2012 NHL Mock Draft 3 Rounds

Published: 23^rd Sep 11 9:52 pm

by Chris Ransom
New England Patriots and Dallas Stars Featured Columnist

RANT It!

Every Month during the NHL regular season I will post a 3 round update. At the end of each playoff round I will add a round to mock draft. The WHL, OHL, and QMJHL for 2011 are all underway. With this in mind lets post an inaugural mock draft heading into the 2011-2012 CHL Season with the NHL season starting in a few weeks. I have made 3 different 2012 NHL Mock Drafts prior to this one so I hope you enjoy this mock draft.

Round 1

1. Florida Panthers Nail Yakupov Right Wing Sarnia Sting OHL Nail Yakupov is the clear cut #1 overall prospect in 2012. He plays for the Sarnia Sting. The same Sarnia Sting team that Steven Stamkos played for the Sarnia Sting before the Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Stamkos #1 overall in 2008. Yakupov is a franchise player he passes the puck like Stamkos and shoots the puck like Ovechkin. Plus you have to consider the fact that it is much harder to find a premium right winger than it is to find a premium left winger.

I have the Florida Panthers picking here because they lost Vokoun to the Capitals. Their PK unit will drop from 6th out of 30 teams without his goaltending. Florida scored less than 200 goals last year and was the worst team in the NHL on the power play last season.

Erik Gudbranson made the Panthers roster last year, but could not get a deal in place last year which is why he returned to Kingston. Gudbranson signed a deal this year so he should be on the Panthers roster.

Dimitry Kulikov, Jason Garrison, Mike Weaver, and Keaton Ellerby all return to the Panthers this season with the additions of Brian Campbell and Ed Jovanowski. Gudbranson will probably return to Kingston in the OHL this season for another year of development. If Gudbranson impresses Florida he may beat out 2007 first round pick Keaton Ellerby for the final roster spot, but that is not something I would count on. Erik Gudbranson will play with his younger brother Alex this season and will likely take Mike Weaver’s spot on the Panthers in a year from now when his contract is up.

Florida did add some offensive pieces like Sean Bergenheim LW, Tomas Fleischmann C, Marcel Goc C, and Tomas Kopecky RW. This still won’t be enough for the Panthers as they will likely be pick first in 2012 due to a lack of team chemistry at this point.

Yakupov is an immediate impact player who will be on the Panthers roster right away. 2010 first round pick Erik Gudbranson and 2011 first round pick Jonathan Huberdeau will both be ready to play in the NHL by the time Yakupov makes the roster.

Florida’s first line of offense will feature David Booth, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Nail Yakupov. The Panthers line 2 unit should feature Sean Bergenheim, Stephen Weiss, and Tomas Kopecky. Line 3 will feature Rostislav Olesz at left wing, Tomas Fleischmann at center, and Scottie Upshall at right wing. Line 4 for Florida should feature Evgeny Dadonov at left wing, Marcel Goc at center, and Kris Versteeg at right wing. Take that offensive line depth along with a penalty killing unit that was 6th out of 30 teams in the NHL last season and you got a potential playoff contender down the road.

With all that offensive depth plus the defense that the Panthers currently have in place along with Jose Theodore at goalie Florida will have the pieces in place to finally start contending in the Eastern Conference.

Florida will struggle this year with the new free agents trying to learn their plays and the lack of offensive firepower this season, but things will finally start peaking for Florida in 2012. Once the Panthers get Yakupov their first round picks from 2010 and 2011 will join Yakupov giving Florida the depth to make them a dangerous hockey club considering the fact that their late round picks from 2009 and 2010 will also be peaking as premium AHL prospects.

Unless Yakupov gets injured or performs so poorly that he goes from being a potential #1 overall pick to a guy who falls late in the draft like Angelo Esposito I cannot see Yakupov not going #1 overall.

Esposito was the projected #1 overall pick at one point heading into the 2006-2007 NHL Season. Esposito did so poorly that his draft stock fell and the Pittsburgh Penguins were able to land him late in round 1. Then Esposito got dealt to the Thrashers before the Florida Panthers obtained his services by making a trade with the Winnipeg Jets this offsesason. Esposito will likely play in the AHL continuing his development.

