2012 NHL Mock Draft 2 Rounds

Posted by chris.ransom

July 24, 2011

Round 1

1. Florida Panthers Nail Yakupov RW Sarnia Sting OHL Nail Yakupov is the clear cut #1 overall prospect in 2012. He plays for the Sarnia Sting. The same Sarnia Sting team that Steven Stamkos played for the Sarnia Sting before the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Stamkos #1 overall in 2008. Yakupov is a franchise player he passes the puck like Stamkos and shoots the puck like Ovechkin. Plus you have to consider the fact that it is much harder to find a premium right winger than it is to find a premium left winger.

I have the Florida Panthers picking here because they lost Vokoun to the Capitals. Their PK unit will drop from 6th out of 30 teams without his goaltending. Florida scored less than 200 goals last year and was the worst team in the NHL on the power play last season.

Erik Gudbranson made the Panthers roster last year, but could not get a deal in place last year which is why he returned to Kingston. Gudbranson signed a deal this year so he should be on the Panthers roster.

Dimitry Kulikov, Jason Garrison, Mike Weaver, and Keaton Ellerby all return to the Panthers this season with the additions of Brian Campbell and Ed Jovanowski. Gudbranson will probably return to Kingston in the OHL this season for another year of development. If Gudbranson impresses Florida he may beat out 2007 first round pick Keaton Ellerby for the final roster spot, but that is not something I would count on. Erik Gudbranson will play with his younger brother Alex this season and will likely take Mike Weaver’s spot on the Panthers in a year from now when his contract is up.

Florida did add some offensive pieces like Sean Bergenheim LW, Tomas Fleischmann C, Marcel Goc C, and Tomas Kopecky RW. This still won’t be enough for the Panthers as they will likely be pick first in 2012 due to a lack of team chemistry at this point.

Yakupov is an immediate impact player who will be on the Panthers roster right away. 2010 first round pick Erik Gudbranson and 2011 first round pick Jonathan Huberdeau will both be ready to play in the NHL by the time Yakupov makes the roster.

Florida’s first line of offense will feature David Booth, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Nail Yakupov. The Panthers line 2 unit should feature Sean Bergenheim, Stephen Weiss, and Tomas Kopecky. Line 3 will feature Rostislav Olesz at left wing, Tomas Fleischmann at center, and Scottie Upshall at right wing. Line 4 for Florida should feature Evgeny Dadonov at left wing, Marcel Goc at center, and Kris Versteeg at right wing. Take that offensive line depth along with a penalty killing unit that was 6th out of 30 teams in the NHL last season and you got a potential playoff contender down the road.

With all that offensive depth plus the defense that the Panthers currently have in place along with Jose Theodore at goalie Florida will have the pieces in place to finally start contending in the Eastern Conference.

Florida will struggle this year with the new free agents trying to learn their plays and the lack of offensive firepower this season, but things will finally start peaking for Florida in 2012. Once the Panthers get Yakupov their first round picks from 2010 and 2011 will join Yakupov giving Florida the depth to make them a dangerous hockey club considering the fact that their late round picks from 2009 and 2010 will also be peaking as premium AHL prospects.

Unless Yakupov gets injured or performs so poorly that he goes from being a potential #1 overall pick to a guy who falls late in the draft like Angelo Esposito I cannot see Yakupov not going #1 overall.

Esposito was the projected #1 overall pick heading into the 2006-2007 NHL Season. Esposito did so poorly that his draft stock fell and the Pittsburgh Penguins were able to land him late in round 1. Then Esposito got dealt to the Thrashers before the Florida Panthers obtained his services by making a trade with the Winnipeg Jets this offsesason. Esposito will likely play in the AHL continuing his development.

Yakupov tallied a mind boggling 101 points in 65 games as a rookie last season for the Sarnia Sting in the OHL. Yakupov may have gone in the top 3 if he were eligible for the 2011 NHL Draft, but he is only eligible for the 2012 NHL Draft because he got selected 2nd overall by the Sting in the 2010 OHL Import Draft.

2. Phoenix Coyotes Jacob Trouba D US Under 18 USHL The Coyotes have no goalie now that Bryzgalov is gone and their PK unit ranked 26th out of 30 teams during the 2010-2011 season.

I know the Coyotes landed Mike Smith the backup for the Tampa Bay Lightning, but I’m not really sold on Smith as a starting goalie. Tampa Bay started him in game 5 and had Tampa Bay started Roloson they may have won game 5 and ended the series in 6 games keeping Boston from hoisting the Stanley Cup. I get the feeling that Mike Smith will struggle with Phoenix.

There are 3 defenders worth taking in the top 5. There is the offensive defender Nick Ebert, the defensive defender Jacob Trouba, and the two way defender Ryan Murray.

Trouba is the best fit for Phoenix because he boosts the PK unit and he played with 2011 first round pick Connor Murphy so there is team chemistry with Trouba and Murphy. Trouba’s stats say he’s a defensive defender, but most NHL scouts believe he is a two way defender with more ability as an offensive defender which makes him an intriguing prospect.

Based on what I’ve read and researched about the 2012 NHL Draft so far Trouba is the best player who could rival Yakupov for that #1 spot at this point. There are a lot of defenseman in the 2012 NHL Draft so its way too early to crown a top defenseman at this point. The only thing that is certain at this point is that Yakupov is the clear cut #1 pick at this point unless he regresses, gets injured, or someone manages to outperform him this season.

3. Minnesota Wild Ryan Murray D Everett Silvertips WHL At age 16 Murray became the youngest team captain in Everett team history. My favorite team is the Dallas Stars. I can’t stand the Wild now because they kept my team from getting in the playoffs this year and they booed my team at the 2011 NHL Draft.

I know the Stars used to be the Minnesota North Stars and before that the North Stars were the Cleveland Barons after the California Golden Seals relocated to Cleveland.

I know the Wild have a deadly line 1 with Setoguchi, Koivu, and Heatley along with some top prospects in their farm system like Granlund, Zucker, Phillips, and Lucia. I even know they have one of the most underrated goalies in Niklas Backstrom. I feel like the Wild lack a defensive player who can be a game changer. I am not sold on Jonas Brodin as an NHL talent. I thought he would be a bust as a first round pick going 23rd and the Wild reached for Brodin at #10. So if your going to tell me I don’t know jack about the Wild because I have them picking 3rd. How come I mentioned a lot of key players on the Wild roster?

Plus pairing Brodin up with a game changer like Ryan Murray could make Minnesota a contender in 2012-2013 if Murray makes the roster along with Brodin making the roster next season because Murray would take a lot of pressure of Brodin.

4. Ottawa Senators Nick Ebert D Windsor Spitfires OHL Ottawa drafted 3 offensive players in round 1 and their stacked with defensive prospects. I feel like Zibanejad will bust in Ottawa. The Senators are stacked with defensive prospects. Still Ebert is the best player available and the 2011 first round draft picks that Ottawa drafted could use a quarterback on the power play in a few years. Why not give the Senators Nick Ebert a player who can play along with the 3 2011 first round picks down the road in Ottawa.

Ottawa is so stacked with defensive prospects that they can wait to develop Ebert by sending him back to Windsor which is what they will likely do.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs Alex Galchenyuk C Sarnia Sting OHL Galchenyuk is an underrated playmaker center. He will go in the top 5 and has the ability to start right away for Toronto. Plus Brian Burke will be fired if Toronto picks in the top 5 with a new GM getting his playmaker for the new regime in Toronto.

6. Calgary Flames Martin Frk RW Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL I feel like the Flames will draft a right winger to replace Iginla in a few years if they pick this high. Canadian NHL teams usually opt for CHL prospects over others. I could see Grigorenko being the pick, but I have Calgary taking Frk at #6 instead because of his Canadian roots.

Plus one of my friends saw Frk in person at a QMJHL game last season and they like Frk better than Grigorenko as a right wing prospect. I still like Grigorenko better, but my friends opinion and Calgary leaning toward a Canadian prospect over a Russian prospect is why I’m thinking Calgary takes Frk over Grigorenko at #6 here.

7. Dallas Stars Mikhail Grigorenko RW CSKA Russia Grigorenko is a two way forward who can play center or right wing. With the Canadian teams picking 4-6 in this mock I believe Grigorenko could possibly fall to #7. Grigorenko should not fall this far, but if the Canadian NHL teams passed on Grigorenko it would not surprise me.

The Dallas Stars getting a heck of steal as Grigorenko is the one player who many fans believe could rival Nail Yakupov for the top pick in the 2012 NHL Draft. I hope that Grigorenko gets to play for Dallas because he looks very promising when watching him on film.

Grigorenko’s ability as a playmaker center, sniper on the wing, and ability as a two way forward makes him one of the more complete prospects in the 2012 NHL Draft.

Grigorenko would be able to step in and fill the hole that Brad Richards left once he jumped ship to the New York Rangers.

8. St. Louis Blues Zemgus Girgensons C Dubuque USHL St. Louis goes with the best available player here at #8 by getting a playmaker center for the back 6.

9. Columbus Blue Jackets Griffin Reinhart D Edmonton Oil Kings WHLColumbus needs a face for their defense and Reinhart could be that face for the Blue Jackets defense down the road.

Columbus was leaning towards an offensive defender in 2011 before they traded their draft pick to the Flyers and their GM indicated that upgrading defense is the next step the Blue Jackets want to take. The Canucks goalie coach that developed Roberto Luongo is in Columbus now working with Steve Mason an injury prone goalie so if Mason gets injured Columbus may develop an unknown goalie that no one has heard of.

10. Winnipeg Jets Eric Locke LW Barrie Colts OHL Winnipeg has strong ties to the Barrie Colts since they drafted Mark Scheifele and Atlanta drafted Burmistrov and Bryan Little out of Barrie. Winnipeg reaches for Eric Locke as a sniper for the back 6 at #10 overall.

11. New Jersey Devils Olli Maata D JYP Jyvaskyla SM Liiga Maata would make an excellent complimentary defenseman for Adam Larsson. Plus I love the idea of the Devils bringing an old school international Scandinavian defense with a Swedish and Finland defender joining forces to the NHL. Larsson and Maata could be a deadly defensive tandem in New Jersey for the next decade.

With Larsson and Maata playing on the first line it would be nearly impossible to pass the puck or shoot the puck when the Devils first line is on the ice. The only way to get around this defense is if you had a center with a playmaker mentality who can be a sniper like Sidney Crosby or Steven Stamkos.

12. Philadelphia Flyers Alex Gudbranson D Kingston Frontenacs OHL I cannot believe I’m the only one that has Alex Gudbranson the little brother of Erik Gudbranson in round 1 of their 2012 NHL Mock Draft. Kingston’s coach stated that he likes Alex Gudbranson’s ability as a two way defender better than his older brother Erik who went 3rd overall to Florida in 2010. Mike Pouncey wasn’t as good as Maurkice, but he went higher than him in the NFL Draft. The same thing could very easily happen with Alex Gudbranson if he has a breakout year for Kingston this season. I could see Alex creeping up draft boards and becoming a top 5 pick just like Ryan Strome did this season.

I know this is a very strong draft at defense so its kind of foolish to say Gudbranson will climb all the way up to be a top 5 pick at this point. I’m not doubting Alex Gudbranson because his coach likes him better than Erik who went 3rd overall and Erik will do everything to help his younger brother get in the NHL.

Coaches give scouts information that most Mock Draft experts are unaware of. I may be foolish to go out on a limb here with the Gudbranson pick, but I get a strong feeling that Alex Gudbranson will surge up NHL Draft Boards as the draft process gets closer the same way Jonathan Huberdeau did.

13. Montreal Canadians Malcolm Subban G Belleville Bulls OHL Montreal has a proven goalie in Carey Price, but Subban could go as high as Jack Campbell went in terms of draft value so the Canadians may take the best available player here since offense was the bigger need. Montreal took the best player available in Nathan Beaulieu over need by adding offensive depth to the team because Beaulieu’s value was so good. A lot of Canadians fans want Malcolm Subban and his brother Jordan Subban.

14. Anaheim Ducks Nicolas Kerdiles C US Under 18 USHL Kerdiles would make a great 3rd line center for depth in Anaheim plus he is the best player available at this point.

15. Edmonton Oilers Morgan Reilly D Moose Jaw Warriors WHL Morgan Reilly could be another defender that the Oilers use to develop a deadly PK Unit. The Oilers have an array of defensive prospects in their system and since the Oilers were 29th out of 30 teams in penalty killing they may as well add one more defensive prospect until the defensive numbers for penalty killing improve.

Ryan Nugent Hopkins signed an entry level contract and looks promising in the Oilers offseason camp so far. Plus #1 overall picks usually play in the NHL right away as rookies. I think Ryan Nugent Hopkins plays as a rookie and helps turn the Edmonton Oilers around.

Even if Nugent Hopkins gets sent back to Red Deer he will be up by the 2012-2013 season and Edmonton will be a playoff team by next season.

16. New York Islanders Slater Koekoek D Peterborough Petes OHL Koekoek could be a prospect that the Islanders target. The Islanders need defense and there was talk that the New York Islanders would go with Dougie Hamilton at #5 last year.

New York would have a line 1 defense for the future with Scott Mayfield and Slater Koekoek.

17. New York Rangers Cody Ceci D Ottawa 67′s OHL The New York Rangers need an offensive defender. At one point Cody Ceci was the projected #1 overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft on EA Sports NHL 11.

Ceci has fallen off the map a bit because he did not live up to expectations of being a top 5 pick last season, but Ceci could still be a first round pick in 2012.

18. San Jose Sharks Henrik Samuelsson RW US Under 18 USHL Some people have Henrik Samuelsson going higher in their 2012 NHL Mock Drafts than teammate Nicolas Kerdiles.

19. Washington Capitals from Colorado Avalanche Andrei Vasilevski G Salavat Yulaev Ufa KHL Washington needs a goalie to succeed Tomas Vokoun. Michael Neuvirth is not a long term answer.

20. Carolina Hurricanes Matthew Dumba D Red Deer Rebels WHL Matthew Dumba is one of the top defenseman left in this draft. Some people believe Dumba is a top 10 talent with top 8 potential so Dumba provides amazing value with the 20th overall pick. The reason Dumba’s draft value is so great here is because Dumba is undersized as a defender. Ryan Nugent Hopkins played for Red Deer and he was undersized at center. Dumba is the same way as a defender which is why I have Matthew Dumba slipping to #20 overall in a deep defensive draft class.

21. Detroit Red Wings Filip Forsberg LW Leksands Allsvenskan Forsberg was the sniper shooter that Victor Rask passed the puck to last year. Usually playmakers make snipers. I think Forsberg made his playmaker Rask look better as a sniper. Forsberg has top 10 talent and the potential of a top 8 pick. The bottom line is Filip Forsberg is a very underrated prospect who will gel in nicely with the Detroit Red Wings.

22. Buffalo Sabres Emil Lundberg G Sodertalje SK Elitserien The Sabres have Ryan Miller, but the 2012 NHL Draft is stacked at goalie. Buffalo should add another goalie in this draft and Lundberg is the best player available.

23. Chicago Blackhawks Derrick Pouliot D Portland Winterhawks WHL Pouliot is an underrated talent who made Joe Morrow look better than he actually is.

24. Tampa Bay Lightning Teuvo Teravainen LW Jokerit Helsinki SM Liiga Tampa Bay should add a left winger for depth now that Sean Bergenheim is on the Florida Panthers.

25. Boston Bruins Brendan Gaunce C Belleville Bulls OHL Brendan Gaunce provides so much immense value at pick #25. Gaunce could go as high as #11 overall. Seguin, Khokhlachev, and Gaunce could be a deadly 1 2 3 punch for Boston at center giving the Bruins the offensive firepower to compete for the next 2 decades.

26. Nashville Predators Petteri Lindbohm D Blues Espoo SM Liiga Lindbohm has the defensive ability to develop into one of the top international defenseman. Nashville is one of the best teams when it comes to scouting players internationally.

27. Pittsburgh Penguins Charles Simard Hudon LW Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL Charles Simard Hudon could be a sniper that the Penguins could use to boost their power play.

28. Vancouver Canucks Kalle Torniainen RW Djurgardens Elitserien Kalle Tornianen could be another best available player that Vancouver uses for depth at right wing down the road.

29. Washington Capitals Michael Mathenson D Lac St. Louis Lions AAA Michael Mathenson has top 8 potential. He hasn’t committed to college hockey or the QMJHL yet so I have him going as a late first round pick. Washington has nothing to lose by taking a flyer on Michael Mathenson.

30. Los Angeles Kings Matia Marcantuoni C Kitchener Rangers OHL Marcantuoni is a underrated playmaker center. Marcantuoni would give the Kings another center prospect to develop now that Brayden Schenn is gone.

Round 2

31. Florida Panthers Colin Olsen G US Under 18 USHL Florida needs a goalie because Jose Theodore is a major downgrade from Tomas Vokoun.

32. Phoenix Coyotes Brady Hjelle G Cedar Rapids USHL Phoenix will need to draft a goalie to develop for the future because I am not sold on Mike Smith as a long term starter.

33. San Jose Sharks from Minnesota Wild Matthew Campagna C Sudbury Wolves OHL The Sharks could use some depth at center with an aging Joe Thornton. San Jose would have the luxury of developing Campagna. Campagna can develop with Sudbury for a bit before going to Worchester to play for the Worchester Sharks in the OHL.

34. Ottawa Senators Scott Laughton C Oshawa Generals OHL Ottawa has the luxury of taking the best available player to groom for the future with their deep depth of hockey prospects.

35. Toronto Maple Leafs Jarrod Maidens C Owen Sound Attack OHL Toronto has the luxury of taking the best available prospect. At this point that player would be Jarrod Maidens.

36. Calgary Flames Gianluca Curcuruto D Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL Calgary could use some depth on defense and Curcuruto would be a quality NHL prospect for the Flames to add.

37. Dallas Stars Jordan Schmaltz D Sioux City USHL Dallas drafts a defenseman for depth that the Stars can develop for the future.

38. St. Louis Blues Pontus Aberg LW Djurgardens Elitserien Aberg is the best player available and another potential sniper who the Blues could use down the road for depth.

39. Columbus Blue Jackets Sebastian Colberg RW Frolunda Elitserien Columbus adds more depth at right wing into their prospect pool with Sebastian Colberg joining Seth Ambroz. Rick Nash will be the Blue Jackets line 1 right winger with some right wing prospects hoping to come up to the NHL soon.

40. Winnipeg Jets Ryan Olsen C Saskatoon Blades WHL Olsen only had 7 goals, 7 assists, and 14 points last season. He was on a Blades team that led the WHL in total points meaning that the Blades were the best WHL team during the regular season. Now that Brayden Schenn will likely play for the Flyers next season Ryan Olsen will likely step up in Schenn’s place.

41. New Jersey Devils Aleksi Orenius D Ilves SM Liiga New Jersey gets another international defenseman. Orenius can anchor the play on the 2nd line down the road.

42. Philadelphia Flyers Mikael Vickstand D Mora Allsvenskan If Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick decided to create a fake ID when entering Sweden it would say Mikael Vickstand on it. Vickstand is a good player who works hard. I’m not trying to hurt Vickstand’s feelings, but his name sounds very similar to Vick’s.

Vickstand is an aggressive two way defender who excels at skating and plays with a very tenacious game on the ice.

Maybe the Philadelphia front office decides to double dip at defense taking Vickstand in round 2.

43. Montreal Canadians Chandler Stephenson LW Regina Pats WHL Montreal gets an offensive player in round 2 to groom for the future.

44. Anaheim Ducks Gustav Rydahl C Frolunda Elitserien The Ducks get a center for depth in round 2.

45. Edmonton Oilers Dominic Poulin D Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL Edmonton double dips at defense taking the best Canadian Hockey Player available.

