Welcome to my final rankings of the top prospects eligible for selection in the upcoming 2022 NHL Entry Draft. This list is the result of many months spent watching games played in leagues all across the world, from the three CHL entities in Canada (WHL, OHL, QMJHL), to the USHL (United States), SHL (Sweden), Liiga (Finland), MHL/VHL/KHL (Russia) and pretty much anything and everything in between. All of these prospects and their placement in my rankings are the result of these viewings and the opinions I formulated from them. I did not use any other scouting service or sports media source as an influence whatsoever when deciding upon rank. It was important to me that these were my opinions, and mine alone, and I am proud to say that they truly are.
I have been fascinated with the annual NHL Entry Draft for as long as I can remember, but the modern advances in technology were essentially what made this blog (and this list) possible. Being able to access game feeds from all across the world has revolutionized scouting to a small degree, and I believe that will only become more evident as time goes on. Armchair amateurs are now able to chime in to the conversation like never before, and this can only be a good thing moving forward. We can share information, read and contemplate outside opinions or methods, and perhaps the imperfect art of scouting will eventually reach just a little bit closer to perfection.
This is the first-ever finalized rankings in The Draft Report’s history, and that makes the class of 2022 a special one to me. Many of these players I have been scouting since the start of the 2020-21 season when they were mostly 16 year olds, and some of them (like Shane Wright and Brad Lambert) I began scouting even earlier than that. Based on my viewings of them, I think we will see a large amount of impactful NHL talent emerge from this draft class in the future (a few of whom could turn out to be genuine franchise-defining superstars). Only time will tell. The U.S. National Team Development Program has produced one of the strongest groups in its long and storied history, Slovakia has a couple of surefire top ten prospects after not producing a single first round pick since Marko Dano in 2013, and the usual suspects (Canada, Russia, Finland, Sweden) should have their customary output this year as well. It’s going to be an interesting draft, that much is for sure. No matter how it ultimately plays out next summer, though, I truly hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. It’s been a blast.
– Rhett Anderson (The Draft Report)
THE TOP 32
1.
Reason for the Rank: There are a myriad of reasons why Kingston Frontenacs captain Shane Wright is my number one ranked prospect for the 2022 NHL draft, but it basically boils down to this: he has all the makings of a top-line two-way centerman and future face of the franchise for whatever team is lucky enough to select him. Wright is not only a tremendous offensive talent with equally elite playmaking and goal scoring abilities, but he is also a highly intelligent, versatile defensive presence who kills penalties and can be trusted on the ice in any situation. With the way he carries himself and approaches his responsibilities, Wright has earned the captaincy of nearly every club he has ever played for and it is widely expected he will do the same upon reaching the NHL level. Though not overly big at 6’1” and 185 lbs., he has significant lower body strength and good balance on his skates as well as underrated acceleration and breakaway speed. He has a brilliant mind for the game and the tools to be a world class point producer, yet he pays attention to the small details of his game so that he’s never a liability and can always have an impact in one way or another. Comparisons have been made between he and Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron, which speaks to Wright’s reputation as a defensive center, but it doesn’t quite do the Fronts’ sniper’s scoring skill enough justice. After racking up 39 goals and 66 points in 58 games as an exceptional status rookie in 2019-20, he upped his total to 94 points (32g62a) in 63 games to place inside the top ten in OHL scoring this season. Shane Wright is a special player, and he has the potential to be an absolute game-changer at the highest levels of the sport. That’s why he was ranked number one from start to finish.
2.
