NHL Mock Draft 2013 - Lottery Edition

Seth Jones is the consensus #1 ranked prospect for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft

 1. D Seth Jones Portland Winterhawks - WHL

Consensus #1 pick goes to his hometown team where he first met Joe Sakic. Jones will bring stability in the back end for Colorado when paired up with fellow American and former 1^st overall pick in 2006, Erik Johnson.

 2. LW/C Jonathan Drouin Halifax Mooseheads - QMJHL

Losing the 1^st overall pick? No problem for Dale Tallon. Now he’s stuck with the biggest decision of the draft: which Moosehead to pick? Well, he should not hesitate when picking Jonathan Drouin, arguably the most creative and offensive juggernaut of the draft. Tallon will be able to recreate his Toews-Kane duo in Florida.

3. C Nathan MacKinnon Halifax Mooseheads - QMJHL

Easy task for the Tampa Bay crew, they will be happy with whatever is left from the big 3. MacKinnon is an offensive force and is the best skater of the draft. The Cole Harbor native could have gone 1^st overall also, but he will be well welcomed in Tampa Bay. He will be the perfect linemate to Stamkos, replacing the aging 2013 Art Ross winner, Martin St-Louis.

4. C Elias Lindholm Brynäs - Elisterien

Swedish phenom has been low profiled the whole year but it did not stop him from having a very strong year in the Elisterien with Brynas. He reminds a lot of Peter Forsberg. His vision is only 2^nd best to Jonathan Drouin in this draft but plays a much more physical game than the Moosehead player. Arguably the best Swedish prospect since Nick Backstrom.

      5. LW Valeri Nichuschkin Traktor Chelyabinsk - KHL

Carolina needs a big and nasty forward with a complete offensive toolset and Nichushkin is their guy. Being a late to the party, Nichushkin put on a show at the WJC and in the KHL playoffs. Despite having 2 more years with Dynamo Moscow in the KHL, he is a Rick Nash type of player and should become a dangerous threat once he comes to the big league.

NHL Mock Draft 2013 – Pre-WJC edition

Montreal Canadiens picks Seth Jones with the 3^rd overall pick

1. C Nathan MacKinnon (5'11" - 179 lbs) Halifax Mooseheads - QMJHL
Outside of Baertschi, this franchise is aging and needs a new face once Iginla will be gone. MacKinnon will attract crowds and will be the cornerstone of this franchise. He is a combination of explosiveness and quick release; reminds a lot of a Marian Gaborik.
2. LW/C Jonathan Drouin (5'11" - 185 lbs) Halifax Mooseheads - QMJHL

With President John Davidson on board, Howson and company will have their elite forward in Jonathan Drouin. Hands of a magician combined with a tireless work ethic, Drouin is part of the rebuilding with Rick Nash departure. Resembles Claude Giroux and Patrick Kane a lot.

3. D  Seth Jones (6'4" - 205 lbs) Portland Winterhawks - WHL

Jones is the missing key of the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge’s franchise. The son of former NBA player Popeye Jones brings the defensive pool of the Habs to a whole new level and will be a deadly combo with PK Subban in the future. Trevor Timmins will finally have a joy drafting a premier product of the USNDTP. Unlike the comparison to Chris Pronger, Jones could become a player similar to Alex Pietrangelo or a meaner version of Dougie Hamilton.

4. C Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov Jr (6'2" - 205 lbs) Tappara - SM-liiga

At this spot, many will consider Barkov as the steal of the draft, and with reason. Since Teemue Selanne and Saku Koivu, nobody has seen a 17 years old dominating this much in the SM-liiga till Barkov. Tavares-Barkov will be a very strong 1-2 punch centers.
5. C Sean Monahan (6'2" - 170 lbs) Ottawa 67's - OHL

Some considered the best 2-way forward in the draft, Monahan is exactly what Brian Burke will want in building his franchise. Monahan will be well complemented one day in the NHL with Kessel and JVR.

