2012 NHL Mock Draft: Predicting All 30 First-Round Picks

Congratulations to the Los Angeles Kings on their Stanley Cup victory, but now all NHL eyes should be focused on the 2012 NHL Draft. The 2012 class boasts a few top prospect all expected to come off the board within the first few selections.

With that in mind, lets take a look at the first round and predict who will be drafted in the first round.

1. Edmonton Oilers - Nail Yakupov, F, Sarnia

I considered the fact that the Oilers might trade down from No.1 overall  but Nail Yakupov is such a tempting pick I had to put him at No.1 He is the one player who stands above the rest in the draft and is the clear No.1 pick.

The Sarnia Sting forward drew tons of interest early on in the season and the “Fail for Nail” sweepstakes were underway. Yakupov is a player with tremendous skill and has the potential to be the next big thing.

In the OHL, Yakupov put up some impressive numbers and his 5”10 189-pound frame will allow him to score with skill and ease. If Yakupov continues to grow and develop at an alarming rate, he could become a household name in as little as two years.

2. Columbus Blue Jackets - Filip Forsberg, F, Leksands

Forsberg is a solid pick for the Blue Jackets at No.2 because of his versatility. He plays both wings, has a good sized frame and has impressive speed and hands. 

If Rick Nash is dealt, Forsberg is a player who could take up his mantle in a few short years.

Forsberg is a player who really could make an impact on a Columbus team that should looked very different in a few years.

3. Montreal Canadiens - Mikhail Grigorenko, F, Quebec

Mikhail Grigorenko is a solid pick who climbed the ladder in this draft in my mind because of his explosive skill. Alex Galchenyuk’s knee injury also gave him the chance to distinguish himself amongst others in this draft class.

Grigorenko is a talented center with smooth hands and skill who can put the puck and the net and can set up his teammates. In the 2011-12 season, Grigorenko scored 40 goals and assisted on 45 others for 85 points. 

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

Murray is the best offensive minded defenseman in this draft. He would be an asset to the Islanders blue line in a few years and would bolster the Islanders’ defense long term.

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

Brian Burke wants to add skill to the Maple Leafs’ roster and Galchenyuk will be his man. Burke would love to trade up to draft Galchenyuk's buddy Nail Yakupov but drafting Alex is nothing to sneer at.

A knee injury sent Galchenyuk down the draft boards so this pick has the potential to be a major steal for Burke and the Leafs.

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

With Justin Schultz on his way out of Anaheim’s system, drafting a defenseman is key for the Ducks. Mathew Dumba would be a great pick who has a lot to offer. Dumba can shoot, score, skate, pass, hit and can really help the Ducks. 

The Ducks' 2011-12 season was subpar by the team’s standards, so this pick is something that really should benefit a team with tons of upside.

7. Minnesota Wild - Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw

Drafting a defenseman in this spot would make sense for the Wild. Going down the charts, Rielly would be one of the best defenseman remaining at this point, so it is a real no-brainer for Minnesota. Rielly is a player who overcame a lot of obstacles this season. He missed five months of playing time after tearing his ACL only 18 games into his season.

Had Rielly not been injured, he could have went higher in this draft, so he could turn out to be a real steal for the Wild.

8. Carolina Hurricanes - Teuvo Teravainen, F, Jokerit

This pick would be an investment for the Hurricanes. Teravainen is a 17-year-old offensive prospect with good hands, vision and playmaking abilities. Can you imagine a polished Teravainen playing alongside Eric Staal or Jeff Skinner in a few years? 

With high risk comes high reward and in this case Carolina would make a smart choice. His stock really rose as he moved from No.7 at the midterm rankings to No.2 overall for European skaters at the final rankings.

9. Winnipeg Jets -  Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton

Reinhart has tons of potential and he would fit well in Winnipeg. Reinhart has size and a booming shot which makes him a offensive threat. Can you imagine a pairing featuring Dustin Byfuglien and Reinhart staring down an opposing goalie on the power play.

Reinhart has the pedigree and is a well known name, so he is an easy selection at No.9 overall.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning - Jacob Trouba, D, USA U-18

The Tampa Bay Lightning want to continue to improve their defense corps. Trouba is a young defenseman with grit and grind who would fit very well in Tampa. Trouba will eventually assimilate into the AHL, and Tampa has one of the best developmental systems in the NHL today.

11. Washington Capitals (from COL) - Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa

It has been rumored that the Capitals could trade Mike Green this offseason, so adding a defenseman at this point would be a solid addition for Washington. Cody Ceci is a player who could fill a Mike Green role in a few years.

Ceci has offensive upside, is quick on his feet and can move the puck. He has the potential to be a solid two-way defenseman and a potential power-play-quarterback. 

12. Buffalo Sabres -  Radek Faksa, F, Kitchner

The Sabres would love to improve their center depth. Faksa is a player with solid upside and two-way play. In 62 games, Faksa scored 29 goals and assisted on 38 others for 67 points. Adding Faksa and No.12 overall would be a great steal for the Sabres. 

13. Dallas Stars -  Olli Maatta, D, London

Maatta is a defensive defenseman with some offensive instincts. He is a good positional player and loves to work over forwards and pickpocket them in the process. Maatta has no problem joining the rush and has a power play worthy shot. In 2011-12, Maatta scored five goals and assisted on 27 others for 32 points.

