The consensus is that Nail Yakupov will go off the board to the Edmonton Oilers with the first pick in the 2012 NHL Draft at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh on Friday, June 22. After that the Columbus Blue Jackets will be on the clock for the second pick and will have a number of prospects to choose from. Among the possibilities for the Blue Jackets is Swedish-born Filip Forsberg
At just 17 years old, Forsberg has already found success in international play including winning a gold medal with Sweden in the World Junior Championships. The Blue Jackets SB Nation blog, The Cannon, profiled Forsberg's strengths as a prospect:
"The combination of skating speed and puck control in tight spots are among Forsberg's strengths. When you realize that he's performing so well at age 17 is really where you start to take notice of his game. Also not to be overlooked is his effective play on the backcheck. Thoughts of Ryan Callahan come to mind when Forsberg freely blocks shots and is persistent in a forechecking role, trying to induce opponents to cough up the biscuit."
Forsberg was the second overall selection by the Blue Jackets in the 2012 SB Nation NHL Mock Draft, and it's certainly possible, if not likely, that the Blue Jackets do the same tonight in Pittsburgh.
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