46. New York Islanders Jake McCabe D US Under 18 USHL The Islanders double dip at defense adding another defensive prospect.

47. New York Rangers Barrett Kalib D US Under 18 USHL The Rangers add another prospect at defense.

48. Carolina Hurricanes from San Jose Sharks Matt Grzelcyk D US Under 18 USHL Carolina adds more depth at defense with another defensive prospect.

49. Colorado Avalanche Ryan Grimshaw D US Under 18 USHL Colorado adds a defensive prospect that they can groom for the future in round 2.

50. Carolina Hurricanes Damon Severson D Kelowna Rockets WHL Carolina now has 4 defensive prospects if you add Ryan Murphy along with their 3 2012 draft prospects. Carolina is now a team with the luxury of taking the best player available.

51. Detroit Red Wings Gennadi Sabinin D Chekhov KHL Detroit takes the best player available in roudn 2 with this pick. Sabinin provides great value near the end of the 2nd round.

52. Buffalo Sabres Anton Ivanyuzhenkov LW Checkov KHL The Sabres take a player who provides amazing value near the end of the 2nd round.

53. Chicago Blackhawks Vladimir Tkachev LW Kazan KHL The Blackhawks take the best available player in round 2 and add another offensive prospect to their roster.

54. Tampa Bay Lightning Matthew Bergland LW Providence Bergland sounds like a player that was born to be on teh Lightning.

55. Toronto Maple Leafs from Boston Bruins Dalton Thrower D Saskatoon Blades WHL Toronto adds a defensive player for depth. Dalton Thrower is a good prospect who should get drafted in the first two rounds.

56. Nashville Predators Nikolai Prokhorkin LW CSKA Moscow KHL Prokhorkin plays at left wing opposite of Grigorenko who plays right wing.

57. Pittsburgh Penguins Luca Ciampini LW Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL The Penguins add another left wing player for depth.

58. Vancouver Canucks Andrew Ryan LW Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL Vancouver gets a left wing prospect for the future in case they want Niklas Jensen to play right wing.

59. Washington Capitals Daniel Rzavsky LW Nitra Slovak Typical Capitals pick taking an international player.

60. Edmonton Oilers from Los Angeles Kings Dalton Sward C Vancouver Giants WHL Edmonton gets a center who they can develop in the WHL before sending him to Oklahoma City in the AHL.

59. Washington Capitals

60. Edmonton Oilers from Los Angeles Kings

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2012 NHL Mock Draft Debut

Posted by chris.ransom

July 19, 2011

1. Florida Panthers Nail Yakupov RW Sarnia Sting OHL Nail Yakupov is the clear cut #1 overall prospect in 2012. He plays for the Sarnia Sting. The same Sarnia Sting team that Steven Stamkos played for before the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Stamkos. Yakupov is a franchise player he passes the puck like Stamkos and shoots the puck like Ovechkin. Plus you have to consider the fact that it is much harder to find a premium right winger than it is to find a premium left winger.

2. Phoenix Coyotes Jacob Trouba D US Under 18 USHL The Coyotes have no goalie now that Bryzgalov is gone and their PK unit ranked 26th out of 30 teams during the 2010-2011 season.

There are 3 defenders worth taking in the top 5. There is the offensive defender Nick Ebert, the defensive defender Jacob Trouba, and the two way defender Ryan Murray.

I know the Stars used to be the Minnesota North Stars and before that the North Stars were the Cleveland Barons after the California Golden Seals relocated to Cleveland.

Ottawa is so stacked with defensive prospects that they can wait to develop Ebert by sending him back to Windsor which is what they will likely do.

7. Dallas Stars Mikhail Grigorenko C CSKA Russia Grigorenko is a two way forward who can play center or right wing. With the Canadian teams picking 4-6 in this mock I believe Grigorenko could possibly fall to #7. Grigorenko should not fall this far, but if the Canadian NHL teams passed on Grigorenko it would not surprise me.

Grigorenko’s ability as a playmaker center, sniper on the wing, and ability as a two way forward makes him one of the more complete prospects in the 2012 NHL Draft.

Grigorenko would be able to step in and fill the hole that Brad Richards left once he jumped ship to the New York Rangers.

8. St. Louis Blues Zemgus Girgensons C Dubuque USHL St. Louis goes with the best available player here at #8 by getting a playmaker center for the back 6.

9. Columbus Blue Jackets Griffin Reinhart D Edmonton Oil Kings WHL Columbus needs a face for their defense and Reinhart could be that face for the Blue Jackets defense down the road.

14. Anaheim Ducks Nicolas Kerdiles C US Under 18 USHL Kerdiles would make a great 3rd line center for depth in Anaheim plus he is the best player available at this point.

Even if Nugent Hopkins gets sent back to Red Deer he will be up by the 2012-2013 season and Edmonton will be a playoff team by next season.

New York would have a line 1 defense for the future with Scott Mayfield and Slater Koekoek.

Ceci has fallen off the map a bit because he did not live up to expectations of being a top 5 pick last season, but Ceci could still be a first round pick in 2012.

18. San Jose Sharks Henrik Samuelsson RW US Under 18 USHL Some people have Henrik Samuelsson going higher in their 2012 NHL Mock Drafts than teammate Nicolas Kerdiles.

19. Washington Capitals from Colorado Avalanche Andrei Vasilevski G Salavat Yulaev Ufa KHL Washington needs a goalie to succeed Tomas Vokoun. Michael Neuvirth is not a long term answer.

22. Buffalo Sabres Emil Lundberg G Sodertalje SK Elitserien The Sabres have Ryan Miller, but the 2012 NHL Draft is stacked at goalie. Buffalo should add another goalie in this draft.

23. Chicago Blackhawks Derrick Pouliot D Portland Winterhawks WHL Pouliot is an underrated talent who made Joe Morrow look better than he actually is.

24. Tampa Bay Lightning Teuvo Teravainen LW Jokerit Helsinki SM Liiga Tampa Bay should add a left winger for depth now that Sean Bergenheim is on the Florida Panthers.

27. Pittsburgh Penguins Charles Simard Hudon LW Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL Charles Simard Hudon could be a sniper that the Penguins could use to boost their power play.

28. Vancouver Canucks Kalle Torniainen RW Djurgardens Elitserien Kalle Tornianen could be another best available player that Vancouver uses for depth at right wing down the road.

29. Washington Capitals Michael Mathenson D Lac St. Louis Lions AAA Team Michael Mathenson has top 8 potential. He hasn’t committed to college hockey or the QMJHL yet so I have him going as a late first round pick. Washington has nothing to lose by taking a flyer on Michael Mathenson.

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2011 Rant Sports NHL Mock Draft

Posted by chris.ransom

June 22, 2011

This one round mock draft will feature insight and analysis from some of our top Rant Sports Bloggers. I hope you enjoy this 2011 NHL Draft. I’ll make picks for any teams that do not have bloggers.

1. Edmonton Oilers Adam Larsson D Skelleftea Elitserien Even though I’d probably take Larsson over Ryan Nugent Hopkins too if I were the Oilers GM lets hear what Rant Sports Edmonton Oilers Blogger Eric Yeomans had to say about the Edmonton Oilers who pick #1 overall in the 2011 NHL Draft.

“When you can get your hands on a young, stud, franchise defenseman, you take it. While Nugent-Hopkins is supremely talented, acquiring Larsson fills a much greater need for this Oilers team, who is already loaded with small, skilled forwards.

Larsson has been compared to Nicklas Lidstrom, and certainly plays like it. After an impressive showing at the World Juniors to go along with his three years of service playing against grown men in the Swedish Elite League and his already filled out frame at 6’3, 200 lbs, Larsson has proven that he can step onto the ice from day one and compete against NHL talent. And with his experience and size, he represents the closest thing to a “sure thing” in this draft.

If you have the opportunity to draft a sure thing, can’t miss prospect, you have to strongly consider that player. When that prospect can be your franchise defenseman for years to come, you can’t afford to go any other direction.”

For more top notch Edmonton Oilers content check out Eric’s Edmonton Oilers blog at www.struckoilers.com.

2. Colorado Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog RW Kitchner Rangers OHL The Avalanche front office is set on drafting Landeskog at #2 plus the Avalanche don’t need Ryan Nugent Hopkins with their array of centers.

Landeskog could start out on line 2 as a right winger working his way up to line 1.

3. Florida Panthers Ryan Nugent Hopkins C Red Deer Rebels WHL The Florida Panthers take Ryan Nugent Hopkins in a heartbeat if he slides this far by some miracle.

4. New Jersey Devils Jonathan Huberdeau C Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Here is Rant Sports New Jersey Devils blogger Steve Palumbo with his thoughts on the draft.

“He played allot of wing last year but he’s still a center and could compliment Kovalchuk. I still feel like the Devils may trade the pick or just grab a guy like Murphy but for the sake of this mock draft I’d take Huberdeau.”

To read Steve’s blog check out www.dekingdevils.com. Today he is discussing and examining all of the New Jersey Devils draft options on his website.

5. New York Islanders Dougie Hamilton D Niagara IceDogs OHL Here is Rant Sports New York Islanders blogger Chris Leyden with his brief summary on the pick.

“It seems likely the Islanders will trade down but for the sake of simplicity I would say they take Dougie Hamilton. Not sure its the right selection but it seems to be the popular one.”

To read Chris’s blog about the New York Islanders check out www.thelonelyislanders.com.

6. Ottawa Senators Ryan Strome C Niagara IceDogs OHL The Senators worked out Ryan Strome and really like him. I know the consensus is the Senators take Sean Couturier, but I’m going out on a limb saying the Senators take Strome.

7. Winnipeg Jets Sean Couturier LW Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL Atlanta is relocating to Winnipeg. The team name is unknown. Atlanta has a front 6 and needs a face for their back 6.

Couturier can be a playmaker or a sniper. He can play left wing, center, or right wing. Hockey Magazine which crowned Brayden Schenn the best CHL prospect in Hockey right now stated that they believe Couturier is the best QMJHL prospect since Sidney Crosby. Those are very strong words and very big shoes to fill.

I’m not high on Couturier and I believe he busts, but anchoring a back 6 on line 3 is the perfect role for Couturier so I love the role that Couturier gets inserted into.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets Ryan Murphy D Kitchner Rangers OHL The Blue Jackets want an offensive defender and Murphy fits the bill at #8. There is talk that Columbus will trade Jakub Voracek and the 8th overall pick to Philadelphia for Jeff Carter. If that’s the case the Flyers are getting a huge bargain in the long term.

9. Boston Bruins from Toronto Maple Leafs Mika Zibanejad C Djurgardens Elitserien Before we go to Nick Tavares the Rant Sports Bruins blogger for his take on the pick I will congratulate the Boston Bruins for being 2011 Stanley Cup Champions.

Here is a summary of what Nick believes Boston should do with Toronto’s 9th overall pick below.

“Zibanejad played well at the SuperElit level, and the Bruins like taking talented centers and working from there, either putting them on the wing or letting them grow into the job of anchoring a line. And with PJ Axelsson in the past and David Krejci now, there’s a willingness to give time to hardworking forwards from Europe.”

Go to www.bruinszone.com to read Nick’s take on the 2011 Stanley Cup Champion Bruins.

10. Minnesota Wild Mark McNeil C Prince Albert Raiders WHL The Minnesota Northstars drafted Mike Modano who went to Prince Albert. Maybe the Wild take McNeil at #10 seeing that they need forward depth. Mark McNeil is being discussed as a possible option to go #10.

11. Colorado Avalanche from St. Louis Blues Nathan Beaulieu D Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Colorado takes a defender to boost their defense because their defense was dead last in goals allowed and dead last in penalty killing. Saint John won the Memorial Cup so the Avalanche pass on Duncan Siemens and take Nathan Beaulieu here.

Go to www.bluemenonice.com to read Michael Wagenknect and his St. Louis Blues blog. I already mentioned the Avalanche blog so I decided to take some time to mention the Blues blog.

12. Carolina Hurricanes Duncan Siemens D Saskatoon Blades WHL Nick Marek the Hurricanes blogger believes that the Carolina Hurricanes should add a defender because there stacked with forwards. Siemens is a top ten pick in every mock draft so he should be the pick if he falls this far.

To read Nick Marek’s blog go to www.eyesofthehurricanes.com

13. Calgary Flames Zach Phillips C Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Calgary adds Zach Phillips as a line 1 center hoping he can be the playmaker that Calgary needs.

14. Dallas Stars Sven Bartschi LW Portland Winterhawks WHL Sven Bartschi is a WHL prospect. Dallas usually pursues WHL players. Bartschi was listed as the 8th best player on one NHL Draft Board and was projected to be a reach at #5 to the New York Islanders at one point. Dallas takes Bartschi here if he falls this far.

I write for www.lonestarshockey.com as the Dallas Stars Blogger.

15. New York Rangers Alexander Khoklachev C Winsdor Spitfires OHL The Rangers should add a playmaker center. Alexander Khoklachev is considered the best available player at this point.

To read Zach’s blogs go to www.rangersdanger.com for New York Rangers updates or to get your daily feed on the Washington Nationals check out www.dcdoubleplay.com.

16. Buffalo Sabres Jamie Oleksiak D Northeastern Buffalo has taken a defenseman 4 of the last 5 years plus they draft for size. Oleksiak is 6 foot 7 240 pounds and went to my mom’s alma matter Northeastern. Oleksiak is the kind of player the Sabres front office drafts.

17. Montreal Canadiens Phillip Danault LW Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL The Canadiens really like Danault and something tells me they go out on a limb and draft him here. Danault is a left winger that really capitalized on key opportunities when trying to score shorthanded goals.

18. Chicago Blackhawks Boone Jenner C Oshawa Generals OHL Randy Holt our Chicago Blackhawks blogger and NHL Moderator for Rant Sports made this pick for the Blackhawks. Many people consider Jenner to be a 3rd line center and that is exactly what Jenner is.

To read Randy and his input on the Chicago Blackhawks go to www.hawkeytalk.com to read our Chicago Blackhawks blog.

19. Edmonton Oilers from Los Angeles Kings Mark Schefele C Barrie Colts OHL Edmonton needs more depth at center and since Larsson went #1 in our mock draft Schefele goes 19th to the Oilers here as Eric drafts a center for Edmonton.

I already mentioned the Oilers Blog so to read the Kings blog go to www.fitforakings.com. Danielle, the LA Kings blogger also blogs for www.blogthatbarrybuilt.com for updates on the San Francisco Giants.

20. Phoenix Coyotes Niklas Jensen RW Oshawa Generals OHL Here is what Robby Baker the Phoenix Coyotes blogger has to say.

“I would take Jensen. He put up 58 points last year with the Oshwa Generals and kind of reminds me of Boedker, a winger with great skill and potential. He seems to have great fundamentals and his size, 6 foot 3, will be an advantage to him as well. He will learn more in the NHL how to use that size to his advantage.”

For information on the Phoenix Coyotes go to www.yotesnotes.com

21. Ottawa Senators from Nashville Predators Joel Arima C Assat SM Liiga Arima can play center, left wing, or right wing. Arima is a good pick at #21 for Ottawa.

22. Anaheim Ducks Jonas Brodin D Farejstad Elitserien Anaheim boosts their PK by finding a 2nd long term defender who could play along with Cam Fowler.

23. Pittsburgh Penguins Brandon Sadd LW Saginaw Spirit OHL Troy Pfaff our Penguins blogger believes that hometown prospect Brandon Sadd is the best fit for the Penguins if he slides to #23.

Ironically Pittsburgh’s Post Gazette sports page talked about Sadd’s teammate Vincent Trocheck going to the Penguins today. Maybe the Penguins can land both hometown Pittsburgh players and Saginaw teammates in back to back rounds before picking again in round 5.

After round 1 the Penguins have a 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 7th round pick from the Sharks. Due to a surplus of limited picks it would not shock to to see Pittsburgh move up by giving up their entire draft. Lemieux and Shero are too smart to let that happen.

To read top notch Pittsburgh Sports content read Troy’s blogs www.penguinspuck.com and www.buccosbuzz.com. For Steelers content check out Tom TJ Jenkins at www.steelerschronicle.com.

24. Detroit Red Wings Vladislav Namestnikov C London Knights OHL Red Wings blogger Mike Suggs believes the Red Wings decide to add a center for depth and start retooling their farm system.

To read the Red Wings Rant Sports blog check out www.redwingsrising.com for all your information on the Detroit Red Wings.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs from Philadelphia Flyers Tyler Biggs RW USHL Maple Leafs Blogger Jeff Zeffer will make this pick. You will get to hear Jeff pick again at 29 and 30 when Vancouver and Toronto picks with Boston’s pick.

“With the 25th pick the Toronto Maple Leafs select Tyler Biggs from the U.S National Development team. Biggs is a 6’ 2” 200lbs winger; he’s American and a prototypical Brian Burke player. Biggs is a physical winger who will sacrifice his body and has a 20G 20A upside. Biggs’ needs to work on his passing and neutral zone play. Overall he is a safe pick in the 2011 NHL draft.”

Mike Santa Barbara writes for the Flyers Blog. I’ll mention the Maple Leafs blog at pick #30. To read Mike’s Philadelphia Sports Content go to www.getflyerdup.com or www.76erscentral.com Mike and I debated some of the first round picks in the 2011 NBA Draft with an intelligent discussion. You can read the discussion on Mike’s 76ers page.

26. Washington Capitals David Musil D Vancouver Giants WHL The Capitals blogger wanted David Musil and none of the other bloggers picking after took Musil so I’m allowing Washington to change their pick from BPA to Musil since I didn’t get their pick in earlier.

Go to www.captialshill.com to read Ryan Davenport’s take on the Washington Capitals.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning Matt Puempel LW Peterborough Petes OHL Puempel was once in contention for the #1 pick with Larsson, Nugent Hopkins, Couturier, and Landeskog at the start of the season being a top 5 pick along with these other 4 players heading into the year.

Peterborough had the 2nd worst OHL record. This caused Puempel’s stock to drop. Tampa Bay already drafted a long term answer at right wing for when St. Louis leaves in Brett Connolly in 2010. Adam Hall is 30 and his contract is up. I expect Connolly to take his spot since Prince George isn’t that good and because Tampa got so close to the Cup. Tampa Bay has 3 left wingers with expiring contracts with Ryan Malone being the only player under contract. Malone is 30. Tampa Bay draft a left winger who could compliment Stamkos and Connolly on line 1 5 years down the road when St. Louis retires.

28. San Jose Sharks Seth Ambroz RW Omaha Lancers USHL San Jose needs wingers to anchor the back 6 and Ambroz is the best winger available at #28.

29. Vancouver Canucks Joseph Morrow D Portland Winterhawks WHL Jeff Zeffer who writes for the Canucks and Maple Leafs picks with these final 2 picks. Here is Jeff’s take on what Vancouver should do at #29.

“With the 29th pick the Vancouver Canucks select defenseman Joseph Morrow from the Portland Winter Hawks. This offensive defenseman scored 9 goals, with 40 assist this season. Morrow is a power play specialist with a good shot and vision, with defensive upside. But Morrow will need time to develop, which is something the Canucks can give him because of their depth of veteran defenseman.
The Canucks have four defenseman who are UFA’s this offseason; Kevin Bieksa, Sami Salo, Christian Ehrhoff and Andrew Alberts. Obviously they can’t sign them all and the fact that Vancouver does not have a stud defenseman in their farm system. In my opinion this is why I think the Canucks will go defenseman with their first pick.”

To get the latest and greatest content from the 2011 Western Conference Champion Vancouver Canucks go check out www.canuckspuck.com.

30. Toronto Maple Leafs from Boston Bruins Victor Rask C Lesklands Toronto picks at #30 with Boston’s pick. Jeff will wrap up the draft with this pick.

