Yesterday, we looked at the mid-first round picks from the Taylor Hall Draft (2010) which we all knew reasonably well from living through the decade of darkness. In today’s recap, I break down the 7-15th overall picks from the 2011 NHL Draft, which is, obviously, another one that we all paid close attention to. As you all know, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins went first overall that year (Adam Larsson went 4th overall to NJ) but how well do you know the players that were chosen with the middle selections from that first round.
Today, we dive into the 2011 NHL Draft.

Mark Scheifele (7) – C – Winnipeg Jets

2017-18 season: 60GP – 23G, 37A for 60 points
Rookie Season (2013-14 w/ Winnipeg Jets): 63GP – 13G, 21A for 34 points
Pre-Draft Scouting Report:
“The 6’3 Scheifele brings size and skill to the center position for the Jets, something they sorely lack in the prospect pool. He is also a five tool prospect, blessed with size, speed, smarts, skill, and vision. Playing against the best centers in the OHL every game, Scheifele stood out thanks to his work rate and ability to make the best of a poor situation, playing on the worst team in the league.”
SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIM+/-PGPGAPtsPIM
2017-18
Winnipeg Jets
NHL
60
23
37
60
18
19
17
14
6
20
10
NHL Totals
366
113
174
287
142
21
14
7
21
14

Sean Couturier (8) – C – Philadelphia Flyers

2017-18 season: 82GP – 31G, 45A for 76 points
Rookie Season (2011-12 w/ Philly Flyers): 77GP – 13G, 14A for 27 points
Pre-Draft Scouting Report:
“A combination of size and skill, Couturier is a solid and safe contributor at both ends of the ice. Perhaps his on-ice vision is his greatest asset, with a knack for finding an open teammate and threading a pass across the rink. Although he needs to continue to add strength to his frame and he is not known for being a punishing physical player, he uses his body well to protect the puck and make a play. Compared to the rest of the package, his skating is only average with the first few steps needing some extra work.”
SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIM+/-GPGAPtsPIM
2017-18
Philadelphia Flyers
NHL
82
31
45
76
31
34
5
5
4
9
2
NHL Totals
498
101
166
267
191
24
8
5
13
10

Dougie Hamilton (9) – Boston Bruins

2017-18 season:
Rookie Season (2012-13 w/ Boston Bruins): 42GP – 5G, 11A for 16 points
Pre-Draft Scouting Report:
“In terms of game play, Hamiton is a strong defender, he has an active stick that he uses to break up players trying to beat him one-on-one and to disrupt passing plays. Reads the play well. Jumps up and joins the rush whenever the opportunity presents and, as a converted winger, is also comfortable carrying the puck and leading the rush. His ability to break up offensive forays combined with his ability to join the attack make him a potent transition threat. He sees the ice well, particularly on the breakout and can recognize both short and long-distance passing options, though he could use some work on his touch when going for distance. In the offensive zone he walks the line well, rotates with forwards, and looks comfortable pursuing the play down low.”
SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIM+/-PGPGAPtsPIM
2017-18
Calgary Flames
NHL
82
17
27
44
64
1
NHL Totals
423
64
156
220
269
23
2
9
11
22

Jonas Brodin (10) – D – Minnesota Wild

2017-18 season: 73GP – 6G, 15A for 21 points
Rookie Season (2012-13 w/ Minnesota Wild): 45GP – 2G, 9A for 11 points
Pre-Draft Scouting Report:
“Brodin is a very mobile defender, who is an excellent skater and a decent passer. His average offensive instincts hold him back from being an elite package, but he is developing quickly. He is a very good skater and plays very mature game in his own end.  He gives a good opening pass and has good puck-handling skills but he needs to improve his shot to be a fantasy worthy player.”
SEASONTEAMLGEGPGAPTSPIM+/-PGPGAPTSPIM
2017-18
Minnesota Wild
NHL
73
6
15
21
30
23
5
0
2
2
2
NHL TOTALS
404
24
76
100
108
44
1
7
8
14

Duncan Siemens (11) – D – Colorado Avalanche

2017-18/Rookie season: 16GP – 1G, 1A for two points
Pre-Draft Scouting Report:
“Siemens is a stay-at-home defenseman with a nasty streak. The fact that he is learning from Adam Foote should make any opposing players tremble in their skates. While he is not known for his offensive game he has the ability to contribute on that front.”
SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIM+/-PGPGAPtsPIM
2017-18
San Antonio Rampage
AHL
45
1
6
7
47
-10
2017-18
Colorado Avalanche
NHL
16
1
1
2
23
-5
5
0
0
0
0
NHL Totals
20
1
1
2
25
5
0
0
0
0

