With Montreal hosting the 2022 NHL Entry Draft at the Canadiens’ Bell Centre arena, and with a brand new GM (Kent Hughes) tasked with guiding the team’s rebuild forward into a bright future starting with the number one pick, this event was pressure-packed for the home team (to say the very least) and delivered on every bit of the intrigue that was promised. This was the Habs’ first time selecting number one overall at the draft since 1980, when they took Doug Wickenheiser, and the hometown fans are going to be debating whether or not they actually got the best player available for many years to come. But we’ll get to that later.
This is Part 1 of what will be a two-part deep dive into the 2022 NHL draft results where we examine the first round specifically (or top thirty-two picks made on Day One) with my analysis of rounds two through seven the subject of an eventual Part 2. All in all there were three clubs (Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres) with three picks each inside the first round, five clubs (Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks, Winnipeg Jets, Minnesota Wild) with two picks each, and thirteen clubs (New Jersey Devils, Seattle Kraken, Philadelphia Flyers, Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks) with one pick apiece. That means only twenty-one of the NHL’s thirty-two franchises made their selections on July 7, leaving eleven clubs (Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights) without a single first round pick. Perhaps the story of the 2022 draft will be the teams that were able to successfully kickstart their respective rebuilds/retools with the prospects they added. Oh, who am I kidding? The story of this draft is going to be which of the consensus top two players (Canadian-born center Shane Wright and Slovakian left winger Juraj Slafkovsky) was the better choice now and which will be better in the future. Below you will read my opinions and breakdown of all thirty-two selections made along with their final rank here at The Draft Report that was published back in May 2022. Enjoy!
2022 FIRST ROUND PICKS & ANALYSIS
1. MONTREAL CANADIENS – Juraj Slafkovsky ,LW, TPS Turku (Liiga)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 3
Even though the conversation for first overall had become a debate between Shane Wright and Juraj Slafkovsky for many in the scouting world, this was still a shocking choice made by the Montreal Canadiens in front of their home fans. Wright was the player granted exceptional status by the CHL in 2019 who racked up 39 goals in the OHL as a 15-year old. Slafkovsky, meanwhile, had always possessed intriguing potential as a 6’4”, 224-lb. teenager who could skate and handle the puck exceptionally well for his size, yet he had mostly underwhelmed against men in the Finnish Liiga. Towards the end of the season he had finally broken out in a big way, winning MVP of the Winter Olympics and leading Slovakia to a historic bronze medal at 17 years old as well as producing point-per-game numbers in the senior men’s World Championships. Montreal’s GM had openly stated that the first overall pick would be one of Wright, Slafkovsky, or American center Logan Cooley, but the commonly held opinion was that the Habs would select Wright. Instead they opted for the massive Slovak sniper, clearly believing in his staggering potential upside.
My Thoughts on the Pick: Shane Wright was ranked number one on my lists from start to finish this season, and I stand by my belief that he was the best player available in this draft class. With that being said, I understand why Kent Hughes decided on Juraj Slafkovsky. The way he dominated at the Olympics and men’s World Championships also convinced me that he had finally taken the next step in his development and was on his way to becoming a star, which is why he jumped from ninth in my Part 4 Rankings to third in my Final Rankings. He has the size, skating, and skill to step directly into the NHL in 2022-23, and he should be a nice complement to Montreal’s undersized young stars Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki in the near future. Picking Slafkovsky does make sense, but that doesn’t mean I agree with it. Suzuki, in my opinion, is not a true number one center in the NHL, just a very good number two. Hughes traded for former third overall pick (2019) Kirby Dach during the event, a showstopping move on his part, but Dach has not shown any signs of being “the guy” either. Acquiring legitimate top-line pivots is nearly impossible outside of the draft and the Habs had the perfect opportunity to add one in Shane Wright, yet they did not do so. Remember how Jarome Iginla never played with an elite centerman during the peak of his powers as a Calgary Flame? And how he never did win that elusive Stanley Cup? The best strategy for building a winning franchise is to start at the middle position and then bolster his supporting cast. In that sense, this was a misfire to me. Slafkovsky is a fantastic talent, though, so I cannot classify this as a real “loss”.
2. NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Simon Nemec ,D, HK Nitra (Tipos Extraliga)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 2
The New Jersey Devils appeared to be drafting for “need” and not necessarily the “best player available”, though Simon Nemec was second only to Shane Wright in my final rankings. The thing is, the Devils already have Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer down the middle and saw the opportunity to add an elite two-way defense prospect who could potentially give them a lethal one-two punch on the blueline alongside Luke Hughes one day. GM Tom Fitzgerald had publicly stated that the second overall pick was for sale (if the right price was paid) but found no offers that were significant enough for him to sell it. Nemec, who made national history with Juraj Slafkovsky as the highest drafted Slovakians ever, was named MVP of last summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament and set an all-time playoff scoring record for defensemen in his home country’s top men’s league with 17 points (5g12a) in 19 games. He excels on both special teams and in his own zone too, leading to his deserved status as the top blueliner in this draft.
My Thoughts on the Pick: NHL general managers are always reiterating taking the best player available with their selections and figuring out the mechanics from there, yet that is not truly the case with the Devils picking Simon Nemec when Shane Wright was still on the board. Once again, however, I can’t really fault them for it either. Nemec is going to be a cornerstone piece in New Jersey for the next decade-plus and can fill holes that Luke Hughes likely won’t be able to, such as manning the top penalty killing unit or being tasked with shutdown duties on the opposition’s best forwards night after night. Perhaps Nemec and Hughes will team up to form the NHL’s best pairing in the future, or perhaps they will be split between the top two pairings to give New Jersey enviable blueline depth. The options are enticing, there’s no question about it.
3. ARIZONA COYOTES – Logan Cooley ,C, U18-NTDP (USHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 5
Now this was probably the most shocking selection of the first round, not because Logan Cooley isn’t worth a top three pick (I had him fifth in my rankings) but because the Arizona Coyotes chose Cooley over Shane Wright. While some sources had indeed ranked Juraj Slafkovsky number one ahead of Wright there were very few (if any) who had Cooley ranked ahead of Wright. GM Bill Armstrong has been tasked with building the Coyotes into an annual playoff contender after the team has failed to do so throughout its entire existence. Taking Cooley over Wright is a risky decision to make, and the credit/blame will ultimately land at Armstrong’s feet depending on how this pick turns out.
My Thoughts on the Pick: Passing on the consensus number one prospect, a proven leader likely not far from being an impact NHL centerman (Shane Wright) to take a chance on a smaller-sized and relatively unproven center still at least a couple of years from being NHL-ready (Logan Cooley) is a head-scratching move by the Arizona Coyotes. How many times has this organization drafted undersized dynamos and tried to build around them only to see it collapse within a few years? They never seem to learn or change their losing ways, and in my opinion it is choices like this that are the root cause of their grief. Cooley has great upside and some truly exciting skill, so he could very well become a star center for the club in the future. I’m not denying that. I’m only questioning if this was the smartest pick for a franchise that desperately needs a win somewhere.
4. SEATTLE KRAKEN – Shane Wright ,C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 1
The NHL’s newest team, the Seattle Kraken, were handed a gift at the fourth overall spot as the longtime top-ranked prospect in this draft class fell into their laps. GM Ron Francis is a big fan of defensively responsible two-way centers, as evidenced by his NHL playing career and first-ever pick as general manager in Seattle’s draft debut last year (Matty Beniers, 2nd overall in 2021). This was a no-brainer move for both he and the Kraken, and one he probably never expected he would get the chance to make.
My Thoughts on the Pick: Ron Francis has been adamant that he plans to build the Seattle Kraken through the draft, and adding Shane Wright, the best player available and a future captain in the NHL, as a cornerstone centerman along with Matty Beniers is a luxury most only ever dream of. The scouts might have soured on Wright because he didn’t “wow” them, but they are known for making mistakes in their assessments and I believe they have made a serious miscalculation in regards to who he can become as a player. Congratulations Seattle, this is one hell of a way to get welcomed into the National Hockey League.
5. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS – Cutter Gauthier ,LW, U18-NTDP (USHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 20
Cutter Gauthier was a player who suddenly shot up draft rankings everywhere in the month or so leading up to the 2022 draft, and for no real apparent reason as his campaign in the NTDP had already concluded by that time. There was talk that the Philadelphia Flyers sought either Gauthier or Czech defender David Jiricek with the fifth overall pick, and obviously GM Chuck Fletcher chose the former. Though he was deployed primarily as a left wing in 2021-22 he filled in at center when Logan Cooley was out with injury and convinced some that the 6’3” forward could indeed play the middle in the NHL. With captain Claude Giroux departed and Sean Couturier’s injury issues it is likely that Philadelphia envisions him filling a top two spot one day.
