The 2012 NHL draft weekend didn't disappoint with big trades, rumors, draft winners, and draft losers. Jordan Staal, Sergei Bobrovsky, Lubomir Visnovsky, Mike Ribero and Brandon Sutter all have new homes after the draft weekend. Yakupov went first as expected and Scott Howson made people scratch their heads as expected.

Sabres Draft

With the their 12th selection Buffalo took the risk and selected highly talented Russian center Mikhail Grigorenko. Grigorenko started as a top 3 prospect in the draft and by the time the draft rolled around he started to slide. Teams feared his work ethic, his willingness to bolt for Russia, and if he was really 18. I am not even going to discuss the age issue this isn't baseball and he is not from Cuba. The young Russian sniper has guarenteed the Sabres if he does not make the team he will return to Quebec to play in juniors. Also Grigorenko arrived in Buffalo yesterday and already began working out. Grigorenko said he would stay in Buffalo to train until camp starts, showing excellent will and work ethic. Regier has stated he plans to begin contract negotiations very shortly with Grigorenko.

The Sabres followed the Grigorenko pick up by trading up to the 14th spot with Calgary and giving up their 21st and 42nd pick. Once I saw the Sabres moved up I expected them to take talented Finnish center Teuvo Teravanien. However the new Sabres want size and skill, so instead they selected big Latvian center Zegmus Girgensons. The Latvian Locomotive has been playing in the USHL for the last three years and is commited to play at the University of Vermont. Girgensons can put up points and likes to throw around the body, likes of Callahan and Brown. In the 2nd round Buffalo selected defender Jake McCabe from the University of Wisconson and with the 3rd pick selected another big center Justin Kea from Saginaw.

Three of the top four picks were a 6'3, 6'1 and 6'4 center. The Sabres succeeded in their goal of adding down the middle. I would give them an A in this weekend's draft.

Staal Trade

After the news broke of Jordan Staal turning down a 10 year deal with Pittsburgh it was only a matter of time. Also the only destination seemed to be Carolina and so it was. The Pens and Canes both made out in this hockey trade. The Staal's will the faces of Carolina hockey for the next decade with Jeff Skinner. Sutter will slot in nicely behind Crosby and Malkin as a third line center. Pouliot will also be a nice addition to the Pens blue line in a year or two.

Howson

Scott Howson never seems to disappoint. How this guy has a job still is beyond me as he continues to drive the Blue Jackets franchise into the ground. First with the Carter trade giving up Coutourier and Voracek. He would eventually get back Jack Johnson when he moved Carter to LA. He decided that the Flyers haven't ripped him off enough so went back and gave up 3 draft picks for Sergei Bobrovsky. In today's NHL goalie value is at an all time low. It is also being reported that the Islanders offered all of their picks this year for the 2nd overall pick. Sure it might be a roll of the dice if the later picks worked out, but is Ryan Murray going to be that more successful than Griffin Reinhart? I think Garth Snow is dumb to offer that, but I think Howson is ever more dumb to not take that deal and collect prospects. Cannot wait to see what Howson gets for Nash.