NHL Draft 2012 Prospects: #4 Mikhail Grigorenko

The draft, hands down, is the best time of the hockey season. Maybe I'm just saying that because the Wild haven't been seen post-season action since 2008, but that is besides the point.

So, on June 22nd-23rd, we will all sit down in front of the television/computer and watch the draft. But if you are wondering, "who's who", then you haven't been reading HW because thats my job.

So without further ado:

Introducing our 2012 NHL #4 Draft Prospect - Mikhail Grigorenko:

Accomplishments & Awards:

Prospect Jersey (What Would They Look Like In a Wild Jersey?):

Summarized Scouting Report

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

HW Projection:

Video Evidence:

Where Does He Fit In The Wild?

Superskilled forward with a huge frame that he needs to fill and lacks consistency ... reminds me of Benoit Pouliot.

If you haven't noticed, I have a grudge on Pouliot, I personally hate players with tons of skill but lacks the drive that is so important in a player.

So while I wouldn't like Grigorenko, he's still super damn skilled and would look really good in a Wild sweater.

Conclusion

Another Russian prospect with tons of skills but character questions.

He's got all the tools to make a superstar NHL centerman; size, reach, skating and offensive skills. He has also proven himself a good junior player, becoming one of the top QMJHL players this year. He was also considered to be a challenger of the #1 spot for this year's draft because he is just that good.

However, if you combine the ideas that he lacks drive as well as him being a Russian, you have two things that would scare many NHL teams.

Now, if you do your due diligence and find that Grigorenko has no desire to head back to Russia AND he actually is secretly passionate with his hockey and his inconsistency is just a result of developing pains, then Grigorenko could go as high as #2. But you have the same doubts as I do and you wouldn't want to risk the pick when you have more sure-fire prospects in Ryan Murray and Alex Galchenyuk, you'll pass on him for the said players.

Special thanks to HFBoards, Future Considerations, The Hockey Writers, TSN, OHLProspeccts and The Scouting Report