My Thoughts on the Pick: Cutter Gauthier is a big forward with a heavy shot who can really skate, plays physical, and has some defense in his game too. The Flyers do seem like a perfect destination for a player with his attributes, and there is some safety to this pick in that he is a near “sure thing” as an NHLer. The Flyers do need a “sure thing”. Regardless of whether the pick makes sense or not, though, I personally don’t believe he was the best player available in this spot. He projects as a middle-six winger at best, in my opinion, or perhaps a bottom-six center but I haven’t seen anything that screams “blue-chip centerman”. This is a reach as a top five pick, but admittedly it could work out quite well for them anyways.
6. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – David Jiricek ,D, HC Plzen (Tipsport Extraliga)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 8
Jarmo Kekalainen, the first European general manager in NHL history, has also begun to establish himself as one of the very best GMs in the NHL since taking over in Columbus, and particularly so when it comes to the draft. He’s not afraid to go off script for a prospect he truly believes in, as we all saw with Yegor Chinakhov (21st, 2020) who, by the way, played 62 games with the Blue Jackets in 2021-22. Kekalainen didn’t have to make any mindblowing off-the-board picks at sixth overall in 2022, grabbing 6’3” Czech blueliner David Jiricek as many had predicted he would. After he pulled off both Kent Johnson (5th) and Cole Sillinger (12th) in last year’s 2021 draft, this move gives their system a little more balance between the front and back ends.
My Thoughts on the Pick: This just looks and feels like the perfect pick for the Columbus Blue Jackets to make with the impressive young collection of forwards they are putting together. David Jiricek brings offense, defense, physicality, and enormous potential upside as a top-pairing/number one defenseman, something Columbus arguably lacked in their prospect cupboard prior to this. I see nothing that should stop him from competing for an NHL job next season as he has been playing in the top-tier Czech men’s league full-time since he was 16 and has experience in the men’s World Championships too. This helps them now and into the future. That’s what the first round is all about no?
7. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Kevin Korchinski ,D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 18
The Chicago Blackhawks acquired this pick from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for 40-goal scorer Alex DeBrincat and then made it clear afterwards that Kevin Korchinski was their target with the seventh selection all along. Korchinski made a rapid rise up the draft charts after his outstanding playoff performance, helping the Seattle Thunderbirds reach the WHL Finals with 19 points (6g13a) in 25 games before falling to the champion Edmonton Oil Kings.
My Thoughts on the Pick: I didn’t personally have Kevin Korchinski ranked this high (he was eighteenth on my final list) but with the upside he appears to have as a puckmoving offensive defenseman I can’t say I disagree with ‘Hawks GM Kyle Davidson’s logic in taking him here. He has not been shy about announcing his intentions for a full-scale rebuild, and when you’re starting from scratch then these are the kinds of players worth taking chances on (and even more so when you hold three first round picks like Chicago did). Korchinski has the size, skating, and puck skills that every NHL team covets these days and, while his defense still needs a lot of work, he showed great progress in that area from the start of the WHL campaign to the end of Seattle’s playoff run. The experience he gained last season should serve him well moving forward.
8. DETROIT RED WINGS – Marco Kasper ,C, Rogle (SHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: Not Ranked
Austrian center Marco Kasper entered the top ten conversation late in the season after he put on a strong showing for Rogle in the Swedish SHL playoffs where he had 6 points (3g3a) in 13 games. There were quite a few mock drafts out there that had him going to the Detroit Red Wings in the eighth spot, but when it comes to GM Steve Yzerman you never know what to expect. Apparently Yzerman was thinking along the same lines as many others though. Kasper is 6’2” and plays a pro-style game that has allowed him to compete against men as a teenager and projects as an excellent middle-six/bottom-six pivot which is a need for the Red Wings.
My Thoughts on the Pick: I’ll address the elephant in the room first: I did not have Marco Kasper in my top thirty-two rankings. Why? Well, from what I saw of him he doesn’t necessarily project to have a high offensive ceiling. He can score, but they are typically grinder’s goals where he gets into the dirty areas and cashes in. Those skills will easily translate to the NHL level, yet the best fit for them is arguably on the third or fourth line. Kasper is a good player, I just believe there were more than thirty-two other players with greater potential. I will say this, though: doubting Yzerman at the draft is a fool’s game, so I won’t be shocked if he outperforms all expectations someday.
9. BUFFALO SABRES – Matthew Savoie ,C, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 6
The Sabres have a ton of high-end young talent in the system including Jack Quinn (8th, 2020) and John Peterka (34th, 2020) with a host of promising young players on their current NHL squad like Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, Peyton Krebs and Owen Power. In 2022 their sights were clearly set on drafting centermen. GM Kevyn Adams started his run on centers with his first pick, at ninth overall, Matthew Savoie of the WHL’s Winnipeg ICE. Savoie has been a well-known commodity in hockey circles for years already due to his substantial offensive ability and put up impressive point totals in both the USHL (as a 16-year old) and the WHL in 2021-22.
