NHL Entry Draft: Velociraptor's Annual Mock Draft

[Velociraptor]

Hello everyone! For the fifth consecutive year, I will be hosting a Mock Entry Draft based on the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, this has been a very successful project for the past five years and it is a process that usually takes a couple of months.

We will tentatively begin on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH, 2012. I'll decide the order a few days in advance, which will be the NHL standings at the time, the draft board will follow accordingly. There will be a separate thread for drafting, to divide the discussion between trading and picking. All trades/trade talk will be discussed in this thread. You can begin drafting on the 13th at Midnight EST, but the clocks will not begin until 12 noon EST, in case a manager is unable to pick due to sleep.

RULES:

1. 1 team per poster, and you must have 500 posts to your credibility, 300 if registered user. (**NOTE** If you can promise me that you will stay active throughout the entire duration of this draft, I will let you participate, but you will be on a shorter leash than other GM's, because usually some newer HF members tend to lose interest or disappear, we want to keep this to a minimum.)
2. Standard draft board, 7 rounds, 210 selections
3. Trading is ALLOWED, but it has to meet my expectation and two other GM's. If a manager feels a trade is either lopsided or unrealistic (Ex: Crosby, Neal and Malkin for first round picks), they can veto it, and a decision will be based on the overall feedback from the managers. We all want this to be a fun experience so everybody has a good time. These are always a blast and last somewhere from a month and a half to two months. So let's have some fun here guys.
4. We will be following a 12 hour clock, if you miss your turn you are skipped, you will be given an additional 12 hours to make that pick while the draft resumes. If you fail to make a selection in this time window, you will be assigned a consensus selection (best player available) by me or another GM, it will need to be confirmed by one other manager. If it is a recurring incident (without an excuse) I have no choice but to kick you from the draft. We want to keep this at a fast & fun pace so we all get our share of drafting.
5. Drafting from the 2012 Entry Draft Class (Yakupov, Grigorenko, etc.)
6. The order will be picked from the NHL standings to the night prior to start time, this means you have to consider potential movement up and down when dealing draft picks.
7. Any trades that happen in the NHL from now until the start date will NOT affect the draft board. What the draft board is at right now, is the one we follow. (i.e. Colorado's first round selection still belongs to Washington, but any trade that would happen over the next month would not change the draft board) But all trades as of February 6th, 2012 are taken into account.
8. You MUST notify the GM drafting after you via personal message, I cannot stress this enough. This is by far the most important process of the mock draft. We all have lives, so were not always looming the thread. Please try your very hardest to remember. And guys, even if your just dawdling around the board, feel free to drop the GM a notice. It's always appreciated so we can keep a healthy flow here. Try and acknowledge in your draft post that you have notified the next manager on the clock.
9. HAVE FUN! Nothing too serious, it's all for a good time, no one get too serious. For some information regarding draft prospects, Central Scouting Services (most reliable free rankings IMO) http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=610982 has recently posted their Mid-Season rankings, and you can check out a couple of mock drafts at http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=6...id=DL|NHL|home.
10. This isn't a GM game, it is a mock draft. So I won't be focusing on free agency, re-signings or buyouts. Just trading and drafting prospects, you are able to do as you wish (re-sign, etc.) but you won't need my clarification and such as it is not the point of this draft.

All the best guys, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to drop me a personal message or post on the thread, I'd be obliged to answer any of your questions, Thanks!

Velociraptor

GM's

ANA - Hale the Villain
BOS - Kirk- NEHJ
BUF - ZeroKnowledge
CAL - CapitalPunishment
CAR - DaveG
CHI - thefeebster
COL - Hasbro
CBJ - Timeless Winter
DAL - Modo
DET - Cup
EDM - Joey Moss
FLA - fong p88
LA - IKilledThePromQueen
MIN - danccchan
MTL - pensguy11
NSH - Jesker
NJ - RogueStatus
NYI - CodeE
NYR - Zenith
OTT - Canuck71
PHI - BillyShoe1721
PHX - MDZ
PIT - Starchild74
ST.L - Prussian_Blue
SJ - VikingAv
TB - Backstrom #19
TOR - TribalPhoenix
VAN - Velociraptor
WSH - Langway
WPG - Holden Caulfield

Trades

Team A	Acquired	Team B	Acquired
	CAR 2012 1st round selection - (Ryan Murray), CAR 2012 2nd round selection - (Tanner Pearson)		EDM 2012 1st round selection - (Mikhail Grigorenko), LA 2012 3rd round selection - 78th overall
	WSH 2012 3rd round selection - 74th overall, WSH 2012 5th round selection - 134th overall		DET 2012 2nd round selection - (Mike Winther)

[Holden Caulfield]

I'll take WPG. I've done 7 round mocks before(used to be with LAK), but didn't have time last year. Would love to get in on this draft.