Reason for the Rank: To me, Simon Nemec is almost every bit the clear-cut number two prospect in this draft class that Shane Wright is the number one. The lowest he fell in my rankings all year was third, spending the majority of the 2021-22 season right where he sits now. Nemec is by far the top defenseman available, and the true definition of an “all-around” or “two-way” blueliner. He’s a masterful penalty killer, outstanding shutdown defender, and extremely efficient puckmover and powerplay quarterback who has been standing out from the rest of the field since he was a 16-year old rookie in the top-tier Slovakian men’s league (Tipos Extraliga). Nemec was named their best rookie after posting 19 points (2g17a) in 37 games in 2020-21, then broke Lubomir Visnovsky’s scoring record for under-20 defensemen this season when he notched 26 points (1g25a) in 39 games for HK Nitra. The 6’1” stud has been even better in the postseason, scoring at a near point-per-game pace through the first two rounds. He was the MVP of the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, helped the Slovaks to a historic Olympic bronze medal finish as a 17-year old, and has competed in two World Juniors tournaments and a senior men’s World Championships already (even leading his team in scoring as a 16-year old at last year’s WJC). Nemec has prodigious talent on the back end, and his diverse skillset will allow his future NHL head coaches to play him big minutes in all big-game situations without ever having to worry about his effort. Opinions out there are varied, but he’s a franchise cornerstone in my eyes.
3.
Reason for the Rank: As a 6’4”, 224-lb. left winger with a great set of wheels and a soft pair of hands to match, Juraj Slafkovsky is a unicorn among most draft prospects his age. He immediately stands out for his size (and mobility at that size), of course, but it was his MVP performance at the 2022 Winter Olympics as a 17-year old that solidified his spot in the top three overall. Slafkovsky led the entire tournament with 7 goals in 7 games and was a dominant force nearly every time he stepped on the ice, using his size/strength advantage to outmuscle opponents and maintain puck possession, consistently creating prime scoring opportunities, and scoring big goals at key moments to help Slovakia win the bronze medal in shocking fashion. His confidence carried over to the end of his regular season in the Finnish Liiga too, as Slafkovsky put up 4 goals and 6 points over his final 10 games after recording just 1 goal and 4 points in the previous 21 contests. There are more unknowns with Slafkovsky than some of the other high-end prospects on this list, but the rewards are also substantially higher based on his enormous frame and power forward capabilities. He’s a smart, skilled playmaker who sees the ice well and has surprising finesse with the puck on his stick. He can crash and bang in the corners or battle for net-front position on the powerplay, plus he has the speed and stickhandling to beat defenders one-on-one and take it to the net himself if he wants to. The growth he showed at the Olympics was enough to convince me he’s legit, and I certainly can’t see many NHL general managers who are going to want to pass on his potential either.
4.
Reason for the Rank: Putting aside all world politics and the effect they may have on the selection of Russian prospects, Danila Yurov is undoubtedly a top five talent in this draft. The 6’1” right winger is a late-2003 birthday, meaning he has spent the majority of his young career competing with (and against) mostly 2021 eligible players in his home country, yet he has always been among the most impressive players on whatever club he is currently suiting up for. He first caught my attention during last year’s U18 Worlds when he posted 11 points (4g7a) in 7 games while demonstrating an evolved 200-ft. game not commonly found in ultra-gifted offensive players such as himself. The (then) underaged competitor helped Russia take home silver at that event as arguably his team’s best player, but this year took things to another level as the only 2022-eligible skater to crack the notoriously traditional Russian squad’s lineup for the U20 WJC. His dual-threat goal scoring/playmaking abilities led to Yurov notching 36 points (13g23a) in just 23 MHL games this season, yet it is his intangibles that often stand out the most. Yurov understands the value of remaining steadfast defensively in his own zone, he is willing to stand up for teammates, and he has the size, skating, and smarts to be effective in all three zones (and on both sides of the puck). If an NHL GM decides to take a chance on drafting a Russian prospect in the first round, Danila Yurov should be the first name on their list.
5.
