YNWA14
Onbreekbaar
- Dec 29, 2010
- 34,543
- 2,560
Dun-dun-dun. I've done this before, but this time I'm just going to stick to the top 10 picks. What I'm essentially doing is drafting how I think the draft could end up, and then I want to hear what people think will happen with the prospects next year, and how they fit into the team that they are drafted for (what it does for the team in the future.)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Obviously they're looking for a top level centre that can play with their abundance of young, offensive talent. Whether or not RNH actually has the ability to take his performance to the next level remains to be seen, but if he can man-up against the tighter, faster NHL he'll make this team very scary in the future. He probably won't play in the NHL for at least a year.
Adam Larsson
Although they could use the wingers, I think that they will have the ability to meet that demand later in the draft, or through the free-agency. I don't personally think that Larsson is the best defenceman in the draft, but I know that most scouts see him as a player that would be very hard for Colorado to pass up. Their defence will be phenomenal in the future if he pans out. Might play for them as early as next year.
Sean Couturier
They need help everywhere, and I think they're getting, potentially, the true #1 talent in the draft. He's big, he's got scoring touch, vision, and an amazing two way game. I really think that this guy could be the cornerstone of their franchise in the future if he develops properly. He'll play in the NHL next year.
Ryan Murphy
Dynamic, fast, and fills a position that the Devils desperately need. He'll add some serious firepower to their blueline and some dynamic offence that they could really use to help the team start contending again. I don't think he'll step in right away, but he very well could.
Dougie Hamilton
Having some serious offensive firepower the Islanders can use a true potential #1 defenceman...Hamilton gives that to them. He's who I believe will end up as the best defenceman of the draft. He's been compared to Pietrangelo with slightly less offensive instincts, but more physicality and better defence. He's probably one of the smartest players in the draft and just makes all the right plays. He can anchor their blueline as early as next season.
Gabriel Landeskog
I know people will probably think it's weird that I have him dropping this low, considering his level of talent, but it's just a circumstantial thing. He's NHL ready, strong, mobile, and has great hockey sense. He plays the best two-way game of the draft class and also has the highest goal scoring pace. I think he would step in right away, and has the off shot of starting on the first line with Spezza. In the future he could be a true leader and the glue that holds Ottawa together. High hopes.
:thrashers / Jets
Ryan Strome
Seems like a team lacking in a true #1 centre. Here's there chance to get one. I think Strome will be the most offensively gifted player to come out of this draft. With a wicked slap shot, great vision, speed and awareness he brings everything needed to be a true #1 centre in the NHL. He also isn't small and his frame is of a decent size so I think he'll be able to handle the physicality of the NHL. He could be ready next year, but it's a safer bet that he won't be playing in the NHL until at least one more season of Junior.
Jonathan Huberdeau
He's had a strong playoffs, and a good year, but I think his draft stock will be influenced by the fact that he plays on the best team in the CHL. He's insulated by great players throughout the team, and has benefited somewhat from it. That's not to say that he won't be a good talent, and CBJ will be happy to have him playing in their top 6 in the future. I don't think he'll be ready next year though.
via 
Nathan Beaulieu
Part of the reason Huberdeau can be taken so late is because of the strength of his team making him look so good, and Beaulieu is a big part of that. I don't know if he fits the Bruins' needs quite perfectly, but he'll be a help. The Bruins get a good offensive defenceman to play on the blueline as the test with Kaberle has failed. He probably won't make an immediate impact, but could be a staple in the future for the team.
Joel Armia
There's a lot to be said about this kid, but unfortunately I'm not the one to do it. I haven't seen him play that much, but from what I've read and heard he projects to be a top level winger. He's got decent size and good hands. He can snipe, and he'll fit in with the other finns in the Wild's system. Dunno if he'll play next year, but should be a fixture in the top 6 for years to come.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Obviously they're looking for a top level centre that can play with their abundance of young, offensive talent. Whether or not RNH actually has the ability to take his performance to the next level remains to be seen, but if he can man-up against the tighter, faster NHL he'll make this team very scary in the future. He probably won't play in the NHL for at least a year.
Adam Larsson
Although they could use the wingers, I think that they will have the ability to meet that demand later in the draft, or through the free-agency. I don't personally think that Larsson is the best defenceman in the draft, but I know that most scouts see him as a player that would be very hard for Colorado to pass up. Their defence will be phenomenal in the future if he pans out. Might play for them as early as next year.
Sean Couturier
They need help everywhere, and I think they're getting, potentially, the true #1 talent in the draft. He's big, he's got scoring touch, vision, and an amazing two way game. I really think that this guy could be the cornerstone of their franchise in the future if he develops properly. He'll play in the NHL next year.
Ryan Murphy
Dynamic, fast, and fills a position that the Devils desperately need. He'll add some serious firepower to their blueline and some dynamic offence that they could really use to help the team start contending again. I don't think he'll step in right away, but he very well could.
Dougie Hamilton
Having some serious offensive firepower the Islanders can use a true potential #1 defenceman...Hamilton gives that to them. He's who I believe will end up as the best defenceman of the draft. He's been compared to Pietrangelo with slightly less offensive instincts, but more physicality and better defence. He's probably one of the smartest players in the draft and just makes all the right plays. He can anchor their blueline as early as next season.
Gabriel Landeskog
I know people will probably think it's weird that I have him dropping this low, considering his level of talent, but it's just a circumstantial thing. He's NHL ready, strong, mobile, and has great hockey sense. He plays the best two-way game of the draft class and also has the highest goal scoring pace. I think he would step in right away, and has the off shot of starting on the first line with Spezza. In the future he could be a true leader and the glue that holds Ottawa together. High hopes.
:thrashers / Jets
Ryan Strome
Seems like a team lacking in a true #1 centre. Here's there chance to get one. I think Strome will be the most offensively gifted player to come out of this draft. With a wicked slap shot, great vision, speed and awareness he brings everything needed to be a true #1 centre in the NHL. He also isn't small and his frame is of a decent size so I think he'll be able to handle the physicality of the NHL. He could be ready next year, but it's a safer bet that he won't be playing in the NHL until at least one more season of Junior.
Jonathan Huberdeau
He's had a strong playoffs, and a good year, but I think his draft stock will be influenced by the fact that he plays on the best team in the CHL. He's insulated by great players throughout the team, and has benefited somewhat from it. That's not to say that he won't be a good talent, and CBJ will be happy to have him playing in their top 6 in the future. I don't think he'll be ready next year though.
via Nathan Beaulieu
Part of the reason Huberdeau can be taken so late is because of the strength of his team making him look so good, and Beaulieu is a big part of that. I don't know if he fits the Bruins' needs quite perfectly, but he'll be a help. The Bruins get a good offensive defenceman to play on the blueline as the test with Kaberle has failed. He probably won't make an immediate impact, but could be a staple in the future for the team.
Joel Armia
There's a lot to be said about this kid, but unfortunately I'm not the one to do it. I haven't seen him play that much, but from what I've read and heard he projects to be a top level winger. He's got decent size and good hands. He can snipe, and he'll fit in with the other finns in the Wild's system. Dunno if he'll play next year, but should be a fixture in the top 6 for years to come.