[puckguy11]

Someone's gotta do it:

[DuckJet]

Look who decides to pop up when DuckJet makes his own draft game. i see you bro.

[Cup]

ASSETS
(*** = Untouchable / XXX = make me an offer)

CENTRE:
C Pavel Datsyuk – Detroit (NHL) 6.7M ***
C Henrik Zetterberg – Detroit (NHL) 6.083M XXX
C Valtteri Fillpula – Detroit (NHL) 3M ***
C Darren Helm - Detroit (NHL) 912K ***
C Cory Emmerton – Detroit (NHL) 533K

C Gustav Nyquist – Detroit/Grand Rapids (NHL/AHL)
C Joakim Andersson – Detroit/Grand Rapids (NHL/AHL)
C Logan Ferraro – Grand Rapids (AHL)
C Louis-Marc Aubry – Grand Rapids (AHL)
C Brent Raedeke – Grand Rapids (AHL)

C Calle Jarnkrok – Brynas (SEL) ***
C Riley Sheahan – Notre Dame (NCAA)
C Alan Quine – Peterborough (OHL)
C Brooks Macek – Calgary (WHL)

RIGHT WING:
RW/C Johan Franzen – Detroit (NHL) 3.955M XXX
RW/LW Todd Bertuzzi – Detroit (NHL) 1.938M
RW/C Danny Cleary – Detroit (NHL) 2.8M
RW Tomas Holmstrom – Detroit (NHL) 1.875M
RW Patrick Eaves – Detroit (NHL) 1.2M

RW Chris Conner – Detroit/Grand Rapids (NHL/AHL)
RW Mitchell Callahan – Grand Rapids (AHL)
RW Trevor Parks – Grand Rapids (AHL)
RW Willie Coetzee – Grand Rapids (AHL)
RW Francis Pare – Grand Rapids (AHL)
RW Andrej Nestrasil – Grand Rapids/Toledo (AHL/ECHL)

RW Tomas Jurco – Saint John (QMJHL)
RW Teemu Pulkkinen – Jokerit (SM-Liiga)
RW Philippe Hudon – Victoriaville (QMJHL)

LEFT WING:
LW Jiri Hudler – Detroit (NHL) 2.875M XXX
LW Justin Abdelkader – Detroit (NHL) 787K ***
LW Drew Miller – Detroit (NHL) 825K
LW Fabian Brunnstrom – Detroit/Grand Rapids (NHL/AHL) 600K
LW Jan Mursak – Detroit/Grand Rapids (NHL/AHL) 550K

LW Tomas Tatar – Grand Rapids (AHL)

LW Dick Axelsson – MoDo (SEL)
LW Marek Tvrdon – Vancouver (WHL)
LW Julien Cayer – Clarkson (NCAA)

DEFENSE:
D Nicklas Lidstrom – Detroit (NHL) 6.2M ***
D Ian White – Detroit (NHL) 2.875M
D Brad Stuart – Detroit (NHL) 3.75M
D Niklas Kronwall – Detroit (NHL) 3.0M ***
D Jonathan Ericsson – Detroit (NHL) 3.25M XXX
D Jakub Kindl – Detroit (NHL) 833K ***
D Mike Commodore – Detroit (NHL) 1.0M
D Brendan Smith – Detroit/Grand Rapids (NHL/AHL) ***

D Brian Lashoff – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Travis Ehrhardt – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Sebastien Piche – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Logan Pyett – Grand Rapids (AHL)
D Gleason Fournier – Toledo (ECHL)

D Xavier Ouellet – Broisban (QMJHL)
D Ryan Sproul – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
D Richard Nedomlel – Swift Current (WHL)
D Nick Jensen – St. Cloud St. (NCAA)
D Max Nicastro – Boston University (NCAA)
D Ben Marshall – Minnesota (NCAA)
D Adam Almqvist – HV-71 (SEL)
D Mattias Backman – Linkoping (SEL)
D Alexei Marchenko – CSKA Moscow (MHL)

GOALTENDERS:
G Jimmy Howard – Detroit (NHL) 2.25M ***
G Ty Conklin – Detroit (NHL) 750K