Ryan Murphy (12) – D – Carolina Hurricanes

2017-18 season: AHL: 48GP – 4G, 24A for 28 points — NHL: 21GP – 2G, 3A for five points
Rookie Season (2013-14 w/ Carolina Hurricanes): 48GP – 2G, 10A for 12 points
Pre-Draft Scouting Report:
“Murphy is one of the league’s premier offensive defenseman prospects. He has all the tools to become a power play quarterback and consistently create scoring chances. A bit undersized, he sometimes has trouble with larger forwards and has struggled positionally in his own end at times. He will need to improve in that area and possibly add some strength and bulk to compete at the NHL level on a full-time basis.”
SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIM+/-PGPGAPtsPIM
2017-18
Iowa Wild
AHL
48
4
24
28
30
-8
2017-18
Minnesota Wild
NHL
21
2
3
5
16
8
1
0
0
0
0
NHL Totals
172
8
34
42
54
1
0
0
0
0

Sven Baertschi (13) – L – Calgary Flames

2017-18 season: 53GP – 14G, 15A for 29 points
Rookie Season (2012-13 w/ Calgary Flames): 20GP – 3G, 7A for 10 points
Pre-Draft Scouting Report:
“Baerstchi is a good two-way player with high-end offensive talent. The playmaking winger has really improved his skating explosiveness while learning to change speed to throw off the defender. Since being drafted in 2011, he has really improved his vision and hockey sense as well as his overall game. The first rounder clearly projects as a top line forward. His work ethic, passion, desire and attitude to be the best are top notch.”
SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIM+/-PGPGAPtsPIM
2017-18
Vancouver Canucks
NHL
53
14
15
29
20
3
NHL Totals
259
57
65
122
68
2
0
0
0
0

Jamie Oleksiak (14) – D – Dallas Stars

2017-18 season: 68GP – 5G, 12A for 17 points
Rookie Season (2014-15 w/ Dallas Stars): 36GP – 1G, 7A for eight points
Pre-Draft Scouting Report:
“Oleksiak possesses a nice blend of size, physicality and outstanding puck skills. He moves well for such a big man, skating with long, fluid strides and maintains very good balance on his skates. He makes effective use of his enormous frame in defending against opposing players. Oleksiak thrived in a tight-checking system in college and is steadily adapting to the pro game. He will need to continue to improve is his footwork, particularly his turns and pivots, to see more than a lower pairing role. He doesn’t always play with vigor and truculence and could use a bit more of an edge to his game.”
SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIM+/-PGPGAPtsPIM
2017-18
Dallas Stars
NHL
21
1
2
3
18
-6
2017-18
Pittsburgh Penguins
NHL
47
4
10
14
69
13
12
1
0
1
7
NHL Totals
187
11
25
36
169
12
1
0
1
7

J.T. Miller (15) – L – New York Rangers

2017-18 season: 82GP – 23G, 35A for 58 points
Rookie Season (2012-13 w/ NY Rangers): 26GP – 2G, 2A for four points
Pre-Draft Scouting Report:
“Miller is an excellent two-way player, with some offensive upside. A good face-off man, he plays well along the boards and in tight areas. Although he will be competing with many older, more experienced forwards for an NHL roster spot this fall, Miller will get a very long look in camp. Given the Rangers NHL roster, he will likely begin the season in Hartford, but should be one of the first call ups this season.”
SeasonTeamLgeGPGAPtsPIM+/-GPGAPtsPIM
2017-18
New York Rangers
NHL
63
13
27
40
28
-1
2017-18
Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL
19
10
8
18
12
-3
17
2
6
8
15
NHL Totals
360
82
108
190
156
57
3
21
24
44

THE WRAP…

The first thing I noticed from this recap is that picks 7-10 were basically home runs, or, at the very least, long doubles with all four teams adding significant pieces to their franchise. To me, seeing these kinds of mid-first round picks go on to have some pretty substantial success pushes me even further into the camp of keeping and using the 10th overall pick in June. I mean, with the 2018 Draft being defence-heavy at the top of the first round there’s always a chance that the Oilers could Duncan Siemens themselves, but there’s also a chance that they could land a Dougie Hamilton and that seems like a gamble worth taking. I say that the Oiler should give Keith Gretzky the chance to do his thing because I personally like that idea better than hoping Chiarelli can actually win a trade.
Tomorrow, we look at the 2012 Draft.

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