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We’re one week away from the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal, and it is time shine up the crystal ball and build a mock draft collectively. McKeen’s Director of Scouting, Brock Otten, turns his consideration to the NHL teams, their organizational wants, trends and who he can search them focused on on the draft. Pointless to claim, it does not consist of trades which would be constantly a thrilling section of the draft and may maybe well shake up essentially the most easy predictions.
The McKeen’s crew has published our annual NHL Draft Files which incorporates profiles on over 300 players, feature articles on Shane Wright, The Rise of Slovakian Hockey, Goaltending, Top Sleepers, Skill Rankings, Two Mock Drafts plus unheard of more. A digital journal is on hand as section of a subscription for $16.50 CDN (Approximately $13 USD), which incorporates all of our completely different coverage, including unheard of more intensive prospect profiles, PLUS our McKeen’s 2022-23 NHL Yearbook releasing originally of September. You may maybe well additionally learn more right here: https://www.mckeenshockey.com/subscribe/ The journal is additionally on hand in print, in both color and sunless and white from our store came upon right here: https://www.mckeenshockey.com/store/
Thank you for learning alongside all season and salvage the good thing about the NHL Draft!
1. Montreal Canadiens – Shane Wright, C Kingston (OHL)
Removed from the slam dunk we concept it may maybe maybe maybe be, however I silent imagine Montreal will snatch Wright. Whereas a heavy winger love Slafkovsky is going to be tempting, especially given it fills an organizational want, the chance to shore up the center with a Wright/Suzuki combo is unheard of more tempting. Whereas enormous, bodily, but skilled wingers must always not contemporary on the teams going far within the playoffs, so is the prerequisite that it is possible you’ll maybe additionally salvage a dynamic one/two punch at heart. The cerebral Wright may maybe additionally not salvage had the salvage of year many anticipated, however his overall physique of work is impressive, and his smartly-rounded profile may maybe additionally silent carry out him a quality NHL player.
2. Fresh Jersey Devils – Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS (Liiga)
I imagine that essentially the more than likely recount sees the Devils trade this elevate. In the event that they follow it, I mediate Slafkovsky is their man (as long as he’s on hand). The ironic section is that the Devils seem like initiate to dealing this elevate for on the spot attend, but Slafkovsky is maybe essentially the most NHL ready prospect eligible on this draft. Would he not be the splendid winger to attend insulate someone love Jack Hughes or Nico Hischier? If it’s not the Devils deciding on right here, I silent imagine that Slafkovsky often is the elevate.
3. Arizona Coyotes – Logan Cooley, C, USN U18 (USDP)
Arizona shall be very tempted to grab a defender right here given that the organization needs to search out one more defensive anchor. They may maybe maybe additionally obviously trade down and capitalize on someone really liking Cooley. The easiest choice on hand to them would be to simply snatch Cooley. As unheard of as Arizona may maybe well stand to plot greater from the aid terminate out, the dearth of pattern of Barrett Hayton (despite the proven truth that he took some definite steps forward this year) has left this crew with a gigantic gap down the center too. Cooley is mainly the most easy player on hand, and he really helps this crew in a year or two. Wouldn’t it be loopy if they took Arizona native Cutter Gauthier as an different? I don’t mediate that’s far-fetched either.
4. Seattle Kraken – David Jiricek, D, HC Plzen (Cze)
I’d be disquieted if the Kraken didn’t run defense right here. Finest player on hand and it permits them to salvage a future cornerstone down the center (Beniers) and on defense (#4, 2022) after their first two drafts. Is it Nemec? Is it Jiricek? Is it Kevin Korchinski who performs in Seattle already and would carry out for an unreal fable? But again, not all that farfetched this year. This draft is going to be wild. For my money, I mediate Jiricek matches the profile of the kind of player that Ron Francis and Robert Kron regarded as if it may maybe maybe maybe target final year and when they had been drafting in Carolina. Plus, Kron is of Czech heritage himself. Jiricek affords them a possible top three defender who can play in all eventualities, however who may maybe additionally require moderately persistence as his sport turns into more sophisticated.