Reason for the Rank: Scouts seemed determined to anoint Logan Cooley as the new number one prospect from the moment of Shane Wright’s early season offensive struggles, but the speedy American center never did quite overtake him as the best player available. Cooley is, however, the second-ranked pivot on my list only to Wright thanks to his blazing footspeed, outstanding vision, and wide array of slick one-on-one stickhandling maneuvers. He’s an incredibly difficult forward to defend when he’s in full stride and has his mind set on creating a scoring opportunity for his team. He has an underrated shooting arsenal in his reportoire (in addition to some top-notch playmaking skills) and understands when to take the shot or when to pass it off instead. Some believe Cooley is a franchise player of the future, although I’m not entirely convinced that’s where his career is headed. Listed generously as being 5’11”, one does have to wonder whether his talents would translate better as a second-line centerman rather than a top-line guy. The modern-day NHL allows for undersized players to find success more than it ever has before, but it’s still very rare to see a number one center who stands under six-feet tall. He will have his work cut out for him, though his performance for the NTDP’s U18 squad (75 points in 51 games for a team-best 1.47 points-per-game average) and at this year’s U18 Worlds (10 points in 6 games, named the tournament’s Best Forward) suggest he is perhaps capable of pulling it off.
6.
Reason for the Rank: The former first overall pick (Winnipeg ICE, 2019 WHL Bantam Draft) headed south of the border last season with the WHL’s start-up delayed, putting up an excellent 38 points (22g17a) in 34 games for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL. One of the most purely skilled offensive forwards in this entire draft class, Matt Savoie went from being a “shoot first” kind of player with Dubuque to a “pass first” player with Winnipeg this season. He racked up 90 points (35g55a) in 65 games during what was his official WHL rookie campaign, and was even leading the league in scoring at the Christmas break with 52 points (18g34a) in 34 games before his pace slowed somewhat. Listed at just 5’9” and 178 lbs., Savoie has nonetheless been one of the most hyped 2022-eligible prospects since he applied for exceptional player status (but was denied) in 2019. He packs a wicked NHL-caliber shot and elite playmaking vision into his undersized frame, and many have referred to him as the best all-around skater in this draft. The likelihood that his playing style will translate better as a winger rather than a center at the NHL level is high, but either way there are few who doubt his high scoring top-six potential. His fiery competitive spirit and fearless pursuit of offense ensures his selection has less risk than most other players his size. Calling him a “poor man’s Patrick Kane” wouldn’t be totally inaccurate.
7.
Reason for the Rank: He ends up the second-ranked NTDP prospect on my top thirty-two list, but there’s no question Frank Nazar was starting to build a strong case to potentially challenge Logan Cooley as the number one American-born player overall by the time the U18 World Championships had wrapped up. Nazar tied for third on the team in scoring at that tournament, posting 9 points (3g6a) in 6 games as Team USA fell short of gold with a silver medal finish. One of the aspects of Nazar’s game that makes him so appealing is his versatility as a forward. After spending the mass majority of his U17 season as a right winger (and collecting 28 goals and 55 points in 45 games), he was moved to the center position as a U18 and excelled with 70 points (28g42a) in 56 games played. He has great speed, dynamic one-on-one stickhandling ability, kills penalties, and is a phenomenally gifted playmaker and goal scorer. Nazar did struggle with consistency at times this season, including a slow start at the U18 Worlds before taking off in the medal round, but if he can find a way to be at his best every single night then we could be looking at an elite NHLer of the not-too-distant future.
8.
Reason for the Rank: In an age where mid-sized offense-minded defensemen are a dime a dozen, punishingly physical 6’3” blueliners like David Jiricek can feel like a breath of fresh air. It’s not that Jiricek doesn’t have offensive ability (because he does), but he brings a relentless competitive edge and a mile-long mean streak that ensure every opponent entering his defensive zone pays a price in order to do so. He’s a quick and powerful skater with soft hands and a booming slapshot that is often utilized as his team’s primary weapon on the powerplay. I see a little Shea Weber in him at times, including his tendency to cross the line and get himself into penalty/suspension trouble at the wrong moments. It does give us an idea of what his NHL upside could potentially be, as it can be difficult to accurately project his offensive capabilities based on his stats as a teenager in a European men’s league. Jiricek did increase his scoring from 9 points (3g6a) in 34 Tipsport Extraliga games last season to 11 points (5g6a) in 29 games this season, and he was brilliant at both the 2021 U20 WJC and the opening contest of this year’s event against Team Canada. The Czech blueliner suffered an unfortunate ankle injury in that game that put an end to his season early, but the scouts have been watching him closely since he was 16, so it shouldn’t effect his standing with NHL teams.