My Thoughts on the Pick: This was a good pick by a general manager who has shown tremendous improvement at his position and has the Buffalo Sabres on the cusp of real improvement as a result. Their cupboard is full at the moment and Matt Savoie belongs in any conversation regarding the most purely skilled offensive forwards in this draft class, so this selection makes sense on a number of different levels. I don’t see Savoie as an NHL center, truth be told, but there’s no reason he can’t become a top-line winger in the not-too-distant future with the well-rounded dual-threat scoring touch he provides.
10. ANAHEIM DUCKS – Pavel Mintyukov ,D, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 10
The Anaheim Ducks’ prospect system is widely considered one of the very best in the entire NHL right now, led by players like Mason McTavish (3rd, 2021), Jacob Perreault (27th, 2020), and Olen Zellweger (34th, 2021). Pat Verbeek, the team’s new GM after the firing of Bob Murray, used his first draft selection to grab another promising young defenseman in Saginaw Spirit standout Pavel Mintyukov, who led his club in scoring from the back end with 62 points (17g45a) in 67 games played.
My Thoughts on the Pick: Pavel Mintyukov was drafted in the exact spot I had him ranked on my final list, so obviously I agree with the Anaheim Ducks decision. The 6’2”, 190-lb. Russian-born blueliner has an elite-level offensive skillset that includes an effortless skating stride and a slick pair of hands more commonly found among high-end forwards than defensemen. Anaheim already has Jamie Drysdale (6th, 2020) in their NHL lineup, a talented two-way defender with top-pairing upside, and they may have just found the other half of that pairing with this gifted puckmover.
11. ARIZONA COYOTES – Conor Geekie ,C, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 24
The Arizona Coyotes traded up with the San Jose Sharks to acquire this pick, and they went with another center in 6’4” Winnipeg ICE forward Conor Geekie. Armstrong moving up with his second pick likely means that the team had targeted Geekie for awhile and were simply waiting for a willing trade partner to execute it. With his combination of size and playmaking ability there have been comparisons made between Geekie and guys like Joe Thornton, Ryan Getzlaf, and Leon Draisaitl.
My Thoughts on the Pick: I wasn’t a fan of the Coyotes taking Logan Cooley at third overall with Shane Wright still available, and I’m also not a fan of them taking Conor Geekie this high in the draft. It’s certainly not uncommon for GMs to select players with size higher than they were initially projected to go, and frankly it doesn’t often pay off for them in the end. Geekie, in my opinion, lacks the kind of compete and will-to-win that is critical to becoming an impact NHLer. Two picks among the first eleven for Bill Armstrong, and two misses.
12. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – Denton Mateychuk ,D, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 16
Jarmo Kekalainen, whose praises I sung earlier with the David Jiricek pick, added another defenseman with his selection of Denton Mateychuk. The Moose Jaw Warriors blueliner was nearly a point-per-game in the WHL as a 17-year old and loves to carry the puck and join (or even lead) the rush, which the Jackets likely see as a nice complement to Jiricek’s more heavy-handed physical approach. Kekalainen came into the 2022 draft looking to add to his defense corps and that’s exactly what he was able to accomplish with his pair of first round picks.
My Thoughts on the Pick: This is another great pick made by the Columbus Blue Jackets, which has been a trend ever since Jarmo Kekalainen became GM. Denton Mateychuk plays the defense position the same way the NHL is currently trending, almost filling a “fourth forward” role at times with the way he aggressively attacks the net. Though he’s not on quite the same level as a player like Cale Makar (who is?) there are striking similarities in Mateychuk’s style of game. With Columbus also acquiring 6’3” David Jiricek, who can play a physical man’s game and manage tough minutes, the 5’11” Mateychuk is still somewhat of a safe pick despite being a bit undersized for an NHL defenseman. I will be keeping my eye on the Columbus Blue Jackets going forward, I can tell you that much.
13. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Frank Nazar ,C/RW, U18-NTDP (USHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 7
Kyle Davidson traded Kirby Dach, the Blackhawks third overall pick in 2019, to the Montreal Canadiens in order to land the thirteenth selection. The Canadiens had traded Alexander Romanov to the New York Islanders to obtain it themselves, all apparently with the intention of getting Dach. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, used their second choice of the day on U.S. NTDP forward Frank Nazar. Ranked seventh overall on my list, Nazar has spent significant time playing both center and wing during his run through the American national team program.
