NHL Draft Preview

Now that the Stanley Cup Finals have wrapped up and most of the fires in the streets of Vancouver have been put out, the hockey world now turns its attention to the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. It might not be an event with the grandeur of the NFL Draft or the hilarity of the NBA’s, but it’s just as crucial to the future of the league’s 30 teams as any other. The Pittsburgh Penguins won a championship thanks in huge part to the top draft choices of Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury and Evgeni Malkin.

This year’s class may not have a franchise-changing superstar of that caliber, but does feature a deep crop of talented forwards who should become first- or second-line contributors in the very near future.

After a frustrating season, the Edmonton Oilers will pick first, looking for another star to put beside last year’s top selection, Taylor Hall.

Here are a few players who will likely come off the board in the first few picks on June 24^th.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer Rebels

Ranked as the number-one North American skater by the NHL’s Central Scouting bureau and the best overall prospect by International Scouting Services, Nugent-Hopkins is a consummate playmaker with great hands. One scout allegedly claimed the Burnaby native has the best vision of any player since Wayne Gretzky. He’s not a big, physical guy, but he plays both ends and plays them well. If he ends up in Edmonton, the plan would be obvious: Nugent-Hopkins makes the plays, Taylor Hall scores.

Adam Larsson, D, Sweden

Larsson is the best international skater in the draft, and was a consensus number-one pick entering the 2010-11 season. Playing in the Sweden’s top pro league, he’s been an effective contributor at the young age of 18 years old, an impressive feat that bodes well for his pro career in North America. Edmonton needs a defenceman more than anything, and would be well-served to pick the big Swede, a fast skater who can play with skill, speed, and power.

Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchener Rangers

Landeskog is an extremely well-rounded forward with good size and good speed. Coaches rave about his leadership and work ethic, and most scouts see him as a guy that probably won’t become a top scorer, but could be a team captain early in his career.

Jonathan Huberdeau, C, Saint John Sea Dogs

After leading the Sea Dogs to Atlantic Canada’s first Memorial Cup championship, Huberdeau has shot up draft boards. He took over the QMJHL in the second half of the season, and is suddenly a top prospect. He’s a versatile forward who’s disruptive in his own end and is capable of both setting up and scoring on the attack.

Ryan Murphy, D, Kitchener Rangers

Murphy is a game-breaking defenceman who has modeled his game after the Washing Capitals attacking d-man Mike Green. He’s an undersized skater, but has an unmatched ability to jump into the rush, evade defenders, and put the puck in the net.