Your Top 5 in 2011

[McDoused]

1. Adam Larsson
2. Sean Couturier
3. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
4. Gabriel Landeskog
5. Ryan Murphy


6. Brandon Saad
7. Duncan Siemens
8. Ryan Strome
9. Douglas Hamilton
10. Matt Puempel

11. David Musil
12. Ty Rattie
13. Joel Armia
14. Alexander Koklachev
15. Sven Bartschi

16. Mika Zibanejad
17. Victor Rask
18. Tyler Biggs
19. Scott Mayfield
20. Seth Ambroz

21. Mark McNeill
22. Shane Prince
23. Jonathan Huberdeau
24. Myles Bell
25. Robbie Russo

26. Vladislav Namestinkov
27. Daniel Catenacci
28. Michael St. Croix
29. Boon Jenner
30. Christopher Gibson

Something like that...

 

[Jabba11]

1. Sean Couturier
2. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
3. Gabriel Landeskog
4. Adam Larsson
5. Brandon Saad
6. Ryan Murphy
7. Ryan Strome
8. Jonathan Huberdeau
9. Joel Armia
10. Douggie Hamilton

After the WJC, Sean Couturier will prove that he's worth of the #1 pick. RNH might be high on my list, but he's stick handling abilities are insane and his hockey sense combined with good speed, I just can't see him being picked out of the top 3. About Landeskog, he'll be a great NHLer and with good leadership, but I'd prefer SC and RNH ahead of him. Larsson is falling and it will still be a steal at 4, but like another post just said, defensemen are hard to develop and Erik Johnson isn't showing that he's superior than Toews or Staal. Finally, Ryan Murphy is a great player, but as we have seen in the last draft, it always depend on the team's need and if they're really high on 1 player, they will go for it "à la" Johansen or Nino being picked before Fowler and Gormley. Murphy's size might affected his draft ranking but he should be picked in the top 10 if we compare him to Ellis' final ranking. My personal favorite would be Jonathan Huberdeau... his stock is rising up and by the end of the season, he should crack the top 10.

 

[SDig14]

Hahahaa... Cool for your club bro?

I completely agree...your top 5 is bang on and all your evaluations are accurate.

 

[Gobo]

1. Couturier (Safe pick, little chance of not being a good NHL'er)
2. Landeskog (Everyone loves the Power Forwards)
3. Larsson (Highest potential)
4. Strome (Dynamic center, high potential)
5. Murphy (PMD's are some of the most valuable defenseman these days)

 

[YoSoyLalo]

1. Couturier (Safe pick, little chance of not being a good NHL'er)
2. Landeskog (Everyone loves the Power Forwards)
3. Larsson (Highest potential)
4. Strome (Dynamic center, high potential)
5. RNH (PMD's are some of the most valuable defenseman these days)

I assume you mean Ryan Murphy for #5, considering RNH is a center.

 

[Leviathan]

1. Couturier
2. Nugent Hopkins
3. Larsson
4. Landeskog
5. Murphy

 

[YoSoyLalo]

1. Larsson
2. Couturier
3. RNH
4. Landeskog
5. Murphy

 

[DuklaNation]

Top 5 of the OP is most likely, order may change to a team's needs.

6. Strome
7. Saad
8. Siemens
9. Armia
10. McNeill

 

[Manny*]

Landeskog
Couturier
Murphy
Larsson
Nugent-Hopkins

 

[KingJet*]

As of today

Sean Couturier - NJD
Adam Larsson - EDM
RNH - Florida
Ryan Murphy - Boston
Brandon Saad - Buffalo
(I think NYI will rise up a bunch of spots)

 

[Bjorn Le]

As of today

Sean Couturier - NJD
Adam Larsson - EDM
RNH - Florida
Ryan Murphy - Boston
Brandon Saad - Buffalo
(I think NYI will rise up a bunch of spots)

Saad will not go before Landeskog. Almost guarneteed. Hes more physical, better defensively, better offensively, and a Captain.

 

[wings5]

Saad will not go before Landeskog. Almost guarneteed. Hes more physical, better defensively, better offensively, and a Captain.

Way to early to say that, they're not so far apart imo, Saad is a better prospect than some may think.

 

[McDoused]

Saad will not go before Landeskog. Almost guarneteed. Hes more physical, better defensively, better offensively, and a Captain.

Landeskog (Kitchner Rangers- 2nd in the conference): 32GP 25G 20A 45P +23 (3rd team scoring; 15 points back of team leader)

Saad (1st in the conference): 31GP 20G 16A 36P +13 (3rd in team scoring; 5 points back of team leader)

Although I would have Landeskog ahead of Saad, I don't think their is a huge difference. Saad has essentially lead the way on the best team on conference (without the top end talent Landeskog has). This is also his first season in the OHL while Landeskog is already in his second season.

