Introduction

The entry draft is a vital part of team building in not just hockey, but all North American sports. It’s crazy and unpredictable, which makes it such a polarizing event. This year’s NHL draft is fairly wide open, so it is hard to predict what exactly may happen. With that being said, who are some names that should he called in the first-round?

#1 – Shane Wright (Center, OHL)

While Shane Wright isn’t as highly regarded as he was pre-pandemic, he’s still the consensus number one pick in this year’s draft. Wright won’t be the next Connor McDavid or Sidney Crosby, but he’s a terrific all-around prospect.

He’s a smart, two-way forward with the ability to make jaw-dropping plays every once in a while. While that is certainly not the description of a generational talent, not every number one pick has to be that.

#2 – Logan Cooley (Center, NTDP)

Cooley is one of the most fun players to watch in this year’s draft. With his great hands, solid playmaking ability, and deceptive shot, he can make you pay in more ways than one.

The young center has the smarts to do it all, but can sometimes be caught slaking in his own end. This along with his knack to sometimes try too much are negatives that are coachable. Even with the negatives, Cooley is just too skilled and smart to be any lower on this list.

#3 – Juraj Slafkovsky (Wing, Finnish Liiga)

Slafkovsky is a huge winger out of Slovakia who jumped up many boards after a fantastic second half of the season. He is an good skater, with nice hands and fantastic use of his frame. Slafkovsky has a decent shot, but is more of a playmaker, to the surprise of some.

He also tends to not use his body as much as you would expect from someone of his size. In all though, you would be silly to not want a player like Slafkovsky on your team.

#4 – Simon Nemec (Defense, Slovakia)

Nemec is the best all-around defenseman in this year’s draft. The combination of his skating and hockey knowledge on both ends should have every organization salivating over the thought of him on their team.

However, he’s not in the top three for a reason, which is that sometimes he can get a little too confident and try to pull off a move above his skill level. That is just a blip on the radar that is Simon Nemec though, easily making him a top five prospect in this year’s draft.

#5 – Matthew Savoie (Center, WHL)

The name of the game for Savoie is skill, skill, and more skill. He’s got everything from a great shot, to top level skill and creativity, and also nice playmaking abilities. Savoie also was pretty good in terms of defensive involvement this year, getting back in the play and trying his best to break up passes.

The major issue with Savoie that has caused him to drop to this point or even further on most mock drafts is just the inconsistency of this top play at five-on-five. It’s clear that he has the talent, but next season, which he will most likely spend in the WHL again, he has to prove that he has the drive to put it on display more often than not.

#6 – David Jiricek (Defense, Czechia)

David Jiricek is another player that has shot up the draft boards of many throughout the season. The defenseman is one of the best in the draft with his top-level skating, fantastic instincts in the offensive zone, and great defensive play off the rush. On top of all of those traits, Jiricek has also improved on his play in the defensive zone throughout the year.

The only reason why he is slightly below Nemec on this list is the sheer amount he pinches in the offensive zone, and his tendencies to try to jump into the play a little too early. If you can look past those issues though, you’re looking at a defenseman with upside similar to Dougie Hamilton.

#7 – Cutter Gauthier (Center/Wing, USNTDP)

Gauthier is one of the best all0around players in the draft, with little to no significant weak spots to his game. Gauthier is a true power forward, using his six-foot-three, 201-pound frame to bully opponents off the puck. He isn’t afraid to take the body, which he uses in conjunction with his tenaciousness to create a lot of turnovers in the neutral zone. Gauthier has the skill, shot, and speed to become a good goal scorer in the NHL one day.

However, Gauthier can be prone to shot selection and timing issues, which have prevented him from becoming a truly elite goal scorer in his junior hockey career. Gauthier will also sometimes try to force a highlight-reel play rather than just making the safe or routine one in certain scenarios. Those issues shouldn’t be a cause for concern in the long run though, as Gauthier has the upside to be a top power forward in the coming years.

#8 – Brad Lambert (Center/Wing, Finnish Liiga)

Brad Lambert is in a situation somewhat similar to Savoie in that he has all the skill in the world, but consistency is an issue. Lambert’s biggest strength is by far his skill and skating. He has the ability to beat defenders with his fantastic hands or with his deadly speed.

However, in the offensive zone, Lambert can be prone to trying to do too much on his own which can lead to turnovers. His off-puck play is also one of a player who knows how skilled he is, so he doesn’t want to put in the work in that area. However, most should be confident that those consistency issues will be ironed out in a good NHL developmental system. 

