Post by heelsox (Wild GM) on Aug 5, 2011 15:12:45 GMT -5
Now that the top 30 have been revealed, the speculation of who goes where begins in the first DHL draft. Many picks have found new homes over the course of the season, and many will still be moved before the night of the draft. This draft is one of the deepest we've seen in years, with extremely high end talent up top, and plenty solid prospects throughout. So without further ado, your 2012 DHL Mock Draft!
1. Minnesota Wild - Nail Yakupov - (RW/LW)
Minnesota goes with the best player available and clear cut #1 in Yakupov. An extremely skilled winger, Yakupov is the hottest thing to come out of Russia since Alex Ovechkin and is already drawing comparisons to the superstar. He showed no signs of a tough adjustment to major junior, becoming just the fifth rookie in fifteen years to earn over 100 points. Elite skill on offense make up for some defensive shortcomings and size is a factor, though he has at least a year or more to fill out his frame and grow. All in all a possible future superstar.
2. Edmonton Oilers - Ryan Murray - (Defender)
After spending years stacking Edmonton's prospect pool with elite forwards, Edmonton finds their #1 defender in Ryan Murray. Ryan Murray is without question the the top defenseman available for selection in the 2012 NHL Draft. This impact player from the Everett Silvertips of the WHL tallied 27 points in 52 games as a rookie in the WHL, and averaged 30-35 minutes of playing time a game. Murray was the team captain for Canada in the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and led them to a gold medal. He is regularly noted for his great puckmoving ability, and is already being called the next Scott Niedermayer. Murray nearly made Canada's World Junior team this past year, but he is almost already a lock to be one of the teams top defensemen for the 2012 tournament. In 70 games with the Silvertips in 2010-2011, Murray scored 46 points, including 40 assists. Ryan Murray is looked at as a future two-way defenseman in the NHL, and will likely be a solid defenseman for years to come. Look for him to be the first defenseman selected in the upcoming draft, and he will certainly be picked in the top five selections.
3. Anaheim Mighty Ducks - Andrew Watson - (Defender)
After losing Cam Fowler, Anaheim goes with one one of the best defensemen in the draft to add to a D pool that leaves some to be desired. The smooth skating Watson has an excellent first pass, is responsible in his own zone, and is a quiet leader with a all-out mentality. He has great stickhandling, but his shot needs some work and he isn't very physical. He is considered a safe pick and could easily be considered the top prospect by draft day.
4. Colorado Avalanche - Parjeet Lilja(RW/LW)
Colorado adds another do it all leader type of the second straight draft in Lilja. This guy is an all around forward that gives it his all every shift. There is literally no weakness in his game. He is a shoot first player that can pull off highlight reel dangles. He is an average passer and plays a sound defensive game with his great fore-checking ability. Not afraid to lay down the body also. Is a good skater for his size and possibly a future captain. His only knock is his upside isn't as high as the other players in the top 10 and could easily end up as a 3rd liner. He's the type of player that can play any role. With the firepower Colorado possesses up the middle, and Landeskog and Lilja on the wings, opponents will have nightmares trying to contain the Avs forward crop.
5. Phoenix Coyotes - Claude Snipre - (RW/LW)
Phoenix adds one of the many electrifying talents in this draft in Snipre and finally has that player to put fans in the seats. He is fast as lightning with an unreal shot (compared to Ovechkin) and amazing hands. His passing game is yet to develop and is a liability defensively but if those come around, Phoenix will have a player to lead them to the promise land. He is a risky pick but one with immense upside.
6. Ottawa Senators - Nick Ebert - (Defender)
Ottawa after making some deals to sure up the talent up front in acquiring guys like Evander Kane, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Michael Grabner, the Sens go out and add a number 1 defender in Ebert. Originally from Livingston, New Jersey, Nick Ebert has taken his game to a whole new level in the last few years. Ebert was playing in the USHL with the Waterloo Black Hawks at the age of 15, a remarkable feat, and now he's taken his talents north to the OHL, playing his first season with the Windsor Spitfires in 2010-2011. He was lighting up the New Jersey high school circuit just a couple of years ago, once scoring two shorthanded goals on the same penalty-kill. Now that he's playing at a higher level in the OHL, Ebert is still getting better every game. During the 2010-2011 season, Ebert put up 41 points in 64 games while scoring 11 times. Some of Ebert's current hockey idols include Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson of the Los Angeles Kings, and one of his all-time favourites is former Devil, Scott Stevens. Scouts believe that Ebert can be a similar player to Johnson, maybe even a bit better.
