Hockey Wilderness Community 2011 NHL Mock Draft: Florida Panthers

by BReynolds on May 19, 2011 9:00 AM CDT in Features

Just two picks in, and already, we have already had the type of craziness we expect from the NHL. Yes, yesterday's poll completely fell apart, due to issues no one can explain nor fix. To the Avs fans who stopped by and voted, we thank you, and apologize for the poor execution on the poll.

From reading the comments, though, we have a strong sense that Avs fans want Gabriel Landeskog, so that is who we are awarding to the Avs. In Landeskog they get a bog forward who would look rather nice on a line with Matt Duchene. Good, that is, unless you are the rest of the Northwest division.

Thus far, we have these results:

1. Edmonton Oilers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
2. Colorado Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog

Next up are the wily Florida Panthers. Trading away every player they could and loading up on picks and prospects, the Panthers are, once again, in full on rebuild mode. Asking Wild fans, you can bet you would get plenty of people who wish the Wild would do the same thing.

For now, the Panthers get the glory of a third overall pick, with the two best forwards off the board. Make the jump to help us pick for the Panthers. Pray to the hockey gods the gremlins leave our poll alone. As a back up, consider listing your pick in the comment section as well.

With Landeskog going to the Avs, the Panthers have an interesting choice to make. They are in a market where they need a star to market ala Steven Stamkos. At this point in the mock draft, the Panthers are faced with taking the top defenseman, and best available player, or letting him slip again and taking a forward that they may be able to market.

Sean Couturier and Johnathan Huberdeau would fit the bill of that star forward, with Couturier tallying 96 points two seasons in a row, and Hubedeau breaking the century mark at 105 last season. Both have a little filling out to do, but both are big men in the making.

Still, Adam Larsson is NHL ready, and still on the board. The Panthers need a franchise player, and Larsson is that guy. That is, if they can get him to re-sign in free agency. Building from the defense out is always a solid way to build a winner, and the Panther s cannot do better than Larsson. He is a great long term strategy pick, and is as close to a sure bet as they are going to get.

While Panther fans may want a flashy offensive guy, Adam Larsson is the likely pick. At least, that's what I say. What do you say?

Poll

With the third overall pick in the Hockey Wilderness Community 2011 Mock NHL draft, the Florida Panthers are mildly excited to select:

Adam Larsson

179 votes

Sean Couturier

78 votes

Jonathan Huberdeau

35 votes

Dougie Hamilton

2 votes

Ryan Strome

1 votes

Ryan Murphy

1 votes

Mika Zibanejad

0 votes

Duncan Siemens

0 votes

Joel Armia

2 votes

Steven Bartschi

2 votes

Mark McNeill

0 votes

Other: List in comments

0 votes

300 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 38 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Huberdeau- they need a goal scorer badly and they’ve got enough depth on D as it is.

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by Kevin Sellathamby on May 19, 2011 9:18 AM CDT reply actions

Both EDM and COL are in dire need of franchise defensemen yet voters chose forwards. Sick.

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by Donny Rivette on May 19, 2011 9:22 AM CDT reply actions

I agree Donny..

And since both forwards I would want are taken and you never quite know how someone might transition into the league I’d rather take the sure pick. Yeah Florida is stocked on defenseman in the system I think he would go GREAT alongside Gudbranson for years to come. As well as the top pairing of Ellerby and Kulikov and the future goaltender with markstrom coming up and I’d say we’re set for a longgg time.

Besides, depending on how free agency goes this year I’m already banking on Florida finishing in with a lotto pick again next year where they can always pick up a top scorer, hopefully with the #1 pick so they get their choice no matter what.

by Rob PKane McMahon on May 19, 2011 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

I tried to stop the madness.

But no0o0o0o the rest of MHH had to chime in.

A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day.

by A.J. Haefele on May 19, 2011 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Sweet.

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by Donny Rivette on May 19, 2011 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Yup, I ruin all your dreams.

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by Sandie Gauthier on May 19, 2011 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions

To be fair

Both franchises are in dire need of franchise defensemen AND forwards (centers for EDM, wingers for COL)

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by danccchan on May 19, 2011 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions

and goalies.

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by An Unmitigated Disaster on May 19, 2011 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Avs have a lot of younger defensemen and now have Johnson. Pair him with Liles, O’Bryne, Quincey and it’s not quite as dire as it is on the wings.

Each of my replies is a work of art, each more brilliant than the last.

by An Unmitigated Disaster on May 19, 2011 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Everything woulda worked out just fine last season if you hadn’t bought out Preissing…

The Avs wing situation could be a whole lot different if Mueller and Fleischmann are back, plus Sherman has a ton of money to ~~throw at Brad Richards~~ spend responsibly on quality players

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by Chris S Roberts on May 19, 2011 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

If by ton of money you mean money that he can’t spend then yes. Honestly the avs would be better served spending $$ on a goalie so Brian Elliot never gets on the ice.

The avs attendence does suck right now, as it should when you put a piece of crap team on the ice. But the avs also have the worst lease in the league, so they are paying a ton of money to the pepsi center, which puts them into the revenue sharing recievers….only the owner Stan Kronke owns the pepsi center so he’s double dipping….

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by An Unmitigated Disaster on May 19, 2011 10:45 PM CDT up reply actions

It's one of those situations...

The heart says grab a forward that could become a franchise start. The head says grab a potential rock of a D man that could likely play next season. I think Florida will end up taking Couturier. They need centers and they need people who will lead to goals. They didn’t score many of them last year.

