NHL Draft
There are many paths to winning. Putting together a team that can contend year in and year out is the goal of every manager but very few achieve it. A lot of factors go into putting together a champion but the most important is maintaining a steady stream of young talent and a successful draft remains the key to insuring that influx of young prospects remains in your franchise pipeline.
2011 NHL Entry Draft Top 10 Profiles
1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Red Deer Rebels, Western Hockey League
Hometown: Burnaby, British Columbia
Position/Shoots: Center/Left
Height, Weight: Six feet, 170 pounds
2010-11 regular-season stats: 31 goals, 75 assists in 69 games
NHL Central Scouting ranking (North America): First
International Scouting Service ranking: First
Hockey News: First
Fast Fact: No WHL player has been taken first overall in the NHL entry draft since Ottawa picked Chris Phillips (Prince Albert Raiders) in 1996.
What Scouts Say: “He’s a highly skilled intelligent player with great vision and hockey sense, he’s more of a passer and a playmaker than he is a shooter, but he’s deceptively good at shooting the puck. He’s a very creative player.”
Houston Smith’s Profile: Nugent-Hopkins is the most dynamic offensive player available in the 2011 NHL Entry draft bar none. In my opinion he is the most exciting offensive player to come out of the Alberta since Dany Heatley. Nugent-Hopkins combines above-average stick handling, hockey sense, and a preternatural ability to create offensive opportunities. A gifted skater with the ability to shift gears on the fly, Nugent-Hopkins has the on ice vision and instincts to make him very hard to defend against. The one knock against him is that he is never going to be a physically imposing player. I disagree with that. I believe he is tough enough to take the hits that are necessary when you carry the puck as often as he does. Nugent-Hopkins has worked with a strength and fitness coach since he was ten years old and this dedication continues to pay off. At the recent NHL draft combine, he had already added 7 lbs of muscle and is now at 170 lbs. He is also a fearless competitor who will make hits and play down low in the slot as well. Nugent-Hopkins has star written all over him.
2. Gabriel Landeskog
Kitchener Rangers, Ontario Hockey League
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
Position/Shoots: Wing/Left
Height, Weight: Six feet, 195 pounds
2010-11 regular-season stats: 36 goals, 30 assists in 53 games
NHL Central Scouting ranking (North America): Second
International Scouting Service ranking: Fifth
Hockey News: Third
Fast Fact: Was the first European captain of the Kitchener Rangers (founded in 1963).
What Scouts Say: “Gabriel does remind me of former Kitchener Ranger (and Philadelphia Flyers captain) Mike Richards. He sticks up for his teammates and is as strong at both ends of the rink as any player in the draft this year. He competes as hard if not harder than anybody. He’s got all the assets that you need to be a team leader and, for a potential No. 1 overall, that’s what you would want.”
Houston Smith’s Profile: Landeskog is, in my opinion, the player closest to being NHL ready. He has it all. A complete player, Landeskog is an above-average skater and a true power forward. Landeskog was the first non-Canadian captain in the history of the Kitchener Rangers (OHL). His leadership abilities and character are impeccable. A tough player who excels in all special team situations — block shots, score timely goals, and make big hits. Landeskog wil be the first in his draft class to notch a Gordie Howe hat trick, mark my words.
3. Jonathan Huberdeau
Saint John Sea Dogs, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Hometown: St-Jerome, Quebec
Position/Shoots: Centre/Left
Height, Weight: Six foot one, 165 pounds
2010-11 regular-season stats: 43 goals, 62 assists in 67 games
NHL Central Scouting ranking (North America): Third
International Scouting Service ranking: Third
Hockey News: Fifth
Fast Fact: Won the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player at the 2011 Memorial Cup.
What Scouts Say: “Sean Couturier is in his third full year in the Q and far more physically developed than Huberdeau. Yet, Huberdeau, in his second Q season, is the more assertive and aggressive player, and we believe he’s performing at a higher level right now than Couturier was at this time last year when he won the Quebec League scoring crown.”
Houston Smith’s Profile: Huberdeau is an unselfish player with terrific offensive skills. He plays well in traffic and has a high hockey IQ. He will be a top level playmaker and will score his fair share His one weakness is that he can be neutralized along the boards. To be effective, Huberdeau needs open ice. He also needs to add some bulk to his current weight of 165 lbs which he should be able to do in time.
