2012 NHL Draft: Final 100 Rankings (76-100)
2012 Draft Rankings | 3 Jun 2012Click to view the rest of our 2012 Top 100 Rankings: (1-25) (26-50) (51-75) (76-100)
76. LD Valeri Vasiliev – Spartak (MHL)
DOB: May 31/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 203lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRVasiliev spent last season skating in the Russian MHL with MHC Spartak. The 18-year-old defenseman has a man’s body and is regarded as a physical force by most. Vasiliev is a quality skater who has average offensive instincts but makes good decisions and plays within his means. On merit, Vasiliev should be worth a Top 100 pick, but the vaunted Russian transfer concerns could be a catalyst that sees him fall further in the draft.
77. LW Lukas Sutter – Saskatoon (WHL)
DOB: Nov. 4/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 205lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRSutter is a player that plays the game with a bundle of energy and is starting to emerge with some offensive potential. Most of his offense comes from going to the hard areas and outworking his opponent. Sutter improved his point totals by 40 points this season as he took on a bigger role with the Blades this season. Has a fairly decent cerebral element to his game as well, something centers need to take the next step. Has a look of a prototypical 3rd line center with the potential for more depending on his offensive production at the next level.
78. LD Patrick Sieloff - USNTDP (USHL)
DOB: May 15/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 198lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRSieloff is a steady defenseman who has a calming presence on the blueline with his smooth play. A strong skater, Sieloff plays a defense-first style of game and is a reliable player in all situations. While he wouldn’t be considered to be huge, he does have adequate size and plays a physical style of game. He displays a strong willingness to finish checks and keeps the opposition honest with this play. We’re not sold on Sieloff’s high-end potential and believe that could be a mitigating factor when projecting his role at the NHL level.
79. LC Matt DeBlouw – Muskegon (USHL)
DOB: May 15/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 198lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRThere aren’t many players in the USHL who are better skaters than DeBlouw. He has a powerful, long stride and shows an extra burst of speed when he has the puck and needs separation. DeBlouw has good vision and shows patience and composure with the puck. In addition, DeBlouw has shown to be an excellent faceoff man. He can improve upon his 1 on 1 defensive technique as he has been prone to reaching for the puck and missing the man. The story of DeBlouw missing most of the 2010-2011 season due to a lacerated spleen is common knowledge at this point. If he fine tunes some of the areas of his game and adds to his strong skating, he can be an intriguing prospect with some upside.
80. RW Mitchell Moroz – Edmonton (WHL)
DOB: May 3/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 180lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRMoroz really improved his stock over the latter half of the season as he took advantage of his role on a strong team. Moroz is one of the toughest players in the WHL but developed a scoring touch late in the season and showing a more rounded game. Skating is a concern for him and something that will hold him back right now, however his unique ability to play a physical game is a rare commodity. Moroz is still quite raw and he’ll be a bit of a project for a team to work on moving forward.
81. LW Raphael Bussieres - Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
DOB: Nov. 5/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 195lbs TSR Midterm Rank: 57Bussieres took some positive steps forward in his 3rd QMJHL season and was very good during Baie-Comeau’s abbreviated playoffs where he had 8 points in only 5 games. The 18-year-old is very competitive and willing to finish checks. This type of grit will help him find a role at the next level as his offensive potential is very uncertain. Bussieres has shown flashes of scoring ability but has been plagued by inconsistency and unfinished chances. He does have a unique skill-set and should be a nice value pick in the 2nd or 3rd round.
82. LC Erik Karlsson – Frolunda J20 (SuperElit)
DOB: Jul. 28/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 165lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRHe may share a name with a certain NHL star from Ottawa, but this Karlsson will be making his impact as a forward . The 17-year-old center is a creative forward who saw some nice progression to his game in his 2nd season playing in the SuperElit with Frolunda. While size is not an asset for Karlsson, he isn’t afraid to mix it up and makes up for some of those concerns with that style of play. Karlsson is a long-term prospect but will have an opportunity to develop in Sweden over the next several seasons.
