NHL Draft Combine 2012: When and Where to Catch Hockey's Top Prospects

While the mental testing portion of the NHL Combine has already been completed, the physical tests are set to take place on Friday and Saturday in Toronto. While the NHL Combine may not be as hyped as the NFL's version, it is still an extremely important tool for talent evaluators to use when making their selections in the draft.

Every top prospect will be put through the paces over the next two days in order to see how much they can handle and how athletically gifted they truly are. While the NHL Combine is about reaffirming preconceived notions in a lot of ways, it can also separate players who were otherwise considered to be in a dead heat during the draft process.

Here is all the vital information you want to know about the NHL Combine, including when and where you can catch results and analysis of the performances of hockey's top prospects.

Where: International Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

When: Friday, June 1 and Saturday June 2 starting at 10 a.m. ET

Watch: TSN Scouting Combine special on June 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Live Blog: TSN.ca on June 1 and 2 starting at 10 a.m. ET 

Most Important Stars to Watch

Nail Yakupov, F, Sarnia

As the consensus top pick in the upcoming draft, all eyes will be on Sarnia Sting forward Nail Yakupov at the combine. Yakupov has been dominant over the past couple seasons and seems like a near guarantee to be taken by the Edmonton Oilers first overall. Despite that, Yakupov's performance at the combine will be important because he has to make sure that he doesn't flop or get injured.

Yakupov has already gone through the mental testing, and that may have been most important from his perspective. There is always some worry from NHL general managers that Russian prospects will bolt for the KHL at some point. Yakupov has become acclimated to North America and seems like a sure bet to stay, though, so now the focus will shift to Yakupov's physical attributes.

Alex Galchenyuk, F, Sarnia

He may be the most talented player in the draft, but Sarnia Sting forward Alex Galchenyuk has a lot of questions to answer at the combine. Galchenyuk formed a dynamic duo with Yakupov in Sarnia last year, but he tore his ACL before the start of this season and played in only two games. With that in mind, it stands to reason that scouts are worried about his durability and ability to bounce back from injury.

Galchenyuk will have a great chance to showcase his elite skill at the combine, however, and will aim to prove that he is all the way back from his knee injury. Galchenyuk's outing at the combine could mean the difference between being the No. 2 pick or falling out of the top five, so he may have more riding on these next two days than any prospect in the draft class.

Mikhail Grigorenko, F, Quebec

If Galchenyuk is the prospect most in need of a great combine, Quebec Remparts forward Mikhail Grigorenko isn't far behind. The big center was dominant in his first season in North America and has drawn comparisons to great Russian forwards of the past. There are differing opinions regarding what Grigorenko can accomplish in the NHL, though, because his will and drive to succeed have been questioned.

Fair or not, that isn't something new when it comes to Russian players. Grigorenko is fairly new to North America still, so he has a high risk rate in terms to departing for the KHL at some point. If Grigorenko puts his immense physical tools to good use at the combine and performs to his capabilities, though, he could still be the No. 2 pick in the draft.

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