#9 – Joakim Kemell (Wing, Finnish Liiga)

Kemell is the best pure goal scorers in this year’s draft class, it’s as simple as that. He has a wicked shot along with a good hockey IQ, which allows him to be a threat from almost anywhere on the ice with the puck.

Kemell suffers from some skating and shot selection issues, which could be a concern given his prowess as a goal scorer. However, with the right developmental staff, it’s clear Kemell should be a dangerous weapon in any team’s offense.

#10 – Frank Nazar (Center/Wing, USNTDP)

Frank Nazar is pure chaos. When he’s on the ice, he’s everywhere and always looking to make the next play. Despite his smaller frame, Nazar is a pure athlete. He’s a good skater and plays with good pace which allows him to get to loose pucks and attempt to force the opposing team into an uncomfortable spot.

Despite his previously noted athleticism, Nazar’s size has proven to be somewhat of an issue. On top of this, Nazar has the tendency to try to force plays above his skill level and turn the puck over. Overall though, Nazar has all the tools to be an effective forward in the NHL one day.

#11 – Marco Kasper (Center/Wing, SHL)

Marco Kasper is yet another prospect that has been a high riser in recent months. He played almost the entirety of his season this year in the SHL as an 18-year-old which is no small feat. Kasper is a big forward, with nice hands, and a top-level skating ability. He’s played both center and wing this season, but with his size and style of play, he could project better as a winger in the NHL.

Although, Kasper does have the defensive instincts and capabilities to play center. Kasper’s biggest issue is that he just doesn’t have enough high-end skill to really project him as a top-line player in the NHL. Top-line player or not though, Kasper has impressed a lot of people this year and earned his spot here in these rankings.

#12 – Liam Ohgren (Winger, SHL)

Liam Ohgren and Jonathan Lekkerimaki were neck and neck for the 12th spot in the rankings. In the end though, Ohgren won out. The 18-year-old does a lot of important things really well. He’s a great skater with a lot of skill, and is extremely smart in both ends of the ice. Ohgren has the ability to control the pace of the game when the puck is on his stick and force opponents to react to him, rather than him reacting to them.

The big reason that Ohgren isn’t ranked any higher is that while he has a ton of skill, he lacks high-end creativity that you find in top prospects. Even with this issue, Ohgren has the potential and projectable play to be a very good player in the NHL one day.

#13 – Jonathan Lekkerimaki (Center, SHL)

Jonathan Lekkerimaki, teammate of Ohgren, is one of the more interesting prospects in the 2022 NHL Draft. On one hand, he has all the offensive tools to be one of the top players in this year’s draft. On the other hand, he has a few handicaps to those strengths that make it difficult for him to be ranked much higher than he is on this list.

For example, Lekkerimaki has a fantastic shot, one which allowed him to score seven times at the SHL (top professional Swedish league) level this past season. However, his timing and selection with those shots proved to be an issue at points. Even with his flaws, Lekkerimaki is an extremely smart and creative player, who has enough positive offensive tendencies that could allow for him to be a fun middle-six, power play winger down the road.

#14 – Denton Mateychuk (Defenseman, WHL)

Denton Mateychuk is one of the more fun defenseman to watch in this year’s NHL Draft. For a blueliner, Mateychuk has an exceptional offensive ability. He always wants the puck on his stick and often delivers when it’s there. Mateychuk is also solid in many facets defensively. He’s able to keep attackers in check on the rush, and is smart about positioning in his own end.

Mateychuk could use some more deception to his game, especially for a player that projects as more of an offensive defenseman. However, Mateychuk’s positives greatly outweigh the negatives and are impressive enough to have him as the third-highest defenseman on this list.

#15 – Jiri Kulich (Center, Czechia)

Jiri Kulich, isn’t going to be an elite player in the NHL, but he’s too electrifying to put any lower than this. Kulich plays a high-pace, high-intensity game. His motor is always running, and it shows through his great foot speed and fluid skating. His aggressive mentality and pace lead Kulich to be a fantastic rush defender who is always backchecking.

In the defensive zone, it’s not as pretty, with tendencies to over anticipatie and misread plays at times. But when Kulich is on the ice, he’s never idle and that does translate to the defensive zone where you can tell that he’s putting in the effort. While he may not go this high, Kulich will be a favorite for coaches and fans alike on whatever team he plays for.

 #16 – Danila Yurov (Wing, MHL)

Danila Yurov is one of the more controversial players in this year’s draft. He’s been ranked as low as the 20s in some draft rankings, and as high as inside the top 10 in others. On this list he’s somewhat in the middle.

