Monday, June 20, 2011

My 2011 Mock Draft

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TeamPickPosPlayer


Pool Outlook
1DAdam Larsson
The Oilers have proven that they have already done a good job picking up forwards for their system, so I believe it is time that they add some solid defense to match-up with some of the big boys in the Northwest Division.  Larsson has been mentioned as a player that can step into the league right away.
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Pool Outlook
2FRyan Nugent-Hopkins
The top-rated forward among this year's draft class will make for a great fit in Colorado, especially with all the young scoring talent already there.  This one is an absolute no-brainer for the Avalanche, more scoring to break through the tight defense of the Northwest.
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Pool Outlook
3F
Gabriel Landeskog
The Panthers are in need of a new franchise player and by the way the scouts are approaching Landeskog, he sounds like the real deal.  The kid is supposed to have tremendous skill and leadership qualities, which is very important when trying to find that franchise player.
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Pool Outlook
4DRyan Murphy
I have the feeling that the Devils will be looking towards restoring some previous glory with the likes of a puck moving defenseman to help anchor their squad for the long-term.  Murphy brought a lot of offense to his junior team from the blueline, Devils should look for the same thing.
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Pool Outlook
5DDougie Hamilton
The Islanders have been doing a great job with their offense, both through the draft and other means, so it should be time to start bulking up the blueline with some good two-way players, namely Hamilton.  Hamilton has size and sounds like the guy that fits the bill.
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Pool Outlook
6F
Justin Huberdeau
The Senators cannot pass up on offense, even with another pick in the 1st round of the draft to use.  Huberdeau has attracted a lot of attention as one of the better two-way forwards in the game and would likely be a good compliment/student to Daniel Alfredsson. 
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Pool Outlook
7F
Ryan Strome
For the Winnipeg franchise, offense is still rather lacking, especially with depth on defense already doing very well.  Strome is a noted playmaking forward, possibly someone who could work well with a finisher like Evander Kane. 
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Pool Outlook
8F
Sean Couturier
A centre with size and playmaking ability, just what the Blue Jackets are in need of for pairing up with Rick Nash.  The Jackets have tried a number of offensive talents in the last few years, but have had little success, so they must try again, just to give some kind of hope to their franchise player.
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from Toronto
Pool Outlook
9F
Mika Zibanejad
The Bruins may have found themselves another solid forward that may compliment their team before too long.  Zibanejad has been said to be already physically developed, which should help him in any minor league training over the next couple seasons, and plays a solid two-way game, much to the Bruins' style.
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Pool Outlook
10F
Sven Bartschi
I think the Wild would do well to add more speed and more offensive flair to their side and it sounds like Bartschi is the kind of player they should be looking for.  Bartschi's size isn't great, but his offensive upside would likely make him into a steal at 10th overall.
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from St. Louis
Pool Outlook
11D
Duncan Siemens
Already picking up one of the best offensive prospects in this draft, it would be wise for the Avalanche to bulk up their system with one of the better defensemen in the draft as well.  With the 11th pick, the Avalanche should be able to replace a kid like Kevin Shattenkirk with a kid like Siemens.
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Pool Outlook
12D
Jamie Oleksiak
The Hurricanes could really use a defenseman with real size and Oleksiak's 6'7", 244 lbs. frame could be just the thing that they could use against the big guns in the Southeast Division.  He might be another couple of years in development, but most of th new batch of superstars will still be around then.
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Pool Outlook
13F
Zack Phillips
Branded as a goal-scoring forward, Phillips might be able to bring some natural sniping abilities to the Flames in the 13th spot.  Phillips put up some good numbers in the OHL and offense has been an issue in Calgary, so this could be a nice fit down the road.
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Pool Outlook
14F
Brandon Saad
Said to be one of the more NHL-ready forwards in the draft, Saad would definitely be able to give the Stars what they need most, some help for when Brad Richards leaves town in the off-season.  The Stars will need some offense straight away and Saad should give them the offense and some extra defense as a bonus.
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Pool Outlook
15F
Mark McNeill
The Rangers are getting bigger and tougher to play against, so another power forward would be a great fit in the new development of this team.  McNeill has drawn some good reviews, from what I've read, and I think New York would be wise to pick up a player like this, instead of gambling on Russians.
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Pool Outlook
16D
Nathan Beaulieu
It doesn't seem too likely that Beaulieu would drop quite this far in the draft, he's ranked pretty high, but if he does, he should be able to compliment a player like Tyler Myers, already a big force in Buffalo these days.  Beaulieu is considered to be more of a two-way defenseman and I don't think the Sabres can have enough of those.
