Draft Lottery set for Tuesday!!

[juliansteed]

Final CSS rankings for North America.

FINAL RANKINGS - NORTH AMERICAN SKATERS - 2011 NHL Entry Draft

Interesting to see Couturier drop to #6.

I was surprised to see that. And this list is only North American skaters, so they are probably projecting him to go close to 10th. Maybe if he falls far enough in the draft and the Coyotes go out in the 1st round he will be picked by his "hometown" Phoenix Coyotes.

I'm very pleasantly surprised to see 2 Sea Dogs as the top 2 Q prospects. I had a feeling Huberdeau might pass Couturier but never thought for a second that Nathan Beaulieu would. Still lots of hockey left for all players involved though and each team has their own rankings which no doubt vary a bit from these rankings.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I was surprised to see that. And this list is only North American skaters, so they are probably projecting him to go close to 10th. Maybe if he falls far enough in the draft and the Coyotes go out in the 1st round he will be picked by his "hometown" Phoenix Coyotes.

I'm very pleasantly surprised to see 2 Sea Dogs as the top 2 Q prospects. I had a feeling Huberdeau might pass Couturier but never thought for a second that Nathan Beaulieu would. Still lots of hockey left for all players involved though and each team has their own rankings which no doubt vary a bit from these rankings.

I think people are overlooking Couturier a bit. He's been just about as good as Huberdeau (PPG-wise), you can't teach 6'4 and (I might be mistaken here) he has/had mono for part of this year.

I'd be happy to get him on the Sens.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Just to add to the Couturier, this blogger makes a pretty good case for him being the best draft eligible forward from the Q (perhaps in the whole draft).

The Case For Sean Couturier At #1 - The Copper & Blue

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I'd like the Isles to end up with Ryan Strome.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I'd like the Isles to end up with Ryan Strome.

If they pick 4th I can almost guarantee that he'll be available.

He looks like he could develop into a good pro. He won't be ready next year though.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

If they pick 4th I can almost guarantee that he'll be available.

He looks like he could develop into a good pro. He won't be ready next year though.

I have absolutely no idea who the Islanders are going to take. Garth is very good at keeping things a secret. I knew the Isles were going to take Nino before they went to the podium because the guy sitting next to Garth said Nino's name right before they got up. I doubt they would take Strome at 4. If they want him they would probably trade down a couple of spots.

If Larsson is their at 4 & the Islanders pass. Isles nation will be in an uproar.

Colorado is sitting pretty at 2 & 11 at the moment.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

I have absolutely no idea who the Islanders are going to take. Garth is very good at keeping things a secret. I knew the Isles were going to take Nino before they went to the podium because the guy sitting next to Garth said Nino's name right before they got up. I doubt they would take Strome at 4. If they want him they would probably trade down a couple of spots.

If Larsson is their at 4 & the Islanders pass. Isles nation will be in an uproar.

Colorado is sitting pretty at 2 & 11 at the moment.

Not a chance. Either the Oil or the Avs take him. Only chance to get Larsson for the Isles is to win the lottery.

 

[falconski]

Well before the Lottery the Avs are picking 2nd & 11th. I guess it's Larsson or bust right? If Edmonton takes him 1st do the Avs take RNH or trade down?

I wouldn't put it past the avs to draft RNH even though we're pretty set on center for the next 10 years (stastny/duchene/O'reilly, and we keep finding good 4th line centers, not to mention we already have to push hishon to wing), the avs usually take BPA regardless of position


another option would be landeskog to fill in for stewart (though that basically pushes the 3rd line to Galiardi-O'Reilly-Jones, if everyone's healthy for once which looks like a mediocre 2nd line, and demoting Jones to the 3rd after a 27 goal season makes no sense)

I think they keep the pick and one of those 2 happen, and they take siemens at 11

the other potential is dropping down to 5 or 6 to get a 2nd and/or 3rd (after 11 the avs next pick is 92) and drafting Ryan Murphy, which the avs really don't need considering we already have a plethora of PMD prospects (which is why Shattenkirk was tradeable, we have elliot, barrie and chouinard waiting), but the avs seem to love them for some reason

In that case...I really see the 11th being traded for a decent starting goalie


Knowing the avs I'm completely off my rocker they pick Couturier at 2, go off the board at 11 and the guy they pick at 11 ends up either making the team out of camp or lighting up the OHL next year (like Hishon, or what would have happened with O'Reilly if the avs had a mid round pick in 2009)

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I wouldn't put it past the avs to draft RNH even though we're pretty set on center for the next 10 years (stastny/duchene/O'reilly, and we keep finding good 4th line centers, not to mention we already have to push hishon to wing), the avs usually take BPA regardless of position


another option would be landeskog to fill in for stewart (though that basically pushes the 3rd line to Galiardi-O'Reilly-Jones, if everyone's healthy for once which looks like a mediocre 2nd line, and demoting Jones to the 3rd after a 27 goal season makes no sense)

I think they keep the pick and one of those 2 happen, and they take siemens at 11

the other potential is dropping down to 5 or 6 to get a 2nd and/or 3rd (after 11 the avs next pick is 92) and drafting Ryan Murphy, which the avs really don't need considering we already have a plethora of PMD prospects (which is why Shattenkirk was tradeable, we have elliot, barrie and chouinard waiting), but the avs seem to love them for some reason

In that case...I really see the 11th being traded for a decent starting goalie


Knowing the avs I'm completely off my rocker they pick Couturier at 2, go off the board at 11 and the guy they pick at 11 ends up either making the team out of camp or lighting up the OHL next year (like Hishon, or what would have happened with O'Reilly if the avs had a mid round pick in 2009)

Landeskog or Couturier would make sense in terms of the trading of Stewart. If RNH is sitting their at 3 I wonder if Tallon would take him?? He did take Kane & he's not considered big by any means. Couturier or Landeskog seem to be players Tallon would have his eye on.

