2022 NHL Draft: Ranking The Top 50 NHL Draft Prospects

2022 NHL Draft: Ranking The Top 50 NHL Draft Prospects

Only a couple of weeks separate us from the 2022 NHL Draft. While the Colorado Avalanche are one win away from hoisting their third Stanley Cup trophy over the reigning two-time champion, Tampa Bay Lightning, 30 other front offices are fixated on which young player(s) they will have an opportunity to select. So, without further ado, here are the rankings for the top 50 NHL Draft prospects in the 2022 NHL Draft.

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1. Shane Wright, C, KINGSTON (OHL)

Shane Wright is regarded as the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. Centering Kingston in the OHL, Wright finished eighth in scoring and has elite vision and stick handling to bolster his resumè.

2. Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS (FIN)

A big-bodied left-wing bruiser, Juraj Slafkovsky has been phenomenal playing in Finland's top league, Liiga. Despite his imposing size, Slafkovsky moves with grace and is extremely fast and skilled with the puck. Standing at 6-4, 229 pounds, Slafkovsky will immediately impact any NHL team.

3. Logan Cooley, C, USA U-18 (NTDP)

Logan Cooley is much smaller than either of the previous top prospects, but he is only 17-year-old. Nevertheless, scouts rave about his speed and IQ while admiring his ability to deke defenders easily. Cooley will spend next season playing at the collegiate level at the University of Minnesota regardless of which team selects him in the draft.

4. CUTTER GAUTHIER, LW, USA U-18 (NTDP)

Versatility and shooting are the primary skills possessed by 18-year-old Cutter Gauthier. He's committed to playing next season at Boston College, but he has the frame (6-2, 190) to be an enforcer to create turnovers. He's a mixture of talent that can be utilized on both ends of the rink.

5. JOAKIM KEMELL, RW, JYP (CZREP)

Teams needing offense should gravitate towards Joakim Kemell in the early part of the draft. Kemell is a winger with all of the requisite attributes to be a solid contributor on an attack line, while his shot stands out as his primary skill. In addition, his lack of size at 5-11, 171 deceives opponents and scouts, as Kemell is an aggressive player with a wicked wrist shot.

6. DAVID JIRICEK, D, PLZN (CZREP)

The top-ranked defenseman in the draft is David Jiricek. The 18-year-old Czech stands at a towering 6-3, 190 pounds and is a right-handed shooter capable of burying goals and manufacturing assists. Scouts note that his knee surgery has him skating a bit stiff and timid at times; however, he has quality vision and shooting. In addition, Jiricek is a force in the defensive zone due to his length and physicality.

7. SIMON NEMEC, D, NITRA (SLVK)

Defensemen come in all shapes and sizes. They don't have to all be enforcers and built like skyscrapers. Simon Nemec profiles as a smaller wing at 6-0, 190 pounds, but he's tough and highly skilled with the puck. His passing and vision stand out as the top traits from an offensive perspective. Nemec's skating in the defensive zone allows him to stay squarely in front of the opponent to disrupt dangerous plays.

8. MATTHEW SAVOIE, C, WINNIPEG (OHL)

Matthew Savoie is a slighter build, but he is an elite scoring talent. His shot, passing, and vision are all high-caliber skills. In addition, Savoie's competitive motor and fearlessness to contest opponents in-between zones separates him from the other prospects below him in this draft class.

9. MARCO KASPER, C, ROGLE (SWE)

Marco Kasper offers experience and is a sturdy presence in the middle of an attack line. The 17-year-old Swede is 6-1, 183 and is a left-handed shooter, using a captivating blend of physicality and speed to win the puck quickly and navigate the offensive zone.

10. JONATHAN LEKKERIMAKI, RW, DJURGARDEN (SWE)

Jonathan Lekkerimaki is another Swede drawing serious attention in this draft class. He can easily generate scoring opportunities and deploy an arsenal of shots that often find the back of the net. However, he's only 5-10, 165 pounds, which may result in Lekkerimaki falling slightly down draft boards and winding up on a contender.

11. DANILA YUROV, RW, MAGNITOGORSK (RUS)

Danila Yurov is among the best skaters in this draft class. He also possesses high-end stick skills that allow him to create separation and quality scoring opportunities for the offense. Yurov is 6-1, 180 pounds, and is a left-handed shooter, scoring 11 points across seven games at the U18 World Championship.

12. CONOR GEEKIE, C, WINNIPEG (WHL)

Teams who want a low-turnover, high-motor player should look at Conor Geekie. He's a center who uses his size to his advantage on both ends of the ice, tapping into his 6-3, 196-pound frame to physically impose on defense. On offense, Geekie has perfect handles with the stick, which offsets his average skating ability.