4. Adam Larsson
Skelleftea, Swedish Elite League
Hometown: Skelleftea, Sweden
Position/shoots: Defense/Right
Height, Weight: Six-foot-three, 200 pounds
2010-11 regular season: One goal, eight assists in 37 games
NHL Central Scouting ranking (Europe): First
International Scouting Service ranking: Second
Hockey News: Second
Fast Fact: This season’s production was hampered by a lingering groin injury.
What Scouts Say: “I don’t know that he’s better with the puck than Erik Karlsson or Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but he’s a notch above them with his physical game. I like him even more than Viktor Hedman. And everything I hear from people who know him is that he’s a first-rate character guy.”
Houston Smith’s Profile: Big and tough, Larsson will play a lot of minutes in the NHL right away.
A complete two-way player, Larsson has good puck handling abilities, is a strong passer and has exceptional hockey sense. He can handle point duties on a power play and has a heavy shot and is Mr. Cool under pressure. A strong skater, he will need to step up physically to make the transitions from SEL to the NHL but should be considered ahead of the other D-men in the class of 2011 at this point.
5. Dougie Hamilton
Niagara IceDogs, Ontario Hockey League
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Position/Shoots: Defense/Right
Height, Weight: Six foot four, 193 pounds
2010-11 regular-season stats: 12 goals, 46 assists in 67 games
NHL Central Scouting ranking (North America): Fourth
International Scouting Service ranking: Sixth
Hockey News: 10th
Fast Fact: Both of Hamilton’s parents were Olympians.
Fast Fact II: His older brother Freddie was a fifth-round steal by the San Jose Sharks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
What Scouts Say: “I think Dougie’s a guy that will give you offence, but he’s going to be a guy that’s extremely hard to play against. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Jay Bouwmeester but at times he’s got a tenacity to him like he’s almost a little bit of a Chris Pronger.”
Houston Smith’s Profile: Son of two Olympians, Hamilton has size, power and strength. He also is an excellent skater and has a strong shot from the point. Hamilton also excelled in the class room while at Niagara (OHL) and was named to the All-Scholastic Team. Hamilton is a tough kid, a real battler. Like Larsson, he is a complete two-way player. He lacks only Larsson’s international experience at this time in their careers.
6. Sean Couturier
Drummondville Voltigeurs, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Position/Shoots: Center/Left
Height, Weight: Six foot four, 195 pounds
2010-11 regular-season stats: 36 goals, 60 assists in 58 games
NHL Central Scouting ranking (North America): Sixth
International Scouting Service ranking: Fourth
Hockey News: Fourth
Fast Fact: Born in Phoenix while his father (ex-NHL player) Sylvain was playing for the International Hockey League’s Phoenix Roadrunners.
What Scouts Say: “Some guys look at Couturier and see Vinny Prospal, a guy who is very good when he’s good but not great and won’t ever be a franchise guy. Couturier is never going to pile up points like Joe Thornton, but he is a complete player. I liken him to Jonathan Toews if you correct his footwork, Mikko Koivu if he struggles to score. He’s a complete player. If he struggles to score and [with] his skating, the downside is that he will be more like Prospal and rely on good players around him.”
Houston Smith’s Profile: Big and solid two-way player, Couturier has size and determination to become one of the best in the game. He has a high hockey IQ and is more than willing to play any role to help his team win. Couturier’s only weakness is his average skating ability. Nevertheless, he’s a fine player with the ability to score and will be very solid pro.
7. Ryan Strome
Niagara IceDogs, Ontario Hockey League
Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario
Position/Shoots: Center/Right
Height, Weight: Six feet, 183 pounds
2010-11 regular season: 33 goals, 73 assists in 65 games
NHL Central Scouting ranking (North America): Eighth
International Scouting Service ranking: Ninth
Hockey News: Sixth
Fast Fact: Strome had 27 points as a rookie in the OHL with Barrie and Niagara, but his 106 points in his second season to lead all almost all Major Junior scorers (Strome finished tied with Nugent-Hopkins (106) and ahead of Huberdeau (105).
Fast Fact II: In his rookie year Strome was traded to Niagara in exchange for Alex Pietrangelo, who went on to become a first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues.
What Scouts Say: “This could be a real hit-or-miss pick for a team taking him in the top ten. He could be an all-star with proper development. There’s a solid chance he’ll be a second-line center, and you want more when you’re picking that high in the first round.”