“With the 30th pick the Toronto Maple Leafs select Victor Rask from Leksands of the J20 Swedish Super Elite League. Rask is 6’ 2” and 195lbs. He was a top 10 prospect last fall after drawing some serious attention because of his skating ability, puck control and faceoff skills. But is stock has dropped to the early second round because of his cocky attitude and among other things. Overall I do feel taking Rask at the 30th pick is a reach but he is worth the shot.”

Go to www.wafflesandleafs.com for information on the Toronto Maple Leafs and their blog for Rant Sports.

Comment - Posted in NHL Mocks, Pro Mock Drafts

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2011 NHL Draft 7 Rounds

Posted by chris.ransom

June 16, 2011

Round 1

1. Edmonton Oilers Ryan Nugent Hopkins C Red Deer Rebels WHL Edmonton’s front office is comparing Ryan Nugent Hopkins field vision to Wayne Gretzky. If Edmonton drafts Nugent Hopkins they have a dream team on line one for the next 15 years.

Edmonton will have their sniper left winger in Taylor Hall who was last years #1 overall pick, the two way forward center/winger Jordan Eberle at right wing, and a playmaker center who can pass the puck, create opportunities and score goals with Ryan Nugent Hopkins.

Edmonton’s second line will have Magnus Paajarvi at left wing Edmonton’s 2009 first round pick, Sam Gagner at center one of Edmonton’s 2008 first round picks, and Ales Hemsky at right wing.

Edmonton’s third line will have Linus Omark at left wing, team captain Shawn Horcoff at center, and right winger Zach Stortini if he returns. That’s a really good line 3. Stortini got bumped down to the Oklahoma City Barons and helped them get to the AHL playoffs so I think he gets one more chance seeing limited action on line 3.

Gilbert Brule would move down to line 4 at center giving Edmonton the depth and flexibility they need with their lines.

Even if the Oilers pass on Nugent Hopkins, Gagner, Horcoff, and Brule could be centers on lines 1 through 3.

Even if Edmonton drafts Nugent Hopkins the Oilers do not have to rush Nugent Hopkins there fine. The Oilers can start Nugent Hopkins out on line 4 behind Brule, Horcoff, and Gagner. Then as Nugent Hopkins blossoms and matures he can move up the lines on Edmonton’s depth chart working his way up to line 1 over time.

Edmonton would be set at center just by taking Nugent Hopkins which really says something about why Ryan Nugent Hopkins should go #1 overall to Edmonton. Let me put it this way, if Edmonton takes Nugent Hopkins their power play will improve from about 27th to maybe 14th while the PK stays at 29. If they take Larsson their Power play moves up from 27 to 20 while their PK improves from 29 to 17.

Nugent Hopkins is the most NHL Ready player in this draft which is why I have to believe he will go to Edmonton. The Oilers also need defense, but they have two first round picks plus Nugent Hopkins is an exceptional talent so the Oilers should draft him here. Adam Larsson the Sweden defender from Skellfetea is also a franchise game changing player, but you can find defense later with your second first round pick. There is no guarantee you get a quality potential game changing center at #19 when Edmonton picks again with the Los Angeles Kings first round pick. You cannot find centers in the late first round which is why I think Nugent Hopkins is going to be the pick.

Edmonton finished 27th on the power play and 29th on penalty killing out of 30 teams. The team chemistry is getting better, but with a 2nd straight #1 overall pick and a 2nd first round pick in 2011 they have to get two players that can improve their power play and penalty killing numbers. Edmonton has no choice, but to take the best available player here.

Ryan Nugent Hopkins was one of only 4 WHL players to exceed 100 points during the regular season this year. The other players are all picked up by NHL teams. Plus Nugent Hopkins was the #1 overall pick in the 2008 WHL Entry Draft after playing pee wee hockey. Edmonton was the only team in the Western Conference to score less than 200 goals. Edmonton scored 193 goals all year while Nugent Hopkins had 106 points in regular season play alone. Ryan Nugent Hopkins will provide an upgrade to Edmonton’s offense and give the Oilers more depth as a team.

Nugent Hopkins is a playmaker center who can be used as a two way forward on the inside or the outside. You can also plug Ryan Nugent Hopkins into that sniper role.

Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, Mike Modano, Sidney Crosby, and Steven Stamkos all went in the top 5 as centers. Stamkos could win the cup this year and the rest of the centers I mentioned besides Stamkos have won a Stanley Cup and played in multiple Stanley Cups. I’m not saying Nugent Hopkins will have that kind of impact, all I am saying is he could have that type of impact. Edmonton needs someone with the skill set of Ryan Nugent Hopkins before their set to contend.

Ryan Nugent Hopkins is a playmaker center who sets up goals. Playmaker centers in the NHL are like franchise quarterbacks in the NFL. You just cannot win a cup without one. Only 2 Stanley Cup winners since 1980 didn’t have a playmaker center on their first line. Those teams were the Canadiens team during Patrick Roy’s rookie year and the Devils team that shocked the Red Wings in 1994-1995 that won with wingers, defense, and Brodeur at goalie.

One can make the case that Edmonton has a playmaker center, but Brule is a line 3 center at best, Horcoff is overpaided and will never be a line 1 center in terms of talent, and Sam Gagner is an exceptional line 2 center with line 1 potential that may reach his potential in 5 years, but the Oilers cannot afford to wait that long to find out if he has line 1 potential or not. Ryan Nugent Hopkins is a game changer who can provide some pop to Taylor Hall. Hall’s numbers as a sniper will improve with Nugent Hopkins passing him the puck in the long run.

If Edmonton is comparing Nugent Hopkins field vision to Gretzky their going to take him because Gretzky was the greatest Edmonton Oiler of all time.

I’m not ruling out the options of Landeskog and Larsson going #1 overall to Edmonton, but Ryan Nugent Hopkins has about an 98 percent chance of being an Oiler with Landeskog and Larsson both having a 1 percent chance to be the pick. This pick is nearly a stone cold lock at this point.

2. Colorado Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog RW Kitchner Rangers OHL This is really a tough decision for Colorado. The reason this decision is so difficult is because Adam Larsson is a game changing player, but the advisors in the Avalanche front office love Landeskog.

Colorado needs defense because they allowed more goals than any team in the league and had the worst PK Unit this year. The reason the Avalanche have the luxury of passing on Adam Larsson is because they pick 2nd and 11th. If the St. Louis Blues finished in the top 10 for worst records they would have retained their pick. This was the best case scenario for the Avalanche because now they can draft Landeskog the person their front office loves and still get a defender at #11. Colorado likes Landeskog better which is why he probably will be the #2 overall pick in this draft.

If Colorado drafts Landeskog their line 1 unit will have TJ Galiardi at left wing, Matt Duchene at center, and Peter Mueller at right wing. The Avalanche’s line 2 unit will have Cody McLeod at left wing, Paul Statsny at center, and Gabriel Landeskog at right wing. Colorado would have 2 lines of forwards that they could rely on if they take Gabriel Landeskog with the #2 overall pick in the the 2011 NHL Draft.

Drafting Landeskog gives Colorado a front 6 on offense with their 2 best lines allowing them to focus on the back 6.

Landeskog may not be a franchise player with major upside and potential to be that line 1 player who can guide your team to a Stanley Cup, but he is a quality player who can play in the NHL right away and eventually become a line 1 player down the road. Landeskog has high character, a tireless work ethic, and was captain of the Kitchner Rangers.

Landeskog is a two way forward with the versatility to play anywhere on offense. You can plug Landeskog into a left wing, center, or right wing role. Landeskog played on line 1 at Kitchner. He has line 1 talent, but he has offensive potential of a line 2 player along with the defensive ability and athleticism of a line 1 player.

Landeskog wasn’t a major scorer, but his ability as a power forward on offense is why his stats are considered mediocre to a certain degree. Landeskog has ability as a tenacious grinder on defense along with the versatility to play center or either winger role at left wing or right wing.

Lots of scouts believe that Landeskog could post 50 goals in his sleep if he mainly focused on being a sniper while ignoring his defensive responsibilities.

With talk buzzing now about Florida passing on Larsson at #3 I’m sold on Colorado taking Gabriel Landeskog second seeing that they pick again at #11, but it would not surprise me if the Avalanche took Larsson.

3. Florida Panthers Jonathan Huberdeau C Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Huberdeau posted better stats than Sean Couturier in the regular season. He was the leader for Saint John in the QMJHL playoffs and helped Saint John win the 2011 Memorial Cup. Huberdeau is now the #3 player in most NHL Mock Drafts considering the fact that Florida needs to boost their offense.

The Panthers had the worst power play in the NHL and need to score more goals. Florida scored less than 200 goals so drafting Jonathan Huberdeau is critical with this pick.

Huberdeau proved at the NHL Combine and during the Memorial Cup that he has line 1 talent and that he should be on an NHL Roster right away.

Previous Pick Adam Larsson D Skelleftea Elitserien

4. New Jersey Devils Adam Larsson D Skelleftea Elitserien New Jersey drafts a franchise caliber player who falls to #4 due to the other teams passing on him. Larsson is now nearly a lock to go #4 overall to New Jersey in every mock draft that I have read.

Larsson is a two way defender with line 1 talent who can make an immediate impact. He has the offensive defender ability of a Lidstrom, Doughty, or Hedman. Larsson delivers very tough and tenacious physical hits and can be an effective penalty killer like Kris Letang.

New Jersey needs to score more goals and boost their power play, but the Devils can boost their get goal scorers in the later rounds while obtaining Larsson to boost the PP and the PK with this #4 overall pick.

Plus you got Ilya Kovalchuck and Zach Parise as line 1 wingers so getting line 2 wingers and getting some scorers for the back 6 can be addressed in rounds 2-5. Passing on Larsson isn’t an option for New Jersey if he falls to #4 overall.

Previous Pick Sean Couturier C Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL

5. New York Islanders Dougie Hamilton D Niagara Icedogs OHL New York finished 8th in the Eastern Conference in goals scored and they were 12th on the PK in the NHL. I really don’t understand why the Islanders are picking this early. The Islanders did well on offense ranking in the top 10 in the Eastern Conference in goals scored and on the PK, but were one of 6 teams to surrender more than 250 goals. New York had injury issues at goalie which is why they were picking this high. The New York Islanders surrendered 264 goals in 82 games. Al Montoya was 9-5-5 this season for the Islanders after being acquired by trade. The Islanders can get to the playoffs if he starts a full year without getting injured.

The Islanders have had a top 5 pick for 3 years in a row now and this will be the 5th time in 6 years that the Islanders have selected in the top 10. The fortunes for the New York Islanders will work in their favor eventually. The Islanders continue to draft good players while rebuilding their team every chance they pick early. Its only a matter of time until these high draft picks are at their peak and reach their potential. So far the only player to reach his potential is John Tavares, but his supporting cast of first round picks is getting better.

The Islanders have the luxury of taking the best player available. John Tavares, Josh Bailey, and Frans Nielsen will all return at center. Dougie Hamilton is being mocked as high as #4 overall to the New Jersey Devils and it looks like the Islanders will end up with the defenseman that New Jersey passes on. Hamilton is considered the 5th best player in this draft and the 4th best North American skater.

Hamilton has line 1 talent based on what I read about the 2011 NHL Combine. Hamilton is a two way defender with high character and a strong work ethic so he’s worth the investment at #5.

Hamilton may returns to Niagara for a year and probably makes the jump to the NHL in 2012. The Islanders are heading in the right direction, but are a year away from being a playoff team. In 2012-2013 Nino Neidereitter and Dougie Hamilton should both be on the Islanders roster giving the organization enough pieces to make a playoff run.

By the way I believe this probably will be the last year the Islanders are picking in the top 10 for a very long time.

Previous Pick Jonathan Huberdeau C Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL

6. Ottawa Senators Ryan Strome C Niagara Ice Dogs OHL Ryan Strome was one of 5 OHL players to get over 100 points during the regular season. The playmaker center should return to Niagara for one more year before moving up to the NHL as a center for the Ottawa Senators.

In 2011-2012 Ottawa should have Jason Spezza as their line 1 center with Peter Regin playing line 2, Zach Smith playing line 3, and Ryan Potulny of the Binghamton Senators who made the Calder Cup playing line 4.

Since the Binghamton Senators won the 2011 Calder Cup the Ottawa Senators can wait until the 2013-2014 to bring Ryan Strome up.

Ottawa worked out Strome and they like him so I think they will take him over Sean Couturier at #6. Strome has high character and can be just as productive as Couturier. Ottawa worked out Landeskog along with Strome and the Senators know there not getting Landeskog so that tells me that Strome will be the pick at #6. If Ottawa liked Couturier they would have worked him out.

Strome has line 1 talent on offense as a line 1 playmaker down the road so Ottawa probably gets him as a line 2 player behind Spezza than bumps him up to line 1 when the time is right.

Other Options

Sean Couturier C Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL If Ottawa decides to take the best available player Couturier will be the pick here.

7. Winnipeg Jets Sean Couturier C Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL The Atlanta Thrashers are relocating to Winnipeg. That’s all we know at this point. The old Winnipeg team name was the Winnipeg Jets, but the new Winnipeg team may have a new different team name. If Winnipeg decides to change their team name before the draft I will update this, but for now I’m referring to the Jets as the new Winnipeg team nickname.

Winnipeg once had a golden age of hockey when ESPN analyst Barry Melrose played with John Sinkpeil the man who ruined my dad’s restaurant at 54th street in Kansas. Now that Winnipeg is getting a team back and I did a quick flashback to what the Jets once had its time for Winnipeg to make their pick.

Winnipeg needs to hit the jackpot and land a game changing player at #7 overall. Winnipeg fans, newspaper writers, and Winnipeg front office executes love Sean Couturier. I doubt he slides past #7.

Couturier has line 1 potential on offense, defense, and athleticism. Can play center, left wing, or right wing. Couturier can be used as a playmaker or a sniper. Is versatile enough to be a two way forward on the inside or the outside.

Even though I believe Couturier may be that next Alexander Daigle type player who busts there are many who disagree with me. One magazine stated Couturier is the best QMJHL prospect since Sidney Crosby and letting a player with that upside and potential fall to #7 is practically a steal if this pick works out.

Winnipeg has 2 lines of offense and could put Couturier on their 3rd line with the talent they currently have. Atlanta drafted a legit Front 6 now Winnipeg needs to get that back 6 and take the Winnipeg Jets to the playoffs.

Look at the front 6 you got Andrew Ladd, Nik Antropov, and Blake Wheeler on the first line. With the second line you have Evander Kane, Aleksander Bumistrov, and Bryan Little. Some of these players are getting older and there contracts are getting harder to restructure so your relocating for a new regime in Winnipeg so the long term goal should be to find some prospects who can anchor the back 6 in 2 years and work their way up to the front 6 in 5 years.

Couturier would make the jump to Winnipeg right away because some people believe he’s the best player in the draft after Nugent Hopkins, Landeskog, and Larsson.

Other Options

Ryan Strome C Niagara Icedogs OHL Every NHL Mock Draft I read has Winnipeg taking Strome at #7 overall. If Couturier falls to #7 or if Ottawa gets Strome at #6 Couturier will be the pick if he is still available.

Previous Pick Dougie Hamilton D Niagara Icedogs OHL

8. Columbus Blue Jackets Ryan Murphy D Kitchner Rangers OHL Columbus only has one offensive defender on their roster and his contract is up at the end of the year. The Blue Jackets can bring him back as an RFA while they develop Murphy for the future. Ryan Murphy is the best offensive defender left at this point.

Columbus was one of 6 teams to surrender more than 250 goals and the Blue Jackets ranked 22nd out of 30 teams when penalty killing. Columbus has to go defense here. Those two reasons tell you that an offensive defender is your long term answer at #8 if your the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Ryan Murphy was really good at penalty killing for Kitchner when he was on the ice so the Blue Jackets should make Ryan Murphy the face of their defense.

Ryan Murphy was a line 1 defender for Kitchner. Murphy has line 1 offensive potential, line 2 defensive potential, and line 1 potential when looking at his athleticism.

Ryan Murphy may be more talented than Dougie Hamilton, but scouts like Hamilton’s defensive skill set as a two way defender better. Plus those scouts love Hamilton’s high character and work ethic. I’m not saying Murphy has low character and a poor work ethic, but it would not hurt to work hard and give scouts the impression that you have high character and a strong work ethic.

The main reason Murphy will probably fall to #8 is because he has line 3 defensive talent at this point for an NHL team. Columbus has 4 defenseman with RFA tenders that they can retain along with two defenders currently under contract beyond this season.

Expect Columbus to draft Murphy and have him ready for the 2012-2013 NHL Season. Columbus will pair Murphy up with their other offensive defender in Anton Stralman.

9. Boston Bruins from Toronto Maple Leafs Sven Bartschi LW Portland Winterhawks WHL The Bruins need a sniper for Seguin to get the puck to in the long run. NHL teams have a history of giving centers snipers at left wing or right wing usually left wing.

Bartschi is as high as #8 overall in some NHL Draft boards and I saw him go as high as #5 to the Islanders in one mock draft. Boston has grinders and power forwards, but lacks a sniper at the left wing position. Lucic is more of a power forward with grinders on lines 2 and 3 who haven’t managed to execute on the power play.

Getting a line 1 sniper to compliment Seguin could boost Boston’s power play ability in the long term. Boston’s power play has really struggled in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Bartschi is a line 2 left winger for Portland with line 1 potential on offense, line 3 potential on defense, and line 1 potential when looking at his athleticism and skating ability.

With Boston’s strong core of strong defensive minded forwards he could mold into a line 1 defensive player making him a hot commodity with line 1 potential on all aspects in Beantown.

I know defense is a priority in Boston, but you can get a defender with a 2nd round pick. You cannot get a sniper in round 2 so that’s my argument for why Sven Bartschi should be that #9 overall pick.

Previous Pick Duncan Siemens D Saskatoon Blades WHL

Other Options

Duncan Siemens D Saskatoon Blades WHL Siemens is a line 1 defender for the Blades. He is a two way defender with line 2 potential from an offensive and defensive standpoint. Plus Siemens has line 1 potential when looking at athleticism and skating ability of Siemens. Siemens is an option for the Bruins at #9.

Nathan Beauleau D Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL If Boston wants an offensive defender Beauleau will be the 9th pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Beauleau has the ability to be a two way defender in the NHL.

Jameson Oleksiak D Northeastern There is a hockey tournament in Boston called the Beanpot. In the Beanpot you have Boston U, Boston College, Harvard, and Northeastern. Northeastern usually finishes last in the tournament, but Oleksiak has kept that from happening at Northeastern. Oleksiak is 6 foot 7 240 pounds. Boston may reach for him at #9 if they want to take a local prospect. I doubt this happens since there are better defenders available.

10. Minnesota Wild Mika Zibanejad C Djurgardens IF Hockey ElitserienThe Minnesota Wild take the last top 10 player in Zibanejad and boost their offensive core. Zibanejad can go to a Houston Aeros AHL team that is pretty good and play there until he is ready to move up to the NHL because Minnesota has 4 different centers with one way NHL contracts.

11. Colorado Avalanche from St. Louis Blues Duncan Siemens D Saskatoon Blades WHL Duncan Siemens has line 1 potential and can start out as a #5 defender on this roster right away and should work his way up to line 2 by the time the NHL Season Ends.

Previous Pick Nathan Beaulieu D Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL

12. Carolina Hurricanes Zach Phillips C Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Phillips can be used as a two way forward. You can use Phillips as a center or a left winger. Phillips may have some durability issues, but he is a sniper, playmaker, power forward, and grinder. Phillips is a complete player when healthy and adds some more depth to Carolina at center.

Other Options

Brandon Sadd LW Saginaw Spirit OHL Carolina needs a line 4 center and a line 4 left winger. Carolina can kill 2 birds with one stone by drafting Sadd.