7. New York Islanders(via Columbus Blue Jackets) - Mikhail Grigorenko - (Center)
In possibly the steal of the draft when it's all said and done, The Islanders add to their already great prospect pool an elite forward in Mikhail Grigorenko. Grigorenko is talented enough to be selected in the top 3 with ease, possibly evfen first. He is an extremely talented center with great hands, amazing IQ, superb vision and tons of offensive upside. He is a mainstay on Russia's junior national team as their top center, and was voted Player of the Tournament at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge. Many comparisons with Evgeni Malkin with the way he makes being so extremely talented look so easy.
8. Minnesota Wild(via Florida Panthers) - Mike Labee
The Wild find themselves being the first team to step up to the podium for a second time on draft night, and they go big. Very big. Another defenseman in a stacked D class, Mike is a Montreal native and 6'6 monster on D. He does possess a very hard shot but it is not accurate at this point in his career. His passing and stickhandling need a lot of work. He is solid defensively and probably the most physical Dman in the draft. Is still a bit raw but has tons of upside with his frame. Needs a bit of work on his skating. Labbe rounds out a very versatile top 4 for the Wild on the back end joining Ryan Murphy, Dmitry Kulikov, and Jonas Brodin
9. Minnesota Wild(Via New Jersey Devils) - Alex Galchenyuk
With the second of back to back picks, and the third overall in the top 10, the Wild add a franchise forward and Yakupov's right hand man in Galchenyuk. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Galchenyuk was drafted into the OHL from the Chicago Young Americans after absolutely dominating the league, scoring 87 points in just 38 games. Galchenyuk has lived in four countries so far, including Germany, Italy, and Russia. His father was a veteran of the Russian Super League, and Alex moved around a lot. The family moved to Chicago to allow Galchenyuk to be eligible to play in the OHL, and so far it appears to be paying off. He will be playing alongside fellow top prospect Nail Yakupov again in Sarnia during the 2011-2012 OHL season, and many people are excited to see the two top last seasons outstanding performance. Former NHL star Igor Larionov has compared Alex Galchenyuk to Marian Hossa, and believes, along with the majority of hockey scouts, that Galchenyuk has a bright hockey future ahead of him. Galchenyuk has top-notch skill, including outstanding goal scoring ability, and the NHL team that selects him in the 2012 NHL Draft will be selecting what could potentially be a future All-Star for many years to come.
10. Boston Bruins - Nabby Jamal - (LW)
The Bruins add the epitome of what is Bruin hockey in Jamal. A player that specializes in a few areas, but also has a few glaring weaknesses that need to be worked on. An average skater, Nabby possesses a lethal shot that some say is 2nd to Snipre in the draft. However his passing is below average and he is always looking to shoot, a bit selfish with the puck. Has decent hands, and needs a lot of work with his defensive positioning. Is good on the fore check and uses his size effectively in the corners to win puck battles. Is a very physical player that backs down to no-one, a future captain that sticks up for his teammates. After losing Lucic to trade, Jamal is just what the doctor ordered.
11. Boston Bruins(via Montreal Canadiens)-Griffin Reinhart - (Defender)
With the second of back to back picks, the Bruins go out and add their Zdeno Chara protégé in the 6'3 200 pound rock that is Griffin Reinhart. This six-foot four, two hundred pound blueliner from the Edmonton Oil Kings has all the tools needed to have a successful pro career. His father Paul played over 600 NHL games in his career, and his brother Max is a highly touted Calgary Flames prospect. Griffin thinks that one of his strong points is his shot, which isn't too surprising given his size. But scouts will also tell you that his mobility on the ice is another strength. Pro scouts are salivating at the thought of having Griffin on their blueline some day, as big mobile defenseman are highly sought after in today's NHL. Reinhart likes to think that he could be the next Shea Weber, and at this rate there is certainly a possibility that he could be just that.
