2012 NHL Mock Draft: Latest First-Round Projections Based on Team Needs

Hockey fans around North America have been eagerly awaiting the NHL draft ever since the Los Angeles Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils to win the Stanley Cup. Well, the wait is almost over as teams begin to search for the next wave of young stars.

While the draft class doesn't have many elite prospects outside of the top four or five picks, it does have pretty good depth. That could make for some interesting wheeling and dealing, as teams might try to stockpile picks later in the first round.

Here's a complete mock draft of the opening round, featuring prospects who would be perfect fits with their new organizations.

1. Edmonton Oilers: Nail Yakupov, F, Sarnia

The Oilers would be crazy to pass on Yakupov, who has clearly established himself as the best player in the draft with plenty of potential.

2. Columbus Blue Jackets: Alex Galchenyuk, F, Sarnia

After a season the entire Blue Jackets organization would rather forget, selecting Galchenyuk would give them a future building block.

3. Montreal Canadiens: Filip Forsberg, F, Leksands

It's important for Montreal to start filling the system with talented young forwards like Forsberg who fit the physical NHL style.

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

Defensive depth has been an issue for the Islanders in recent years. Selecting a prospect like Murray, who's already pretty far along in his development, gives them the best chance to plug at least one of those voids quickly.

Murray has scored 104 points in 168 regular season games for the WHL's Everett Silvertips. It's that type of immense offensive talent that has been wowing scouts for several years, and he should get even better with NHL experience.

He's also improved in his own end, as he started using a more physical style to defend. As he continues to add more strength and fills out his frame, he should become one of the league's premier two-way defensemen and a perfect fit for the Islanders.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs: Teuvo Teravainen, F, Jokerit

The diehard fans in Toronto crave a winning team, but the Maple Leafs are still a couple years away from putting it all together. Teravainen will be ready by then.

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

Dumba has been battling Murray to become the first defenseman off the board on draft day. The Ducks will be in good shape either way.

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

Another defenseman who should eventually turn into an offensive force from the blue line, Rielly makes the most sense for Minnesota.

8. Carolina Hurricanes: Radek Faksa, F, Kitchener

Aside from Eric Staal, the Hurricanes don't have much offensive firepower to speak of. So the team should definitely be targeting a forward with its first pick. Faksa has made a steady climb up the rankings and has enough upside to sneak into the top 10.

In an era where the work rate of prospects is being questioned more than ever, Faksa has stood out from the crowd by playing every shift with a high level of intensity. It's that type of effort that should see him reach the NHL pretty quickly.

He scored 67 points in 62 games for the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL. He also has plenty of international experience with the Czech Republic. His offensive talent will get him drafted, and his defensive ability will make him a star.

9. Winnipeg Jets: Jacob Trouba, D, USA U-18

Even though the Jets had an impressive first season back in Winnipeg, there are still some holes that will need to get filled in the coming years with defense atop that list.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning: Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton

Where Reinhart will land is one of the biggest questions of the first round since there are so many varying opinions about his value.

11. Washington Capitals: Mikhail Grigorenko, F, Quebec

There's no doubt that Grigorenko has top-five talent, but wide-ranging concerns have a chance to make him slide on draft day.

12. Buffalo Sabres: Brendan Gaunce, F, Belleville

The Sabres were knocked off track last season by a combination of injuries, which exposed the team's lack of depth up front, and poor production from key players. Buffalo needs to add as many forwards as possible in this draft.

Gaunce bounced back from a disappointing season with the Belleville Bulls in 2010-11 to post 68 points in 68 games. That allowed him to stop his stock from plummeting and should ensure he gets picked in the middle of Round 1.

He probably won't ever become the top-line center Buffalo has been seeking, but he will provide solid depth up the middle and give the team more balance up the middle once he finishes developing. It's a nice, safe pick for the Sabres.

13. Dallas Stars: Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa

Finding defensemen capable of making an impact on offense has become increasingly tough. Ceci should be an exception for Dallas.

14. Calgary Flames: Olli Maatta, D, London

The draft has plenty of young blueliners who have intrigued scouts with their all-around ability. Maatta definitely falls in that category.

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

Collberg combines a good combination of speed and hockey sense that should eventually make him a stalwart for the Senators.

16. Washington Capitals: Matt Finn, D, Guelph

Having added a forward with their first pick of the round, the Capitals should look toward the best available defender with this selection.

17. San Jose Sharks: Hampus Lindholm, D, Rogle

Players like Lindholm who are late-rising prospects always need to get evaluated more carefully to make sure they aren't all hype. He looks legit.

18. Chicago Blackhawks: Zemgus Girgensons, F, Dubuque

The Blackhawks have had some salary cap issues in recent years, so making sure the system is stacked with young talent is key.

19. Tampa Bay Lightning: Malcolm Subban, G, Belleville

Although the Lightning traded for Anders Lindback, he's not a lock to fix their problem between the pipes. Subban is a good safety net pick.

20. Philadelphia Flyers: Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland

Philadelphia needs a mobile defenseman who can help carry the pick. Pouliot should eventually grow into that role.

21. Buffalo Sabres: Stefan Matteau, F, USNTDP

The Sabres need to focus on drafting forwards early and often in the draft. Matteau has a lot of upside, but he needs some time to develop.

22. Pittsburgh Penguins: Ludvig Bystrom, D, Modo

Since the Penguins led the league in scoring, it's time for them to start focusing on adding more defensive depth to the system.

23. Florida Panthers: Tom Wilson, F, Plymouth

Wilson projects as a prototypical power forward with some scoring ability. That's enough to make him a good option for Florida here.

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

The Bruins have some holes at just about every position in the system, so they should just take the best player available, which would be Skjei.

25. St. Louis Blues: Scott Laughton, F, Oshawa

Laughton still has a long way to go before he reaches his potential, but he has enough of it to warrant a first-round selection.

26. Vancouver Canucks: Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough

The Canucks have had trouble living up to expectations in recent years. Koekkoek will become a solid two-way defenseman who can handle big situations.

27. Phoenix Coyotes: Pontus Aberg, F, Djurgardens

After a season where strong defensive play allowed Phoenix to outplay its talent level, the Coyotes will likely target players who fit that system.

28. New York Rangers: Tomas Hertl, F, Slavia

One of the most underrated players in the class, Hertl should give the Rangers more talented offensive depth once he's ready for the NHL.

29. New Jersey Devils: Nicolas Kerdiles, F, USA U-18

Going all the way to the Finals only to fall short is disappointing, but Kerdiles will give Devils fans something to look forward to in future.

30. Los Angeles Kings: Mark Jankowski, F, Stanstead

The Kings don't have many flaws, so they will probably just select the best player on their draft board. Jankowski is an intriguing prospect who's worth a chance.