5. Philadelphia Flyers – Cutter Gauthier, LW/C, USN U18 (USDP)
This is something that I’ve seen mocked in completely different places, and I’m fully on board with this. The Flyers salvage had success taking players from the NTDP not too long within the past and Gauthier is ethical that. If Philadelphia is taking him this early that is which capability of they imagine that he can stick down the center and be an all eventualities, aggressive, top six heart who would complement what they salvage got in region at display hide really smartly. This would maybe well most doubtless be high for some within the public scouting community, however the actuality is that Gauthier’s sport may maybe additionally silent translate somewhat smartly to the NHL, and he’s the kind of player NHL scouts and executives price more than newbie ones.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets (by job of Chicago) – Simon Nemec, D, HK Nitra (Svk)
It wouldn’t shock me one bit if this modified into as soon as Korchinski or Mintyukov as an different of Nemec. I’d search Columbus wanting a defender with a bit more offensive doable on this position. That’s not to affirm that Nemec does not devour that, however he’s additionally more of a fashioned, lustrous, two-manner variety. He’s not more likely to homicide into an elite powerplay quarterback, something someone love Korchinski may maybe well most doubtless be. That said, draft trends topic. Columbus hasn’t taken a WHL player within the tip two rounds since 2015 (Paul Bittner). They ethical don’t draft loads out of the Dub. Stranger issues salvage came about, however I mediate Nemec would be their man right here.
7. Ottawa Senators – Frank Nazar, C, USN U18 (USDP)
The important focal level of the Senators in present drafts is the addition of athletes. You may maybe well additionally carry out relaxing of their 2021 draft all you snatch to salvage, however it appears to be like certain that they’ve a imaginative and prescient on the style that they want to play sometime. Nazar matches that, for my section. One of many draft’s elite skaters, Nazar would attend Ottawa with their tempo of play sometime and would give the crew one more fast playmaker. They’ve additionally preferred going to the US NTDP of unhurried. Segment of me additionally thinks that Korchinski or Mintyukov may maybe well match right here too. Or you appreciate, one more surprise decision from lower down, love public lists…love recount Marco Kasper.
8. Detroit Crimson Wings – Marco Kasper, C, Rogle (SHL)
Is this loopy? Honestly, I’m not clear at this level. He is a player who is trending manner up heading into the draft unheard of love Cutter Gauthier. The motive? He can play heart. He performs a skilled-ready sport. He performs with tempo. The final time the Wings took a swing on a player who regarded enormous on the World Championships, it labored out somewhat smartly for them (Moritz Seider). Kasper may maybe well terminate up really being an out of this world relief fragment on this Wings roster engaging forward and I mediate Detroit may maybe well search him being an elite stage heart six player that may maybe well attend them make a choice within the playoffs in four/five years.
9. Buffalo Sabres – Kevin Korchinski, D, Seattle (WHL)
One other unhurried season riser, Korchinski had an out of this world playoff for Seattle of the WHL, serving to them carry out it the final manner to the WHL final. Is there some project over his capacity to defend? Thoroughly. On the different hand, his offensive ceiling and doable may maybe well most doubtless be the splendid of any defender on this draft and Buffalo loves the chance to add him into the fold as a possible puck mover and powerplay quarterback. With three first spherical picks, they are able to snatch the swing right here in case his defense by no scheme surely comes around.
10. Anaheim Ducks – Matthew Savoie, C, Winnipeg (WHL)
I imagine Anaheim shall be one of the necessary teams that somehow jumps up to grab one of the necessary undersized, however skilled forwards on hand. Hundreds ideas right here, however Savoie makes essentially the most sense for me given what they salvage got targeted within the past. He may maybe well play down the center. He may maybe well play the skim with McTavish or Zegras. He on the final is a deadly powerplay option for a crew that can already salvage a enormous powerplay quickly. They additionally would salvage seen deal of him after checking in on goaltender (and Ducks’ elevate) Gage Alexander in Winnipeg.
11. San Jose Sharks – Denton Mateychuk, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
I really wished to build Pavel Mintyukov right here. San Jose has drafted loads out of the OHL not too long within the past and I imagine he deserves to be chosen this high (and greater). But I mediate a pair of of his defensive inadequacies may maybe well scare them given the dearth of pattern confirmed by Ryan Merkley as a skilled to this level. Whereas Mateychuk ethical appears to be like love a San Jose Shark to me. Solid two-manner player, even supposing undersized. Solid skater. Certain, he takes dangers offensively, however the upside is high. I ethical salvage a feeling that there’s a match right here.