G Joey MacDonald – Detroit/Grand Rapids (NHL/AHL)
G Thomas McCollum – Grand Rapids (AHL) XXX
G Jordan Pearce – Toledo (ECHL)

G Petr Mrazek – Ottawa (OHL)

DRAFT PICKS:
2012 – 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 5th / 6th / 7th
2013 – 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 5th / 6th / 7th
2014 – 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 5th / 6th / 7th
2015 – 1st / 2nd / 3rd / 4th / 5th / 6th / 7th

SIGNINGS:
Detroit GM Ken Holland has announced that Future Hall of Fame defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom has agreed to terms on a one year extension worth $4.5 Million as he still has the urge to win the Stanley Cup and thinks Detroit has a good shot at repeating.

Detroit GM Ken Holland has announced a new contract for Centre Darren Helm that will keep the speedy pivot in a Red Wings uniform for the next five years. The deal is worth 8.75 Million with a cap hit of 1.75M per season.

Detroit GM Ken Holland has announced a new contract for Todd Bertuzzi that will see the big winger in a Red Wings uniform next season. The deal is worth 1.5 Million.

Detroit GM Ken Holland has announced a new contract for crease front presence Tomas Holmstrom for next season. The deal is worth 1 Million.

Detroit GM Ken Holland has announced a new contract for Justin Abdelkader that will keep the gritty forward in a Red Wings uniform for the next four years. The deal is worth 6 Million with a cap hit of 1.5M per season.

Detroit GM Ken Holland has announced a new contract for Jiri Hudler that will keep the skilled forward in a Red Wings uniform for next season. The deal is worth 3.25 Million.

Detroit GM Ken Holland has announced the team has signed entry level contracts C Riley Sheahan, RW Teemu Pulkkinen, D Adam Almqvist, D Alexei Marchenko, D Max Nicastro and C Brooks Macek. All six are scheduled to play in the AHL with Grand Rapids next season.

TRADE NEEDS/WANTS:
A young (20-28 yrs old) top 6 scoring centre.
A young (20-28 yrs old) top 4 two-way blue liner.
Multiple draft picks. (looking to move back, offering first rounder plus for multiple picks)

PM me any offers.
Cup

[Kirk- NEHJ]

I will be the Bruins for 2nd straight year

[IKilledThePromQueen]

I'll take Los Angeles.

[Starchild74]

I'll take the Penguins

[TribalPhoenix]

We are looking for a #1 centreman, plain and simple. Top six forwards are still sought after assets as well.

Clearly, we have defence available.

[puckguy11]

Assets (^-untouchable, &-on the block), cap hit listed for 12-13 season
Centre
David Desharnais-Montreal (NHL) $850,000
Lars Eller-Montreal (NHL) RFA
Scott Gomez&-Montreal (NHL) $7,357,143
Louis Leblanc-Montreal (NHL) $1,170,000
Petteri Nokelainen-Montreal (NHL) RFA
Tomas Plekanec-Montreal (NHL) $5,000,000
Ryan White-Montreal (NHL) RFA

Phil DeSimone-Hamilton (AHL)
Olivier Fortier-Hamilton (AHL)
Gabriel Dumont-Hamilton (AHL)
Joonas Nattinen-Hamilton (AHL)
Daniel Pribyl-Sparta Praha (ELH)
Michael Bournival-Shawinigan (QMJHL)
Dustin Walsh-Dartmouth (NCAA)

LEFT WINGS
Hunter Bishop
Rene Bourque-Montreal (NHL) $3.330,000
Mathieu Darche-Montreal (NHL) UFA
Travis Moen-Montreal (NHL) UFA
Max Pacioretty-Montreal (NHL) $1,625,000

Danny Kristo-North Dakota (NCAA)
Aaron Palushjai-Hamilton (AHL)
Alexander Avtsin-Hamilton (AHL)
Brendan Gallagher-Vancouver (WHL)
Steve Qualier-Northeastern (NCAA)
Alain Berger-Hamilton (AHL)
Patrick Holland-Tri-City (WHL)
Ian Schultz-Hamilton (AHL)
Maxim Trunev-Chereprovets (KHL)
John Westin-MODO (SHL)
RIGHT WINGS
Michael Blunden-Montreal (NHL) RFA
Erik Cole-Montreal (NHL) $4,500,000
Brian Gionta-Montreal (NHL) $5,000,000
Andrei Kostitsyn^-Montreal (NHL) $800,000