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Pool Outlook
17F
Joel Armia
The Canadiens could go against the grain with a pick like Armia, a natural goal scorer that also has some real size.  The Habs are not strangers to Finns on their team, Armia could pack a bit of a punch with the puck, it is rather unconventional, but it could work out to be rather effective.
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Pool Outlook
18G
John Gibson
I had the feeling that the Blackhawks may look for a goaltending prospect in my Outlook for the team, but suggested they may wait for a safer round.  I will go against that feeling, thinking the Hawks may go after the best goaltending prospect before it's too late.
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from Los Angeles
Pool Outlook
19F
Mark Scheifele
After already picking up a top end defenseman with the 1st overall pick, the Oilers could then have their choice of what was left in the playmaking centre department.  Scheifele turned in a pretty good offensive year on a bad team in the OHL, which may work to his advantage on a blossoming Oilers team.  A young centre to play with some talented wingers.
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Pool Outlook
20F
Markus Granlund
If the Coyotes are looking to steal some offense out of the 1st round of the draft, I think the emerging name of Granlund out Finland might be the right way to go.  I could see the Coyotes go off the board for some extra speed, despite his size.  If he has the right work ethic, I think he can overcome the Dave Tippett disdain for young players in his line-up.
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Pool Outlook
21D
Scott Mayfield
Size, skating and plays defense.  This sounds like the perfect fit for the Anaheim Ducks, who have been in need of some more size on the back end, more so then they have the skating.  The smooth ability to move across the ice turns into a bonus, not to mention a fresh mind to help develop into a sound defender for Randy Carlyle.
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from Nashville
Pool Outlook
22D
David Musil
The Sens came away with a big steal with the 6th pick, now the team should be looking to come away with some more size and strength, preferably on the back end.  Ottawa is no stranger to big, hulking defensemen with a lack of flair, so Musil should be an immediate favourite, once he cracks into that line-up.
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Pool Outlook
23F
Matt Puempel
The desire to pick up a scoring winger should be front and centre for the Penguins, unless they would settle for something else, but addressing the need of filling the slots beside Crosby and Malkin have to be the most important jobs this week.  Puempel has okay size, scored goals in the OHL and turned some heads.
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Pool Outlook
24D
Jonas Brodin
With the return of Nicklas Lidstrom for the 2012 season, I don't know if there would be a better fit for Brodin than in Detroit, especially since he has already found some experience in the Swedish Elite League.  Brodin has drawn comparisons to the veteran defender, a mentor/protégée project in the making here.
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from Philadelphia
Pool Outlook
25D
Connor Murphy
Impressive size, some extra offensive punch... two things that Toronto should be looking for in a brand new defenseman.  Murphy would be a solid addition (on paper) to a blueline that already boasts Phaneuf, Schenn, Aulie and Komisarek.  If the Leafs don't get to move up, I would think that Murphy would be a good fit here at the 25th pick.
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Pool Outlook
26F
Vladislav Namestnikov
European flavour with some North American seasoning... Namestnikov have impressed many with his offensive flair, both in International play and a season in the OHL.  The Capitals love for the Europeans adds a little bit more validity to this pick, a possible top two centre also makes a good case for him.
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Pool Outlook
27D
Stuart Percy
I like the idea of the Lightning going off the board, even if it is just a little bit.  Percy has attracted some good attention with his style of play, noted as a steady defender in most senses of the designation, may not have the offensive upside yet, but he can still come around.  This sounds like the Yzerman-type player the Bolts could use on their blueline.
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Pool Outlook
28F
Tyler Biggs
In my Outlook for the Sharks, I thought their depth up front was  going to be what needed replenishing before anything else, possibly in the frame of Logan Couture.  Biggs may have that in him, as a good-sized power forward that will drive to the net.  Biggs also has a little bit of pugilism in him as well, which could make him a double-threat on the ice, something San Jose could certainly use.
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Pool Outlook
29F
Phillip Danault
Possibly a lack of real steady defensemen near the end of the 1st round would be the reason for the Canucks would take a winger now, but Danault makes up for that decision by giving the Canucks a type of player that they can employ anywhere in their line-up, a speedy winger with puck control and good work ethic.  Looks too good.
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from Boston
Pool Outlook
30D
Oskar Klefbom
Maybe some more time to develop will be in Klefbom's future, but with the depth ever-growing in the Leafs organization, especially on defense, the move to pick the big Swedish blueliner could be a smart one for the long-term.  Klefbom has impressed, but his skating may hold him back a couple of years.
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