9.
Reason for the Rank: The 5’11” Finnish right winger got off to a scorching start for JYP in the Liiga, putting up 12 goals and 18 points in his first 16 games to sit among the league leaders despite being just 17 years old at the time. However, after returning from a shoulder injury, Kemell was held without a point over the next 14 games (16, if you include the WJC). He notched 3 goals and 5 points over his last 9 games to finish with a respectable 23 points (15g8a) in 39 contests though. The up-and-down season makes his projection a little murky, but Kemell had an excellent U18 Worlds to end the year with a bronze medal. After a string of impressive performances that stretches back to the 2020-21 campaign, it’s fair to assume he belongs among the most electric offensive producers in this draft class and may simply require some fine-tuning in order to make the jump. He’s got speed, a lethal release, and underrated playmaking ability that I would like to see him use more frequently so as not to become overly predictable to defenders. Kemell currently plies his trade as a pure goal gunner, and likely will do the same at the NHL level, but needs to add new elements to his attack if he wants to remain competitive in the best hockey league on the face of the planet. His future club will probably expect to see some monster numbers from him in the Liiga next season.
10.
Reason for the Rank: I was a little late to the Pavel Mintyukov party, but the 6’2” Russian blueliner gradually grew on me over the course of the season until finally landing inside the top ten overall. Despite not playing a single competitive game in 2020-21 due to the OHL’s regular season cancellation, Mintyukov emerged as the Saginaw Spirit’s best player this season and finished third among all league defensemen with 62 points (17g45a) in his 67 games. His decision to cross the ocean and come to North America will likely pay off at the draft, as the Russian political situation should not affect where he is eventually selected. A graceful, effortless skater with a high level of offensive skill, he did receive plenty of criticism for being a mixed bag defensively and will require some refinements to that aspect of his game, but he has the rare ability to take over from the back end and rack up points as an elite puckmover. He plays a style seemingly custom-made for the “new” NHL, and that is bound to attract GMs en masse.
11.
Reason for the Rank: You probably won’t find Tristan Luneau ranked this high on many other lists (if any), but that doesn’t change my opinion that he is one of the very best defensemen available in this draft. A former first overall pick (Gatineau Olympiques, 2020 QMJHL Entry Draft) and 2020-21 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Luneau was awarded an “A” as one of the team’s alternate captains this season and responded with 43 points (12g31a) in 63 games along with a further improved two-way game. Luneau is as smart defensively as they come, using his brilliant hockey sense and anticipation to consistently break up opposing chances against. He is equally adept at passing the puck or skating it up ice himself, and he has been Gatineau’s powerplay quarterback for the last couple of years. Just for good measure, Luneau was outstanding during the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, proving he can easily hang with the best forwards in this draft.
12.
Reason for the Rank: Liam Ohgren had a spectacular season that began with a bronze medal at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and ended with a Swedish gold medal victory over Team USA at the U18 Worlds. The 6’1” left winger was captain of that team and had two goals (including the game winner) and an assist in the finale to clinch the gold. That was in addition to his dominant season for a stacked Djurgardens team in the J20 Nationell, where he racked up an astonishing 33 goals and 58 points in just 30 games. His SHL showing wasn’t quite as impressive perhaps (1 goal and 2 points in 25 games), but his pro-style, complete all-around game was clearly evident and he never looked out of place. What ultimately gives Ohgren the edge over his fellow Swedish prospects is his intelligence and two-way ability combined with the underrated point producing skills he brings to the table. He may not be the most dynamic offensive player on this list, but he stands as good a chance as anyone to become a full-time NHLer one day.
13.