Yakupov tallied a mind boggling 49 goals, 52 assists, and 101 points in 65 games as a rookie last season for the Sarnia Sting in the OHL. Yakupov may have gone in the top 3 if he were eligible for the 2011 NHL Draft, but he is only eligible for the 2012 NHL Draft because he got selected 2nd overall by the Sting in the 2010 OHL Import Draft.

Just imagine how scary the future first line is in Florida along with future goalie prospect Jacob Markstrom. David Booth, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Nail Yakupov playing the on the first line of offense with Dimitri Kulikov and Erik Gudbranson playing defense. 2008 first round pick Jacob Markstrom is the top goalie prospect that has yet to play in the NHL. Markstrom will likely start for Florida in 2012 along with the rest of the Panthers top 5 picks from 2010 to 2012.

During the 2011 preseason Nail Yakupov tallied 4 goals in his final preseason game against future NHL goalie Jack Campbell and the Windsor Spitfires.

Yakupov played right wing on line 1 in 2010, but is moving to left wing this year so Yakupov, Galchenyuk, and 2011 2nd round pick Brett Ritchie can all play next to each other on the Sarnia Sting first line.

The Sarnia Sting opened up OHL season play for the 2011-2012 regular season tonight at home against the Erie Otters. The Sting won 5-2. Nail Yakupov had 1 goal and 2 assists in the contest.

2. Phoenix Coyotes Mikhail Grigorenko Right Wing Quebec Remparts QMJHL The only player that is remotely being considered as a player who could potentially rival Yakupov for the top pick is Mikhail Grigorenko. Grigorenko is a sniper and playmaker at the right wing position.

If Phoenix drafts Griogrenko he may end up returning to Quebec as a pro if Phoenix attempts to relocate.

Mikhail Grigorenko played for CSKA Moscow in the KHL. This year Grigorenko is transitioning to playing junior hockey in America for the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Grigorenko could leapfrog Sarnia Sting prospects Alex Galchenyuk and Nail Yakupov if their statistics even out while Grigorenko’s numbers stand out. Grigorenko blossomed as a goal scorer for Quebec in the preseason. Through 4

The Coyotes are likely going to take the best player available and a potential can’t miss prospect rather than address a key need if they pick this high in 2012.

3. Minnesota Wild Ryan Murray Defenseman Everett Silvertips WHL Murray was voted one the Silvertips alternate captain at the age of 15 years old and became the Silvertips captain the following season at the age of 16 years old.

My favorite team is the Dallas Stars. I can’t stand the Wild now because they kept my team from getting in the playoffs last year and they booed my team at the 2011 NHL Draft.

I know the Stars used to be the Minnesota North Stars and before that the North Stars were the Cleveland Barons after the California Golden Seals relocated to Cleveland.

I know the Wild have a deadly line 1 with Setoguchi, Koivu, and Heatley along with some top prospects in their farm system like Granlund, Zucker, Phillips, and Lucia. I even know they have one of the most underrated goalies in Niklas Backstrom. I feel like the Wild lack a defensive player who can be a game changer. I am not sold on Jonas Brodin as an NHL talent. I thought he would be a bust as a first round pick going 23rd and the Wild reached for Brodin at #10. So if your going to tell me I don’t know jack about the Wild because I have them picking 3rd. How come I mentioned a lot of key players on the Wild roster?

Plus pairing Brodin up with a game changer like Ryan Murray could make Minnesota a contender in 2012-2013 if Murray makes the roster along with Brodin making the roster next season because Murray would take a lot of pressure of Brodin.

There is a lot of mixed opinions about the deep pool of defenseman in the 2012 NHL Draft. Jacob Trouba was the top defenseman prospect, but his stock has dipped a bit. Ryan Murray has displayed his ability as a team leader and he is starting to look like the consensus top defenseman in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

4. Ottawa Senators Nick Ebert Defenseman Windsor Spitfires OHL Ottawa drafted 3 offensive players in round 1 and their stacked with defensive prospects. I feel like Zibanejad will bust in Ottawa. The Senators are stacked with defensive prospects. Still Ebert is the best player available and the 2011 first round draft picks that Ottawa drafted could use a quarterback on the power play in a few years. Why not give the Senators Nick Ebert a player who can play along with the 3 2011 first round picks down the road in Ottawa.

Ottawa is so stacked with defensive prospects and NHL talent depth on the blueline that they can wait to develop Ebert by sending him back to Windsor which is what they will likely do.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs Alex Galchenyuk Center Sarnia Sting OHL Galchenyuk is an underrated playmaker center. He will go in the top 5 and has the ability to start right away for Toronto.

Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke traded two draft picks to Boston for Phil Kessel. Those draft picks turned into Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton

Burke will be fired if Toronto picks in the top 5 with a new GM getting his playmaker for the new regime in Toronto.

6. Calgary Flames Martin Frk Right Wing Halifax Mooseheads QMJHL This may be too high for Frk right now, but with 2013 #1 overall prospect Nathan Mackinnon on the first line with Frk your going to see Frk’s stock rise. The Flames should use this draft to groom Iginla’s successor for the future by drafting a legit top 10 right winger who can return to the junior leagues.

7. Dallas Stars Filip Forsberg Left Wing Leksands Allsvenskan Forsberg is establishing himself as a borderline top 5 prospect. This NHL Draft class in 2012 has more defensive talent than offensive talent. Jamie Benn is in a contract year and Brenden Morrow will not be around forever. I really cannot blame the Dallas Stars if they go with a left winger here getting a sniper like Filip Forsberg who is used as a sniper and a two way forward.

Previous Pick Jacob Trouba Defenseman US Under 18 USHL

8. St. Louis Blues Jacob Trouba Defenseman US Under 18 USHL St. Louis could add another defender for depth in the wake of the departure of Erik Johnson who got traded to Colorado. Jacob Trouba could fill be that big time defenseman in St. Louis that Erik Johnson was supposed to be if the Blues are lucky enough to land Trouba.

Previous Pick Filip Forsberg Left Wing Leksands Allsvenskan

9. Columbus Blue Jackets Griffin Reinhart Defenseman Edmonton Oil Kings WHL Columbus needs a face for their defense and Reinhart could be that face for the Blue Jackets defense down the road.

Columbus was leaning towards an offensive defender in 2011 before they traded their draft pick to the Flyers and their GM indicated that upgrading defense is the next step the Blue Jackets want to take. The Canucks goalie coach that developed Roberto Luongo is in Columbus now working with Steve Mason an injury prone goalie so if Mason gets injured Columbus may be one of those teams who develops an unknown goalie that no one has ever heard of.

Reinhart can be utilized as a two way defender he has a better skill set as an offensive defender. Reinhart tallied 25 points last year and Columbus has indicated a level of interest with adding an offensive defender.

10. Winnipeg Jets Matia Marcantuoni Center Kitchener Rangers OHL Since the 2008 NHL Draft the Kitchner Rangers have managed to get at least one player drafted in the top 10. The Rangers have had 3 players get drafted in the top 10. I realize that Winnipeg has some strong depth at center. I just feel like Marcantuoni is a player who has huge upside and potential. At the end of the day I believe Marcantuoni sneaks into the top 10 of the 2012 NHL Draft.

Marcantuoni may return to the OHL for another year of training due to Winnipeg’s depth at center, but he has the talent to become a top 10 pick and possibly crack a roster spot right away.

Matia Marcantuoni is one of the most disciplined OHL prospects in recent years. Maybe he got this work ethic from playing with Gabriel Landeskog. Either way, Marcantuoni has the discipline to establish himself as an NHL all star down the road with the proper development. You cannot teach a player Marcantuoni’s discipline. The prospect either has it or they don’t.

Winnipeg could use a playmaker down the road. Plus some people consider Mark Scheifele to be a reach since some people didn’t have Scheifele getting drafted until the 2nd round.

Previous Pick Morgan Rielly Defenseman Moose Jaw Warriors WHL

11. New Jersey Devils Olli Maata Defenseman London Knights OHL The JYP Jyvaskyla defender who played in SM Liiga league will play in the OHL this season. Olli Maata will play for the London Knights in the 2011-2012 season after spending last season with JYP Jyvaskyla in the SM Liiga league.

Maata is a scandinavian defender who is from Finland. Maata has good puck control and a very high hockey IQ when it comes to using his field vision to execute a passing play.

Maata would make an excellent complimentary defenseman for Adam Larsson. Plus I love the idea of the Devils bringing an old school international Scandinavian defense with a Swedish and Finland defender joining forces to the NHL. Larsson and Maata could be a deadly defensive tandem in New Jersey for the next two decades.

With Larsson and Maata playing on the first line it would be nearly impossible to pass the puck or shoot the puck when the Devils first line is on the ice. The only way to get around this defense is if you had a center with a playmaker mentality who can be a sniper like Sidney Crosby or Steven Stamkos.

