First-Round Candidates for Canucks 2012 Entry Draft

The 2012 NHL Entry Draft marks an important time of year for the Vancouver Canucks. Not only is it most likely the time that Mike Gillis' management team will find a trade for Roberto Luongo, the Canucks can further replenish their crop of young, rising prospects by drafting intelligently.

In the following slides, I will introduce several potential first-round candidates who may hear their names called on the draft floor in June by your Vancouver Canucks.

One thing is for certain now: The Canucks hold the 22nd overall pick in June.

Tom Wilson: Plymouth Whalers

Tom Wilson of the Plymouth Whalers is a lot like former Vancouver Giant Milan Lucic in his junior days, as Wilson plays with a physical presence on every shift. An OHL scout, and New Jersey Devils columnist, Todd Cordell, who regularly covers the Barrie Colts saw a game between the Whalers and the Colts had this to say:

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RW – Tom Wilson (1G, 0A), 2012 – Wilson was absolutely fantastic against the Colts. He was a force each and every shift and dominated the Colts; especially down low. He scored, was very physical and also played well in his own end. He also showed a ton of guts by blocking some very heavy shots from the point while short-handed. He’s projected to go in the 2nd round this year but with a few more performances like that he could hear his name called in the first round.

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Wilson has the ability to be a very nasty forward, as he is a grinder along the boards down low and can cause havoc in front of the crease as well. He has some hands and the hockey sense to finish off rebounds in front of the net.

Listed at 6'4'' and 200 pounds, Tom Wilson will definitely become a potential power forward in the NHL.

Some areas he needs to continue to work on include his skating, since he does not possess blazing speed, and his shooting.

Other than that, Wilson earns high grades academically. He keeps up on his studies when he has spare time, to make sure homework is complete.

The team which drafts Wilson will be getting a physical specimen loaded with heavy hits and toughness. Also, he does play a responsible game in his own zone, so he can play in both ends of the rink.

NHL Comparable: Milan Lucic

Slater Koekkoek: Peterborough Petes

Slater Koekkoek is probably the only player in this Canucks draft preview that should not be here. Despite what scouts suggest, Koekkoek is a very smart offensive defenseman who owns a hard and accurate shot from the point.

At 6'2'' and 183 pounds, he is a fluid skater and plays solid defense. Due to a shoulder injury midway through the OHL season, Koekkoek's draft rankings dropped. If he is healthy, this defenseman should be among the top 15.

Slater Koekkoek is a leader by example for his teammates. When he represented Team Canada U-18, Ivan Hlinka dressed him as alternative captain on the team. The coaches love him for his strong work ethic.

If the Canucks select Koekkoek at 22nd overall, they will have an exciting young player that dropped favourably into their hands.

NHL Comparable: Zach Bogosian

Tomas Hertl: Slavia (Czech)

Perhaps Tomas Hertl was a relatively unknown hockey prospect at the beginning of the year. However, Hertl drew attention at the World Junior Championships when he represented the Czech Republic and put together an outstanding performance.

The left-winger played a part of the main offensive forces for the Czech team and he is now a potential first-round candidate in the eyes of NHL scouts. How many teams are willing to take a young Czech player as their first-rounder remains to be seen, but his skill level cannot be denied.

Hertl has a good first-pass in the offensive zone. Although Hertl does not possess blazing speed, he is able to protect the puck with his projectable frame at 6'2'', 200 pounds.

When Hertl is on his game, he is not afraid to play with physicality to battle for loose pucks. Hertl has decent hands to score goals and he can become a top-six NHL forward one day.

NHL Comparables: Jamie Benn

Tanner Pearson: Barrie Colts

Tanner Pearson (6'0'', 198 pounds), has risen to the occasion this year after taking a longer path towards making the NHL.

As a 19-year-old over-ager, Pearson has proven himself as one of the premier offensive talents in this year's entry draft.

In 2010 and 2011, Pearson was passed up at the draft, so he is still searching for his first step into the big leagues. The Barrie Colts certainly testify as to what Pearson brings to the team. The style of game he plays is a combination of skill and tenacity. Pearson likes to drive the net, and score his goals from inside the faceoff dots.

The left-winger turned a lot of heads when he worked hard to lead the OHL in scoring early on, before joining Team Canada for the WJC. After he came back, Pearson ended the year third-overall in OHL scoring. That's an incredible performance by someone who went undrafted.

If the Canucks were to bring him over, the team must understand that Pearson knows what it takes to develop into the type of player which will allow him to make the NHL.

His flaw may be his skating technique and speed. The development process may have to be expedited due to his age, however, Pearson brings plenty of experience and offense to the organization.

As a line-mate of Jets prospect Mark Scheifele, Pearson has the potential to become a first-round pick.

NHL Comparable: Radim Vrbata

Adam Pelech: Erie Otters

Adam Pelech plays for the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League. Scouts list him as a tower of a defenseman standing at 6'2'', 210 pounds.

Adam Pelech is the third of four brothers playing junior hockey who are trying to make it to the National Hockey League. His brother Matt Pelech (defenseman) was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2005 while Michael Pelech (center) was drafted by L.A. Kings in 2009.

Adam Pelech is the nephew of Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis. Therefore, the Canucks should be familiar with Pelech as a player as well as his character off the ice.

Recently, Gillis described Adam as a defensive defenseman with a good first-pass out of his own zone. He likes to play a physical brand of hockey, and he is a potential shutdown defenseman at the NHL level.

NHL Comparable: Cory Sarich