These rankings below are not a subjective view of any one person and certainly not me. I try to be as up on the NHL draft as anyone, but it's foolish to think I have the time or the ability to make hard calls on which prospects should be rated above other prospects. I mean, having to cover the NHL on a daily basis doesn't leave me a lot of time to go out to watch juniors or high schoolers or collegians or jet off to Europe. That's not my job and I've never suggested it is.
But I do know some people who are equipped to do this job and they are, of course, NHL scouts.
So the system used – and I started employing it when I founded The Hockey News Draft Preview way back in the 1980s – is to tap into the scouts' expertise in the form of a survey where I ask scouts to numerically grade or rank the prospects in terms of where the scouts either think the player will be drafted or where they would draft him. The goal is create a consensus ranking or range for each player.
In a sense, once the information is collected, it's more of a mathematical equation to determine where to slot each prospect. Once the numbers are in, there is little or no subjectivity involved. These rankings should not be confused with the various scouting services which personally evaluate prospects and rank them according to who they feel will one day be the best pro.
In other words, the rankings below are not where I would necessarily choose a player so much as they are an indicator of where I believe that prospect is most likely to be selected in the draft. Historically, this list has been a relatively solid indicator of when a prospect is likely to be taken. It's far from perfect – what is the entire draft if not an inexact science – but I'm satisfied with how it works and I think the results over the years speak for themselves so long as people understand what it is they're looking at.
So, without further ado, here's TSN's Mid-Season Top 60 for the 2011 NHL entry draft, based on the results of a consensus ranking from the survey of 10 NHL scouts. TSN's final rankings for the 2011 draft will come out the week of the entry draft in June.
(Photos: Getty Images, Canadian Press, Aaron Bell/OHL Images, USA Hockey, EliteProspects.com)
1. Adam Larsson
Defenceman - Skelleftea (SEL)
Born: 11/12/92
HT/WT: 6-3, 220 lbs.
Stats: 1G - 7A - 8 Pts - 37 PIM
Quick Notes: Larsson played for Sweden at the 2010 and 2011 World Junior Championship, finishing as the team's highest-scoring defenceman in the 2011 tournament with one goal and four points.
2. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Centre - Red Deer (WHL)
Born: 04/12/93
HT/WT: 6-0, 170 lbs.
Stats: 13 G - 43A - 56 Pts - 31 PIM
Quick Notes: Nugent-Hopkins is the top draft prospect in the WHL and is rated third among North American skaters in NHL Central Scouting's mid-term rankings.
3. Gabriel Landeskog
Right Wing - Kitchener (OHL)
Born: 11/23/92
HT/WT: 6-0, 205 lbs.
Stats: 25G - 20A - 45 Pts - 43 PIM
Quick Notes: Landeskog, who was sidelined at the World Juniors with an ankle injury, is the top North American skater in NHL Central Scouting's mid-season rankings.
4. Sean Couturier
Centre - Drummondville (QMJHL)
Born: 12/07/92
HT/WT: 6-4, 195 lbs.
Stats: 19G - 43A - 62 Pts - 17 PIM
Quick Notes: Couturier scored two goals and tallied three points for Canada at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championship and finished tied for third in plus-minus with a plus-6.
5. Dougie Hamilton
Defenceman - Niagara (OHL)
Born: 06/17/93
HT/WT: 6-4, 190 lbs.
Stats: 7G - 31A - 38 Pts - 57 PIM
Quick Notes: Hamilton is a a top scholastic player with average marks in the high 90s. His father was a medal-winning Olympic rower for Canada and his mother was a Canadian Olympian in basketball.
6. Ryan Strome
Centre - Niagara (OHL)
Born: 07/11/93
HT/WT: 6-0, 183 lbs.
Stats: 24G - 41A - 65 Pts - 56 PIM
Quick Notes: Strome is Niagara's top scorer and was fourth overall in OHL scoring through January 17. He split last season between Niagara and the Barrie Colts.
7. Ryan Murphy
Defence - Kitchener (OHL)
Born: 03/31/93
HT/WT: 5-10, 168 lbs.