Houston Smith’s Profile: Dynamic playmaker and strong skater with a very good shot, Strome is a very good shot. His one weakness is that he is a bit soft defensive but with experience and hard work, he should become a good two-way player.
8. Ryan Murphy
Kitchener Rangers, Ontario Hockey League
Hometown: Aurora, Ontario
Position/Shoots: Defense/Right
Height, Weight: Five foot ten, 176 pounds
2010-11 regular season: 26 goals, 53 assists in 63 games
NHL Central Scouting ranking (North America): Ninth
International Scouting Service ranking: Eighth
Hockey News: Seventh
Fast Fact: Murphy’s 79 points were second only to Windsor’s Ryan Ellis in scoring among OHL defenseman this past season.
What Scouts Say: ”Murphy is a better skater than Ellis and Ellis has a cannon back at that point, Ellis is shorter but he’s strong in the lower body. That shows up in the numbers; Ellis is around 180 and Murphy is 20 pounds lighter.”
Houston Smith’s Profile: Murphy has the best offensive skill set of the 2011 class. He’s a great skater and puck handler but lacks size and strength. Very aggressive and dynamic, but will need to be paired with a stay-at-home defenseman to reach his full potential. Bigger forwards have always given him a lot of trouble in the defensive end. But with added experience and his speed upside, Murphy will be hard for a team to pass up. He needs experience as he tends to rely on his wheels a little too much and at times appears reckless and undisciplined.
9. Oscar Klefbom
Farjestad, Swedish Elite League
Hometown: Karlstad, Sweden
Position/Shoots: Defense/Left
Height, Weight: Six foot four, 200 pounds
2010-11 stats: One goals, one assists in 23 games
Mid-season NHL Central Scouting ranking (Europe): Sixth
International Scouting Service ranking: 10th
Hockey News: 37th
Fast Fact: Klefbom and his teammate and defensive partner Jonas Brodin were born in Karlstad, Sweden – only eight days apart.
What Scouts Say: “Big, smooth skating, and powerful with great vision and passing skills. Raw as hell on the defensive side of the game, but we’d take a chance on teaching him about his own end.”
Houston Smith’s Profile: Klefbom is a tremendous skater and top-notch passer. He excels at the power play and can handle the point well. He has size and strength to be a force in all three zones and just needs to add experience.
10. Rocco Grimaldi
USNDTP (U-18), USHL
Hometown: Rossmoor, California
Position/Shoots: Center/Right
Height, Weight: Five foot six, 163 pounds
2010-11 regular-season stats: 34 goals, 28 assists in 50 games
NHL Central Scouting ranking (North America): 32nd
International Scouting Service ranking: 15th
Hockey News: 32nd
Fast Fact: Though he considers himself a Michigander, his family relocated to Ann Arbor in order for Grimaldi to face better competition in 2005, Grimaldi was born in Southern California.
What Scouts Say: “He’s good in traffic and he’s elusive. Once you get by how he
looks, his height, and see what he gets done, you realize that he’s making things
happen every shift.”
Houston Smith’s Profile: Very small but gifted skater, Grimaldi is very physical and is fearless. He can create his own space due to his skating ability and great ice vision. He can score and also is a strong playmaker.
NHL RELEASES MID-SEASON RANKINGS FOR 2011 ENTRY DRAFT
TORONTO (January 10, 2011) – Left wing Gabriel Landeskog (Kitchener Rangers) of the Ontario Hockey League and defenseman Adam Larsson (Skelleftea AIK) of the Swedish Elite League today were named the top draft-eligible skaters from North America and Europe, respectively, as the NHL Central Scouting Bureau released its mid-season rankings. The Swedish duo — Landeskog from Stockholm, Larsson from Skelleftea – aim to be the first Swedish player selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft since Mats Sundin was selected in 1989 (Quebec Nordiques).
Landeskog, in his second season with the Kitchener Rangers will appear in studio tonight on NHL Network’s On the Fly along with NHL Vice President of Central Scouting E.J. McGuire. Landeskog became the youngest player in 30 years to be named captain of Kitchener and the first European captain in the 48-year history of the Rangers’ franchise. Despite being currently sidelined by an ankle injury, he has 25 goals in 32 games to lead the Rangers in goal scoring this season.
