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Dallas Stars 2012 draft review
Photo: Forward Radek Faksa was the first selection made by the Dallas Stars in the 2012 NHL Draft. A Czech playing in the CHL, Faksa has been compared favorably to 2011 draft pick Gabriel Landeskog. (Aaron Bell/CHL Images)
As the Dallas Stars continue to shift the focal point of their team and its leadership to its younger players, they took to the 2012 NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh as an opportunity to make some moves and continue to supplement their consistently-growing prospect pool.
Washington Capitals 2012 draft review
Photo: Regarded as a potential top five pick, forward Filip Forsberg slid down to the 11th spot in the draft, where the Washington Capitals were more than happy to select him. (Ian Altenbaugh/HF)
After just one pick in the first two rounds of the previous two drafts, the 2012 NHL Draft was a chance for the Washington Capitals to restock their prospect cupboards. The Capitals entered the draft with a total of 11 picks, and ended up keeping 10 of them. Though General Manager George McPhee dealt the club's second round selection to the Dallas Stars, packaging it with Cody Eakin, the return – Mike Ribeiro – was a significant one.
New York Islanders 2012 draft review
Photo: The New York Islanders used the fourth pick overall to select defenseman Griffin Reinhart, the highest pick they have used on a defenseman since 1995 (Courtesy of Ian Altenbaugh/HF)
New York Islanders GM Garth Snow selected defensemen early and often in 2012, using all seven picks to bolster their blue line. His seven picks included a prospect from each of the three Canadian major junior leagues, one from Finland, and two other American born blueliners.
Top 3 Undrafted Players in 2012
Photo: Max Iafrate was among the top players not selected in the 2012 NHL Draft. (CHL Images)
The 2012 NHL Draft saw its share of prominent falling stocks such as first-rounders Filip Forsberg (WAS) and Mikhail Grigorenko (BUF). Even “Mr. Irrelevant,” 211th pick Nick Ebert (LAK), fell from a potential first-round projection in 2011. Yet there were several players who were passed over entirely that raised the eyebrows of the Hockey’s Future staff.
College commitments of NCAA players chosen at the 2012 NHL Draft
Photo: Prep school scoring star and Tampa Bay Lightning second pick Brian Hart has committed to Harvard University (courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)
Below is the list of all NCAA-bound players that were chosen in the 2012 NHL Draft whose commitments (verbal or otherwise) to college programs have been verified. Unless otherwise noted, all players listed are expected to be with their respective programs this fall. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, this listing may not be completely up to date.