12. New York Islanders - Chi Tuzzi - (RW/LW)
After selecting the soft handed Grigorenko, the Islanders add some mean hard hitting skill in Chi Tuzzi. A rare mix of half asian/half white, his skillset is also very unique. The guy is a very physical power forward with all around offensive skills, although more of a shooter. Has an underrated pass and good hands. He is decent defensively and isn't afraid to lay the body and get dirty in corners. Also can mix it up and get into fights. The thing scouts are afraid of are his below average skating and bad penalty habits. This guy has a great frame and awesome skills though so If he can get by those 2 things he will be a elite power forward someday in the DHL. He is a bit raw and needs a bit of development time like most power forwards. Upside of Bertuzzi in his prime, and downside of a goon with good hands. Chi will mix well with the remarkable skill the Islanders have coming through the pipelines up front.
13. Winnipeg Jets- Matthew Dumba - (Defender)
The Jets add some skilled toughness to their blue line. Matt Dumba is a strong and swift skater with a big shot and a knack for delivering open-ice hits with his six-foot, 172-pound frame. Red Deer Rebels coach Jesse Wallin said that “for a defenceman he has very good feet. He has great acceleration. He's a powerful skater, very strong on his feet and very mobile.” Scouts are also very impressed with his lateral movement and the physical element of his game. Dumba is already being called the next Dion Phaneuf, and most scouts believe that he's a pretty complete package on defense. Rebels VP of Hockey Operations Randy Peterson says that Dumba can run a powerplay well, and is a big-time player with a great shot.Offensively Matt is just as good, if not better than he is defensively. He has a hard and accurate shot that he gets through to the net consistently. Matt’s puck control is top notch, he’s able to beat players one on one and drives the net like a power forward. One of the biggest things about Matt’s game is that he makes very few mistakes, and the few mistakes he does make, he’s able to recover from by using his good hockey sense. The Calgary native was the WHL Rookie of the Year for the 2010-2011 season, and certainly has the potential to be a top notch force in the NHL some day. After losing Dustin Byfuglien to trade, Dumba will quickly make fans in the Peg forget about a force he was. Compared to Dion Phaneuf, the hard shooting, big checking Dumba will sneak his way into the top 15 and pay dividends very quickly next to Bogosian and Enstrom moving forward.
14. New York Islanders(via San Jose Sharks)- Binny Dunji - (Defender)
After selecting two forwards, The Islanders roll the dice on Dunji in order to shore up their back end. This guy has a LOT of work to do on his offensive game. He is a disaster waiting to happen with the puck and constantly turns the puck over. BUT, his defensive game is something else. He is a monster in his own zone. He is a decent skater and has shutdown the very best forwards in his league. He is a fearless shot blocker with excellent positioning. And he is a physical player that loves battling in the corners. . Upside of a elite shutdown dman and downside of a bottom pairing stay at home dman, however, with plenty of puck moving defenders in the Islanders system currently, the risk on Dunji finds itself reduced.
15. New York Islanders(via Dallas Stars) - Hafeez Dossa - (Center)
The Islanders round out the top 15 by selecting possibly one of the most skilled players in the draft, but also possibly one of the biggest busts. A pure center with amazing hands, an average shot and Crosby like playmaking skills, the 5'7 Center is one of the most talented players in the draft, but has too many glaring holes that need to be worked in. Has a very twig like body frame, he has a very dangerous stick which he uses to create turnovers but loses most puck battles due to his size. Is a great skater and never gets himself in penalty trouble. Could end up being a premier playmaker in the NHL or a player that finds himself stuck in the AHL due to his size. However, like with Dunji, New York finds them self in a situation with the ability to take a risk on a forward with plenty already in the system.
16. Winnipeg Jets(via Nashville Predators) - Martin Frk - (RW/LW)
After going big on the backend, Winnipeg goes big up front in Martin Frk. The Czech native Frk has the ability to use his body well, but also has great hands. Would be a top 5 talent, but scouts found Frk's lack of taking the next step forward in Halifax troubling, however if Frk puts it all back together, the Jets will find themselves with a steal at 16 up front to go with Burmistrov, Little, Hogson, and the rest of the gang.
