2012 NHL Mock Draft: Predicting Where Next Wave of Young Superstars Will Land

Finding talent in the NHL draft has become a tough task. With so many different areas of scouting, it's tough to compare players when they are all playing against different levels of competition. Those teams that do it best gain a major advantage.

Here's a complete mock draft of the first round featuring some of the best prospects the class has to offer. They won't all have an immediate impact like in the NFL or NBA but, nevertheless, they all have bright futures.

1. Edmonton Oilers: Nail Yakupov, F, Sarnia

A little bit of lottery luck allowed the Oilers to land the top overall pick once again, and the selection should be crystal clear. Yakupov has established himself as the class' top player, and it's hard to imagine that changing before draft day.

He would add another huge piece to the rebuilding effort in Edmonton. It's been a slow climb, but once all of these young players settle in, the Oilers should really take off. Yakupov should have no trouble making a quick impact.

The only area that needs some improvement is his defense, which can be lackluster at times. Otherwise, he's the ideal top pick.

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

Even though Yakupov has stolen most of the headlines so far this early in the draft process, Grigorenko also has the potential to become the face of a franchise.

3. Montreal Canadiens: Filip Forsberg, F, Leksands

Forsberg needs more time to increase his strength to survive a grueling NHL season, but he has all the raw tools teams look for early in the draft.

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

The Islanders have been struggling on defense for quite some time, which has been a major factor in their lack of playoff hockey.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs: Alex Galchenyuk, F, Sarnia

A teammate of Yakupov, Galchenyuk has proven he has star power as well. Since there's a lack of depth up the middle in the NHL, he should have no problem getting selected in the top five as teams fall in love with his upside at a weak position.

His size will allow him to endure punishment in front of the net without having to shy away from contact. He's got soft hands that allow him to thrive as both a goal scorer and a distributor, and he's still getting better.

The Maple Leafs have diehard fans who have gone through a lot of turmoil in recent years. Drafting Galchenyuk should finally be a sign that things are changing.

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

Red Deer has produced plenty of NHL talent, and Dumba looks to be the next star. He'll join an improving Ducks defense sooner rather than later.

7. Minnesota Wild: Radek Faksa, F, Kitchener

While the Wild rely on a defensive scheme to win games, eventually they will need to address their lack of offensive firepower.

8. Carolina Hurricanes: Jacob Trouba, D, USA U-18

The Hurricanes have been trending in the wrong direction lately, so they have to start stockpiling the farm system to turn things around.

9. Winnipeg Jets: Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw

Returning to Winnipeg turned out well for the NHL as fans supported the team all season. Now they have to start drafting future stars.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning: Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa

Ceci already has great size at 6'2'' and should continue to grow for at least a couple more years. He'll be the force Tampa Bay needs on the back end.

11. Washington Capitals: Brendan Gaunce, F, Belleville

There aren't many young centers with the combination of size and skill that Gaunce has showcased. He needs more time to reach his peak, though.

12. Buffalo Sabres: Teuvo Teravainen, F, Jokerit

The Sabres have done a nice job of developing their own talent in recent years, but they have seemed to plateau. While they were one of the league's most impressive teams a few years ago, they haven't accomplished much since then.

Teravainen fits the Sabres mold of smaller players who have a lot of speed. He's still a couple seasons away from helping the big club, but that should give him enough time to add some muscle to help hold his own in the NHL.

He's really improved his passing in recent years, allowing him to improve his value before the draft. If he falls to the Sabres, they would be crazy to let him slip by.

13. Dallas Stars: Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton

Reinhart has a good chance to improve his draft stock leading up to the draft because of immense upside, but makes sense for the Stars right now.

14. Calgary Flames: Sebastian Collberg, F, Frolunda HC

The Flames were in the playoff race for most of the season before fading down the stretch. That means they don't have a great pick, but Collberg is solid.

15. Ottawa Senators: Matt Finn, D, Guelph

Ottawa was lucky to hang on to a playoff spot after struggling in the season's second half. It was also a sign they need to keep adding defensive depth to the system.

16. Washington Capitals: Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland

It's clear that the Capitals have more than enough talent up front to succeed, but the defense continues to disappoint. Pouliot provides good value.

17. Florida Panthers: Malcolm Subban, G, Belleville

Subban's brother plays for the Montreal Canadiens, which already have a solid netminder. The Panthers, on the other hand, don't, and could use one to develop.

18. Columbus Blue Jackets: Ludvig Bystrom, D, Modo

A dreadful season illustrated how far the Blue Jackets have to go to get back into playoff contention. Bystrom won't help right away, but he's got a real bright future.

19. San Jose Sharks: Zemgus Girgensons, F, Dubuque

Bowing out of the playoffs earlier than expected every season has to be wearing on Sharks fans. Girgensons would give them a reason to get excited about the future.

20. Phoenix Coyotes: Tom Wilson, F, Plymouth

Wilson is a player who could really help himself with a good showing during the draft process because he's already got the size.

21. Chicago Blackhawks: Pontus Aberg, F, Djurgardens

The Blackhawks have a lot of top-end talent among their forwards, but don't have much depth. Aberg will eventually fill that role.

22. New Jersey Devils: Tomas Hertl, F, Slavia

One of the draft's most underrated players right now, Hertl should start getting more respect as the draft draws closer. The Devils would be lucky to get him.

23. Tampa Bay Lightning: Andrei Vasilevski, G, UFA

Tampa Bay's struggles between the pipes are well documented. The Lightning need to draft a young goalie to start developing.

24. Boston Bruins: Brady Skjei, D, USA U-18

The Bruins weren't able to repeat as champions after losing to the Capitals in Round 1. They have good depth, so taking the best player available makes the most sense.

25. Pittsburgh Penguins: Olli Maatta, D, London

Maatta is a high-risk, high-reward type of selection in the first round. Unlike teams earlier in the draft, the Penguins have the flexibility to take the chance.

26. Vancouver Canucks: Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough

Offense hasn't been a problem for the Canucks lately, so targeting a young defenseman who should be able to help within a few years should be the plan.

27. Buffalo Sabres: Colton Sissons, F, Kelowna

The Sabres have an excess of defensemen in the system and Ryan Miller in goal, so they will likely target another young forward.

28. Philadelphia Flyers: Hampus Lindholm, D, Rogle

Philadelphia has several older defensemen on the roster, so it's time for the Flyers to start thinking about the future on the blue line.

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

The NHL has started to sway back toward defensive-minded teams like the Blues. They have a system that works, and will stick to it with Matheson.

30. New York Rangers: Stefan Matteau, F, UTDP

The son of a former NHL player, Matteau knows exactly what it will take to succeed at the next level. He's a nice pick for the future for the dominant Rangers.