Mark McNeill C Prince Albert Raiders WHL Carolina loves centers and Mark McNeil is one of the best centers left.

13. Calgary Flames Mark McNeil C Prince Albert Raiders WHL If Calgary takes the best available player that fits a need they may consider Mike McNeil at #13. McNeil could be a line 1 power forward down the road. He has ability of a playmaker center in the mold of a Bobby Ryan type player.

Previous Pick Sven Bartschi LW Portland Winterhawks

14. Dallas Stars Matt Puempel LW Peterborough Petes OHL I read on the Stars team site that they visited Peterborough’s team facility and came away impressed. Puempel was a top 5 pick heading into the year and a dark horse to be the #1 overall pick back in September, but Puempel’s stock fell when Peterborough finished with the 2nd worst record in the OHL. A lot of mock drafts are giving the Rangers Puempel. I’m going to do one better by mocking Matt Puempel to Dallas.

Dallas usually takes WHL prospects, but since there is a potentially exceptional talent in Matt Puempel. I get the feeling the Dallas Stars will take Matt Puempel with this draft pick. I could see Puempel competing for a starting spot on the Dallas Stars depth chart as a line 3 left winger this year if he performs well in the preseason. In the end I believe he goes back to Peterborough until the 2012-2013 season.

Its really hard to project what Dallas does here I see at least 7 different directions Dallas could go in with this pick. Dallas usually goes with a WHL prospect unless there is an exceptional talent or numerous options available with their selection.

As a Dallas Stars fan and blogger, I’m excited about the numerous options the Dallas Stars have at #14. If Dallas doesn’t take Puempel they will take one of the six players I mention in the other options section.

Other Options

Mark McNeill C Prince Albert Raiders WHL Dallas usually takes a WHL player with this pick. Mark McNeil plays the same position and at the same WHL team as Mike Modano. If you compare McNeil to Modano you have to say he’s the poor man’s Modano because he’s done nothing to earn Modano comparisons yet.

Sven Bartschi LW Portland Winterhawks WHL Dallas will draft Bartschi in a heartbeat if he falls to #14.

Ty Rattie RW Portland Winterhawks WHL One draft I read had Rattie going to Dallas in round 1 and Bartschi falling to round 2. I think its the other way around with Bartschi going in round 1 with Rattie possibly falling to round 2. Dallas loves WHL players so this pick would not shock me if the Stars took Rattie at #14.

Zach Phillips C Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Zach Phillips could go between picks 12 and 25, but an injury in the QMJHL playoffs could cause Phillips to fall out of round 1. Phillips is very productive and would provide an impact for the Dallas Stars when he is healthy.

Alexander Khokhlachev C Windsor Spitfires OHL Khokhlachev is the top Russian prospect in this draft. Taking him 14th when your in dire need of a center makes sense. If he played with Taylor Hall on Windsor last year along with Ryan Ellis and Cam Fowler this pick makes even more sense.

Jameson Oleksiak D Northeastern Dallas may not be able to resist the 6 foot 7 240 pound defenseman.

Shane McColgan RW Kelowna Rockets WHL McColgan may be available with Dallas’s 2nd selection, but I would not be shocked if Dallas reaches for him. I doubt they reach for him at 14, but I’ve seen stranger things happen.

15. New York Rangers Brandon Sadd LW Saginaw Spirit OHL Sadd is a two way forward who can play center, left wing, or right wing. Sadd is 6 foot 1 208 pounds and can be used as a sniper, playmaker, power forward, or grinder as a two way forward.

Sadd may be a raw line 3 talent at this point, but has line 1 potential down the road on offense, defense, and athleticism so Sadd should develop into a special player if groomed properly.

Other Options

Daniel Catenacci C Salt. Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL Catenacci was a two way forward who was creeping up NHL Draft boards at one point. Now it looks like Catenacci will be a late first early second round pick, but the Rangers may consider him with their first round pick.

Mike McNeill C Prince Albert Raiders If McNeil falls this far the Rangers may pull the trigger and take him. I doubt he makes it past Calgary though now that Sven Bartschi should go to Boston.

Zach Phillips C Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Zach Phillips may be an option for the New York Rangers at #15 if he falls this far. I really doubt Phillips makes it past Carolina because the Hurricanes have nothing to lose by drafting him and adding the injury prone center to their array of centers.

Sadd will be up for the 2012-2013 season with the New York Rangers.

16. Buffalo Sabres Jameson Oleksiak D Northeastern Buffalo loves drafting players for size. Oleksiak is a 6 foot 7 240 pound defender. Buffalo has drafted 4 defenders in the last 5 years. That’s why a player like Oleksiak with the line 1 size and potential is a perfect fit for Buffalo.

Previous Pick Tyler Biggs RW USHL

Other Options

Tyler Biggs RW USHL Biggs is 6 foot 2 210 pounds. Buffalo likes players with size.

Boone Jenner C Oshawa Generals OHL The Buffalo Sabres may target Jenner at #16 if he falls this far.

Niklas Jensen LW Oshawa Generals OHL Jensen can play either left wing or right wing. Jensen is one of the more versatile wingers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

17. Montreal Canadiens Phillip Danault LW Victoriaville Tigres QMJHLDanault should be the pick here. He had 23 goals, 4 shorthanded goals, 8 shorthanded points, 44 assists, and 67 points in 64 games. Montreal has a strong penalty killing unit so taking an offensive player makes sense here. Montreal seems to like Danault so I’m going to pick him here.

Danault has high character and is a sniper who should be used as a two way forward. Danault had 44 assists so he can step up and adjust to a playmaker role at center, but he prefers playing that sniper role at left wing.

Danault is a line 2 forward on Victoriaville, but has line 3 potential on offense, defense, and athleticism.

18. Chicago Blackhawks Alexander Khokhlachev C Windsor Spitfires In one year with Windsor Khokhlachev had 34 goals, 42 assists, anad 76 points in 67 games.

Alexander Khokhlachev is a playmaker center that can adjust to a two way forward role if necessary at either winger spot, but is best suited as a center for now.

Alexander Khokhlachev would make a great line 3 fit for the Blackhawks behind Teows and Frolik.

Khokhlachev is a line 2 center with line 2 offensive potential, line 3 defensive potential, and line 1 potential when you look at his athleticism.

Khoklachev is the top Russian player in the draft. He has such good athleticism because he is versatile enough to play any forward role while being used as a teams playmaker.

Other Options

Mark Scheifele C Barrie Colts OHL Mark Scheifele managed to post 75 points along with 13 power play goals and he is an outstanding center when your team is down a man who can score goals shorthanded or boost your PK. Sounds exactly like the kind of player the Blackhawks need. Scheifele can boost your PK unit by scoring goals shorthanded and playing defense. Chicago needs a line 3 center who can step into the NHL right away. That’s exactly what your getting in Mark Scheifele plus he can give Frolik more rest allowing him to play line 2 more often.

Chicago can plug Mark Scheifele on line 3 behind Teows and Frolik and put Scheifele on line 2 of their power play and PK units.

Vladislav Namestnikov C London Knights OHL Namestnikov is a two way forward who can play center or right winger. He is a sniper too. Chicago took Patrick Kane who played for the London Knights. Namestnikov is a line 1 right winger for the London Knights. Chicago may want Namestnikov as a line 3 center.

19. Edmonton Oilers from Los Angeles Kings Nathan Beaulieu D Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Nathan Beaulieu was an offensive defender heading into this season, but became better at blitzing skaters and putting pressure on skaters forcing these players to display poor puck control skills. Beaulieu is excellent on the penalty killing unit or the power play and played next to 2oo9 first round pick Simon Despres who got drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ryan Whitney played for the Pittsburgh Penguins so this seems like the perfect defender to bring into Edmonton now that Beaulieu has improved the defensive aspects on the 2011 Memorial Cup Champion Saint John Sea Dogs.

Previous Pick Jonas Brodin D Farjestad Elitserien

Other Options

Jonas Brodin D Farjestad Elitserien Edmonton’s defense is depleted to the point where they need their second first round pick to make the jump to the NHL right away. Jonas Brodin is probably the most NHL ready defenseman because he played on a competitive Farejestad team in Sweden. Musil may need another year in the WHL while Oleksiak has line 1 potential he is a project at this point. Brodin may be a line 2 defender at best right now with line 1 potential five years down the road, but he is someone who can start and have an immediate impact on line 1 if he plays next to a veteran like Ryan Whitney.

Edmonton has 3 defenseman with contracts that don’t expire this year plus they have 3 RFA defenseman that they can retain. The Oklahoma City Barons who are the AHL team that is associated with the Edmonton Oilers need a 6th defender for next year with 3 players returning and 2 having RFA offers that Edmonton should retain. Edmonton adds Brodin to their AHL team and brings him up for the 2012-2013 season.

20. Phoenix Coyotes Tyler Biggs RW USHL The Coyotes add an offensive scorer with good size like Tyler Biggs for depth. He will join Phoenix in 2014-2015. Who knows if the Coyotes will still be in Phoenix by then.

Previous Pick Jamie Oleksiak D Northeastern

21. Ottawa Senators from Nashville Predators Joel Arima C Assat SM Liiga Arima can play any position on offense at left wing, center, or right wing. He has the versatility that Ottawa would love plus he can be an effective sniper.

Look at Arima from an offensive standpoint he can excel on the power play. Arima fires deadly power on his wrist shots. Arima is a sniper with line 2 potential from an offensive standpoint.

Arima is a very mediocre from a defensive aspect. He has line 3 potential from a defensive standpoint.

I love the athletic ability, versatility, and skating that Arima provides. Arima may have line 1 potential athleticism down the road.

Arima will start out as a winger for the Binghamton Senators if Ottawa were to select him in round 1.

Other Options

Mark McNeill C Prince Albert Raiders WHL Ottawa may pursue the power forward with this pick in round 1 if their not sold on Arima as an international player.

Vladislav Namestnikov C London Knights OHL Namestnikov is a two way forward who can play center or right winger. He is a sniper too.

Thomas Jurco RW Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL The Senators may want an athletic winger who knows how to deke defenders and opposing goalies well.

22. Anaheim Ducks Jonas Brodin D Farjestad Elitserien Jonas Brodin would be a great complimentary defender to Cam Fowler down the road in Anaheim. With Fowler and Brodin the Ducks would have a bright line 1 future on defense and could boost their penalty killing unit. Anaheim didn’t rank in the top 8 in penalty killing despite Cory Perry. That’s why I picked the Predators to win the series.

Other Options

Scott Mayfield D Youngstown USHL Anaheim has 8 defenseman on their roster. 5 of those 8 are 30 or older. The other 3 defenders are Sheldon Brookbank, 2008 first round pick Luca Sbisa, and 2010 first round pick Cam Fowler. Anaheim will need a defenseman for the future that they can bring up in 2013-2014.

23. Pittsburgh Penguins Tomas Jurco RW Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHLJurco is a sniper at right wing and is a line 1 starter for Saint John. Jurco has line 2 offensive potential, line 3 defensive potential, and line 1 potential when looking at his athleticism.

24. Detroit Red Wings Seth Ambroz RW Omaha Lancers USHL Ambroz is a mid second round talent with high upside and potential as a power forward. Ambroz may be a raw project at this point, but you could be getting a top ten player in this draft down the road if you can develop Ambroz properly. Ambroz has line 1 potential and should succeed, but he needs to be groomed properly as an NHL player. Detroit has strong depth at right wing and can retain their players until Ambroz is ready for the 2014-2015 NHL Season.

Other Options

Vladislav Namestnikov C London Knights OHL Vladislav Namestnikov has the versatility to be an effective center. I could see Detroit taking him at #24.

Stefan Noesen RW Plymouth Whalers OHL I recently watched some film of Plymouth Whalers right winger Stefan Noesen and I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen out of Noesen on film. Noesen posted 32 goals and 43 assists adding up to 73 points in 60 games.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs from Philadelphia Flyers Ty Rattie LW Portland Winterhawks Rattie is primarily used as a line 1 right winger, but he does possess the versatility to play left wing. Toronto needs a winger and they usually take the best Canadian players by need. Ty Rattie is the best Canadian winger left in the draft even though this may be a slight reach in terms of value here.

With Rattie your getting line one potential from an offensive and athletic standpoint. Rattie has that line 1 athleticism that you cannot coach with excellent skating ability. Rattie may be a line 3 project in terms of defense, but his offensive ability and athleticism compensate for this.

Rattie can be used as a sniper winger who shoots the puck and scores goals or a playmaker winger who passes the puck to his other teammates.

Some people have Ty Rattie getting drafted higher than Sven Bartschi his teammate on Portland who is also eligible for this years NHL Draft so Rattie is not a bad pick late in round 1.

Toronto is stacked at right wing so they will draft Rattie as a left winger even though right wing is Rattie’s primary position.

Other Options

Niklas Jensen LW Oshawa Generals OHL The Maple Leafs need to get a left winger with their first pick. Niklas Jensen may be a better fit at right wing, but the power forward has the versatility to play that left wing role. You look at Jensen you thing long term status. One thing that you look at is a line 2 power forward who can be your sniper and shoot goals from a short distance.

Jensen could play right away for Toronto on line 4, but I say he returns and plays on Toronto in 2012-2013.

26. Washington Capitals Vladislav Namestnikov C London Knights OHL Namestnikov is the 2nd best Russian Hockey player in the 2011 NHL Draft. Washington loves Russian Hockey players so Namestnikov has to be the pick at this point.

Namestnikov is a two way forward who can play center or right wing. Namestnikov can be used as a sniper who shoots the puck or a playmaker who passes the puck to his teammates.

Namestnikov can be used as a power forward who will hit goals from short distance.

Namestnikov is a line 1 right winger for the London Knights on the teams roster. Namestnikov has line 2 offensive potential, line 3 defensive potential, and line 1 athleticism potential.

The skating, speed on the ice, and versatility are what separate Namestnikov from other centers in this draft. Namestnikov could contribute one day, but he needs more time in the OHL to develop and improve his technique.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning Nicklas Jensen RW Oshawa Generals OHL The Lightning only have 3 right wingers on their main roster. Martin St. Louis, Steve Downie, and Adam Hall are those players. Adam Hall is going to be 30 and his contract is up. I doubt Hall is resigned. Tampa Bay can draft Nicklas Jensen and groom him for the future. Tampa Bay has 5 centers on their depth chart including Stamkos, Lecavalier, Dominic Moore, and two different two way forwards who could play right wing on the 4th line with the other playing center. Tampa Bay will bring up Brett Connolly their 6th overall pick from the 2010 NHL Entry Draft as a 3rd line right winger knowing how close they came to the Stanley Cup in 2011.

As long as Tampa Bay brings back their defenseman and left wingers along with bringing up Connolly to the NHL they can contend as long as they get the goalie issue straightened out this offseason. Another reason why Tampa Bay has to keep adding depth at right wing is because their AHL team only has right winger on the roster while being stacked with 6 or 7 left wingers.

As for Jensen, the right winger has the versatility to play left wing. Jensen is mainly a right winger but he can play left wing too.

Jensen has line 2 potential on offense, line 3 potential on defense, and line 1 potential when you view his athleticism.

Jensen is a line 2 left winger for the Oshawa Generals, but is better suited to play that right wing role. Jensen is probably best suited to be a line 2 right winger in the NHL down the road.

Other Options

John Gibson G US Under 18 Team Gibson is the goalie that originally intended to go to Ohio State then withdrew his commitment from Ohio State to go to Michigan. Tampa Bay may draft a goalie with this pick considering that Roloson and Mike Smith have expiring contracts.

Christopher Gibson G Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL Christopher Gibson had a record of 14-15-5 with Chicoutimi. Still he led the QMJHL with a 2.42 GAA and a .920 save percentage. Plus he led the QMJHL in shutouts. People are saying Christopher Gibson is the best QMJHL goalie since Marc Andre Fleury.

28. San Jose Sharks Rickard Rakell RW Plymouth Whalers OHL Rakell is a right winger for San Jose. Rakell has the versatility to play left wing too.

Rakell is a playmaker at the winger position. Your getting line 3 offensive and defensive potential with Rakell. Your also getting line 1 athleticism with Rakell.

I know Rakell is from Sweden and that a majority of players on the Sharks roster are Canadian, but Rakell is the best available player that fills a need at this point.

Rakell could be a line 4 right winger on San Jose this year. He could be up for the 2013-2014 season though too. Its safe to say he should be up for the 2012-2013 season if you average the median of 2011-2012 and 2013-2014.

29. Vancouver Canucks David Musil D Vancouver Giants WHL I think Vancouver has to get a game changer on defense. Vancouver has depth everywhere on their NHL and AHL squad so Musil would likely return to the WHL for another season. Vancouver has depth on defense and a strong PK, but they need a game changing defenseman.

30. Toronto Maple Leafs from Boston Bruins Daniel Catenacci C Salt. Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL Catenacci had a 9 game goal scoring streak. Catenacci played on a bad Salt. Ste. Marie team plus he has line 1 potential in all three major aspects at offense, defense, and athleticism.

Other Options

Mark Scheifele C Barrie Colts OHL Mark Scheifele is a playmaker, two way forward who is a line 1 right winger for Barrie, a power forward, and a grinder. Mark Scheifele is an unselfish player with a great work ethic and high character. Scheifele has mid round 1 potential in terms of value, but since Barrie won a league low 15 games Scheifele’s stock has really taken a hit to the point where some people think he’s a mid second round pick.

Scheifele had 75 points and 13 power play goals this season plus he is an excellent player on the penalty killing unit. Scheifele can boost a PK and won’t make it past the Thrashers pick that the Chicago Blackhawks own in round 2.

Round 2

31. Edmonton Oilers Scott Mayfield D Youngstown USHL I gave the Oilers Mayfield at #19 in one of my previous drafts a while back. If Mayfield falls out of round 1 Edmonton will draft him here with that #33 pick. Mayfield has line 1 potential, but is a line 3 project on all aspects right now.

Mayfield won’t be ready at this point, but he would be a good player to add for the future. In a few years when Edmonton’s defenders go from being RFA’s to UFA’s Mayfield should come up to the Oilers if they take him with this pick.

32. St. Louis Blues from Colorado Avalanche Mario Lucia LW Wayzata High School Minnesota The Blues only have 2 left wingers on their depth chart. This is a non issue right now because the Blues have so many young centers and right wingers, but in a few years when these players go from being RFA’s to UFA’s the Blues will need a left winger. Mario Lucia is the best player available here so the Blues should take him.

Lucia has line 4 talent and line 1 potential down the road so he must be groomed at a slow and gradual rate.

33. Florida Panthers Rocco Grimaldi C USHL Under 18 Team Grimaldi could be a late first round pick. Florida has to take offensive players in rounds 2 and 3. I gave the Panthers Larsson at #3 meaning the Panthers need offense to add to their lines. Florida finished last in the NHL on the power play and was one of 4 NHL teams to score less than 200 goals despite finishing 6th in penalty killing.

With Grimaldi your getting line 3 offense, line 2 defense, and line 1 athleticism when you look at Grimaldi right now. You may be getting line 1 potential all across the board down the road, but Grimaldi needs some time to develop his game.

34. New York Islanders Dimitri Jaskin RW Slavia Czech Republic Jaskin is a bargain at this point plus the Islanders need to add some depth at winger to their AHL team in Bridgeport.

35. Ottawa Senators Shane Prince LW Ottawa 67′s OHL The Senators did well in the penalty killing department finishing 9th in that area. Craig Anderson has been solid as a goaltender, but I feel like Ottawa needs more offensive firepower to ignite their team.

Shane Prince is a two way forward who can line up at center or left winger and is very versatile. Prince is a playmaker with flashy speed. This year Prince managed to obtain 25 goals, 63 assists, and a total of 88 points in 70 games.

