2011 NHL Mock Draft – Part 1

Welcome to OpenIceHockey’s fourth annual NHL Mock Draft for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.  While there are many mock drafts out there on many different sites, we have a variety of opinions from a variety of people who cover the game, and have seen these players first hand.

As a reminder, OpenIceHockey will be attending the NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota this coming weekend.  Make sure to check out our Twitter and Facebook feeds for immediate updates and rumours right from the draft floor.

Finally, I’d like to thank all those who contributed.  Without you, this would not have been possible.

Without further ado, from number one to fifteen, we present to you the first half of this year’s mock draft.  Numbers 16-30 will be posted later on Thursday, so be sure to check back for the bottom half of the draft class!

First Selection – Edmonton Oilers

Forward: Ryan Nugent Hopkins from the Red Deer Rebels

Few and far between posses the level of offensive instincts as Nugent-Hopkins does. The 18 year old, who scored 31 goals and 106 points this season, is a one man highlight-reel with a endless supply of toe-drags and tape to tape passes. However, like every player in the draft, Nugent-Hopkins is a long-term project. His 6-foot, 164 pound frame seems to need more time in the junior ranks to develop before making the leap to the National Hockey League. - Kelly Friesen, Yahoo! Sports Columnist

Second Selection – Colorado Avalanche

Defenceman: Adam Larsson  from Skellefteå AIK

Some have said that this 6-foot-3 monster is more advanced physically and skilled at his age than Tampa Bay defenceman Victor Hedman was.  Adam is very mobile, and sees the ice better than most in the entire draft pool.  His first pass ability and calmness with the puck are two of his biggest attributes.  While he may make the jump into the big show next season, he is the most NHL-ready player in the draft alongside fellow Swede Gabriel Landeskog.   – Scott Vankoughnett, OpenIceHockey.com

Third Selection – Florida Panthers

Forward: Gabriel Landeskog from the Kitchener Rangers

Having covered Landeskog all season long in the Ontario Hockey League, I can say first hand that he will be a superstar in the NHL one day.  Coach and GM of the Rangers, Steve Spott, has compared Landeskog to Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards.  He is the prototypical power forward, but has the ability to take over a game when he wants to.  While he will have a major adjustment period going from the OHL to the NHL, he should get a really long look with the big club. – Jesse Michael, OpenIceHockey.com

Fourth Selection – New Jersey Devils

Forward: Jonathan Huberdeau from the Saint John Sea Dogs

Huberdeau’s rise up the rankings has been nothing short of epic. Viewed as a mid to late first round pick at the start the season, the St. Jerome, Quebec product steadily rose as his point totals increased throughout the year. He finished the season with 43 goals and 105 points and added another 16 markers and 30 points in the playoffs to help Saint John win the President’s Cup and Memorial Cup. Huberdeau is super-skilled but lacks size and will need to get bigger before making the jumping to the pro-ranks. - Jamie Tozer from Station Nation www.stationnation.blogspot.com

Fifth Selection – New York Islanders

Defenceman: Dougie Hamilton from the Niagara Ice Dogs

A very talented defenseman who shattered a Niagara Ice Dogs franchise record this year with most points from a defenseman. He can score, but he’s also big, fast, and one of the toughest defensemen to play against in the OHL, according to his league opponents. Dougie and his brother Freddie (recently signed an entry level contract with the San Jose Sharks), come from a very athletically talented family with both of their parents having competed in the Olympics. Extremely smart kid, maintaining a 94% average in grade 12, winning the Canadian Hockey League’s scholastic player of the year award. Dougie is a highly competitive asset that most teams are vying for, and with his skills on and off the ice, whoever manages to draft him will see this kid go far in the NHL. The only thing he could work on is being more physical, using his size, but that being said, he’s still growing into it. – Julie Stewart-Binks from CBC and Cogeco Niagara Falls

Sixth Selection – Ottawa Senators

Sean Couturier from the Drummondville Voltigeurs

Once viewed as the top prospect for this year’s draft, Couturier’s average season slid him down the rankings. The Drummondville centre has played three seasons in the QMJHL and helped Canada capture a silver at the world juniors in January. Couturier compiled 96 points in 58 games last season which matched his 09-10 totals where he played in 68 contests. A big body at 6-4 and 195 pounds, Couturier’s skating could improve a bit. He doesn’t have the offensive dazzle that a guy like Huberdeau has but should still be a good point producer at the NHL level. – Jamie Tozer from Station Nation

Seventh Selection – Winnipeg _______

Forward: Mika Zibanejad from Djurgårdens IF

Somewhat of the unknown in the 2011 NHL Draft, Zibanejad came out of no where, taking the World Under-17s by storm, scoring five goals and 9 points in six games.  He has a very hard and accurate shot, and is not afraid to dig in the corners. This 6-foot-1 centerman will no doubt be an NHL player for many years to come, however he may take another year of development, especially to focus on his skating and play away from the puck, to get to that point.  – Jesse Michael, OpenIceHockey.com

