STEVEN HOFFNER'S MOCK DRAFT

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Order Team Player
1 Columbus Blue Jackets
Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL)
SKINNY:
The super-skilled offensive dynamo is tearing up OHL.
2 BOSTON BRUINs 
Alex Galchenyuk, C, Sarnia (OHL)
SKINNY:
He'll survive knee injury; playmaking center a nice fit up middle for Bruins.
3 Winnipeg JETS
Filip Forsberg, LW, Leksands (SWE)
SKINNY:
Swedish sensation with soft hands and offensive skill
4 New York Islanders
Mikhail Grigorenko, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
Big Russian tearing up the Q in his first year in Canada
5 New JERSEY DEVILS
Jacob Trouba, D, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY:
Smart puck-moving defenseman might be best of U.S. crop
6 New York Rangers
Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL)
SKINNY:
Smart two-way blueliner, solid in his own end, a future NHL captain
7 CALGARY FLAMES
Mathew Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL)
SKINNY:
Offensive-minded blueliner with a big shot likes to throw the body around
8 Montreal CANADIENS
Andreas Athanasiou, C, London (OHL)
SKINNY:
A YouTube sensation with serious skill who impressed many at the RDO camp
9 St. Louis BLUES
Olli Maatta, D, London (OHL)
SKINNY:
Solid Finnish-born defenseman who jumps in on rush and plays well 1-on-1
10 Detroit RED WINGS
Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
SKINNY:
Skilled defenseman isn't the biggest (5-11.5, 190), but is highly touted by scouts
11 Carolina HURRICANES
Brendan Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL)
SKINNY:
Power forward won Ivan Hlinka gold medal for Canada in 2011
12 Vancouver CANUCKs 
Martin Frk, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
A skilled forward who can play well in the corners
13 Minnesota WILD
Malcolm Subban, G, Belleville (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
Had arguably the strongest performance at RDO camp; athletic and solid hockey lineage
14 Anaheim DUCKS
Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL)
SKINNY:
Big, strong blueliner already off to a great season
15 Nashville PREDATORS
Zemgus Girgensons, C, Dubuque (USHL)
SKINNY:
Latvian-born sensation lighting up the league
16 Ottawa SENATORS
Charles Hudon, LW, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
The Sens are aging up front, so this small (5-10, 170) forward could help
17 Tampa Bay LIGHTNING
Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY:
Puck-moving defenseman exactly what's needed for Tampa blue line
18 WashingtoN CAPITALS (from COL)
Matia Marcantuoni, C, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY:
Scouts and media have latched onto this potential star
19 Phoenix COYOTES
Cristoval Nieves, C, Kent School (HIGH-CT)
SKINNY:
Flashy forward is the highest-rated U.S. scholastic player in draft
20 Florida PANTHERS
Francis Beauvillier, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
Offensive-minded forward with great shot and agility, lit up RDO camp
21 Buffalo SABRES
Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)
SKINNY:
Son of former NHL player Paul, helped Canada win gold at Ivan Hlinka
22 San Jose SHARKs 
Nicolas Kerdiles, LW, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY:
California kid with great offensive flare
23 Philadelphia FLYERs 
Matthew Finn, D, Guelph (OHL)
SKINNY:
Blueliner with a good shot, excellent mobility and strong outlet passes
24 Edmonton Oilers 
Brady Skjei, D, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY:
Big (6-2.75, 200) solid defenseman could fill Oilers' blue line
25 Chicago BLACKHAWKs 
Thomas Wilson, RW, Plymouth (OHL)
SKINNY:
Big (6-3.5, 203) rough winger can put up points
26 Los Angeles KINGs 
Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough (OHL)
SKINNY:
Skates like the wind for his size (6-2, 184); could be nice complement to Doughty
27 Washington CAPITALS
Denis Kamayev, RW, Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
Russian winger off to outstanding start in first season in Q
28 Toronto MAPLE LEAFS
Philip Di Giuseppe, LW, Michigan (CCHA)
SKINNY:
U.S.-born forward with good hands, could be effective top-six forward
29 Dallas STARs 
Jordan Schmaltz,  D, Sioux City (USHL)
SKINNY:
Offensive-minded blueliner has nice size; committed to North Dakota
30 Pittsburgh PENGUINs 
Miles Koules, RW, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY:
Speedy forward who can score; late addition to RDO camp made most of chance

 

 
2012 NHL Draft