The Official Newspaper of the Colorado Avalanche
June 21 - EHEC Entry Draft Preview
The Denver Post
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GM Office Q
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The Denver Post
The Official Newspaper of the Colorado Avalanche
June 21 - EHEC Entry Draft Preview
-
GM Office Q
- Posts: 932
- Joined: Fri Sep 18, 2009 7:59 pm
Re: The Denver Post
EHEC Entry Draft Preview
June 21, 2011
DENVER, CO - The Colorado Avalanche select third in the 2011 EHEC Entry Draft on Saturday.
Despite showing promise, slumps and injuries dropped the Avs out of the playoff race and back into the draft lottery for a second straight season. With the playoffs already out of reach, general manager Mulligan made a bold move to improve the blueline by acquiring the injured Drew Doughty from the Los Angeles Kings in a deal for Paul Stastny. "With Matt [Duchene] and Zach [Parise] providing our first line with a centerman and left wing, we felt we weren't able to use Paul [Stastny] to his full potential," Mulligan commented, "and with Drew [Doughty] injured for the rest of the season, we felt it was an optimal time to make the move for a number one defenseman."
Despite rumors that Mulligan has been shopping the third overall selection, the Avs will likely be looking to use the pick on a forward that will be able to step in immediately on the second line. This edition of the Denver Post features the top five players most likely to be chosen to fit the availability.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Western Hockey League is a 6 foot, 170 pound centerman who is has been talked about going first overall to the Detroit Red Wings. Nugent-Hopkins is an offensive threat every night with blazing speed and is excellent in the faceoff circle. Though his defensive game is sometimes questionable compared to some of the other top forwards in the draft, his offensive skill more than makes up for it.
Jonathan Huberdeau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is a 6 foot 1, 168 pound centerman who has offensive skill comparable to Nugent-Hopkins but is regarded as a more well-rounded player. Despite his relatively small frame, he is rarely out of position and sees the ice very well. Huberdeau also plays on the left wing.
Sean Couturier of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is a prototypical power forward who stands at 6 foot 4, 195 pounds. Couturier is an excellent all around forward with no real weaknesses, an ideal fit for the second line. Couturier, a natural centerman, is also outstanding in the faceoff circle and can play in an offensive, trapping or hitting role.
Gabriel Landeskog, a Swedish born player in the Ontario Hockey League, was regarded as the top player available in the draft prior to the World Junior Championships and still represents a strong candidate to be selected by Colorado if available at the third pick. Landeskog is a 6 foot 1, 207 pound power forward who, like Couturier, shows no real weakness and would be an ideal fit in a second line role. Landeskog shows more offensive skill than Couturier, but prefers to play on the left wing.
Mika Zibanejad gained a lot of momentum towards the end of his season in Sweden. Zibanejad is a 6 foot 3, 191 pound right winger that has an excellent shot and knows how to throw his body around. His willingness to play on the right side may give him serious consideration by the Avs, though he is seen more of a top-ten selection.
June 21, 2011
DENVER, CO - The Colorado Avalanche select third in the 2011 EHEC Entry Draft on Saturday.
Despite showing promise, slumps and injuries dropped the Avs out of the playoff race and back into the draft lottery for a second straight season. With the playoffs already out of reach, general manager Mulligan made a bold move to improve the blueline by acquiring the injured Drew Doughty from the Los Angeles Kings in a deal for Paul Stastny. "With Matt [Duchene] and Zach [Parise] providing our first line with a centerman and left wing, we felt we weren't able to use Paul [Stastny] to his full potential," Mulligan commented, "and with Drew [Doughty] injured for the rest of the season, we felt it was an optimal time to make the move for a number one defenseman."
Despite rumors that Mulligan has been shopping the third overall selection, the Avs will likely be looking to use the pick on a forward that will be able to step in immediately on the second line. This edition of the Denver Post features the top five players most likely to be chosen to fit the availability.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Western Hockey League is a 6 foot, 170 pound centerman who is has been talked about going first overall to the Detroit Red Wings. Nugent-Hopkins is an offensive threat every night with blazing speed and is excellent in the faceoff circle. Though his defensive game is sometimes questionable compared to some of the other top forwards in the draft, his offensive skill more than makes up for it.
Jonathan Huberdeau of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is a 6 foot 1, 168 pound centerman who has offensive skill comparable to Nugent-Hopkins but is regarded as a more well-rounded player. Despite his relatively small frame, he is rarely out of position and sees the ice very well. Huberdeau also plays on the left wing.
Sean Couturier of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is a prototypical power forward who stands at 6 foot 4, 195 pounds. Couturier is an excellent all around forward with no real weaknesses, an ideal fit for the second line. Couturier, a natural centerman, is also outstanding in the faceoff circle and can play in an offensive, trapping or hitting role.
Gabriel Landeskog, a Swedish born player in the Ontario Hockey League, was regarded as the top player available in the draft prior to the World Junior Championships and still represents a strong candidate to be selected by Colorado if available at the third pick. Landeskog is a 6 foot 1, 207 pound power forward who, like Couturier, shows no real weakness and would be an ideal fit in a second line role. Landeskog shows more offensive skill than Couturier, but prefers to play on the left wing.
Mika Zibanejad gained a lot of momentum towards the end of his season in Sweden. Zibanejad is a 6 foot 3, 191 pound right winger that has an excellent shot and knows how to throw his body around. His willingness to play on the right side may give him serious consideration by the Avs, though he is seen more of a top-ten selection.