He’s a very smart player and a great skater that has lit it up at the Russian junior level. Yurov’s main weak spot is his aggressiveness and lack of willingness to get to the dirty areas. As well as his shot which could use some work. Yurov is a boom-or-bust prospect, who needs more time to develop overseas before playing in the NHL. If he does make it though, Yurov seems destined for a top-six role.

#17 – Pavel Mintyukov (Defenseman, OHL)

Pavel Mintyukov is another player, similar to Yurov, who has been ranked in a lot of different spots by different outlets. Mintyukov has been an elite offensive defenseman in the OHL, with one of the best playmaking and stick handling abilities in the draft among defenseman. When he plays in the offensive zone, Mintyukov likes to jump up into the play and almost positionally acts like a forward.

However, Mintyukov is a bit of a risky pick, which is why he’s at this point in the rankings. But, if he hits his ceiling, he has the chance to be among the best defensemen in this draft.

#18 – Kevin Korchinski (Defenseman, WHL)

Korchinski is the odd-man out of the three CHL defenseman projected to go in this range, but it’s really close. He has a ton of skill and deception in his game, which shows in both ends of the ice. However, Korchinski’s confidence has made him somewhat prone to turnovers, especially on stretch passes and breakouts.

He’s probably the safer pick in this area compared to a guy like Mintyukov. So, if you’re a team picking in this area who already has a strong pool of prospects and young talent like Dallas or Buffalo, it might make sense just to go with the safer pick in Korchinski.

#19 – Seamus Casey (Defenseman, USNTDP)

One word to describe Seamus Casey? Fun. He’s one of the best puck handlers in the draft among all skaters, not just defensemen. Casey has the ability to beat opponents one-on-one with his unique, fun skating and his hands. Casey drove great results in transition both ways and was decent at positioning in the defensive zone.

Casey has had issues consistently reading plays this season, and his style of play as a whole is risky. So, it could be tough to translate to a professional level. However, it’s really hard not to root for Casey because if he gets to the NHL he is going to make for a lot of great highlights.

#20 – Gleb Trikozov (Center/Winger, MHL)

Gleb Trikozov, like other Russian prospects in this range, have been ranked in a variety of different spots. Trikozov is the lowest ranked of them though, with some having him in or near the top 10 and others having him go in the third round or later.

Trikozov has an arsenal of weapons in the offensive zone. He can make you pay with his wicked shot or dirty hands. Trikozov’s game doesn’t carry a ton of intensity or consistency, which he’ll need to improve if he wants to increase his chance of playing in the NHL. However, if Trikozov makes it, he should be a great weapon in any top-six forward group.

#21 – Jagger Firkus (Center/Wing, WHL)

Firkus is one of the most creative, skilled, and lethal players in this year’s draft. He’s a sniper through and through and a great one at that. The puck moves like butter when on his stick, as Firkus is extremely creative and fluid with his puck handling.

He is very small though, coming in at only 154 pounds. This impacts his game along the boards and in the defensive zone. He also isn’t a bad skater at all, but definitely does lack that quick first step that you want to see in a player his size. Overall though, if you want a guaranteed power play weapon in the NHL, with the potential to be way more, draft Firkus. If you want to go a little safer, he probably isn’t your guy.

#22 – Noah Ostlund (Center, J20 SHL)

Noah Ostlund finds himself at the bottom of the three highly-ranked Djurgarden (SHL) forwards. That doesn’t mean that he isn’t a strong prospect, though. Ostlund plays the game with a pace and intensity unmatched by many others in this draft. That, along with his nice hands and solid skating ability has made him a formidable foe at the Swedish junior level.

The reason that he’s not ranked as high as his young teammates is that he just lacks the size and high-end skill to consistently compete at a professional level. If he can get bigger and pick up some more high-end skill though, there’s no doubt that Ostlund can be a solid player in the NHL one day.

#23 – Isaac Howard (Wing, USNTDP)

Isaac Howard is an odd case. Usually when you lead the US Development Team in scoring, especially one that includes the second-highest rated prospect on this list, you are projected higher than a mid-to-late first round pick. However, Howard isn’t your typical top NTDP scorer. He’s fast, shifty, has a knack for finding the back of the net, and rarely gives up on a play.

The important aspect that separates Howard from his teammates is really just his smarts. Howard makes too many poor reads and poor plays under pressure to really consider him a top prospect. If he can improve on this though, Howard has the potential to be a top player in this year’s draft.

