AmericanDream
Thank you Elon!
Once again it is time for my yearly top 30 list, which is always 100% correct and accurate!!!
I do get to see many many players, and most if not all on this list, but it is still all in fun, so keep the flamming to a Trevor Gillies goon level minimum, cool??
2011 Top 30
#1. Sean Couturier - Still the best offensive player in this draft. Combine that with his size and strength, and he should be a pro next year. Has dropped on some lists, but this kid has all the tools to be a very solid NHLer.
#2. Adam Larsson - The best dman available for the draft. The kid has stood tall for the past 2 years of hyped city, and has come out on top in my mind. I once questioned his overall game, I really cant any longer.
#3. Gabriel Landeskog - No player has risen faster or higher then him. Has all the tools to be an immediate impact at the NHL level. Love the way he plays and competes, and absolutely love his grasp of the English language!
#4. Jonathan Huberdeau - Some say he is better then Couturier, though he may one day become that, I still think he is a notch below Couturier. Another solid sized skilled forward that is going to go high in June. Bout damn time the Q produced some players!
#5. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Way too many people have this kid at #1, simply cant see it. His size is a slight concern as he looks like a young Kyle Turris out there. He simply needs to score more goals to get drafted higher then this. He is an all world talent and playmaker, but there are better all around options then him right now.
#6. Dougie Hamilton - Kid has size and skill that will make him a very high pick in June. I love his compete level and physicality as well. No slouch on his feet with skating and first step, kid has risen very fast in a short time.
#7. Ryan Strome - Strome seems to be continually underrated on these boards. Kid is an offensive wizz, that has just continued to put up massive numbers all year long. Pure sniper here, could be this years Jeff Skinner as sniper that makes the jump to the NHL next year.
#8. Duncan Siemens- Another big strong kid that I had a tough time putting behind Hamilton at this point. Kid can play both sides of the puck, and is one of the younger players in this first round. I wouldnt be shocked if he does get picked ahead of Hamilton, as he reminds me of another Brent Seabrook.
#9. Brandon Saad - Much more was expected from Saad this year, hence the drop from the top 5. We know this kid has offensive skills and size that should put him in the top 5, but his compete level, consistency, and lack of physical effort is what drops him a bit. Need to see that fire from Saad that many of us expected this year.
#10. Ryan Murphy - Most skilled dman in this years draft. If he was a bit bigger he would be a top 5 lock, but teams may still pass on him like they did with Fowler and Gormley last year. Whoever lands this kid will get the next great puckmoving power play qb.
#11. Ty Rattie - I just love this kids game, and have loved it for some time. Gives a solid effort each and every shift, but still gets put down on peoples list because of the depth he plays with in Portland. Kid is a legit talent that is a top 15 pick. He may never be top end offensive talent, but his work ethic and skill set will lead him to the NHL.
#12. Tyler Biggs - One of my favorite players in this draft. Biggs plays the game BIG. He is a nasty power forward that has soft hands and goal scoring ability. He might go higher then this in June because of his physical maturity and the way he can skate and play for such a big power forward.
#13. Matt Puempel - Matt has dropped on some lists, but the kid is a sniper that will be a top 15 pick as well. He really got hyped up last year, and has come down some, but the talent and skill are clearly there. He has future NHL sniper written all over him, but does need to get a bit quicker and stronger on the puck.
#14. Scott Mayfield- Many who dont follow the USHL wonder how this kid is rated so high. But trust me when I say he is the best dman to come out of the USHL since John Carlson. He has size, skill, and leadership skills well above his years. Needs to bulk up a lot, and college will do that, but whoever lands this kid will unearth a real gem.
#15. Sven Bartschi - Sven was someone that I never really thought would get ranked this high. Like Rattie, plays on a stacked Portland team, but after watching him at the WJC and playing with less talent, this kid is legit. He has high end offensive skills and a physical side that I love as well. Simply not afraid to get dirty.
#16. Jamie Oleksiak - The 6'7 man child is the most intriguing player in this draft. He can honestly go top 10 or 30th depending on how a team views him. He has improved so much since his Chicago Steel days in the USHL, Players of this size and ability do not come around that often, dont be shocked if he gets drafted right around where McIlrath did last year.
#17. Joel Armia - This skilled two way forward is up and down on a lot of peoples lists. From what I have seen, it is tough to get a read on him as he has really good stretches and then some bad ones as well. Played very well at the WJC and could be a riser no doubt with his solid size and skillset.
