2011 NHL Mock Draft
With 14 spots nailed down for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, former NHL executive and scout Craig Button sets up his mock draft based on what each team needs and which eligible prospect can address those needs.
Version 1.0 - April 13, 2011
First Round
|
| PICK |
NHL TEAM |
PLAYER |
POSITION |
10-11 TEAM |
| 1 |
EDM |
RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS |
C |
RED DEER (WHL) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: He'll make Taylor Hall that much better. Players like Nugent-Hopkins do not come around very often. I think this sets up the Oilers for a great future. |
| 2 |
COL |
JONATHAN HUBERDEAU |
C |
SAINT JOHN (QMJHL) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: He's a two-way player who can play any way you want. He can even play left wing, which can help him make the team early and then they can switch him to centre ice. |
| 3 |
FLA |
GABRIEL LANDESKOG |
LW |
KITCHENER (OHL) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: He's the prototypical power and skilled forward. He's got a great determination and fits perfectly for what Dale Tallon is looking for in Florida. |
| 4 |
NJD |
RYAN MURPHY |
D |
KITCHENER (OHL) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: They've never been afraid to take players who may not be big in stature and are patient with them. Don't forget that this team drafted Scott Niedermayer high and had a stalwart in Brian Rafalski for a lot of years. |
| 5 |
NYI |
RYAN STROME |
C |
NIAGARA (OHL) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: The Isles have a lot of good wingers and Strome adds an excitement level. He reminds me of a young Denis Savard. |
| 6 |
OTT |
ADAM LARSSON |
D |
SKELLEFTEA (SWE) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: They've got to be thrilled to have Larsson fall on their lap. He's unique in that he can play all areas of the game and big guys like this are rare. |
| 7 |
ATL |
SEAN COUTURIER |
C |
DRUMMONDVILLE (QMJHL) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: The Thrashers don't have many big, two-way centres and Couturier fits the bill. |
| 8 |
CLB |
NATHAN BEAULIEU |
D |
SAINT JOHN (QMJHL) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: He's a defenceman on the rise and deservedly so. He's a well-rounded player who can add offence - just what the Blue Jackets need. |
| 9 |
BOS |
JAMIESON OLEKSIAK |
D |
NORTHEASTERN (H-EAST) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: Boston will go local with this big, huge defenceman. Think about him one day being paired with Zdeno Chara! |
| 10 |
MIN |
SVEN BARTSCHI |
LW |
PORTLAND (WHL) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: The Wild are looking for skill and Bartschi fits the bill. He's a Swiss player with great hands, quickness and speed and that's what they need to round out their offence. |
| 11 |
COL |
MATTHEW PUEMPEL |
LW |
PETERBOROUGH (OHL) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: With Chris Stewart gone, the Avs have a chance to come back with Puempel. He's rated lower, but I feel he's going to be a steal in the draft. He's rugged, he scores around the net and I think he'd be a great fit for the Avalanche. |
| 12 |
CAR |
MIKA ZIBANEJAD |
C |
DJURGARDEN (SWE) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: He's a guy who maybe hasn't shown the offensive abilities at this time, but he's competitive and will score points in the NHL. They'll be thrilled to get him at No. 12. |
| 13 |
CGY |
ZACK PHILLIPS |
C |
SAINT JOHN (QMJHL) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: Calgary needs a centre and this is a guy who plays in every situation in the game. The Flames will get lucky in the draft with him. |
| 14 |
DAL |
DOUGIE HAMILTON |
D |
NIAGARA (OHL) |
| Craig Button's Analysis: They've been looking for someone to fill in that void left by Derian Hatcher for a long time and I think Hamilton falls to them. He gets a big plus for playing those important minutes during important times of the game. |
NOTES: Boston's pick was acquired from Toronto in the trade for Phil Kessel; Colorado's pick was acquired from St. Louis in the trade involving Erik Johnson.