 

[Shaun]

Couturier
Larsson
Landeskog
Murphy
RNH

I will gladly take any of them in a Bruins uniform for next season.

 

[Rare Jewel]

1. Landeskog
2. Couturier
3. Murphy
4. RNH
5. Armia

6. Larsson
7. Strome
8. Puempel
9. Rask
10. Khokhlachev

 

[RangerRed]

Sean Couturier: If all three of the top three were to bust, Couturier still probably ends up as a third line centre. If all three of the top three were to boom, I like Couturier yet again. Combination of being the safest and the highest upside.

Gabriel Landeskog: Really, I don't put much difference between the two Swedes with the exception of the fact that I have personal preference for power forwards. I believe Landeskog is the Swedish Iginla.

Adam Larsson: Could be a franchise defenseman if the stars align. But even if one or two don't align, he probably becomes a solid #2 defenseman.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: A very good playmaking centre. But I'm starting to question if his finishing instincts will transfer to the pro level. But even if he has six times as many assists as goals, who would complain about Adam Oates (not saying that's his NHL comparable).

Ryan Murphy: Dan Boyle is a good comparison, so is Phil Housley. The Orr stuff gets thrown around a bit too lightly. Ellis went eleventh, but Murphy isn't playing behind that vaunted Spitfires attack and he's ahead of Ellis as a skater and stickhandler.

 

[Tra La La]

If you were going to list the Centers by offensive upside? What would the order be?

 

[McDoused]

If you were going to list the Centers by offensive upside? What would the order be?

Ryan Nugent Hopkins. This guy has all the tools to be an offensive dynamo with the speed he has and the chances he creates. Its just too bad he hasn't shown up on the scoresheet and put things together as well as many thought he would.

Having said that, their are at least 2 forwards that are already getting things done. Sean Couturier projects to be an elite shutdown number 2 center or a decent first line center that can play in both zones- still not the same offensive upside as RNH. Landeskog has leadership and the physical presence that RNH has but IMO lacks the speed and creativity that RNH brings to the table. If I had to rate them:

1. RNH
2. Brandon Saad
3. Sean Couturier
4. Gabriel Landeskog
5. Matthew Puempel
6. Ty Rattie
7. Joel Armia
8. Victor Rask
9. Alexander Khokhlachev
10. Matt Nieto

 

[scoutman1]

2. Adam Larsson - Love this kid but taking a defenseman is always risky. Players like E. Johnson have not panned out as well as the forwards drafted right behind him.

reason EJ never turned out is because he is injured every single year, the guy by now would be in the top defenders in the league if not for being injured every single year he plays. Have to take that into considereation when wondering why a player never turned out too...Larsson seems to be good at lasting against men, very very dedicated to working out and off ice, and the kid has that fire for the game that all the best have.

 

[james30]

2008 Draft:

Stamkos
Doughty
Bogosian
Pietrangelo
Shenn

 

[Bjorn Le]

Landeskog (Kitchner Rangers- 2nd in the conference): 32GP 25G 20A 45P +23 (3rd team scoring; 15 points back of team leader)

Saad (1st in the conference): 31GP 20G 16A 36P +13 (3rd in team scoring; 5 points back of team leader)

Although I would have Landeskog ahead of Saad, I don't think their is a huge difference. Saad has essentially lead the way on the best team on conference (without the top end talent Landeskog has). This is also his first season in the OHL while Landeskog is already in his second season.

I can be expected if Landeskog was not on the Rangers both Murphy and Akeson would not have as many assists, because Landeskog has been agle to finish very well. Saad hasn't impressed me at all this season with regards to offense or the other areas of play.

Its not a huge diffrence, but IMO, Landeskog is definitely better than Saad.

 

[AwesomePanthers]

1. Couturier
2. Larsson (for the longterm he might be the best)
3. Landeskog
4. RNH
5. Murphy
6. Strome
7. Armia
8. Saad
9. Siemens
10. Peumple

HM: Hamilton, Huberdeau and Rattie.

 

[smitty10]

1. Larsson
2. Couturier
3. RNH
4. Landeskog
5. Musil

 

[Tra La La]

Philosophicaly? I can't see drafting someone in the top 5, who doesn't project as a :

1st line Forward
1st pair Defensemen
#1 goalie


I read these reports " Elite 2nd line center " ? Really? In the top 5? Never be good enough to center the 1st line on a good team?

 

[The Waffler]

1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
2. Gabriel Landeskog
3. Adam Larsson
4. Sean Couturier
5. Ryan Murphy