2012 NHL Entry Draft Pittsburgh – Hockey Lobby Final Mock Draft

Griffin Reinhart (D) of the Edmonton Oil Kings going 5th overall to Toronto Maple Leafs.

1. RW Nail YAKUPOV (5’10 – 170 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL
Consensus #1 prospect of this year’s draft, Yakupov’s thrive and cocky attitude will well complete the Oil Change in Edmonton.
2. C Alex GALCHENYUK (6’1 – 185 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL
Young Alex showed great promises in his OHL rookie year. A good showing at the Combine seems to tell the teams that his knee is fully recovered.
3. C/RW Mikhail GRIGORENKO (6’2 – 192 lbs) Quebec Remparts - QMJHL
Despite having a really good rookie year in his 1st year in North America, Patrick Roy’s star player received enough criticism but his cerebral game along with his skill set is just too much to pass up. He is the prospect with the highest upside of this draft class.
4. LW Filip FORSBERG (6’0 – 176 lbs) Leksand - SEL
Head on his shoulders, comes from great family, Forsberg gives it 100% on every shift. He will complement very well John Tavares for years to come on a young Islanders team.
5. D Griffin REINHART (6’3 – 190 lbs) Edmonton Oil Kings - WHL
With Murray still on the boards, Burke will go for a big and mean defenseman that is comparable to Shea Weber. Comes from a good hockey family, Griffin surprisingly plays a very well rounded game at both ends, along with very good lateral step.

NHL Mock Draft 2012 - Lottery Edition

1. RW Nail YAKUPOV (5’10 – 170 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL

With Grigorenko at the top spot throughout most of the season, Yakupov takes over and will be ready next year to help this young Edmonton team. Fits the mold of the Eberles, Halls and Nugent-Hopkins.
2. LW Filip FORSBERG (6’0 – 176 lbs) Leksand - SEL
Top European prospect, Forsberg is a tireless worker on the ice but with an extremely offensive toolset. With their bad past with Russians, Columbus will be thrilled to have Forsberg as their franchise winger... leaving Nash open for trade?
3. C Alex GALCHENYUK (6’1 – 185 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL
Trevor Timmins won’t be afraid of picking Alex Galchenyuk even though he was recovering all season long. Gally fits perfectly well in Montreal and will surely become an All Star. A mix of high skillset and explosive quick release along with insane dangling moves. Galchenyuk will become the franchise centerman that Montreal has been waiting for… for far so long.
4. D Ryan MURRAY (6’0 – 185 lbs)  Everett Silvetips - WHL 

John Tavares, El Nino, Ryan Strome… what’s missing? A franchise defenceman, Ryan Murray. Possibly the best 2-way defenceman of the draft, will assure NY’s future for a long time.

5. C/RW Mikhail GRIGORENKO (6’2 – 192 lbs) Quebec Remparts - QMJHL

Although being so criticized since his return from the WJCs, Grigorenko remains an incredible prospect with a hockey sense above the average. A miracle pick at this spot.

NHL Mock Draft 2012 - CHL Top Prospect Game Edition

1. Columbus:  Struggling franchise needs stability at center with the most complete player in the draft.

C/RW Mikhail GRIGORENKO (6’2 – 192 lbs) Quebec Remparts - QMJHL

2. Edmonton: Youth is the future in Edmonton, Yakupov is the missing piece of the puzzle.

RW Nail YAKUPOV (5’10 – 170 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL

3. Anaheim: With Selanne and Koivu at the end of their career, Forsberg will bring a new European offense to the RPG(Ryan-Perry-Getzlaf) line.

LW Filip FORSBERG (6’0 – 176 lbs) Leksand - SEL

4. Carolina: With Jeff Skinner as the new franchise forward, Murray will fit perfectly in the near future alongside with Ryan Murphy as the franchise defensemen.

