Buds Board Keepers League

#1 is Adam Larsson.

NHL size + NHL composure +tested at the highest level available to euros (since he was 16) = easy fav for first overall selection.
His skating is likely the biggest concern, but only if you’re looking for one, as his acceleration and quickness aren’t great. Some scouts have speculated that his game would improve if he would slim down 5-10lbs (to the 210-215lb range).

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IMO #2 is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Likely not the consensus #2, but I believe he's the player to watch in this draft. Easily the most productive canadian at this years Ivan Hlinka tournament, top end speed and elite vision mean he makes everyone around him better. Adding weight is a potential issue for Ryan, but personally I can see him as having a higher ceiling then the other top 4 players likely to go in the top 5 -> potential pick, not picking for the player he is today.

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A virtual lock for the top 3, Sean Couturier.

After a disappointing 16 year old season, Sean put his mark on the league as a 17 year old. Many believe he was the best player in the Q last season, his combination of size, skill, and work ethic has people comparing him to the likes of Vincent Lecavalier and Jordan Staal. Some people seem to incorrectly state/believe that he is a quebec-er, which is not the case. He's a good New-Brunswick boy. His skating was awkward as a 16 year old, but appears to have improved leaps and bounds in a single year, so although it is still far from elite, it is no longer a concern.

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My current favourite: #4 Ryan Murphy

The most unique and confusing prospect in years. Short, skinny, and lacking any signs of a polished game, his natural abilities and out of this world offensive game make him impossible to ignore. The most agile prospect in this years crop, tremendous speed and the hands to make moves at top speed. If he wants to break the top 5 it will be related to an improvement in his defensive play. Personally I like this player because I believe true puck moving defence-men are the rarest commodity in the NHL.

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The guy I've seen the most of, David Musil should round out the top 5.

As a 16 year old, new to North American, and the rough'n'tough game of the DUB, David had a very strong rookie year with the Giants. His angles, positioning, and 'feel' for the game are absolutely top end; Scouting reports suggest that he's loaded with pro-traits and will be able to handle big-minutes in the show in no time! Offensive game has yet to blossom, however as a 14/15 year old playing for HC Dukla-Jihlava (czech U18/U20) he demonstrated the potential that would have him joining the argument for top 3.

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#6. Brandon Saad

USDP top prospect, believed to be a raw-skill type prospect. Owns a thick NHL-type frame, with a love of the physical game and a good eye for the net; compete level and versatility combine to form a player that will help teams when the going gets tough. Has transferred seamlessly into the OHL. Elite offensive potential has not yet been seen, but scouts suggest a perennial member of the 30/30/100 club.

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#7. Seth Ambroz

One of the most touted American's I've ever followed, Seth was thought to be fast tracking to the NCAA. However some mis-management by the shambles of a program that is U-Minn (an unexpected # of returnee's) means that they didn't even have a roster spot for him to battle for. Another year in the USHL won't hurt his development, but likely pushes him outside the top 5 NHL draft picks. As a 15 year old in the USHL he posted nearly a point-per-game, as well as 118PIMS. Consistency, competitiveness, and physical play are the strengths of his game, speed is an issue (as one would expect from a 6'3" 200lb 16 year old). Anyone who takes the puck from Ambroz often is forced to pay a rather hefty price to do so.

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#8Gabriel Landeskog

The not so typical Swedie. After a somewhat underwhelming start to his OHL career Gab really picked it up down the stretch for kitchener, and was a standout in the playoffs. Landeskog is extremely phsyical, dominates puck battles and has an NHL type release. Similar to Saad he's unlikely to ever contend for a scoring title, but Gabriel is viewed as a safe prospect who will be a helpful top 6 for any NHL club.

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#9 Matt Puempel-
> This is the player that suggests to me that perhaps the 2011 class is not as weak as some initially suggested. Matt owns all the traits of a true goal scorer, and showed as much in his rookie OHL season (33/31 for 64 in 59). Although the rest of his game is under-welhming, and he plays casper more then any fan or scout can tolerate, this same trait allows him to find the seams and open ice in the offensive zone.

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#10 Victor Rask

My guess for #10, but I see a notable gap from the previous 9 down to this next group. However Rask is a big, skilled swede, and has been regarded as a top end prospect for some time, a good season locks him in the top half of the 2011 1st round.

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H.M. Boone Jenner
6'1", 190lbs and the wild card of this list. Discipline and off-ice dedication have both been questioned. Small portions of his game have been compared to the 2009 1st overall selection, John Tavares, in that he has lightning quick hands and a nack for making plays when he has the puck, and that his stride need major work (think 15 year old JT)... wide and very choppy. Jenner will have to cement himself as a go-to offensive force on the Generals if he hope to be a first half pick in the first round.

