The Columbus Blue Jackets are so close, yet so far from adding a potential superstar to their offensive attack. Winger Nail Yakupov is the consensus top pick in the 2012 NHL Draft and expected to be taken No. 1 overall by the Edmonton Oilers, just one pick in front of Columbus.
The Blue Jackets will then be on the clock with the second overall pick in the draft, scheduled to start on Friday night at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. GM Scott Howson will keep the No. 2 pick on the trading table until Columbus is on the clock, but if they hold onto the pick, most mocks expect Swedish center Filip Forsberg to be the pick, a player who could certainly add a superstar scoring threat to the Blue Jackets.
As for the rest of the draft, Columbus has the first (31st overall) and 15th (45th overall) picks in the second round, the first pick (62nd overall) in the third round, the fourth (95th overall) and 26th (117th overall) picks in the fourth round, and then the first picks in the sixth round (152nd overall) and seventh round (182nd overall).
A complete draft listing for all teams can be found here.
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