 NHL draft prospect Nail Yakupov speaks to the media at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alta., June 4, 2012. (DAVID BLOOM/QMI Agency) |
1. EDMONTON: The Oilers never expected to be picking first. Winning lottery was a pleasant surprise. If they don't deal, they take another good, young player.
Pick: Nail Yakupov, RW, Sarnia (OHL)
2. COLUMBUS: Might be in the best interests of Scott Howson to make a safe pick. He can't afford another screw-up. He could flip picks with Toronto or Montreal.
Pick: Filip Forsberg, RW, Leksand (SWE)
3. MONTREAL: GM Marc Bergevin will keep this pick. The Habs need to start getting bigger and stronger. Way too soft in middle.
Pick: Alex Galchenyuk, C, Sarnia (OHL)
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4. N.Y. ISLANDERS: Predicting what they're doing is difficult. GM Garth Snow has a history of trading down. He might dance with mid-pick teams.
Pick: Ryan Murray, D, Everett (WHL)
5. TORONTO: Expect to see GM Brian Burke try to make a splash -- he always does. He could deal this pick for immediate help. Can't afford to miss the playoffs again.
Pick: Matt Dumba, D, Red Deer (WHL)
6. ANAHEIM: Organization is in a state of flux. Ducks don't have a lot of depth. Have to make decisions on Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf and can use help anywhere.
Pick: Morgan Rielly, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
7. MINNESOTA: The Wild is rebuilding, but stocking up on some skilled players. Definitely need to get more scoring help. It's always been an issue for the franchise.
Pick: Teuvo Teravainen, LW, Jokerit (FIN)
8. CAROLINA: GM Jim Rutherford unloaded players last season as part of a rebuild. Generally, the Hurricanes have been solid at the draft table. They don't gamble a lot.
Pick: Mikhail Grigorenko, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
9. WINNIPEG: Expect the Jets to build from the back-end out. That's always been GM Kevin Cheveldayoff's philosophy. Don't expect a change here.
Pick: Griffin Reinhart, D, Edmonton (WHL)
10. TAMPA: Wonder what happened to the Bolts last season? Was it intense coaching wearing off or did the players just not get the job done? Problems start in goal.
Pick: Andrei Vasilevski, G, Ufa (RUS)
11. WASHINGTON: The character stepped up under Dale Hunter, so it does exist. The Caps realize if they compete hard, they can succeed. Time to help blueline.
Pick: Jacob Trouba, D, U.S. under-18 (NTDP)
12. BUFFALO: The Sabres need to start getting bigger. They aren't afraid to go small, but they can use some jam. Sabres need to be hard-nosed.
Pick: Olli Maatta, D, London (OHL)
13. DALLAS: This pick may be available because new owner Tom Gagliardi wants to be aggressive. If the Stars can get immediate help here, they will make a move.
Pick: Matthew Finn, D, Guelph (OHL)
14. CALGARY: GM Jay Feaster has a big job ahead of him, running a franchise with a lousy drafting history. The Flames need to start stockpiling prospects. A safe pick works.
Pick: Derrick Pouliot, D, Portland (WHL)
15. OTTAWA: The Senators picked three forwards last year. They need to get some help for the back end. Don't be shocked if GM Bryan Murray moves up.
Pick: Sebastian Collberg, D, Frolunda (SWE)
16. WASHINGTON: This will be the Caps' second pick in the first round. Their No. 11 selection was acquired from Colorado in Semyon Varlamov deal. Expect help up front.
Pick: Radek Faksa, C, Kitchener (OHL)
17. SAN JOSE: This is an organization that has just not been able to get over the top. Almost falling into Philadelphia trap -- good but just not good enough to win the Cup.
Pick: Cody Ceci, D, Ottawa (OHL)
18. CHICAGO: The Hawks have as much depth as they need up front. That means they want to go with defence. Don't be surprised if they move up.
Pick: Slater Koekkoek, D, Peterborough (OHL)
19. TAMPA: Steve Yzerman acquired this pick for D Kyle Quincey. They're going to take the most skilled Swedish player they can find. A bit of a Detroit philosophy here.
Pick: Hampus Lindholm, D, Rogle (SWE)
20. PHILADELPHIA: The Flyers are still going to draft players who fit the mould -- big, tough and strong. GM Paul Holmgren needs guys who can produce in the playoffs.
Pick: Thomas Wilson, RW, Plymouth (OHL)
21. BUFFALO: The Sabres acquired this pick from Nashville in the Paul Gaustad deal. Need to restock the forward ranks and don't expect them to deviate from size.
Pick: Brendan Gaunce, C, Belleville (OHL)
22. PITTSBURGH: The Penguins are a team that could undergo a lot of change. If they decide to deal Jordan Staal, they may need to look for a replacement.
Pick: Scott Laughton, C, Oshawa (OHL)
23. FLORIDA: The Panthers have given GM Dale Tallon an extension because he knows how to build a team. He needs skill and a strong defence corps.
Pick: Dalton Thrower, D, Sasktoon (WHL)
24. BOSTON: The Bruins have a strong history of drafting since GM Peter Chiarelli took over. Boston isn't afraid to take a chance and, at this point, every player is a gamble.
Pick: Zemgus Girgensons, C, Dubuque (USHL)
25. ST. LOUIS: Surprised everybody this past season, but they've got new ownership and the landscape has changed. GM Doug Armstrong has to set a course for future here.
Pick: Martin Frk, RW, Halifax (QMJHL)
26. VANCOUVER: GM Mike Gillis could be active by moving G Roberto Luongo at the draft. The Canucks might decide they want to add some character here. .
Pick: Mike Matheson, D, Dubuque (USHL)
27. PHOENIX: Nobody is sure this club is actually going to stay in Phoenix, but the management shouldn't change even if the Coyotes move to Quebec City. Need help up front.
Pick: Stefan Matteau, LW, U.S. under-18 (NTDP)
28. N.Y. RANGERS: You could see this pick moved in exchange for Columbus star Rick Nash. The Rangers have a history of drafting strong.
Pick: Henrik Samuelsson, RW, Edmonton (WHL)
29. NEW JERSEY: The Devils have to forfeit a first-round pick sometime before 2014 because of the Ilya Kovalchuk deal, but GM Lou Lamoriello has said he's keeping this year's selection.
Pick: Oscar Dansk, G, Brynas (SWE)
30. LOS ANGELES: Not sure the Kings will make this pick -- the Blue Jackets have the option of taking it. If Los Angeles doesn't lose the selection, they'll get help up front.
Pick: Colton Sissons, C, Kelowna (WHL)