NHL Draft 2012 Results: 5 Biggest Surprises from the First Round

The NHL draft is always one of the most entertaining days of the year for hockey fans everywhere.

It means new blood for your favorite team.

It means big trades and a day packed with juicy rumors.

It means a day where some will jump with joy while others will be left wondering what on earth their favorite team was thinking.

No matter how closely one may follow hockey, it's nearly impossible for any person to predict exactly what will happen with every pick of the first round.

Then again, there are some picks that seem to be locks.

When those seemingly guaranteed picks don't end up happening, it stuns just about everyone who follows the game.

Here are the biggest five surprises of tonight's first round.

A Pair of Top Prospects Both Slip out of the Top 10

It's only been a few weeks since it seemed to be a foregone conclusion that Mikhail Grigorenko and Filip Forsberg would both be taken by the time the sixth pick rolled around.

Well, much to the delight of the Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres, neither of the talented young forwards came off the board in the top 10, let alone top five.

While some expected Grigorenko to slip a few spots, falling all the way to 12th was not something many saw coming.

Forsberg dropping to 11th, on the other hand, came out of left field.

It almost leaves you wondering if some GMs didn't realize the Swedish forward was still on the board.

Pittsburgh Deals Jordan Staal to Carolina

It may not come as a surprise that Jordan Staal would be dealt after TSN's Bob McKenzie first tweeted he rejected a 10-year contract extension worth nearly $60 million, but it's certainly a shock that he was dealt so fast (and on his wedding day, no less).

The next shocker delivered by Ray Shero came when he took to the podium to announce the Penguins' (newly acquired) eighth overall selection, which turned out to be Portland Winterhawks defenseman Derrick Pouliot.

Pouliot may have had a terrific season in the WHL, but he wasn't thought to be a top-10 player in the draft by most, leaving some wondering if Shero made the right pick at No. 8.

Toronto Maple Leafs Select Another Defenseman at No. 5

All the buzz around Toronto pre-draft surrounded which of the top-tier forwards the Toronto Maple Leafs would draft.

Would it be Alex Galchenyuk? If he was gone, then would it be Filip Forsberg? Mikhail Grigorenko? Teuvo Teravainen?

Well, unfortunately for most Toronto Maple Leafs fans, it won't be any of those names.

With pick No. 5 in the 2012 draft, Brian Burke stunned a good deal of people by taking Moose Jaw Warriors defenseman (yes, defenseman) Morgan Rielly.

Why is this a surprise?

For starters, Morgan Rielly only played in 18 games this season in the WHL after tearing his ACL.

Then there's the fact that Filip Forsberg, Mikhail Grigorenko and Teuvo Teravainen were all still available.

Factor in Toronto's roster depth on the blue line, and you've got a real head-scratcher with regards to this pick.

Still not surprised?

How about this: Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke told the media after making his selection (via 680 News) that Toronto had Morgan Rielly rated as the top prospect in the draft. Had the Leafs had the first overall pick, says Burke, they would have chosen Morgan Rielly.

There, now tell me you're not surprised.

Hampus Lindholm Selected at 6th Overall Ahead of Other Premium Defensemen

Hampus Lindholm had been one of the players before the draft who was quickly moving up draft boards everywhere.

That being said, I don't think that he made the jump all the way to sixth overall pick on very many draft boards—well, with the exception of Bob Murray's, of course.

Drafting a defenseman was probably the right move by the Anaheim Ducks.

No one will question the pick on that front.

Bob Murray may take some heat, though, for taking Lindholm while players like Matthew Dumba and Jacob Trouba were still available, and he should.

Why he would pass on a player like Dumba is beyond me.

Definitely one of the night's biggest shockers.

Teuvo Teravainen and Scott Laughton Are Only Picked Two Spots Apart

Before the draft began, Teravainen was supposed to be chosen somewhere in the top 10, while the less flashy, more technical Scott Laughton was supposed to be a fringe first-round selection.

By the time the 20th pick had passed, however, both Teravainen and Laughton were still adjusting their new jerseys and hats, seeing as they were only picked two spots apart (Teravainen by Chicago at 18th overall and Laughton by Philadelphia at 20th overall).

I mean we're talking about one prospect who has, arguably, the best hands in the draft, and another who is more of a hockey sense and grit kind of player that projects to play as a second or third line player.

Seeing them taken so close was definitely unexpected.

Follow @LeafsWriterBR