NHL Draft Order 2012: Teams Looking to Move out of Their Current Spot

When the 2012 NHL Draft starts at 7 p.m. ET on June 22, there will be several teams looking to pull off deals and swap picks.

Some franchises are looking to move up and draft a marquee prospect, while others value quantity over quality and are looking to move down and get more picks. 

Here are three teams rumored to be moving out of their current spots, followed by the first-round draft order.

New York Islanders, Round 1, Pick No. 4

According to a report by Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post, Islanders’ general Manager Garth Snow is in a trading mood.

"

All options are on the table. If we can move prospects to get a player that is going to come in and going to help us and get us where we want to be, we’re going to make that move.

"

The Islanders had the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. Trading away picks to get established veterans could help the team improve rapidly.

There is plenty of pressure on the team given their location. They haven’t won a playoff series since 1993, as noted by Cyrgalis, and pulling off a draft-day deal could take the team one step closer to ending that streak.

Buffalo Sabres, Round 1, Picks No. 12 and 21

General manager Darcy Regier has plenty of options with two first-round picks. 

According to Mike Harrington of BuffaloNews.com, Regier has stated: “We are very active as it relates to finding ways to improve our hockey team.”

The Sabres will also have two more choices in the top 44 picks. With four early selections, the team will almost certainly make a move. 

Whether they are targeting prospects or current players, the Sabres will be using the phone non-stop during the draft.

Ottawa Senators, Round 1, Pick No. 15

ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reported via Twitter that the Senators are not happy picking in the middle of the first round. 

"

Ottawa has talked to a few teams today about moving up in the first round. But nothing imminent at this point

— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) June 22, 2012"

Ottawa was a middle-of-the-road team this past season, and a top-tier prospect could bring excitement to the squad in the future.

Watch for the Senators to make waves on draft day.

First-Round Draft Order (courtesy of TSN.ca)

Pick	Team
1	Edmonton Oilers
2	Columbus Blue Jackets
3	Montreal Canadiens
4	New York Islanders
5	Toronto Maple Leafs
6	Anaheim Ducks
7	Minnesota Wild
8	Carolina Hurricanes
9	Winnipeg Jets
10	Tampa Bay Lightning
11	Washington Capitals
12	Buffalo Sabres
13	Dallas Stars
14	Calgary Flames
15	Ottawa Senators
16	Washington Capitals
17	San Jose Sharks
18	Chicago Blackhawks
19	Tampa Bay Lightning
20	Philadelphia Flyers
21	Buffalo Sabres
22	Pittsburgh Penguins
23	Florida Panthers
24	Boston Bruins
25	St. Louis Blues
26	Vancouver Canucks
27	Phoenix Coyotes
28	New York Rangers
29	New Jersey Devils
30	Los Angeles Kings