12. Columbus Blue Jackets – Joakim Kemell, RW, JYP (Liiga)
Columbus may maybe well most doubtless be one more appropriate landing position for a spread of smaller wingers completely different teams may maybe well most doubtless be troubled to grab. I mediate what gets Kemell taken first is that he performs with a minute little bit of jam, when compared to Lekkerimaki and Lambert. The sorrowful 2d half of in Liiga may maybe additionally scare teams, however the stable attain on the U18’s has to be price something. Kemell’s just scoring capacity would slot in really smartly with what this crew is constructing. This would maybe well additionally be a enormous position for Danila Yurov. The Jackets salvage had success with Russian players not too long within the past and with two first rounders, they may maybe well additionally search the grief/reward.
13. Fresh York Islanders – Pavel Mintyukov, D, Saginaw (OHL)
The Islanders frail to salvage a enormous drafting relationship with the Saginaw program. No motive to advocate that not silent being the case. This is a crew that badly needs to inject more formative years and skill into the lineup and Mintyukov has amongst the splendid upside of any defender on hand. Perchance there’s a bit too unheard of Bode Wilde in his sport to scare them off, however I mediate they’re completely different. The Islanders additionally salvage not been haunted to grab Russian players, despite the proven truth that Mintyukov has been in North The United States for a bit. The million-greenback quiz is how plot the Isles run on novel bench boss’ son Brad Lambert? Indubitably, possible that they snatch him. But I’d wager in opposition to it. Too unstable if issues run sour with the coach sooner than Lambert is ready to grab that next step. A unhurried spherical gamble? Certain. However the downside in mixing dwelling and work lifestyles may maybe well most doubtless be too unheard of strain for both.
14. Winnipeg Jets – Conor Geekie, C, Winnipeg (WHL)
The Jets were willing to grab chances on players with perceived skating factors in present drafts and Geekie is one of essentially the most polarizing players on hand this year thanks to it. On the different hand, they may maybe additionally be extraordinarily accustomed to him given the build he performs within the WHL…in Winnipeg. Geekie has the capability to be an absolute load to address if he may maybe make stronger his consistency and his skating. Stumble on on the enormous development that Mason McTavish has made in a year. Can Geekie plot the identical? This feels find it irresistible’s in most cases a match. Would maybe well also additionally search this being a landing position for Yurov. The Jets are salvage of in limbo honest appropriate now and may maybe additionally try to compete again next year, that scheme they may maybe well be initiate to taking on a mission that they may maybe well additionally must wait on for love Yurov.
15. Vancouver Canucks – Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgardens (SWE J20)
This is the important time Vancouver has had a significant-spherical elevate within the final couple years. That will maybe well imply that they surely swing for the fences on a player with significant upside. Or it may maybe maybe maybe imply that they go for a safer player with a raffle of taking half in within the NHL in a year or two. Would maybe well also search this being a Lambert landing position. Would maybe well also search Kulich or Isaac Howard. Would maybe well also additionally search someone love Jimmy Snuggerud. But I love Ostlund right here. Solid Swedish connection with the organization and Ostlund had a heck of a popping out event on the U18’s. His processing capacity is impressive and as soon as he provides strength, he’s in most cases a extraordinarily stable top six player.
16. Buffalo Sabres (by job of Vegas) – Danila Yurov, RW, Stalnye Lisy (MHL)
In for a penny, in for a pound. The Sabres already salvage somewhat a pair of potentialities in Russia, however when it is possible you’ll maybe additionally salvage three first spherical picks, it is possible you’ll maybe snatch the risk on Yurov despite the political climate. On skill, he’s a top ten prospect for this draft. He has upside thanks to his capacity to play with tempo and plot in transition, however he’s additionally a safe wager to be an NHL player thanks to his high work charge.
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17. Nashville Predators – Lian Bischel, D, Leksands (SHL)
I’m not fully clear I’d snatch Bichsel this high, however it appears to be like love a extraordinarily likely recount given his very raw, however energetic athletic instruments. Colossal defender with appropriate mobility who performs a extraordinarily bodily sport. How unheard of the offensive sport comes around stays to be seen, however I search Nashville being very drawn to this style of defender. Owen Pickering may maybe well most doubtless be one more option right here.
18. Dallas Stars – Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Djurgardens (SWE J20)
Somebody will bite on Lekkerimaki within the smash and I love Dallas to be the one if he’s silent there. They’ve drafted insanely smartly not too long within the past and salvage a loyal abundance of playmakers within the organization now. But they may maybe well additionally exhaust a pure just scorer love Lekkerimaki. He needs to search out a manner to play thru the center more consistently, however there’s a stable Swedish connection in Dallas. I’d additionally search them focused on Liam Ohgren given how unheard of price they build on IQ and even Ivan Miroschnichenko thanks to how smartly they salvage got drafted (and he’s that top terminate just scorer too).