A 6-3, 200-pound defenseman, Larsson was a towering presence for Team Sweden at the 2011 World Junior Championship and is competing in the Swedish Elite League. In 2009-10, he posted 17 points (4-13-17) to equal the record for most points by a defenseman under the age of 18.
The debate over which player will be selected first overall at the NHL Entry Draft in June has officially begun as Landeskog is followed closely in the North American rankings by center Sean Couturier (Drummondville Voltigeurs) of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Red Deer Rebels) of the Western Hockey League. Speculation is sure to increase throughout the countdown to the 2011 NHL Entry Draft first-round selections on June 24 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Couturier, the No. 2-ranked North American skater, was the only draft-eligible player to compete for Team Canada at the 2011 World Junior Championship. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised in Bathurst, New Brunswick, he is the reigning QMJHL scoring champion after leading the league in points as a 17-year-old.
No. 3-ranked skater Nugent-Hopkins is leading the WHL with 40 assists in 39 games. In 2009-10, the Burnaby, British Columbia, native helped lead the Rebels to the playoffs for the first time in three years and captured WHL Rookie of the Year honors.
Joining Landeskog, Couturier and Nugent-Hopkins among the top North American skaters are No. 4-ranked Jonathan Huberdeau (Saint-Jerome, Que.), a center with the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs, and No. 5-ranked Tyler Biggs (Binghamton, NY), a right wing competing for the U.S. Under-18 National Team Development Program (USHL). John Gibson (Pittsburgh, PA) from the U.S. Under-18 National Team Development Program is the No.1-ranked North American goaltender.
The mid-season ranking features the top 210 skaters and 33 goaltenders in North America as well as the top 140 skaters and eight goaltenders from Europe.
In its 36th year of operation, the NHL Central Scouting Service provides scouting and evaluation of draft-eligible players to NHL member clubs. Headed by Vice President of Central Scouting E.J. McGuire, NHL Central Scouting employs eight full-time and 15 part-time scouts throughout North America. To report on prospects playing in Europe, the NHL employs the services of Goran Stubb and his staff of six scouts at European Scouting Services based in Finland. Combined, the NHL Central Scouting and European Scouting Service will see in excess of 3,000 games this season.
The full ranking in all categories is available at NHL.com/draft, media.nhl.com and from the NHL Public Relations Department in Toronto (416-359-7900) and New York (212-789-2000).
Following are brief profiles on the top three ranked North American Skaters and the top ranked European Skater:
GABRIEL LANDESKOG
Kitchener • OHL
6’0” 200 lbs. Left wing, shoots left
Born: Nov. 23, 1992 in Stockholm, Sweden
· At 17 years old, Landeskog was the youngest player in 30 years to be named captain of the Kitchener Rangers and the first European captain in the 48-year history of the Rangers’ franchise. His leadership experience also extends to his international play – he has worn the ‘C’ for Sweden’s Under-16, Under-17, and Under-18 teams, as well as the ‘A’ for Sweden’s national junior team.
· Despite being out with an ankle injury, Landeskog leads the Rangers in goals (25) and sits third in points (45). In 2009-10, he was named the team’s Rookie of the Year and selected to the OHL All-Rookie First Team.
· He debuted in the Swedish Elite League in 2008-09 at 16 years and 90 days making him the youngest player in Djurgarden’s history — he played three games, recording one assist. His dad, Tony, a defenseman, also played in the Swedish Elite League for Hammarby (1977-1985).
STATISTICS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A P PIM
2010-11 Kitchener OHL 32 25 20 45 43
2009-10 Kitchener OHL 61 24 22 46 51
SEAN COUTURIER
Drummondville • QMJHL
6’4” 193 lbs. Center, shoots left
Born: Dec. 7, 1992 in Phoenix, Arizona
Hometown: Bathurst, New Brunswick
· He was the youngest and only draft-eligible player on Team Canada at the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships, winning a silver medal. He also won gold with Canada’s Under-18 Team at the 2009 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament.
· Couturier led the QMJHL in scoring with 96 points (41-55-96) in 2009-10, becoming the first 17-year-old to lead the league in scoring since Sidney Crosby of the Rimouski Oceanic in 2004-05. He also led the team with a plus-62 rating while often playing against the opposition’s top players.