13. PAVEL MINTYUKOV, D, SAGINAW (OHL)

One of the top-scoring defensemen in the NHL, Pavel Mintyukov, has few weaknesses in his game. He has maximum reach and physicality to dominate in the defensive zone while offering elite skating to bypass defenders to set up a scoring possession in the offensive zone. In addition, Mintyukov has a fierce shot that can be beneficial during plus-man advantages.

14. LIAM OHGREN, LW, LEKSAND (SWE)

Liam Ohgren is a talented winger scoring and racking up points for his team. He can create plays on his own by using his strength, shooting, and vision to manufacture scoring opportunities. In addition, Ohgren has the talent and drive to finish plays in the offensive zone from any spot.

15. KEVIN KORCHINSKI, D, SEATTLE (WHL)

Teams seeking a defenseman who prioritizes offense over defending the back-end should target Kevin Korchinski. The 17-year-old measures 6-2, 185 pounds, and has immense skating talent. It doesn't translate into his defensive game yet, but his ability to avoid poke checks and take big hits will be assets for teams in need of offense.

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16. LUCA DEL BEL BELLUZ, C, MISSISSAUGA (OHL)

Teams seeking a skilled center who can beat defenders with puck handles need to look at Luca Del Bel Belluz. The 18-year-old is a bit undersized at 175 pounds, but his low-end speed could result in Del Bel Belluz dropping further than expected.

17. ISAAC HOWARD, LW, USA U-18 (NTDP)

Isaac Howard may lack precision shooting, but he recently scored four points across five games during the U18 World Championship. While Howard is committed to playing collegiately for a year in Minnesota-Duluth, he has ridiculous stick handles and the elite vision to execute crisp passes to establish scoring possessions.

18. LIAN BISCHEL, D, LEKSAND (SWE)

Lian Bischel is a towering defenseman who can leverage his physicality to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. As a result, he will log heavy minutes for a team that needs to shore up their leaky defense.

19. BRAD LAMBERT, C, PELICANS (FIN)

An explosive player with elusivity, Brad Lambert should be collecting minutes on the third line of a team in 2022. Lambert's skating is his best trait, but he also possesses enough stick handling to maneuver through tight spaces.

20. JIMMY SNUGGERUD, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP)

Jimmy Snuggerud needs to develop his skating ability, but has a long-range shot that many teams covet. He's committed to the University of Minnesota for a year, but that won't stop teams from drafting the underrated winger.

21. JAGGER FIRKUS, RW, MOOSE JAW (WHL)

A creative winger with the ability to deke the best defenders, teams will be drooling over Jagger Firkus' elite shot variation.

22. DAVID GOYETTE, C, SUDBURY (OHL)

Some scouts are concerned with David Goyette's motor, but he is a quality center who utilizes his puck skills to navigate the middle of the ice. Speed and strength combine to make Goyette an exciting prospect with upside heading into the 2022-23 NHL season.

24. IVAN MIROSHNICHENKO, LW, OMSK KRYLIA (RUS)

Few flaws can be found when assessing Ivan Miroschnichenko. He's got a high-caliber shot in the offensive zone and uses his 6-1, 185-pound frame to play a strong brand of hockey. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma a few months ago, a significant concern for a lot of teams.

25. DENTON MATEYCHUK, D, MOOSE JAW (WHL)

Skating and shooting are the traits that Denton Mateychuk flashes in spades. He is a good defender and an elite skater, making him a coveted first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.

26. OWEN PICKERING, D, SWIFT CURRENT (WHL)

One of Canada's top three players during the U18 World Championship, Owen Pickering is a towering 6-4 and has the necessary tools to be a textbook NHL enforcer in the defensive zone.

27. NATHAN GAUCHER, C, QUEBEC (QMJHL)

Unlike many of the other prospects covered thus far, Nathan Gaucher does everything well, but no particular area should be considered elite. He should help a team in need of establishing possessions in the offensive zone.

28. ELIAS SALOMONSSON, D, SKELLEFTEA JR. (SWE)

Elias Salomonsson is strong despite his stature, possessing a wicked one-timer shot, generating and receiving passes with finesse and excellent touch. Salomonsson uses his strength to bully opposing offenses in the defensive zone.

29. JIRI KULICH, C, KARLOVY VARY (CZREP)

Jiri Kulich is not going to manufacture his own offense every time, but he's excellent at competing and manufacturing wristers and one-timers from all areas of the offensive zone.

30. ALEXANDER PEREVALOV, LW, YAROSLAVL 2 (RUS)

Another nifty shooter with a bag of shots, Alexander Perevalov, will need to improve his skating if he wants to earn minutes on top attack lines. However, the upside and development make Perevalov an intriguing prospect.