Shane Prince is a line 1 left winger that can be used as a playmaker or a two way forward. Prince has line 1 potential on offense and has line 1 athleticism when you look at his potential, but the main weakness in his game is the defensive aspect.

36. Chicago Blackhawks from Winnipeg Jets Mark Scheifele C Barrie Colts OHL Mark Scheifele is a playmaker, two way forward who is a line 1 right winger for Barrie, a power forward, and a grinder. Mark Scheifele is an unselfish player with a great work ethic and high character. Scheifele has mid round 1 potential in terms of value, but since Barrie won a league low 15 games Scheifele’s stock has really taken a hit to the point where some people think he’s a mid second round pick.

37. Columbus Blue Jackets Joe Morrow D Portland Winterhawks WHL Columbus drafted Ryan Johansen in 2010. Columbus needs defensive help to improve their PK unit. Morrow can improve the Blue Jackets team chemistry and the Blue Jackets PK which ranked 22nd out of 30 teams.

Morrow was a line 3 defender on Portland, but has line 1 potential so he should succeed in the NHL if he is given the right opportunity to blossom.

38. Nashville Predators from New Jersey Devils Victor Rask C Leksands Allsvenskan Victor Rask had first round talent, but a drop off in performance along with some character issues cause Rask to fall to Nashville.

Nashville needs centers for the Milwaukee Admirals on lines 1-4. Its amazing that the Admirals got to the Calder Cup Playoffs with wingers as centers so lets give the Nashville Predators Rask.

Rask provides line 4 offense, line 2 defense, and line 1 athleticism

39. Toronto Maple Leafs Boone Jenner C Oshawa Generals OHL Boone Jenner provides great value for the Maple Leafs in round 2. He can be used as a line 4 center right away if necessary and if Jenner isn’t ready he can go back to Oshawa for a year.

Boone Jenner is a 3rd line center at best when you examine his NHL game so unless your in dire need of that 3rd line center down the road you really should not draft Jenner.

40. Boston Bruins from Minnesota Wild Oscar Klefbom D Farjestad Elitserien Klefbom is a bargain at this point. Some scouts think he has more upside and potential than his teammate Jonas Brodin.

Klefbom has line 3 offensive potential, line 1 defensive potential, and line 3 athleticism. Klefbom is a nice pick for depth down the road, but there is a limit to what he can do for your team in the long run.

41. St. Louis Blues Nick Jensen D Green Bay USHL The St. Louis Blues could use some defensive depth and Nick Jensen is the best available player here at this point in terms of defensemen.

42. Carolina Hurricanes Nick Shore RW Denver Shore may have played center at Denver, but the two way forward is expected to be a right winger in the NHL.

43. Chicago Blackhawks from Calgary Flames via Toronto Maple Leafs Robbie Russo D USHL Russo may be a raw line 3 defender, but he has line 1 potential down the road. The Blackhawks PK unit struggled. Russo may not be ready for the NHL yet, but the Blackhawks have a strong core of defenseman for now so they don’t need to play Russo at this point.

44. Dallas Stars Shane McClogan RW Kelowna Rockets WHL The Stars will need a right winger to replace Jamie Langenbrunner. Shane McClogan was a potential top 10 pick at one point early in the draft process before the season started projected to go as high as #9 overall. McClogan’s stock has fallen ever since. Once again Dallas drafts for value taking someone who should go earlier than they did due to a poor performance in the regular season. The Stars also have strong ties to the WHL which is why this pick makes too much sense.

McClogan is a line 1 playmaker at right wing with line 2 potential who is NHL ready in terms of Hockey IQ. Only problem is McClogan is 5 foot 8 165 pounds. Despite his small frame McClogan is a physical grinder on the ice and can boost a PK unit.

Some people believe McClogan could fall to round 4 because of his scoring drought, but I think Dallas takes him here with this pick.

45. New York Rangers Vincent Trocheck C Saginaw Spirit OHL Trocheck is a playmaker line 1 center. He has line one potential on offense along with his line one potential in terms of athleticism. Trocheck has line 2 potential on defense so he should be a good developmental player.

46. St. Louis Blues from Buffalo Sabres Stefan Noesen RW Plymouth Whalers OHL Noesen is a two way forward who can play center or right wing. Noesen is currently a line 2 right winger for the Plymouth Whalers. You got a player with line 3 potential on offense along with line 1 potential on defense and athleticism.

You can get a tough tenacious grinder who can help your penalty killing unit with Noesen. The Blues are already stacked at right wing, but it wouldn’t hurt to add more depth to your roster.

47. Florida Panthers from Montreal Canadiens Ryan Tesink LW Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Saint John won the QMJHL playoffs Florida needs offensive firepower so the Panthers have to take this pick here?

48. Ottawa Senators from Chicago Blackhawks Matthew Nieto RW Boston University Ottawa needs a line 4 right winger and Nieto provides good value here at pick 47.

49. Los Angeles Kings Adam Clendening D Boston University The Los Angeles Kings have depth on their NHL and AHL teams everywhere. The Kings can afford to take the best available player without focusing on any particular team needs.

50. New York Islanders Compensation Pick Joel Edmundson D Moose Jaw Warriors WHL You have your choice between Edmundson and Wotherspoon at #50. Now the million dollar question is who do you take?

Edmundson has 5th round production at this point, but has the high upside and potential of a late first round pick value wise.

Tyler Wotherspoon is a low risk player with low reward who would probably be best used as a line 3 defender as the teams #5 or #6 defender. I’m not sure I want a #5 or #6 defender at best in the first two rounds.

If the Islanders are asking themselves what I’m asking there probably going to lean towards Edmundson.

51. Phoenix Coyotes Tyler Wotherspoon D Portland Winterhawks WHL Phoenix needs to improve a PK unit that ranked 26th out of 30 teams. Wotherspoon has line 3 potential at all ends and is a major reach, but there is low risk by taking him.

Phoenix can develop Wotherspoon for a few years in the WHL and then bring him up to the AHL where he can work his way into the Coyotes lineup.

52. Nashville Predators Colin Jacobs C Seattle Thunderbirds WHL This is a perfect fit for Colin Jacobs in round 2 seeing as he is the best available player. Jacobs is a grinder, power forward, and a checking line forward that can be a major asset to your PK unit.

Jacobs can also be used as a two way forward. He played some left wing for Seattle on their line 1 unit. Your probably getting line 2 offensive potential, line 1 defensive potential, and line 1 athleticism potential due to Jacobs incredible versatility.

53. Anaheim Ducks Michael St. Croix C Edmonton Oil Kings WHL Koivu has an expiring contract after the 2011-2012 NHL season. Since the Ducks have one of the bottom feeder AHL teams it would not hurt to draft Michael St. Croix let him go back to Edmonton for a year and then return to the Ducks as a 4th line center.

Michael St. Croix is a line 1 center on the Edmonton Oil Kings. St. Croix can be used as a playmaker center or a two way forward by moving him to either winger role. Michael St. Croix is bet suited at center though.

With Michael St. Croix your getting line 1 offensive potential, line 3 defensive potential, and line 1 athleticism so your getting a pretty good player in round 2 with this pick.

54. Pittsburgh Penguins Oliver Archambault C Vald’ Or Foreurs QMJHL Oliver Archambault has to be the best QMJHL player available that fits a major need for the Penguins at center.

With Archambault your getting a two way forward that can play center or left wing. Archambault is a sniper and he loves shooting the puck and deking defenders with his stick handling ability.

Crosby and Stall’s contracts are up after the 2013 season and Malkins is up after 2014. Pittsburgh needs to keep stocking up on centers hoping they can get a Malkin type talent in round 2 down the road. Crosby is the face of the franchise and Staal is the most durable among the 3 centers so that makes Malkin the odd man out of Pittsburgh in 2014. Pittsburgh won’t have the budget to bring back all 3 so the Penguins may as well address this issue now while there team is stacked during the short term.

Your getting line 1 potential on offense and athleticism with Archambault, but you get line 3 defense with Archambault. Pittsburgh has a good core of disciplined players and Pittsburgh is a place that can take a chance on a sniper and try to make that player more disciplined defensively. If this pick works out the Penguins front office looks really smart.

55. Detroit Red Wings Philippe Hudon RW Choate Rosemary Hall High School Connecticut The Red Wings take another right winger that they can use for the future by taking the best available player here.

56. Phoenix Coyotes from Philadelphia Flyers Myles Bell D Regina Pats OHL Myles Bell is a good pickup for Phoenix at this point in round 2 of the NHL Draft. Phoenix could use one more defenseman that they can patiently groom for the future. The reason I added one final defenseman is because Wotherspoon is an AHL player or a line 3 defender at best while Oleksiak won’t be up for at least 3 years. Phoenix can take 3 straight defenders bring Bell back to the OHL for another year and be good.

Now that the Coyotes have addressed defense with those first 3 picks they can focus on adding offensive players in the later rounds.

57. New York Rangers from Washington Capitals Mike Reilly D Shattuck St. Marys School Minnesota Both the Islanders and Rangers are looking at Reilly as a 2nd round prospect.

58. Tampa Bay Lightning John Gibson G USHL The Lightning take Gibson and groom him for the future in round 2.

59. San Jose Sharks Christopher Gibson G Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL San Jose may want a goalie for depth behind Niemi. Christopher Gibson was on a losing team while ranking 2nd in fewest goals allowed in the QMJHL this season while recording 4 shut outs. Christopher Gibson is a great project goalie for the Sharks.

60. Vancouver Canucks Rasmus Bentsson D Rogle Allsvenskan Vancouver adds more depth on defense by taking the best available player with their picks.

61. Ottawa Senators from Boston Bruins Marcel Noebels C Seattle Thunderbirds WHL Noebels is a line 2 center for Seattle. Noebels is a very raw project, but he has line 1 offensive potential, line 3 defensive potential, and line 1 potential when you watch his athleticism.

Noebels is a sniper with the versatility to move to right wing as a two way forward. Noebels is better served as a center though.

Noebels is the top player in 2011 that went un drafted in 2010. Most un drafted players from the previous year don’t get selected until the late 3rd round at the earliest. With Noebels you could be seeing him as a late round pick.

Round 3

62. Edmonton Oilers Stuart Percy D Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors OHL Edmonton’s only needs at this point will be line 3 defenders and a line 4 left winger.

If I’m Edmonton I get a defender here and start setting up my defense. Edmonton was 29th out of 30 teams in penalty killing so they need to double dip at the defender position.

I know we gave the Oilers Jonas Brodin and Scott Mayfield, but one more defender to boost a PK unit that ranked 29th in the NHL is all the Oilers need. The Oilers have some young defenders who could blossom 3 to be exact, 2 players with multiple contracts, and Ryan Whitney. Edmonton will have more defenders for the future that they can use down the road thanks to these early picks. Edmonton can use their later picks on line 4 wingers and a goalie for the future.

63. Anaheim Ducks from Colorado Avalanche via New York Islanders Connor Murphy D USHL Connor Murphy is a premium talen at this point. He has line 1 potential, but is a line 3 project at this point. Anaheim has some aging veterans who can play until Murphy is ready to play in Anaheim down the road.

The Ducks also have a long term asset #1 defender in Cam Fowler just needing that long term #2 defender. The Ducks will take Connor Murphy here hoping he’s the answer.

Murphy is a two way defender that could help Anaheim down the road so this could be a beneficial sleeper pick down the road for the Ducks.

64. Florida Panthers Lucas Lessio LW Oshawa Generals OHL The Florida Panthers need a left winger. Lucas Lessio may currently be a line 3 left winger for Oshawa, but he has line 1 potential down the road.

Lessio is a playmaker who passes the puck to his teammates to set up goals. In 66 games as a line 3 left winger Lessio tallied 27 goals and 27 assists with his limited minutes on the ice making the most of opportunities.

He can also be used as a checking line forward while being a tenacious grinder and enforcer on the ice. Lessio can boost your PK too.

Lessio wows NHL scouts with his speed and skating ability on the ice.

65. New York Islanders Reece Scarlett D Swift Current Broncos WHL Reece Scarlett is a two way defenseman with line 3 talent and line 2 potential in the NHL. I mean you could be getting a good depth player down the road if you wait until after the first 2 rounds to draft him.

Scarlett is a line 2 defender on Swift Current along with the 4th best defender on his team and that should remain his role in the NHL.

66. Ottawa Senators Brett Ritchie RW Sarnia Sting OHL Richie is a line 3 power forward for the Sarnia Sting. Ritchie did fail to deliver under high expectations. Durability issues caused him to miss games and he missed the CHL prospects game due to injuries.

Ritchie can be a competitive player when he’s on his A game.

Ritchie is a player who needs at least 5 years before he can play in the NHL. Ritchie will return to Sarnia until he’s 21 and then should play in the AHL for a few years. The 6 foot 3 210 pound size keeps him from being undrafted.

Ritchie has line 4 NHL talent, but if he is groomed properly and plays with a chip on his shoulder consistently I could see him being a player that you could build your AHL team around.

After the first 2 rounds teams start looking for AHL talent that they can add to their farm system in a few years. Ritchie is a power forward at right wing that you can use if your trying to win a Calder Cup and need that line 1 right winger.

By the way the Sarnia Sting will be a team to watch next season. Nail Yakupov their line 1 right winger is projected to go #1 overall in 2012 and his teammate Alex Galchenyuk is a line 1 center that is projected to be a top 10 pick in 2012 who could end up getting drafted in the top 5 down the road.

67. Winnipeg Jets JT Miller C USHL Miller is a two way forward that can play center or left wing. He can be a grinder and checking line forward that can boost your penalty killing unit.

Miller gives you line 4 offense potential, line 1 defense potential, and line 1 athleticism potential which is why he could slide to the third round.

68. Columbus Blue Jackets Markus Granlund C IFK SM Liiga Columbus could be getting a player with a loot of upside. This is a playmaker with great vision and ability to score on the power play. Your getting a player with AHL line 4 ability at this point who has enough upside and potential to become a line 1 center in the NHL down the road.

69. New Jersey Devils Forfeited Pick due to Ilya Kovalchuk Signing.

70. Chicago Blackhawks from Toronto Maple Leafs Scott Harrington D London Knights OHL Chicago needs to improve that penalty killing unit by drafting defenseman for the future. These guys do not have to start right away and can return to their respective Canadian Hockey Leagues until they are old enough to go to the AHL and play for the Rockford Icehogs, but Chicago may double dip at defense looking for a penalty killer.

Harrington has line 1 athleticism when you evaluate his potential. He is an excellent skater. Harrington has line 2 offensive and defensive ability as a two way defender.

71. Minnesota Wild Joachim Nermark LW Linkopings HC Elitserien Nermark is a two way forward at center and left wing. Nermark can create one on one matchups when he is on the ice. Nermark has line 1 potential down the road, but right now he is a reserve player on an AHL team at best. The Houston Aeroes, Minnesota’s AHL team are facing the Binghamton Senators for the Calder Cup and they can use Nermark as a reserve player for now while slowly developing him for the future.

72. St. Louis Blues Jessie Forsberg D Prince George Cougars WHL St. Louis’s AHL team the Peoria Riverman will be depleted on defense so double dipping at defense is necessary in this NHL Draft.

73. Carolina Hurricanes Alan Quine C Peterborough Petes OHL Quine is the line 1 playmaker center that gets the puck to Matt Peumpel. Like Puempel he also has line 1 potential, but is projected as a line 3 project at this point. Carolina has an upstart team and a top notch AHL team so they have the patience to develop him.

74. Edmonton Oilers from Calgary Flames Austen Brassard RW Belleville Bulls OHL Edmonton needs a line 4 right winger if Storini leaves Edmonton they will need a line 3 winger. Austen Brassard provides great value with this pick. Edmonton would be drafting the best availalable player at this spot.

Brassard has line 1 potential with athleticism and skating, but he is a 3rd line right winger from an offensive and defensive standpoint in terms of NHL talent.

Brassard plays on Belleville’s second line.

75. New Jersey Devils from Dallas Stars Matt Killian D Delbarton School New Jersey New Jersey will get this pick if the Dallas Stars fail to resign Langenbrunner. I think they select Killian a hometown prospect with this pick.

76. Florida Panthers from New York Rangers Tobias Rieder RW Kitchner Rangers OHL Rieder is a line 2 right winger. He can be used as a two way forward at center or right winger. The man is a playmaker who passes the puck to teammates which may explain why in some games Kitchner made him their line 1 center on certain shifts.

He has line 3 NHL talent, but line 1 potential. Tobias Rieder is best suited on a second line at right wing.

77. Buffalo Sabres Barclay Goodrow LW Brampton Battalion OHL The Buffalo Sabres always draft for size. Goodrow is 6 foot 2 209 pounds and the Sabres biggest need is the left wing position. Goodrow has line 3 potential in the NHL, but plays on line 1 with Brampton.

78. Montreal Canadiens Xavier Ouellet D Montreal Juniors QMJHL Ouellet plays on line 1, but has AHL line 3 talent at this point. Ouellet has the upside and potential to become a line 1 defender, but he has a long way to go before he becomes that good.

79. Chicago Blackhawks Samu Perhonen G JYP Jyvasky SM Liiga The Blackhawks draft Perhonen as a developmental player for the future in round 3.

80. Los Angeles Kings Zakhar Arzamastev D Russia Los Angeles is stacked everywhere and can take the best available player. They do not really need defense, but Arzamastev is the best available player at this point.

Drew Doughty’s contract expires and he will come back to Los Angeles unless another team makes the Kings an offer they cannot refuse like 3 future first round picks. Just to be safe Los Angeles should get a defenseman in case this unlikely scenario occurs that way the Los Angeles Kings defense is prepared with or without Doughty. Right now I’d say there is a 99 percent chance Doughty returns to Los Angeles.

Another thing you can take into account is that Zakhar Arzamastsev can play on the Manchester Monarchs right away.

81. Boston Bruins from Phoenix Coyotes Patrick Koudys D Rensselear Polytechnic Institute Engineers ECAC A lot of people believe Koudys could be a steal in this NHL draft. Good pickup here.

82. Nashville Predators Tyson Teichmann C Belleville Bulls Tyson Teichmann can play center. Nashville is stacked in the NHL and AHL so they can draft the best available players here.

83. Anaheim Ducks Keegan Lowe D Edmonton Oil Kings Lowe is a line 2 defender on Edmonton. He projects as a 3rd line defender in the NHL who is a major project at this point.

84. Philadelphia Flyers from Pittsburgh Penguins Dillon Simpson D North Dakota The Flyers draft a project defender that should be ready to boost the PK once Pronger retires.

85. Detroit Red Wings Michael Mersch LW Wisconsin The Red Wings take a developmental player with their 3rd round pick.

86. Toronto Maple Leafs from Philadelphia Flyers Guillaume Cloutier D Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL Cloutier is a reserve defender on an AHL team in terms of talent at this point, but has enough upside and potential to crack an NHL roster as a #5 or #6 defender on line 3.

87. Florida Panthers from Washington Capitals Max Friberg LW Timra IK Elitserien Florida drafts Friberg who provides excellent value with this pick.

88. St. Louis Blues from Tampa Bay Lightning Kale Kessy LW Medicine Hat Tigers WHL Kale Kessy is line 4 center in terms of offensive talent and potential in the NHL. You can use Kessy as a two way forward at center or left wing. Kessy has line 1 defensive potential and line 1 athleticism.

Kessy can be a two way forward, power forward, grinder, checking forward, or tough guy.

Kessy could be a good player if you can improve his offensive production.

89. San Jose Sharks Alex Gacek C Indiana USHL Gacek would be a solid addition to a San Jose Sharks team looking to add youth at center.

90. Vancouver Canucks Jeremy Boyce-Rotevall LW Timra IK Elitserien Rotevall has that line 1 athleticism and versatility skating on the ice with potential. He can play left wing or right wing.

