2011 NHL entry draft: my top 12

[PortlandWinterHawks]

1. Adam Larsson ( can't pass up a potential lidstrom like player)
2. Ryan Nugent Hopkins (will probably go 4th overall but on my personal list the 2nd best player available-his ceiling is higher but also less likely to reach)
3. Gabriel Landeskog (reminds of me mike richards and perhaps a better version of brenden morrow)
4 .Sean Couturier (better version of Jordan Staal 60-70 point 2 way forward)
5. Ryan Murphy (kris letang, dan boyle, in my opinion has one of the most intriguing skill sets)
6. Jonathan Huberdeau (he does everything well, creative, smart passes this is where I think he will be picked in the draft)
7. Duncan Siemens (a complete defensemen who can do everything-will probably pan out like a Brent Seabrook-so efficient in his own zone)
8. Dougie Hamilton (huge upside could end up being the best player in the draft)
9. Ryan Strome (one of the most fun forwards to watch..hard to know if his game will translate)
10. Sven Bartschi (great wrist shot and hockey sense)
11. Brandon Saad
12. Joel Armia

would like to see: Jonas Brodin, Tyler Biggs,Victor Rask
who I like in the later 1st round: Ty Rattie, Matt Puempel, Mark McNeil, and David Musil
who I think is overrated: Nathan Beaulieu should be outside top 20.


hidden players outside the first round that I like: Mike St. Croix, Maxim Shalunov, Shane Prince.
Tell me your thoughts guys, really interested in what your personal opinions are and why.

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[The Hulk]

Do you watch Beaulieu on a regular basis.. i think not. So why do you think he is overrated?
There's no way he is overrated. He maybe isnt doing as well as he could but to say he is overrated is a bit harsh

 

[PortlandWinterHawks]

I've watched Beaulieu about 5 games, I definitely think he's a first round talent but he hasn't blown me away like the 4 defensemen I like. His defensive game needs improvement and that to me doesn't warrant using such a high pick on him. He lacks the awareness of when to pinch and when not to pinch which is really important in the NHL. Francois Beauchemin often pinched for the Toronto Maple leafs last year and costed them a couple of very frustrating goals.

 

[arsmaster*]

I've watched Beaulieu about 5 games, I definitely think he's a first round talent but he hasn't blown me away like the 4 defensemen I like. His defensive game needs improvement and that to me doesn't warrant using such a high pick on him. He lacks the awareness of when to pinch and when not to pinch which is really important in the NHL. Francois Beauchemin often pinched for the Toronto Maple leafs last year and costed them a couple of very frustrating goals.

Really?

Even last year playing alongside Canucks 2nd rounder, Yann Sauve, his ability to pinch and make smart decisions was evident. He has been out performing, 2009 1st rounder, Simon Depres IMO.

Lack of a defensive game doesnt warrant a high pick? Where the hell is the logic in that. His defensive game is better than R. Murphy's.

Guess what every NHL defensman at one point in time has mis timed a pinch and cost their teams goals.....I dont see Beaulieu as a riverboat gambler type.....I honestly see way more Letang in Beaulieu than in Murphy. Murphy could be a Dan Boyle type (he has those type skills), but its going to take a lot of work and development to get there against 220lb men. Beaulieu's 6'3" frame will allow him to make the jump easier.

Their ceilings arent the same with Murphy having a higher one, but I see Beaulieu as a very good skating top 4 defensman for a long time.....Murphy seems like more of a specialist to me.

 

[Mountainside]

Really?

Even last year playing alongside Canucks 2nd rounder, Yann Sauve, his ability to pinch and make smart decisions was evident. He has been out performing, 2009 1st rounder, Simon Depres IMO.

Wait, what?

Beaulieu's big cliche'd fault is making bad decisions. The guy can be a wiz ofensively in spurts but sometimes really leaves you scratching your head.

Also, outperforming Despres? Really? Despres has been the best Dman in the Q this year, and its not even really close. Especially when it comes to Beaulieu.

 

[oilsands]

It's like you regurgitated player comparisons.

 

[PortlandWinterHawks]

Well I just stated the player comparisons whom I thought these junior players played the most like. To be honest, all hockey players are different, but I just gave the player comparisons in order to show what kind of upside I think each player has)

For me it's important for a player to be first extremely good and efficient at the end of the ice that the player plays in. Duncan Siemens for example, is a very solid defender and possibly one of the most complete defensemen in a long time. He might not put a lot of points in the NHL, but he would be vital to a stanley cup champion in shutting down the other team.

That's also why I really like Sven Bartschi, for me he rounds out my top 10. To simply put it, he's good at what he does, his positioning to set himself for a goal is outstanding and despite not being overly physical, he's able to protect to puck long enough to roof it for a goal. He's got all the tools to be a 30 goal scorer at the NHL level.

Ryan Murphy, has one of the most unique skillsets of the draft and you really can't compare him to any player. That's what makes it hard for scouts to predict how likely he would reach his upside. He can take over a game. But I think team Canada chose defenders who they thought they could utilize better but cmon Dylan Olsen really?

In last year's draft, I really liked Jeff Skinner because he drove hard to the net. Anyone who saw him play a lot knew he was good.
For reference here was my draft board at the time of the draft. (top 12)
1. Tyler Seguin
2. Taylor Hall
3. Jeffrey Skinner
4. Vladimir Tarasenko
5. Nino Niedereitter
6. Ryan Johansen
7. Cam Fowler
8. Jack Campbell
9. Evgeny Kutznetsov
10. Alexander Burmistrov
11. Erik Gudbranson
12. Brandon Gormley