D Ryan MURRAY (6’0 – 185 lbs)  Everett Silvetips - WHL

5. Buffalo: Buffalo lacks of a defensive juggernaut. Dumba will bring size, offense and defense.

D Mathew DUMBA (6’0 – 166 lbs) Red Deer Rebels - WHL

2012 - 2013 NHL Draft eligible at the IIHF World Junior Championship

CZECH REPUBLIC

Tomas Hertl:

Was a surprising factor in the Czechs amazing run till they’ve met Andrei Vasilevski and the Russians.  Big, poise and has great hands to go along with a very intriguing skillset. Knows how to protect the puck with his big frame and seems to always find a way to get to the opposing net. Finished the tournament on top of his team in scoring with 3g – 2a for 5 pts in 6 games.

Latvia

Zemgus Girgensons:

Although he finished the tournament with only 2 goals in 6 games with a -6 differential, Girgensons stood out of this Latvian team that finished 9^th, just ahead of last placed Denmark. Similarly to Hertl, Girgensons knows how to get his nose to the net. His powerforward reputation in the USHL as captain of the Dubuque Fighting Saints was proven on international stage. Many times he was the team’s top player of the game and even during that 14-0 loss against Kuznetsov and the Russians.

Finland

Ville Pokka:

Maatta out? No problem, Ville Pokka was able to step up his game and make a name for himself after the tournament. Very mobile, but more of a punishing defenseman then Maatta, Pokka played really great throughout the tournament. He finished the tournament with a very good production of 1g-3a for 4 pts in 7 games with a  positive 3 differential.

Aleksander Barkov Jr:

We couldn’t have make this review without mentioning the stellar performance of Barkov. Very hyped as the youngest player of the tournament and already being labelled as a top 10 for the 2013 draft, he did managed to write his name in the history of the tournament as the youngest player to score a goal, beating out Sidney Crosby. He has great poise with the puck and even if he was given more of a defensive role, he  was not shy to get into the corners and win his battles. Finished the tournament with a 1g-3a-4pts production in 7 games.

Sweden

Sebastian Collberg – Filip Forsberg – Pontus Åberg:

Collberg or Forsberg...that is the question. Before the start of the tournament, Sweden had 3 potential 1^st rounders. After the tournament, they still have 3 potential 1^st rounders: Filip Forsberg, Sebastian Collberg and Pontus Åberg. Out of the three, the only one whose draft stock might drop a little bit is Åberg since he was force to leave the tournament due to an injury occurring during the last exhibition game. Although Forsberg is the highest ranked of the three, it did not stop Collberg to have an excellent tourney, topping with 4 g-3a for 7 pts in 6 games. On the other hand, Forsberg only managed to put up 1 assist in those 6 games. Don’t let that number  fool you. Forsberg was given more of a defensive role than he’s used to. He did show flashes of great puck protection and great skillset. Collberg however, played on a stronger line with Zibanejad and managed to put up more points. After the tournament, we feel that even though Forsberg did not lit up with huge numbers, his upside seems very high and will be more of a complete player than Collberg, who’s offensive flair is undeniable. As for Åberg, of all those exhibition games he played, he showed that he is not to leave out in the debate of the best Swedish forward. All three will certainly hear their names call up on the 1^st day of the draft, in Pittsburgh.

USA

Jacob Trouba:

If there is one thing positive about team USA’s horrible run at the WJC, is that defenseman Jacob Trouba has risen in the draft rankings due to his strong play at both ends of the ice, even when his team played poorly throughout all the tournament. His strongest asset is that he always seem to be calm and poise with the puck. Little mistakes did he made, Trouba is a hard nose player and likes to get physical too. Expect him to be amongst the first defenceman to be drafted on June 22^nd.

Canada

Ryan Murray:

Being the youngest player on the Canadian roster, Ryan Murray played an overall good tournament, except for his team loss in the semi finals against the Russians. Unfortunately, Murray was not only on the ice for Russia’s first 3-4 goals, but the puck actually did touch him or his skates on all of these goals. Talk about a bad luck. However, we can’t judge what Ryan Murray has brought for team Canada throughout not only this tournament, but for all the other ones also: Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, World Under-18, etc. His performance during the semi finals shouldn’t make him a sliding prospect, but it shows that other players are starting to catch up on him. He’s being scouted for a while now, and is suffering the same faith as Tavares and Couturier.

