Kingston Frontenacs (Ontario Hockey League) center Shane Wright has been tabbed as the top prospect in the class of 2022. It’s quite possible he’ll go to the Montreal Canadiens with the top pick, but it’s not a slam dunk like we’ve seen in recent years with the Owen Power, Alexis Lafreniere and Jack Hughes to be No.1. So as the 2022 draft approaches and that uncertainty remains at the top, here’s a closer look at some of the top prospects who will hear their names called during Round 1.
Shane Wright – C, Kingston (OHL)
Wright isn’t a shoe-in for the top pick, but he has a huge upside that warrants the Canadiens grabbing him at No. 1. The Kingston center is about as lethal as it gets when he has the puck in open space . He has a deadly accurate shot. In his final two seasons with the Frontenacs, Wright had 71 goals and 89 assists and was the youngest captain in OHL history. He has drawn comparisons to Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron because of his playmaking ability and defensive tendencies. Wright isn’t the most elite prospect we’ve seen in years, but he has all the attributes an NHL team wants in a top center. Possible landing spots: Montreal Canadiens (No. 1), New Jersey Devils (No. 2), Arizona Coyotes (No. 3)
Simon Nemec – RHD, HK Nitra (Slovakia)
Nemec is the top defenseman in the 2022 class and is extremely strong. He is an excellent offensive defenseman who has played the last three seasons in the top league in Slovakia, so Nemec will be battle tested and very close to being NHL ready. I would expect the Montreal Canadiens and New Jersey Devils to take an elite forward with the first two picks. However, Nemec could easily be taken with the No. 3 pick by the Arizona Coyotes, especially with star defenseman Jakob Chychrun recently revealing he doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild. Possible landing spots: Arizona Coyotes (No. 3), Seattle Kraken (No. 4), Philadelphia Flyers (No. 5)
Juraj Slafkovsky – LW, HC TPS (Slovakia)
Slafkovsky is a big forward who really burst onto the scene at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where he led all scorers with seven goals and was named tournament MVP as he led Slovakia to the bronze medal. The Slovakian winger really has no problem establishing his presence in those tough areas around the net. Slafkovsky uses his big frame to hold the puck and should excel on the forecheck at the next level. Assuming Wright is taken by the Canadiens with the top pick, the Devils could be all over Slafkosvky at No. 2 and pair him with star center Jack Hughes on the team’s top line. However, Slafkovsky could certainly go to the Canadiens with the top pick if they don’t choose to take Wright. Possible landing spots: Montreal Canadiens (No. 1) New Jersey Devils (No. 2), Arizona Coyotes (No. 3)
Logan Cooley – C, USA U18 National Team
In addition to Wright, Logan Cooley is one of the top centers in the 2022 class and has likely cemented himself as a top-five pick. Cooley, committed to the University of Minnesota, is arguably the top two-way center in this class and thrived playing for the U18 USA National Team. He is a fantastic puck handler in the offensive zone and would truly be a huge addition to any franchise. If the Coyotes don’t take a defenseman with the third pick, it would make a lot of sense for them to hitch their wagon to Cooley as one of their top forward prospects. Likely landing spots: Arizona Coyotes (No. 3), Philadelphia Flyers (No. 5)
David Jiricek – RHD, HC Plzen (Czech Republic)
It’s not going to be a huge surprise if two defensemen are selected in the top five. Czech defenseman David Jiricek projects as a top blueliner due to his large frame at 6’3 and 190 pounds. Jiricek has a terrific right hand shot from the point and brings a physical presence to the table. The Czech product is a powerful skater who has no problem jumping into a rush when the opportunity presents itself. Even if Nemec is the top pick on Thursday, teams like the Seattle Kraken and Philadelphia Flyers have a huge need on defense, so Jiricek could certainly be a top pick. Possible landing spots: Seattle Kraken (No. 4), Philadelphia Flyers (No. 5)
Cutter Gauthier – C/LW, US U18 National Team
Cutter Gauthier has really moved up draft boards in recent months. He’s a lethal forward who has a ton of speed and a knack for putting the puck in the net. In 54 games with the US U18 National Team last season, Gautier scored 65 points (34 goals and 31 assists). On the open ice, there are very few players who are more dangerous with the puck on their stick than he is. Given his offensive firepower, it’s very likely that Gauthier will go in the first seven or eight picks. If the top two defensemen are off the board, the Flyers would make a ton of sense as a team to grab Gauthier. Possible landing spots: Philadelphia Flyers (No. 5), Columbus Blue Jackets (No. 6), Ottawa Senators (No. 7)
Matthew Savoie – C, Winnipeg (WHL)
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Matthew Savoie is a gifted playmaker with the only downside being his smaller frame at 5’9, 175 pounds. Savoie spent his time as a top center for the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League and showcased his excellent skills. Given his size, it will be interesting to see if an NHL team chooses to move him to the wing. No matter where he plays, Savoie is a gifted passer who has no problem setting up teammates around the net. Savoie had 35 goals and 55 assists in 65 games last season, while his 90 points also led all WHL rookies. He’ll likely slip out of the top five picks, but the Red Wings could be a pick at No. 8 given their recent success developing young forwards. Possible landing spots: Ottawa Senators (No. 7), Detroit Red Wings (No. 8)
Jonathan Lekkerimaki – C, Djurgårdens IF (Germany)
Jonathan Lekkerimaki is a player who will do whatever it takes to find the back of the net. Lekkerimaki can score on point shots, but she’s also not afraid to score in that tough area in front of the net. Given his scoring ability, the Swedish star will likely find himself on the top power-play once he reaches the NHL level. Lekkerimaki is a nice consolation prize for either team to lose one of the top centers in the 2022 class. The Red Wings or Sabers could be realistic options with the Sabers likely grabbing the best available player regardless the position. Possible landing spots: Detroit Red Wings (No. 8), Buffalo Sabers (No. 9), San Jose Sharks (No. 11)
Joakim Kemell – RW, JYP (Finland)
Joakim Kemell is one of the most lethal scorers in the class of 2022. One of Kemell’s strongest attributes is his stick handling, which is also one of the reasons he is so dangerous with the puck. The Finnish product has a hot shot and really does significant damage to one timers. Kemell should definitely go in the top 10 picks of Thursday’s draft and could go as high as No. 6 to the Columbus Blue Jackets. That would be fitting, since his game is quite similar to that of Blue Jackets star Patrik Laine. Possible landing spots: Columbus Blue Jackets (No. 6), Ottawa Senators (No. 7), Buffalo Sabers (No. 9), San Jose Sharks (No. 11)
Marco Kasper – C, Rogle BK (Sweden)
Marco Kasper isn’t crazy flashy when it comes to his offensive game, but his big frame should make him an asset at the NHL level. He is also a very physical player who is not afraid to finish a check. Kasper makes the most sense for the Red Wings with the eighth overall pick for a team that could use more physical presence among its top six forwards. The Swedish import could easily make a career out of imposing his will around the net and scoring many difficult goals. Possible landing spots: Detroit Red Wings (No. 8), Anaheim Ducks (No. 10)
Kevin Korchinski – LHD, Seattle (WHL)
Kevin Korchinski, 18, could make the top 10. He is coming off a 65-point season (four goals and 61 assists) with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. Korchinski is definitely a two-way player who possesses strong skating skills. If he lands at No. 11, the San Jose Sharks could be an option for Korczynski as the franchise rebuilds. The Sharks don’t have much young talent on the blue line with Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns past their prime. Possible landing spots: Anaheim Ducks (No. 10), San Jose Sharks (No. 11)