12. Philadelphia Flyers Alex Gudbranson Defenseman Kingston Frontenacs OHL I cannot believe I’m the only one that has Alex Gudbranson the little brother of Erik Gudbranson in round 1 of their 2012 NHL Mock Draft. Kingston’s coach stated that he likes Alex Gudbranson’s ability as a two way defender better than his older brother Erik who went 3rd overall to Florida in 2010. Mike Pouncey wasn’t as good as Maurkice, but he went higher than him in the NFL Draft. The same thing could very easily happen with Alex Gudbranson if he has a breakout year for Kingston this season. I could see Alex creeping up draft boards and becoming a top 5 pick just like Ryan Strome did this season.

I know this is a very strong draft at defense so its kind of foolish to say Gudbranson will climb all the way up to be a top 5 pick at this point. I’m not doubting Alex Gudbranson because his coach likes him better than Erik who went 3rd overall and Erik will do everything to help his younger brother get in the NHL.

Coaches give scouts information that most Mock Draft experts are unaware of. I may be foolish to go out on a limb here with the Gudbranson pick, but I get a strong feeling that Alex Gudbranson will surge up NHL Draft Boards as the draft process gets closer the same way Jonathan Huberdeau did.

13. Montreal Canadians Morgan Rielly Defenseman Moose Jaw Warriors WHL Morgan Rielly is an offensive defenseman. Montreal has a lot of penalty killing defenseman. They got a two way defender with Nathan Beaulieu in the 2011 NHL Draft. Now the Canadians look to add an offensive defender with this pick.

14. Anaheim Ducks Jordan Schmaltz Defenseman Sioux City Musketeers USHL Anaheim could add another defender to an already stacked roster. Schmaltz is the best player available in a very deep draft class with NHL defenseman.

Previous Pick Zemgus Girgensons Center Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL

15. Edmonton Oilers Matthew Dumba Defenseman Red Deer Rebels WHL Edmonton took Dumba’s teammate Ryan Nugent Hopkins #1 overall. If Dumba falls to #15 I am sure the Oilers would love to add Mathew Dumba to their organization.

16. New York Islanders Slater Koekoek Defenseman Peterborough Petes OHL Koekoek could be a prospect that the Islanders target. The Islanders need defense and there was talk that the New York Islanders would go with Dougie Hamilton at #5 last year.

New York would have a line 1 defense for the future with Scott Mayfield and Slater Koekoek.

17. New York Rangers Cody Ceci Defenseman Ottawa 67′s OHL The New York Rangers need an offensive defender. At one point Cody Ceci was the projected #1 overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft on EA Sports NHL 11 if you played be a GM mode.

Ceci has fallen off the map a bit because he did not live up to expectations of being a top 5 pick last season, but Ceci could still be a first round pick in 2012.

18. San Jose Sharks Henrik Samuelsson Right Wing US Under 18 USHL Some people have Henrik Samuelsson going higher in their 2012 NHL Mock Drafts than teammate Nicolas Kerdiles. Right wing is a bigger need for San Jose than center so I could see the Sharks taking Samuelsson over Kerdiles.

19. Washington Capitals from Colorado Avalanche Zemgus Girgensons Center Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL Zemgus Girgensons is from Latvia. Nicklas Backstrom has yet to step up when the playoffs matter when it comes to posting points. Ovechkin will not win a cup until the Capitals get a playmaker for Ovechkin.

Zemgus Girgensons played in 47 games as a rookie. In those 47 games he obtained 20 goals, 27 assists, and 47 points. Even if Backstrom is Ovechkin’s line 1 playmaker this team could still use some depth at center. Girgensons is a guy who could be a line 2 center in Washington who may be able to leapfrog Backstrom for the top spot if he steps up.

Previous Pick Andrei Vasilevski Goalie Salavat Yulaev Ufa KHL

20. Carolina Hurricanes Derrick Pouliot Defenseman Portland Winterhawks WHL Pouliot is an underrated talent who made Joe Morrow look better than he actually is. Joe Morrow signed an entry level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. That makes Morrow pretty good. Some NHL Scouts think Pouliot could be even better than Morrow.

21. Detroit Red Wings Nikolas Kerdiles Center US Under 18 USHL Kerdiles is a playmaker center who could provide some youth for the Detroit Red Wings.

