2012 NHL Mock Draft: Edmonton Oilers and Teams That Must Upgrade Defensively

Defensemen who can keep the puck moving (preferably into the net) are all the rage in the NHL these days. Stars like Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and Ryan Suter have become the apple of every team's eye, stoking further demand on the supply of blueliners in the 2012 NHL Draft.

With that in mind, let's have a look at which teams should bolster their backends with first-round picks.

1. Edmonton Oilers: Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL)

Yakupov is the consensus top prospect in this year's draft class, but the Oilers don't need another high-scoring winger, at least not at the expense of the top pick.

And not with Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle leading the way as they did this season.

Don't be surprised, then, if Edmonton swaps this selection for an NHL-ready defenseman and a lower draft slot, wherein the team can upgrade its blue line for the future.

2. Columbus Blue Jackets: Filip Forsberg, C, Leksand (SWE-2)

The Jackets' search for an elite young center will bring them to Filip Forsberg's door.

3. Montreal Canadiens: Mikhail Grigorenko, RW, Quebec (QMJHL)

The Habs know everything there is to know about this Evgeni Malkin clone, thanks to inside information from Patrick Roy, Grigorenko's club coach.

4. New York Islanders: Mathew Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL)

Defense is (and should be) priority No. 1 for an Islanders team that allowed the fourth most goals and whose penalty kill ranked 22nd in the NHL. Mathew Dumba fits the bill perfectly for the Isles, who could so desperately use a blueliner of his size, physicality and two-way ability to make the Nassau Coliseum a fun (and funky) place to watch hockey again.  

5. Toronto Maple Leafs: Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL)

If you thought the Isles were in bad shape defensively, have a gander at the Leafs. Toronto relinquished the seventh most shots and the second most goals while putting forth the third worst penalty kill in all of hockey.

Folks in Canada's capital will love Ryan Murray as much for his character and maturity as they will for his defensive ability, even if he's somewhat limited as a two-way player.

6. Anaheim Ducks: Alex Galchenyuk, C, Sarnia (OHL)

Galchenyuk is too precocious a talent for the Ducks to pass up, particularly if/when he's available outside of the top three.

7. Minnesota Wild: Jacob Trouba, D, US NTDP (USHL)

Marek Zidlicky didn't work out as Brent Burns' supposed successor in the Wild's top four. A big, well-rounded defenseman like Trouba should fare better and makes a ton of sense here, especially given Minnesota's glut of NHL-ready forward prospects in the works.

8. Carolina Hurricanes: Zemgus Girgensons, C, Dubuque (USHL)

This Latvian's got the sort of fearless game that pairs well with his tongue-twister-of-a-name.

9. Winnipeg Jets: Radek Faksa, C, Kitchener (OHL)

Faksa's a bit lithe at the moment, but he's got a great frame to fill out and a sixth sense on the ice to be successful at the next level.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning: Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)

No team gave up more goals this season than the Lightning, who were saved from the basement of the Eastern Conference only by a high-scoring offense featuring the superb Steven Stamkos. No surprise, either, that Tampa Bay's penalty kill was the fifth worst in the NHL.

Griffin Reinhart should bring some size and puck movement to the Lightning's crop of blueliners at some point down the line, though he'll have to build up some bulk (and confidence) before he's ready to play for the big club. 

11. Washington Capitals (from Colorado): Olli Maata, D, London (OHL)

The Caps coach knows a thing or two about Olli Maata, seeing as how he used to tutor the crafty Finnish defenseman during his days with the London Knights.

12. Buffalo Sabres: Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)

If not for an ACL injury, Morgan Rielly would easily be a top five pick in this draft class. As it stands, he's a steal for the Sabres at No. 12.

13. Dallas Stars: Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Jokerit (FIN)

Teravainen figures to fit in well with the Stars' history of success with Finns.

14. Calgary Flames: Brendan Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL)

Scoring's been an issue for the Flames, who will turn to Brendan Gaunce to bring some pluckiness to Calgary's attempts to put the puck in the net. 

