NHL Mock Draft Pick #1: Edmonton Oilers
By virtue of their last place finish overall, the Edmonton Oilers are in possession of the first overall pick in the 2011 NHL Fansided Mock Draft. For my brief overview of the Oilers’ system and their needs, check here.
Picking for the Oilers on behalf of Oil On Whyte, is their Lead Writer, Jeff.
"Oil On Whyte would like to thank the great fans of the Fansided NHL Blogs for their attendance today. What a great crowd we have. It pleases me to announce – the number one pick in the 2011 Fansided NHL Mock Draft, for the Edmonton Oilers, Oil On Whyte selects – Adam Larsson, Defence from Elitserien in the Swedish Elite League"
Jared’s Analysis – Edmonton selects a winner with Swedish defenseman Adam Larsson. Larsson is big (6’2″, 200+ lbs), very mobile, sees the ice well & has a right handed shot, which will help on the power play. The Oilers would expect he is capable of not just playing in the NHL next season, but will be able to step into a top 4 role right away. He didn’t put up a ton of points in his two seasons in the Swedish Elite League, but has the tools to be a huge point producer as he matures. In my opinion, a great selection for the Oilers!
Jeff from Oil on Whyte joins us to explain his selection:
"Adam is expected to be a fixture on our blue for years to come. He’s our number one pick for a few good reasons. In no particular order: 1. He’s on record saying that he’d like to play for the Oilers. That’s a line that will probably be buried under lines of press, but it’s an important one for a franchise that’s still heavily rebuilding. 2: Larsson is already a beast. He’s playing well over 20 minutes per game in the Elitserien at age 18. 3: The guy’s got a cannon shot, he’s mobile, and he’s big. We’re talking 6’3″, 220 lbs for an eighteen year old. For me, Larsson is an easier pick to make than Taylor Hall was last year at this time, as Larsson addresses a need on the Oilers that can’t be fixed with a band-aid any longer. Right or wrong, there are comparisons to Nicklas Lidstrom. If he’s half the player Lidstrom is, he’ll fit just fine.4. The Oilers have many forwards in their system who have a year of NHL experience under their belt. We expect in a year or two that they will help Edmonton become the team that no one wants to play. Now, let’s add a number one defender in Adam Larsson. Here’s a guy who can play, is built like a truck, and said he’d like to be here. Välkomnande till Edmonton, Adam."
Oilers fans can read more about Jeff’s selection on the Oil on Whyte site. Thank you Jeff for making your selection.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Now on the clock for the #2 Selection, on behalf of the Colorado Avalanche, is Mile High Sticking.
PREVIEWING THE AVALANCHE
2010-2011 Record: 30-44-8 (29th Overall)
League Rankings:
Goals for: 18th
Goals Against: 30th
Power Play: 11th
Penalty Kill: 30th
TOP 5 Prospects in the system: Joey Hishon (C), Calvin Pickard (G), Stefan Elliott (D), Cameron Gaunce (D), Joel Chouinard (D)
NEEDS: Colorado is in need of defensive help, and a goaltender who can stop the puck. Their league worst goals against is troubling, but the tandem of Peter Budaj and Brian Elliott should not return intact, which can only help the Avs. You can never have enough defensive prospects, and Colorado is no exception. However, since Edmonton took the top defensive prospect in Larsson, Mile High Sticking might be forced to go to the forward ranks for this selection.
TOP 5 PLAYERS ON THE BOARD (per ISS):
1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer (WHL)
2. Sean Couturier, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)
3. Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
4. Dougie Hamilton, D, Niagara (OHL)
5. Ryan Murphy, D, Kitchener (OHL)
Check back on TOO MANY MEN ON THE SITE tomorrow evening to see who “Mile High Sticking” chooses to take for the COLORADO AVALANCHE, as the Fansided mock draft continues!