My Thoughts on the Pick: I had a higher opinion on Frank Nazar than most other scouting sources out there, and it appears that Kyle Davidson and the Chicago Blackhawks did as well. He’s only listed at 5’11” and 175 lbs. by the NTDP, but his truly elite skillset and brilliant mind for the game are enough to eliminate any concerns that may cause. There are very few players in this draft class with the natural abilities that Nazar has, and with the way he reads the ice and makes world class plays I believe he could eventually play center in the NHL. This was the right pick for the ‘Hawks to make in this spot, without a doubt.
14. WINNIPEG JETS – Rutger McGroarty ,C, U18-NTDP (USHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 14
Kevin Cheveldayoff has been the Winnipeg Jets’ GM since their inception in 2011, and for good reason. He has almost always done very well at the draft, and usually takes a “best player available” approach to his selections. With the first of his two selections on Day One, “Chevy” made Rutger McGroarty the second consecutive NTDP forward taken. The captain of the U18 team in 2021-22, he led the program in goals during their regular season play and at the U18 Worlds tournament.
My Thoughts on the Pick: Rutger McGroarty was fourteenth in my rankings and the fourteenth overall pick at the draft itself, which means he went in the exact range I believed he should have gone in. McGroarty performed well on Logan Cooley’s wing, so perhaps he is a future linemate of Mark Scheifele’s or Cole Perfetti’s. His hockey IQ is NHL-caliber and will allow the Jets to plug him into various roles within the lineup when needed. He has a great shot and is a fairly skilled playmaker with a strong build who can crash and bang in the dirty areas with the big boys. Those kinds of players never go out of style.
15. VANCOUVER CANUCKS – Jonathan Lekkerimaki ,C/RW, Djurgardens IF (J20 Nationell)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 13
The Vancouver Canucks have a long history with Swedes, from Markus Naslund to the Sedin twins to Elias Pettersson. With the fifteenth pick of the 2022 draft they may have just extended that history even further with their selection of Jonathan Lekkerimaki. The 5’11” sniper has played wing and center (though he probably projects better on the wing) and led the U18 Worlds in scoring with 15 points (5g10a) in 6 games as Sweden beat out Team USA for gold.
My Thoughts on the Pick: This is exactly the kind of pick I would have expected the Vancouver Canucks to make if there was a player like this available for them. However, dynamic Finnish sniper Joakim Kemell was somehow still on the board and I believe his NHL likelihood is higher than Lekkerimaki’s. I only give Kemell a slight advantage at this point, so I’m not disagreeing or criticizing the pick either. Lekkerimaki and Elias Pettersson could pair up to form the next dynamic Swedish duo for all I know, and maybe new GM Patrik Allvin was thinking the same thing.
16. BUFFALO SABRES – Noah Ostlund ,C, Djurgardens IF (J20 Nationell)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: Not Ranked
After taking Matt Savoie ninth overall earlier in the day, Kevyn Adams chose another natural center with his second of three picks in the first round with Jonathan Lekkerimaki’s gold-medal winning U18 Worlds (and Djurgardens) teammate Noah Ostlund. With a stable of young defensemen that features Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, Mattias Samuelsson, and Henri Jokiharju, they decided to place their focus on collecting forwards in 2022.
My Thoughts on the Pick: I did not have Noah Ostlund in my top thirty-two as he didn’t stand out to me enough during league play or any of the previous international tournaments I had seen him in. He had a fantastic U18 Worlds on a dominant line with his Djurgardens teammates (and fellow 2022 eligibles) Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Liam Ohgren, but that chemistry has been the product of alot of time spent together. Joakim Kemell was unquestionably the better pick for Kevyn Adams to make here.
17. NASHVILLE PREDATORS – Joakim Kemell ,RW, JYP Jyvaskyla (Liiga)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 9
David Poile, the Nashville Predators’ one and only general manager in team history, had a gift fall into his lap with Finnish right winger Joakim Kemell still available at this spot. Ranked inside the top ten by the majority of sources (including The Draft Report), his fall was one of the more surprising to me and especially after the fantastic U18 Worlds performance he finished his season with.
My Thoughts on the Pick: The general opinion was that David Poile sought a defenseman in this range, but I think the availability of Joakim Kemell forced his hand. Frankly I don’t blame him, as Kemell is a highly competitive and highly skilled sniper with an elite shot and great speed. The Nashville Predators have begun to evolve their style of play from shutdown defensive hockey to quick skating offensive hockey lately, and this kid fits that bill. He may not be far from being NHL-ready either, though that likely depends on how well he produces in the Liiga next year.