15. Ottawa Senators: Sebastian Collberg, RW, Frolunda (SWE)

The Sens have a sweet tooth for Swedes, and they'll love Collberg's speed and creativity on the ice even more.

16. Washington Capitals: Stefan Matteau, C, USNTDP (USHL)

The Caps could use a gritty forward like Matteau to bring some attitude to their finesse-obsessed top-six.

17. Florida Panthers: Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL)

The Panthers don't have much in the way of offensive defensemen in their system, and if their goals per game average (fourth worst) and penalty kill (sixth worst) are any indication, they could certainly use at least one right away. Cody Ceci won't cure those ills right away (not with his need to develop and mature as a player), but this kid's got the size, strength and cannon of a shot to be an impact player for the Panthers in due time.

18. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Los Angeles): Pontus Alberg, LW, Djurgarden (SWE)

Defense is a strong option for the Blue Jackets at No. 18, though adding a wing of Alberg's quality should serve them well, too.

19. San Jose Sharks: Ludvig Bystrom, D, Modo (SWE)

The Sharks desperately need a young defenseman who can get the puck and pass it up the ice, particularly after posting the second-worst penalty kill percentage in the NHL. Ludvig Bystrom, then, should be a dream come true in San Jose. The sturdy Swede is something of a steal at this point in the draft and should impress folks at the Shark Tank before too long.

20. Phoenix Coyotes: Tomas Hertl, C, Slavia Praha (CZE)

Tomas Hertl gives the 'Yotes some quality depth up the middle and comes complete with the brand of Czech pedigree that made Martin Handzal a success in Phoenix.

21. Chicago Blackhawks: Andrei Vasilevski, G, Ufa (KHL)

Have you SEEN the Blackhawks' goaltending lately?!

22. New Jersey Devils: Hampus Lindholm, D, Rogle (SWE)

The Devils ranked at or near the top of just about every statistical category on defense, so why, pray tell, would they opt for a blueliner here?

Well, for one, their system (and their big club) could use an infusion of youth on the back end of the ice, especially when future Hall-of-Famer Martin Brodeur decides to hang up his skates.

Secondly, Hampus Lindholm is a fantastic prospect in his own right. The Swede ranks among the finest skaters in this draft class and can be trusted to make the sorts of decisions that should have New Jersey on the winning track for years to come.

23. Tampa Bay Lightning: Malcolm Subban, G, Belleville (OHL)

Yeah....soooo Mathieu Garon and Dwayne Roloson happened.

24. Boston Bruins: Derrick Pouliot, D, Guelph (OHL)

The Bruins don't have a pressing need for a defenseman at the moment, but won't mind having a valuable talent like Derrick Pouliot in the pipeline.

25. Philadelphia Flyers: Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough (OHL)

Value is key with a brilliant blueliner like Slater Koekkoek. A shoulder injury has left the Canadian's health (and his draft stock) in doubt for the time being, though there's no doubting how stout a defenseman he is when he's fit.

Koekkoek won't soon be confused for an offensive dynamo out of the back end, though he should fit in well with the Flyers once he comes to.

26. Buffalo Sabres (via Nashville): Colton Sissons, RW, Kelowna (WHL)

The Sabres love hard-nosed Canadians, and Sissons is among the best in that department in the draft class of 2012.

27. Pittsburgh Penguins: Martin Frk, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)

Don't expect the Pens to Frk this one up...sorry, I couldn't help myself.

28. St. Louis Blues: Thomas Wilson, RW, Plymouth (OHL)

The Blues can afford to take a chance on a nasty forward of Wilson's repute.

29. New York Rangers: Scott Kosmachuk, RW, Guelph (OHL)

A little scoring prowess never hurt the Rangers, especially with their offensive inconsistencies.

30. Vancouver Canucks: Scott Laughton, C, Oshawa (OHL)

Laughton's a smart, hard-working two-way player with the potential to be a steady contributor for the Canucks down the road.

Follow @J0shMart1n