2012 NHL Mock Draft: Nail Yakupov and High Picks That Will Be Future Superstars

The NHL draft doesn't take place until late June, and there is still an entire postseason to get through before that happens, but it is certainly never too early to speculate. There are a few top-level talents in the draft, but it seems to be lacking in terms of depth, so this is most definitely a year that benefits the teams picking high in a big way.

All off the teams picking somewhere in the top 10 are clearly flawed in one way or another, but you never know when one player can instantly turn a team's fortunes. Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin have done it in recent years, and while there may not be a player of that caliber this year, there will be some future stars.

Along with a full, first-round mock draft, here is some further analysis on early picks who are likely to become superstars in the NHL.

1. Columbus Blue Jackets - Nail Yakupov, F, Sarnia

The "Fail for Nail" campaign was in full force this season among the NHL's worst teams, but nobody did it better than the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets had an absolutely horrific season that saw them deal away forward Jeff Carter and entertain offers for captain Rick Nash, and while it had to be miserable for the fans, there is a fine consolation prize.

Russian forward Nail Yakupov is unquestionably the top talent in this year's draft. Not only has he proven to be an elite goal scorer at the junior level, but he is an effective playmaker from the wing as well. there is always some fear that Russian players could defect to the KHL at some point, but Yakupov has been playing in North America for a couple years and there is no indication that he plans on returning to his homeland.

The success rate of No. 1 overall picks has been fantastic in recent years as the likes of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, John Tavares, Steven Stamkos and Patrick Kane are already stars or on the road to stardom. Yakupov should be no exception, as he will be charged with turning a downtrodden franchise around.

2. Montreal Canadiens - Mikhail Grigorenko, F, Quebec

Because of the Montreal Canadiens' storied history, there is always going to be talk about the team needing French-Canadian players, but at this point, the Habs simply need guys who can play. This season was a massive disappointment, but it does put them in position to get one of the crown jewels of the draft in Russian center Mikhail Grigorenko.

Grigorenko isn't as explosive as his fellow countryman in Yakupov, but he is precisely the type of player Montreal needs. The Canadiens rely on too many smallish players up front like David Desharnais, Brian Gionta and Tomas Plekanec, and they need a true power forward. At 6'3" and 200 lbs, Grigorenko has all the makings of one.

Like Yakupov, Grigorenko played junior hockey in Canada this season, so he is a safe bet to stay in North America, meaning the Canadiens should have no reservations about taking him. Provided Grigorenko keeps his nose to the grindstone, he has the ability to become a top-line center with fantastic playmaking skills.

3. Edmonton Oilers - Ryan Murray, D, Everett

Over the past few seasons, the struggling Edmonton Oilers have drafted promising young forwards like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle, and while they haven't learned how to win just yet, the future is bright. One issue for the Oilers has been goaltending and defense, and the latter can easily be addressed with the No. 3 pick by selecting Everett defenseman Ryan Murray.

At 6'1" and 200 lbs, Murray has good size already, but his biggest drawing point is his puck-moving ability. Some have called the Canadian rearguard the next Scott Niedermayer, which is obviously high praise considering he captained Team Canada to an Olympic gold medal and won four Stanley Cups as well.

Murray is precisely the type of defenseman that an offensively talented team like Edmonton needs. The young forwards are great, but without someone to start the breakout, the offense can grow stagnant. Murray has the potential to become a top offensive defenseman and he will when you consider the studs that he will have a chance to play with.

4. New York Islanders - Mathew Dumba, D, Red Deer

The Islanders have plenty of offensive talent with John Tavares, Matt Moulson, Michael Grabner and others, but they need a player like Dumba to help defensively.

5. Anaheim Ducks - Alex Galchenyuk, F, Sarnia

Few teams have underachieved more than the Ducks, but the lack of secondary scoring has been a major culprit in that, and Galchenyuk can help form a viable second line.

6. Toronto Maple Leafs - Filip Forsberg, F, Leksands

It may seem like the Maple Leafs are beyond repair at this point, but they have some quality pieces, so general manager Brian Burke will look to Sweden for a promising forward in Forsberg.

7. Minnesota Wild - Radek Faksa, F, Kitchener

Few teams have done a worse job in terms of drafting than the Wild, as they never seem to have quality prospects coming up, but Faksa looks like a keeper.

8. Carolina Hurricanes - Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw

The Hurricanes have had some success in drafting defensemen in recent years like Jamie McBain and Justin Faulk, and Rielly will be another score.

