2012 NHL Draft: Top 10 Picks' Ups & Downs

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It's been over 12 years since the 2012 NHL draft in Pittsburgh,

and teams are still grading their top 10 picks.

That class featured high hopes for forwards, like Nail Jakapov,

taken first by Edmonton, and plenty of defensemen expected to anchor blue lines.

While a few turned into stars, most fell short, with injuries, inconsistency,

and unmet potential defining the group.

The biggest disappointment started at the top.

Jakapov flash-scoring early, but stalled, bouncing to St. Louis, Colorado,

and eventually the KHL, with SKA St. Petersburg.

Alex Gachenyuk, third to Montreal, show talent, but lack consistency, and defense,

leading to trades across Arizona, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Ottawa, before legal trouble,

sent him back to Russia. Meanwhile, some picks delivered big.

Morgan Realey, fifth overall to Toronto, became a top defenseman with over 70 points in a season,

and a long-term deal through 2030.

Campus Linholm, sixth to Anaheim, grew into a reliable two-way player, before signing an

eight-year extension with Boston. Jakapov, ninth to Winnipeg, posted elite minutes and points

until multiple trades landed him with Anaheim.

Injuries and deproles plagued others.

Ryan Murray, second to Columbus, fought health issues and became a veteran journeyman

across New Jersey, Colorado, and Edmonton, before going unsigned.

Matthew Dumba peaked with 50 points for Minnesota, but declined,

signing short deals with Arizona, Tampa Bay, Dallas, and now Pittsburgh.

Looking back, the Islanders flipped fourth-pig Griffin Reinhardt for assets,

including Matthew Barzall, a caulder winner. Derek Polio, and Slater Co-Coke, eighth and tenth,

bounced around as deaf pieces before A.H.L. deals or retirement.

It shows how drafts mix gems with gambles, especially on young defensemen.

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