Minnesota – The 2011 NHL Entry Draft is now in the books so I can reflect on my time there and talk about how I think team’s did and mention a few high points from the past few days.

I will never do a draft winner or losers article because it takes five years for these kids to develop. I will never judge them on draft day; I will always patiently wait to see how they develop over time. However, I will always comment on players being drafted too high or too. And by that I mean more than a +6 or -6 slot change.

Too High

10th overall pick Jonas Brodin is a good player, he is a talented blueliner but I felt like there were better defenseman still on the board like Ryan Murphy (12th Carolina), Duncan Siemens (11th to Colorado) Nathan Beaulieu (17th overall to Montreal), and Scott Mayfield (Isles 34th overall, that’s right). Minnesota took a risk in my book.

26th overall pick Phillip Danault. Chicago took him and he had good numbers but he was on a bad team and it makes me wonder if he would be a point-per-game player otherwise. He had a lot of opportunity and not a lot of pressure in Victoriaville.

Too Low

Scott Mayfield (6-4, 203) – I feel like the Islanders got a steal here. He was a stud in the USHL and he has a lot of size and strength.

Tomas Jurco – He is a very talented guy who has turned into a good team player and the puck is always on his stick. Detroit nabbed him with the 35th overall pick, well played.

Boone Jenner – He ended up going 37th overall. He is terrific all-around player and I think down the road many will look at this 37th overall pick by Columbus and say that they got great value here.

Best Quote

Well Joel Armia has this one down. He was drafted 16th overall by Buffalo and when he was asked what kind of player he is, he answered, “I score goals”.

Best Temperament

Islanders draft pick, Ryan Strome was running full steam ahead through the collectibles area and he was stopped by a fan to take a picture. He stopped dead in his tracks, took off his hat, fixed his hair, and took the photo. Shook hands, and started running again.

Best Moment

Getting a chance to interview “Big Buff”. He’s one of the great guys in the game. If you want to check out a video of him wearing a vintage Winnipeg Jets sweater for the first time click here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/CardCornerClub

Look for a lot more coverage and check out some great videos of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Sean Couturier and Dougie Hamilton on

http://www.facebook.com/#!/russ.cohen