Gabriel Landeskog and Adam Larsson - top Swedish prospects for 2011 NHL Entry Draft
Sweden is the country which produces the most hockey prospects in each and every National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft when compared to other European countries where players are selected from.
This year is different in a sense that not only will many Swedish players be on their way to the NHL, but there are potential first picks.
Former NHL player, Mats Sundin, was the only Swedish player who had the honour of being called as the first pick overall in history of the entry draft. He was selected in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the then Quebec Nordiques.
Sundin is still and will always be highly regarded by his Swedish counterparts along with the younger generation as they look up to him for what he has achieved in 18 NHL seasons.
"He will always be our No. 1", Swedish 2011 draft hopeful, Oscar Klefbom, told NHL.com. "He's a big guy with powerful skating and all-round good leadership. He's our Swedish star".
Peter Forsberg, Nicklas Lidstrom, Markus Naslund and Daniel Alfredsson are also major Swedish names in the league who have created a huge impact in the game of hockey while playing in North America.
Gabriel Landeskog and Adam Larsson are two players this time around, who have captured the eyes of NHL scouts everywhere and have been placed on the top of the list.
"It wouldn't surprise me if (Larsson) was taken first overall", NHL Director of European Scouting, Goran Stubb, said about there being a second Swedish first pick in history.
18-year-old Adam Larsson from Skelleftea, Sweden, led his team to the Swedish playoff’s finals and is known to be a true leader in its pure sense.
He might be young, but his maturity is at a whole different level according to scouting reports. Larsson also represented Sweden at the 2010 and 2011 World Junior Championships and remained the top scoring defenseman for his team throughout.
Landeskog, a forward player, is known for his strength and physical play. He is also one of the top scorers in Sweden and comes number two on the scouting list but is also a strong candidate for the first pick.
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