Other guys worth searching & following -> Shane McColgan,RW, Kelowna (WHL) -> Lucas Lessio, LW, Oshawa (OHL) -> Vladislav Namestnikov, C, London (OHL) -> & Duncan Siemens , D, Saskatoon (WHL). With Matt Killian, Craig Wyszomirski, Matthew Nieto, & Austen Brassard rounding out other potential first rounders. Jordan Binnington (Owen Sound) is the top CHL goalie prospect, however he's not expected to go very early on.
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Duncan Siemens is an awesome name. He'd be great with Ovechkin, Laichs and Semen. Throw Boone Jenner in there as well and you have an all world name team. Ovechkin is kind of the oddball.

Looks like it'll be a very very weak year for the OHL this year. At least comparatively to recent years.

Sean Couturier is a personal fave of mine.

Nick, Ryan Nougent Hopkins isn't the consensus 2? He's two in most, and top three in almost all the reports I've seen, and some have him as high as 1. The one who seems to have fallen on that list is Adam Larsson, alot of scouts believe he may have peaked or advanced early, but that the other two have higher ceilings. The guy I think should be alot higher on many lists is Gabriel Landeskog, good all around ability with strong leadership, skill, smarts and work ethic.

That being said, the real gem in this class, and my personal favourite is defenceman, Nathan Beaulieu, kid has all the tools, it's only a matter of putting them together, but as far as offensive potential goes (from the blueline), he is the purest and perhaps most talented rover I have seen come out of the Q in quite some time, the only comparable (off the top of my head) is Kulikov.

As a side I really, really like what I have seen from Puempel and Saad thus far.

In terms of the player he is today, RNH is not AL or SC.... doesn't have the size or composure, and he can be missed on shifts, whereas Adam and Sean never take shifts off. Like I said, he'll go top 3 in all likelihood, but its because of percieved potential, and not what he currently is.


The concept that is prevailing with Larsson, is that he had the advantage of being physically mature at a young age, its not like he's going to add more weight to his frame... but I still believe in his skill set, not regular stuff, safe bet for a top 4 dman... he'll go top5.

Couturier will go 1st almost a lock.
Larsson 2nd.

facey wroteCOLONIn terms of the player he is today, RNH is not AL or SC.... doesn't have the size or composure, and he can be missed on shifts, whereas Adam and Sean never take shifts off. Like I said, he'll go top 3 in all likelihood, but its because of percieved potential, and not what he currently is.


The concept that is prevailing with Larsson, is that he had the advantage of being physically mature at a young age, its not like he's going to add more weight to his frame... but I still believe in his skill set, not regular stuff, safe bet for a top 4 dman... he'll go top5.

I never argued that he was as good as the other two now, not that it matters, few, if any players are the player today that they are projected to be. Scouting is 90% projecting, and 10% observing as Ken Holland once said.

I'm a fan of Larsson myself, but the consensus now is that he matured early, and doesn't project as high as others. That said it will be a catastrophic failure if his potential is merely "safe bet for top 4." This is a kid who is projected as a #1, and should at the very least develop into an above average #2.

bills09 wroteCOLONCouturier will go 1st almost a lock.
Larsson 2nd.

No it isn't...Steven Stamkos, Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby were locks for #1, Sean Couturier could very easily slip to two or three, he is not a lock by any sense of the imagination.

On a bit of an unrelated note, does Ryan Nougent Hopkins remind anyone of Kyle Turris? Tall and lanky, tons of tools, but has yet to put it all together, could be the best player in the long run etc.

first time ive ever heard RNH refered to as tall and lanky.

whl site has him listed as 6'0 164 imo hes shorter than that.

bills09 wroteCOLONfirst time ive ever heard RNH refered to as tall and lanky.

whl site has him listed as 6'0 164 imo hes shorter than that.

I agree. Not tall by any stretch.

Are you guys black? 6'0 at 17 isn't tall...And I've heard some people claim he is as tall as 6'1 already. Turris isn't even 6'2 now, and he was commonly characterized as tall and skinny/lanky.

/discuss

IMO RNH is the best player in the draft. If I somehow manage to land the number 1 pick thats who I will take. Also puempel imo should be higher than nine. not top 3 or 4 but higher.

i think RNH, AL will end up like stamkos hedman

No love for Myles Bell or Joel Armia? I like these kids a lot!

I've said it a thousand times, if u want one of Ovey or Crosby you better draft larsson

Kid is a king