31. RIEGER LORENZ, LW, OKOTOKS (AJHL)

Rieger Lorenz has a ton of offensive skill to tap into, but his IQ and ability to avoid collisions need work. Stickhandling and shooting are his primary attributes.

32. GLEB TRIKOZOV, LW, OMSK 2 (RUS)

Gleb Trikozov has the vision, puck handling, and shooting skills to make him a solid late first-round draft pick on Draft Night.

33. CALLE ODELIUS, D, DJURGARDEN JR. (SWE)

Calle Odelius is not the most imposing defenseman in this draft class, but he has top-end skating and an innate hockey IQ to counter his lackluster puck handling.

34. FILIP BYSTEDT, C, LINKOPING JR. (SWE)

Any team willing to invest a few seasons into developing Filip Bystedt's overall game could wind up reaping massive rewards. Bystedt will excite team's as a 6-3, 187-pound center.

35. RYAN CHESLEY, D, USA U-18 (NTDP)

Ryan Chesley can absolutely carve up the ice with his skating, which is a unique skill for a defenseman to possess. Teams will leverage Chesley's physicality and skating, while also admiring his strong one-timer shot.

36. NOAH OSTLUND, C, DJURGARDEN JR. (SWE)

Another player with seemingly no limitations, Noah Ostlund earned his stripes in Sweden across a couple of different leagues.

37. MATTIAS HAVELID, D, LINKOPING JR. (SWE)

Lack of size continues to keep quality prospects available at a discount, as Mattias Havelid possesses a high-end shot that frequently lights the lamp. He's also a quality skater, which should keep him competitive at the highest level.

38. SAM RINZEL, D, CHASKA (HIGH-MN)

Sam Rinzel is a wiry 6-4, 177-pound defenseman who can become an asset for any team when contributing in the offensive zone.

39. MAVERIC LAMOUREUX, D, DRUMMONDVILLE (QMJHL)

Maveric Lamoureux will be an enforcer against all teams in 2022. The 6-6, 200-pound defenseman is mobile, explosive, and physical in the defensive zone and can skate well despite his size.

40. FRANK NAZAR, C, USA U-18 (NTDP)

Frank Nazar has committed to Michigan but he's already immensely talented as a scorer. Nazar has a high-motor that allows him to succeed in most situations on the ice.

41. FILIP MESAR, RW, POPRAD (SLK)

Teams in need of an absolute burner on skates will seek out Filip Mesar. The Slovakian is poised to make a big splash in future years due to his playmaking ability.

42. TOMAS HAMARA, D, TAPPARA JR. (FIN)

Tomas Hamara does not possess the high-end skills that a lot of the other defensemen in this draft class have displayed but he is a quality skater who can run interference and deliver a bristling shot.

43. RUTGER MCGROARTY, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP)

When scoring opportunities arise, Rutger McGroarty has typically find them. After scoring eight goals at the U18 Worlds this past season, the talented winger committed to the University of Michigan but will definitely be taken off of draft boards during the two days in Montreal.

44. MATYAS SAPOVALIV, C, SAGINAW (OHL)

Matyas Sapovaliv is a left-handed center who can create, distribute, and finish offensive possessions with ease. Sapovaliv will need to improve his skating at the next level to compete for quality minutes.

45. KIRILL DOLZHENKOV, RW, CSKA 2 (RUS)

Kirill Dolzhenkov might be the size of an NFL linebacker at 6-6, 234-pounds. Yet he's got enough vision, IQ, and a high-motor to counter his skating ability. The Russian winger may need to shed a few pounds to improve his quickness.

46. OTTO SALIN, D, HIFK JR. (FIN)

Defensemen such as Otto Salin, who can extend plays and handle the puck, are always an asset in the NHL. The Finnish defenseman does struggle to stave off opponents in the defensive zone, which is why he's down on draft boards.

47. TRISTAN LUNEAU, D, GATINEAU (QMJHL)

Stick-handling and strong shooting are the main components that defenseman Tristan Luneau offers. The 17-year-old has good size at 6-1, 188-pounds but he needs to become more aggressive and leverage his frame.

48. LANE HUTSON, D, USA U-18 (NTDP)

Despite skating at under 150 pounds, Lane Hutson has immense hockey IQ that allows him to be good in all other metrics. The ability to use his stick in every area of the ice allows Hutson to overcome his lack of size. Huston is a steal for whichever NHL franchise lands him.

49. FRASER MINTEN, C, KAMLOOPS (WHL)

Scoring and deking are desirable traits to every team in the league, which makes Fraser Minten a quality center for teams to target.

50. JANI NYMAN, RW, ILVES (FIN)

Jani Nyman has a very good shot and sound puck handling, which adds to his appeal as a big-framed 6-2, 212-pound winger.