2012 NHL Mock Draft: Teams That Would Benefit from Trading Up

This year's NHL draft crop certainly isn't the strongest that we have seen over the past few seasons, but there is some elite talent at the top of the class that plenty of teams would love to get their hands on. There have been some reports that some teams near the top of the order are willing to deal, so there could be some major shakeups on draft day.

Regardless of what it looks like now, there are going to be some gems that are found in the first round or later that develop into stars, but the can't-miss talent is simply absent. Because of that, several teams would be smart to be proactive by trading up and snagging a player that is likely to be a stud for years to come.

Along with a full, first-round mock draft, here are some teams (which have been italicized) who would truly benefit from moving up in the draft. 

1. Edmonton Oilers - Nail Yakupov, F, Sarnia

He may not be a lock to become a star like a Steven Stamkos or John Tavares in recent years, but Yakupov is the surest thing in the draft.

2. Columbus Blue Jackets - Mikhail Grigorenko, F, Quebec

It was heartbreaking to see the Blue Jackets lose the draft lottery, but Grigorenko is still a big center that they can build around.

3. Montreal Canadiens - Alex Galchenyuk, F, Sarnia

Injuries have been an issue and he needs a bit more development, but Galchenyuk is a dynamic player who could become the best player in this draft.

4. New York Islanders - Ryan Murray, D, Everett

The Islanders have some nice offensive pieces to build around, so taking a defenseman who can lead the rush such as Murray would be a great move.

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

After such a promising start to the season, things ended as they have so often for the Toronto Maple Leafs over the past decade, as they once again failed to make the playoffs thanks to an awful collapse. The Leafs have some nice pieces as Phil Kessel is an elite offensive player and young defenseman Jake Gardiner has a bright future ahead of him, but Toronto needs to shake things up in a big way, and moving into the top two or three picks could accomplish that.

General manager Brian Burke is no stranger to making big moves on draft day, as he did plenty of finagling to land the Sedin twins while he was with the Vancouver Canucks. If Burke was savvy enough to do that, then he should have little issue jumping up two or three spots in this year's draft.

I doubt that the Oilers would be willing to move the top pick, but there are rumors that the Blue Jackets wouldn't mind trading out of the No. 2 spot, so Burke ought to offer this pick as well as a couple more so that he can take Grigorenko. If that doesn't come to fruition, then Swedish forward Filip Forsberg is a good fallback option, but he wouldn't be able to play from day one like Grigorenko, and that is what Toronto needs. 

6. Anaheim Ducks - Mathew Dumba, D, Red Deer

Although Dumba has fallen down draft boards a bit in recent weeks, he would make for an outstanding long-term defensive partner to go along with Cam Fowler in Anaheim.

7. Minnesota Wild - Radek Faksa, F, Kitchener

The Wild really lack star power in their minor league system, and while Faksa may not change that, he's a big center who could develop into a top-six guy.

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

Carolina has some promising young defensemen already in Jamie McBain and Justin Faulk, but it wouldn't hurt to add another in the form of Rielly.

9. Winnipeg Jets - Jacob Trouba, D, USA U-18

The Jets have done a nice job developing defensemen over the past few seasons, meaning Trouba could become a star in Winnipeg.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning - Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton

Tampa Bay has plenty of talent up front, but they continue to shake things up on the back end, and Reinhart will give them a blue-chipper waiting in the wings.

11. Washington Capitals - Brendan Gaunce, F, Belleville

The Capitals have to continue to transform themselves into a team that can thrive in the playoffs, and a big center like Gaunce would fit in nicely.

12. Buffalo Sabres - Teuvo Teravainen, F, Jokerit

The Buffalo Sabres are an organization that is usually pretty tight-lipped about their operations, but general manager Darcy Regier didn't hesitate to say that he wanted to move up in this year's draft. The Sabres have two first-rounders, as they hold their own at No. 12 and one later in the round thanks to the trade of center Paul Gaustad to the Nashville Predators. Because of that, they have the ammunition to make a big move.

Buffalo is in a good spot as they have some salary coming off the books and could very easily trade away players like Derek Roy or Jordan Leopold to create cap room. Because of that, the Sabres are a team that is quite likely to make a run at New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise in free agency. If they can secure him and trade up for a young stud as well, then they could be Stanley Cup contenders.