22. Buffalo Sabres Brendan Gaunce Center Belleville Bulls OHL Brendan Gaunce is a 6 foot 2 205 pound playmaker center. The Sabres love drafting for size and Gaunce provides great value around this pick range.

Gaunce tallied 36 points in 65 games. Gaunce could very realistically work his way into the top 15 if those numbers improve next season.

Previous Pick Emil Lundberg Left Wing Sodertalje SK Elitserien

23. Chicago Blackhawks Gianluca Curcuruto Defenseman Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL The Chicago Blackhawks need some depth on defense. They were already deep at right wing and got another center and left winger as developmental players with their 2 2011 first round picks.

The Blackhawks got rid of Brian Campbell. The Blackhawks still have one of the leagues best line 1 tandems with Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. The team just needs to add more depth on a defensive unit that finished near the bottom of the NHL in penalty killing.

Previous Pick Matia Marcantuoni Center Kitchener Rangers OHL

24. Tampa Bay Lightning Malcolm Subban Goalie Belleville Bulls OHL The Lightning need a successor for Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith left Tampa Bay to be the Coyotes starting goalie. Malcolm Subban is too talented not to go in the first round. Steve Yzerman knows its important to have a goalie for the future. Tampa Bay does have 2 goalies for the future in the AHL, but Yzerman did not draft either goalie.

Yzerman drafts Tampa Bay’s goalie for the future with this pick. Subban is too talented to slide this far. The only reason Subban is sliding this far is because the teams that picked ahead of Tampa Bay had bigger needs or they were set at goalie.

Previous Pick Teuvo Teravainen Left Wing Jokerit Helsinki SM Liiga

25. Boston Bruins Eric Locke Left Wing Barrie Colts OHL The Boston Bruins love taking OHL prospects early. Eric Locke can be used as a playmaker, sniper, and two way forward. Locke can play anywhere as a forward. You can plug a player with Locke’s versatility into an offense at center, left wing, or right wing.

Locke was once a top 10 prospect, but his draft stock has taken a hit. Boston loves OHL prospects and they need to add more depth at the wing. Boston has their depth at center, defense, and goalie. They just need more depth on the wing at left wing and right wing.

Previous Pick Brendan Gaunce Center Belleville Bulls OHL

26. Nashville Predators Petteri Lindbohm Defenseman Blues Espoo SM Liiga Lindbohm has the defensive ability to develop into one of the top international defenseman. Nashville is one of the best teams when it comes to scouting players internationally.

27. Pittsburgh Penguins Charles Simard Hudon Left Wing Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL Charles Simard Hudon could be a sniper that the Penguins could use to boost their power play.

28. Vancouver Canucks Sebastian Collberg Right Wing Frolunda HC Elitserien Vancouver takes the best available player. Collberg would be the best player available if he falle

Previous Pick Kalle Tornianen C IFK SM Liiga

29. Washington Capitals Michael Mathenson Defenseman Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL Micahel Mathenson once played for the Lac. St. Louis Lions. In 2011 Mathenson will play for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. The offensive defender will get the chance to continue being teammates with Zemgus Girgensons in Washington.

I have the Capitals taking Girgensons with the pick that they got from the Colorado Avalanche with the 19th overall pick.

Michael Mathenson has top 8 potential. He hasn’t committed to college hockey or the QMJHL yet so I have him going as a late first round pick. Washington has nothing to lose by taking a flyer on Michael Mathenson.

30. Los Angeles Kings Scott Laughton Center Oshawa Generals OHL The Kings like drafting the best available players. I know Laughton has a history of committing penalties, but the Kings can take a chance on him because they have one of the best penalty killing units in the NHL.

Previous Pick Matthew Campagna Center Sudbury Wolves OHL

Round 2

31. Florida Panthers Cristoval Nieves Right Wing Michigan Nieves is currently a high school senior at Kent High School in Connecticut. Nieves has made a verbal commitment to Michigan. Nieves has first round talent. Florida will be able to draft the best available player with this pick and wait for him to develop.

Previous Pick Colin Olsen Goalie US Under 18

32. Phoenix Coyotes Pontus Aberg Left Wing Djurgardens Elitserien The Coyotes take the best available player which would be Pontus Aberg. The Coyotes add another winger for depth.

The Coyotes ranked 23rd on the power play in 2010, 26th in penalty killing, and they lost their goaltender in Bryzgalov.

