NHL Draft Coverage Center
2011 NHL Draft Results – Round 1

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
9.0 | B | C | 6-0 | 164 lbs. | Edmonton Oilers |

A dynamic playmaking center, Nugent-Hopkins should nicely complement the Oilers bevvy of talented young wingers.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8.5 | B | LW | 6-1 | 207 lbs. | Colorado Avalanche |

Of all of the 2011 prospects, Landeskog is probably the most NHL ready. He should also make for a nice fit alongside one of the many talented centers in the Avalanche organization.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8.5 | B | C | 6-1 | 171 lbs. | Florida Panthers |

Huberdeau is the type of elite cornerstone talent the Panthers will be able to build their team around in the coming years

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8.0 | B | D | 6-3 | 197 lbs. | New Jersey Devils |

At fourth overall, Larsson is the highest drafted defenseman by the Devils since Scott Niedermayer. The calm Swede should provide a steadying presence on the Devils blue line for years to come.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8.0 | B | C | 6-1 | 183 lbs. | New York Islanders |

One of the fastest skaters in the 2011 draft, Strome brings a dynamic offensive presence to the Islanders.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.5 | B | C | 6-2 | 192 lbs. | Ottawa Senators |

The physically gifted center brings a combination of good hockey sense, strong skating, and smart puck-distribution to the Senators organization.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.5 | C | C | 6-3 | 184 lbs. | Winnipeg Jets |

Scheifele has the size, skating, and natural hockey ability to be an effective NHL forward. To what capacity however remains unknown.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8.0 | C | C | 6-4 | 191 lbs. | Philadelphia Flyers |

In a shock to most at the draft, Sean Couturier dropped to eighth where the re-tooling Flyers were more than happy to scoop him up. Couturier projects as a top-six impact forward.
Pick Comments: (from CBJ)

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
9.0 | C | D | 6-5 | 199 lbs. | Boston Bruins |

Hamilton brings the rare combination of size, mobility, and strong two-way play a the Bruins that has long sought a mobile puck-moving defenseman.
Pick Comments: (from TOR)
- 10
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Jonas Brodin

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.5 | B | D | 6-1 | 168 lbs. | Minnesota Wild |

A steady two-way defenseman, Brodin should fit well into the up-tempo style of team Wild management is trying to create.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0 | D | D | 6-3 | 200 lbs. | Colorado Avalanche |

Siemens is a tough two-way defenseman with top-four potential.
Pick Comments: (from STL)
- 12
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Ryan Murphy

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.5 | C | D | 5-11 | 176 lbs. | Carolina Hurricanes |

A mobile puck-moving defenseman, Murphy has brilliant abilities with the puck in the offensive zone.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8.0 | C | LW | 5-11 | 190 lbs. | Vancouver Canucks |

Baertschi brings much needed offensive pedigree to a Calgary system that has been lacking in recent years.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.5 | C | D | 6-7 | 243 lbs. | Dallas Stars |

At 6'7 and 240 pounds, Oleksiak has nearly unmatchable size but is also a mobile defenseman who can move the puck up ice.
- 15
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J.T. Miller

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0 | B | RW | 6-1 | 198 lbs. | New York Rangers |

Miller is a talented hark-working forward headed to the University of North Dakota for 2011-12.
- 16
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Joel Armia

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0 | C | RW | 6-3 | 187 lbs. | Winnipeg Jets |

Armia brings size and dynamic scoring ability to the Buffalo Sabres.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
8.0 | C | D | 6-3 | 191 lbs. | Montreal Canadiens |

Beaulieu brings a strong offensive game to the blue line and could down the road run the powerplay for the Canadiens.
- 18
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Mark McNeill

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0 | C | RW | 6-2 | 215 lbs. | Chicago Blackhawks |

McNeill is a strong two-way player could down the road develop into a solid second-line center for the Blackhawks.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.5 | C | D | 6-3 | 201 lbs. | Edmonton Oilers |

Already playing in the SEL, Klefbom is a strong two-way defenseman who should down the road bring a steadying top-four presence to the Oilers lineup.
Pick Comments: (from LAK)

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0 | B | D | 6-3 | 185 lbs. | Arizona Coyotes |

A surprise pick in the first round, Murphy will could bring a dynamic presence to the Coyotes blue line. He first however must prove he has overcome past problems with injuries.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0 | C | RW | 6-1 | 205 lbs. | Anaheim Ducks |

In Noesen the Senators get a high-energy two-way forward who possesses a high hockey IQ. He is also known to be a clutch player, able to elevate his game in high pressure situations.
Pick Comments: (from NAS)
- 22
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Tyler Biggs

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.0 | D | RW | 6-2 | 205 lbs. | Pittsburgh Penguins |

Biggs is a prototypical Brian Burke prospect with good size, soft hands, and a truculent demeanor.
Pick Comments: (from ANH)
- 23
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Joe Morrow

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.5 | B | D | 6-1 | 204 lbs. | Boston Bruins |

Morrow possesses all off the traits the Penguins look for in defensemen, he is a strong skater, good at moving the puck, and not afraid to engage physically.
- 24
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Matt Puempel

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0 | B | LW | 6-0 | 190 lbs. | Ottawa Senators |

A talented two-way winger, Puempel is a dangerous with the puck and not afraid to play in high-traffic areas of the ice.
Pick Comments: (from DET)
- 25
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Stuart Percy

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0 | C | D | 6-1 | 195 lbs. | Toronto Maple Leafs |

Percy is a smart, puck-moving defenseman who plays with lots of poise at both ends of the ice.
Pick Comments: (from PHI)

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0 | C | C | 6-0 | 200 lbs. | Montreal Canadiens |

Danault brings lots of energy and grit to the Blackhawks organization and could develop into a complementary top-six forward.
Pick Comments: (from WAS)

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.5 | C | C | 6-0 | 166 lbs. | Tampa Bay Lightning |

Namestnikov brings a lot of offensive skill to the Lightning organization but is also a strong forechecker, not afraid to engage physically and battle for the puck.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0 | D | C | 6-1 | 181 lbs. | St. Louis Blues |

Phillips brings some goal-scoring ability to a Wild organization lacking in offense. He also has strong vision and creates lots of offense down low.
Pick Comments: (from SJ)

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.0 | C | RW | 6-3 | 186 lbs. | New York Rangers |

Jensen brings a nice blend of size, skill, and two-way play to the Vancouver Canucks organization. He does need to play more physically though in order to maximize his abilities.

Talent Score: | Prob. of Success: | Position: | Height: | Weight: | Team: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.5 | C | RW | 6-0 | 191 lbs. | Anaheim Ducks |

Rakell is a high-energy forward who is a strong forechecker, has good offensive instincts, and is very consistent.
Pick Comments: (from TOR)