2011 NHL Mock Draft (Top 12 Picks)

[Severs]

Just my take on what I think would be the best options for the top 12 picks in this years draft, now that we know what picks teams hold.

1. Edmonton Oilers - Adam Larsson
Edmonton will take a long hard look at Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, but they have enough undersized centermen and have a much larger need for a franchise defensemen to anchor that blueline. Larsson is the smart pick here.

2. Colorado Avalanche - Gabriel Landeskog
Stastny and Duchene already have the two top six center positions locked down for Colorado. The Avalanche need to replace Chris Stewart and Landeskog fills a need nicely at this pick.

3. Florida Panthers - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
The most talented player in this draft falls to third because of needs. This becomes a no-brainier pick for Dale Tallon, he will sprint to the podium to announce this selection.

4. New Jersey Devils - Jonathan Huberdeau
New Jersey needs a future number one center badly, Huberdeau fills that need and is one of the most underrated players in this draft.

5. New York Islanders - Dougie Hamilton
Islanders take the big two way defender who would be the best player on the board at this point. Travis Hamonic and Dougie Hamilton will be a tough pairing to face as well as productive in the offensive zone in the future.

6. Ottawa Senators - Ryan Strome
Jason Spezza needs a skilled winger that can finish. With Alfredsson nearing the end of his career Strome just makes too much sense at this pick. Ottawa will look at Sean Couturier to help with center depth but a lot of scouts have said Couturier could be a 3rd line center at best at the next level. Ottawa needs top six scoring help.

7. Atlanta Trashers - Sean Couturier
Center is the biggest need for Atlanta, I think they take a hard look at Mika Zibanejad but end up taking the big two way centermen in Couturier.

8.Columbus Blue Jackets - Ryan Murphy
Columbus has many needs but they ultimately will go defense and hope the young forwards they already have make big strides this summer. Murphy is deadly from the blueline, not great in his own end but he is a Ryan Ellis clone.

9.Boston Bruins - Brandon Saad
Boston does not have any pressing needs but Saad fits Bostons' system perfectly. Big physical winger that will eventually help the power play.

10. Minnesota Wild - Mika Zibanejad
They will consider Joel Armia in this spot but ultimately go with the centermen. I think Zibanejad is one of the most NHL ready players in this draft.

11. Colorado Avalanche - Nathan Beaulieu
Good puck moving defensemen will be a good partner for Erik Johnson. They filled the hole left by Stewart with Landeskog and now they make up for trading Shattenkirk by selecting Beaulieu.

12. Carolina Hurricanes - Joel Armia
Canes take the best player on the board and fill a need with a big physical winger who plays well in front of the net. They also could consider Sven Baertschi at this spot as well.

[McJoe]

I like it. I did mine too which is also up. Interesting to put Landeskog over just moving RNH/Duchene/Stastny to the wing. There is also the report that they could DEAL Stastny. I think they'd take RNH there personally but that's also because I don't think Landeskog has the offensive potential that you seem to think he does.

[Severs]

I like it. I did mine too which is also up. Interesting to put Landeskog over just moving RNH/Duchene/Stastny to the wing. There is also the report that they could DEAL Stastny. I think they'd take RNH there personally but that's also because I don't think Landeskog has the offensive potential that you seem to think he does.

I think Landeskog will end up like a Brendan Morrow type player, 30-70 potential but his defensive ability and leadership add to his value. I agree that there would be a ton of teams willing to overpay for a young, proven, borderline number one center in Stastny and moving him in the off season for a kings ransom would make sense if Hopkins makes it past Edmonton.

Edmonton is not exactly a priority destination for unrestricted free agents but they could look to throw a huge contract at Christian Ehrhoff this off season allowing them to select Hopkins.

This year is the talent is closer than most years, there is no clear-cut number talent in most people's minds. I personally think Larsson is the clear cut top player in this draft, but that is simply my opinion. There are a ton of scenarios in how this draft could fall.