#18. David Musil - Another player that was hyped early on but has fallen some, Musil is a solid all around dman, that will likely make it as a pure defensive minded dman in the NHL. Solid blood lines and size will make this kid an interesting selection in June, but he has the ability to be a high end player no doubt.
#19. Victor Rask - I will admit I didnt buy the hype with this kid last year, and though I do have him at #19, I am not sure he goes first round at all to be honest. He has been very inconsistent as well, and though he has solid size I just dont see him as being anything really high end. But when he is on, he is something special to watch which is why I have him at 19 because he may find that more often in the future.
#20. Vlad Namestnikov - The first Russian in my top 30, Vlad is a typical highly skilled offensive player that has many flaws as well. Plays like a floater a lot of nights, his compete level isnt where it needs to be, and when you arent as high end as some previous Russians who dropped a bit in the draft, going at #20 is something to be happy with imo.
#21. Mark McNiel - Mark is a solid two way forward that I have been noticing more of late. He isnt going to be anything elite offensively, but he will give you a solid two way game and effort every night. Stands out most nights, Mark is a player that has risen bigtime the past 3 months.
#22. Matt Nieto - Playing as a true freshman on a powerhouse program will not help draft rankings as the ice time he gets is limited. But Nieto has the skill and talent to be a real talented player one day. Very crafty and solid at both ends, Nieto has solid two way player written all over him, Jason Zucker mold.
#23. Zack Phillips - highly skilled offensive dynamo that has solid enough size to be a force one day. Phillips is a player that can go higher due to his offensive ability, but the Q hasnt produced this many first round players in a while, so believe it when you see it I guess.
#24. Rocco Grimaldi - One of the most skilled players in this draft. We all know his size issues, but if there is ever a player to overcome that, this is it. I still believe he goes even higher then this, but those that have never seen him play that focus only on his size will be eating non stop crow in three years as this kid will be an NHLer.
#25. Mark Scheifele - Another late riser, Mark has the build to be a pretty solid NHLer, though needs to bulk up a lot. He has solid playmaking ability and that will be his bread and butter imo. Has a solid shot, but his passing and vision are more defined at this stage. Should be a late first round pick.
#26. Daniel Catenaccia - Super skilled offensive force that seems to fly under the radar on many lists. If he played with more talent this kid would be much higher on this lists. He just has the all around ability to be a solid player, is a wonderful playmaker and shooter, and has excellent backchecking and tenacious play. His size holds him back as well, but should be a first rounder in June.
#27. Shane Prince - Like Catenaccia, I for the life of me cant understand why he isnt ranked higher. Has all around skills well above most on these lists, but takes a hit for his size and because he plays with very good linemates. Prince is a two way force that goes in the dirty areas and usually comes out with the puck. Is a solid sniper and playmaker as well, some team (SHARKS) will take this kid very high.
#28. Michael St Croix - Another highly touted player who dropped some, St Croix still has the ability to be a very solid player. Needs to get stronger, more mature, and more consistent, but the talent and skill is there. He no longer looks like an elite offensive player, but if he progresses over the next two years, he should make a team very happy with his offensive abilities.
#29. Mario Lucia - The top US highschooler for this draft, Mario is the son on Don Lucia coach of Minnesota, but thats not why he is ranked here. He has solid size, skills, and physical play that makes him a very tempting kid to pick. Like a Kevin Hayes, you just feel Lucia will get even bigger and stronger in a year or two, and with his offensive skills, this is a package to keep an eye on.
#30. Nicklas Jensen - Jensen is another up and downer on lots of lists. I just dont see the consistency to see him go any higher then this. He has solid size and skill, but doesnt really stand out in any one area. He has come on of late which will help him on draft day, but I have seen too much inconsistency to really put him any higher.
The next 15
#31. Stefan Noesen
#32. Colin Jacobs
#33. Tomas Jurco
#34. J.T Miller
#35. Myles Bell
#36. Rickard Rackell
#37. Luca Lessio
#38. Jonas Brodin
#39. Adam Clendening
#40. Vincent Trocheck
#41. Nathan Beaulieu
#42. Shane McColgan
#43. Seth Ambroz
#44. Joe Morrow
#45. Alexander Khokhlachev/ Boone Jenner
Lots of names can be placed between 25-45 here, solid depth, should be a very nice draft
I do get to see many many players, and most if not all on this list, but it is still all in fun, so keep the flamming to a Trevor Gillies goon level minimum, cool??