Stats: 17G - 35A - 52 Pts - 20 PIM
Quick Notes: Murphy, among the last cuts from Canada's 2011 World Junior team, leads all OHL defencemen in scoring.
8. Brandon Saad
Left Wing - Saginaw (OHL)
Born: 10/27/92
HT/WT: 6-1, 208 lbs.
Stats: 23G - 20A - 43 Pts - 26 PIM
Quick Notes: Saad scored 12 goals and 26 points in 24 games with the USNTDP U-18 team last season and joined the OHL's Saginaw Spirit for the 2010-11 season.
9. Jonathan Huberdeau
Centre - Saint John (QMJHL)
Born: 06/04/93
HT/WT: 6-1, 168 lbs.
Stats: 27G - 40A - 67 Pts - 53 PIM
Quick Notes: Huberdeau leads the Saint John Sea Dogs in scoring and is second in QMJHL scoring with 67 points.
10. Tyler Biggs
Right Wing - USA U-18 Program
Born: 04/30/93
HT/WT: 6-2, 210 lbs.
Stats: 4G - 2A - 6 Pts - 35 PIM
Quick Notes: Biggs grabbed the spotlight last January scoring both goals in the United States' 2-1 win over Ontario to win gold at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
11. Duncan Siemens
Defence - Saskatoon (WHL)
Born: 09/07/93
HT/WT: 6-3, 197 lbs.
Stats: 4G - 23A - 27 Pts - 72 PIM
12. Jonas Brodin
Defence - Farjestad (SEL)
Born: 07/12/93
HT/WT: 6-1, 172 lbs.
Stats: 0G - 1A - 1 Pts - 8 PIM
13. Nathan Beaulieu
Defence - Saint John (WHL)
Born: 12/05/92
HT/WT: 6-2, 185 lbs.
Stats: 8G - 22A - 30 Pts - 31 PIM
14. Sven Bartschi
Left Wing - Portland (WHL)
Born: 10/05/92
HT/WT: 5-10, 185 lbs.
Stats: 24G - 28A - 52 Pts - 36 PIM
15. Joel Armia
Right Wing - Assat (SM-Liiga)
Born: 05/31/93
HT/WT: 6-3, 191 lbs.
Stats: 14G - 7A - 21 Pts - 12 PIM
16. Victor Rask
Centre - Leksand (SWE-1)
Born: 03/01/93
HT/WT: 6-2, 194 lbs.
Stats: 4G - 6A - 10 Pts - 8 PIM
17. Ty Rattie
Right Wing - Portland (WHL)
Born: 02/05/93
HT/WT: 6-0, 170 lbs.
Stats: 18G - 35A - 53 Pts - 35 PIM
18. Matt Puempel
Left Wing - Peterborough (OHL)
Born: 01/24/93
HT/WT: 6-0, 198 lbs.
Stats: 26G - 29A - 55 Pts - 37 PIM
19. Mika Zibanejad
Centre - Djurgarden (SWE Jr)
Born: 04/18/93
HT/WT: 6-2, 191 lbs.
Stats: 11G - 9A - 20 Pts - 12 PIM
20. Rickard Rackell
Right Wing - Plymouth (OHL)
Born: 05/05/93
HT/WT: 6-1, 191 lbs.
Stats: 16G - 16A - 32 Pts - 12 PIM
21. Mark Scheifele
Centre - Barrie (OHL)
Born: 03/15/93
HT/WT: 6-2, 177 lbs.
Stats: 10G - 35A - 45 Pts - 18 PIM
22. Mark McNeill
Centre - Prince Albert
Born: 02/22/93
HT/WT: 6-2, 210 lbs.
Stats: 20G - 32A - 52 Pts - 40 PIM
23. Jamie Oleksiak
Defence - Northeastern University (H-East)
Born: 12/21/92
HT/WT: 6-7, 242 lbs.
Stats: 2G - 3A - 5 Pts - 18 PIM
24. Boone Jenner
Centre - Oshawa (OHL)
Born: 06/15/93
HT/WT: 6-2, 196 lbs.
