STEVEN HOFFNER'S MOCK DRAFT PART IV

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Order Team Player
1 EDMONTON OILERS
Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL)
SKINNY:
Best player in the draft; Oilers are primed to be an offensive juggernaut
2 COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL)
SKINNY:
Big and strong, and does everything right
3 MONTREAL CANADIENS
Mikhail Grigorenko, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
Adds size and skill up front, which is needed in Montreal
4 NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Mathew Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL)
SKINNY:
Might be the best overall defenseman in the draft; loves to hit and punish
5 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Alex Galchenyuk, C, Sarnia (OHL)
SKINNY:
Impressed many at the Scouting Combine; smart, capable and seems NHL-ready
6 ANAHEIM DUCKS
Filip Forsberg, C, Leksand (SWE-2)
SKINNY:
No. 1 European skater in the draft will help Ducks up front in near future
7 MINNESOTA WILD
Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
SKINNY:
Smooth-skating puck-mover has skill set similar to Ottawa's Erik Karlsson
8 CAROLINA HURRICANES
Radek Faksa, C, Kitchener (OHL)
SKINNY:
Big power forward reminds scouts of Hurricanes captain Eric Staal
9 WINNIPEG JETS
Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL)
SKINNY:
Offensively savvy blueliner will add skill, depth to the Jets defense
10 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Jacob Trouba, D, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY:
Best U.S.-born defenseman in the draft; good kid and has lots to offer
11 Washington CAPITALS (from Col)
Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)
SKINNY:
Big blueliner will help Caps' new defense-first mentality
12 BUFFALO SABRES
Olli Maatta, D, London (OHL)
SKINNY:
Had a great playoff run with Knights, helping them to the Memorial Cup final
13 DALLAS STARS
Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Jokerit Jr. (FIN-JR.)
SKINNY:
Put up big points in 2011-12; needs time to develop, but has great skill set
14 CALGARY FLAMES
Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland (WHL)
SKINNY:
Underrated blueliner will turn heads at the pro level
15 OTTAWA SENATORS
Hampus Lindholm, D, Rogle Jr. (SWE-JR.)
SKINNY:
Looked great at the Combine; could develop into complement for Erik Karlsson
16 WashingtoN CAPITALS
Sebastian Collberg, RW, Frolunda Jr. (SWE-JR.)
SKINNY:
Will fit in fine with the Capitals' Swedish contingent of speedy forwards
17 SAN JOSE SHARKS
Zemgus Girgensons, C, Dubuque (USHL)
SKINNY:
Latvian-born forward has great hands and speed; might be a steal this late
18 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Malcolm Subban, G, Belleville (OHL)
SKINNY:
Impressed at the Combine and has the drive to be a No. 1 goalie in the NHL
19 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (FROM DET)
Matthew Finn, D, Guelph (OHL)
SKINNY:
Will continue to bolster the blue line with this smart, skilled skater
20 PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Brendan Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL)
SKINNY:
A big body down low, he'll be a perfect fit with Flyers
21 BUFFALO SABRES (FROM NSH)
Thomas Wilson, RW, Plymouth (OHL)
SKINNY:
Tough, two-way forward rocketed up Central Scouting's final ranking
22 PITTSBURGH pENGUINS
Brady Skjei, D, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY:
Big, smooth-skating blueliner will help Pens try to keep puck out of the net
23 FLORIDA panthers
Colton Sissons, C, Kelowna (WHL)
SKINNY:
Would bring a two-way game and leadership to Panthers offense
24 BOSTON BRUINS
Stefan Matteau, C, USA U-18 (USHL)
SKINNY:
Tough forward has balanced offensive attack which will help big, bad Bruins
25 ST. LOUIS BLUES
Tomas Hertl, C, Slavia (CZREP)
SKINNY:
Offensive threat will help Blues put pucks in the net
26 VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough (OHL)
SKINNY:
Balanced blueliner missed most of season with shoulder injury, but has lots of upside
27 PHOENIX COYOTES
Martin Frk, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)
SKINNY:
Czech forward has lots of speed and quick hands
28 NEW YORK RANGERS
Tanner Pearson, LW, Barrie (OHL)
SKINNY:
Big-bodied, talented forward won't go through the draft unselected a third time
29 NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Jordan Schmaltz, D, Green Bay (USHL)
SKINNY:
Has a solid overall game, should be good fit with Devils
30 LOS ANGELES KINGS
Lukas Sutter, C, Saskatoon (WHL)
SKINNY:
Will develop nicely under coach and uncle Darryl Sutter

 

 
2012 NHL Draft