2012 NHL Entry Draft: Recapping The Top 15 Picks Of The 1st Round

Halfway through the Draft, so let's recap the top 15 picks shall we?

1. Edmonton Oilers: Nail Yakupov (RW)

2. Columbus Blue Jackets: Ryan Murray (D)

3. Montreal Canadiens: Alex Galchenyuk (C)

4. New York Islanders: Griffin Reinhart (D)

5. Toronto Maple Leafs: Morgan Reilly (D)

6. Anaheim Ducks: Hampus Lindholm (D)

7. Minnesota Wild: Matthew Dumba (D)

8. Pittsburgh Penguins (Via CAR): Derrick Pouliot (D)

9. Winnipeg Jets: Jacob Trouba (D)

10. Tampa Bay Lightning: Slater Koekkoek (D)

11. Washington Capitals (via COL): Filip Forsberg (RW)

12. Buffalo Sabres: Mikhail Grigorenko (C)

13. Dallas Stars: Radek Faksa (C)

14. Buffalo Sabres (via CAL): Zemgus Girgensons (C)

15. Ottawa Senators: Cody Ceci (D)

After the jump a few thoughts on the first half of the first round

• 8, EIGHT, straight Defensemen taken in the top 15
• The Pittsburgh Penguins traded Jordan Staal to the Carolina Hurricanes for Brendan Sutter, Brian Dumolen, and the #8 overall pick which turned into Derrick Pouliot
• Top rated forwards Filip Forsberg and Mikhail Grigorenko both fell to the 11th and 12th picks in the Draft
• With all of those defensemen falling, there are a lot of options for the Rangers and the second half of the first round

Use this as your second half open thread