Stats: 13G - 25A - 38 Pts - 34 PIM
25. Scott Mayfield
Defence - Youngstown (USHL)
Born: 10/14/92
HT/WT: 6-4, 197 lbs.
Stats: 2G - 3A - 5 Pts - 94 PIM
26. Nicklas Jensen
Right Wing - Oshawa (OHL)
Born: 03/16/93
HT/WT: 6-3, 188 lbs.
Stats: 21G - 21A - 42 Pts - 26 PIM
27. David Musil
Defence - Vancouver (WHL)
Born: 04/09/93
HT/WT: 6-4, 200 lbs.
Stats: 4G - 14A - 18 Pts - 36 PIM
28. J.T. Miller
Left Wing - USA U-18 Program
Born: 03/14/93
HT/WT: 6-1, 198 lbs.
Stats: 1G - 9A - 10 Pts - 37 PIM
29. Lucas Lessio
Forward - Oshawa (OHL)
Born: 01/23/93
HT/WT: 6-1, 196 lbs.
Stats: 18G - 20A - 38 Pts - 34 PIM
30. Daniel Catenacci
Centre - Sault St. Marie (OHL)
Born: 03/09/93
HT/WT: 5-10, 185 lbs.
Stats: 20G - 30A - 50 Pts - 76 PIM
31. Rocco Grimaldi
Centre - USA U-18 Program
Born: 02/08/93
HT/WT: 5-6, 163 lbs.
Stats: 9G - 8A - 17 Pts - 14 PIM
32. Zack Phillips
Centre - Saint John (QMJHL)
Born: 10/28/92
HT/WT: 6-0, 180 lbs.
Stats: 27G - 35A - 62 Pts - 14 PIM
33. Joe Morrow
Defence - Portland (WHL)
Born: 12/09/92
HT/WT: 6-1, 196 lbs.
Stats: 4G - 19A - 23 Pts - 36 PIM
34. Vladislav Namestnikov
Right Wing - London (OHL)
Born: 11/22/92
HT/WT: 6-0, 170 lbs.
Stats: 19G - 23A - 42 Pts - 20 PIM
35. Shane Prince
Left Wing - Ottawa (OHL)
Born: 11/16/92
HT/WT: 5-11, 185 lbs.
Stats: 21G - 56A - 76 Pts - 14 PIM
36. Tomas Jurco
Right Wing - Saint John (QMJHL)
Born: 12/28/92
HT/WT: 6-0, 193 lbs.
Stats: 18G - 15A - 33 Pts - 8 PIM
37. Colin Jacobs
Centre - Seattle (WHL)
Born: 01/20/93
HT/WT: 6-2, 204 lbs.
Stats: 15G - 15A - 30 Pts - 47 PIM
38. Brett Ritchie
Right Wing - Sarnia (OHL)
Born: 07/01/93
HT/WT: 6-3, 190 lbs.
Stats: 19G - 13A - 32 Pts - 28 PIM
39. Adam Clendening
Defence - Boston University (HE)
Born: 10/26/92
HT/WT: 5-11, 190 lbs.
Stats: 1G - 6A - 7 Pts - 20 PIM
40. Mario Lucia
Forward - USA U-18 Program
Born: 08/25/93
HT/WT: 6-2, 183 lbs.
Stats: 3G - 0A - 3 Pts - 0 PIM
41. Xavier Ouellet
Defence - Montreal (QMJHL)
Born: 07/29/93
HT/WT: 6-1, 177 lbs.
Stats: 5G - 27A - 32 Pts - 30 PIM
42. Alexander Khokhlachev
Centre - Windsor (OHL)
Born: 09/09/93
HT/WT: 5-10, 172 lbs.
Stats: 22G - 29A - 51 Pts - 24 PIM
43. Dmitri Jaskin
Forward - Slavia (CZE JR)
Born: 03/23/93
HT/WT: 6-1, 196 lbs.
Stats: 3G - 5A - 8 Pts - 12 PIM
44. Miikka Salomaki
Left Wing - Karpat (FIN)
Born: 03/09/93
HT/WT: 5-11, 198 lbs.
