6. Griffin Reinhart
7. Teuvo Teravainen
8. Radek Faksa
9. Matthew Dumba
10. Morgan Rielly
11. Jacob Trouba
12. Cody Ceci
13. Brendan Gaunce
14. Zemgus Girgensons
15. Olli Määttä
16. Tom Wilson
17. Sebastian Collberg
18. Matt Finn
19. Andrei Vasilevski
20. Slater Koekkoek
21. Henrik Samuelsson
22. Derrick Pouliot
23. Tomas Hertl
24. Hampus Lindholm
25. Nicolas Kerdiles
26. Scott Laughton
27. Ludvig Bystrom
28. Cristoval 'Boo' Nieves
29. Oscar Dansk
30. Malcolm Subban
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Despite the fact that Toronto is still without a playoff appearance, GM Brian Burke has done a good job stocking the cupboard with depth at all positions and giving the team some prospects, as seen by the Marlies run to the Calder Finals. However, they lack true elite upside beyond the services of Gardiner and Kadri, and will look to continue to add to that upside.
"With the fifth overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Toronto is proud to welcome, from the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League:
Mikhail Grigorenko."
Despite the criticisms that Grigorenko has seen over the past couple months, his skill level is Top 3 in this draft, and he brings some size as well to the center position. After wowing hockey people in the U18s, the big Russian came across the pond to play for Patrick Roy after being selected 2nd Overall in the CHL Import Draft behind Olli Maatta.
A skilled offensive player, Grigorenko has the ability to make highlight reel passes while looking off. He has quick hands and can make the tiniest of moves to beat a defender, and stick handle right around them. He gives himself room by backing Dmen off with a couple of quick moves with the puck. He also brings a deceptive release with an NHL-calibre shot.
Despite the need to improve his acceleration, Grigorenko is a tremendous skater who is hard to contain. When he gains full steam with the puck, he has the ability to drive through defenses with very underrated strength.
The best part of his game, however, is his brain. Gifted with vision that most would die for, Grigorenko sees a play multiple steps ahead of anyone else and can find teammates through traffic with his playmaking.
Despite all of this, Grigorenko saw his stock fall when his compete level dropped in the playoffs and he looked like a shell of himself. He's since revealed he's battled through mononucleosis. Most who have mono are told to stop playing contact sports, as a shot to a certain area of your body could kill you. Grigorenko also battled ankle issues from the World Juniors through the rest of the season.
Few will question his skill, as he has that in spades. However, the "Russian Factor" coupled with the questions over his drive and compete really have this player falling. A potential franchise center he could be, or another in a long line of 'what could have been' players who head back to the KHL.
NOTE: There are rumors that have plagued Mikhail Grigorenko for over a year now, with many NHL GMs and scouts questioning his age. Damien Cox recently tweeted that a Western GM though he was in fact 20 years old. This isn't a new rumor, and the fact that Grigorenko hails from an area on the border of China does not help his case. But that's all that it is at this point... rumors. Until it's known, teams will be taking a risk. Boom or bust, this is the type of pick that could save your job or kill it.
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