· His father, Sylvain, was drafted 65th overall by Los Angeles in 1986 and played 33 games with the Kings between 1988-89 and 1991-92 – he is now the General Manager of the Acadie-Bathurst Titans in the QMJHL.
STATISTICS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A P PIM
2010-11 Drummondvile QMJHL 33 16 37 53 13
2009-10 Drummondville QMJHL 68 41 55 96 47
RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS
Red Deer • WHL
6’0” 155 lbs. Center, shoots left
Born: Mar. 29, 1993 in Burnaby, British Columbia
· He served as an assistant captain with Canada’s Under-18 team competing at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial in the Czech Republic, where he won a gold medal — and scored the game winning goal, beating the U.S. 1-0.
· Nugent-Hopkins finished second on the Red Deer Rebels in scoring with 65 points (24-41-65) in 67 games as a 16-year-old, earning the WHL’s Rookie of the Year Award and helping Red Deer make it to the playoffs for the first time in three years.
· He was named the 2008 BC Minor Hockey Player of the Year, an honor handed out annually to a BC Amateur Hockey Association player who best exemplifies sportsmanship, leadership, and hockey skill. Previous winners of the award include: Edmonton Oilers forwards Gilbert Brule and Colin Fraser and Washington Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner.
STATISTICS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A P PIM
2010-11 Red Deer WHL 39 10 40 50 31
2009-10 Red Deer WHL 67 24 41 65 28
ADAM LARSSON
Skelleftea AIK • SWE
6’3” 200 lbs. Defenseman, shoots right
Born: Nov. 12, 1992 in Skelleftea, Sweden
· Competing in his second World Junior Championship in 2011, Larsson led Team Sweden’s defensemen in scoring with four points (1-3-4) — Sweden finished second in 2010 and fourth in 2011. At the 2010 World Under-18 Championship he was named the Top Defenseman of the tournament with three points (2-1-3).
· Playing his first full season in the Swedish Elite League in 2009-10, Larsson recorded 17 points (4-13-17) to equal the single-season record for points by a defenseman under the age of 18 — former NY Islander Tomas Jonsson had 17 points (9-8-17) for MoDo in 1977-78.
· His father, Robert, was drafted 112th overall by Los Angeles in 1988 and played 249 games with Skelleftea from 1985-86 to 1994-95. His older brother, Hampus, was his teammate on the Skelleftea junior team in 2008-09 and currently plays Division I hockey in Sweden.
STATISTICS
SEASON TEAM LEAGUE GP G A P PIM
2010-11 Skelleftea SWE 28 1 7 8 37
2009-10 Skelleftea SWE 49 4 13 17 18
2010 NHL Draft Notebook:
TYLER SEGUIN, BOSTON BRUINS, 2nd Pick
Q. How important is the defensive end for a young player like yourself?
TYLER SEGUIN: Especially this year I knew I had to get to the next level and I had to mature as a player and get better. Being in my own end, and I knew that. It started working out that when I was doing better in my “D-zone”, I was getting more chances in the offensive zone. I think that was just because of maturing as a player here [Ontario Hockey League] in this past year.
Q. Is there a player you looked at as a fan growing up and that you’re looking forward to playing with?
TYLER SEGUIN: Actually I just ran into Mark Recchi at the hotel a couple times. We seem to be elevator buddies. That was pretty cool. He’s going to give me a lot of advice, and I’m looking forward to that. And of course, I’ve seen Chara play. He was probably the best player I’ve ever seen on the Bruins this past year, and I think it’s going to be quite tough going one on one against him if I get that opportunity.
Q. Who do you give the most credit to for where you are right now?
TYLER SEGUIN: Number one, probably my family. My dad first and foremost. He played for the University of Vermont which is near Boston, so he’s happy about there. And he taught me my whole life about passion, desire, sacrifices. And I have so many supporters. My mom, my family, my sister, I’d probably give it to them.
Q. Was it a little disappointment you didn’t go first?
TYLER SEGUIN: I wasn’t surprised or disappointed. I think I just came in here really with an open mind. I didn’t have any expectations. I think everyone has their own opinion. We’ve seen it all year with whatever scouting service there may be. You know, Edmonton decided to select Hall first overall, and good for him. He deserves it. And I’m happy to be a Bruin.