Reason for the Rank: Somehow Jonathan Lekkerimaki wasn’t the MVP or Best Forward of the U18 Worlds despite leading the entire tournament in scoring with 15 points (5g10a) in 6 games as Team Sweden captured the gold medal. It was his peak performance of the season, in all truth, which is saying something considering the fantastic 2021-22 campaign he put together. The 5’11”, 172-lb. forward has quick feet, quick hands, and a laser-guided wristshot that finds the back of the net more often than not, and at the U18 Worlds he showed progress in his playmaking abilities that makes him even more dangerous and effective inside the offensive zone. The term “finesse” automatically comes to mind when watching Lekkerimaki play, as the Swedish sniper has unbelievably soft hands and a seemingly endless repertoire of one-on-one moves that he can beat defenders with. He can unleash a rocket wrister with even the tiniest bit of open space and understands how to change the angles of his release points to fool opposing defenders or netminders. Originally a natural centerman, Lekkerimaki found success when moved to the right wing this season, and that is likely the position he projects to play at the NHL level too.
14.
Reason for the Rank: Though plenty of scouts have criticized his skating this season, Rutger McGroarty just continued to pile up the points as one of the NTDP’s best and most impactful players. In fact, his 35 goals were the most of any U18 in 2021-22, and his 69 points in 54 games gave him the third-highest points-per-game average (1.28) on the team as well. He was the MVP of the All-American Prospects Game, led the U20 Four Nations Cup in scoring (8 points in 4 games), and scored the second-most goals (8) of any player at this year’s U18 Worlds tournament to help Team USA bring home the silver medal. McGroarty was moved primarily to Logan Cooley’s wing this season after centering his own line for most of his U17 debut last season, and he clearly had no issues keeping up with one of the fastest skaters in the program. The son of Jim McGroarty, GM of the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks, this 6’1” forward is smart, highly skilled, and always seems to come up big in big moments of the game. He can kill penalties, shutdown opposing top lines, and brings a welcome physicality that keeps his opponents honest inside the defensive zone. Sounds like an ideal second-line center to me.
15.
Reason for the Rank: To say that half-Finnish/half-Canadian forward Brad Lambert had a disappointing season would be a massive understatement. Regarded as a potential contender for the number one spot early on, the speedy center/right winger had helped Finland win bronze as his team’s youngest player during last year’s U20 WJC and recorded 7 goals and 15 points in 46 Liiga contests as a 16/17-year old in 2020-21. Instead of building on that strong season, however, Lambert finished with just 4 goals and 10 points in 49 games split between JYP and his hometown Lahti Pelicans. The world class skating stride and elite playmaking skills that have always garnered him attention from scouts were sorely lacking for the majority of the year, though he was arguably the Finns’ best player through 2 contests in this year’s brief WJC attempt. His hockey sense has been called into question as a result, and his projection has become a lot more difficult than previously envisioned. The World Juniors, at the very least, was hard evidence that he can still take over games and put on clinics inside the offensive zone with his mobility and vision, which is essentially what keeps him inside the top fifteen overall after such a poor campaign. Potential will only get you so far, though, so his future NHL team will want to see a more consistent version of Brad Lambert going forward.
16.
Reason for the Rank: The Moose Jaw Warriors put together a strong 2021-22 campaign, and sophomore defenseman Denton Mateychuk was a huge part of that success. He first grabbed our attention when Hockey Canada named him to last year’s U18 Worlds squad as an injury replacement for Carson Lambos, and Mateychuk’s draft year production only served to further enhance his reputation. He tied for fifth among all WHL blueliners in scoring with 64 points (13g51a) in 65 games and was nothing short of brilliant in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game too, showing off his phenomenal skating and elite-level puck distribution skills. He plays the game like a fourth forward at times, often leading the rush and taking the puck end-to-end himself in order to create scoring chances. He packs a hard, accurate shot and outstanding instincts on when to attack and when to hang back defensively (though he does still require improvements in his decision-making). Mateychuk stands just 5’11”, but plays bigger than he is and has plenty of time to add muscle to his wiry frame. With his skating, puckhandling, and hockey IQ, he appears to be on track for an NHL job sooner rather than later.