18. DALLAS STARS – Lian Bichsel ,D, Leksands IF (SHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: Not Ranked
No one really knew which way the Dallas Stars were going to go with their pick as there are so many options within this range. Their selection of 6’5”, 225-lb. Swiss defender Lian Bichsel at eighteenth overall aligns with where he was projected to go for the most part and appears like a move to beef up one of their bottom two pairings. Bichsel is a big, heavy shutdown guy who spent practically the entire season defending against men in the SHL.
My Thoughts on the Pick: My thoughts on Lian Bichsel were like what I stated above in that I see him as a shutdown defenseman who fills a second or third pairing spot and can kill penalties if called upon. There isn’t a lot of upside that indicates he will be anything more than that. And while that obviously still makes him an extremely valuable member of a roster, I don’t think it makes him top twenty caliber.
19. MINNESOTA WILD – Liam Ohgren ,LW, Djurgardens IF (SHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 12
Bill Guerin has done some impressive drafting in Minnesota, bringing in the likes of Matt Boldy (12th, 2019), Marco Rossi (9th, 2020), Jesper Wallstedt (20th, 2021) and Carson Lambos (26th) during his tenure so far. With his first of two picks in round one Guerin nabbed the captain of the gold-medal winning Swedish team at the U18 Worlds in Liam Ohgren. Ohgren is a 6’1” left winger who spent half of last season in the SHL and plays a pro-style game that he suggests he could compete for an NHL job within a couple of years.
My Thoughts on the Pick: This is a steal for Bill Guerin, in my opinion, as Liam Ohgren racked up 33 goals in just 30 games in Sweden’s top under-20 league last year and looked great at both the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the U18 Worlds as well. There are some who don’t believe he will be much of a point producer at the next level, but I disagree. His shot is NHL-caliber already and will only improve from here on out, plus he competes and wins battles in all the areas of the ice in which one finds NHL success.
20. WASHINGTON CAPITALS – Ivan Miroshnichenko ,LW, Omskie Krylia (VHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 17
One of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind leading up to the draft was how the selection of Russian-born prospects would play out, and this was our first answer besides Pavel Mintyukov (who spent 2021-22 in the OHL). Ivan Miroshnichenko has battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma already at the age of 18 and showed up to the NHL draft as a showing of his desire to be selected in North America. The Washington Capitals, who have fellow Russians Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov leading the team’s offensive attack, took the opportunity in front of them and chose the 6’1” left winger with their first round pick.
My Thoughts on the Pick: To me this was a sensible and smart risk taken by the Washington Capitals. If anyone is able to smooth things over as far as Russians joining the NHL goes, it’s probably going to be Ovechkin. The fact that Ivan Miroshnichenko has battled unimaginable adversity in his young age and still managed to be seated at the Bell Centre on draft day says a lot about his character in my opinion, as does the fact he has worn the “C” for his country at numerous international events.
21. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS – Owen Pickering ,D, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: Not Ranked
The Pittsburgh Penguins have made very few first round picks in the last decade-plus as they have consistently chased Stanley Cups every year. That has left the team’s prospect cupboard rather underwhelming, so this was an important (and anticipated by the fans) selection for them. GM Ron Hextall knows the needs of the club spread across all positions, and he eventually chose defenseman Owen Pickering from the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos. Pickering is a 6’4” lanky defender who Team Canada named as one of their top three performers at the recent U18 Worlds. He is considered quite raw, however, as not all the pieces of his game have been put together yet.
My Thoughts on the Pick: My biggest issue with this pick is that Danila Yurov was still available, and after Miroshnichenko’s selection I believed it perhaps opened the door for Pittsburgh to do the same. Yurov is a top five talent in this draft class, and those are the kinds of players you don’t pass up when they’re available. Owen Pickering remains greatly unproven with most of his hype revolving around his potential and not his play. At best he is a long-term project at least a few years away, and I’m not sure Pittsburgh has that long to wait anymore.
22. ANAHEIM DUCKS – Nathan Gaucher ,C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 22
The Anaheim Ducks’ second selection after taking Pavel Mintyukov tenth overall was used to add some grit in the form of 6’3”, 207-lb. QMJHL centerman Nathan Gaucher. His point production had strangely slipped from 2020-21 to 2021-22, but the strong defensive game and punishing physicality is what kept him within most projected first round rankings. The Ducks could certainly benefit from having that kind of player on their roster in the future, as they have acquired plenty of high-end skill guys in recent years.
