NHL Mock Drafts: Who Will Bruins Take In First Round?
BOSTON (CBS) -- For the Bruins, the 2012 NHL Draft hardly carries with it the anticipation of drafts from the past two years, when they held the No. 2 overall (in 2010) and No. 9 pick (in '11). Nevertheless, there's always an excitement that comes on draft night, and this year the Bruins will select the 24th overall pick.
So who will they pick? The answer to that question, just like most years, is anybody's guess. But to help offer an idea of what the B's might do, below is a rundown of what the mock drafts around the web are predicting.
Sports Illustrated's Allan Muir: Scott Laughton, C, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Explanation: Muir writes that he expects the B's to trade this pick to move down in the draft, but if not, the 18-year-old's style meshes well with the Bruins' philosophy.
Rotoworld's Gus Katsaros: Tom Wilson, RW, Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
Explanation: Katsaros notes that Wilson is a "prototypical Bruin" but notes that he is injury prone. Wilson registered just 33 points in 77 OHL games, though he had 13 in 13 playoff games this season.
NHL.com's Steven Hoffner: Stefan Matteau, C, USA U-18
Explanation: Fits the Bruins style with toughness and skill.
The Sports Network's Dan Di Sciullo: Brady Skjei, D, USA U-18
Explanation: The big American blue-liner (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) "could be a good complement for Dougie Hamilton."
NHL.com's Mike Morreale: Brady Skjei, D, USA U-18
Explanation: Skjei is "an elite skater and puck-mover with creativity off transition."
Bleacher Report's Carol Schram: Oscar Dansk, G, Sweden
Explanation: With Tim Thomas most likely done with the team, "the Bruins would be well-served to develop a solid netminding prospect who could take care of them between the pipes for years to come."
NHL.com's Adam Kimelman: Oscar Dansk, G, Sweden
Explanation: Same as above.
NHLMockDraft.org's Bob Mand: Matt Finn, D, Guelph Storm (OHL)
Explanation: Finn is an "intelligent, mobile two-way defenseman who instantly becomes Boston's second-best prospect on the blue line."
Bleacher Report's Tim Keeney: Stefan Matteau, C, USA U-18
Explanation: He needs time to develop but "fits the Bruins' system well."
