NHL Draft 2012: Predicting When Each First-Round Pick Will Make the NHL

The first round of the 2012 NHL draft went down last night, and boy was it interesting. There might have been only one big trade—in which Jordan Staal went to the Carolina Hurricanes—but the picks that were made were sometimes eye-popping.

Now the question is: When will these player make the NHL?

For some, it could be as early as next season, but for others it could be a couple of years. We really just have to wait to find out.

Here are my predictions on when the 30 first round picks will make the NHL.

Nail Yakupov, Edmonton Oilers

Makes the NHL: 2012-13

There's no doubt involved. Nail Yakupov will be an Edmonton Oiler this season. They can't afford not to bring his offense to the team.

Ryan Murray, Columbus Blue Jackets

Makes the NHL: 2012-13

Ryan Murray joins Jack Johnson and James Wisniewski in forming a pretty good top three on the Columbus blue line. Truly NHL-ready, he has already played with some of the games top stars at the recent world championship.

Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal Canadiens

Makes the NHL: 2013-14

Alex Galchenyuk definitely has the talent to play in the NHL next season, but with his injury costing him all but two games in the last regular season, he will most likely get one more year of junior to develop.

Griffin Reinhart, New York Islanders

Makes the NHL: 2012-13

Call me crazy, but I think that Griffin Reinhart will be in the NHL this upcoming season.

The Islanders want to make a big jump in the standings, and Reinhart could be a very big piece for the present and the future.

Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs

Makes the NHL: 2014-15

Brian Burke is one of those GMs that gives his prospects time to develop in junior no matter what. Being a defenseman, Reilly will get a lot more time, spending at least one more year in junior and another in the AHL.

By the time he's ready though, he will be a force to be reckoned with.

Leaf fans just need to patient with him.

Hampus Lindholm, Anaheim Ducks

Makes the NHL: 2014-15

In the first surprise pick of the draft, Anaheim took a prospect in Hampus Lindholm that will take a while to develop, but when he's ready for the NHL, he's going to be a good defenseman.

Matthew Dumba, Minnesota Wild

Makes the NHL: 2013-14

The Minnesota Wild could have been picking a lot later if they had continued to play as they were in December. However, they took a free fall and fell out of the playoff race.

Matt Dumba is not a bad consolation, however, and he is a player that could help Minnesota get back to the playoffs.

Derrick Pouliot, Pittsburgh Penguins

Makes the NHL: 2013-14

Last year, the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Joe Morrow. This year, they selected his teammate Derrick Pouliot. I think Joe Morrow will make the Penguins next season, followed by Pouliot the season after.

The Penguins are soon going to be a defensive force.

Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg Jets

Makes the NHL: 2014-15

The Atlanta Thrashers made a habit of rushing their prospects. The Winnipeg Jets are not going to do that. Jacob Trouba is going to get as much time as he needs to develop.

I'm thinking two more seasons until he makes the NHL.

Slater Koekkoek, Tampa Bay Lightning

Makes the NHL: 2013-14

Steve Yzerman must have a lot of faith in his scouting staff for him to have selected Slater Koekkoek at the 10th spot.

Yzerman sure hopes he's ready in only one season, because the Lightning need help as soon as possible.

Filip Forsberg, Washington Capitals

Makes the NHL: 2012-13

If Filip Forsberg had been selected in the top five, this wouldn't be as surprising as it might be.

Washington gets lucky by having Forsberg falling all the way to them. He'll be a solid second-liner for them this season.

Mikhail Grigorenko, Buffalo Sabres

Makes the NHL: 2013-14

There might be doubts about his dedication to the game and whether he really wants to play in the NHL, but if he does actually want to play in the NHL—and play hard—Buffalo has a steal on their hands.

If there's no KHL problems, he'll be in the NHL within a season.

Radek Faksa, Dallas Stars

Makes the NHL: 2013-14

Another player that fell because of the string of defenseman in the top 10, Radek Faksa fell to No.13.

Dallas obviously feels that Faksa can make the NHL soon, with their dealing away of Mike Ribeiro.

Zemgus Girgensons, Buffalo Sabres

Makes the NHL: 2014-15

Zemgus Girgensons might take a bit more development than Mikhail Grigorenko, but the Sabres got two really good centermen in the draft.

