Final 2022 Top 50 Draft Rankings
TIER I
No. 1, Shane Wright, C, OHL
Canadian, 6’ 198lbs., 1/5/2004
Wright has been the consensus no. 1 pick in this year’s draft since he was 15, and that should not change by any means. Wright possesses all the tools a player needs to be a first line player in the NHL, that make major contributions to his team in all areas, and during all moments on the ice. Wright has an exceptionally high hockey IQ, and an NHL ready rocket of a shot. His playmaking ability was showcased constantly this season, and if he can learn to balance out the few shortcomings in his game he’ll be a superstar.
TIER II
No. 2, Logan Cooley, C, USNTDP U18
American, 5’10” 181lbs., 5/4/2004
Cooley is an offensive dynamo, and is unquestionably one of, or if not probably the most exciting player to watch play. Cooley has elite hands, and in-tight skill. He can get in and out of certain situations with ease, being propelled by his elite edgework, and suuuper high end speed. His shot can’t be slept on either; although a lot of his scoring chances come from plays generated by his stickhandling, he’s more than capable of releasing a dangerous wrist shot. He plays a similar game to who many analysts are projecting will be his future teammate in Clayton Keller.
No. 3, Brad Lambert, C/RW, Liiga
Finnish, 6’ 183lbs., 12/19/2003
Call me crazy, but Lambert is in my eyes the only true player that really should have any sort of hype to be selected no. 1 overall over Wright. He’s not Aatu Raty, he’s not some fricken European guy that’ll slip because of his production, because Lambert is good to the point where numbers shouldn’t matter. He’s being absolutely slept on right now, and just like Will Scouch said, he’s “the most misunderstood player available in the 2022 draft.” Lambert has tremendous skill, with tremendous speed and skating. He’s clearly the best player in the draft if you take out Wright and Cooley, and I don’t get why people aren’t latching onto that. Sure he’ll make some stupid mistakes, but when it’s all said and done, you walk out of the rink wondering who #50 was; ladies and gents, Lambert is the next great Finnish prospect and he’s right in front of us, but we just don’t seem to care.
No. 4, Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, Liiga
Slovak, 6’4” 218lbs., 3/30/2004
Slafkovsky has somehow been getting 1st overall buzz by the media, probably over something stupid like Martin St. Louis said he likes bigger players or something. Don’t ask me, however I won’t take too much more away from this man. Slafkovsky is an absolute stud, and is an athletic freak. How many 6’4” 220 pound wingers do you see skating like the wind, with buttery smooth hands, and an absolute boom of a shot. Besides the shot part of it, not many. Slafkovsky is the leader of a great wave of Slovakian hockey we’re experiencing. He won a bronze medal for the Slovaks in the Olympics, and even tallied 7 goals in 7 games. Slafkovsky is locked on my list at 4, and you can’t convince me otherwise. He’s so good, at such an NHL level size, which is what has just about everyone drooling over the chance of getting this guy in the draft.
TIER III
No. 5, David Jiricek, D, Czechia
Czech, 6’3” 190lbs., 11/28/2003
Jiricek was on pace to being a potential top 3 selection in this year’s draft, and still might be, before he went down with a scary knee injury during the world juniors. Up until that point, Jiricek had totaled 11 points in 29 Czech men’s league games, and had shown flashes of elite level NHL physicality, and readiness. He has a cannon from the point, and is able to make the smart plays in the defensive zone when called upon. He has good mobility, and is able to control the puck on the rush. His elite gap control, and length makes it hard on opposing players to get past Jiricek, and to get rid of the puck if it already hasn’t been obtained by him or his teammates. His effectiveness in all areas of the ice leads me to believe that he’ll be a top 4-2 defenseman in the NHL, and will have a career ceiling of a 30+ point defenseman that’ll routinely be put on the ice for the power play, penalty killing, and high pressure situations.