83. RC Jarrod Maidens – Owen Sound (OHL)
DOB: Mar. 4/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 175lbs TSR Midterm Rank: 40Post concussion syndrome seems to be hitting the Owen Sound organization hard lately. After 1st round pick Joey Hishon was forced to miss the entire season while still dealing with symptoms from last year’s Memorial Cup, Maidens managed to play only 28 games this season while dealing with the effects from his concussion. This injury has been the catalyst behind Maidens’ tumble in our rankings as the long-term effects of this injury could be severe. While shying away from him in the first couple of rounds could be realistic, but the 3rd round, expect someone to step up and take a gamble on a player who otherwise could very well have been a Top 20 selection. Maidens is a right-shot center with size and a player who brings a solid two-way game. While he isn’t a pure offensive player, Maidens’ combination of size and physicality projects well as a 2nd or 3rd line center in the NHL assuming he is able to recover from the concussion.
84. G Daniel Altshuller – Oshawa (OHL)
DOB: Jul. 24/94 | Catches: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 175lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRAltshuller came to the Oshawa Generals with a strong pedigree and expectations he would take over the reins in the Generals’ crease. What ensued, however, was an indecisive goaltending split that lasted the entire season as Altshuller traded starts with the incumbent Kevin Bailie. After some early season struggles, the 6-foot-3 goaltender started to live up to his potential during the playoffs where he played admirably against the Niagara Ice Dogs. Altshuller is a talented goaltender and has good size, but seemed to fight the puck at times this year and had trouble with rebounds. He does have some good upside and is a goaltender who could very well end up being as good as any from this draft.
85. LC Tanner Richard - Guelph (OHL)
DOB: Apr. 6/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 185lbs TSR Midterm Rank: 60Richard’s first season of junior hockey in North America was a success as the 18-year-old forward scored at a point-per-game clip despite playing on a team that struggled offensively at times. Richard is a slick offensive player who can create offensive chances with the puck on his stick. He does a good job of identifying passing lanes and finding the open man in the offensive zone and is one of the better set-up players in the OHL. Richard lacks a dynamic element and doesn’t appear to project as much of a goal scorer but projects as a solid 3rd or 4th round pick.
86. RC Matia Marcantuoni – Kitchener (OHL)
DOB: Feb. 22/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 180lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRAfter coming into the OHL with tremendous hype, things haven’t quite gone according to plan for Marcantuoni. An injury filled season limited Marcantuoni to only 25 games this season where he registered a pedestrian 14 points. The 6-foot center has explosive speed and great strength, but he’s had troubles putting it together to produce consistently on the offensive end. While these raw physical skills are intriguing, a lack of hockey sense is a major concern for Marcantuoni. If he was a little bigger, he could project to be a strong energy player as a result of his speed, but there is a lot of uncertainty in his game.
87. LC Teddy Blueger – Shattuck St. Mary’s (HS-MN)
DOB: Aug. 15/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 175lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRWhile Blueger does not possess the huge upside as other prospects, he does enough things very well that make him an intriguing player. Blueger has a powerful, efficient stride which makes him balanced and strong on the puck. He uses this attribute to help in his ability to protect the puck. Blueger is adept at reading the play and determining if his best option is to slow the play down for support or attack quickly. His vision and passing make him a natural play maker. Defensively, Blueger is responsible and disciplined and does little things well such as keeping his stick in the passing lane at all times in all three zones.
88. G Michael Houser – London (OHL)
DOB: Sep. 13/92 | Catches: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 190lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRAfter going undrafted the past 2 seasons, it would be hard to imagine Houser not hearing his name called in his home state of Pennsylvania this year. After winning the OHL Regular Season MVP, Houser followed up his strong play as he backstopped the London Knights to the OHL Championship and a Memorial Cup final appearance. Houser is a big goalie who plays a sound technical game while utilizing his size. He can go through funks where he doesn’t track the puck well and gives up bad rebounds, but overall, he’s a solid goaltender with good mental toughness.