17.
Reason for the Rank: This Russian-born left winger has a stellar international resume that includes captaining his country to gold at both the 2019-20 Youth Olympics and the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and winning silver as an underager at last year’s U18 Worlds. His numbers are very impressive at all of those events as well, which begs the question of why he is ranked so low on my list, right? The answer is that I just don’t see Miroshnichenko as being “the star of the show” at the next level, but much better suited to a role in the supporting cast. There isn’t a whole lot of creativity or imagination to his offensive game, as he mainly prefers to get into the right spots and make himself available for a pass with a clear shot at the net. He is a surgically precise shooter with a slick set of mitts along with decent size and strong skating, but without elite linemates to get him the puck he can be rendered practically ineffective at times. The leadership component buys him extra favour here, but his recent unfortunate diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma may eliminate any advantage that gave him. There’s a lot to like, yet also a lot to wonder about.
18.
Reason for the Rank: There might not have been a more improved player over the course of the 2021-22 season than Seattle Thunderbirds defenseman Kevin Korchinski. The 6’2”, 175-lb. blueliner finished fourth among all WHLers at his position with 65 points (4g61a) in 67 games, showing off his offensive creativity and smooth skating ability on a nightly basis. The drastic improvements he made were on the other side of the puck, however, as Korchinski’s gap control tightened up and his decision-making became much less risky as the year progressed. He’s still very raw in that regard, but his noticeable development provides evidence that he can evolve his game to become a solid two-way defender under the right tutelage. The Thunderbirds were an excellent regular season club and should be even stronger next season as Korchinski and some of their younger talent take steps forward as all-around athletes while gaining invaluable big-game experience.
19.
Reason for the Rank: The fourth member of the NTDP’s U18s to crack my top twenty overall, Isaac Howard is a point producing machine who led his team in scoring during the 2021-22 season with 82 points (33g49a) in 60 games and led Team USA at the U18 Worlds with 11 points (6g5a) in 6 games. That followed a 2020-21 campaign that saw the left winger notch 54 points (27g27a) in 34 games with the U17s and another 19 points (5g14a) in 17 games after a promotion to the U18 squad. He’s a dynamic playmaker with pinpoint accurate passing and an equally potent shooting arsenal at his disposal, plus he’s not lacking in footspeed by any stretch of the imagination either. Howard’s size is a tad concerning considering he does most of his damage while in-close to the net, and occasionally his frustration boils over which can lead to penalties against, but his puck skills are top-notch and he has the numbers to prove it.
20.
Reason for the Rank: This 6’3” left winger brings the total of NTDP prospects in my top twenty to five, and there are plenty of scouts out there who would place Gauthier even higher on their lists. He led the U18 team in goals for the overwhelming majority of the 2021-22 season, and still finished with the second-most (34) while playing 54 total contests. Gauthier was also one of just three U17s to reach the 20-goal plateau last season (Isaac Howard and Frank Nazar were the other two). He’s an incredible skater for his size and has a knack for getting to the right spots at the right time, and he has decent hands and some underappreciated playmaking talent as well. His defensive game is above average, and he brings a hard-hitting physical edge to his position most nights that should ease his transition into the NHL.
21.
Reason for the Rank: If David Goyette doesn’t win the OHL’s 2021-22 Rookie of the Year award, then something is seriously wrong. The Sudbury Wolves were supposed to be a weaker club this season, and they were, but they likely surprised a few people with the performances of some of their highly skilled freshmen. Goyette was chief among them, leading all first-year OHLers in both goals (33) and points (73) after 66 games, then joining Team Canada for the U18 Worlds and producing 3 points (1g2a) in 4 games despite playing a reduced role. He has all the speed and puck skills to become a top-six contributor, but the most intriguing aspect of his game is his elite playmaking vision. Goyette has the ability to find open lanes and make passes that most others cannot, and (thanks to the OHL’s cancelled 2020-21 season) that is after he was forced to sit on the sidelines for an entire calendar year. Imagine how good he would have been with another developmental campaign under his belt.