Phoenix has a good chance of relocating at this point. Its not a matter of if its going to happen its only a matter of when.

Previous Pick Brady Hjelle Goalie Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL

33. San Jose Sharks from Minnesota Wild Andreas Athanasiou Left Wing London Knights OHL People are talking about Andreas Athanasiou as a late first round prospect in some NHL mock drafts. Athanasiou is a two way forward who can play left wing or center.

Athanasiou tallied 22 points for the London Knights last season. Andreas Athanasiou has the potential to crack a 2nd line on an NHL squad with the proper development. The problem is Andreas Athanasiou is a very raw project player who will require a lot of patience to develop.

If you rush Athanasiou because your thin at left wing this draft pick will blow up in your face if your a General Manager.

Previous Pick Eric Locke Left Wing Barrie Colts OHL

34. Ottawa Senators Ryan MacKinnon Defenseman Rimouski Oceanic QMJHL Ryan MacKinnon is one of the best defenders in the QMJHL. Ottawa drafted 3 forwards in the first round and their strong on defense. The Senators can afford to add another player here.

Previous Pick Scott Laughton Center Oshawa Generals OHL

35. Toronto Maple Leafs Matthew Campagna Center Sudbury Wolves OHL The Toronto Maple Leafs take the best offensive player available who plays in the CHL. That would be Matthew Campagna of the Sudbury Wolves. Campagna has all the tools necessary to develop into a playmaker center.

Previous Pick Jarrod Maidens Center Owen Sound Attack

36. Calgary Flames Jarrod Maidens Center Owen Sound Attack OHL The Owen Sound Attack were last years OHL Champions. Jarrod Madiens was one of the playmaker centers for this Owen Sound Attack team. Maidens could become an effective 2nd line center for Calgary with the proper development.

Previous Pick Gianluca Curcuruto Defenseman Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

37. Dallas Stars Ville Pokka Defenseman Karpat SM Liiga Pokka is considered the best available player at this spot. Dallas takes another prospect from Finland after selecting left winger Filip Forsberg in round 1 with the 7th pick.

Previous Pick Jordan Schmaltz Defenseman Sioux City Musketeers USHL

38. St. Louis Blues A.J. Michaelson Center Minnesota AJ Michaelson played for the Waterloo Black Hawks in the USHL last season and should do so again this year.

Michaelson has made a verbal commitment to the Minnesota Golden Gophers so he will go to Minnesota rather than joining the NHL right away.

Previous Pick Pontus Aberg Left Wing Djurgardens Elitserien

39. Columbus Blue Jackets Colin Olson Goalie US Under 18 USHL After Malcolm Subban its pretty apparent that Colin Olson is the best goalie prospect in the 2012 NHL Draft.

Columbus could use a goalie to develop in case Steve Mason cannot put everything together.

Previous Pick Sebastian Colberg Right Wing Frolunda Elitserien

40. Winnipeg Jets Tom Wilson Right Wing Plymouth Whalers OHL The Winnipeg Jets need a right winger for depth. The Jets current scouting department members that are still employed from the Atlanta Thrashers days before Atlanta relocated love OHL prospects. I’d have a hard time believing Winnipeg will pass on an OHL player.

Previous Pick Ryan Olsen Center Saskatoon Blades WHL

41. New Jersey Devils Aleksi Orenius D Ilves SM Liiga New Jersey gets another international defenseman. Orenius can anchor the play on the 2nd line down the road.

42. Philadelphia Flyers Mikael Wikstrand D Mora Allsvenskan The Flyers defense is aging. They may decide to double dip by adding more defensive talent.

43. Montreal Canadians Chandler Stephenson LW Regina Pats WHL Montreal gets an offensive player in round 2 to groom for the future.

44. Anaheim Ducks Ryan Olsen Center Saskatoon Blades WHL The Ducks passed on a center in round 1 so the Ducks get their center of the future with this pick in round 2.

Previous Pick Gustav Rydahl Center Frolunda Elitserien

45. Edmonton Oilers Dominic Poulin D Chicoutimi Sagueneens QMJHL Edmonton double dips at defense taking the best Canadian Hockey Player available.

46. New York Islanders Jake McCabe D US Under 18 USHL The Islanders double dip at defense adding another defensive prospect.