NHL Mock Draft 2012 - Pre-WJC Edition

1. C/RW Mikhail GRIGORENKO (6’2 – 192 lbs) Quebec Remparts - QMJHL (0)

2. RW Nail YAKUPOV (5’10 – 170 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL (0)

3. LW Filip FORSBERG (6’0 – 176 lbs) Leksand - SEL (+1)

4. D Mathew DUMBA (6’0 – 166 lbs) Red Deer Rebels - WHL (+3)

5. D Ryan MURRAY (6’0 – 185 lbs)  Everett Silvetips - WHL (0)

Prospect ID: #5 Ryan Murray

Captain Canada: Ryan Smyth? Not really. Yet, another Ryan… Ryan Murray of the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League. Amazing what he has accomplished thus far in his young career. Only 17 years of age, Ryan has captained two times team Canada at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament respectively in 2010 and 2011, bringing home the Gold medal twice. He’s was also given the “C” at his second appearance at the World Under-18 Championship, where team Canada failed to medaled.

Borned September 27^th, 1993, in White City, Saskatchewan, Ryan Murray’s late birthday kept him from being draft eligible for the NHL 2011 Entry Draft, where he would have been easily be a top 10 pick. Surprisingly, even though he was the youngest prospect at Team Canada’s training camp for the WJCs last year, he managed to be amongst the last cuts.

Drafted 9^th overall in the WHL Bantam Draft in 2008 by the Silvertips, Ryan Murray put up 27 points in 52 games as a 16 years old rookie and almost double those numbers in his sophomore season with 46 points in 70 games. After winning the Everett Silvertips Rookie of the Year award, he earned the “Assistant” title, helping along his captain at that time, Landon Ferraro (Detroit’s 2^nd round pick in 2009). Last summer, before the start of the 2011 season, Ryan Murray was finally named the Silvertips Captain.

For such a decorated player, Murray plays a very simple and efficient game. His greatest asset is his smooth skating along with his puck moving ability. Who does it reminds us from? Team Canada at the Vancouver Olympics of course, Scott Niedermayer. Like I’ve said, Ryan Murrai reminds us a lot of Scott Niedermayer, but we do not want to put any pressure on the young Murray, as Scott himself is certainly of the most decorated Canadian hockey player in the Nation’s history. If we had to compare him to a current NHLer, and maybe less decorated than Scott, Hockey Lobby likes the comparison with Anaheim own Scott Niedermayer’s replacement, future American Olympian, Cam Fowler.

Unfortunately, Ryan Murray was limited to only 10 games thus far this season with the Everett Silvertips, scoring 6 points in those games, as he is recovering from a high ankle sprain that has been keeping him from playing for about 6 weeks already. Because of that same injury, he was forced to skip the 2011 Subway Superseries, giving Edmonton Oil Kings Griffin Reinhart the opportunity to play against the Russians. Therefore, Ryan Murray remains a top prospect for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and we hope a good recovery for him.

Coming up next on HockeyLobby, our new mock draft, Pre-World Junior Championships edition. Since many top prospect are suffering from injuries, it has given the chance for other prospects to shine, and our most improved prospect for this special Mock Draft Edition is Ottawa 67’s defenseman, Cody Ceci. Check back soon to see where Cody is predicted to go!

Prospect ID: #4 ranked Filip Forsberg

Swedish forward Filip Forsberg does have a really great hockey name. However, he is not related to former NHL superstar Peter “Foppa” Forsberg. Already projected to be a top international player for the 2012 NHL Draft last year, Filip has really impressed scouts and analysts and even more on the international level at the Ivan Hlinka tournament during this past August. This is HockeyLobby’s top prospect #4.

