1. Montreal Canadiens: Shane Wright, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
The buzz around the NHL is that the Habs will pass on Wright. Still not buying it. How do you pass on a two-way right-shot center with top six potential? The comparison is Patrice Bergeron. You win with players like Bergeron.
2. New Jersey Devils: Juraj Slafkovski, LW, TPS (Finland)
The comparison is Mikko Rantanen. Imagine him playing on a line with Jack Hughes. He's a big scoring winger who grabbed everyone's attention by scoring seven goals at the 2022 Olympics and helping Slovakia win the bronze.
3. Arizona Coyotes Logan Cooley, C, USA U18 (NTDP)
Not buying the rumor that the Coyotes will take Simon Nemec. In a couple of years, Cooley can have an impact similar to what Trevor Zegras is enjoying in Anaheim.
4. Seattle Kraken: Simon Nemec, D, Nitra MHC (Slovakia)
Last year, the Kraken drafted premium center Matty Berniers. This year, they will land a mature, polished defenseman. He also helped Slovakia win a bronze medal at the 2022 Olympics. Nemec has exceptional offensive ability, plus noteworthy defensive skill
5. Philadelphia Flyers: Cutter Gauthier, LW-C, USA Under-18 (United States Hockey League)
Button compared him to Max Pacioretty. The future Boston College player is a complete player. He's a big, fast and effective forward who knows how to drive the net.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets: Joakim Kemell, RW, JYP (Finland)
He was a dominant, skillful performer in Finland's top league. Even a shoulder injury didn’t slow his rise. Kemell netted six goals in five games at the U-18 Worlds to enhance his status.
7. Ottawa Senators: David Jiricek, D, Plzen (Czechia)
Projects to be hard-hitting, shutdown defenseman with a mean streak. He's 6-foot-3 and can hammer the puck from the blue line.
8. Detroit Red Wings: Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW Djurgårdens IF J20 (SWE)
The Red Wings might think about Marco Kasper here, but will settle for the Swedish winger with dynamic scoring ability. Red Line Report compares him to Brayden Point. Steve Yzerman drafted Point when he was in Tampa Bay
9. Buffalo Sabres: Matt Savoie, C, Winnipeg (Western Hockey League)
Only a few in this draft can match Savoie's offensive gifts. If you are drafting solely by ability, Savoie goes in the top five. But teams may have him lower because he’s only 5-foot-9. He’s the most explosive player in the 2022 draft.
10. Anaheim Ducks: Kevin Korchinski, D, Seattle (Western Hockey League)
After moving Hampus Lindholm and Josh Manson, the Ducks need to restock the defense.
The six-foot-two Korchinski is a puck mover with size. He posted 61 assists last season.
11. San Jose Sharks, Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, USA U-18
He is the son of former NHLer Dave Snuggerud, Jimmy has the potential to be a big-time NHL scorer. He boasts a quick and an Auston Matthews-style shot. He may be a 30-goal scorer in the NHL.
12. Columbus Blue Jackets: Frank Nazar, C, USA U-18 (USHL)
The Michigan native makes things happen. He's always a breakaway waiting to happen. Exceptional hands, clever player, shifty, dynamic. Nazar could land in the top 10. Fascinating potential.
13 New York Islanders Isaac Howard, LW, USA U-18 (USHL)<
He will be a top six forward in the NHL. He netted 33 goals for Team USA this season and is one of the purest goal scorers in the draft. He’s a dangerous offensive player who excelled at the World U-18 Tournament.
14. Winnipeg Jets: Connor Geekie, C, Winnipeg (Western Hockey League):
Aren't the Jets obligated to draft the big center from the local junior team? He needs to improve his skating, but he has plenty of offensive ability. He posted 70 points in 63 games
15. Vancouver Canucks: Marco Kasper, C, Rogle BK U-20, (Sweden)
He’s a 6-foot-1 center with overflowing poise and composure. He's a quality skater and a smart player. He's an Austrian playing in Sweden.
16. Buffalo Sabres: Pavel Mintyukov, D, Saginaw (OHL)
Plenty of buzz about him all season. Scouts like watching him play. The Moscow native has the speed, size, skill and attitude to be an NHL top four defenseman.