47. New York Rangers Barrett Kalib D US Under 18 USHL The Rangers add another prospect at defense.

48. Carolina Hurricanes from San Jose Sharks Matt Grzelcyk D US Under 18 USHL Carolina adds more depth at defense with another defensive prospect.

49. Colorado Avalanche Ryan Grimshaw D US Under 18 USHL Colorado adds a defensive prospect that they can groom for the future in round 2.

50. Carolina Hurricanes Brady Skjei D US Under 18 USHL Carolina now has 4 defensive prospects if you add Ryan Murphy along with their 3 2012 draft prospects. Carolina is now a team with the luxury of taking the best player available.

51. Detroit Red Wings Gennadi Sabinin D Chekhov KHL Detroit takes a Russian defender to provide some youth for the Red Wings defense in the long term.

52. Buffalo Sabres Anton Ivanyuzhenkov LW Checkov KHL The Sabres take a player who provides amazing value near the end of the 2nd round.

53. Chicago Blackhawks Vladimir Tkachev LW Kazan KHL The Blackhawks take the best available player in round 2 and add another offensive prospect to their roster.

54. Tampa Bay Lightning Matthew Bergland LW Providence Bergland sounds like a player that was born to be on the Lightning.

55. Toronto Maple Leafs from Boston Bruins Dalton Thrower D Saskatoon Blades WHL Toronto adds a defensive player for depth. Dalton Thrower is a good prospect who should get drafted in the first two rounds.

56. Nashville Predators Nikolai Prokhorkin LW CSKA Moscow KHL Prokhorkin played on the same line as Mikhail Grigorenko. Prokhorkin has an opportunity to prove he is worthy of being selected in the first two rounds with Grigorenko gone.

57. Pittsburgh Penguins Luca Ciampini LW Halifax Mooseheads QMJHLThe Penguins add another left wing player for depth.

58. Vancouver Canucks Andrew Ryan LW Halifax Mooseheads QMJHLVancouver gets a left wing prospect for the future in case they want Niklas Jensen to play right wing.

59. Washington Capitals Daniel Rzavsky LW Nitra Slovak Typical Capitals pick taking an international player.

60. Edmonton Oilers from Los Angeles Kings Dalton Sward C Vancouver Giants WHL Edmonton gets a center who they can develop in the WHL before sending him to Oklahoma City in the AHL.

Round 3

61. Florida Panthers Andrei Vasilevski Goalie Salavat Yulaev Ufa KHL The Panthers could use a developmental goalie for the future. I had Vasilevski in the first round at one point. Its obvious that Vasilevski’s draft stock has taken a hit.

62. Phoenix Coyotes Clint Windsor Goalie Barrie Colts OHL Clint Windsor has the potential to be the top goalie in this draft. Winsdor is a major project though. The Coyotes need a goalie in the wake of Ilya Bryzgalov’s departure. Clint Windsor could develop into a future starter for Phoenix. He may be the starter by the time Phoenix relocates to a place like Quebec City who knows?

63. Minnesota Wild Teuvo Teravainen Left Wing Jokerit Helsinki SM Liiga The Minnesota Wild take the best player available. Teuvo Teravainen is a first round prospect. This pick is a steal if Teravainen falls to round 3.

64. Ottawa Senators Brandon Hope Goalie Sarnia Sting OHL Ottawa drafts a developmental goalie for the future with this pick. Brandon Hope is the goaltender for a Sarnia Sting team that has tons of goal scorers.

65. Los Angeles Kings from Toronto Maple Leafs Calle Anderson Defenseman Farjestad Elitserien The Kings have the luxury of taking the best player available. Anderson is considered a late first round prospect on some draft boards.

66. Calgary Flames Damon Severson Defenseman Kelowna Rockets WHL The Flames use this pick to add a defender that they can develop for depth.

67. Dallas Stars Patrik Machac Center Kladno Extraliga Ledniho Hokeje The Dallas Stars get a center from the Czech Republic who can provide some playmaking ability.

68. St. Louis Blues Radek Faksa Center Trinec Extraliga Ledniho Kokeje The Blues use this pick to add another playmaker center to their system of prospects.

69. Columbus Blue Jackets Adam Pelch Defenseman Erie Otters OHL The Blue Jackets add another defenseman to their roster for depth.

70. Winnipeg Jets Ludvig Bystrom Defenseman Erie Otters OHL The Jets add a defensive defenseman to their roster who contributes down the road so that they can boost their penalty killing unit.