89. LD Trevor Carrick - Mississauga (OHL)
DOB: Jul. 4/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 175lbs TSR Midterm Rank: 46Carrick’s rookie season in the OHL was a solid albeit unspectacular one. The lanky defenseman showed some strong flashes and also succumbed to some growing pains as well. Carrick is a good skater and projects as a defensive defenseman who utilizes his long reach to maintain solid gap control. As Carrick continues to fill out, expect the physical element of his game to also improve. Offensively, he is competent but looks uncomfortable handling the puck and waits too long to get his shot off.
90. RD Reece Willcox – Merrit (BCHL)
DOB: Mar. 20/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.02 | Weight: 185lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRWillcox is a Cornell University who enters the 2012 NHL Entry Draft with 2 years of seasoning in the BCHL. After originally being drafted in the 3rd round of the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft by the Portland Winterhawks, his WHL rights were dealt to Everett in the Seth Jones trade. Willcox has good size and is a solid defenseman who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. His offensive game is beginning to come around and he is an effective puck mover. Willcox will get a few years to develop at Cornell which looks like a good option from the vantage point of an NHL team.
91. RD Calle Andersson – Merrit (BCHL)
DOB: May 16/94 | Shoots: R | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 202lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRAndersson had a very good season where he played some heavy minutes and was one of the premier offensive defensemen in the SuperElit. The 6-foot-1 rearguard posted 12 goals and 36 points and was one of Sweden’s top bluelienrs at the Under 18’s. Andersson’s abilities as a puck moving defenseman are above average and he does a good job of buying time and making good decisions on the breakout. He’ll need to continue to improve his skating and refining his defensive game as he matures.
92. RW Riley Barber – USNTDP (USHL)
DOB: Feb. 7/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 195lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRLike a lot of the National Team Development Program forwards, Barber’s season was an up and down one. Barber came over to the NTDP after having a great rookie season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Barber could be a top six forward, like he played this season at the NTDP, or a grinder third line role at the next level. Barber’s game really took off near the end of the season when he played with Stefan Matteau and Quentin Shore where the two large forwards could create space for the agile Barber. The Miami (OH) commit needs to improve his defensive play this summer in order to make an effective transition to the college game.
93. LC Matej Beran - PEI (QMJHL)
DOB: Nov. 11/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.04 | Weight: 215lbs TSR Midterm Rank: 59Beran is a physical specimen who adapted very well to the QMJHL this season. Beran does a good job of utilizing his large frame to protect the puck from the opposition and create space. Where Beran encounters issues is with his speed as he is an average skater at the junior level and projects to be below average at the next level. Beran also does not engage physically which limits his upside to potentially fit into a role where he could be a Bottom 6 player.
94. LW Devin Tringale – Lawrence Academy (HS-MA)
DOB: Sep. 21/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 193lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRTringale is a late birthday who just completed a 4-year career at Lawrence Academy Prep. The 6-foot winger is a creative offensive player who has been a very good prep school player, although his offensive production stagnated a bit last season. The Harvard commit probably would have benefitted from a year in the EJHL or USHL to showcase his skills against a higher level of competition, but there is some upside to like moving forward and Tringale will have time to develop at Harvard.
95. LC Dane Fox - Erie (OHL)
DOB: Nov. 3/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 190lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRFox had a strong start to his 2nd full OHL season with the London Knights before being dealt to the Erie Otters in a trade that brought Greg McKegg to London. Fox is a gritty forward who plays a hard-nosed game and has a number of pesty qualities. He projects as a player who will play a 3rd or 4th line role and have the ability to get under the opposition’s skin while playing a sound defensive game. Fox does have offensive upside at the junior level but it’s unlikely to transition to the pros. There are some noted character issues with Fox which is an area he’ll need to address as he matures.