Eigth Selection – Columbus Blue Jackets

Forward: Ryan Strome from the Niagara Ice Dogs

Ryan had a huge season with the Ice Dogs, his first full season with the Niagara team, putting up 33 goals and 106 points, challening Jason Akeson and Tyler Toffoli for the OHL points leader. He is extremely talented offensively, handles the puck very well, and can almost guarantee that when given enough space, his goals will end up on Sportscentre. As a student of the game, Strome knows his opponents well, hates to lose, and is dedicated to being the best player and teammate he can be. He’s only 6’00 173 pounds right now, but hoping to be 195 pounds by the end of the summer. His speed, vision, and offensive capabilities are exactly what many teams, especially those chosing low in the first round, are looking for. He’s been likened to Jeff Skinner as a sleeper in the first round, but this kid will unlikely fall below the top 10. - Julie Stewart-Binks from CBC and Cogeco Niagara Falls

Ninth Selection – Boston Bruins (Received from the Toronto Maple Leafs)

Defenceman: Ryan Murphy from the Kitchener Rangers

Another gem coming out of Rangers camp, Murphy could be the most offensively talented defenceman in the entire draft.  His vision coming out of his own zone is a major strength of his game, and he has a cannon of a shot for a kid who weighs 165 pounds.  He will most likely return to the Rangers for next season, as he needs to develop not only physically off the ice, but in his own zone on the ice.  Watch for him to quarterback Team Canada at the World Junior tournament. – Jesse Michael, OpenIceHockey.com

Tenth Selection – Minnesota Wild

Defenceman: Nathan Beaulieu from the Saint John Sea Dogs

Beaulieu already has three years of major junior hockey under his belt because of his late birthday. The offensive defenseman matched his point totals from last season by recording 12 goals and 33 assists 65 regular season contests. A native of Strathroy, Ontario, Beaulieu added four goals and 13 helpers in Saint John’s post-season run and was also named to the Memorial Cup all-star team. Like many offensive defensemen, Beaulieu often tries to do too much on the ice but, once he simplifies his game, he can play with the best of them. – Jamie Tozer from Station Nation

Eleventh Selection – Colorado Avalanche

Defenceman: Duncan Siemens from the Saskatoon Blades

Siemens is one of the toughest blue-liners in the Western Hockey League. The 6-foot-3, 205 pounder is always looking for a big hit or a toe to toe fight. He’s also been mister dependable for the Blades, he’s the guy they can always count on to be in position in the defensive zone. After scoring 5 goals and 43 points this season, the biggest knock on Siemens play has been his lack of offensive ability. But with Stefan Elliott unlikely to return to the Blades next season, Siemens will likely move into more of an offensive role next season. – Kelly Friesen, Yahoo! Sports Columnist

Twelth Selection – Carolina Hurricanes

Forward: Sven Baertschi from the Portland Winterhawks

After leaving his home country of Switzerland to join the Winterhawks, Bartschi has blossomed into one of the top prospects of his draft class. The 5-foot-11, 190 pound winger, who scored 34 goals and 85 points in 65 regular-season games, plays a fearless and gritty style. Bartschi has really excelled playing along the boards and finding rebound goals around the net. Many scouts believe Bartschi’s game is ahead of where his fellow countryman and teammate Nino Niederreiter’s game was last year this time. - Kelly Friesen, Yahoo! Sports Columnist

Thirteenth Selection – Calgary Flames

Forward: Mark McNeill from the Prince Albert Raiders

McNeill is one of the strongest all around players in the draft. The 18 year old not only scored 32 goals and 81 points in 70 regular-season games, but he also made his presence known in the defensive zone. He played a significant role on the Raiders penalty-kill, and was also a very reliable back-checker. McNeill’s 6-foot-2, 210 pound frame has been one of his strongest selling points. He’s extremely strong along the boards, and also isn’t afraid to throw his weight around. – Kelly Friesen, Yahoo! Sports Columnist

Fourteenth Selection – Dallas Stars

Defenceman: Oscar Klefbom from Farjestads in Sweden

Another one of the great Swedish talents in the pool of choices in the draft, Klefbom is a great skater and his ability to move the puck out of his own zone rivals that of Ryan Murphy.  Comparably, he is quite similar to Murphy in that he needs to work on his in-zone coverage and becoming stronger away from the puck.  He has a solid upside if he develops properly, and should be able to make the jump to the NHL in a couple of years.  – Scott Vankoughnett – OpenIceHockey.com

Fifteenth Selection – New York Rangers

Defenceman: Jamie Oleksiak from Northeastern in the NCAA

What else is there to say about Oleksiak other than, with the proper teaching, he could be come the next Chris Pronger in the NHL.  At a hulking 6-foot-7, 244 pounds, he has the ability to jump into the rush using his long, flowing strides.  While his accelleration needs improving, his down low coverage cannot be matched by anyone else in the draft class.  Look for him to make an impact after another season or two of grooming. - Jesse Michael, OpenIceHockey.com

Check back for part two of the first round Thursday night!