My problem with him is your getting line 4 offensive potential and line 3 defensive potential from an NHL standpoint. Good thing he starts out on a very strong AHL team and has the chance to work his way up the roster spot.

Vancouver needs someone who can step up down the road at left wing when Daniel Sedin is gone so Jeremy Boyce-Rotevall may be the pick here.

91. Florida Panthers from Boston Bruins Johan Sundstrom C Frolunda HC Elitserien Sundstrom is a line 4 center for Frolunda. He can play line 4 on offense and has line potential with defense and athleticism. Sundstrom could be a keeper down the road if his offensive ability improves. Sundstrom will start out in the AHL this year.

Round 4

92. Edmonton Oilers Miikka Salomaki LW Karpat Oulu SM Liiga Miikka Salomaki is a reserve player on a competitive SM Liiga team. He should thrive playing for the Oklahoma City Barons as an AHL player at some point.

Salomaki is a playmaker left winger who likes passing the puck to teammates. Salomaki is a two way forward that can play center or left winger. You got a reserve player with line 1 potential. He won’t have to worry about playing on line 1 or 2 though with the young crop of prospects that Edmonton has on their first two lines.

93. Colorado Avalanche Justin Sefton D Sudbury Wolves OHL Sefton is a third line defender. The two way defender has line 4 offensive potential, line 1 defensive potential, and line 1 athleticism when you see his skating abiltiy.

Worst case scenario your getting a #6 defender on an NHL roster and the best case scenario is you get that #2 defender who can compliment your teams best defender on line 1. So this is a pick worth taking a shot on in round 4 if you need that second line defender for the future as a #4 defender on the roster like Colorado does.

94. Florida Panthers Maxim Shalunov RW Belie Medvedi Chelyabinsk MHL A playmaker right winger that can set up goals who provides good value in round 4.

95. New York Islanders Michael Paliotta D US Under 18 Team The Islanders will need line 3 defenders for the Bridgeport Tigers. Once the first 3 rounds are over teams usually focus on taking the best available players.

96. Ottawa Senators David Broll LW Salt. Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL David Broll is a line 2 right winger, but is a better fit at left wing. He has line 1 athleticism, skating, versatility when you look at his athletic potential, but other than that you got line 4 offensive ability, and line 2 defensive ability.

97. Winnipeg Jets Reid Boucher LW USHL Winnipeg takes one of the better players here.

98. Columbus Blue Jackets Nikita Nesterov D Belie Medvedi Chelyabinsk MHL Columbus adds another defender that they can groom for the future in round 4.

99. New Jersey Devils Albert Yarullin D Kazan Russia New Jersey wants a defender in this draft at some point and Yarullin provides good value in round 4.

100. Toronto Maple Leafs Scott Oke LW Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Oke’s stock has really improved and he should be a lock to be selected in the top 100. He may have an outside shot of going in the top 50.

Oke is a third line right winger, but is better suited at left wing. Scott Oke should help Toronto long term.

101. Minnesota Wild Maximillen Le Sieur RW Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL Maximillen Le Sieur is a sniper who has different strengths. Maximillen Le Sieur can shoot shots with great power, is very disciplined, and has great speed when skating. Poor defensive ability, poor size, poor physical tools, durability concerns, his poor offensive awareness, and lack of being creative with the puck have caused Maximillen Le Sieur to drop to this spot in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

So your getting line 3 defensive potential along with line 1 ability on offense and athleticism if he reaches his potential.

102. St. Louis Blues Colten St. Clair C Fargo USHL The Blues get a center for their AHL team down the road. Colten St. Clair has top notch athleticism and can be a great two way forward at center or right wing.

103. Carolina Hurricanes Luke Lockhart RW Seattle Thunderbirds WHL Luke Lockhart is a two way forward that can play anywhere on offense. The discipline Lockhart displays and the power on Lockhart’s slap shot are the two biggest strengths when it comes to Luke Lockhart.

Lockhart has line 1 talent and may be a steal in the later rounds.

104. Calgary Flames Jonathan Racine D Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL Calgary could afford to add some depth at defense while developing another player for the future.

Racine is a raw project who needs more seasoning. Racine is a two way defender for his team. Racine has the potential to be a #4 defender on a roster where he is playing on line 2.

105. Dallas Stars Andrey Pedan D Guelph Storm OHL Usually I give Dallas a WHL player, but Pedan has line 1 potential and is an exceptional bargain in round 4. Pedan is 6 foot 4 204 pounds and is a two way defender with excellent skating ability.

Pedan is the #1 defender on the Guelph Storm also which is why I cannot see Dallas passing on him. Pedan is a hard hitting shutdown defenseman who ignited an offensive spark in the OHL playoffs. He is one of those players that can become clutch in the playoffs as an offensive defender, but plays like a defensive defender during the regular season. Either way Pedan is a top notch two way defender who has too much to offer if he slides this far.

106. New York Rangers Alex Kuvaev RW Lethbridge Hurricanes WHL Kuvaev is a line 2 power forward with the line 1 potential in athleticism and line 3 ability in offense and defense.

Kuvaev should be a 3rd line player who competes for ice time and is used as a 2nd line penalty killer down the road.

107. Buffalo Sabres Adam Reid C USHL Reid is 6 foot 4 205 pounds and provides a lot of size which Buffal loves.

108. Winnipeg Jets from Montreal Canadiens Anthony Camara LW Saginaw Spirit OHL Anthony Camara is one of the better left wingers and could go anywhere between rounds 3 and 4. Camara provides good value at this point.

109. Chicago Blackhawks Jean-Gabriel Pageau C Gatineau Olympiques QMJHL Jean-Gabriel Pageau is an undersized playmaker center. He has high character and a strong work ethic despite being undersized.

If you exclude his lackluster defense you got line one potential on offense and athleticism. His defense is more of a line 3 type defender defense plus he is undersized which hurts his defensive ability as well.

Philip-Michael Devos a 21 year old undrafted free agent led the QMJHL in points this year during the regular season playing right wing on line 1 with Jean-Gabriel Pageau who played center. Philip-Michael Devos is going to be too old to play in the junior leagues so a team could pick him up and sign him to an AHL team as an UFA.

Chicago has nothing to lose by taking a shot on this kid. They can draft Jean Gabriel Pageau and make him the face of the Rockford Icehogs AHL team which needs a franchise player considering the fact they finished 8th out of 8 teams in their division. The top 4 teams in each of the 4 AHL divisions make the Calder Cup Playoffs in the AHL.

110. Los Angeles Kings Michael Curtis C Belleville Bulls OHL Michael Curtis was a center on the Belleville Bulls, but he is a two way forward that can adjust to the left wing role. He is a sniper and most left wingers are required to be good snipers. Even though his accuracy for a shooter is terrible right now his shooting power on the slap shot and wrist shot is off the charts. Curtis can go back to Belleville and work in the farm system until he’s 21. After that he can play on the Manchester Monarchs and if he’s good enough he will be on an NHL Team by the time he is 25. The LA Kings and their AHL partner the Manchester Monarchs both have the depth, flexibility, and patience to wait for Michael Curtis to be on the team.

Michael Curtis has line 1 athleticism when you evaluate his potential, but has line 3 offensive and defensive potential. Curtis would be a good player for Manchester in a few years though.

111. Phoenix Coyotes Andrew Fritsch RW Owen Sound Attack OHL Phoenix could use more depth at right wing. Fritsch is a quality sniper with good power on his shots.

Fritsch is a line 1 sniper for the OHL Champion Owen Sound Attack who was the leader of the Owen Sound Attack.

Fritsch has line 1 potential, but needs at least 5-7 years of development before he reaches his potential. When you draft late round picks you have the luxury of waiting for a bit.

112. Nashville Predators Frankie Simonelli D Wisconsin Nashville takes the best available player here.

113. Montreal Canadiens from Anaheim Ducks Artem Sergeev D Val d Or Foreurs QMJHL Artem Sergeev is a reserve defender who needs time to develop.

Sergeev is a line 1 offensive defender with the line 1 potential on offense and the athleticism. The problem is he isn’t that good defensively. If you can coach his defensive ability in round 4 and improve Sergeev from a defensive aspect you could be getting a steal in round 4.

114. Edmonton Oilers from Pittsburgh Penguins Logan Shaw RW Cape Brenton Eagles QMJHL Edmonton drafts another future line 4 right winger in Logan Shaw who can be used as a power forward on a 4th line.

115. Detroit Red Wings Alex Racino LW Sudbury Wolves OHL Racino is a two way forward at center or left wing. Detroit will get good value with this pick given their track record of drafting excellent late round picks while keeping the disciplined.

116. Philadelphia Flyers Gabriel Bourrett D Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Philadelphia has some aging defenseman with Chris Pronger aging. Time to add some youth on defense.

Bourrette is the #3 defender on the Saint John Sea Dogs depth chart. He is on line behind #2 defender Simon Despres and #1 defender Nathan Beaulieu.

117. Washington Capitals Nikita Kucherov RW CSKA KHL Washington drafts another Russian player in round 4.

118. Philadelphia Flyers from Tampa Bay Lightning Aidan Kelly C Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Kelly is a line 4 talent at best on offense and defense, but you can plug him into a center or a left wing role as a two way forward. He has the potential to have line 1 ability when you watch his athleticism and skating ability. You have to take the fact that Kelly is a two way forward into consideration as well.

119. Anaheim Ducks from San Jose Sharks Viktor Berglind D Brynas IF Elitserien Berglind is a reserve defender who gets limited action. He is an offensive defender who belongs in the AHL. Berglind needs to improve his defensive ability, but he has the offensive skill set to rival Adam Larsson in terms of offensive ability as an offensive defender.

120. Vancouver Canucks Brent Benson C Saskatoon Blades WHLVancouver has the luxury of taking the best available player because their NHL team and AHL teams are both really deep.

Vancouver will need a long term player down the road when Henrik Sedin ages and Brent Benson can be that center.

121. Boston Bruins Jordan Binnington G Owen Sound Attack OHL Boston is set at goalie, bu Binnington was another key asset on the OHL Champion Owen Sound Attack. It would not hurt to give the Providence Bruins Boston’s AHL team their goalie of the future in round 4.

Round 5

122. Edmonton Oilers Benjamin Conz G Langnau Tigers National Conz was one of the top NHL prospects to not get drafted in 2010. Edmonton takes Conz as a project goalie to develop for the future with this pick early in round 5.

Conz could be a goalie for the Oklahoma City Barons until he’s ready to make the jump to the NHL.

123. Colorado Avalanche Michael Houser G London Knights OHL Michael Houser is the best available player that fills a need. Colorado allowed more goals than any team in the league along with having the worst PK unit meaning they need goalie help along with defense. Calvin Pickard will be the Colorado goalie of the future while Houser should play for the Lake Erie Monsters AHL team down the road if the Avalanche take him in round 5.

Houser is a major project, but he has the upside and potential to be a starting NHL goalie in 10 years.

124. Nashville Predators from Florida Panthers Matej Matchovsky G Brampton Battalion OHL Nashville takes the best available player with this pick in round 5. Nashville grooms Matej Matchovsky and makes him the AHL goalie in Milwaukee down the road.

Nashville does own this pick as it is a conditional pick that was transferred to the Nashville Predators from the Florida Panthers. The conditions of this pick are unknown at this point so we will keep you updated on whether Nashville or Florida gets this pick.

125. New York Islanders Maxim Lagace G P.E.I Rocket QMJHL Lagace is a good developmental goalie in case Dipetro can’t stay healthy and in case Al Montoya struggles next season. Like Matchosky Lagace is a project backup who could be a starter down the road.

126. Ottawa Senators Viktor Arvidsson C Skelleftea Elitserien Viktor Arvidsson is a 4th round talent, but since he is undersized he could fall to round 5. Arvidsson has the upside to be a line 1 player in the AHL, but is a major line 4 AHL player at this point who needs a lot of work.

Arvidsson was a reserve player on a competitive Skelleftea team.

127. New York Islanders from Winnipeg Jets Seth Griffith C London Knights OHL Seth Griffith is a two way forward at center and right winger who can be a playmaker passing the puck setting up scoring opportunities. Griffith can return to London and continue to play right winger and can even be used as a line 2 center on the power play and the PK.

Griffith provides good value in round 5.

128. Columbus Blue Jackets Garrett Meurs C Plymouth Whalers OHL Columbus desperately needs a playmaker center like Meurs that can get the puck to Rick Nash down the road. I know they drafted Ryan Johansen, but you need depth at playmaker center and that is a position that Columbus is thin at.

Meurs is a line 1 center for Plymouth. He has line 3 production at this point and line 2 potential as a playmaker center. That works out perfectly since Columbus could add him behind Ryan Johansen down the road.

129. New Jersey Devils Craig Wyszomirski D Gunnery School Connecticut New Jersey drafts a developmental defenseman with this pick.

130. Toronto Maple Leafs Mike McKee D Kent School Connecticut Toronto adds a developmental defender in round 5.

131. Minnesota Wild Destry Straight C Colquitlam BCHL Minnesota drafts another center for depth in round 5 that can eventually work up to the Houston Aero’s roster in the AHL.

132. St. Louis Blues Matt Peca LW Pembroke CJHL The Blues take Matt Peca with this draft pick and continue to add depth on their team.

133. Winnipeg Jets from Carolina Hurricanes via Florida Panthers Adam Lowry LW Swift Current Broncos WHL Lowry is a power forward on line 2 for the Swift Current Broncos.

You get a power forward with line 4 potential on offense, line 2 defensive potential, and line 1 athleticism when you look at the potential.

Winnipeg needs to add more depth at the winger position so they address that final need in round 5. You get another winger for your back 6 with Lowry who provides quality talent in round 5.

134. Calgary Flames Jim Vesey LW Belmont Hill School Massachusetts Calgary takes the best player available once again.

135. Dallas Stars Jagger Dirk D Kootenay Ice WHL The Kootenay Ice won the 2011 WHL playoffs in the Canadian Hockey League knocking off the Portland Winterhawks who are stacked with 2010 and 2011 NHL Draft Pick prospects. Dirk was the defender who kept Portland’s offensive studs in check.

The city of Dallas will need a 2nd Dirk when Dirk Nowitzki retires from the Dallas Mavericks NBA team maybe Jagger Dirk can be that player, but I don’t expect him to be a major superstar like Dirk Nowitzki who can have that major impact in Dallas.

Jagger Dirk is a defensive defender who projects as a first line AHL defensive defender with the potential to be a 3rd line NHL defender as a #5 defenseman on the depth chart in the NHL. Dirk has the ability to be an effective penalty killer and really has a knack for playing aggressive on the ice.

136. New York Rangers Pontus Netterberg RW HV71 Elitserien Netterberg can start out on the Rangers AHL team line 4 and work his way up the depth chart.

137. Buffalo Sabres Mike Morrison G Kitchner Rangers OHL Morrison is a project goalie at this point, but he could become a top notch goalie in the NHL down the road.

138. Montreal Canadiens Andy Welinski D Montreal Juniors QMJHL Montreal adds defense for depth in this draft.

139. Chicago Blackhawks Peter Placek RW Hotchkiss School Connecticut Placek is the best available player with this pick.

140. Los Angeles Kings Brent Andrews LW Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL Besides Kyle Klefford and Scott Parse who turns 27 in September every player at left wing for LA is aging. Dustin Penner turns 29 in September, Alexei Poinkarovsky is in his 30′s now with an expiring contract after this season, and Ryan Smith is aging in his mid 30′s. LA is stacked and really doesn’t have many needs, but getting a quality line 3 left winger for the future like Brent Andrews is crucial.

Andrews has the production of a line 2 left winger in the AHL and the potential of a line 3 left winger in the NHL. That’s really good value with a 5th round pick.

Andrews is a sniper who was a late 3rd round pick at one point so getting Andrews in round 5 is a really big steal.

141. Phoenix Coyotes Matt McNeely G USA Under 18 Team McNeely can be a long term starter in Phoenix now that the Coyotes traded Bryzgalov.

142. Nashville Predators Andrei Sigarev C Philadelphia Jr. Nashville adds a key center for the future that could be an essential element to their AHL team in Milwaukee down the road.

143. Anaheim Ducks Tadeas Galansky G Saginaw Spirit OHL Galansky is a project goalie, but he has the ability to develop into a starting goalie in the AHL and may even be a backup to Jonas Hiller in Anaheim down the road.

144. Pittsburgh Penguins Robert Steeves G Acadie Bathurst Titan QMJHL Pittsburgh Penguins owner Mario Lemieux played in the QMJHL. In fact Lemieux played for the Laval Voisins who are now known today as the Acadie Bathurst Titan. Andre Fleury was drafted in the QMJHL. Brett Johnson will retire soon meaning John Curry will move up to the Penguins as a backup for the time being.

Wilkes Bare Scranton will need a long term backup and Steeves is the answer. He lacks the size for a goalie at 5 foot 11 154 pounds, but can bulk up over the next few years while returning to Acadie Bathurst. Steeves has elite top notch athleticism and if he can improve his reflexes and develop he could realistically be a quality backup for the Pittsburgh Penguins down the road on the Penguins NHL squad. Butterfly goalies like Andre Fleury have amazing reflexes so Steeves could improve his reflexes as a goalie. If the Penguins front office grooms Steeves properly he could be filling in for Andre Fleury whenever Andre Fleury has bad nights in 2 to 5 years.

Plus Andre Fleury will be 27 in November. Most teams find their heir apparent at goalie when their starting goalie is in their mid 20′s because they can develop a goalie for a decade before letting him start in the NHL.

Andre Fleury will likely be in his 30′s by the time Steeves gets called up to the Pittsburgh Penguins. I’m guessing Steeves will be 23 years old when he gets called up since he is 17 years old right now. By that time Andre Fleury will begin to enter his mid 30′s.

Plus if the Penguins have a goalie controversy between Andre Fleury and Steeves they could trade Steeves and get really good value down the road if they want another young goalie to succeed Andre Fleury or part ways with Andre Fleury if he shows signs of declining in his mid 30′s in like 7 years which is a non issue right now.

It sounds crazy to take a goalie here, but its really not out of the question for the Pittsburgh Penguins plus he is the best available player here as a QMJHL prospect.

This is a 5th round pick so the expectations won’t be that high if the Penguins get this pick wrong, but fans will complain if the Penguins miss out on a late round steal who produces in similar fashion to Pavel Datsyuk or Henrik Zetterberg.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are one of 6 teams along with the Lightning, Capitals, Kings, Canucks, and Predators in the NHL that has the patience and resources to groom a player in 10 years from now due to the teams strong depth and flexibility in the NHL and the AHL.

145. Detroit Red Wings Joseph Cramarossa C Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors OHL Detroit drafts the best available player for depth. Cramarossa is the best available player here. Your getting a playmaker center who is a two way forward who can convert to right winger.

Mississauga made the Memorial Cup Final before losing to the Saint John Sea Dogs. Cramarossa was one of the key players on this Mississauga team.

146. Detroit Red Wings from Philadelphia Flyers Cason Homan RW Cedar Rapids USHL The Red Wings draft another key player for depth. Cason Homan can be a franchise player for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the AHL down the road in a few years.

147. Washington Capitals Richard Ullberg G IFK Helsinki SM Liiga The Capitals need a goalie to groom for the future if their team continues to lose in the NHL playoffs.

148. Tampa Bay Lightning Clark Garrett D Halifax Mooseheads WHL Tampa Bay adds another defenseman for depth with this pick.

149. Winnipeg Jets from San Jose Sharks Dean Kukan D Zurich Winnipeg selects the best available player here.

150. Vancouver Canucks Liam Liston G Brandon Wheat Kings WHL Vancouver has Luongo, Cory Schneider who may get dealt this offseason, and Eddie Lack their starting AHL goalie who went undrafted. Lack has potential to succeed Luongo down the road if they tade Schneider.

