Draft Just Around the Corner

The NHL Entry Draft goes this Thursday and Friday.  The Warriors own, Joel Edmundson is in Minnesota for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.  Poised to be selected in the second round after jumping leaps and bounds up the Central Scouting Ranks.  Sitting at #33 for the final ranking, Edmundson could join two other Warrior defensemen in Dylan McIlrath and Kendall McFaull as the next NHL draftees.

It is always exciting to see who will be selected first overall.  Last year there was the Taylor Hall vs Tyler Seguin war.  Back and fourth the decision went--- with a final decision of Taylor Hall as the first overall selection to the Edmonton Oilers.

This year’s draft eligible players are born between January 1, 1991 and September 15, 1993. 

This year’s selection order for the first round:

1-      Edmonton

2-      Colorado

3-      Florida

4-      New Jersey

5-      NY Islanders

6-      Ottawa

7-      Atlanta/Winnipeg

8-      Columbus

9-      Boston (from Toronto)

10-  Minnesota

11-  Colorado (from St. Louis)

12-  Carolina

13-  Calgary

14-  Dallas

15-  NY Rangers

16-  Buffalo

17-  Montreal

18-  Chicago

19-  Edmonton (from Los Angeles)

20-  Phoenix

21-  Ottawa (from Nashville)

22-  Anaheim

23-  Pittsburgh

24-  Detroit

25-  Toronto (from Philadelphia)

26-  Washington

27-  Tampa Bay

28-  San Jose

29-  Vancouver

30-  Toronto (Boston)

Who’s Who

From the WHL, you may remember him, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins from Burnaby, BC is poised to go 1^st overall.  Creative with the puck, with a sense for scoring—Nugent Hopkins was the first overall Bantam Draft pick and his #9 is sure to be a Rebel favourite for years to come. 

The #2 ranked player by Hockey News Magazine, is Adam Larsson, the 6 foot 3 defensemen is Swedish born and you may have seen him in the 2010 World Junior Championships. Larsson’s 200 pounds would serve both the Oilers or Avalanche well on the blue line.  Larrson is the top ranked European skater.

#3, Gabriel Landeskog, combines grit and skill.  Playing for the Kitchener Rangers, Landeskog was originally drafted by the Plymouth Whalers—but Landeskog refused to report.  Highlighted by his hard work and perseverance, this left winger is ranked as high as his potential.

Jonathon Huberdeau, is ranked #3 by the NHL Central Scouting final ranking. The 6’1” center just won the Memorial Cup and showcased his great hands and scoring ability.

Dougie Hamilton, ranked #4 by Central Scouting, playing in the OHL with Niagara, Dougie is a two way defensemen at 6’4”. 

Nathan Beaulieu, is ranked at #5 and is another member of the Memorial Cup Champ Sea Dogs.  Nathan scored 45 points for the past 2 years and played well in the playoffs.

Sean Couturier, sits at #6--- #4 by Hockey News Magazine.  From Arizona, Couturier played for Drummondville last season and appeared at the 2010 World Juniors.  He scored 3 points in 7 games during the tournament.  He is a big center who protects the puck well.

Sven Bartchi, in at #7 is another WHL star.  This winter during Portland’s once visit to Moose Jaw, a team of Swiss media made the trip all the way from Sweden to see Bartchi play.  In their words, “He will be better then Nino—the Swiss love his play.”  Barchi put up an impressive 85 points last season and represented his home at the World Juniors.

Ryan Strome, ranked 8^th, Strome is a 6 foot center who played with Niagara last season.  A play maker, Stome had 106 points last season.

Ryan Murphy, ranked 9^th, Murphy is highlighted by his great skating.  Seventy nine points as a d-man, showcases his vision even if he is on the smaller side at 5’11”. 

#10, Duncan Siemens is a player Warrior fans will recall.  His all around skills make him a solid pick.  Warrior fans will remember his 121 PIM’s which some were spent when taking on the Warriors.