MIKE MORREALE'S MOCK DRAFT

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Order Team Player
1 Columbus Blue Jackets
Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL)
SKINNY:
The 6-foot game changer has an unrivaled ability to maneuver out of traffic and explode to the net
2 BOSTON BRUINs 
Mathew Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL)
SKINNY:
The gunslinger-type on the back end is too hard to ignore on the ice; offers great shot and big hits
3 Winnipeg JETS
Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL)
SKINNY:
Confident and smart, the defensive-defenseman is an excellent skater with great transitional ability
4 New York Islanders
Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
SKINNY:
An effortless skater who thinks offense, makes smart outlet feeds and can join rush
5 New JERSEY DEVILS
Filip Forsberg, LW, Leksand (SWE)
SKINNY:
Talented, speedy, two-way forward can score the big goals while presenting an assortment of shots
6 New York Rangers
Mikhail Grigorenko, LW, Quebec (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
The offensively creative 6-foot-2 Russian will battle for top billing
7 CALGARY FLAMES
Alex Galchenyuk, C, Sarnia (OHL)
SKINNY:
ACL surgery this year shouldn't keep him down; has creativity, great vision and scorer's touch
8 Montreal CANADIENS
Stephane Matteau, C, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY:
The big-bodied (6-1.5, 210) forward can bull his way to the net, has soft hands and can get physical
9 St. Louis BLUES
Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY:
Poised under pressure, is smart with the puck, deceptive speed and creates the odd-man rush
10 Detroit RED WINGS
Jacob Trouba, D, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY:
Is the top blue-line prospect for the USNTDP; rarely caught out of position and contains well
11 Carolina HURRICANES
Phillip Di Giuseppe, LW, Michigan (CCHA)
SKINNY:
Ontario native has good hockey sense; will get dirty to locate the puck, good touch around the net
12 Vancouver CANUCKs 
Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL)
SKINNY:
The 6-foot-2 Ceci handles the puck well, particularly on the power play; has a hard, accurate shot
13 Minnesota WILD
Olli Maatta, D, London (OHL)
SKINNY:
Several scouts have said the 6-foot-1, 202-pound Finn is moving up the ranks after play at '11 WJC
14 Anaheim DUCKS
Sebastian Collberg, RW, Frolunda (Sweden)
SKINNY:
21 G, 44 Pts. in 35 games with Frolunda last season; quick first step and great offensive instincts
15 Nashville PREDATORS
Zemgus Girgensons, C, Dubuque (USHL)
SKINNY:
Passionate Latvian skates well, likes to push the play and can be dominant; committed to Vermont
16 Ottawa SENATORS
Teuvo Teravainen, RW, Jokerit (FIN)
SKINNY:
Regarded as Finland's top player; is quick, talented and sets up linemates well in zone
17 Tampa Bay LIGHTNING
Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)
SKINNY:
Hulking 6-4, 210 pounder is strong in the corners and battles in front of his net; has huge upside
18 WashingtoN CAPITALS (from COL)
Thomas Wilson, RW, Plymouth (OHL)
SKINNY:
Power forward's stock rising behind fantastic size (6-3, 203), tenacious play and exceptional smarts
19 Phoenix COYOTES
Jordan Schmaltz, D, Sioux City (USHL)
SKINNY:
North Dakota-bound blueliner has 3 G, 6 Pts. in nine games; oozes confidence, good on transition
20 Florida PANTHERS
Pontus Aberg, LW, Djurgarden (SWE)
SKINNY:
Hard-working winger with a nose for the net; has 5 G, 9 Pts. in 16 games in Elitserien this season.
21 Buffalo SABRES
Martin Frk, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
Looks to build upon 22 G, 50 Pts. rookie season in Halifax; big Czech forward, all-round performer
22 San Jose SHARKs 
Brendan Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL)
SKINNY:
Solid two-way competitor handles the puck well, sees the ice well and is responsible defensively
23 Philadelphia FLYERs 
Matthew Finn, D, Guelph (OHL)
SKINNY:
Models his game after Drew Doughty; solid penalty killer, good on the PP, steady and efficient
24 Edmonton Oilers 
Nick Ebert, D, Windsor (OHL)
SKINNY:
A solid offensive-defenseman, mentored by Ryan Ellis; good physical tools and accurate shot
25 Chicago BLACKHAWKs 
Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough (OHL)
SKINNY:
The 6-foot-2 blueliner enjoys playing a high-pressure game; takes away time and space
26 Los Angeles KINGs 
Jarrod Maidens, C, Owen Sound (OHL)
SKINNY:
"Iron" Maidens plays a high-energy, two-way game; aggressive on the forecheck and finishes checks
27 Washington CAPITALS
Radek Faksa, C, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY:
The 6-3 Czech, taken 22nd in the '11 import draft, combines speed, skill and second gear to the net
28 Toronto MAPLE LEAFS
Cristoval Nieves, LW, Kent School (HIGH-CT)
SKINNY:
Michigan-bound forward is the top high school player on the board; 43 goals in 23 games at Kent
29 Dallas STARs 
Andreas Athanasiou, C, London (OHL)
SKINNY:
Led rookies in London with 11 G last season; good on PK, earned gold with Canada at 2011 Hlinka
30 Pittsburgh PENGUINs 
Colton Sissons, RW, Kelowna (WHL)
SKINNY:
A well-rounded, two-way player who will attract many scouts; good size (6-1, 189), plays position well

 

 
2012 NHL Draft