71. New Jersey Devils Troy Bourke Left Wing Prince George Cougars WHL The Devils draft a player who has a slight chance of cracking the late part of round 1 with this pick.

72. Phoenix Coyotes from Philadelphia Flyers Colten Scissons Center Kelowna Rockets WHL The Coyotes could use a center for depth on their roster to develop in the long term. Scissons would be a good mid round pickup.

73. Montreal Canadians Jaynen Rissling Defenseman Calgary Hitmen WHL Rissling is a 6 foot 3 215 pound defensive defenseman. Montreal adds another potential penalty killer to their roster by adding Rissling.

74. St. Louis Blues from Anaheim Ducks Adam Chlapik Right Wing Omaha Lancers USHL The Omaha Lancers are known for developing their right wingers. The Blues division rival Columbus Blue Jackets took a flyer on Seth Ambroz a right winger who played for the Omaha Lancers.

75. Edmonton Oilers Branden Troock Right Wing Seattle Thunderbirds WHL The Oilers add a right wing prospect to an already strong farm system of Oiler prospects.

76. New York Islanders Kalle Torniainen Center IFK SM Liiga The Islanders draft a center who can provide some depth to the Islanders AHL team.

77. New York Rangers Fredrik Anderberg Left Wing Djurgardens Elitserien The Rangers get a left wing player that can develop into a sniper who can provide some pop on the back 6 for lines 3 and line 4.

78. Florida Panthers from San Jose Sharks Raphael Bussieres Left Wing Baie-Comeau Drakkar QMJHL Bussieres is a project player that can be used as a two way forward at left wing or center.

79. Colorado Avalanche Jesse Graham Defenseman Niagara IceDogs OHL Jesse Graham has the skill set of an offensive defender. Colorado should get him and try to develop him into a player that can play line 3 in the NHL or serve as an impact player in the AHL down the road.

80. Carolina Hurricanes Reid Gow Defenseman Spokane Shock WHL Reid Gow is an offensive defender who has the potential to become a line 3 NHL two way defender. The only way Gow manages to crack an NHL squad in 5 years is if his defensive game improves going against stiffer competition.

81. Detroit Red Wings Daulton Siwak Right Wing Red Deer Rebels WHL Detroit adds another right winger for depth who could play behind Tomas Jurco on the front 6 sometime within the next 6 seasons.

82. Buffalo Sabres Emil Lundberg Left Wing Sodertalje SK Elitserien Lundberg can play left wing or goalie. Buffalo could use a player like Lundberg playing for the Sabres AHL partner.

83. Chicago Blackhawks Max Iafrate Defenseman Kitchener Rangers OHL The Chicago Blackhawks add another defenseman who they can develop at slow natural rate. Iafrate is 6 foot 2 220 pounds.

84. Tampa Bay Lightning Daniil Zharkov Right Wing Tri City Americans WHL The Lightning use this pick to add a winger for depth on their AHL subsidiary team known as the Norfolk Admirals. Zharkov cannot play for Norfolk until at least age 21 so Zharkov goes back to Tri City in 2012.

85. Boston Bruins Steven Hodges Center Victoria Royals WHL The Chilliwack Bruins relocated and changed their name to the Victoria Royals. Steven Hodges is a two way forward who could serve the Providence Bruins in the AHL once he turns 21 with his junior entry level contract ending.

86. Ottawa Senators from Nashville Predators Grant Webermin Defenseman Windsor Spitfires OHL Ottawa drafts another Windsor defenseman for depth on their roster.

87. Pittsburgh Penguins Justin Hache Defenseman Shawinigan Cataractes QMJHL Justin Hache weighs 6 foot 2 2o1 pounds. Hache has the size to develop into a defender who excels on penalty killing plays.

88. Anaheim Ducks from Vancouver Canucks Matt Finn Defenseman Guelph Storm OHL The Ducks add a defenseman who could contribute to the Ducks AHL partner down the road.

89. Washington Capitals Jake Paterson Goalie Saginaw Spirit OHL The Capitals get a goalie to develop in case Michael Neuvirth does not pan out once Tomas Vokoun retires.

90. Nashville Predators from Los Angeles Kings Justin Kea Center Saginaw Spirit OHL Justin Kea weighs 6 foot 4 203 pounds. Kea could be a developmental player that eventually gets the chance to play for the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL.