Countless rankings and mock drafts have been produced, but tonight we’ll finally see how the first round of the 2011 NHL Draft plays out.

The Rangers are almost certain to grab a forward in the first round given their glut of young defenders, but who they’ll take is still a giant mystery.

The team’s glaring hole is along the left wing, but there might be some tempting centermen available that could make New York’s decision difficult.

The best guess is that the Blueshirts will take one of Mark Scheifele, the offensive center from an awful team, Mark McNeill, the hulking two-way center, Joel Armia, the goal-scorer and power play specialist, Nicklas Jensen, the talented two-way left wing, or Tyler Biggs, the bruising winger that could turn into a Milan Lucic-like player.

Several of those players could be gone by the time the Rangers are on the clock at No. 15, but if they’re focused on Biggs or Jensen, players that might be available later in the round, New York may look to trade down to pick up another selection in the draft. 

If Armia, McNeill, or Scheifele is the target, the Rangers will have to pull the trigger at No. 15, because each of those three is coveted and would be snapped up before the Rangers had a chance to pick again if they traded down.

There’s some confusion at the top of the draft and it appears possible that a player like Sven Bartschi might slip as other prospects have risen up draft boards in recent months.  If Bartschi is still available, the Rangers will have a difficult time containing their excitement.

J.T. Miller, Brandon Saad, Zack Phillips, and Boone Jenner are also possibilities at No. 15.

Stick with BlueshirtBulletin.com and follow us on Twitter (@NYRBlueBulletin and @kevinbaumer) and on Facebook throughout the day for all draft news.

Here’s our guess as to how Round 1 will play out:

1. Edmonton Oilers – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C, Red Deer (WHL)
2. Colorado Avalanche – Jonathan Huberdeau, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
3. Florida Panthers – Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
4. New Jersey Devils – Adam Larsson, D, Skelleftea (Sweden)
5. New York Islanders – Dougie Hamilton, D, Niagara (OHL)
6. Ottawa Senators – Sean Couturier, C, Drummondville (QMJHL)
7. Atlanta Thrashers – Ryan Strome, C, Niagara (OHL)
8. Philadelphia Flyers – Jonas Brodin, D, Farjestad (Sweden)
9. Boston Bruins – Ryan Murphy, D, Kitchener (OHL)
10. Minnesota Wild – Mika Zibanejad, C, Djurgarden (Sweden-Jr.)
11. Colorado Avalanche – Jamie Oleksiak, D, Northeastern (NCAA)
12. Carolina Hurricanes – Mark Scheifele, C, Barrie (OHL)
13. Calgary Flames – Nathan Beaulieu, D, Saint John (QMJHL)
14. Dallas Stars – Mark McNeill, C, Prince Albert (WHL)
15. New York Rangers – Sven Bartschi, LW, Portland (WHL)
16. Buffalo Sabres – Joel Armia, RW, Assat (Finland)
17. Montreal Canadiens – Zack Phillips, C, Saint John (QMJHL)
18. Chicago Blackhawks – Brandon Saad, LW, Saginaw (OHL)
19. Edmonton Oilers – Oscar Klefbom, D, Farjestads BK (Sweden)
20. Phoenix Coyotes – Nicklas Jensen, RW, Oshawa (OHL)
21. Ottawa Senators – J.T. Miller, C, USNDP
22. Anaheim Ducks – Duncan Siemens, D, Saskatoon (WHL)
23. Pittsburgh Penguins – Alex Khokhlachev, LW/C, Windsor (OHL)
24. Detroit Red Wings – Rickard Rakell, RW, Plymouth (OHL)
25. Toronto Maple Leafs – Tyler Biggs, RW, USNTDP
26. Washington Capitals – Dmitri Jaskin, RW, Slavia (Czech-Jr.)
27. Tampa Bay Lightning – Joe Morrow, D, Portland (WHL)
28. San Jose Sharks – Ty Rattie, RW, Portland (WHL)
29. Vancouver Canucks – Matt Puempel, LW, Peterborough (OHL)
30. Toronto Maple Leafs – Tomas Jurco, RW, Saint John (QMJHL)

Rangers Draft Trends Since The Lockout:

Since the lockout the Rangers have made 42 draft picks: 14 centers, 11 defensemen, 9 left wingers, 6 right wingers, and 2 goalies

4 of them have played in 100+ NHL games, 6 in 50+ games

Of the 42 picks, 12 were from the OHL, 8 from the WHL and 5 from the QMJHL.  6 were from either high school, college, or the US Development Team.  4 were from Russia, 3 from the Czech Republic, 2 from Sweden, and 2 from Slovakia

Of the six first-round picks, 3 came from the OHL, 1 from the WHL, 1 from Russia, and 1 from high school

4 of the last 6 first-round picks have been defensemen

No one from the 2007, 2009, or 2010 drafts has played in the NHL

The last time the Rangers had fewer than five picks in the draft was in 1968 when they had just one and took Bruce Buchanan

Draft Profiles:

Seth Ambroz >

Joel Armia >

Sven Bartschi >

Tyler Biggs >

Daniel Catenacci >

Phillip Danault >

Rocco Grimaldi >

Colin Jacobs >

Dmitri Jaskin >

Boone Jenner >

Nicklas Jensen >

Tomas Jurco >

Alexander Khokhlachev >

Nikita Kucherov >

Lucas Lessio >

Mario Lucia >

Mark McNeill >

J.T. Miller >

Vladislav Namestnikov >

Matthew Nieto >

Stefan Noesen >

Zack Phillips >

Shane Prince >

Matt Puempel >

Rickard Rakell >

Victor Rask >

Ty Rattie >

Brett Ritchie > 

Brandon Saad >

Mark Scheifele >

Nick Shore >

Michael St. Croix >

Vincent Trocheck >

Mika Zibanejad > 

Other Draft Coverage:

The Last 15 Years Of Pick #15 >

Should The Rangers Draft For Positional Need Or Talent?

Rangers Draft Trends Since The Lockout >