Olivier Archambault-Val d’Or (QMJHL)
Andrew Comboy-Hamilton (AHL)
Philippe Lefebvre-Hamilton (AHL)
Mark MacMillian-North Dakota (NCAA)
Dany Masse-Hamilton (AHL)
DEFENSE
Chris Campoli-Montreal (NHL) UFA
Raphael Diaz-Montreal (NHL)
Alexei Emelin-Montreal (NHL) RFA
Hal Gill&- Montreal (NHL) UFA
Josh Gorges-Montreal (NHL) $3,900,000
Tomas Kaberle-Montreal (NHL) $4,250,000
Brendon Nash-Montreal (NHL)
P.K. Subban^-Montreal (NHL) $600,000
Yannick Weber^-Montreal (NHL) $850,000

Nathan Beaulieu-St. John (QMJHL)
Jarred Tinordi-London (OHL)
Mac Bennett-Michigan (NCAA)
Mark Mitera-Hamilton (AHL)
Josiah Didier-Denver (NCAA)
Darren Dietz-Saskatoon (WHL)
Morgan Ellis-Cape Breton (QMJHL)
Scott Kishel-Minnesota Duluth (NCAA)
Magnus Nygren-Farjestads (SEL)
Greg Pateryn-Michigan (NCAA)
Joe Stejskal-Hamilton (AHL)
Colin Sullivan-Avon Old Farms (NE Prep)

GOALIES
Peter Budaj-Montreal (NHL) $2,750,000
Carey Price- Montreal (NHL) RFA

Peter Delmas-Wheeling (ECHL)
Robert Mayer-Hamilton (AHL)

Draft Picks
2012: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th
2013: 1st, 2nd (via CGY), 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th

NEWS AND NOTES:
Montreal GM Andy Sorensen has announced that Benoit Groulx has been named head coach of the Montreal Canadiens.
Montreal GM Andy Sorensen has announced the signing of RW Andrei Kostitsyn to a three year, $4 million contract.
Scott Gomez said in an interview with RDS that the three teams he will not accept a trade to are Florida, Phoenix, or the NY Islanders.
Montreal GM Andy Sorensen has announced the signing of D PK Subban to a three year, $1.8 million contract.

Teams Needs/Wants:
40+ point scorers
Multiple draft picks. We’re open to trading down in the first round for the right deal.

PM if you want to make a deal.

[CodeE]

Originally Posted by pensguy11

NEWS AND NOTES:
Scott Gomez said in an interview with RDS that the three teams he will not accept a trade to are Florida, Phoenix, or the NY Islanders.

Well there go my plans to offer Tavares + Strome + Hamonic + 2012 1st for Gomez. Oh well...

[Velociraptor]

We now have all 30 managers! The draft will begin on the 13th. I will create the draft board in the coming days, and the draft order will be based on standings effective Sunday.

[DaveG]

:

Assets:
C Eric Staal (NTC) - 8,250,000/5yrs UFA
C Jussi Jokinen - 3,000,000/3yrs UFA
C Brandon Sutter - 2,066,667/3yrs RFA
C Tim Brent - 750,000/2yrs UFA
C Zac Dalpe (ELC) - 875,000/2yrs RFA
C Riley Nash (ELC) - 875,000/2yrs RFA
C Victor Rask (ELC) - 742,500/4yrs RFA
C Cederic Lalonde (ELC) - 610,000/1yr RFA
C Brett Sutter - 552,500/1yr RFA
C Chris Durno - 525,000/1yr UFA (available)
C Brodie Sutter - prospect

RW Tuomo Ruutu - 3,800,000/1yr UFA
RW Chad LaRose - 1,700,000/2yrs UFA
RW Anthony Stewart - 900,000/2yrs UFA
RW Pat Dwyer - 625,000/2yrs UFA
RW Evgeni Dadonov (ELC) - 875,000/1yr RFA
RW Jared Staal (ELC) - 566,666/2yrs RFA
RW Justin Soyal - 525,000/1yr RFA
RW Matthew Pistilli (ELC) - 521,667/1yr RFA
RW Jerome Samson - 512,500/1yr RFA
RW Gregory Hofmann - prospect

LW Jeff Skinner (ELC) - 1,400,000/2yrs RFA
LW Drayson Bowman (ELC) - 845,833/1yr RFA
LW Andreas Nodl - 845,000/2yrs RFA
LW Jiri Tlusty - 525,000/1yr RFA
LW Zach Boychuk (ELC) - 1,195,833/1yr RFA
LW AJ Jenks (ELC) - 875,000/2yrs RFA
LW Chris Terry (ELC) - 750,000/1yr RFA
LW Justin Shugg (ELC) - 750,000/3yrs RFA
LW Nicolas Blanchard - 512,500/1yr RFA
LW Oskar Osala - prospect