17. Tampa Bay Lightning - Brendan Gaunce - (Center)
After losing both Stamkos and Lecavalier to trades, Tampa begins to build up the middle once again in drafting Brendan Gaunce. Gaunce has great vision, skating ability, hockey sense, a pro calibre shot, and unbelievable leadership qualities on and off the ice. He is the younger brother of Colorado Avalanche prospect Cameron Gaunce, and will most likely be selected in the first twenty picks of the 2012 NHL Draft. He was the highest-scoring AAA minor midget hockey player in Ontario in his OHL draft year with 55 goals and 93 assists for 148 points in 86 games with the Markham Waxers. In his rookie year with the Belleville Bulls, Gaunce had 36 points in 65 games, and will be relied on heavily in the 2011-2012 season. One of Brendan's role models growing up was Brendan Shanahan. Considering his size, Gaunce is an above average skater, however it will need to be improved to be a star at the next level.
18. Winnipeg Jets(via New York Rangers) - Jacob Trouba - (Defender)
With yet another first round pick for the Winnipeg Jets, Trouba fits right into what looks to be turning into a promising blue line. Described already as "Cam Fowler with an edge" Trouba is a steal falling all the way to 18th and clearly would be a top prospect in any other draft. In 37 games with the Under-17 team, Trouba had 6 goals (4 on the power-play), and 19 points. He had 12 assists and 15 points in 14 international games. In 13 games with the U-18 Team, he had 6 points and 18 penalty minutes and will become a mainstay on the Jets blue line very soon.
19. Detroit Red Wings(via Buffalo Sabres) - Ayesh Marshall-Baker - (Goalie)
Simply put, Detroit decides Ayesh Marshall-Baker has slid too far and goes with the best player available. The top ranked goalie in the draft, Ayesh is a hybrid goaltender with good positioning and the ability to steal a game. His lateral movement needs work, but he is a safe pick that will be a starter for the team that drafts him, and has the ability and consistency to take a team to the cup.
20. St Louis Blues(viaChicago Blackhawks)- Michael Matheson - (Defender)
Michael Matheson adds more offensive firepower to a back end which loves offensive firepower. At 6-foot-1 and 169 pounds, Matheson has a great frame to build on and the reigning Quebec midget AAA rookie of the year is proving he can put up numbers on a consistent basis. The Lions stalwart is leading the league in scoring by a defenseman with nine goals and 26 points in 19 games. But once again, his success isn’t limited to sublime skill, but also superb leadership abilities.
21. Winnipeg Jets(via Calgary Flames)- Filip Forsberg - (Left Wing)
Winnipeg adds another talent young prospect in Filip Forsberg. They are many scouts who believe Filip Forsberg is the cream of the crop when it comes to the Scandinavian contingent for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and for good reason. The 16-year-old was key in Sweden’s silver medal performance at the 2011 IIHF World Under-18’s, potting 4 goals and 6 points in 6 games. He racked up 40 points, on 21 goals and 19 assists in 36 games this season for his Leksand J20 club, and saw 10 games of action in the Swedish Elite League as well. In 2009-10, Forsberg scored 21 goals and 37 points in 31 games for Leksand J18 split between the J18 Elit and J18 Allsvenskan Leagues, and was part of the J20 SuperElit Championship team in Leksand as well. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound winger has good size and uses it to his advantage in order to protect the puck and get into scoring position, he has a strong and powerful stride, a hard, very accurate shot, excellent hockey sense and vision, is very mature for his age, and has a real knack for scoring goals. There is no questioning the youngsters ability, as he is a brilliant, very gifted athlete, that has all the tools to succeed at the next level. Winnipeg surely will have another stud added to the front line for years to come.
22. Tampa Bay Lightning(via Detroit Red Wings)- David Avila - (Right Wing)
At 6'4 and 220 pounds, American David Avila has a nose for the net, the skill to finish, and the body to get there. Drawing some lofty comparisons to Keith Tkachuk, Avila steps in right away and becomes the Lightning's best big bodied prospect up front, something they desperately need.