My Thoughts on the Pick: Well, strangely my rankings of both Anaheim Ducks picks were in exactly the same positions as I placed them on my list. Based on that alone I have to agree with this choice by Pat Verbeek, but on a non-personal level this is a solid decision with how their team is currently being structured. Nathan Gaucher is going to be an NHLer, and likely for a long time. His game is forceful, physical, and competitive. He makes his opponents pay a price to compete against him. Every team needs a player like that in order to win.
23. ST. LOUIS BLUES – Jimmy Snuggerud ,RW, U18-NTDP (USHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: Not Ranked
Jimmy Snuggerud became the fifth NTDP player selected in the first round of the 2022 draft when the St. Louis Blues used their one and only pick on him. The Blues won the Stanley Cup in 2019 and advanced to the second round this past season, plus they have maybe the best mix of veterans and young up-and-comers in the league, so this pick was one they had the luxury to make based on the long term.
My Thoughts on the Pick: I had Jimmy Snuggerud inside my top thirty-two rankings numerous times throughout the season and he could have easily finished there on my final list. He is a really good complimentary player on a line with offensive-minded forwards, at least based on how he played in the NTDP. He goes to the right areas and gets the greasy goals when he has to, but he can also shoot and pass the puck well.
24. MINNESOTA WILD – Danila Yurov ,RW, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 4
Once Washington had selected Ivan Miroshnichenko, I wondered if it would open the floodgates to other Russian prospects. Eventually it did, starting with the Minnesota Wild taking the obvious selection in Danila Yurov. Ranked fourth on my list thanks to his elite skill and history of performing well above most of his own age group, Yurov was generally considered a top ten talent but fears of the “Russian Factor” were heightened this year.
My Thoughts on the Pick: I believe in Danila Yurov as a truly top-tier prospect with exciting offensive and defensive upside. At the same time I also understand the hesitancy towards selecting Russians with the very early first round picks. This range seems fairly appropriate given the circumstances beyond any team or player’s control. If he can make his way to the Minnesota Wild (perhaps Kirill Kaprizov can assist in that regard) then this could be one of the biggest steals of this draft.
25. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS – Sam Rinzel ,D, Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: Not Ranked
This was Chicago GM Kyle Davidson’s third pick of the opening round, and he took a bet on the potential of 6’4” American-born defender Sam Rinzel. He played in a variety of leagues last season (some of them at the high school level) until working his way up to the USHL and landing with the Waterloo Blackhawks (funny coincidence, eh?). Rinzel produced a solid 10 points (2g8a) in 21 games from the back end while there.
My Thoughts on the Pick: With three picks in the first round Kyle Davidson felt confident in taking on a longer-term project in Sam Rinzel, which is fine if it pays off for the club in the future. His size undoubtedly played a large part in where he was picked, and perhaps size is still the safest attribute to take a chance on. There were better players available, in my view, but he does have intriguing potential.
26. MONTREAL CANADIENS – Filip Mesar ,RW, HK Poprad (Tipos Extraliga)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 29
After stunning the crowd and taking Juraj Slafkovsky first overall in their own Bell Centre arena, the Montreal Canadiens took his Slovakian national teammate Filip Mesar with their second pick at twenty-sixth overall. A 5’10” right winger who has played a bit of center, Mesar performed well at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and has been a full member of HK Poprad in the top men’s Slovak league since he was 16.
My Thoughts on the Pick: I had Filip Mesar ranked in this range too, and based on the fact they selected his countryman in Juraj Slafkovsky first overall I guess you could say it was meant to be. Montreal has alot of small forwards already though, and they always have. Slafkovsky brings that size but Mesar does not, and one man alone cannot handle all the heavy lifting in the corners. Perhaps they have a plan for that as well.
27. SAN JOSE SHARKS – Filip Bystedt ,C, Linkoping HC (J20 Nationell)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: Not Ranked
With their prospect supply dwindling and the team missing the playoffs yet again, this was the San Jose Sharks earliest pick in the 2022 draft after trading down with the Arizona Coyotes. With needs up-and-down the lineup they could have gone in any direction, choosing hulking 6’4” center Filip Bystedt in a pretty unexpected turn of events. Bystedt was not typically viewed as a first round pick, but once again size clearly matters.
My Thoughts on the Pick: You know how there are usually one or two Swedish kids drafted near the bottom of the first round that never quite work out despite some intriguing attributes? That feels like this pick to me. Filip Bystedt is a big kid who can play center and skates well, so I understand the appeal. There’s nothing wrong with using a second round pick on a player like that. He was over a point-per-game in the J20 Nationell so he knows how to score, but his size is the only advantage I have seen from him and it won’t be such an advantage at the NHL level.