 

Born in Östervåla, Sweden, young Forsberg has been playing his entire career in Sweden as he grew up watching and idolizing the same Foppa, who shares his last name. At 6ft1 and 176 lbs, Forsberg completely dominated at every junior level where he competed. In 2008-2009, he played for Leksand J-18 and U-16’s teams, where he recorded 21 and 17 points in respectively 15 and 8 games. The year after, Forsberg spent most of the season with the J-18 swad, recording 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points in 31 games. Finally, last year in 2010-2011, Forsberg saw a fair number of games in both Leksand 1^st division team and the J-20 squad. Playing at the age of 16, he scored 1 goal in 10 games in the Swedish Elite League, and scored 40 points (21g-19a) in 37 games for the junior club. And as the cherry on his sundae, Forsberg made a lot of impression at the Ivan Hlinka U-18 Memorial Tournament in August, as he helped Sweden to an unbeaten record till the finals, where they’ve lost the gold medal game to a determined team Canada by the count of 4-1. He finished the tourney with 6 points in 6 games. Thus far this year with Leksand in the SEL, Filip Forsberg has 2g-1a-3pts in 11 games.

A combination of size and high octane offensive skills, Filip Forsberg, a left winger, is on route on becoming the best Swedish forward prospect since Washington Capitals Nick Backstrom. His greatest asset as he, himself, would describe it, is his offensive flair. Though he does not possess the same high end speed that Oilers Magnus Paajarvi has, Forsberg does possess a better overall offensive toolset. He is more of a goal scorer than a playmaker, but his hockey IQ is really high. What makes him even more well rounded is his puck protection ability. He uses his body really well to cover the puck and is really strong on his feet as he rarely gets knock off his skates.

HockeyLobby is really high on this young Swedish prospect and when it’s all said and done, although he got selected HC Sibir Novosibirsk in the 2nd round (41st overall) of the KHL Junior Draft, we do think that Forsberg’s name will be call up on the Console Energy Center stage as early as number 4^th overall for the 2012 NHL Entry draft. Not only does he possesses such high offensive upside, but is also a young guy who loves the game and seems to really enjoy playing it. His playing style reminds us a lot of an Ottawa Senators captain and one of Sweden’s best player, Daniel Alfredsson.

Bonus Video: Watch Filip Forsberg on CBC.ca

Future Watch: Nathan MacKinnon

Guess who: Originally from Nova Scotia, playing at Shattuck-St. Mary’s high school in Minnesota and tearing it apart at the young age of 15 years old, playing a the center position, and was the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League 1^st overall pick… it sure sounds like a certain Pittsburgh Penguins franchise player isn’t it? Well, HL is pround to present our first article on this amazing prospect from Darmouth, NS, Halifax Moosehead’s Nathan MacKinnon.

Already coveted since the age of 14 years old, Nathan MacKinnon had a great year in 2011 participating at the Canada’s Winter Games in Halifax and at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, finishing respectively with 8 goals-3 assists-11 points and 5 goals- 3 assists-8 games in a 7 and 5 games tournament, representing team Nova Scotia and team Atlantic. He also finished his senior season at Shattuck-St. Mary’s with a 39 goals – 85 points in 34 games season, at midget level.

Presently compared to another Nova Scotian Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon gathered so much media and interest throughout the hockey world, especially in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Months leading up to the Q’s Midget Draft, the MacKinnon family had never shown interest for Nathan to play for the Q’s lottery winner, GM Steve Ahern and his Baie-Comeau’s Drakkar team, utlimately forcing him to trade away his 1^st overall prize to the Halifax’s Mooseheads and GM Cam Russell. After a full summer of doubt, whether young MacKinnon was to play in the CHL or the USHL, he finally showed up at the Mooses training camp, in a great form.