Stats: 2G - 1A - 3 Pts - 8 PIM
45. Oscar Klefbom
Defence - Farjestad (SWE)
Born: 07/20/93
HT/WT: 6-3, 200 lbs.
Stats: 1G - 1A - 2 Pts - 2 PIM
46. John Gibson
Goaltender - USA U-18 Program
Born: 07/14/93
HT/WT: 6-3, 205 lbs.
Stats: 3-3-3 Record - .926 SP - 2.50 GAA
47. Phillip Danault
Left Wing - Victoriaville (QMJHL)
Born: 02/24/93
HT/WT: 6-0, 178 lbs.
Stats: 19G - 31A - 50 Pts - 38 PIM
48. Stefan Noesen
Right Wing - Plymouth (OHL)
Born: 02/12/93
HT/WT: 6-1, 195 lbs.
Stats: 20G - 30A - 50 Pts - 50 PIM
49. Christopher Gibson
Goaltender - Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Born: 12/27/92
HT/WT: 6-1, 198 lbs.
Stats: 9-8-6 Record - .930 SP - 2.07 GAA
50. Seth Ambroz
Centre - Omaha (USHL)
Born: 04/03/93
HT/WT: 6-2, 211 lbs.
Stats: 14G - 11A - 25 Pts - 35 PIM
51. Scott Harrington
Defence - London (OHL)
Born: 03/10/93
HT/WT: 6-1, 203 lbs.
Stats: 5G - 12A - 17 Pts - 24 PIM
52. Samu Perhonen
Goaltender - Jyvaskyla (FIN)
Born: 03/07/93
HT/WT: 6-3, 174 lbs.
Stats: .927 SP - 2.65 GAA
53. Nick Shore
Forward - Denver (WCHA)
Born: 09/26/92
HT/WT: 6-0, 190 lbs.
Stats: 2G - 7A - 9 Pts - 8 PIM
54. Stuart Percy
Defence - Mississauga (OHL)
Born: 05/18/93
HT/WT: 6-1, 186 lbs.
Stats: 2G - 17A - 19 Pts - 44 PIM
55. Philippe Hudon
Right Wing - Choate (CT-HS)
Born: 04/15/93
HT/WT: 6-0, 190 lbs.
Stats: NA
56. Myles Bell
Defence - Regina (WHL)
Born: 08/19/93
HT/WT: 6-0, 202 lbs.
Stats: 11G - 15A - 26 Pts - 52 PIM
57. Michael St. Croix
Centre - Edmonton (WHL)
Born: 04/10/93
HT/WT: 5-11, 176 lbs.
Stats: 21G - 31A - 52 Pts - 30 PIM
58. Matthew Nieto
Forward - Boston (NCAA)
Born: 11/05/92
HT/WT: 5-11, 183 lbs.
Stats: 6G - 3A - 9 Pts - 4 PIM
59. Michael Paliotta
Defence - USA U-18 Program
Born: 04/16/93
HT/WT: 6-3, 198 lbs.
Stats: 0G - 4A - 4 Pts - 25 PIM
60. Vincent Trocheck
Centre - Saginaw (OHL)
Born: 07/11/93
HT/WT: 5-11, 180 lbs.
Stats: 19G - 24A - 43 Pts - 40 PIM
Honourable Mentions
Bob McKenzie: Five more prospects were on the verge of cracking the Top 60. These players were just edged out but voting was so tight, it's reasonable to assume they will challenge the players who are ranked inside the first two rounds. They are listed in alphabetical order.
| RANK |
NAME |
TEAM |
POS. |
BIRTHDATE |
HT |
WT |
| 61. |
Austen Brassard |
Belleville (OHL) |
RW |
01/14/93 |
6-2 |
191 |
| 62. |
Max Friberg |
Skovde (SWE-3) |
LW |
11/20/92 |
5-11 |
185 |
| 63. |
Joseph Labate |
Holy Angels (MN-HS) |
C |
04/16/93 |
6-4 |
180 |
| 64. |
Connor Murphy |
USA U-18 |
D |
03/26/93 |
6-3 |
185 |
| 65. |
Dillon Simpson |
North Dakota (WCHA) |
D |
02/10/93 |
6-2 |
205 |