Q. Do you feel like you’re a small part of history?
TYLER SEGUIN: Growing up I was the local guy. I liked watching the Leafs because they were the local team. Now that it happened, I think it’s meant to be. I think things worked out throughout my life and anyone’s lives. It’s just where we were supposed to fall, and Boston was the team that was supposed to pick me.
Q. You said you didn’t have a preference on position; now do you have a preference?
TYLER SEGUIN: No, I’ve always been a natural centerman my whole life. I’ve always played center. But when I came into my OHL career as a rookie I had to adjust to wing because I was playing with better players, and I was more of a play maker that year.
This past year the better players ended up leaving the team, they were older, so I got moved to center, and turned out to be more of a goal scorer. I’m a pretty diverse player, and I want to step into a team or organization like the Bruins and play any role.
Q. Anybody on the Bruins team right now that you’ve played with, played against, casual relationship you know heading into this?
TYLER SEGUIN: No, one guy in Providence, [Lane] MacDermid, I played a couple weeks ago. But other than that, no.
Q. As you were growing up, who was the most inspirational hockey player at that time?
TYLER SEGUIN: As I was growing up, he wasn’t in there too much. He’s actually in the crowd right now. Steve Yzerman, he’s always been my idol growing up. Just the way he was on the ice, he started off as a rookie and had to mature as a player like I did. Getting better in the zone and stuff like that. And he turned into an all around good guy. He’s phenomenal off the ice and a true leader. Something that I want to be like myself.
TAYLOR HALL, EDMONTON OILERS, 1st Pick
Q. What’s it mean to be an Oiler?
TAYLOR HALL: Just to join such a great franchise. Hopefully I can make that team next year. That’s my first step. We can really recreate some of the magic they had there. I think when you have a young team, that’s something I’m really looking forward to joining.
Q. Reuniting with Jordan Eberle, a pretty good opportunity as well?
TAYLOR HALL: Yeah, that’s going to be awesome. He’s such a good guy, and good player, and somebody I had a good chemistry in Russia. It’s going to be awesome playing with him.
Q. Edmonton GM Steve Tambellini said you’re the best player, that’s why he went with you. How much do you respect that?
TAYLOR HALL: That’s something I work for all year. I always push myself on and off the ice, for him to say that, that’s such a tremendous comment for him to say. I have no words right now. I’m so honored to join this organization, I feel so honored by them.
Q. You’re a student of hockey’s history. How did it feel to on the same stage as Oiler greats Paul Coffey and Kevin Lowe?
TAYLOR HALL: Yeah, they’re such a great franchise. They have so much history behind them. With the five Cups they won it would mean a lot to me to join their organization, hopefully bring another one up there. That is the ultimate goal for me and the franchise.
Q. Why was Windsor such a good organization to prepare you for that next step?
TAYLOR HALL: I haven’t able to give credit to the guys in Windsor. They transformed me as a player. I went there as a young 15 year old, and I came out as an 18 year old man. With all the winning they did there, it really taught me a lot about hockey. Just what you have to do in the postseason and everything like that.
Q. Personal significance of going number 1?
TAYLOR HALL: Yeah, there is a lot of significance. I feel honored with all the players that have gone number one. I came into this year, that was one of my goals was to go number one. In saying that, there is still a lot of work to do out here.
Q. What kind of player do you think the fans at Edmonton should expect to see?
TAYLOR HALL: Well, like I said, I have to still make the team. Nothing’s for sure. There are a lot of number 1’s that have gone back to junior.
But I hope to be a dynamic offensive player, I like to play in the corners and knock it up, obviously get points because that’s my role.
Q. For somebody who was born in Canada, how does it feel playing in the battle of Alberta?
TAYLOR HALL: Yeah, that is something that shows my career has come full circle. I played in my backyard in Calgary, now I’m playing in the big rink. There’s been such a transformation, and it’s a tremendous journey that I’ve been on.
Q. The Oilers’ fans were toting whoever was going to be number one as a bit of a savior. Do you feel a burden of expectation in that regard?
TAYLOR HALL: Not really. I thought about that. There are always expectations no matter what you do. Obviously being a number one pick, I have to go in there and have a job to do, and I think I have the tools to do it. I know I have the confidence and the drive, so that’s what’s going to push me every day to be a better player and help the team out.
Q. Does this make up for going second in the OHL selection?
TAYLOR HALL: No, I’m still really shocked about that, actually. That was a long time ago. I can’t imagine three years ago I was that 15 year old kid hope to go play in the OHL, now I’m going to become a member of the NHL soon. That’s tremendous.