D Joni Pitkanen - 4,500,000/3yrs UFA
D Jaro Spacek - 3,833,333/1yr UFA (available)
D Bryan Allen - 2,900,000/1yr UFA (available)
D Tim Gleason (NTC) - 2,750,000/1yr; 4,000,000/4yrs UFA
D Justin Faulk (ELC) - 900,000/3yrs RFA
D Jamie McBain (ELC) - 850,000/1yr RFA
D Derek Joslin - 700,000/2 yrsRFA (available)
D Jay Harrison - 700,000/2yrs UFA
D Ryan Murphy (ELC) - 1,375,000/4yrs RFA
D Justin Krueger (ELC) - 850,000/1yr RFA
D Michal Jordan (ELC) - 606,667/2yrs RFA
D Bobby Sanguinetti - 600,000/1yr RFA
D Mathieu Roy - 600,000/1yr UFA
D Rasmus Rissanen (ELC) - 575,000/3yrs RFA
D Tommi Kivisto (ELC) - 565,000/3yrs RFA
D Joe Sova (ELC) - 565,000/2yrs RFA
D Kyle Lawson (ELC) - 552,500/1yr RFA (available)
D Brett Bellemore - 525,000/2yrs RFA
D Bryan Dumoulin - prospect
D Mark Alt - prospect
D Danny Biega - prospect
D Austin Levi - prospect
D Keegan Lowe - prospect
D Tyler Stahl - prospect

G Cam Ward (NTC) - 6,300,000/5yrs UFA
G Bryan Boucher - 950,000/2yrs UFA
G Justin Peters - 525,000/1yr RFA
G Mike Murphy (ELC) - 783,333/1yr RFA
G Frederik Andersen - prospect
G Matt Mahalak - prospect

Draft Picks:
1st - CAR
2nd - CAR, SJ
3rd - CAR
4th - CAR, BOS, NJ
5th - CAR
6th - CAR
7th - CAR


Impending UFAs are bolded. Only the players indicated as such are available. At this time the Hurricanes are not looking to trade their first round pick, though that is subject to change. However the only way they will trade that pick is for another top 7 draft pick.

[TribalPhoenix]

Given how well we're playing, we may not make many moves - we have a surplus of defencemen, and we'd be willing to talk about them. Feel free to inquire.

[Zeroknowledge*]

The Sabres trade list includes, Leino, Roy, Gaustad, Regehr and Ryan Miller.

[puckguy11]

Looking to trade Scott Gomez. All offers will be considered.

[TribalPhoenix]

We're looking to move up in the draft - willing to discuss many pieces. Inquire within.

[Cup]

Detroit looking to make a move.

Need to shake things up a little by infusing some young talent into the roster.

But to do that Detroit's GM understands you need to give to get. In play are Zetterberg, Franzen, Hudler, Fillppula, Ericsson and our 1st rounder '12.

Datsyuk, Helm, Lidstrom, Kindl, Smith and Howard are untouchable.

Send me your PM proposals.

[puckguy11]

Rumours out of Montreal indicate Tomas Kaberle wants to play for a "contender", something he does not see the Habs as.

[VikingAv]

Sharks picks:

1st - Sharks
2nd - Wild
2nd #55 - comp Patrick White
4th - Sharks
5th - Sharks
6th - Sharks
7th - Sharks

Will stay quiet, getting Havlat back is our deadline acquisition.

[danccchan]

Marek Zidlicky, Greg Zanon and Josh Harding are available.

[Jesker]

Looking to solidify the team, might be willing to deal some of our prospects. Feel free to ask !

[CodeE]

Looking for a young top-4 defenseman that isn't a UFA.

Surplus is forwards, both on the NHL roster or prospects.

Don't wanna trade my 2012 1st because that's the point of a mock draft, but I'd trade down to a later pick if the right player is offered.

Don't bother with the Komisarek/Yanick Weber type "I just want this guy off my team!" players. I'm willing to open the wallet for the right player, but if I don't like any of the offers, I'm perfectly fine not making a deal and targeting defenseman in UFA.

[Brian Boyle]

Only Wolski is truly available. Dubinsky/Anisimov available for an upgrade.

[Velociraptor]

The draft board will be released tomorrow, the standings as of the end of tonight determines what position your team is picking as.