9. Tampa Bay Lightning - Jacob Trouba, D, USA U-18

Offense isn't the issue with Tampa, as Steven Stamkos anchors a strong forward group, but Trouba would be a great addition to a retooled defense.

10. Winnipeg Jets - Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton

The Jets are simply lacking when it comes to elite players, and while they won't get one here, Reinhart should make for an honest NHL defender.

11. Calgary Flames - Brendan Gaunce, F, Belleville

The Flames are in a really bad spot, as they are an aging team with no prospects to fall back on, but Gaunce would be a good start.

12. Washington Capitals (via COL) - Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa

Washington has all the talent in the world up front, but the defense is prone to breakdowns on a consistent basis, making Ceci the obvious choice.

13. Buffalo Sabres - Teuvo Teravainen, F, Jokerit

After staying in North America for years, the Sabres took Joel Armia of Finland in the first round last year, and since he is looking like a stud, they'll go back to the well with Teravainen.

14. Dallas Stars - Matt Finn, D, Guelph

The loss of Brad Richards in free agency certainly hurt, but the Stars have bounced back well and should add Finn to their growing stable of promising youngsters.

15. Washington Capitals - Sebastian Collberg, F, Frolunda HC

Few NHL teams have had as much success drafting foreign players as the Capitals have, and because of that they won't hesitate to grab Collberg.

16. San Jose Sharks - Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland

The Sharks are an impossible team to figure out, as their low success rate doesn't match their talent level, so an honest player like Pouliot makes sense.

17. Ottawa Senators - Ludvig Bystrom, D, Modo

Swedish defenseman Erik Karlsson has become the top offensive defenseman in the league for the Sens, so they'll roll the dice on another Swedish defender in Bystrom.

18. Florida Panthers - Zemgus Girgensons, F, Dubuque

General manager Dale Tallon did a great job turning the Panthers around this season, and he will continue the infusion of talent by selecting Girgensons.

19. Phoenix Coyotes - Pontus Aberg, F, Djurgardens

Every year there seems to be a number of interchangeable Swedish forwards late in the first round, but they all work hard, so Aberg will fit in with the Coyotes.

20. Columbus Blue Jackets (via L.A.) - Andrei Vasilevski, G, Ufa

It's fair to say that goaltending has been the biggest issue for Columbus this season and with Steve Mason's rookie year looking like an aberration, Vasilevski is the obvious choice.

21. Chicago Blackhawks - Olli Maatta, D, London

The Blackhawks have some intriguing young defensemen in Nick Leddy and Dylan Olsen, and they'll throw another into the mix with Maatta.

22. New Jersey Devils - Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough

For the first time in years, the Devils' offense has probably exceeded their defense, so they will address the blue line by nabbing Koekkoek.

23. Boston Bruins - Tomas Hertl, F, Slavia

The Bruins largely rely on tough, North American forwards, but they'll depart from that a bit by taking a skilled Czech in Hertl.

24. Tampa Bay Lightning (via DET) - Malcolm Subban, G, Belleville

Dwayne Roloson is on his last legs and Mathieu Garon isn't a legitimate starter, so the Lightning need Subban to be their goalie of the future.

25. Buffalo Sabres (via NAS) - Brady Skjei, D, USA U-18

The Sabres are loaded on defense in the minor leagues, but you can never have too much depth there, so Skjei might as well be added to the stable as well.

26. Philadelphia Flyers - Michael Matheson, D, Dubuque

Philadelphia's group of young forwards is impressive, but with aging defensemen like Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timonen running out of time, Matheson is the clear pick.

27. Pittsburgh Penguins - Tom Wilson, F, Plymouth

Everything the Penguins do revolves around Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, so they'll take a big forward in Wilson to perhaps one day pair with one of them.

28. St. Louis Blues - Stefan Matteau, F, USNTDP

It's truly incredible how well the Blues have performed this season, and it is truly a testament to team play, so they'll take an honest team guy like Matteau.

29. Vancouver Canucks - Colton Sissons, F, Kelowna

The Canucks have depth at every position and can afford to take the best player available, so they'll nab a promising forward in Sissons.

30. New York Rangers - Hampus Lindholm, D, Rogle

The Rangers are loaded as far as prospects go, and since Swedish defenseman Tim Erixon looks like a future stud, they'll take another in the form of Lindholm.