28. BUFFALO SABRES – Jiri Kulich ,C, HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Tipsport Extraliga)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: Not Ranked
He flew slightly under-the-radar for most of the season, projected to go in the second round range or so, but his U18 Worlds performance quickly changed all of that. He led the tournament in goals and was named MVP as the captain of Team Czechia, which naturally drew the attention of the hockey world. Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams went with a natural center for the third time in three picks, nabbing Jiri Kulich with his third and final choice.
My Thoughts on the Pick: Buffalo targeted centers and they got three centers who each bring a different style of game to the ice. Jiri Kulich is a shoot-first kind of player, and he has enough size that he held his own against men for 49 games in the Tipsport Extraliga. Taking their earlier selections and intentions into account, this is a solid choice for the Buffalo Sabres. He brings an element that they absolutely need, and that is a big win this low in the first round.
29. ARIZONA COYOTES – Maveric Lamoureux ,D, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 28
The Arizona Coyotes used their first two picks on center prospects before going down a different path altogether with their third. Maveric Lamoureux, a 6’7” defenseman with decent wheels and a growing offensive element to his game, gives the Coyotes some potential size and physicality on their blueline in the future. They may need it if they decide to trade Jakob Chychrun this summer. Lamoureux is a couple of years away or more but defenders with his freakish size, such as Zdeno Chara, Jamie Oleksiak, and Tyler Myers, have become regular NHLers in recent years and opened the door for more players like him to come through.
My Thoughts on the Pick: I see the same potential in Maveric Lamoureux that the Arizona Coyotes do. His skating is not a hindrance defensively, and that is extremely rare among players anywhere close to his size. He even put up 24 points (4g20a) in 54 games with Drummondville in the QMJHL this past season, so he should be able to move the puck well enough to play a second or third pairing role in the NHL one day.
30. WINNIPEG JETS – Brad Lambert ,C/RW, Lahti Pelicans (Liiga)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 15
Another of the biggest questions surrounding this draft was where fallen star Brad Lambert was going to be selected. Would someone take a chance on him in the top ten? Twenty? Would he fall outside of the first round entirely? Kevin Cheveldayoff answered that question with his second pick of the first round. Lambert has played both center and wing, like Rutger McGroarty, and has tremendous upside if he can put it all together. He’s not likely to be the superstar he was projected to be a couple of years ago, but there are star qualities to his game that the Jets decided was worth the risk.
My Thoughts on the Pick: Cheveldayoff has done well at producing NHL players out of his first round picks, so if anybody can get the most out of a talent like Brad Lambert then perhaps it’s him. With Cole Perfetti and Chaz Lucius on the way soon, he will have some young talent close to his age that can help him through the process. Like most of the picks Chevy has made, this was a smart and well-calculated move.
31. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING – Isaac Howard ,LW, U18-NTDP (USHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: 19
The sixth and final NTDP prospect selected in the first round of the draft, Isaac Howard really could have gone anywhere based on his wildly varied projections and rankings. He led Team USA in scoring at the U18 Worlds and during the NTDP’s regular season play, but at 5’10” and 183 lbs. he is considered small by most NHL standards. The Tampa Bay Lightning, fresh off their third straight Stanley Cup Final appearance, used their only pick to add the gifted left winger to their stable.
My Thoughts on the Pick: I ranked Isaac Howard nineteenth on my final list because all he ever does is put up points at a sky-high rate no matter where he plays. He has the kind of skill worth taking a chance on, in my opinion, and the Lightning have won two of the last three Cups so they can afford to do so here. Brayden Point has worked out quite well for them so far, and while there are big differences in how they play Tampa has recent evidence of smaller forwards becoming stars within their current lineup.
32. EDMONTON OILERS – Reid Schaefer ,LW, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
The Draft Report’s Final Rank: Not Ranked
The Edmonton Oilers traded Zack Kassian to the Arizona Coyotes, ridding themselves of his contract and cap hit, but in doing so they had to exchange first rounders and move from twenty-ninth to thirty-second. They settled on 6’3” Seattle Thunderbirds winger Reid Schaefer, who had 21 points (6g15a) in 25 games during the team’s WHL Finals run.
My Thoughts on the Pick: Honestly, this is a really strong pick for the Edmonton Oilers. I had a different member of the Thunderbirds ranked thirty-second overall, Jordan Gustafson, but Reid Schaefer gives Edmonton a skilled yet gritty forward who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty in the trenches. In other words, the kind of player built for the warfare of the NHL postseason.
The Draft Report 