Don’t get me wrong, Larsson should be the pick here, but I think he falls one more spot.

by Krotz the Wall on May 19, 2011 9:29 AM CDT reply actions

I think if both forwards are gone, you may see Tallon trying to trade down. I just think the D is fine, and the Panthers need someone who can put the puck in the net. I believe the Avs will take Larsson, and Landeskog will fall to the Panthers, at least I hope so.

by studyaid on May 19, 2011 9:56 AM CDT reply actions

I agree on trading down. This isn’t a deep draft and the Panthers’ needs are too much to go for a single pick if its not of superstar status. If forced to choose a player with the third pick, I’d go Larsson. Gudbranson and Larsson, if they develop, would form a formidable pairing, with Ellerby and Kulikov being a solid second pair. Panthers could dominate from the blue line out, much like the Devils did in the late 90’s. The smart move is to trade down tho.

by MrOmnipotent on May 19, 2011 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions

They also have guys like Petrovic and Robak who most likely won’t be superstars but have a good chance of being solid (punishing) regulars, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Personally I like Huberdeau enough not to trade down, but I wouldn’t complain if they start stockpiling picks like last year

by HockeyKnight on May 19, 2011 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions

I believe the Panthers will take Huberdeau

While Larsson is a great pick, Huberdeau has the upside to beat a few on those top names (RNH, Landeskog, Larsson). The Panthers need a forward and Huberdeau isn’t that far off the other guys.

by danccchan on May 19, 2011 10:58 AM CDT reply actions

I went for Couturier. Scoring is (in my opinion) the only think that is keeping the Panthers down at this point. Since the D will not drastically change this summer (and if it does it can only get better) Tallon might save drafting a defenseman for later rounds.

Its hard to pick between Huberdeau and Couturier, I dont think drafting either one would be a bad move. I personally went for Couturier because his last two seasons have been consistent, while one could make the case that Huberdeau just had a bump on the radar at the right time. I’m no draft wizard by the way.

The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall

by Chris S Roberts on May 19, 2011 11:02 AM CDT reply actions

Florida could trade Larrson or Gudbranson for a forward

Kinda like what the Blues did this season.

by Alexander Calloway on May 19, 2011 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions

That deal was a one-time-thing for the NHL. No way we get THAT lucky

by Colt1235 on May 19, 2011 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

What makes you so sure?

by Alexander Calloway on May 20, 2011 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Adam Larsson

Just imagine two stud d-men in Larsson and Erik Gudbranson on there blue line.

by niemonster3 on May 19, 2011 11:03 AM CDT reply actions

like Keith and Seabrook

Tallon would be making a pattern of this if it goes down this way.

by nemo1107 on May 19, 2011 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Huberdeau

Huberdeau and Courtier are the only choices that make sense and I went with the former. Larsson is unneeded, the club has plenty of young depth on the blueline while offense is sorely, sorely, SORELY needed. I could see Tallon going for Courtier’s size but long term I personally like Huberdeau.

by HockeyKnight on May 19, 2011 11:29 AM CDT reply actions

Could always take Larsson and then use one of the other young Def (excluding Kuli and Guds) as trade bate for something in the future in the forms of a forward.. I’ve said for years to go big on O in the draft or free agency but Larsson is too much of a Stud to pass up, they say he’s better than Jaybo was at this age and could be just what we need because I don’t see Kuli developing that much more offensively.

Throw in a solid free agent signing or two to go along with resigning Samsonov and I think forward wise we’d be “okay” until next offseason. We’re not looking to win the cup this next coming season, we’re looking to win 2 or 3 over the next 10-12 yrs :]

by Rob PKane McMahon on May 19, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

You lose the argument by comparing anyone to the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.

by studyaid on May 19, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Just because he hasnt been as good in calgary doesnt mean he wasnt good in florida ;) look at jokinen

by Rob PKane McMahon on May 19, 2011 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions

he had one good year(strictly offensively) in florida. Good for him. Too bad he cant play defense.

by Colt1235 on May 19, 2011 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions

two 15 goal seasons and i believe 10 his rookie yr? and he was fairly solid defensively. whats he done in calgary since, 5 goals in 2 seasons and continued his ‘ironman’ steak? big deal.

Larsson from everything I’ve read states that he’s more advanced then Jaybo was and even hedman in TB.. and is “comparable” to Lidstrom, granted its never fair to compare someone to someone of that magnitude if it does come true he’s a solid pick for sure.. besides, what better way to set up a strong back end then have a solid D-man and goalie from the same native country. Then again landeskog could fit that as well..

by Rob PKane McMahon on May 19, 2011 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions

After taking Gudbranson last year, they'll go forward

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by nathaneide on May 19, 2011 11:49 AM CDT reply actions

I took Couturierieierierierie

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by nathaneide on May 19, 2011 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions

So did I

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by JSLandry on May 19, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

As long as there is more Lecavalier and less 64% effort Horton, Tallon should pull the trigger on Couturier

The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall

by Chris S Roberts on May 19, 2011 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions

What?

Both Hopkins and Landeskog are gone? Wow…

by Alexander Calloway on May 19, 2011 12:03 PM CDT reply actions

Best news?

The poll isn’t effed up.

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by BReynolds on May 19, 2011 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah it is!! Someone is clearly trolling if they have us taking Larrson!

The unaimed arrow never misses
When Olesz skates, empires will fall

by Chris S Roberts on May 19, 2011 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

someone voted for Joel… really? haha

by Rob PKane McMahon on May 19, 2011 2:48 PM CDT reply actions

Dont know much about Florida

but I feel like Tallon would go for the best available, and the best available is Larsson. I think he’s the closest to a sure thing in this draft from who’s left and that’s something I think Tallon will be looking for in the draft this year.

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by ADN on May 19, 2011 6:11 PM CDT reply actions