19. Minnesota Wild (by job of Los Angeles) – Isaac Howard LW, USN U18 (USDP)
Just not too long within the past obtained elevate from Los Angeles for forward Kevin Fiala, Howard ethical appears to be like love a appropriate match right here for the Wild. Thinks the game at a high stage. He is skilled. He can play with tempo. He has upside however matches in smartly with the players Minnesota already has within the fold. Undoubtedly, Howard most doubtless projects as a the same player as Fiala if all goes in step with dilemma. There’s additionally a Minnesota connection too, from the build he played his minor hockey and the build he’ll play college (Minnesota-Duluth). I mediate there’s a extraordinarily certain match.
20. Washington Capitals – Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
I mediate the Caps search their window of opportunity closing somewhat quickly. Rather often when that happens, the one thing you search on the draft is teams taking very pro ready players. No longer constantly essentially the most easy route of motion (one may maybe well argue that they may maybe well additionally silent be swinging for the fences for prime upside), however trends are trends. The Capitals salvage seen how extreme it is to salvage a stable skating, workhorse taking half in thru the center on the third line in present years and Gaucher projects as that salvage of player. He is in most cases a ethical shutdown variety for Washington and switch quickly thru the organization.
21. Pittsburgh Penguins – Brad Lambert, C, JYP-Pelicans (Liiga)
Pittsburgh doesn’t elevate within the important spherical somewhat often, so it makes sense for them to grab a stare at to restock with a ethical bellow variety. Perchance they additionally run alongside with a more safe, pro ready variety (love Jimmy Snuggerud, Liam Ohgren, or Jiri Kulich), however this would be a extraordinarily keen position for Lambert. Stumble on, I’m not even clear I’m convinced that it makes sense or that Pittsburgh would plot it. But I mediate they may maybe well additionally silent at this level within the draft. Imagine when it is possible you’ll maybe attend him flip issues around? One other enormous fable would be if they took Ivan Miroschnichenko, who may maybe well join with Mario Lemieux as a most cancers survivor.
22. Anaheim Ducks (by job of Boston) – Ryan Chesley, D, USN U18 (USDP)
Wouldn’t Chesley be the splendid future partner for Drysdale or Zellweger? His hardnosed manner would be enormous for the organization and his mobility may maybe additionally silent no doubt allow him to play within the league. There is a NTDP connection right here too with the Ducks loving drafting out of this system. Below the identical umbrella, Lian Bichsel or Noah Warren would be really keen right here too. How about Rutger McGroarty too? His bodily manner would be keen alongside Mason McTavish sometime.
23. St. Louis Blues – Owen Pickering, D, Swift New (WHL)
You may maybe well additionally must know that Pickering is going to head high. He ethical oozes raw doable thanks to his unhurried bellow spurt and mobility. His sport lacks refinement, however he reveals enormous doable at both ends. Perchance the Blues search deal of Colton Parayko in Pickering. This one ethical appears to be like love a appropriate match in step with draft tendency, want, and easiest player on hand.
24. Minnesota Wild – Jiri Kulich, C, Karlovy Differ (Cze)
Kulich had a heck of a U18’s for Czechia and there’s a stable likelihood that he goes smartly sooner than this. On the different hand, I additionally mediate that he may maybe well terminate up being a spread of fellows that falls a bit which capability of scouts love him, however don’t cherish him. What region does he play sometime? Can the athletic instruments make stronger additional? His just scoring capacity is mighty impressive despite the proven truth that and he does display hide doable as a heady two-manner player. Would maybe well also search this as a landing position for Jagger Firkus too, who may maybe additionally silent run greater.
25. Toronto Maple Leafs – Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Mississauga (OHL)
Where the Leafs run alongside with this elevate is a ethical mystery. Perchance it’s dealt for a goaltender (love John Gibson). Perchance they run in opposition to the grain and draft the cell, bodily take care of at dwelling variety that the crew wants love Noah Warren. Perchance it’s Filip Mesar or Liam Ohgren. Would maybe well also even be Jimmy Snuggerud. But I’d search Toronto having deal of interest in Del Bel Belluz. Excessive IQ player who needs to make stronger his feet, something Toronto has not shied away from taking. A pure heart, he may maybe well blossom true into a two-manner heart six player for them.