Nonetheless, Nathan MacKinnon is finally proving to be worth the blockbuster deal that Russell made to acquire him, as he is already dominating the Q with a 19 points in 12 games production and made most of his early points at the age of 15 years old since he has just turned 16 on September 1^st. His style of game is very striking as he dominates his opponents with a very powerful skating stride and violent wristshot. The Mooseheads are a pretty young team that should become a President’s Cup contender in the next few years, as Nathan MacKinnon will have plenty of great players to support him: Luca Ciampini, Martin Frk, Darcy Ashley, and a certain young midget player from the Lac St-Louis Lions, 2^nd overall pick in the 2011 QMJHL’s Draft, Jonathan Drouin.

Nathan MacKinnon is surely and already considered the best prospect for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and people sure like to compare him to a young Sidney Crosby. However, that comparison might be a little bit unfair to the young prospect, and he should not carry around that much pressure. Then so, rather to compare him to Sid The Kid, here on HL, we see a lot similarity in Nathan MacKinnon and Boston Bruins own amazing sophomore, Tyler Seguin.

Next on HL, we will resume our covering of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, as we will have features on #4 and #5 ranked players, Leksand’s Filip Forsberg and Everett’s Silvertips Ryan Murray.

Bonus article: Read Goal-happy Moose on a roll on MetronewsMacKinnon's profile on Elite Prospects

Future Watch: Luc Deschênes

I know it's pretty soon for a 1997-born prospect, but this kid is the next big thing out of New Brunswick. Only 14 years of age, Deschênes has been gathering so much attention from all Quebec Major Junior League scouts and GM such as André Tourigny and not only from the Q, but from certain NHL scouts already too.

Touted as the next big defenceman coming from the Q, and the best of the Maritimes since Luc Bourdon. Comparisons already to Brandon Gormley, but even better at the same age. His parents will eventually ask an Exceptional Player Status so he can be drafted in next year's Q midget draft.

Recently played at the Atlantic Challenge Cup as an exceptional player for team Newfounland and being also, the team’s captain.

Played at the Canadian Winter Games for NB as a 97-born, probably the youngest. Certainly a prospect to keep an eye on for the next few years.

Bonus article: Read "Luc Deschênes suit les traces de Luc Bourdon" on Cyberpresse (in French)
Deschênes' profile on Hockey Canada

Prospect ID: #2 Nail Yakupov and #3 Alex Galchenyuk

Since the transfer agreement has been established between the KHL and the NHL, Russia has seen less and less of their home products make it to the NHL, and consequently to NHL teams picking less Russian imports in the NHL Entry Draft. However, there’s a new breed of young Russian superstars that aren’t afraid of playing Major Junior Hockey in Canada in order to appease NHL teams and increase their draft stock. Therefore, last year, the Ontario Hockey League has witness Russia’s best import in Russian forward, Nail Yakupov, dominating the entire OHL and CHL.

Born in Nizhnekamsk, Russia, Yakupov could become, well surely, the 1^st breakout hockey star from Muslim Tatarstan.

Playing for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL, Yakupov came to Canada as the 2^nd overall pick in the 2010 CHL Import Draft, and completely showed the world a completely new style of Russian type of player. With little knowledge of English and Canadian culture, Yakupov was welcomed by teammate and best friend Alex Galchenyuk, the 2010 1^st overall pick of the OHL Priority Draft, and his family. Having to live and play together, these two Russian young guns have learned to connect on the ice, as well off the ice.

Standing at 5ft10 weighing 170 lbs, Yakupov plays a much bigger style than his height and weight are showing. Blessed with blazing speed, especially his transition speed aka acceleration, and extremely quick hands, the young right winger dazzled through the Ontario Hockey League with 49 goals and 52 assists for a total of 101 pts as a 16 years old... Russian import and earning him the OHL and CHL rookie of the year. His rookie totals outscored those of Sting alumni and 2010 Rocket Richard co-winner, Steven Stamkos. Let aside his gifted offensive toolset, Yakupov delivers explosive hits... most of the time much bigger than him. He has the nose for the net and is not scared to create his way to it. Some compare him to a smaller version of Capitals own Russian Tsar, Alexander Ovechkin, while others compare him to the other Alexander the Great, Alexander Mogilny and shifty as Pavel Bure. As far as scouts say, Yakupov’s size isn’t an issue. With that type of will and toolset, he has every chance to make it to the NHL and dominating right away for the team that will pick him. 