As I have said in the past, Girgensons could be a future captain.

Cody Ceci, Ottawa Senators

Makes the NHL: 2013-14

Quite simply, Ottawa is going to get local kid Cody Ceci in a Senators uniform in as short a time as possible.

Thomas Wilson, Washington Capitals

Makes the NHL: 2013-14

Thomas Wilson is a monster. When he walked up on stage, he dwarfed Capitals brass.

The sooner he sooner he makes it, the better.

Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks

Makes the NHL: 2014-15

With the core that San Jose has right now, they can afford to wait for Tomas Hertl. Playing really well in the Czech league, he will spend at least one year in the AHL to acclimate himself to the North American game.

Teuvo Teravainen, Chicago Blackhawks

Makes the NHL: 2012-13

Teuvo Teravainen could very well have gone in the top 10. Teravainen has talents almost comparable to those of Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk.

Chicago will welcome the skill level that Teravainen brings to the team.

Andrei Vasilevski, Tampa Bay Lightning

Makes the NHL: 2015-16

At the earliest, Andrei Vasilevski will take at least another three seasons before he is ready to play in the NHL. With the acquisition of Anders Lindback, there is no rush for Vasilevski.

Scott Laughton, Philadelphia Flyers

Makes the NHL: 2014-15

Representing public enemy No. 1 last night was Scott Laughton. Being selected by the Philadelphia Flyers, he didn't receive much love when his name was called in Pittsburgh.

That doesn't matter to Flyer fans, as he will be a important player for them once he makes the NHL.

Mark Jankowski, Calgary Flames

Makes the NHL: 2015-16

The definition of a project, Mark Jankowski won't be seeing the NHL anytime soon.

He's got the NHL in his blood though, so I feel confident that he will eventually make the league.

Olli Maata, Pittsburgh Penguins

Makes the NHL: 2013-14

After the Penguins took Derrick Pouliot with the eighth pick, they must have been shocked to see Olli Maata still around at their original pick, at No.22.

In just one year, the Penguins are going to be even harder to beat.

Mike Matheson, Florida Panthers

Makes the NHL: 2014-15

Another project.

Florida suddenly has enough depth that they can afford to select a player like Mike Matheson, who won't be ready for the foreseeable future.

Malcolm Subban, Boston Bruins

Makes the NHL: 2015-16

We'll have to wait a while to see the Malcolm vs. PK battles that Pierre McGuire went so crazy over last night. With Tuuka Rask set to take over the starting job, Malcolm will be waiting a while to take it away.

Jordan Schmaltz, St. Louis Blues

Makes the NHL: 2014-15

Another player and team that can wait for the right time. Jordan Schmaltz is another player who might take a few years, but St. Louis develops it's prospects well, and I don't see that changing.

Brendan Gaunce, Vancouver Canucks

Makes the NHL: 2014-15

Another player that fell further than I expected, Brendan Gaunce might be the biggest steal of the draft if he can become the elite scorer that he has the potential of being.

With Vancouver's offensive depth, however, Gaunce might be held back longer than he should.

Henrik Samuelsson, Phoenix Coyotes

Makes the NHL: 2013-14

Ulf Samuelsson's son might need a kick in the pants when it comes to discipline, but Henrik Samuelsson definitely has the potential to be at least as good as, if not better than, his old man.

Brady Skjei, New York Rangers

Makes the NHL: 2014-15

Brady Skjei might not play a game for the New York Rangers for quite some time, but at least he can be happy that he will be on a team that will be contending heavily for the Stanley Cup by the time he gets there.

Stefan Matteau, New Jersey Devils

Makes the NHL: 2014-15

Stefan Matteau is the most ironic pick of the draft so far. If he can ever eliminate the New York Rangers from the playoffs with an overtime goal, it would only be apropos, as the Rangers passed him over.

Tanner Pearson, Los Angeles Kings

Makes the NHL: 2012-13

After being passed over in two drafts, Tanner Pearson impressed a lot of people with his play both for the Barrie Colts and Team Canada in the world juniors.

The Kings took a flyer on him, and it could pay off as early as next season.