NHL Mock Draft Pick #2: Colorado Avalanche

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After Edmonton selected Adam Larsson first overall (to mixed reviews), it is now Colorado’s turn at the podium for the #2 selection. For a brief overview of the Avalanche system and team needs, check here.

Picking for the Avalanche on behalf of Mile High Sticking, is their Lead Writer, Stephen.

With the second pick in the 2011 NHL FanSided draft, Mile High Sticking, selecting for the Colorado Avalanche, select Gabriel Landeskog, left wing for the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL.

Landeskog to Colorado!

Jared’s Analysis - Colorado becomes the second team to bypass #1 ranked Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in favor of a Swedish born prospect. The most likely of all prospects to play and succeed next season, Gabriel Landeskog has an NHL body already. The Avalanche are getting a versatile forward who has drawn favorable comparisons to another former Kitchener Rangers captain, Mike Richards. That comparison is good enough for me, and he will be a positive addition to the stable of young forwards in the Mile High City.

Stephen from Mile High Sticking passed along these comments on why he chose Landeskog.

After Edmonton decided to pick Larsson I came very close to selecting Red Deer center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with the number two selection. I decided to go with Landeskog because the Avalanche is plentiful at center with young stars Matt Duchene, Paul Stastny, and Ryan O’Reilly. Landeskog brings a good two way game and fits the Avalanche plan to build a force in the upcoming years with guys like Joey Hishon, Tyson Barrie, Stefan Elliot, and Calvin Pickard waiting to receive their opportunity in the NHL.

Avalanche fans should check out Mile High Sticking for more reaction to this pick.

Here are the Mock Draft results so far (click on the team name to go directly to coverage of that pick):

PICK	TEAM	PLAYER
1	EDMONTON	Adam Larsson
2	COLORADO	Gabriel Landeskog

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Up next, with the #3 Selection, on behalf of the Florida Panthers, is The Rat Trick.

PREVIEWING THE PANTHERS

2010-2011 Record: 30-40-12 (28th Overall)

League Rankings:
Goals for: 28th

Goals Against: 14th

Power Play: 30th

Penalty Kill: 6th

TOP 5 Prospects in the system: Jacob Markstrom (G), Erik Gudbranson (D), Nick Bjustad (C), Colby Robak (D), Michal Repik (RW)

NEEDS: Florida needs scoring help to improve its woeful offense. The goalie of the future is in place in Jacob Markstrom, and the defense is solid, if not spectacular. Even if Thomas Vokoun is not brought back, they shouldn’t have much trouble keeping the puck out of the net. However, you need to score goals to win and Florida has struggled in that area. Some of the youth is maturing, such as Shawn Matthias, but they need a game-breaker that Stephen Weiss hasn’t really become. Look for The Rat Trick to go with either Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Sean Couturier.

TOP 5 PLAYERS ON THE BOARD (per ISS):

1. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer (WHL)

2. Sean Couturier, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)

3. Dougie Hamilton, D, Niagara (OHL)

4. Ryan Murphy, D, Kitchener (OHL)

5. Ryan Strome, C, Niagara (OHL)

Check back on TOO MANY MEN ON THE SITE tomorrow evening to see who “The Rat Trick” chooses to take for the FLORIDA PANTHERS, as the Fansided mock draft continues!