 Nail Yakupov (left) and Alex Galchenyuk (right) 

with their agent and former NHLer, Igor Larionov.

Playing alongside Nail Yakupov and completing this dynamic and dominating duo is American born of Russian descent residing in Canada, Alex Galchenyuk. Our #3 ranked Prospect for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft comes from a hockey family as Galchenyuk’s father, also named Alex, was a veteran of the Russian Super League, the precursor to the Kontinental League. After years playing for Dynamo Moscow, he headed to Milwaukee in 1992 to play for the minor-league Admirals. During his stint, Alex Jr. was born. Due to his father hockey career, young Alex has traveled a lot, from Italy to Chicago to finally live in Ontario.

With a bigger frame than Nail Yakupov at 6ft1 and 185 lbs, Sarnia’s primordial centerman plays a completely different style than his RW linemate. Galchenyuk possesses certainly one of the best vision and hockey IQ in this upcoming draft and uses it well to connect with his linemates. If it wasn’t for Yakupov’s incredible rookie season, Galchenyuk’s 31 goals and 52 assists would have give him the Rookie of the year title in the Ontario Hockey League. He is an extremely smart playmaker and his best attribute is the ability to slow down the pace of the game. Especially on the powerplay, he usually possess the ability to control the play and create his team chances to score. When without the puck, Alex has this ability to sneak behind the opponent defense and score most of his goals on the right side of the goal. Scouts compare him to a poor man’s Marian Hossa, but here on HockeyLobby, we see him turning into a similar player as Dallas Stars centermen Mike Ribeiro. Both have slick shootout moves and have the ability to sneak past defensemen and be at the right place at the right moment.

All in all, Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk are probably the best duo the CHL has ever seen since the dominating force that the London Knights once have back in the 2006-2007 season in Chicago’s Patrick Kane and Edmonton Oilers Sam Gagner. Not only that these two Russian superstars live and play together, they both trained together this past summer at the Biosteel Camp lead by Matt Nichol and Gary Roberts with a bunch of NHLers such as Mike Cammalleri, Steven Stamkos and of course, Twitter King Paul Bissonnette aka Biznasty 2point0.

With their past World Junior Championship Gold medal win lead by Zhenya Kuznetsov(WAS) and Vladimir Tarasenko (STL), Russia is definitely back on top of the World Junior Hockey Supremacy, especially with our top 3 ranked prospects for the NHL 2012 Entry Draft: Mikhail Grigorenko, Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk. Next June, we might witness history as these top 3 prospects will try to be the 1^st ever Russian trio to go 1-2-3.

Next up on HockeyLobby, brand new feature with our FutureWatch section. We will talk about two interesting prospects from the Maritimes as one is eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and the other one only for the 2015 Entry Draft: Halifax Moosehead superprospect and 1^st overall pick in the QMJHL Entry Draft, from the same hometown as Sidney Crosby, Nova Scotian Nathan MacKinnon and top rated defenseman prospect for the 2013 QMJHL entry draft, New Brunswicker Luc Deschênes.

Bonus link: Go watch NHL: Brothers in Arms on TSN

Prospect ID: #1 ranked Mikhail Grigorenko

NHL Mock Draft 2012 - Start of the season Edition

1. C/RW Mikhail GRIGORENKO (6’2 – 192 lbs) Quebec Remparts - QMJHL

2. RW Nail YAKUPOV (5’10 – 170 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL

3. C Alex GALCHENYUK (6’1 – 185 lbs) Sarnia Sting - OHL

4. LW Filip FORSBERG (6’0 – 176 lbs) Leksand - SEL

5. D Ryan MURRAY (6’0 – 185 lbs)  Everett Silvetips - WHL