2011 Top 30
#1. Sean Couturier - Still the best offensive player in this draft. Combine that with his size and strength, and he should be a pro next year. Has dropped on some lists, but this kid has all the tools to be a very solid NHLer.
#2. Adam Larsson - The best dman available for the draft. The kid has stood tall for the past 2 years of hyped city, and has come out on top in my mind. I once questioned his overall game, I really cant any longer.
#3. Gabriel Landeskog - No player has risen faster or higher then him. Has all the tools to be an immediate impact at the NHL level. Love the way he plays and competes, and absolutely love his grasp of the English language!
#4. Jonathan Huberdeau - Some say he is better then Couturier, though he may one day become that, I still think he is a notch below Couturier. Another solid sized skilled forward that is going to go high in June. Bout damn time the Q produced some players!
#5. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Way too many people have this kid at #1, simply cant see it. His size is a slight concern as he looks like a young Kyle Turris out there. He simply needs to score more goals to get drafted higher then this. He is an all world talent and playmaker, but there are better all around options then him right now.
#6. Dougie Hamilton - Kid has size and skill that will make him a very high pick in June. I love his compete level and physicality as well. No slouch on his feet with skating and first step, kid has risen very fast in a short time.
#7. Ryan Strome - Strome seems to be continually underrated on these boards. Kid is an offensive wizz, that has just continued to put up massive numbers all year long. Pure sniper here, could be this years Jeff Skinner as sniper that makes the jump to the NHL next year.
#8. Duncan Siemens- Another big strong kid that I had a tough time putting behind Hamilton at this point. Kid can play both sides of the puck, and is one of the younger players in this first round. I wouldnt be shocked if he does get picked ahead of Hamilton, as he reminds me of another Brent Seabrook.
#9. Brandon Saad - Much more was expected from Saad this year, hence the drop from the top 5. We know this kid has offensive skills and size that should put him in the top 5, but his compete level, consistency, and lack of physical effort is what drops him a bit. Need to see that fire from Saad that many of us expected this year.
#10. Ryan Murphy - Most skilled dman in this years draft. If he was a bit bigger he would be a top 5 lock, but teams may still pass on him like they did with Fowler and Gormley last year. Whoever lands this kid will get the next great puckmoving power play qb.
#11. Ty Rattie - I just love this kids game, and have loved it for some time. Gives a solid effort each and every shift, but still gets put down on peoples list because of the depth he plays with in Portland. Kid is a legit talent that is a top 15 pick. He may never be top end offensive talent, but his work ethic and skill set will lead him to the NHL.
#12. Tyler Biggs - One of my favorite players in this draft. Biggs plays the game BIG. He is a nasty power forward that has soft hands and goal scoring ability. He might go higher then this in June because of his physical maturity and the way he can skate and play for such a big power forward.
#13. Matt Puempel - Matt has dropped on some lists, but the kid is a sniper that will be a top 15 pick as well. He really got hyped up last year, and has come down some, but the talent and skill are clearly there. He has future NHL sniper written all over him, but does need to get a bit quicker and stronger on the puck.
#14. Scott Mayfield- Many who dont follow the USHL wonder how this kid is rated so high. But trust me when I say he is the best dman to come out of the USHL since John Carlson. He has size, skill, and leadership skills well above his years. Needs to bulk up a lot, and college will do that, but whoever lands this kid will unearth a real gem.
#15. Sven Bartschi - Sven was someone that I never really thought would get ranked this high. Like Rattie, plays on a stacked Portland team, but after watching him at the WJC and playing with less talent, this kid is legit. He has high end offensive skills and a physical side that I love as well. Simply not afraid to get dirty.
#16. Jamie Oleksiak - The 6'7 man child is the most intriguing player in this draft. He can honestly go top 10 or 30th depending on how a team views him. He has improved so much since his Chicago Steel days in the USHL, Players of this size and ability do not come around that often, dont be shocked if he gets drafted right around where McIlrath did last year.
#17. Joel Armia - This skilled two way forward is up and down on a lot of peoples lists. From what I have seen, it is tough to get a read on him as he has really good stretches and then some bad ones as well. Played very well at the WJC and could be a riser no doubt with his solid size and skillset.