17.Nashville Predators: Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Omskie Krylia (Russia)
He would probably be in the top six if not for a Hodgkin's diagnosis. But the prognosis is good and his medical tests have provided optimism. He could be a top line NHL scorer
18. Dallas Stars: Liam Ohgren, LW, Djurgardens IF J20 (Sweden)
TSN's Craig Button compares Ohgren to Mikael Backlund. He's also been compared to Vegas forward Mark Stone. Ohgren up nine points in six games at the World U-18 tournament. Always engaged and productive.
19. Minnesota Wild, Brad Lambert, C, Pelicans (Finland)
He is the nephew of newly-hired Islanders coach Lane Lambert. His dad played in the Western Hockey League and for Princeton. Highly skilled player who hasn't lived up to expectation. Could be a steal if his talent comes together.
20. Washington Capitals: Danila Yurov, RW, Magnitogorsk (KHL)
He’s a strong skater and he likes up-tempo hockey. He’s a highly competitive athlete.
21. Pittsburgh Penguins: Jiri Kulich, CHC Energie Karlovy Vary, (Czechia)
Red Line compares him to Dylan Larkin. He has exceptional speed and he's a slick offensive player.
22 Anaheim Ducks: Luca Del Bel Belluz, C-LW, Mississauga (Ontario Hockey League):
He projects to be a middle six forward who helps teams in many different way. He's sharp in the faceoff circle, checks well and produces offensively.
23. St. Louis Blues: Arizona Coyotes Ryan Chesley, D, USA U-18
Scouts use the words like “smart” or “dependable” or “safe” to describe the way he plays. He is a strong, physical, rugged defenseman. That works in the NHL. He’s from Minnesota and will play his college hockey at Minnesota.
24. Minnesota Wild: Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgardens (Sweden)
He's got quick hands and feet. Gifted offensive player, entertaining when the the puck is on his stick.
25. Toronto Maple Leafs: Owen Pickering, D, Swift Current (WHL)
Red Line Report compared him to Brandon Carlo. Pickering is a 6-foot-4 blueliner with plenty of up-side. He racked up nine goals for the Broncos.
26. Montreal Canadiens: Rutger McGroaty, C-LW, USA U-18 (USHL)
Scouts question his skating, but he will be an NHL player. He boasts an NHL body and work ethic. Leader of U.S. team. High character player.
27. Arizona Coyotes Lane Hutson, D, USA U-18 (USHL)
He’s only 5-foot-8, 160 pounds, but can play at an amazing level. Hutson has dazzling skating and playmaking ability. If he were bigger, he would be a top five pick. This is a good roll of the dice pick for a team with multiple picks.
28. Buffalo Sabres: Sam Rinzel, D, Chaska High School
The 6-foot-4 is one of the youngest players in the draft. He will play college hockey at Minnesota, but not until 2023. He is a an impact offensive defenseman worth waiting for.
29.Edmonton Oilers: Denton Mateychuk, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Mateychuk is an attacking offensive defenseman who put up 64 points in 65 games. Eye-catching acceleration.
30. Winnipeg Jets: Jagger Firkis, RW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Red Line Report sees him as a Vince Trocheck style of player. He’s probably only 160 pounds on his heaviest day. But the kid creates offense. He has a quick release to go with an NHL-caliber shot.
31. Tampa Bay Lightning: Nathan Gaucher, C-RW, Quebec
Scouts like his 6-foot-3 frame, skating ability and strong shot. He netted 31 goals last season.
32. Arizona Coyotes:Tristan Luneau, D, Gatineau, (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
Poised offensive defenseman who posted 12 goals and 43 points this past season.
Deals that impacted this year’s NHL draft Order
Chicago traded its first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft to the Columbus Blue Jackets (6th overall) as part of the Seth Jones trade.
Los Angeles moved its first-round pick to the Minnesota Wild (19th overall) as part of the Kevin Fiala trade.
Boston dealt its first-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks (22nd overall) as part of the Hampus Lindholm trade.
Vegas moved its first-round pick to the Buffalo Sabres (16th overall) as part of the Jack Eichel trade.
Calgary transferred its first-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens (26th overall) as part of the Tyler Toffoli trade.
Montreal traded its first-round pick to the Arizona Coyotes (27th overall) as part of the Christian Dvorak trade.
Florida peddled its first-round to the Buffalo Sabres (28th overall) as part of the Sam Reinhart trade.
NY Rangers transferred its first-round pick to the Winnipeg Jets (30th overall) as part of the Andrew Copp trade.
Colorado sent its first-round pick to the Arizona Coyotes (32nd overall) as part of the Darcy Kuemper trade.
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