The problem in Vancouver is they need to draft a goalie like Liam Liston and keep him in Brandon for a few years. By the time Lack is ready to make the jump to the NHL Liam Liston will be done with his WHL work and will have 3 years left on his contract with the rights to start as an AHL goalie.

151. Boston Bruins Mitch Topping D Chilliwack Bruins WHL Boston takes Mitch Topping and adds him to the Boston Bruins AHL team.

Round 6

152. Toronto Maple Leafs from Edmonton Oilers Ryan Sproul D Salt. Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL Toronto will draft a Canadian defender at some point in round 6 for depth. Ryan Sproul is a line 2 defender on Salt. Ste. Marie. He has line 2 AHL production with line 3 NHL potential down the road.

Ryan Sproul is a defensive defender and he is a very aggressive player on the ice. WIth Sproul and Mike McKee, Toronto can use draft a developmental goalie for the future with their last pick.

153. Colorado Avalanche Travis Ewank LW Edmonton Oil Kings WHL Ewank is a grinder and a line 3 left winger for the Edmonton Oil Kings. Ewank has line 4 offensive potential, line 2 defensive potential, and line 3 potential with his athleticism. Ewank could boost Colorado’s PK at the wing because he is such an effective grinder.

Colorado needs all the PK players they can get so the Avalanche take the best available player in round 6.

154. Florida Panthers Magnus Hellberg G Almtuna Allsvenskan Florida gets great value and finally addresses goalie in round 6. The Panthers will need a net minder in case Vokoun leaves and their backup isn’t that good.

155. Phoenix Coyotes from New York Islanders Zac Larraza LW USA Under 18 Phoenix really only needs a sniper at this point. Zac Larraza is a project, but he has the upside and potential to be the sniper that Phoenix needs.

156. Ottawa Senators Matthew Mahalak G Plymouth Whalers OHL Mahalak should return to the OHL and after that he can start out as a backup in the AHL in Binghamton for one or two years. Then Mahalak can become the goalie for Binghamton.

By the time he is 27 or 28 in 10 years he should make it up to Ottawa Senators if the Senators are impressed with him he will stay otherwise he will go and Ottawa will draft another goalie.

157. Winnipeg Jets Zachary Yuen D Tri City Americans WHL Zachary Yuen is a raw player at this point, but he has the ability to be a line 2 defender in the NHL. Yuen is a two way defender and the #2 defender on the Winnipeg Jets depth chart.

Zachary Yuen has line 2 offense and defensive potential along with line 1 athleticism which is why he is the #2 player on Tri City’s depth chart with lines.

158. Columbus Blue Jackets Sam Grist D Tri City Americans WHL Sam Grist is a defensive defender who has the ability to thrive in the AHL, but he’s a #6 defender at best in the NHL. Grist is a great defender to build your AHL team around. In rounds 6 through 7 you don’t get NHL type talent so you have to search for AHL players with these picks.

159. New Jersey Devils Harrison Ruopp D Prince Albert Raiders WHL New Jersey adds one more defender before addressing the goalie position. Ruopp is the #5 defender on the Prince Albert Raiders.

With Ruopp you get a player with line 4 offensive potential, line 2 defensive potential, and line 2 athleticism on the ice. Ruopp is a defensive defender who excels at penalty killing. New Jersey has enough defense and can look to address goalie in round 7.

160. Toronto Maple Leafs Andrei Markarov G Lewiston Maineiacs QMJHL Markarov is a project, but he has the potential to be a backup goalie for the Maple Leafs which is exactly what Toronto is looking for in case James Riemer doesn’t work out at goalie. It takes 3 years to develop a goalie so Toronto takes their goalie for the future with this pick in case James Reimer struggles with Toronto.

161. Minnesota Wild Dylan Wruck C Edmonton Oil Kings WHL Wruck is a playmaker and two way forward playing right wing on line 1 for the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Wruck has line 3 NHL talent so taking him as a developmental player in round 6 is a great pickup if your Minnesota.

162. St. Louis Blues Andy Welinski D Green Bay USHL The Blues draft Nick Jensen’s teammate and pair them up on Peoria’s defense in the long run.

163. Carolina Hurricanes Adam Petterson C Skelleftea Elitserien Carolina takes the best available player here in round 6. Petterson is a playmaker and a two way forward who can move to left wing. He can be an asset to a Charlotte Checkers AHL team that is already stacked with talent.

164. Calgary Flames Brady Brady Brassart C Spokane Chiefs WHL You get line 3 defensive potential and line 3 athleticism potential when you watch him on film. Brassart makes up for that with line 1 offensive potential. He can be used as a playmaker or a sniper when on the ice at center.

Brassart is a reserve player on the Spokane Chiefs and should continue to develop gradually.

165. Dallas Stars Todd Fiddler LW Prince Albert Raiders WHL The greatest player in Stars history went to Prince Albert. Fiddler is a two way forward who can play center, left wing, or right wing.

You get line 1 athleticism potential with Todd Fiddler. Fiddler is a line 4 offensive player and a line 3 defensive player.

This draft is thin on WHL players at this point so Dallas drafts their last WHL player in round 6 while taking a center in round 7.

166. San Jose Sharks from New York Rangers Troy Vance D Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL San Jose drafts a defenseman with this pick. Vance has good size at 6 foot 4 203 pounds.

167. Buffalo Sabres Samuel Noreau D Baie-Comeau Drakkar QMJHL Noreau is 6 foot 5 212 pounds. Buffalo drafts for size. Noreau is a line 2 defensive defender with mediocre offensive ability and athleticism.

168. Montreal Canadiens Joshua Leivo LW Sudbury Wolves OHL Leivo is a two way forward that should start out on line 4 in the AHL and earn his way up lineup spots.

169. Chicago Blackhawks TJ Tynan C Notre Dame Chicago adds a future player by taking the Notre Dame center in round 6. You get a college walk on and try to put him on your AHL team in Rockford down the road.

170. Los Angeles Kings Austin Czarnik RW US Under 18 Team Czarnik plays on the USA under 18 and he sounds Russian. LA could get younger at right wing by grooming a player for the future so this is a good pick here.

171. Ottawa Senators from the Phoenix Coyotes via Anaheim Ducks Marek Tvrdon LW Vancouver Giants WHL Tvrdon is a project, but he has line one upside and potential on all aspects. Maybe he can be that sniper that Ryan Strome gets the puck to. Or he could be a sniper on line 1.

172. Nashville Predators Joseph Labate C Academy of Holy Angels Minnesota Nashville takes the best available player here with this pick.

173. Toronto Maple Leafs from Anaheim Ducks Daniel Pribyl LW Seattle Thunderbirds WHL Pribyl is a left winger with line 4 NHL talent at best.

174. Pittsburgh Penguins Dillon Donnelly D Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL Dillon Donnelly is a tough player who likes to pick fights with other players on the ice which is why he sometimes gets scratched from the lineup due to his tedious history of picking fights with other players in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Letang and Orpik both have expiring contracts in 2013-2014. I cannot see both coming back with Letang, Orpik, and Malkin all having expiring contracts if Crosby and Staal are both retained. If the Penguins retain both Orpik and Letang then Malkin and Staal will both jump ship and leave Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh’s not giving up both Malkin and Staal to free agency so the Penguins need to add a defender for the future at some point in this draft.

Donnelly is very undisciplined and even gives some scouts an impression that he can be a team cancer in NHL locker rooms. Regardless of Donnelly’s attitude on the ice, if Dan Bylsma can properly motivate Donnelly I could see him succeeding in Pittsburgh given their history with coaching up physical players with aggressive personalities on the ice.

Donnelly can succeed in the NHL, but he has to be in the right atmosphere where a coach can channel and harness his aggression. I can see Donnelly succeeding in Pittsburgh, but I just don’t know if Ray Shero wants to draft a player with Donnelly’s attitude with a late 6th round pick.

If you have minor league coaches in the AHL that are passive and encourage players there probably not going to get through to Donnelly. If your teams coach cannot stand up to a player by confronting him face to face verbally yelling at him when he screws up this is not a player you want to take because you need a gutsy fiery motivator to deal with Donnelly’s personality.

His low hockey IQ and inability to execute plays that coaches write up on a white board limits his ability as a defender.

It really comes down to what you look for in a defender. If you want a defender who can pummel the crap out of anyone who tries to mess up Crosby by picking fights with that player like Marty Mcthis is your man.

If your looking for a sharp instinctive defender with top notch intangibles you may be better suited looking elsewhere.

The main reason I gave the Penguins Dillon Donnelly is because the Pittsburgh Penguins love QMJHL players and Donnelly’s ability as an enforcer may enamor the Pittsburgh Penguins to take a flyer on him in round 6.

If were going to compare him to an NHL defenseman a fair comparison is Marty McSorley. He can be very effective if disciplined properly, but is a major risk in terms of playing a full season. Marty McSorley only played more than 80 games once in his career during a regular season, and that was when the LA Kings made their one and only Stanley Cup Appearance.

175. Detroit Red Wings David Honzik G Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL Honzik could be a goalie for Grand Rapids down the road. Jimmy Howard and 2008 first round pick Thomas McCollum are expected to be starter and backup in Detroit for a while. McCollum could be used as trade bait and if that’s the case the Red Wings will need a new backup.

176. Philadelphia Flyers Max Everson D Edina Senior High School Minnesota The Flyers add more defensive youth by taking Max Everson in round 6.

177. Washington Capitals Steven Fogarty C Edina Senior High School Minnesota Your sniper is only as good as your playmaker center. Backstrom will still be the #1 center, but it wouldn’t hurt to bring in a #2 center that could challenge him for the job. Maybe the Capitals can get that production with Steven Fogarty.

178. Tampa Bay Lightning Evgeny Palanga D Spartak Moscow KHL Yzerman drafts a Russian defender to groom for the future in round 6.

179. San Jose Sharks Sebastian Dyk RW Malmo Allsvenskan San Jose adds the international right winger to their squad.

180. Vancouver Canucks Henri Auvinen D JYP Jyvaskyia SM Liiga Vancouver adds another defender for depth with this pick.

181. Boston Bruins Colin Sullivan D Avon Old Farms Connecticut Boston adds a local defender in Colin Sullivan who should contribute to Boston.

Round 7

182. Edmonton Oilers Gregory Hofmann C Switzerland Hoffman could be a late 2nd round pick so your getting incredible value if he falls to the top of round 7. Hofmann has the versatility to play left wing, center, and right wing.

183. Colorado Avalanche Eddie Wittchow D Burnsville High School Minnesota Colorado gets the best available player here.

184. Boston Bruins from Florida Panthers Rob O Gara D Milton Academy Massachusetts This is a conditional pick that the Bruins own from the Florida Panthers. The Bruins or Panthers will take Rob O Gara as the best available player with this pick regardless of what happens at this point.

185. New York Islanders Sami Salminen RW IFK Helsinki SM Liiga Sami Salminen is a quality right winger worth taking a flyer on at the top of round 7. You could be getting early 4th round value with him if he pans out.

186. Ottawa Senators Anton Zlobin LW Shawnigan Cataractes QMJHL Zlobin has the versatility of a player with line 1 athleticism. Zlobin can play left wing or right wing.

Zlobin is a playmaker at the wing and is best suited to be a left winger. Zlobin has line 4 offensive ability and line 3 defensive ability. His offensive ability has line 2 potential though. Zlobin is a major risk, but there is little to lose by taking a shot on him in round 7 when he could go as early as #110 to the Los Angeles Kings with their 4th round pick.

187. Winnipeg Jets Brian Billett G New Hampshire Jr. EJHL The Jets draft that new goalie for the new regime.

188. Columbus Blue Jackets Jaroslav Pavelka G Czech Republic The Blue Jackets add a goalie that can boost their AHL team and potentially challenge Steve Mason down the road if he doesn’t recover from injuries.

189. New Jersey Devils Stephen Michalek G Loomis Chaffee High School Connecticut The Devils get a younger goalie to groom for the future.

190. Toronto Maple Leafs Peter Ceresnak D Trenin Slovak The Maple Leafs add that extra defender.

191. Minnesota Wild Peter Traber G Shattuck-St. Marys School Minnesota The Wild spend their 7th round pick on a hometown goalie.

192. St. Louis Blues Colin Stevens G Boston Jr. EJHL The Blues get a goalie for insurance on their AHL team with their AHL goalie likely making the jump to the NHL to back up Halak.

193. Carolina Hurricanes Charlie Orzetti LW New Jersey Hitman EJHL The Hurricanes take the best forward available in round 7.

194. Winnipeg Jets from Calgary Flames Alexander Ruuttu C Jokerit Helsinki SM Liiga The Jets add another center to their back 6 that they can bring to the Chicago Wolves AHL team as a developmental pick.

195. Dallas Stars Jonathan Johanson C Brampton Battalion OHL Dallas adds a power forward to their lineup in round 7. Johanson has line 1 potential, but is a major project who needs at least 5 years to develop.

196. Phoenix Coyotes from New York Rangers William Kessel LW Green Bay USHL Phoenix takes the best player available in round 7.

197. Buffalo Sabres Michael King D Westside BCHL King has the size that the Sabres love when examining NHL prospects.

198. Montreal Canadiens Colin Suellentrop D Oshawa Generals OHL Sullentrop is the #1 defender on the Oshawa Generals roster. He is a defensive defender with line 4 offensive potential, line 1 defensive potential, and line 1 athleticism. Sullentrop is a major project, but he could become a Kris Letang type defender if he reaches his full potential.

199. Chicago Blackhawks Peter Kosterman D Calgary Hitmen WHL Kosterman is a borderline #6 defender on an NHL roster at best. Chicago takes a chance on him hoping he can give the team some depth considering the fact this team went from 8th to 25th in penalty killing.

200. Los Angeles Kings Konstantin Kamerik RW Lule HF Elitserien The Los Angeles Kings add another winger for depth plus they take the best available player in round 7.

201. Phoenix Coyotes Dario Trutmann D Plymouth Whalers OHL Trutmann is the #3 defender on the Plymouth Whalers team. That will likely be Trutmann’s role in the NHL if he lives up to his name. The Coyotes should take a chance on him knowing they need to improve a PK unit that finished 26th out of 30 teams.

202. Nashville Predators Sebastian Harlia LW Sweden The Predators get a left winger with this late round pick.

203. Toronto Maple Leafs from Anaheim Ducks Dylan Demelo D Mississauga St. Majors OHL Demelo may have more potential as a defender than Stuart Percy. Dylan Demelo is a major project with some character concerns. He only has the skill set of an AHL line 2 defender with the potential of a line 3 defender on an NHL roster. Toronto has nothing to lose by spending a 7th round pick on Demelo.

Anaheim gets this pick back if the Maple Leafs resign Aaron Voros.

2o4. Ottawa Senators from Pittsburgh Penguins Zack Franko Kelowna Rockets WHL Zack Franko is a line 2 left winger who can be used as a playmaker who distributes the puck to his teammates.

205. Detroit Red Wings Josiah Didlier D Cedar Rapids USHL Detroit uses their final draft selection on a defenseman.

206. Philadelphia Flyers Laurent Brossoit G Edmonton Oil Kings WHL Even though the Flyers got Ilya Bryzgalov by trade they need to groom someone for the future so the goalie issue doesn’t become a hole when Bryzgalov retires. Laurent Brossoit is the best goalie available at this point. Sure he may be a backup at best, but you need a goalie for the future and Brossoit may develop into a starter.

207. Washington Capitals Marek Hrivik LW Moncton Wildcats QMJHL Hrivik played on the Moncton Wildcats line 1 at left wing. He is considered a two way forward. He has line 2 offense potential, line 2 defense potential, and line 1 athleticism when you examine his potential. Washington gets a quality player that they can groom for the future with their final draft selection.

208. Tampa Bay Lightning Charles Johnson D Moncton Wildcats QMJHL Charles Johnson is a defensive defender with the potential to be a player who compliments Victor Hedman on line 1. He is a project and a #6 defender on an AHL team in terms of talent at this point, but his potential as a player is so deep he could develop into an NHL All Star that comliments Hedman. Major risk selection with major reward type pick. The later you are picking in the 2011 NHL Draft the less risk there is to take a chance on Charles Johnson.

209. Pittsburgh Penguins from San Jose Sharks David Weckworth D Gatineau Olympiques QMJHL Pittsburgh uses this pick and gets another QMJHL player to add to their lineup. Weckworth was a #5 defender and defensive defender who fits the Penguins defensive scheme with defensive defenders and penalty killers.

210. Vancouver Canucks Joel Lowry LW Vitoria BCHL Vancouver takes a local player with this pick.

211. Chicago Blackhawks from Boston Bruins Joe Fiala US Under 18 Team The Blackhawks get another defender who can play for Rockford down the road in the AHL.

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2011 NHL Mock Draft 6 Rounds

Posted by chris.ransom

May 30, 2011

Round 1

Edmonton’s second line will have Magnus Paajarvi at left wing Edmonton’s 2009 first round pick, Sam Gagner at center one of Edmonton’s 2008 first round picks, and Ales Hemsky at right wing.

Gilbert Brule would move down to line 4 at center giving Edmonton the depth and flexibility they need with their lines.

Even if the Oilers pass on Nugent Hopkins, Gagner, Horcoff, and Brule could be centers on lines 1 through 3.

If Edmonton is comparing Nugent Hopkins field vision to Gretzky their going to take him because Gretzky was the greatest Edmonton Oiler of all time.

Other Options

Adam Larsson D Skelleftea Eliteserien Besides Ryan Nugent Hopkins, Adam Larsson is the other franchise player in the 2011 NHL Draft with high upside and potential who can make an immediate impact. Edmonton has nothing besides Ryan Whitney and was 29th out of 30 teams on the PK. Larsson can improve the Power play and the PK. Nugent Hopkins only improves your power play. Edmonton already has 3 lines of forwards that can play even if they pass on Nugent Hopkins at #1. I personally would draft Larson if I were the Oilers GM, but I think the Oilers are going to select Nugent Hopkins.

Landeskog may be the safest pick with a tireless work ethic and an unselfish attitude, but I don’t believe he has as much upside or potential as Larsson or Nugent Hopkins. Nugent Hopkins and Larsson could be game changing franchise players. I don’t see that deep potential with Landeskog even though he is willing to do anything to win.

Gabriel Landeskog RW Kitchner Rangers OHL An OHL player has gone #1 overall each of the past 4 years. People are putting Landeskog in the same conversation with Nugent Hopkins and Larsson. So there is a fighting chance Landeskog is the pick if the Oilers want to make if Jordan Eberle is a full time center.

Lots of scouts believe that Landeskog could post 50 goals in his sleep if he mainly focused on being a sniper while ignoring his defensive responsibilities.

Other Options

Adam Larsson D Skelleftea Elitserien Adam Larsson is the only other long term franchise player besides Nugent Hopkins who I see leading a team to a cup down the road at this point regardless of the situation he finds himself in. Colorado was last in the NHL in goals allowed and penalty killing so its pretty obvious that the Avalanche need defense.

3. Florida Panthers Adam Larsson D Skelleftea Elitserien I know Florida took back to back defenseman in 2009 and 2010. The Panthers took Dimitri Kulikov in 2009 and Erik Gudbranson in 2010. Larsson is the best available player in the 2011 NHL Draft at this point and is considered the 2nd best overall player on a majority of NHL Draft Boards behind Ryan Nugent Hopkins. Personally I believe Nugent Hopkins and Larsson are 1A and 1B. Larsson is neck and neck with Nugent Hopkins. Ryan Nugent Hopkins is more NHL ready and Larsson has more long term upside and potential.