Q. Can you compare winning Memorial Cup and going first overall?
TAYLOR HALL: They’re totally different things. There’s a lot going through my mind right now. Those Memorial Cups are tremendous. You play for a team the whole year, and you develop a bond. With this, this is purely individual; I have a lot of family, and lot of people [to thank] I owe a lot to them.
Q. You’re known as a super competitor, how do you feel about that tag?
TAYLOR HALL: Yeah, being a competitive guy is pretty important to me. At the same time, there is a lot of work to do. Lot of guys have gone number one. They played in the NHL, but they haven’t really exceeded the expectations that they began. So I have a lot of work to do. Sure I went number one, but I still have a team to join, and a team to make better.
Q. Do you have a message for the fans back in Edmonton?
TAYLOR HALL: Just that I’m very excited to join the organization. I know that some of them are pulling for me. Hope they’re excited for the next season. I know I am. I can’t wait to get started with training camp, and just to meet the guys on the team, and hopefully develop a bond with the players and the fans.
ERIK GUDBRANSON, FLORIDA PANTHERS, 3rd Pick
Q. What was it like being coached by Doug Gilmour?
ERIK GUDBRANSON: He’s got unbelievable experience. He’s, you know, he’s really turned me into a pro. That’s what he’s done. He’s shown me every single little tidbit that he could to bring me to this level and help me to be who I am right now.
Q. Do you think you can step into the Panthers lineup this season?
ERIK GUDBRANSON: I do. It’s where I want to be, it’s where I’ve set my goal. I’ve got to work on my hands and put on some weight, but I think I can play at the NHL level next year.
Q. How important is today to you and your family?
ERIK GUDBRANSON: It’s absolutely huge. With what myself and my family have been through with the hardships of my brother [Dennis has been cancer free for five years] and what not, this is definitely a high point in our lives. As much for me as my family, my teammates, I can’t thank them enough. I consider them part of my family, absolutely.
Q. What did Dennis say to you when your name was called?
ERIK GUDBRANSON: Geez, what did he say? I think he said I stepped on his toe, to be honest with you. Something crazy like that. But, yeah, he was really happy.
Q. How about your folks?
ERIK GUDBRANSON: I’ve never been squeezed so hard by my dad to be honest with you. My mom was ecstatic. My dad broke down into tears. I could hear him. It was a great feeling and something I’m never going to forget.
Q. Was there an element of surprise being picked by Florida?
ERIK GUDBRANSON: I feel that I did my research on their team. I felt that Dmitry Kulikov there, I feel like I could be a good compliment to him on the back end. The real attraction was having Dale Tallon there, seeing what he did with the Chicago Blackhawks and winning the Stanley Cup and building that team from scratch.
I’m really excited to be a Florida Panther now, and I feel this is a team that’s going in the right direction. So there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to be here.
Q. What was that meeting like yesterday?
ERIK GUDBRANSON: I think they like to keep the element of surprise. I didn’t know, actually, until I actually got selected. It was a very serious interview, but Dale Tallon kept it very loose. I walked in and acted as myself, and I think they appreciated that.
Q. Were you aware that Keith Ballard was traded today and that would create an extra spot on Florida’s defense, a potential job to be won?
ERIK GUDBRANSON: Yeah, absolutely. I did hear about that right before I came here. It’s not [so much] that players are leaving. I [still] have to go there and [I will] compete to beat anybody,
Q. I just wondered when you go third overall to the Florida Panthers. You talked about how you did your homework, you seemed to have a defensive pairing in mind. It seems like for you you’ll be in the NHL next year?
ERIK GUDBRANSON: I think that I can make it. I really do. It’s all based on hard work and what I put in this summer. Certainly there is a big option that I do go back to Kingston, but my goal has been set for a long time that I wanted to be an NHLer at the age of 18.
So whether I went to the Panthers or anywhere else, I was going to make a vow to make it. I did watch as many Panther games as I could this year, and I’m a good compliment to Dmitry Kulikov.
Q. Is there a motivation to say, hey, number three is going to be impactful player in the NHL?
ERIK GUDBRANSON: Yeah, absolutely. It’s a Top 5 pick. It’s a very high pick, and I’m extremely honored to be here.
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