23. Nashville Predators(via Carolina Hurricanes)- Oscar Dansk - (Goalie)
Oscar Dansk is the best goalie to come out of Scandinavia this year, and the young goalie brings alot to the table for the Nashville Predators, who just watched Pekka Rinne leave in a trade. While underwhelming at the U-17 and U-18 junior tournaments, Dansk possesses the skill to be a solid starter in the NHL, if he can handle the pressure.
24. Vancouver Canucks- Alex McKillop - (Right Wing)
Vancouver adds some skill and all around talent to the right side by drafting McKillop, something the organization is desperately lacking. Drawing comparisons to Patrick Sharp, McKillop has a great shot and scoring touch to accompany his all around style of game, which will fit right in to Kesler's wing possibly in a couple years.
25. Washington Capitals(via Toronto Maple Leafs)- Moreno DaCow - (Goalie)
The 6'7 Canadian giant DaCow becomes the third goalie drafted in the first round. With current starter Craig Anderson not getting any younger, the Caps look to DaCow to possibly take the reins in the near future, and while DaCow relies on his size to stop the puck, his lateral movement is solid all factors considered.
26. Boston Bruins(via Philadelphia Flyers)- Alexander Bure - (Right Wing)
The Bruins roll the dice a little bit with the offensively minded Bure at 26. With one of the best shots in the draft, Bure could easily become a 30 goal scorer, but could also very possibly be responsible for 40 in his own end.
27. Colorado Avalanche(via St. Louis Blues)- David DaMarro - (Center)
With a great shot and great vision, DaMarro is also another offensively gifted player in what is a very deep draft. However, questions have risen whether DaMarro's game can transfer from the WHL over to DHL style hockey. Comparisons to Alexandre Daigle ring throughout scouts ears, but at 27 Colorado takes that risk, knowing the ceiling could be a top line player.
28. Colorado Avalanche(via Pittsburgh Penguins)- Danny Ehrdhart - (Right Wing)
After drafting DaMarro, Colorado goes to the other end of the spectrum and takes Danny Ehrdhart at 28. Ehrdhart isn't a guy who will provide you much on the offensive end, but his defensive game is great on the right side. For sure will be on the penalty kill at the DHL level and could be a great duo next to a shut down center.
29. Phoenix Coyotes(via Los Angeles Kings)-Matia Marcantuoni (Center)
Phoenix picks up another great forward in a stacked class in Marcantuoni. Matia Marcantuoni is one the top forward prospects available in the 2012 DHL Draft. His balance and power are major strengths of his game, and he uses them to go all out on every shift. Marcantuoni is viewed as a legitimate top ten pick, and it wouldn't be outrageous to say that he could even be selected in the top five. Matia was the 18th player chosen in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection, and the Kitchener Rangers were ecstatic to get him. The former Toronto Marlboros standout is expected to have a highly productive year in 2011-2012, and Marcantuoni is no stranger to putting up big numbers. With the Marlboros in 2009-2010, he posted 39 goals and 33 assists in 79 games. Scouts are especially high on his vision and his willingness to mix it up along the boards. More often than not Marcantuoni will go into a corner with a bigger opponent and come away with the puck. What most people notice right away about Matia Marcantuoni's game is that it's all about speed, and lots of it. DHL scouts believe that as soon as his hands catch up to his feet, Marcantuoni will be a dynamite player on every shift. One of Matia's favourite plays on the ice is his trademark rush of bursting down the right side of the ice with speed and cutting hard to the net while having no fear of crashing into the goalie. Wherever Matia Marcantuoni ends up in the DHL, that team will be getting a real potential superstar on the ice, and a great teammate off the ice as well.
30. Phoenix Coyotes(via Washington Capitals)- Darren Boogaard - (Left Wing)
Brother of recently deceased Derek Boogaard, Darren Boogaard brings an immense amount of snarl to a team, but unlike his brother, has a slightly more respectable on ice game to go with it. Boogaard will be one of the top brawlers in the DHL in no time.
Note: These picks are all purely based on a combination of the draft rankings and team needs. I did not contact any GM in the making of this.