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Germany sports few 2012 NHL Draft prospects
Photo: Goaltender Mathias Niederberger of the OHL's Barrie Colts is one of a handful of German prospects that might have their name called at the 2012 NHL Draft (courtesy of CHL Images)
German hockey has produced very few NHL Draft prospects directly, although some players have been selected after apprenticing in the CHL leagues. This year is likely no different for that country, with only a trio of prospects having any real chance of being chosen in the 2012 NHL Draft.
Vancouver Canucks 2012 draft preview
Photo: Winger Nicklas Jensen is the top prospect for the Vancouver Canucks. Jensen was drafted 29th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft. (Aaron Bell/OHL Images)
After coming up just short in the Stanley Cup Final in 2010-11, the Vancouver Canucks had another banner regular season, taking home the President's Trophy. However they were ousted in the first round of the playoffs this year by the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings. The price to pay for finishing near the top of the regular season standings is another draft pick right near the end of the first round, just like last year.
Calgary Flames 2012 draft preview
Photo: Taken 13th overall in 2011, Sven Baertschi is the best offensive player the Flames have had in their system in many years. (Ken McKenna/HF)
The Calgary Flames currently own the 14th overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Last year, the Flames drafted Swiss forward, Sven Baertschi, who has since dominated the WHL by producing a two-point per game pace. This upcoming draft will yet again be a big step for the Calgary Flames, as they attempt find another gem midway through the first round.
Philadelphia Flyers 2012 draft preview
Photo: Selected eighth overall in 2011 by the Philadelphia Flyers, Sean Couturier was brilliant in his first NHL season. (Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI)
Two years removed from a 2010 Stanley Cup Finals which saw the Chicago Blackhawks triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers, the products of the Flyers' 2003 Draft class finally stood atop the NHL world; only they stood there for the Los Angeles Kings. Right before the draft last year, Philadelphia was buzzing with rumors, speculation, and enough chaos to send shockwaves through the NHL. The end result, following what in hindsight appears to be a successful weekend at the podium, was a collection of four young forwards that had a tremendous impact on the Flyers' 2011-12 season: Jakub Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Sean Couturier, and Brayden Schenn. The two stars that had once defined their organization, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, were on their way out of town and to an eventual Stanley Cup with Los Angeles.
Detroit Red Wings 2012 draft preview
Photo: Defenseman Ryan Sproul is one of three picks the Detroit Red Wings made in the second round of the 2011 NHL Draft. (CHL Images)
After a first round ousting at the hands of Nashville Predators, the Detroit Red Wings are in the midst of their longest off-season since 2006, and maybe their most important in recent memory. The Red Wings have made the playoffs every year since 1991 and every year since 1992 they've had Nicklas Lidstrom manning their blue line. Certainly one of those streaks is ending in 2012-13, but the Wings certainly have enough in the tank and the pipeline to be a very strong team for the future.
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