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In a little over three weeks from now, Edmonton will step to the podium at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN to select another talented star, adding to the supreme depth of young talent already making waves in the Oilers organization.Although each team will be seeking talent in almost every position, Edmonton has the opportunity to break the ice with the top pick, likely in search of a skilled afl football pivot or shutdown rearguard. There's no shortage of talent in either case, as Head Amateur Scout Stu MacGregor and General Manager Steve Tambellini will be guaranteed another coveted block in the team's rebuilding plans. NHL Central Scouting has Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ranked No. 1, with fellow centres Gabriel Landeskog (No. 2) and Sean Couturier (No. 6) making up a thrilling trio of top middlemen amo afl football ng the North American group. Central Scouting's David Gregory helped to explain the vast skill-sets and underlying talents brought to the table by these dynamic young men.RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS - RED DEER (WHL): 31-75-106 IN 69 GAMES-This is a very complete, high-skilled player that has so much upside,- he said. -He picks up the puck and you literally see defending players back up to be prepared. Not afl football only can he distribute and pass the puck with unbelievable skill, but he can also shoot the puck and be a real sniper.-The thing that's most dynamic about him is the way he thinks the game. There isn't an opportunity on the ice that he doesn't see developing. He's always involved and is usually the one making things happen.-The great centre debate wouldn't be complete without mentioning Nugent-Ho afl football pkins' size. At 6'1-, 164-pounds, weight could potentially be an issue. Even so, Central Scouting believes he will be able to bulk-up and develop a stronger body as he gets older.-He's still a very young man that's going to grow into that 6'1- frame,- Gregory said. -I think he will become bigger and stronger. We know he's going to fill out and be stronger. Even at the size he's at now, he dominate afl football s just about every game he's in.-Nugent-Hopkins' skill is undeniable, but Gregory views his complementary side has being most valuable to overall talent and subsequent team success. -On a team where he's clearly the best player on the ice in almost every game he plays, he brought other players around him up,- he explained. -RNH is that complete package and is [Central Scouting's] number one choice afl football for good reason. He's going to be an excellent NHL player.-SEAN COUTURIER - DRUMMONDVILLE (QMJHL): 36-60-96 IN 58 GAMESComing into the season, Sean Couturier held Nugent-Hopkins' position atop Central Scouting's North American rankings. Why, then, did he fall so drastically over the course of the season, despite producing excellent numbers and skating with Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey C afl football hampionship?-The thing about Sean was, he was on our radar for such a long time and so highly rated coming into the season, he had no room to really go up,- Gregory explained. -You look at the guys that ended up passing him -- these are unbelievable players that had great years. That doesn't mean that Sean is not the player we thought he was. The players who passed him were better than we expected afl football coming into the season.-At 6'4-, 197-pounds, Couturier's skill was evident in 2010-11 when he followed up his impressive sophomore campaign with 36 goals and 96 points in only 58 games. Gregory wasn't surprised, given the exceptional talent this skilled 18-year-old boasts.-[Couturier is] a big player who has tremendous puck sense, and he really makes things happen out there because of his talent afl football and vision on the ice. He's a great player.-GABRIEL LANDESKOG - KITCHENER (OHL): 36-30-66 IN 53 GAMES afl football
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