26. Montreal Canadiens (by job of Calgary) – Ivan Miroschnichenko, LW, Omskie Krylya (VHL)
Whilst you don’t snatch Slafkovsky at one and Miro is silent right here at #26, I mediate you completely must snatch the risk when you’re Montreal. His vitality sport fills a necessity, and he has amongst the upper upsides of any forward on hand as long because it is possible you’ll maybe fail to see his health and Russian politics. But Montreal has taken Russian players and they additionally salvage the enormous Saku Koivu as an envoy to Miro to salvage him to NA earlier. This would be a heck of a decision IMO.
27. Arizona Coyotes (by job of Carolina) – Sam Rinzel, D, Chaska (USHS – MIN)
Stumble on, when you’re rebuilding eternally, or not it is essential to grab some enormous swings to grab a stare at to flip issues around. Rinzel is ethical that. He is amazingly talented offensively. He has that size and skating package on the aid terminate. He is surely an extended-term mission, however he additionally would be a extraordinarily keen one for Arizona to grab a raffle on. Would maybe well also search Mattias Havelid going right here too, thanks to his high upside offensively too. Rutger McGroarty may maybe well most doubtless be in play for them I imagine as smartly.
28. Buffalo Sabres (by job of Florida) – Rutger McGroarty, LW, USN U18 (USDP)
With their third first rounder this year, the Sabres go for McGroarty who has every little thing you’d settle on in a vitality winger attach for the dynamic skating capacity. He provides a extraordinarily nice distinction to a pair of of the wingers already within the machine and provides them one more player love Alex Tuch to attend insulate capacity. He additionally happens to be essentially the most easy player on hand at this level too. Would maybe well also search Buffalo going for someone love Lian Bichsel right here too. Going with a loyal high terminate instruments variety. But McGroarty is ethical too appropriate to run up.
29. Edmonton Oilers – Noah Warren, D, Gatineau (QMJHL)
Segment of me wished to build Lian Bichsel right here. It would with out complications be him if the Oilers want to target an athletic and bodily aggressive defender. On the different hand, the Oilers salvage a extraordinarily stable scouting affect in Quebec and would salvage a enormous read on Warren thanks to it. Warren may maybe well homicide true into a Brandon Carlo variety for Edmonton and does signify a enormous want for them to attend snatch them to the next stage. He may maybe well most doubtless be seen as a possible partner for the likes of Bouchard and Broberg sometime. Pointless to claim, they may maybe well additionally run in a really completely different route right here. Liam Ohgren would stare enormous right here. Identical with Mesar or any of completely different guys I salvage falling a bit. But when you really love Warren or Bichsel, you’ll must snatch them early IMO.
30. Winnipeg Jets (by job of NYR) – Jagger Firkus, RW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
The Jets went with a extraordinarily Winnipeg style decision with Geekie at #14, so how about a really completely different salvage of player in Firkus at 30. IMO, Firkus may maybe additionally silent be long gone smartly sooner than this elevate. I’m a enormous fan. One thing the Jets are really lacking is someone who can push tempo and carry out skilled performs in transition. Insert Firkus. Would maybe well also additionally search them going with Ohgren or Mesar. Mesar is a the same salvage of player, however I mediate their WHL biases and familiarity would lead them more to Firkus.
31. Tampa Bay Lightning – Filip Mesar, C, HK Poprad (Svk)
I mediate it is possible you’ll maybe must be elated when it is possible you’ll maybe well be Tampa and Mesar is silent there within the important the build it is possible you’ll maybe well be picking. His offensive upside is necessary, and he can play with the salvage of tempo Tampa likes their forward potentialities to salvage. This is most productive the Lightning’s 2d first spherical elevate within the final five years, so that they must snatch a enormous swing right here to attend salvage up a machine that is beginning to truly stare sparse. Ohgren would stare appropriate right here too. So would one of the necessary talented Russian wingers love Trikozov or Perevalov.
32. Arizona Coyotes (by job of Colorado) – Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, USN U18 (USDP)
The Coyotes run relief to the NTDP to grab Snuggerud, one of the necessary draft’s most improved players from the beginning of the year to the attain. His skating continues to carry out strides, however his capacity to mediate the game is a highlight and his positional versatility makes him a possible swiss army knife on the pro stage. Snuggerud’s profile as a stable complementary heart six player makes sense for Arizona as they try to amble up their rebuild.