Team Coverage 2011 NHL MOCK DRAFT Selection Thread

[dmvincent]

With the third overall pick in the 2011 NHL entry draft, the Florida Panthers are proud to select from the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Centre and Left Winger, Jonathan Huberdeau.

2010-2011 Stats
67 GP, 43 G, 62 A, 105 P, 88 PIM

My Rationale
The Panthers really had no doubt with this pick, as we believe Jonathan Huberdeau is the best player on the board at this spot with the exception of Skelleftea rearguard Adam Larsson. The Panthers felt with young stud Dmitry Kulikov poised to break out next year and Erik Gubranson coming up, there was no doubt they need to pick another forward prospect to go with the David Backes clone himself, Nick Bjugstad. We believe there are many similarities between Jonathan and Zach Parise, he's a small kid right now but he should have no problem getting in the weight room and getting himself NHL ready. The Panthers may have a decision to make on Stephen Weiss this summer, but the future is bright with so many good young prospects coming up. Jonathan isn't afraid to fight, go to the dirty areas and his playmaking and goal scoring ability is as much like Zach Parise as we've seen in any other junior player. We haven't seen any player develop as much as Huberdeau this season and we're very happy to have him as part of the Panthers organization for a long time.



The New Jersey Devils are now on the clock.

[Big Ev]

so the Devils have until what time?

[ultrawhiteness]

not sure - i sent newper a PM. devils pick is a really interesting one.

[Dean Youngblood]

so the Devils have until what time?

The clock started at 8am so newper114 has until 11am to submit his pick.

I will PM him.

I am hoping that we get some surprise picks soon as it's started identical to my mock.

[Big Ev]

Landeskog at #2 would be a surprise to me. I guarantee you the Top 3 is set in stone with RNH, Larsson, Huberdeau. Time will tell though! I will end it at that as I don't want to ramble on in this thread!

[ultrawhiteness]

Landeskog at #2 would be a surprise to me. I guarantee you the Top 3 is set in stone with RNH, Larsson, Huberdeau. Time will tell though!

i'm not totally sold on Huberdeau in top 3. he could be there, but so could some of those other guys if the team likes something enough. it wouldn't even shock me to see a team pick Strome ahead of him, actually.

edit: to be clear, i wouldn't be shocked to see Huberdeau at #2 either! the only surprise for me would be if RNH isn't taken first.

[metaldude26]

Looking like Newper is going to take the full three hours here, this certainly throws a wrench into the whole proceedings if he doesn't pick.

[Excelsior]

He's listed as being logged in.

[metaldude26]

K well he needs to pick soon cuz I have to jet.

[Big Ev]

I just don't understand who you would give to anybody who doesn't pick. There are no concrete rankings or anything like that.

[metaldude26]

I held out as long as I could. I have to run. I can email my pick to Gates or Dean in an hour or so. That is if I actually get my turn.

[Dean Youngblood]

K well he needs to pick soon cuz I have to jet.

PM me your pick with an alternate if he takes your guy.

We can always add the "write-up" or "rationale" afterwards.


Just a reminder to everyone - Please make your picks on time or notify me ahead of time.

[Veritas0Aequitas]

Thanks for picking for me DY.

I think Huberdeau or Couturier would be good additions for the Avs but you can't teach size and heart. Just cause a guy might score 80-95 points during the regular season doesn't mean he'll do jack squat in the playoffs. Lando is built for the playoffs and he's the guy I'd take if I were the Avs.

[AtlantaSportsFan]

It's been a while. I thought there was a 3 hour rule?

[dmvincent]

We all know he's going to take Larsson...