NHL Draft 2012: Updates and Predictions Leading Up to the Draft

The NHL Draft is always good for a lot of drama in the days just before festivities begin, because so much can happen.

Trades can be made, players can be re-signed, and personnel changes can be made. It's a bit like the butterfly effect; the smallest of changes can have the largest of impacts.

So here's some updates and predictions leading into the NHL Entry Draft.

Update: Buffalo Sabres Plan to Be Active

The Buffalo Sabres plan to be very active on draft day, and may take part in some wheeling and dealing according to John Wawrow of the Associated Press.

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Without being specific, Regier said he has had discussions regarding players who have been speculated to be on the trade block. Those could include Colorado Avalanche forward Paul Stastny and Pittsburgh Penguins center Jordan Staal. Both have been linked in reports as players being targeted by the Sabres.

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The Sabres were very active in trading and free agency during last year's offseason and it appears that this year will be no different.

Buffalo is not taking a wait-and-see approach towards getting the top-line center they need, they want to go out and get one.

Prediction: Rick Nash Will Not Be Traded at the Draft

One of the biggest story-lines going into this year's NHL draft is whether or not Rick Nash will get traded.

We learned at the trade deadline that the Blue Jackets aren't willing to cut ties with him just because he wants out, there's a price for him.  

The Vancouver Sun lists what that price for Nash might look like:

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The Blue Jackets want a big return, including a premium young prospect, a first-round draft pick and a couple of players who can play immediately. A premium young goalie prospect would be a plus, but the lack of one doesn’t seem to be a deal-killer.

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Nash has some power in this process since his contract is one that allows him to choose his destination.

The Rangers' name keeps popping up as a team that would be in a good position to grab Nash, but maybe we'd see an unknown team jump into the mix come draft day.

Some serious talks may begin on draft day, but this deal is far too complicated to happen during the draft.

Update: Alexander Radulov to the KHL

Earlier today, Dmitry Chesnokov of Puck Daddy broke the news that Alexander Radulov will be going back to the KHL for next season after his falling out with the Nashville Predators.

The article states that one of the biggest deciding factors for Radulov was the "real threat of a lockout" next season.

In that sense, it's hard to blame him for heading back.

Prediction: Edmonton Will Draft Nail Yakupov

Mark Spector tweeted that the Edmonton Oilers have no plans to trade the first-overall draft pick, but that they also haven't made up their mind as to who they will take.

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#Oilers‬ won't trade No. 1 overall pick. Also won't decide until Thursday night, Friday morning who they'll take.

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There have been some people out there, like the Edmonton Journal, that have suggested the Oilers would be wise to move their top pick, but the team doesn't seem to agree.

Nail Yakupov has resided at the top of the scout's rankings throughout this season, and seems the most likely choice for the Oilers, especially if they don't end up moving the pick.

While I think that Yakupov isn't necessarily the best option for Edmonton, that's still who they're going to draft.

Find Mark Spector on Twitter @SportsnetSpec.

Update: Carolina Emerges as Likely Landing Spot for Staal

Dave Molinari, of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette suggested that the Carolina Hurricanes might be the most desirable landing spot for Jordan Staal.

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Carolina has been singled out as a likely landing spot if Staal gets traded, and that makes sense on a number of levels. The Hurricanes are shopping for a quality forward to play with Eric Staal and, because a deal would unite the younger Staal with his brother, Carolina presumably would have a decent chance of getting Jordan Staal's name on a contract to follow the one that expires after next season.

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The question for Carolina would be do they have the pieces to trade to get Staal and are they willing to part with those pieces?

Should be interesting to see.

Prediction: Brian Burke Will Get Roberto Luongo

If there's a guy who knows how to get the deal that he wants done, it's Brian Burke. 

He wanted the Sedin twins, he made it happen. He wanted Phil Kessel, he made it happen. If Burke wants to upgrade their goaltending situation, he'll make that happen as well.

With the trade of Anders Lindback to Tampa Bay, and the signing of Tomas Vokoun in Pittsburgh, the Leafs now pretty much have one option: Roberto Luongo.

The Toronto Sun does a great job of spelling out why Luongo is the best option. 

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With Vokoun and Lindback scratched from the list of the available and the Kings’ Dean Lombardi saying “having only one quarterback is dangerous,” that leaves Roberto Luongo as their best goaltending option moving forward to this week’s NHL draft and trade meet.

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Burke sees his guy and he'll make it happen.

Update: Bobby Ryan "Available" Again

Bob McKenzie tweeted that Bobby Ryan is available for shopping at the NHL draft again as the Ducks look to rebound from a disappointing 2011 - 2012 campaign.

This could have an affect on the Rick Nash proceedings as well considering that Ryan is younger and possesses a similar skill-set. Not to mention that he doesn't come with the baggage and drama surrounding a demanded trade.

He may also be a cheaper option that draws more action from teams as well.

Prediction: Calgary Will Make a Trade During the Draft

TSN's Darren Dreger is reporting that the Calgary Flames, and their fresh new coaching staff, will be willing to listen to pretty much any trade proposal sent their way.

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The Calgary Flames have a new coaching staff and a willingness to consider all trade scenarios not including Jarome Iginla or Miikka Kiprusoff.

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My prediction is that the Flames will move Jay Bouwmeester, but what the trade would actually involve is another topic entirely.

Bouwmeester is a big, strong, durable top-four defenseman with a cannon from the blue line and a mean streak in his own zone.

What might be more important than all of this is that Bouwmeester doesn't get injured. Only one of his nine seasons in the league has seen him miss any action at all. Bouwmeester currently has a streak of seven consecutive seasons without missing a game.

He's 29 and coming out of those prime years, but he definitely has a lot of good qualities that would interest a team.