1. Nail Yakupov 
2. Ryan Murray 
3. Alex Galchenyuk 
4. Griffin Reinhart 
5. Morgan Rielly News & Features
Video: 2012 NHL Draft – Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs
Photo: The Toronto Maple Leafs surprised some NHL Draft observers with their selection of Morgan Rielly with the fifth pick overall (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)
Like Alex Galchenyuk, who was drafted ahead of him in the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft, Morgan Rielly missed a good portion of his first draft-eligible season as the result of an injury. But just as the Montreal Canadiens convinced themselves that Galchenyuk was fully healed, so too did the Toronto Maple Leafs with regard to Rielly's injury, grabbing the offensive defenseman with the fifth pick overall in this draft.
Video: 2012 NHL Draft – Griffin Reinhart, New York Islanders
Photo: Edmonton Oil Kings defenseman Griffin Reinhart's draft stock rose as the 2011-12 season progressed, leading to his fourth overall selection at the 2012 NHL Draft (courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)
Bloodlines may or may not make a difference in hockey, but the New York Islanders might think so as they used the fourth overall selection at the 2012 NHL Draft on Edmonton Oil Kings defenseman Griffin Reinhart.
Video: 2012 NHL Draft – Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal Canadiens
Photo: Center Alex Galchenyuk poses with family and his new team, the Montreal Canadiens, at the 2012 NHL Draft (courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)
Heading into the 2012 NHL Draft, it was a bit of a guessing game as to where center Alex Galchenyuk would land in the first round. But Galchenyuk didn't have to wait long for that answer as the Montreal Canadiens nabbed the talented pivot with the third pick overall.
Video: 2012 NHL Draft – Ryan Murray, Columbus Blue Jackets
Photo: Defenseman Ryan Murray ended up being chosen as predicted by most, going to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2012 NHL Draft (courtesy of Ken McKenna/HF)
The Columbus Blue Jackets entered the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft needing help at all positions. Holding the second selection overall in the draft allowed Scott Howson and Co. to begin their building efforts in a big way, and they did just that with the selection of defenseman Ryan Murray from the WHL's Everett Silvertips.
2012 Draft: Defensemen dominate top of 2012 NHL Draft class
Photo: Cody Ceci is one of many defensemen likely to be selected in the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft. (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)
This year's crop of draft-eligible players overflows with talented defensemen, as 2012's blueliners possess the potential to fill out half of the first round.
