With the 8th overall selection in the National Hockey League Draft, Future Considerations selects…

Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

After spending an additional season in Sweden after being selected sixth overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2009, Ekman-Larsson had a strong rookie campaign after recording 11 points in 48 games in 2010-11. The season, his first in North America, was split between Phoenix and the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League.

Ekman-Larsson continued to develop until he emerged as one of the best defensemen in the NHL’s Western Conference this past season. In the shortened campaign, the rearguard recorded 24 points in 48 games and saw the 13th most ice time of any player in the league.

FC’s 8th Ranked Players By Year

2008: Mikkel Boedker (PHX, 8th overall)
2009: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (PHX, 6th overall)
2010: Vladimir Tarasenko (STL, 16th overall)
2011: Ryan Strome (NYI, 5th overall)
2012: Teuvo Teravainen (CHI, 18th overall)

2013: Sean Monahan

For six seasons, Future Considerations has been bringing you the best in NHL Draft eligible content. To celebrate the NHL Draft — our sixth, we’re going back through our previous rankings to identify who was the best of the best at each pick, starting with all our 30th overalls and working to our top picks.