#18. David Musil - Another player that was hyped early on but has fallen some, Musil is a solid all around dman, that will likely make it as a pure defensive minded dman in the NHL. Solid blood lines and size will make this kid an interesting selection in June, but he has the ability to be a high end player no doubt.
#19. Victor Rask - I will admit I didnt buy the hype with this kid last year, and though I do have him at #19, I am not sure he goes first round at all to be honest. He has been very inconsistent as well, and though he has solid size I just dont see him as being anything really high end. But when he is on, he is something special to watch which is why I have him at 19 because he may find that more often in the future.
#20. Vlad Namestnikov - The first Russian in my top 30, Vlad is a typical highly skilled offensive player that has many flaws as well. Plays like a floater a lot of nights, his compete level isnt where it needs to be, and when you arent as high end as some previous Russians who dropped a bit in the draft, going at #20 is something to be happy with imo.
#21. Mark McNiel - Mark is a solid two way forward that I have been noticing more of late. He isnt going to be anything elite offensively, but he will give you a solid two way game and effort every night. Stands out most nights, Mark is a player that has risen bigtime the past 3 months.
#22. Matt Nieto - Playing as a true freshman on a powerhouse program will not help draft rankings as the ice time he gets is limited. But Nieto has the skill and talent to be a real talented player one day. Very crafty and solid at both ends, Nieto has solid two way player written all over him, Jason Zucker mold.
#23. Zack Phillips - highly skilled offensive dynamo that has solid enough size to be a force one day. Phillips is a player that can go higher due to his offensive ability, but the Q hasnt produced this many first round players in a while, so believe it when you see it I guess.
#24. Rocco Grimaldi - One of the most skilled players in this draft. We all know his size issues, but if there is ever a player to overcome that, this is it. I still believe he goes even higher then this, but those that have never seen him play that focus only on his size will be eating non stop crow in three years as this kid will be an NHLer.
#25. Mark Scheifele - Another late riser, Mark has the build to be a pretty solid NHLer, though needs to bulk up a lot. He has solid playmaking ability and that will be his bread and butter imo. Has a solid shot, but his passing and vision are more defined at this stage. Should be a late first round pick.
#26. Daniel Catenaccia - Super skilled offensive force that seems to fly under the radar on many lists. If he played with more talent this kid would be much higher on this lists. He just has the all around ability to be a solid player, is a wonderful playmaker and shooter, and has excellent backchecking and tenacious play. His size holds him back as well, but should be a first rounder in June.
#27. Shane Prince - Like Catenaccia, I for the life of me cant understand why he isnt ranked higher. Has all around skills well above most on these lists, but takes a hit for his size and because he plays with very good linemates. Prince is a two way force that goes in the dirty areas and usually comes out with the puck. Is a solid sniper and playmaker as well, some team (SHARKS) will take this kid very high.
#28. Michael St Croix - Another highly touted player who dropped some, St Croix still has the ability to be a very solid player. Needs to get stronger, more mature, and more consistent, but the talent and skill is there. He no longer looks like an elite offensive player, but if he progresses over the next two years, he should make a team very happy with his offensive abilities.
#29. Mario Lucia - The top US highschooler for this draft, Mario is the son on Don Lucia coach of Minnesota, but thats not why he is ranked here. He has solid size, skills, and physical play that makes him a very tempting kid to pick. Like a Kevin Hayes, you just feel Lucia will get even bigger and stronger in a year or two, and with his offensive skills, this is a package to keep an eye on.
#30. Nicklas Jensen - Jensen is another up and downer on lots of lists. I just dont see the consistency to see him go any higher then this. He has solid size and skill, but doesnt really stand out in any one area. He has come on of late which will help him on draft day, but I have seen too much inconsistency to really put him any higher.
The next 15
#31. Stefan Noesen
#32. Colin Jacobs
#33. Tomas Jurco
#34. J.T Miller
#35. Myles Bell
#36. Rickard Rackell
#37. Luca Lessio
#38. Jonas Brodin
#39. Adam Clendening
#40. Vincent Trocheck
#41. Nathan Beaulieu
#42. Shane McColgan
#43. Seth Ambroz
#44. Joe Morrow
#45. Alexander Khokhlachev/ Boone Jenner
Lots of names can be placed between 25-45 here, solid depth, should be a very nice draft
Last edited: