2012 ProFSL Mock NHL Draft

[Drew]

So now that the playoffs are over and the Kings have been crowned the Stanley Cup Champions, the hockey focus switches to the entry draft.

This is the first annual ProFSL Mock Draft for the 2012 NHL entry draft. The actual NHL entty draft starts on June 22nd at 7:00pm EST on TSN. I have gathered the great hockey minds on the site to develop our mock draft. Our participants were Drew, Tony, BeanTown, favo_zomg and gocubsgo7. We each made 6 of the picks in the draft and covered the entire first round.
Enjoy!

Pick 1 Nail Yakupov, RW 
Sarnia (OHL)
Yakupov simply stands alone as the best player available in this years draft. He scored 49 goals in 65 games as a rookie in the OHL. His Elite skills on offense make up for his lacking defensive game and small size. Has been compared to other Russian Superstars by the name of Pavel Bure and Alex Ovechkin. This player is going be a star in the NHL in the next couple years.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #1
Tony

Pick 2 Mikhail Grigorenko, C
Quebec (QMJHL)
Grigorenko is arguably the 2nd best forward in the draft after Yakupov, and why wouldn't he be. In his first year with Quebec he scored 40 goals and 45 assists in only 59 games. The Jackets are in need of a first line center and Grigorenko can be their guy. They need somebody that can be a playmaker and goal scorer to take the load off of Nash after the Jeff Carter experiment did not work out. If they want to keep Nash happy and in Columbus, then they will draft Grigorenko.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #3
gocubsgo7

Pick 3 Alex Galchenyuk, C
Sarnia (OHL)
The Montreal Canadians will take the second Sarnia Sting player in the top 3. Montreal have been in need of a true, big body, talented Center for the last few years, so this picks seems to make the most sense long and short term. Although Galchenyuk spent most of this season on the sidelines with a knee injury, he still stayed amongst the top ranked prospects in North America. Galchenyuk has a great combination of decent size (6’0 & 200lbs) and great hands & speed. In his rookie year he finished 2nd only to Yakupov in OHL scoring registering 83 points (31-52-83) and is now seemingly fully recovered from his knee injury and came back for Sarnia’s 1st round playoff loss registering 4 points in 6 games.
The Hab’s have a future to build around and this is a huge piece going forward for the Montreal organization. 
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #4
BeanTown

Pick 4 Ryan Murray, D
Everett (WHL)
Murray is the the top defenseman available in the Draft. He will be a solid two-way defenseman in the NHL and has been compared to future Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer. He is a great skater and at six-foot, 185 pounds, Murray already has a solid frame and can play a ton of minutes. Also is getting a chance to play in the World Championships against and with some of the best players in the World.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #2
Tony

Pick 5 Filip Forsberg, C
Leksand (Sweden)
Forsberg is the the top ranked skater available in this years Draft. He is touted to be a solid top 2 line centerman in the league and has been hailed for his work ethic and perseverance. He is a good sized body at only 18 years old at  skater and at 6'2, 181 pounds this young we should see him grow to be a beast in front of the goal. As the Leafs are stacked on the Blue-Line with great young talent it only makes sense for them to go grab a possible game changing center to build around.
Central Scouting Ranking: European Skater #1
BeanTown

Pick 6 Olli Maatta, D
London (OHL)
With the 6th overall pick in the 2012 NHL draft, the Anahiem Ducks select Olli Maata of the London Knights! With the plethora of quality forwards in our system, and the fact that Justin Schultz might not be playing in a Duck's uniform made picking Olli an easy decision. With Mr. Maata, the Anaheim organization is receiving a kid that is already in NHL size that is quickly becoming one of the top scoring defense men in the OHL. He might need another season in London, but we believe he will provide the 1-2 punch the Ducks will need in the future (alongside Cam Fowler).
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #8
favo_zomg

Pick 7 Matthew Dumba, D 
Red Deer (WHL)
Dumba was once projected as being the number 1 pick in the 2012 draft but his stock has dropped significantly. Minnesota will want this guy to add to their defensive prospect depth and to get a top 4 future dman who will deliver offensively and punish opposing players. He is compared to Dion Phaneuf and that is exactly how he plays. Offensive minded defensive man that will deliever bone crushing hits.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #11
Drew

Pick 8 Morgan Rielly, D 
Moose Jaw (WHL)
Carolina would be more than happy to get Rielly at pick #8, considering it a major steal for the young D-Man ranked 5th overall for North American Skaters. At age 18 he already has great size at 6'0 and 190lbs and considered by many very close to NHL ready. He is considered to have top offensive ability, but unlike most offensive defensemen he is considered a very top shut down D-Man as well. This should be a deadly combination coming into the NHL fold. Carolina has a VERY bright future on the blue line pairing Rielly with another young standout D-Man in Justin Faulk. The future is bright in
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #5
BeanTown

Pick 9 Cody Ceci, D 
Ottawa (OHL)
Jets get a big defensemen with dynamic, fast skating and huge offensive upside. Ceci is very calm, composed and consistent with the puck and is very good at executing the first pass to start the breakout.  Winnipeg was one of the worst in the league at giving up goals. Bringing in a big defenseman will help control the front of the net and blocking shots. Might need another year to work on his two-way play.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #6
Tony

Pick 10 Radek Faksa, C
Kitchener (OHL)
The Lightning have made it clear that they want the best player available when their pick is on the clock. Many can argue if Faksa or Reinhart would be the better pick for the Lightning, but Faksa is the better of the two players. With 66 points in his first year in the OHL, he averaged over a point a game. He led all rookies in most of the major scoring categories including Goals, Assists, Points, and +/-. He can score, he can pass, he has a great 2 way game, and he has the size to not get pushed around. Tampa Bay is the best non playoff team in my opinion, and with the addition of a guy who can make an impact halfway through the year, could prove to be valuable while making a playoff push in March and April.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #7
gocubsgo7

Pick 11 Jacob Trouba, D
USA U-18
After Washington lost out to the Rangers then realized something. They need a great shutdown defensemen so Holtby doesn't have to stop 50 shots a game. He is said to resemble Shea Weber in his game and it is exactly what Washington will be shooting for after acquiring this pick in the Varlamov trade.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #9
Drew

Pick 12 Brendan Gaunce, C
Belleville (OHL)
With an stable of solid defensemen developing in the system, the Sabres target a player that will fill a need that they have been lacking in for years - a quality 2nd line center. Brendan Gaunce is already big enough to play in the NHL game. Hopefully with another year or two in the OHL, Brendan will be ready to play for the big club.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #13
favo_zomg

Pick 13 Sebastian Collberg, RW
Frolunda Jr. (Swed Jr.)
Dallas really does not have any star RW's. The closest to it is Ryder who had 62 points last year. After that it is very slim. Glennie could turn into a stud too, being a top pick 2 years back, but they need to make a move to acquire another one. Collberg can be that guy. He is one of the top Euro skaters and for him to fall this late makes him an almost must take for the Stars. The reason they take him over Teravainen who is another top Euro skater, is simply for positional needs.
Central Scouting Ranking: European Skater #3
gocubsgo7

Pick 14 Teuvo Teravainen, LW
Jokerit Jr. (Finland Jr.)
Another case of a good player dropping down further then expected. It should be a no-brainer for the Flames to grab a kid that has pure talent. He plays LW, which will benefit a team that only has 3 natural LW's. Depending on how the season goes, he could be called up to help out for a playoff push. Flames are always a team that is right there, but never in the playoffs. Being the 9th seed last year, they are ideally looking for a kid that can be productive in the most important part of their season.
Central Scouting Ranking: European Skater #2
gocubsgo7

Pick 15 Zemgus Girgensons, C
Dubuque (USHL)
Ottawa will go a bit off the board to select this Lativian forward. During the past two season Girgensons has averaged over a point a game playing in the USHL with the Fighting Saints and showed at the World Juniors that he was the only Lativian player to keep your eye on. He has good size to go with his obvious offensive skills which will match up great as a 2nd center for the Senators. Girgensons may even be one of the later round selections that makes the NHL out of training camp.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #18
Drew

Pick 16 Thomas Wilson, RW
Plymouth (OHL)
After selecting a Defense man with the pick from Colorado, the Caps will be taking Thomas Wilson, a strong, big RW who can be used to push people around, and can still score. RW is were the Caps are short on, so adding a guy like Wilson should help them improve for their future.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #15
gocubsgo7

Pick 17 Tomas Hertl, C
Slavia (Czech)
With the 17th pick, the San Jose Sharks select Tomas Hertl of Slavia! The Sharks are desperately looking for a power forward that can help push the opposition around, and with a ton of body to build a solid frame on, Hertl looks to be the shark for the job. It also helps that he has already developed a scoring touch in a league populated with players older than himself.
Central Scouting Ranking: European Skater #5
favo_zomg

Pick 18 Matt Finn, D
Guelph (OHL)
The Blackhawks need some help on the blueline and this is the guy for them. Finn is a solid decision maker who shows good defensive abilities and showed improved offensive capabilities this year as well. Finn has a great shot which will only get stronger as he gets older. He also has a solid stride and likes to to be aggressive on the puck.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #16
Tony

Pick 19 Griffin Reinhart, D
Edmonton (WHL)
The Lightning are very excited to select Griffin Reinhart. A big defensemen that lead the Oil Kings to the Memorial Cup tournament. Griffin has some offensive upside but his +23 rating this season shows his defensive upside is why he will be taken in the first round. Reinhart being available this late in the draft means Tampa gets another future defensive stud to play along side Hedman in what would be a menacing duo with an average height of 6'5".
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #10
Drew

Pick 20 Dalton Thrower, D
Saskatoon (WHL)
The Flyers select with the 20th pick Dalton Thrower. Thrower is a bit off the board for the Flyers but he plays like a Flyers and also puts up points. In 66 games, Thrower had 54 points and 103 penalty minutes. He is willing to fight and will be a great addition to a Flyers defense that was their downfall in the 2012 playoffs. Thrower won't be the next Pronger but will be a nice addition for the Flyers for many years.
Central Scouting Ranking: North American Skater #26
Drew

Pick 21 Stefan Matteau, C
USA U-18
With the 21st pick, the Buffalo Sabres select Stefan Matteau, a very rough forward with some potential offensive upside.
Central Scouting Rating: #17 North American Skater
favo_zomg

Pick 22 Hampus Lindhold, D
Rogle Jr. (Swed Jr.)
With the 22nd pick, the Pittsburgh Penguins and happy to select Hampus Lindhold from Rojle in Sweden. With all the fire power the Penguins have they didn't need to go after an elite scorer. After watching this years playoffs it is clear the Pen's need a big shut down D-Man and Hampus is certainly that. At only 18 Lindholm is already 6'2 and 200lbs and has a full shut down mentality. The Pen's are getting somehting to build the blueline around here with this pick!
Central Scouting Rating: #4 European Skater
BeanTown

Pick 23 Derrick Pouliot, D
Portland (WHL)
Derrick is an offensive, puck-moving defensement. He is good at quarterbacking the powerplay with his great puck control. He also is a very fast skater and his speed allows him to lead the rush. Pouliot's stock dropped a bit as some people question his size and his defensive play in his own end.
Central Scouting Rating: #12 North American Skater
Tony

Pick 24 Brady Skjei, D
USA U-18
Brady could be the biggest steal in the draft. He is still a couple years away but has a very strong defensive game and a great skater. He shows grit and willingness to punish the opposition at every oppourtunity. He has great speed for his size.
Central Scouting Rating: #19 North American Skater
Tony

Pick 25 Tanner Pearson, LW
Barrie (OHL)
With the 25th pick, the St. Louis Blues select Tanner Pearson. Tanner has been skipped in 2 drafts to date, but not this one! Tanner has matured leaps and bounds this year and player VERY well in Barrie. He is lauded as a tough 2 way player with good hands and a nose for the net, this will fit in nicely with a STL team who is built on these guys. Pearson still have some development to go through but a good STL system and great coach in Hitch expect this late bloomer to make an impact at the NHL level.
Central Scouting Rating: #25 North American Skater
BeanTown

Pick 26 Martin Frk, RW
Halifax (QMJHL)
Vancouver selects Martin Frk the offensive forward from the Czech Republic. The Canucks are in need of some forward depth after losing to the Kings in the first round and that is what they go after in the first round. Although Frk suffered a concussion this season, he had a great rookie year and came back in his sophomore season, after the concussion, to score almost a point a game. Frk along with Grigorenko are the two bright spots in the QMJHL in this draft year and Vancouver will be happy to land the right winger.
Central Scouting Rating: #20 North American Skater
Drew

Pick 27 Scott Kosmachuk, RW
Guelph (OHL)
The Phoenix Coyotes are proud to select with the 27th pick, Scott Kosmachuk from Guelph of the OHL.
Phoenix is in desperate need of a scoring prospect, and Scott has the potential to be the scoring winger. His 243 penalty minutes in 215 games indicates that he has a mean streak that the Coyotes can also use.
Central Scouting Rating: #24 North American Skater
favo_zomg

Pick 28 Colton Sissons, C
Kelowna (WHL)
This should be a nice pick for the Rangers. Sissons is a proven scorer, with 41 points in both of his WHL years. We should not see him up in the majors for any longer then the first few games of the year and in the minors, but look out for him. He could be an impact player in a few years when Richards declines.
Central Scouting Rating: #14 North American Skater
gocubsgo7

Pick 29 Cristoval Nieves, C
Kent School (High-CT)
With the 29th pick, the New Jersey Devils select Cristoval Nieves from Kent School.
With tons of goaltending potential and defensive depth, the Devils choose to select a lanky forward with a knack for scoring goals. Nieves is more of a long term project, as he needs to build a lot of meat on his 6'3 frame. But natural scoring talent does not come this easy.
Central Scouting Rating: North American Skater #27
favo_zomg

Pick #30 Malcolm Subban, G
Belleville (OHL)
With the final and 30th pick, the  have decided to use the 1st rounder acquired from  to select G Malcolm Subban from the Belleville Bulls.
With a lack of goaltending depth, the Jackets are extremely excited to choose Subban. Regarded as "Freakishly Athletic" Subban is considered by most to be thebest G available at this years draft. Subban should solidify the future of Columbus goaltending which has been so in dismay since the decline of Steve Mason.
Central Scouting Rating: North American Goalie #1
BeanTown