No. 2 looks to be the ideal slot for the Sabres to move up to, but rather than taking Grigorenko, they would probably take Galchenyuk. Buffalo hasn't been too keen on taking Russian prospects, so it might rather go for the American. Aside from that, the Sabres could stick at No. 12 and get a promising Finnish forward in Teuvo Teravainen. The Sabres took his countryman in Joel Armia last season and probably wouldn't mind pairing them.

13. Dallas Stars - Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa

The Stars have an excellent offensive defenseman in Alex Goligoski who should be around for years to come, so adding a bruiser like Ceci is only natural.

14. Calgary Flames - Matt Finn, D, Guelph

Calgary needs a talent infusion at pretty much every position in their system, and Finn is a solid all-around talent on defense.

15. Ottawa Senators - Sebastian Collberg, F, Frolunda HC

The Senators have had a lot of success with Swedish players such as Daniel Alfredsson and Erik Karlsson, so they'll go to that well again with Collberg.

16. Washington Capitals - Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland

The Washington Capitals have a pair of first-round picks firmly in the middle, so while they could nab a couple quality prospects and develop them, they are more concerned with winning now. With that in mind, the Caps are another team that could very well make an effort to trade up to No. 2. Grigorenko would be a fantastic fit as Alexander Semin may be on his way out via free agency, so Washington will need a forward to replace him.

Even if the Caps can't get the No. 2 pick, it wouldn't hurt them to get into the top six in some way so that they can take one of the top defensemen in Ryan Murray or Matthew Dumba. Mike Green seems to be on the decline and most definitely isn't the same player he was when he routinely led the league in scoring for a defenseman, so the Capitals wouldn't mind beefing up the blue line, either.

17. Florida Panthers - Zemgus Girgensons, F, Dubuque

Florida made major strides this season after undergoing a major roster overhaul and will continue to add to the system with Girgensons.

18. San Jose Sharks - Ludvig Bystrom, D, Modo

The Sharks are running out of time when it comes to competing for a Stanley Cup, so it's time to start building for the future a bit with a solid defenseman like Bystrom.

19. Chicago Blackhawks - Pontus Aberg, F, Djurgardens

Chicago is in a good spot as it has plenty of good, young prospects at forward to build with, and Aberg will only serve to enhance that stable.

20. Tampa Bay Lightning - Andrei Vasilevski, G, Ufa

Tampa Bay's goaltending situation is embarrassing, and while Vasilevski won't be ready for the big time for a couple years, the Lightning can't simply stand pat.

21. Pittsburgh Penguins - Olli Maatta, D, London

The Penguins' defense was unbelievably bad in the postseason and there isn't much in the pipeline, so Maatta would be a logical choice at this juncture.

22. Vancouver Canucks - Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough

At this point in the first round, teams are usually worried about taking the best player available, and the Canucks will likely identify Koekkoek as such.

23. Columbus Blue Jackets - Malcolm Subban, G, Belleville

Steve Mason was fool's gold as the Blue Jackets' goaltender of the future, so they'll get an elite prospect in Subban to groom for the future.

24. New Jersey Devils - Tomas Hertl, F, Slavia

The Devils have taken a lot of foreign prospects over the past several years and they will continue that trend by selecting Hertl.

25. Boston Bruins - Brady Skjei, D, USA U-18

Boston doesn't have many top-flight prospects, and while Skjei isn't one in his own right, he has the potential to be a solid NHL defender.

26. Phoenix Coyotes - Stefan Matteau, F, USNTDP

The Coyotes have drafted quite well and made some shrewd free-agent signings as of late. They will add to their considerable depth with Matteau.

27. Buffalo Sabres - Tom Wilson, F, Plymouth

Buffalo has considerable defensive depth and if it doesn't trade up into the top five, it will likely take another forward in Wilson at this point.

28. New York Rangers - Colton Sissons, F, Kelowna

The Rangers are stacked with high-quality prospects and won't hesitate to add a blue-collar forward to the mix in the form of Sissons.

29. St. Louis Blues - Michael Matheson, D, Dubuque

St. Louis loves guys who can play within a team concept and excel in the defensive aspect of the game, so Matheson is an excellent fit.

30. Philadelphia Flyers - Hampus Lindholm, D, Rogle

The Flyers may have more excellent, young forwards than any team in the league, so they would do well to take a defenseman here.