Florida probably should go offense here because they scored less than 200 goals in the regular season and were the worst team in the NHL on the power play. I’m aware of the fact that the Panthers were also the only team to finish in the top 8 in penalty killing while still missing the NHL Playoffs. Each of the last 4 Stanley Cup Winners finished in the top 8 in penalty killing. Not only did the Panthers rank 6th out of 30 NHL teams on the PK and they got a great goalie in Vokoun so why take Larsson right?

The thing is the Florida Panthers have 6 draft picks in the next two rounds with 2 2nd round picks and 4 third round picks. Those draft picks give the Florida Panthers the luxury of taking Larsson at #3 and using the rest of the draft to boost their skill set on offensive players.

Larsson is a two way defender who can be a quarterback on the power play. Larsson has the offensive skill set of a defender like Nicklas Lidstrom, Drew Doughty, or Victor Hedman along with the defensive skill set of a defender Brent Seabrook, Kris Letang, or Trevor Daley. Two more things I like about Larsson is his size and his ability to deliver a bone crushing check. Larsson is a complete two way defender with high upside and potential.

This is a smart defender from Sweden with high awareness on offense and defense who barely beat out his teammates to play on line 2. He nearly played on the teams 3rd line on a very competitive defense in Sweden.

If Larsson didn’t have so much upside and if the Panthers didn’t have so many picks in the later rounds I wouldn’t be calling this pick a stone cold lock despite the fact that Larsson is the favorite to go to Florida now, but Larsson brings too much to offer to fall out of the top 3 plus the Panthers have those 6 draft picks in rounds 2 and 3 which they can use to add offensive players.

Larsson can play on Florida’s first line with Kulikov while Gudbranson moves up to Florida’s 2nd line with Jason Garrison who played on line 1 complimenting him on line 2. This allows Mike Weaver to move down to line 3 giving the Panthers a deadly defense in the long run.

Other Options

Gabriel Landeskog RW Kitchner Rangers OHL Florida drafts the best offensive player here with this pick if Colorado takes Larsson at #2.

4. New Jersey Devils Sean Couturier LW Drummondville Voltigeurs QMJHL One player is starting to separate himself as the best player after Nugent Hopkins, Larsson, and Landeskog on most NHL Draft Boards. That player is Sean Couturier who was projected to go #1 overall at one point before the season started.

I think Sean Couturier will be the next Alexander Daigle because he needs to improve his accuracy on slap shots and wrist shots to excel as a sniper. In a 2011 NHL Draft Magazine I bought one person said Couturier is the best QMJHL prospect they saw since Sidney Crosby.

Couturier can play left wing, center, or right wing. Couturier can be used as an sniper or a playmaker. Couturier has line two potential from a defensive standpoint with line 1 potential on offense and line 1 potential in terms of athleticism.

Couturier was the line 1 center for Drummondville and was a sniper heading into this year, but really blossomed as a playmaker center creating scoring opportunities for his teammates as a playmaker for Drummondville.

Couturier probably makes his debut with the Devils in 2012-2013 because left winger Brian Rolston’s contract is up after the 2012 season.

New Jersey has to take an offensive player with this pick. The Devils scored a league low 172 goals and finished 28th out of 30 NHL teams on the power play. Even the Devils division rival the Pittsburgh Penguins topped that without Crosby or Malkin for the second half of the NHL Season by finishing 25th out of 30 NHL teams on the power play.

When your the New Jersey Devils and your doing worse than the Pittsburgh Penguins on the power play and they don’t have Crosby or Malkin for the 2nd half of the year due to injuries it speaks volumes to how bad your teams power play is.

Couturier can be effective on the power play or the PK. Couturier had 8 shorthanded goals in the QMJHL so Couturier can be play well on the ice with a man down.

5. New York Islanders Jonathan Huberdeau C Saint John Sea Dogs New York finished 8th in the Eastern Conference in goals scored and they were 12th on the PK in the NHL. I really don’t understand why the Islanders are picking this early. The Islanders did well on offense and on the PK, but were one of 6 teams to surrender more than 250 goals. New York had injury issues at goalie which is why they were picking this high. The New York Islanders surrendered 264 goals in 82 games. Al Montoya was 9-5-5 this season for the Islanders after being acquired by trade. The Islanders can get to the playoffs if he starts a full year without getting injured.

The Islanders have the luxury of taking the best player available. John Tavares, Josh Bailey, and Frans Nielsen will all return at center. Doug Weight’s contract is up and he could return as well. I’m going to say the Islanders retain Doug Weight for another year and bring Jonathan Huberdeau up to the NHL in 2012-2013.

With the way the Saint John Sea Dogs have been performing this season along with the fact that Huberdeau is posting better numbers than Couturier in the regular season plus the post season means Jonathan Huberdeau is probably a stone cold lock to be a top 5 pick.

Huberdeau is a playmaker center that can be used as a two way forward. You can move Huberdeau outside to left wing or right wing, but Huberdeau is best served as a teams center.

Saint John is in the Championship game of the Memorial Cup trying to prove their the best team Canadian Hockey League among the teams in the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL.

Strome will be ready for the 2012-2013 season, but until then he’s going back to Niagara for one more year.

7. Winnipeg Jets Dougie Hamilton D Niagra IceDogs OHL The Atlanta Thrashers are relocating to Winnipeg. That’s all we know at this point. The old Winnipeg team name was the Winnipeg Jets, but the new Winnipeg team may have a new different team name. If Winnipeg decides to change their team name before the draft I will update this, but for now I’m referring to the Jets as the new Winnipeg team.

Atlanta ranked 27th out of 30 teams in penalty killing. While the Thrashers are strong on defense with a few big name players they have to keep drafting defenseman until their penalty killing numbers improve. Another thing to consider is Hamilton is the best player available.

Winnipeg has the luxury of not rushing Hamilton to the NHL so look for him to remain with Niagra next fall with Ryan Strome. Hamilton should be up with Winnipeg in 2013-2014.

After Adam Larsson, Dougie Hamilton is the clear cut #2 defenseman in this draft. After that it there is a toss up between 3 defensive players. Two of those 3 players will end up in the top 10 while the other probably goes to #11.

Hamilton is a two way defender who plays on line 1 for Niagara. Hamilton has line 2 potential from an offensive standpoint. Hamilton has line 1 potential from a defensive standpoint. Finally, Hamilton has line 3 potential when your examining his athleticism as a defender skating on the ice.

Hamilton is a line 2 two way defender or a line 1 defensive defenseman in my opinion when you watch Hamilton on film.

Ryan Murphy was really good at penalty killing for Kitchner when he was on the ice so the Blue Jackets should make Ryan Murphy the face of their defense.

Ryan Murphy was a line 1 defender for Kitchner. Murphy has line 1 offensive potential, line 2 defensive potential, and line 1 potential when looking at his athleticism.

Expect Columbus to draft Murphy and have him ready for the 2012-2013 NHL Season. Columbus will pair Murphy up with their other offensive defender in Anton Stralman.

9. Boston Bruins from Toronto Maple Leafs Duncan Siemens Saskatoon Blades WHL Siemens is a line 1 defender for the Blades. He is a two way defender with line 2 potential from an offensive and defensive standpoint. Plus Siemens has line 1 potential when looking at athleticism and skating ability of Siemens.

Siemens will be in Boston for the 2013-2014 season.

The Bruins need a sniper for Seguin to get the puck to in the long run so I could also see a guy like Sven Bartschi challenging Siemens for the #9 pick. For now I’m giving the Bruins Siemens with the #9 overall pick.

Other Options

Sven Bartschi LW Portland Winterhawks WHL Bartschi is as high as #8 overall in some NHL Draft boards and I saw him go as high as #5 to the Islanders in one mock draft. Boston has grinders and power forwards, but lacks a sniper at the left wing position. Lucic is more of a power forward with grinders on lines 2 and 3 who haven’t done well penalty killing for Boston.

Tyler Seguin the playmaker center that Boston drafted 2nd overall in 2010 may want a sniper that he can distribute the puck to in the long term and the Boston Bruins will never be in a better position to get that sniper than they are here with the #9 overall pick.

Bartschi is a line 2 left winger for Portland with line 1 potential on offense, line 3 potential on defense, and line 1 potential when looking at his athleticism and skating ability.

10. Minnesota Wild Mika Zibanejad C Djurgardens IF Hockey Elitserien The Minnesota Wild take the last top 10 player in Zibanejad and boost their offensive core. Zibanejad can go to a Houston Aeros AHL team that is pretty good and play there until he is ready to move up to the NHL because Minnesota has 4 different centers with one way NHL contracts.

11. Colorado Avalanche from St. Louis Blues Nathan Beaulieu D Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL When you finish dead last in the NHL in penalty killing and allow more goals in the NHL you need defense and goaltending. If Colorado’s front office had any brain cells they would double dip on defense in round 1. Colorado scored 227 goals this year which is not that bad, but the Avalanche allowed a league high 288 goals in 82 games. That’s at least 3 goals a game on average and may even round up to 4 goals a game.

Colorado has depth on offense, finished 11th out of 30 teams on the power play, and ranked 10th in the Western Conference for most goals scored.

The bottom line is the Avalanche can make the playoffs if they improve their defense while matching the amount of goals they score next season.

If Colorado drafts Landeskog at #2 then Nathan Beaulieu will make the jump to the NHL right away as a borderline line 3 defender who starts out as the last defender on the Avalanche roster before moving up the teams lines.

Beauleau is a line 1 defender who plays next to Simon Despres the Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 first round pick. Beauleau has line 2 potential from an offensive and defensive standpoint with line 1 potential in athleticism.

Nathan Beauleau excels on the power play and does well when his team is a man short on the PK. Beauleau can be a line one defender next to Erik Johnson on the power play and the penalty killing unit.

Other Options

Jameson Oleksiak D Northeastern I think Oleksiak has potential to be up there with Larsson as a defender. I really like what I see watching Oleksiak when he’s on the ice. I doubt he gets picked before Beauleau, but Colorado may draft a defender for size.

Other Options

Brandon Sadd LW Saginaw Spirit OHL Carolina needs a line 4 center and a line 4 left winger. Carolina can kill 2 birds with one stone by drafting Sadd.

Sven Bartschi LW Portland Winterhawks WHL Bartschi is the best available player who fills a major need.

Mark McNeill C Prince Albert Raiders WHL Carolina loves centers and Mark McNeil is one of the best centers left.

13. Calgary Flames Sven Bartschi LW Portland Winterhawks WHL Bartschi is the best available player here. Calgary always drafts the best available player. Bartschi may have been a line 2 left winger for Portland, but the Flames need some youth so Bartschi has to be the pick here.

Bartschi can be used as a sniper or a playmaker at left wing so this is a good pick here.

Other Options

Mike McNeil C Prince Albert Raiders WHL If Calgary takes the best available player that fits a need they may consider Mike McNeil at #13.

Other Options

Sven Bartschi LW Portland Winterhawks WHL Dallas will draft Bartschi in a heartbeat if he falls to #14.

Jameson Oleksiak D Northeastern Dallas may not be able to resist the 6 foot 7 240 pound defenseman.

Sadd may be a raw line 3 talent at this point, but has line 1 potential down the road on offense, defense, and athleticism so Sadd should develop into a special player if groomed properly.

Other Options

Mike McNeill C Prince Albert Raiders If McNeil falls this far the Rangers may pull the trigger and take him.

Sadd will be up for the 2012-2013 season with the New York Rangers.

16. Buffalo Sabres Tyler Biggs RW USHL Biggs is 6 foot 2 210 pounds. Buffalo likes players with size. Biggs has size and should be up for the 2014-2015 season.

Other Options

Mark McNeill C Prince Albert Raiders WHL McNeil is a power forward at center with good size for a center.

Jameson Oleksiak D Northeastern Oleksiak is 6 foot 7 240 pounds. He would make sense for the Sabres.

Boone Jenner C Oshawa Generals OHL The Buffalo Sabres may target Jenner at #16 if he falls this far.

Niklas Jensen LW Oshawa Generals OHL Jensen can play either left wing or right wing. Jensen is one of the more versatile wingers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

17. Montreal Canadiens Phillip Danault LW Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL Danault should be the pick here. He had 23 goals, 4 shorthanded goals, 8 shorthanded points, 44 assists, and 67 points in 64 games. Montreal has a strong penalty killing unit so taking an offensive player makes sense here. Montreal seems to like Danault so I’m going to pick him here.

Danault is a line 2 forward on Victoriaville, but has line 3 potential on offense, defense, and athleticism.

18. Chicago Blackhawks Alexander Khokhlachev C Windsor Spitfires In one year with Windsor Khokhlachev had 34 goals, 42 assists, anad 76 points in 67 games.

Alexander Khokhlachev is a playmaker center that can adjust to a two way forward role if necessary at either winger spot, but is best suited as a center for now.

Alexander Khokhlachev would make a great line 3 fit for the Blackhawks behind Teows and Frolik.

Khokhlachev is a line 2 center with line 2 offensive potential, line 3 defensive potential, and line 1 potential when you look at his athleticism.

Khoklachev is the top Russian player in the draft. He has such good athleticism because he is versatile enough to play any forward role while being used as a teams playmaker.

Other Options

Chicago can plug Mark Scheifele on line 3 behind Teows and Frolik and put Scheifele on line 2 of their power play and PK units.

Jameson Oleksiak D Northeastern The Blackhawks went from 8th to 25th in penalty killing. Oleksiak is a 6 foot 7 240 pound offensive defender who excels at penalty killing. Chicago may not be able to resist Oleksiak as an NHL prospect.

19. Edmonton Oilers from Los Angeles Kings Jonas Brodin D Farjestad Elitserien Edmonton’s defense is depleted to the point where they need their second first round pick to make the jump to the NHL right away. Jonas Brodin is probably the most NHL ready defenseman because he played on a competitive Farejestad team in Sweden. Musil may need another year in the WHL while Oleksiak has line 1 potential he is a project at this point. Brodin may be a line 2 defender at best right now with line 1 potential five years down the road, but he is someone who can start and have an immediate impact on line 1 if he plays next to a veteran like Ryan Whitney.

20. Phoenix Coyotes Jameson Oleksiak D Northeastern Phoenix needs to improve their defense. The Coyotes defense was 26th on the PK. Phoenix has a good young core of defensive players so there would be no need to rush Oleksiak up to the NHL lineup. Oleksiak would be on Phoenix in 2013-2014. Oleksiak is a top 20 talent so Phoenix will not hesitate to draft Oleksiak if he falls past #2o.

Jamie Oleksiak has line 1 potential on offense, defense, and athleticism so he makes complete sense for the Coyotes. Plus Oleksiak can keep power play units in check making him a good pick for Phoenix at #20.

Oleksiak will be ready to play for the Coyotes in the 2013-2014 NHL Regular Season.

Look at Arima from an offensive standpoint he can excel on the power play. Arima fires deadly power on his wrist shots. Arima is a sniper with line 2 potential from an offensive standpoint.

Arima is a very mediocre from a defensive aspect. He has line 3 potential from a defensive standpoint.

I love the athletic ability, versatility, and skating that Arima provides. Arima may have line 1 potential athleticism down the road.

Arima will start out as a winger for the Binghamton Senators if Ottawa were to select him in round 1.

Other Options

Mark McNeill C Prince Albert Raiders WHL Ottawa may pursue the power forward with this pick in round 1 if their not sold on Arima as an international player.

Vladislav Namestnikov C London Knights OHL Namestnikov is a two way forward who can play center or right winger. He is a sniper too.

Thomas Jurco RW Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL The Senators may want an athletic winger who knows how to deke defenders and opposing goalies well.

22. Anaheim Ducks Mark McNeill C Prince Albert Raiders WHL McNeill is a line 2 power forward with the Prince Albert Raiders. McNeill has line 3 potential from an offensive and defensive standpoint. McNeill compensates for that with line 1 potential in terms of athleticism by skating fast while maintaining control of the puck.

I believe McNeill is overrated, but many scouts would say getting Mark McNeill at pick #22 is a steal. The Ducks need a line 4 center and won’t pass on McNeill if he falls this far.

I think McNeil could make the Ducks roster due to their lack of depth at the poisition.

Other Options

23. Pittsburgh Penguins Tomas Jurco RW Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL Jurco is a sniper at right wing and is a line 1 starter for Saint John. Jurco has line 2 offensive potential, line 3 defensive potential, and line 1 potential when looking at his athleticism.

Other Options

Vladislav Namestnikov C London Knights OHL Vladislav Namestnikov has the versatility to be an effective center. I could see Detroit taking him at #24.

Rattie can be used as a sniper winger who shoots the puck and scores goals or a playmaker winger who passes the puck to his other teammates.

Some people have Ty Rattie getting drafted higher than Sven Bartschi his teammate on Portland who is also eligible for this years NHL Draft so Rattie is not a bad pick late in round 1.

Toronto is stacked at right wing so they will draft Rattie as a left winger even though right wing is Rattie’s primary position.

Other Options

Jensen could play right away for Toronto on line 4, but I say he returns and plays on Toronto in 2012-2013.

26. Washington Capitals Vladislav Namestnikov C London Knights Namestnikov is the 2nd best Russian Hockey player in the 2011 NHL Draft. Washington loves Russian Hockey players so Namestnikov has to be the pick at this point.

Namestnikov is a two way forward who can play center or right wing. Namestnikov can be used as a sniper who shoots the puck or a playmaker who passes the puck to his teammates.

Namestnikov can be used as a power forward who will hit goals from short distance.

Namestnikov is a line 1 right winger for the London Knights on the teams roster. Namestnikov has line 2 offensive potential, line 3 defensive potential, and line 1 athleticism potential.

27. Tampa Bay Lightning Nicklas Jensen RW Oshawa Generals OHL The Lightning only have 3 right wingers on their main roster. Martin St. Louis, Steve Downie, and Adam Hall are those players. Adam Hall is going to be 30 and his contract is up. Tampa Bay can draft Nicklas Jensen and groom him for the future. Tampa Bay has 5 centers on their depth chart including Stamkos, Lecavalier, Dominic Moore, and two different two way forwards who could play right wing on the 4th line. Tampa Bay will bring up Brett Connolly their 6th overall pick from the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

As for Jensen, the right winger has the versatility to play left wing. Jensen is mainly a right winger but he can play left wing too.

Jensen has line 2 potential on offense, line 3 potential on defense, and line 1 potential when you view his athleticism.

Jensen is a line 2 left winger for the Oshawa Generals, but is better suited to play that right wing role. Jensen is probably best suited to be a line 2 right winger in the NHL down the road.

Other Options

28. San Jose Sharks Rickard Rakell RW Plymouth Whalers OHL Rakell is a right winger for San Jose. Rakell has the versatility to play left wing too.

Rakell is a playmaker at the winger position. Your getting line 3 offensive and defensive potential with Rakell. Your also getting line 1 athleticism with Rakell.

I know Rakell is from Sweden and that a majority of players on the Sharks roster are Canadian, but Rakell is the best available player that fills a need at this point.

29. Toronto Maple Leafs from Boston Bruins Daniel Catenacci C Salt. Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL Catenacci had a 9 game goal scoring streak. Catenacci played on a bad Salt. Ste. Marie team plus he has line 1 potential in all three major aspects at offense, defense, and athleticism.

Other Options

30. Vancouver Canucks David Musil D Vancouver Giants WHL Vancouver is my pick to win the cup over the Boston Bruins in 7 games.

I think Vancouver has to get a game changer on defense. Vancouver has depth everywhere on their NHL and AHL squad so Musil would likely return to the WHL for another season. Vancouver has depth on defense and a strong PK, but they need a game changing defenseman.

Round 2

31. Edmonton Oilers Scott Mayfield D Youngstown USHL I gave the Oilers Mayfield at #19 in one of my previous drafts a while back. If Mayfield falls out of round 1 Edmonton will draft him. Mayfield has line 1 potential, but is a line 3 project on all aspects right now.