WESTERN CONFERENCE SCOUT MOCK DRAFT

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Note: Draft order based on standings as of March 21; final draft order to be determined at conclusion of Stanley Cup Final.

Order Team Player
1 Columbus Blue Jackets
Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL)
SKINNY:
He's Russian, but he plays like a highly-skilled N. American and Igor Larionov represents him.
2 EDMONTON OILERS
Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL)
SKINNY:
They need a skilled, steady defenseman that can step in now, and Ryan fits the bill.
3 MONTREAL CANADIENS
Mikhail Grigorenko, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
He is not from Quebec, but he plays there and is scary-good when he is on his game.
4 MINNESOTA WILD
Filip Forsberg, LW, Leksand (SWE-2)
SKINNY:
He has the high-end offensive capabilities to be a difference maker.
5 New York ISLANDERS
Mathew Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL)
SKINNY:
The Islanders have needs on the blue line.
6 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)
SKINNY:
He will play in the Sunshine State for years; solid, dependable and comes from great bloodlines.
7 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
SKINNY:
Before his injury he looked like one of the best natural skaters in the draft -- Niedermayer-like.
8 ANAHEIM DUCKS
Jacob Trouba, D, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY:
Another big, solid, young defenseman for the Ducks to build upon.
9 CAROLINA HURRICANES
Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Jokerit (FIN)
SKINNY:
What a pure, natural scorer. Scouts have talked about him as No. 1 overall at times.
10 WINNIPEG JETS
Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL)
SKINNY:
Does everything very well and has very good size; good for their power play.
11 BUFFALO SABRES
Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY:
Building their group with some highly skilled players and Derrick definitely fits the bill.
12 WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Radek Faksa, C, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY:
Has adapted very well to the North American game already.
13 CALGARY FLAMES
Brendan Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL)
SKINNY:
Blue-collar player with very good overall skill and sense.
14 SAN JOSE SHARKS
Zemgus Girgensons, C, Dubuque (USHL)
SKINNY:
Has a high-end skill level and will play on their top two lines in time.
15 PHOENIX COYOTES
Matthew Finn, D, Guelph (OHL)
SKINNY:
Very dependable with good sense; Coyotes continue to build from the back-end out.
16 OTTAWA SENATORS
Sebastian Collberg, RW, Frolunda (SWE)
SKINNY:
Will play sooner than later and will be great with Erik Karlsson on the power play.
17 LOS ANGELES KINGS
Tomas Hertl, C, Slavia (CZREP)
SKINNY:
Solid first-round skills with good size (6-2, 198).
18 WashingtoN CAPITALS (FROM COL)
Michael Matheson, D, Dubuque (USHL)
SKINNY:
Hard to pass on his sense and skating ability; will develop nicely at Boston College.
19 DALLAS stars
Alex Galchenyuk, C, Sarnia (OHL)
SKINNY:
Would have gone a lot higher had he not been injured all season; it's a gamble, but will pay off.
20 FLORIDA PANTHERS
Hampus Lindholm, D, Rogle Jr. (SWE-JR)
SKINNY:
The Panthers are building a solid defensive core and Hampus has a high upside.
21 BOSTON BRUINS
Phillip Di Giuseppe, LW, Univ. of Michigan (CCHA)
SKINNY:
People say this is not a deep draft, but here we're giving the B's another good offensive prospect.
22 NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Martin Frk, C, Halifax (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
Seems like he has been around forever; has good overall skills, hard to not like him here.
23 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Stefan Matteau, C, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY:
Following in his father's footsteps in a roundabout way; when he is on his game, he is high end.
24 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (from DET)
Andrei Vasilevski, G, Ufa 2 (RUS-JR)
SKINNY:
The Lightning have needs in goal, and this guy fits the bill.
25 BUFFALO SABRES
Oscar Dansk, G, Brynas Jr. (SWE-JR)
SKINNY:
A little run on top-end goalies; Oscar will complement Ryan Miller in time.
26 PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Olli Maatta, D, London (OHL)
SKINNY:
He could be the steal of the draft at this pick.
27 VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Thomas Wilson, RW, Plymouth (OHL)
SKINNY:
Now they have Zack Kassian and Wilson -- another set of twins.
28 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough (OHL)
SKINNY:
Missed almost the whole season (shoulder), but if he is fully recovered, he is a great pick here.
29 NEW YORK RANGERS
Tanner Pearson, LW, Barrie (OHL)
SKINNY:
Late bloomer was injured late in the season, but he had a great season and will blossom.
30 ST. LOUIS BLUES
Colton Sissons, RW, Kelowna (WHL)
SKINNY:
A high-end character player to add to their already strong lineup.

 

 
2012 NHL Draft