It's going to be fun that's for sure.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Not a chance. Either the Oil or the Avs take him. Only chance to get Larsson for the Isles is to win the lottery.

The Oilers could have a dilema. I sure this is dash's dream scenario. What do they do? They have the opportunity to have a 1st line of Hall, RNH & Eberle. They have a black hole on defense. No matter what they do they will be questioned about why they didn't take the other player.

 

[juliansteed]

I think people are overlooking Couturier a bit. He's been just about as good as Huberdeau (PPG-wise), you can't teach 6'4 and (I might be mistaken here) he has/had mono for part of this year.

I'd be happy to get him on the Sens.

I haven't seen much of Couturier other than a couple of games and then the WJC. I think he had a higher PPG than Huberdeau but fewer points due to missing time at the WJC. He also did this with way less offensive help and while shutting down the other team's top line. He recently won MVP of the Q and the award for best prospect with Huberdeau and Beaulieu being the other finalists. Also junior hockey is so cyclical. And usually if you buy to make a run 1 year you find yourself rebuilding the next. Drummondville has bought the last 2 years. In fact the draft pick that the Sea Dogs used to select Huberdeau was Drummondville's originally. Yet they still managed to remain as 1 of the top teams in the Q for a 3rd straight year. The 1 main constant has been Couturier.

I'm really not sure what would be the cause for him to be falling, other than maybe its just a matter of other players passing him. In Huberdeau's case, I can see an argument that that is the case as he has been on a tear lately, and he is a 93 in just his 2nd year of junior whereas Couturier is a late 92 in his 3rd. But for Beaulieu to have passed him really makes me wonder. Beaulieu has been a solid 2 way d-man all season long but its not like he has recently all of a sudden brought his game to a new level. I'll be surprised if he actually does get drafted before Couturier. I still think it would be cool if Couturier goes to his native city of Phoenix but they would most certainly need to trade up for that to happen.

 

[dash]

The Oilers could have a dilema. I sure this is dash's dream scenario. What do they do? They have the opportunity to have a 1st line of Hall, RNH & Eberle. They have a black hole on defense. No matter what they do they will be questioned about why they didn't take the other player.

They really seem to be leaning towards RNH based on some of the recent articles I have read. Personally, I would try to solidify the defense corps and pick Larsson, but there's a reason I'm just a goofball on a message board and these guys are where they are.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

They really seem to be leaning towards RNH based on some of the recent articles I have read. Personally, I would try to solidify the defense corps and pick Larsson, but there's a reason I'm just a goofball on a message board and these guys are where they are.

You mean with a goofball from a message board the Oilers would be somewhere other than last?

I buy that.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

They really seem to be leaning towards RNH based on some of the recent articles I have read. Personally, I would try to solidify the defense corps and pick Larsson, but there's a reason I'm just a goofball on a message board and these guys are where they are.

It's okay dash just because they played in the league doesn't mean they know what their doing. Look what Milbury did to the Islanders. Heck I remember Neil Smith thought Pavel Brendl was going to be the next Mike Bossy. Another GM actually told him that in getting Brendl & Lundmark the Rangers got the best two players in the entire draft that year.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Does anyone know how serious Matt Puempel's injury is? They have him rated in the late 20's. I thought maybe he'd go top 10 to 15.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

heard this scenario ... hope it doesnt play out

Edm drafts RNH at the draft ... makes a max rfa offer to Shea Weber July 1

 

[dash]

heard this scenario ... hope it doesnt play out

Edm drafts RNH at the draft ... makes a max rfa offer to Shea Weber July 1

Yeah, I've heard that one making the rounds...It would be quite funny if Weber declined to sign the offer sheet.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Yeah, I've heard that one making the rounds...It would be quite funny if Weber declined to sign the offer sheet.

Some management teams never learn. Edmonton isn't anywhere near ready to contend for a playoff spot, let alone the Stanley Cup. Dustin Penner didn't work out very well. If the Sabres hadn't matched the offer sheet it would have been a DISASTER for the Oilers.

So by all means go after the most expensive RFA's out their. They'll regret it.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Some management teams never learn. Edmonton isn't anywhere near ready to contend for a playoff spot, let alone the Stanley Cup. Dustin Penner didn't work out very well. If the Sabres hadn't matched the offer sheet it would have been a DISASTER for the Oilers.

So by all means go after the most expensive RFA's out their. They'll regret it.

I agree with Edmonton staying away from the RFA route, but Shea Weber is a whole HELL of a lot better than either Penner or Vanek.

He's 25 years old, is IMO the best all-around defender in the game, and is just entering his prime. Getting Weber means that you have one of the 5 best defensemen in the game for the next 10 years.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I agree with Edmonton staying away from the RFA route, but Shea Weber is a whole HELL of a lot better than either Penner or Vanek.

He's 25 years old, is IMO the best all-around defender in the game, and is just entering his prime. Getting Weber means that you have one of the 5 best defensemen in the game for the next 10 years.

Why would Weber go to a team that's going to stink for at least the next 5 years after he signs? I honestly believe Nashville would match any offer. Even if it meant they had to trade somebody else.