14. Calgary Flames -  Hampus Lindholm, D Rogle 

The Flames lost their top Swedish defensive prospect Tim Erixon before last year’s draft. Lindholm is a solid defensive prospect who could really blossom and benefit the Flames in a few years. At age 18 he is still very young but he has the potential to be a solid two-way defenseman.

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

The Senators have experience drafting players from Frolunda, so they should have no problem taking Collberg at No.15 overall. Collberg is a right winger who is 5’11” and 174 lbs. Collberg is talented but his size knocks him down the draft board. If Collberg can bulk up a bit, he could really bolster the Senators' center depth in a few years.

16. Washington Capitals - Zemgus Girgensons,F ,Dubuque

Girgensons had a solid year with Dubuque of the USHL. In 49 games, Girgensons scored 55 points. He will continue to develop next season at the University of Vermont. The NCAA has seen prospects like Charlie Coyle and Chris Kreider emerge as talented players, so Girgensons should be in good hands.

17. San Jose Sharks - Matt Finn, D, Guelph

The Sharks have some talented forwards in their arsenal, so drafting a defenseman in Matt Ginn makes sense at No.17. In 61 games, Finn scored 10 goals and assisted on 37 others for a total of 47 points. 

Ginn would really benefit from mentoring from a player like Dan Boyle, so that should be considered when San Jose drafts the young offensive defenseman.

18. Chicago Blackhawks - Brendan Gaunce, F, Belleville

The Blackhawks drafting Gaunce at this point would be a mini-steal. Some mock drafts have Gaunce going as early as No.12 overall so acquiring the 2011-12 point-per-game player would be a solid addition. As Gaunce physically matures, his stock will only increase.

19. Tampa Bay Lightning (from DET) - Tom Wilson, F, Plymouth

Tom Wilson is an interesting player. He is a hard-nosed player who oozes grit. He blocks shots, hits, kills penalties and can use his size effectively. He also can contribute some offense, and considering the make-up of the Lightning, Wilson could be a player like Ryan Malone in a few years with proper development.

20. Philadelphia Flyers - Brady Skjei, D, USA U-18

Skjei is a nice young prospect with upside. He is still developing but could really pan out in a few year. The Flyers want to develop their blue line and infuse it with youth, so adding Skjei down the line would make tons of sense.

21. Buffalo Sabres (from NSH) - Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough 

Koekkoek is a solid pick who is young and talented. He is very solid in his own end, uses his frame to be physical and has a solid shot and offensive instincts. In this draft, Buffalo already selected a forward, so picking up a stud defensive prospect in the first round would be optimal.

22. Pittsburgh Penguins -  Tomas Hertl, F, Slavia

Hertl is a solid Czech player with nice offensive upside. Does it sound familiar? He is no Jaromir Jagr, but Hertl has top-six potential because of his hands, playmaking ability and his tenacity with the puck.

Hertl is a prospect with tons of potential considering the roster he could join in a few years. 

23. Florida Panthers - Derrick Pouliot, D ,Portland

Pouliot is an offensive defenseman who is comfortable with the puck. He could be a successful power play quarterback because of his smooth hands, calmness under pressure and his size. In 72 games, Pouliot scored 11 goals and assisted on 48 others for 59 points.  

24. Boston Bruins - Dalton Thrower, D, Saskatoon

At this point in the draft, teams usually take the best player available. The Bruins are a team that would love to add to their depth defensively, especially considering the fact that Dougie Hamilton could be an NHL-er next season.

25. St. Louis Blues -  Pontus Aberg, F, Djurgardens

The Blues are a team that would love to add some offense to their team in the coming years. Aberg is young, fast and a player who could develop into a solid secondary scorer. Aberg was ranked No.4 at the midterm European rankings but dropped down to No.6 at the final rankings. 

26. Vancouver Canucks -  Scott Laughton, F, Oshawa

The Canucks don't really have any glaring holes in their prospect pool, so they would be happy to swoop up Scott Laughton at No.26. Laughton is a player who has climbed up the scouting ladder drastically. At the midterm rankings, Laughton was No.40 amongst North American skaters but finished No.28 at the final ranking.

27. Phoenix Coyotes -  Stefan Matteau, F, USNTDP

The Phoenix Coyotes would love to steal Matteau from the Rangers at this point. Matteau is a physical power-forward with grit and skill. He is the type of player you want on your team because he does what it takes to win. Matteau's stock dropped slightly but he is still worthy of being a first round pick.

28. New York Rangers -  Henrik Samuelsson, F, Edmonton

The Rangers will miss out on a potential nostalgia pick in Stefan Matteau, son of Stephane Matteau of 1994 glory, but they can pick up Ulf Samuelsson’s son Henrik. Henrik plays right wing and center so he will be another versatile pick.

Samuelsson is a hard nosed forward who can fit in with the Rangers' black and blue system.

29. New Jersey Devils -  Forfeit 

I predict that the Devils will forfeit their 2012 first round pick as a stipulation of  Ilya Kovalchuk’s first contract resulting in salary cap circumvention.

30. Los Angeles Kings -  Colton Sissons, F, Kelowna

The 2012 Stanley Cup champion Kings will select Colton Sissons. Sissons is a right winger and center with average size. In 58 games, Sissons scored 26 goals and assisted on 15 others for 41 points.