96. RW Anton Zlobin – Shawinigan (QMJHL)
DOB: Feb. 22/92 | Shoots: R | Height: 5.11 | Weight: 185lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRAfter a solid rookie season in North America last year, Zlobin took his game to another level this year where he scored 40 goals for the Memorial Cup champions. Zlobin is a quality goal scorer who has a very good shot and a strong release. He’s a threat to score anytime he’s on the ice and is never afraid to get his shot off when he has the chance. While Zlobin is a great goal scorer, he lacks a dynamic element to his game which is a concern about whether or not his offense can carry over to the next level.
97. LC Jimmy Vesey – South Shore (EJHL)
DOB: May 26/93 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.00 | Weight: 180lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRVesey’s quick feet and explosive stride should translate well as he progresses in his career. His strengths however are in his ability to anticipate the play both offensively and defensively as well as his puck distribution and vision. Vesey has the knack of identifying open ice and quickly takes it himself or dishes the puck off to an open teammate. Vesey is particularly strong along the boards and manages to win most of those battles. He needs to polish up some of his defensive 1 on 1 technique as he is prone to allowing the puck carrier to get by him in open ice.
98. LD Mikko Vainonen – HIFK (SM-Liiga Jr. A)
DOB: Apr. 11/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 210lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRVainonen is a big defenseman who projects as a shutdown type player at the next level. The 6-foot-3 defenseman plays a physical brand of hockey and matches up well against other team’s top lines. He has good intangibles and served as the captain of his club team as well as the Finnish U18 team. Skating is a bit of a concern and his puck moving abilities are relatively average. Vaionen looks like a nice pickup in the 3rd or 4th round at this point.
99. RW Adam Gilmour – Nobles Prep (HS-MA)
DOB: Jan. 29/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.03 | Weight: 210lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRGilmour is a textbook example of a player with enormous potential who may turn out to be a gem in an organization’s prospect pool; or he is equally likely never to suit up in the NHL. With his size, Gilmour has the frame to add size and much needed strength. That should help his skating some as he has quick feet and skates with a wide base but needs to lengthen his stride a bit. Gilmour also possesses high end puck skills and quick hands that enable him to generate chances every time he touches the puck. He has good hockey sense on both sides of the puck and is always in position to provide support. Gilmour just needs to more be more consistent in his compete level during 1 on 1 battles including faceoffs. He should benefit by playing with and against older players at both the USHL and NCAA levels.
100. LC Michael Clarke – Windsor (OHL)
DOB: Apr. 29/94 | Shoots: L | Height: 6.01 | Weight: 175lbs TSR Midterm Rank: NRMichael Clarke was the most underrated player on the Windsor Spitfires, and possibly one of the most valuable by season’s end. What he lacks in having one particular high-end skill, he makes up for in being a flexible glue guy who can play up and down the lineup without missing a beat. He played literally every forward position on every line, as well as seeing penalty kill and power play time. He reminds me of former Spitfire Eric Wellwood, who never really blew the doors off in the OHL, but has carved out a niche with the Flyers by doing exactly what he did in Windsor. I see the same out of Clarke: steady, reliable play, a quiet yet fiery leadership, and occasional offense.
Click to view the rest of our 2012 Top 100 Rankings: (1-25) (26-50) (51-75) (76-100)
Tags: 2012 NHL Draft, 2012 nhl draft prospects, Adam Gilmour, Anton Zlobin, Calle Andersson, Dane Fox, Daniel Altshuller, Devin Tringale, Erik Karlsson, Jarrod Maidens, Jimmy Vesey, Lukas Sutter, Matej Beran, Matia Marcantuoni, Matt DeBlouw, Michael Clarke, Michael Houser, Mikko Vaionen, Mitchell Moroz, Patrick Sieloff, Raphael Bussieres, Reece Willcox, Riley Barber, Tanner Richard, Teddy Blueger, Trevor Carrick, Valeri Vasiliev
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