The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Sarnia Sting standout Nail Yakupov has been relentless in keeping his title as the top prospect for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, securing the position for the fifth consecutive month, edging out Canadian defenseman Ryan Murray and Team Russia teammate Mikhail Grigorenko.

In fact, little has changed in Future Considerations’ top-30 for the draft. Peterborough Petes defenseman Slater Koekkoek has jumped into the top-10 at the expense of Latvian standout Zemgus Girgensons.

There is more movement as the list goes on, however.

Brendan Gaunce jumps from 19th last month to 12th this month after a productive month recording five goals and nine points in eight games. There’s more to Gaunce’s game than offense though as his six-foot-two, 200-pound frame can attest to.

Guelph Storm defenseman Matt Finn, who was a standout despite not making Canada’s Ivan Hlinka entry this summer, debuts on the list at 16. The six-foot, 195-pound defenseman has been stellar in recent months.

National Team Development Program forward Nicolas Kerdiles and Griffin Reinhart of the Edmonton Oil Kings saw modest boosts as well. Kerdiles jumps from 24 to 17, while Reinhart, who has had a roller-coaster year this season, slides up from 22 to 18.

Rank / Pos. / Name / Team / League / Ht / Wt /
1). RW Nail Yakupov, Sarnia, OHL, 5-10, 170
2). D Ryan Murray, Everett, WHL, 6-1, 195
3). C Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec, QMJHL, 6-2, 190
4). D Matt Dumba, Red Deer, WHL, 6-0, 175
5). C Alex Galchenyuk, Sarnia, OHL, 6-1, 185
6). LW Filip Forsberg, Leksand, Swe., 6-1, 175
7). D Morgan Rielly, Moose Jaw, WHL, 6-0, 195
8). D Cody Ceci, Ottawa, OHL, 6-3, 210
9). D Jacob Trouba, USNTDP U18, USHL, 6-2, 185
10). D Slater Koekkoek, Peterborough, OHL, 6-2, 185
11). RW Sebastian Collberg, Frolunda Jr., Swe. Jr., 5-11, 175
12). C Brendan Gaunce, Belleville, OHL, 6-2, 200
13). C Zemgus Girgensons, Dubuque, USHL, 6-2, 185
14). D Derrick Pouliot, Portland, WHL, 6-0, 180
15). LW Pontus Aberg, Djurgarden, Swe., 5-11, 185
16). D Matt Finn, Guelph, OHL, 6-0, 195
17). LW Nicolas Kerdiles, USNTDP U18, USHL, 6’-1, 180
18). D Griffin Reinhart, Edmonton, WHL, 6-4, 200
19). D Olli Maatta, London, OHL, 6-2, 190
20). RW Martin Frk, Halifax, QMJHL, 5-11, 190
21). C Radek Faksa, Kitchener, OHL, 6-2, 180
22). C Phil Di Giuseppe, Michigan, NCAA, 6-1, 195
23). D Nick Ebert, Windsor, OHL, 6-1, 195
24). RW Colton Sissons, Kelowna, WHL, 6’-0.5”, 175
25). D Jordan Schmaltz, Sioux City, USHL, 6-2, 175
26). RW Tom Wilson, Plymouth, OHL, 6-4, 200
27). G Malcolm Subban, Belleville, OHL, 6-0, 175
28). C Jarrod Maidens, Owen Sound, OHL, 6-2, 175
29). D Michael Matheson, Dubuque, USHL, 6-1, 170
30). C Henrik Samuelsson, Modo, Swe., 6’-2, 195

Honorable Mentions:
C Scott Laughton, Oshawa, OHL, 6-0, 175
D Damon Severson, Kelowna, WHL, 6-1, 175
RW Cristoval Nieves, Kent, USHS, 6-3, 190
LW Charles Hudon, Chicoutimi, QMJHL, 5-9, 165
G Andrei Vasilevski, Ufa, MHL, 6’-3”, 195
D Gianluca Curcuruto, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL, 6-1, 195
D Ludvig Bystrom, Modo Jr., Swe. Jr., 6-0, 175
LW Stefan Matteau, USNTDP U18, USHL, 6’-1, 210
LW Raphael Bussieres, Baie-Comeau, QMJHL, 6-0, 180
LW Emil Lundberg, Sodertalje, Swe., 6-3, 200

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