 1st round mock draftees. Thank you all for reading....
11. Colorado Avalanche-- Nathan Beaulieu (D) Saint John (QMJHL)
12. Carolina Hurricanes-- Jameson Oleksiak (D) Northeastern (Hockey East)
13. Calgary Flames-- Boone Jenner (C) Oshawa (OHL)
14. Dallas Stars-- Mark McNeill (C) Prince Albert (WHL)
15. New York Rangers-- Tomas Jurco (W) Saint John (QMJHL)
16. Buffalo Sabres-- Oscar Klefbom (D) Farjestad (SWEDEN)
17. Montreal Canadiens-- Sven Bartschi (W) Portland (WHL)
18. Chicago Blackhawks-- Connor Murphy (D) US-Under 18 Program
19.Edmonton Oilers-- Matt Puempel (W) Peterborough (OHL)
20. Phoenix Coyotes-- Brandon Saad (W) Saginaw (OHL)
21. Ottawa Senators-- Mark Scheifele (C) Barrie (OHL)
22. Anaheim Ducks-- Rocco Grimaldi (W) US-Under 18 Program
23. Pittsburgh Penguins-- Joel Armia (W) Assat (FINLAND)
24. Detroit Red Wings-- Jonas Brodin (D) Farjestad (SWEDEN)
25. Toronto Maple Leafs-- Joseph Morrow (D) Portland (WHL)
26. Washington Capitals-- Niklas Jensen (W) Oshawa (OHL)
27. Tampa Bay Lightning-- Tyler Biggs (W) US-Development Program
28. San Jose Sharks-- Ty Rattie (W) Portland (WHL)
29. Vancouver Canucks-- Victor Rask (C) Leskands (FINLAND)
30. Toronto Maple Leafs-- Vladimir Namestnikov (W) London (OHL)