Arctic Ice Hockey's First Annual NHL Mock Draft: Pick #7

Hey all! Welcome to Arctic Ice Hockey's first annual NHL Mock Draft. Over the next thirty days, Ryan, Tim and myself will attempt to telepathically channel the minds of NHL General Managers as they complete their final rankings in preparation for the 2012 NHL Draft being held June 22, 2012 in Pittsburgh, PA.

In some instances, our analysis will require less insight than others *cough* *Edmonton* *cough*.

So without further adieu, we present our loyal readers with the seventh overall pick of Arctic Ice Hockey's 2012 Mock Draft.

Chuck Fletcher: With the seventh overall selection in this years draft, the Minnesota Wild are pleased to select...

Rankings: CSS (2 EUR), ISS (8), TSN (5), Hockey Prospectus (5)

The Skinny: With this pick, the Minnesota Wild officially become Team Finland of the NHL. With the likes of Mikko Koivu, Niklas Backstrom and Mikael Granlund already under contract, Teravainen will feel right at home with his fellow countrymen. Aside from Jason Zucker, Minnesota's prospect board could use a boost at left wing, but with Teravainen, they will be drafting a player who is capable of holding his own at any forward position.

Hockey Prospectus:

Teravainen is a tremendously skilled all-around winger who has played at a very impressive performance level considering how he's a few days removed from being a 2013 eligible and is still scoring in Finland's top pro league. Teravainen is an impressive skater with a great first few steps who can get to a dangerous top speed that puts defenders on their heels, while also showing the ability to change gears quickly, and is very elusive from a standstill. His combination of quickness and speed is a great asset but his possession skills are even better and really drive top-end value. Teravainen has high-end puck skills which when combined with the ability he has with his feet, allow him to make very rapid movements with the puck and create space for himself in an instant. He's a smart, creative player who knows how to miss checks and open up lanes. Tervainen has plus vision and regularly makes very aware distributions with regular moments of flash in his playmaking. He's the kind of player who scouts describe as "a player who sees everything." Teravainen has above-average finishing skills as well. While he usually on the power play creates plays from the right side, he can also open up his hips and wind up a big one-timer. He's small guy and that's his main issue, but he does have a decent compete level although it's hard to see his physical game being more than replacement level. - Corey Pronman

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