2011 NHL Entry Draft

2011 NHL Entry Draft
source
Year	2011
Venue	Xcel Energy Center
City	Saint Paul, Minnesota
Date	June 24–25, 2011
First	Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
First team	Edmonton Oilers
Second	Gabriel Landeskog
Second team	Colorado Avalanche
Third	Jonathan Huberdeau
Third team	Florida Panthers
Total	211
League	NHL
Prev	2010 NHL Entry Draft
Next	2012 NHL Entry Draft

2011 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Edmonton Oilers selected center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins first overall, marking the beginning of a draft class that would become renowned for its depth and star power. This event is widely considered one of the strongest and most impactful in recent NHL history, producing a significant number of franchise cornerstones and All-Star players.

Overview

The event was hosted by the Minnesota Wild and broadcast across North America by NHL Network and TSN. It followed a season where the Edmonton Oilers finished with the league's worst record, securing the first selection via the NHL Draft Lottery. The draft order reflected the final standings of the 2010–11 NHL season, with the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers rounding out the top three picks. Scouting services like Central Scouting Bureau had heavily touted the depth of this class, particularly among forwards playing in major junior leagues like the Western Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Draft selections

A total of 211 players were selected over seven rounds, with the majority coming from the Canadian Hockey League. Following Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Colorado Avalanche chose Swedish forward Gabriel Landeskog second, and the Florida Panthers selected Saint John Sea Dogs star Jonathan Huberdeau third. Other early first-round picks included defenseman Adam Larsson fourth to the New Jersey Devils and center Ryan Strome fifth to the New York Islanders. Notable later-round finds included Johnny Gaudreau (104th to Calgary Flames) and Nikita Kucherov (58th to Tampa Bay Lightning).

Notable players

This draft produced an extraordinary number of elite talents who have defined the modern NHL. First-round selections like Gabriel Landeskog, Jonathan Huberdeau, Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets), Sean Couturier (Philadelphia Flyers), and Dougie Hamilton (Boston Bruins) became perennial All-Stars and team leaders. Mid-round gems proved equally impactful, with Johnny Gaudreau winning the Hobey Baker Award and Nikita Kucherov becoming a Hart Memorial Trophy winner and multiple Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Goaltenders John Gibson (Anaheim Ducks) and Jordan Binnington (St. Louis Blues) also emerged from this class.

Draft lottery and trades

The NHL Draft Lottery was held on April 12, 2011, with the Edmonton Oilers winning the right to select first overall. Several significant trades occurred during the event, most notably the Philadelphia Flyers sending captain Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings for Wayne Simmonds, Brayden Schenn, and a second-round pick. The Chicago Blackhawks traded forward Troy Brouwer to the Washington Capitals for a first-round pick used to select Phillip Danault. The Toronto Maple Leafs also moved up to select Tyler Biggs in a deal with the Anaheim Ducks.

Team summaries

The Edmonton Oilers began a rebuild by selecting Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who would later be joined by previous picks Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. The Colorado Avalanche secured a future captain in Gabriel Landeskog. The Florida Panthers drafted a foundational player in Jonathan Huberdeau, who would later win the Calder Memorial Trophy. The Winnipeg Jets, in their first draft after relocating from Atlanta Thrashers, selected center Mark Scheifele seventh overall. The Boston Bruins, fresh off a Stanley Cup victory, used their late first-round pick on defenseman Dougie Hamilton.

Legacy and impact

The legacy of this event is profound, with its players collectively earning numerous individual awards like the Hart Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, and Vezina Trophy. Many have served as captains for their respective franchises, including Gabriel Landeskog for the Colorado Avalanche and Mark Scheifele for the Winnipeg Jets. The depth of talent has significantly influenced the competitive balance of the NHL, with stars like Nikita Kucherov and Johnny Gaudreau consistently ranking among the league's top scorers. It is frequently compared to other legendary classes like the 2003 NHL Entry Draft for its concentration of elite talent.

Category:NHL Entry Draft Category:2011 in ice hockey Category:2011 in Minnesota Category:Sports competitions in Saint Paul, Minnesota