22.
Reason for the Rank: Strangely, Nathan Gaucher actually produced less this season than he did in 2020-21 as a QMJHL sophomore. The big two-way centerman was a finalist for the Guy Carbonneau Trophy as the league’s Best Defensive Forward last year, which tells you a little about what truly makes him valuable beyond just the offensive numbers. The Quebec Remparts were a powerhouse team who utilized Gaucher mainly as a shutdown specialist this season, although he still notched a solid 31 goals and 57 points in his 66 games played. He’s mean as hell and loves to throw his weight around, so there’s a good chance he could slide perfectly into a bottom-six role if he doesn’t quite cut it in the top-six. He excels at the faceoff dot, is heavily relied upon for his leadership, and made critical improvements to his skating as a 17/18-year old. Gaucher probably won’t ever be an NHL star, but he has all the tools to be an all-around impact player.
23.
Reason for the Rank: The political situation in Russia couldn’t have come at a worse time considering they have produced one of their strongest groups of draft eligibles in years. A tantalizing talent whose performances became more impressive as the season went on, Gleb Trikozov saved his best for the MHL playoffs as he put up 10 goals and 18 points through 13 games prior to Omskie Yastreby being eliminated in the second round. The 6’1” forward is a slick goal scorer and highly skilled playmaker who can take over games when he’s at his best, using his exceptional vision to set-up teammates and his dynamic stickhandling to create openings for himself inside the offensive zone. Trikozov is also a gifted shooter more than capable of picking the top corner of the net if given the time and space to do so, making him a dual-threat point producer with plenty of room to further grow and develop his abilities.
24.
Reason for the Rank: Conor Geekie will probably be ranked much higher on most lists out there, and it’s easy to see why. As a 6’4” centerman who produced at better than a point-per-game pace in the WHL in 2021-22 (70 points in 63 games), NHL scouts and general managers have already been drooling over his potential. He’s not a great skater, but uses his powerful legs to generate decent acceleration and top speed so as not to become a liability in the defensive zone. He has amazingly soft hands and a vast repertoire of one-one moves that he can fill the highlight reels with when he truly wants to. But therein lies the problem: it’s not very often that Geekie plays like he truly wants it. I have seen next to no compete level or determination from the hulking pivot, which is every bit as important as “size” is, meaning I could not justify a higher spot for him on my final list.
25.
Reason for the Rank: The undersized, but stocky and strong, defenseman was the North Bay Battalion’s number one pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection and responded with a fantastic rookie campaign despite sitting out the entirety of 2020-21. Nelson took on huge responsibilities as a 17-year old, quarterbacking the top powerplay unit and matching up against opposing top lines night after night while also contributing an outstanding 51 points (9g42a) in 66 games from the back end. The 5’10”, 197-lb. blueliner is built like a tank and delivered some devastating hits over the course of the season, and his two-way game appears to be advanced beyond most defenders his age. Based on the missed year of development, Nelson likely has another level to reach offensively as well. That makes him worthy of a spot in my top thirty-two.
26.
Reason for the Rank: He didn’t put up the kinds of numbers most (myself included) believed he would after a stellar U17 debut in the NTDP, but Casey still managed 33 points (10g23a) in his 48 games including 6 points (3g3a) in 6 games for Team USA at the U18 Worlds. There were times this season that the 5’10” blueliner was the best player on the ice for either team, demonstrating an understated two-way game driven by his phenomenal skating and ability to quickly read plays as they are developing and take advantage of any open space he sees. He uses sharp turns and changes of direction to buy himself room from defenders, and he can instantly accelerate to top speed from a standstill and leave his opponents in the dust on his way to the net. Listed at just 162 lbs. right now, Casey needs to add muscle mass before he goes anywhere, but he has a unique toolkit that more than a few GMs should be willing to take a chance on.