#24 – Filip Mesar (Center/Wing, Slovakia)

Mesar is the third Slovakian projected to go in the first round, which would be the most ever. He has a strong, accurate shot as well as nice hands. Mesar is also strong on the puck for a player of his size.

He does have a couple poor tendencies, which are the cause for his placement on this list. Mesar can be a little too over aggressive when defending, which causes him to be beaten easily. He also tries to do too much on his own in the offensive zone, which often creates turnovers. Mesar does have a lot of talent though, and has the potential to thrive in a middle-six role in the NHL one day.

#25 – Conor Geekie (Center, WHL)

Conor Geekie is one of the more frustrating players in this year’s draft. He is clearly very skilled, with a constant showing of electric and creative passes. As well as stick maneuvers in the offensive zone. However, when you watch Geekie you just see that he plays and reads the game a half-step too slow. That could lead to him being more of a bottom-six forward with power play upside when he gets to the NHL.

#26 – Calle Odelius (Defenseman, J20 SHL)

Calle Odelius has the upside of a mobile two-way defenseman at the next level. He’s one of the best skater’s in the draft in all aspects. From his top speed, to his quickness off his first stride, as well as his edge work, Odelius has lots of ways to impress with his feet. He’s also a very smart player, who can thrive in almost any situation. The one situation where his smarts don’t always save Odelius is in the defensive zone, where he can get lost from time to time.

#27 – Owen Pickering (Defenseman, WHL)

Owen Pickering is a fun defenseman who can make forwards look silly at the blueline. He has a ton of skill and it shows constantly. Pickering needs to improve on his decision making and timing though. He clearly has the ability to make all these amazing plays, but the way he tries to execute them often just doesn’t work. Still, Pickering, at worst, should be a decent bottom-pair, power play quarterback.

#28 – Ivan Miroshnichenko (Wing, VHL)

Miroshnichenko finds himself in a scary situation and one he can hopefully bounce back and recover from.

He was a mainstay in almost everyone’s top 10 heading into the season. However, he just didn’t show the same flashes of skill and skating as the year prior. The suspected reason for this was his diagnoses of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma midway through the season. If he can make a full recovery and be the same player as he was prior to its effect on his career, Miroshnichenko has the ability to be a fun middle-six sniper in the NHL.

However, hockey is rightfully on the back-burner right now. All that matters is the Russian recovers. Our best wishes to he and his family.

#29 – Tristan Luneau (Defenseman, QMJHL)

Tristan Luneau is a defenseman who is a good transition player. He excels both at creating and defending the rush. When the puck is on his stick, Luneau is one of the better defenseman in the draft.

The big issue with him is that the puck isn’t always on his stick. When it’s not, Luneau has some poor defensive coverage habits and tends to be a little to conservative at the blueline, not jumping into the play when he should. Overall, Luneau has a high ceiling, he just needs the right coach and system to unlock it.

#30 – Ryan Chesley (Defenseman, USNTDP)

Ryan Chesley is a solid defensive defenseman, but not much more. He’s constantly scanning the ice, watching and waiting to make the right play. This can sometimes lead to him getting caught puck watching, but not often enough for it to be a real concern. Chesley has an active stick in the defensive and neutral zone. He also is a solid skater and puck mover when he gets the opportunity. It’s just that he doesn’t get it that often.

If you want a good defensive defenseman, Chesley is your guy. If you’re looking for a bit more of a risky option with better upside, go with Luneau.

#31 – Lian Bichsel (Defenseman, SHL)

Lian Bichsel and Ryan Chesley are so similar that they could swap places and it wouldn’t really change anything. They’re both defensive defenseman who make the smart play in their own end. The main differences are that Bichsel is bigger and has more of an offensive upside, but isn’t nearly as good of a skater as Chesley. And that’s saying something considering Chesley isn’t a great skater either.

At the end of the day, a player like Bichsel doesn’t need to be a great skater to have success. His style of play could appeal to team’s management and could result in him going higher than he’s ranked here.

#32 – Rutger McGroarty (Center/Winger, USNTDP)

Rutger McGroarty is a big forward, with a good shot, strong puck protection ability, and solid defensive awareness and ability. The giant knock on McGroarty though is just that his skating ability is nowhere close to NHL level.

If he can improve on it, which he showed flashes of throughout the season, McGroarty could be a good defensive forward in the NHL one day. That skating just has to get better though. If not, he and the team that selections him could be in some trouble.

Final Ranking of Top 40 and Tiers