What About Bob -- vs JP? "Quick & Dirty 30": 2012 Draft Primer

Mikhail Grigorenko

Mikhail Grigorenko has been nailed to the wall by NHL scouts despite being diagnosed with mid-season mono (and still playing through it). He didn't have a great playoff and ultimately lost a crucial head to head series matchup with Maritime Wonderboy, Nathan McKinnon, of the Halifax Mooseheads. I think Grigo has been judged a little too harshly, and dropped way to far on B-Mac's list by his Scout contacts. 

TSN Bob McKenzie's Top 30:

1. RW Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
2. D Ryan Murray, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
3. LW Filip Forsberg, Leksands (SEL)
4. D Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
5. C Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
6. D Mathew Dumba, Red Deer Rebels, (WHL)
7. RW Teuvo Teravainen, Jokerit (SM-Liiga)
8. D Morgan Rielly, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
9. D Jacob Trouba, USA-U18 (USHL)
10. D Olli Maata, London Knights (OHL)

Zemgus Girgensons

11. C Radek Faksa, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
12. C Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
13. C Zemgus Girgensons, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
14. D Cody Ceci, Ottawa 67's (OHL)
15. D Hampus Lindholm, Rogle Jr. (SWE)
16. D Slater Koekkoek, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
17. D Derrick Pouliot, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
18. RW Tom Wilson, Plymouth Whalers(OHL)
19. C Tomas Hertl, Slavia Praha (CZE)
20. C Brendan Gaunce, Belleville Bulls (OHL)
21. D Matt Finn, Guelph Storm (OHL)
22. D Brady Skjei, USA-U18 (USHL)
23. C Stefan Matteau, USA-U18 (USHL)
24. G Andrei Vasilevski, Ufa Tolpar (RUS)
25. G Malcom Subban, Belleville Bulls (OHL)
26. D Michael Matheson, Dubuque Fighting Saints(USHL)
27. RW Sebastien Collberg, Frolunda Indians(SEL)
28. C Scott Laughton, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
29. LW Tanner Pearson, Barrie Colts (OHL)
30. LW Philip Di Giuseppe, Michigan (CCHA)

Teuvo Teravainen

On my Quick & Dirty 30, Grigorenko stays among the top five top players in this draft. If I'm picking at four, there is no way I pass on a potential superstar. I'll bet on his upside, and trust his KHL desires are absolutely last resort. The alternative is a set of another five or so players with their own questions marks. 

On Teuvo Teravainen, though I like the slick Finnish forward, I dropped him slightly to just below Morgan Rielly. Both are on the small side, and thus have their risks as high picks. There is nothing like great hands, wheels and heart to compensate for size, however.

My Quick & Dirty 30
(keeping B-Mac's listed ranking number, but in my order):

1. RW Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
3. LW Filip Forsberg, Leksands (SEL)
5. C Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
12. C Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
2. D Ryan Murray, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
4. D Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

6. D Mathew Dumba, Red Deer Rebels, (WHL)

Morgan Rielly

8. D Morgan Rielly, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
7. RW Teuvo Teravainen, Jokerit (SM-Liiga)
9. D Jacob Trouba, USA-U18 (USHL)
10. D Olli Maata, London Knights (OHL)
11. C Radek Faksa, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
20. C Brendan Gaunce, Belleville Bulls (OHL)
13. C Zemgus Girgensons, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
19. C Tomas Hertl, Slavia Praha (CZE)
14. D Cody Ceci, Ottawa 67's (OHL)
15. D Hampus Lindholm, Rogle Jr. (SWE)
16. D Slater Koekkoek, Peterborough Petes (OHL)
17. D Derrick Pouliot, Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
21. D Matt Finn, Guelph Storm (OHL)
18. RW Tom Wilson, Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
27. RW Sebastien Collberg, Frolunda Indians (SEL)
23. C Stefan Matteau, USA-U18 (USHL)
24. G Andrei Vasilevski, Ufa Tolpar (RUS)
25. G Malcom Subban, Belleville Bulls (OHL)
26. D Michael Matheson, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
22. D Brady Skjei, USA-U18 (USHL)
28. C Scott Laughton, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
29. LW Tanner Pearson, Barrie Colts (OHL)
30. LW Philip Di Giuseppe, Michigan (CCHA)

As for how the draft actually shakes out, I have strong suspicion there will be at least one flip of picks among the top five. My hunch is that Islanders GM Garth will take matters into his own hands and remove any risk of coming out of the draft with Ryan Murray. NYI has only 3 starting top four d-men under contract with little prospect of attracting sought-after UFAs. Murray is the most NHL-ready of these draft prospects in my opinion -- exactly what NYI needs. And the price is right as well, an ELC with bonuses that pad the Isle's cap hit, allowing owner Charles Wang to reach the cap floor that much easier.




My 'Draft Flip' Trade Prediction:
NYI flips picks with CBJ

Nail Yakupov

My Top 10 Prediction:
1. EDM - RW Nail Yakupov, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
2. NYI - LD Ryan Murray, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
3. MTL - C Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
4. CBJ - LW Filip Forsberg, Leksands (SEL)
5. TOR - C Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
6. ANA - LD Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
7. MIN - RD Mathew Dumba, Red Deer Rebels, (WHL)
8. CAR - RW Teuvo Teravainen, Jokerit (SM-Liiga)
9. WPG - LD Morgan Rielly, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
10. TBL - RD Jacob Trouba, USA-U18 (USHL)







Draft Order courtesy Pro Sports Transactions:

Overall #	Round #	Team	Transactions
Round 1
1	1-1	Oilers
2	1-2	Blue Jackets
3	1-3	Canadiens
4	1-4	Islanders
5	1-5	Maple Leafs
6	1-6	Ducks
7	1-7	Wild
8	1-8	Hurricanes
9	1-9	Jets
10	1-10	Lightning
11	1-11	Avalanche	Capitals Traded rights to Semyon Varlamov to Avalanche for 2012 first round pick (?-?), 2012 or 2013 second round pick (Capitals choice) (?-?) on 2011-07-01
12	1-12	Sabres
13	1-13	Stars
14	1-14	Flames
L O T T E R Y
15	1-15	Senators
16	1-16	Capitals
17	1-17	Sharks
18	1-18	Blackhawks
19	1-19	Red Wings	Lightning Traded Kyle Quincey to Red Wings for Sebastien Piche, 2012 first round pick (?-?) on 2012-02-21
20	1-20	Flyers
21	1-21	Predators	Sabres Traded Paul Gaustad, 2013 fourth round pick (?-?) to Predators for 2012 first round pick (?-?) on 2012-02-27
22	1-22	Penguins
23	1-23	Panthers
24	1-24	Bruins
25	1-25	Blues
26	1-26	Canucks
27	1-27	Coyotes
28	1-28	Rangers
29	1-29	Devils
30	1-30	Kings	Blue Jackets (Blue Jackets choice of 2012 or 2013 first round pick) Traded Jeff Carter to Kings for Jack Johnson, conditional first round pick (Blue Jackets choice of 2012 or 2013 if Kings make 2012 playoffs, else 2013) (?-?) on 2012-02-