27.
Reason for the Rank: Alexander Perevalov got off to a blazing start to his season, winning gold with Team Russia at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and racking up points in the MHL at a near two-points-per-game pace early on. Though he was ultimately unable to sustain that pace, the left winger still finished with 51 points (25g26a) in 44 games played and even earned a 5-game call-up to Lokomotiv’s KHL squad. Typically more of a goal scorer than a playmaker, Perevalov can freeze defenders with a bevy of moves before unloading a wicked wristshot top-shelf. His skating improved during the season, and will require further improvements, but he certainly has the tools to become a highly effective top-six forward at the NHL level one day.
28.
Reason for the Rank: He might not ever be the next Zdeno Chara, but 6’7” blueliner Maveric Lamoureux could very well turn out to be the next Jamie Oleksiak. The Drummondville defenseman had an excellent sophomore campaign in the QMJHL, proving he has more offensive value than initially perceived by putting up a solid 24 points (4g20a) in 54 games as well as bringing a heavy-hitting physical brand of hockey inside the defensive zone that is strangely absent from many of the up-sized blueline prospects who come along these days. He skates extraordinarily well for such a big kid, and has spent the last couple of seasons rounding out his two-way game. He looked good against the best of the Canadian contingent during the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game too, which bodes well for his ability to defend high-level competition.
29.
Reason for the Rank: The third Slovakian prospect in my final rankings, Filip Mesar has been competing against men in the Tipos Extraliga since he was just 16 years old. The 5’10” forward’s numbers don’t show much improvement year over year (14 points in 36 games in 2020-21, 16 points in 37 games in 2021-22), but he was excellent during the Slovaks’ silver medal run at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (8 points in 5 games) and was one of their most consistently dangerous players in a brief 2-game showing at the U20 WJC. He’s quick on his feet and has the skill to score goals and make plays in equal measure, plus he has experience competing against bigger, stronger, and older opponents already. The NHL would likely be less of a jump for Mesar than it would for most other smaller forwards in this draft.
30.
Reason for the Rank: After a spectacular U17 campaign in the NTDP where he put up 34 points (11g23a) in 37 games, Chesley scored at a sluggish pace for most of his 2021-22 U18 season. Though he ended up finding his groove offensively over the final third of the year and into Team USA’s silver meal U18 Worlds, he still finished with just 29 points (12g17a) in 59 total games. What I did like about Chesley this season, though, was the significant growth he demonstrated in the way he approached defending his own zone. He ramped up the physicality, made better decisions on when to jump up into the rush, and remained patient through the adversity he faced when the point production wasn’t coming. Now that his game has rounded out nicely, I can definitely see the future NHL defenseman inside him.
31.
Reason for the Rank: Topi Ronni hasn’t received the same level of attention that many of his peers have, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting together a fantastic season regardless. His year was so strong, in fact, that the 6’2” center was elevated to play with Tappara’s Liiga squad for 20 games and notched 4 points (2g2a). His international resume was solid this season as well, tying for the Finnish lead in scoring at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup with 6 points (2g4a) in 5 games and producing 4 points (2g2a) in 6 games at the U18 Worlds. Ronni probably isn’t going to be a prolific offensive player, in all reality, but he is a hardworking, well-rounded centerman who has proven capable of competing against men at the tender age of 17.
32.
Reason for the Rank: One of my top “diamonds in the rough” or “under the radar” prospects in this draft class, and the second member of the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds to crack the top thirty-two overall, Jordan Gustafson may not be the most phenomenally gifted player out there but he is undoubtedly the hardest working. The speedy 5’11” center’s entire game is built around his unmatched work ethic and burning desire to do whatever it takes to win. After making his major junior debut with 11 points (4g7a) in 23 games last season, Gustafson was one of the WHL’s top scoring draft eligibles this season with 52 points (23g29a) in 58 games. He has the kinds of intangibles that lead to a lengthy NHL career for many, which is the reason for his rank on my list.
The Draft Report 