No. 6, Frank Nazar, C/RW, USNTDP U18
American, 5’10” 181lbs., 1/14/2004
Nazar has done nothing but impress scouts ever since he was a teenager. Nazar has been committed to playing at the university of Michigan ever since he was playing at the U15 AAA level, as he’s one of the youngest recruits ever. Nazar is a flashy offensive winger that has great hands, and a knack for scoring. He’s a stat sheet stuffer, and has a versatile skill set that allows him to be effective even as a smaller sized forward. He has a high end motor, and will burn opposing defenders if he hasn’t already undressed them with an array of moves. He’s able to dissect opposing defenses with his dynamic play style, which either leads to one of three things: a prime scoring chance, a goal by himself, or a goal for a teammate. All of them sound pretty good to me. Speaking of goals for his teammates, he has underrated vision, as 42 of his 70 points this season were assists, and not just shot assists. He was consistently able to break down the play and find ways to get teammates open. His shot… Well, let’s just say it’s pretty darn good as well. If he can maintain his level of shiftiness and high end skating, he could be a great winger in the NHL for years to come.
No. 7, Matthew Savoie, C, WHL
Canadian, 5’9” 170lbs., 1/1/2004
Savoie is an undersized, yet electric prospect that has been on the minds of NHL scouts since his battles with Connor Bedard in High School. Savoie showcased his speed, and scoring this season, dominating the offensive zone time after time with his quick hands and decision making. Savoie is excel,ent when it comes to generating offense from all areas of the ice. No matter if it is transition, on the power play, or during the breakout, he’s thinking a step ahead to try and put the puck in the net. He was able to show why he was so highly touted this year, with his lethal shot alone. He generates so many highlight reel plays from a stand still just using his shot, hands, and playmaking, that you forget he’s probably the fastest player in the draft. Along with his insane speed, he has excellent edge work and agility. You're drafting him for his offense, and his offense is pretty darn good.
No. 8, Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, SHL
Swedish, 5’11” 172lbs., 7/24/2004
Lekkerimaki’s draft stock shot up during his U18 world’s performance. Lekkerimaki demonstrated his elite shot and even better offensive skill and instincts, as well as why he should be a top 10 pick in this year’s draft, which he now most certainly will be. Lekkerimaki recorded 35 points in 26 Swedish U20 games, along with 9 in 26 games in the SHL, and finally a tournament leading 15 points in 6 world U18 championship games. Lekkerimaki was simply a menace to opposing defenses. He’s a powerful skater, and uses his body to help shield the puck from opposing forecheckers. He has a nice pair of mitts that he uses systematically to help him create space, and find open areas of the to attack. Lekkerimaki is a more versatile version of Alexander Holtz. He has a knack for finding the back of the net, and seems to always be able to get himself in the right place at the right time. However, he’s more capable of spreading the puck, and feeding the system.
No. 9, Simon Nemec, D, Slovakia
Slovak, 6’1” 192lbs., 2/15/2004
Nemec is this year’s draft class second best available defenseman on the board, who has top 2 pick potential. Negev is great at pushing play positively up the ice through transitional play, and by breaking the puck out his own end himself. He also possesses excellent vision he’ll usually use to find an open man after making the first move through transition. Another bonus factor Nemec has to his game is his smarts and confidence with the puck on his stick. He’s able to slow the pace of the game down with his skating and quick thinking. Nemec is capable of quarterbacking a power play, and has a good wrist shot, and one timer from the point that has some mustard behind it. He’s also physically gifted, however will have to learn how to use his body more effectively as he progresses to the NHL; as right now he can be seen as too reliant on his stick and length in the defensive zone. He’ll also need to become more consistent with his decision making, and maybe be a little more safe at times. If he can clear up the two major setbacks in his game he could become a franchise staple for whatever team that drafts him.
No. 10, Danila Yurov, RW, MHL
Russian, 6’1” 179lbs., 12/22/2003
Yurov is an offensive minded winger with a lot of potential at the NHL level if he can properly round out, and mature his game to NHL standards. He’ll also need to buff up, as he has good length but only has about 179 pounds on his frame. If he can do this, his skill will fill out the rest, as he’s a great playmaker, with close to elite vision and hockey IQ. His skating is great in a straight line, and can get himself up into the offensive zone where his hands and shot often take over. Similar to Lekkerimaki, Yurov always seems to be able to get himself into the right spots and situations to score goals, and generate chances. His hands in tight areas are elite, and he can beat defenders one on one almost with ease. He’s able to dissect the play around him in small areas, determining what to do with the puck. His whole game revolves around attacking the high danger areas of the ice, and how to get the puck to the high danger areas of the ice. I’d say he’s pretty good at it too. He projects as a top 20-10 pick, scoring 50-60 points a season, similar to a role like Blues’ forward Pavel Buchnevich.
TIER IV
Player Emphasizes:
Noah Ostlund - J20 Nationell, Swedish, 5’11” 163lbs., 3/11/2004
Ostlund is probably one of the biggest sleepers in this year’s draft. The undersized Swedish forward has some of the best edges in the draft, and he is also a top 5 fastest player in the class. Ostlund possesses a lot of skill, especially when it comes to effectively distributing the puck to teammates. To round this out, he has one of the highest ceilings in the draft; his game is reminiscent of Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond.
Jiri Kulich - Czechia, Czech, 6’ 172lbs., 4/14/2004
Much like Lekkerimaki, Kulich’s draft stock shot up during the world U18 tournament where he led all skaters with 9 goals, and finished with 11 points in 6 games. Kulich time after time has demonstrated his elite shot, and nose for the net. Probably his best attribute is the variety in which he can get the puck in the back of the net. Kulich by no means is one of the best skaters in the draft, but he does possess some good straight line speed and acceleration. He can be aggressive defensively, but some consistency will need to be coached into him.
TIER V
Player Emphasizes:
Gleb Trikozov - MHL, Russian, 6’1” 185lbs.m 8/12/2004
Trikozov is a lanky skater, with excellent skill, and a well rounded game. He has a heavy shot, and is able to use it from anywhere on the ice. It’s probably one of the deadliest, and most accurate in the whole draft; finding ways to get to his spots, and get it past goaltenders from all over the ice. He’s an absolute horse in the offensive zone, and will do anything in his power to try and get the puck in the net. If he can further refine his game, and become a little bit more agile so that when he’s not going full speed in a straight line he doesn’t have to just operate in a stand still; he could be a great addition to any team needing a swiss army knife style of a player you can plug in in all situations.
Mattias Havelid - J20 Nationell, Swedish, 5’10” 172lbs., 1/1/2004
Havelid really started to impress scouts towards the end of the season. During the U18 World Championships, Havelid recorded 4 goals, and 12 points in 6 games, finishing second in scoring in the tournament; making him the first defenseman to finish top 2 in tournament scoring since Miro Heiskenan in 2017. Havelid has a rocket from the point, and possesses the best shot from any defenseman in the 2022 draft class. Although his frame may suggest a smaller sized d-man, Havelid plays nothing like it. He has great vision, and a high hockey sense. He can spot open teammates a mile away, and can get them the puck with pinpoint accuracy. He’s also a strong skater, with good four way mobility. Havelid will have to work on buffing up if he wants to stand a chance against NHL level forecheckers, and will need to be a little less trigger happy, but if he can properly develop his skills he’ll be a good top 4 defenseman in the league.
TIER VI
Player Emphasizes:
Sam Rinzel - American, USHS-MN, 6’3” 181lbs., 6/25/2004
Rinzel is one of the most exciting players to watch in this year’s draft when the puck is on their stick. Rinzel has a high end hockey IQ, and his big frame at nearly 6’4’ 180 pounds is just another plus when looking at his game and how it will translate to the NHL. Rinzel has great puck handling, and is able to maneuver in and out of areas on the ice with ease. He’s an absolute anchor on the blue line, as his combination of skill, skating, playmaking, and length already makes him one of the best raw prospects this draft has to offer. Give him a couple seasons in the NCAA, and I don’t just a hobey baker finalist, but a potential NHL All-Star as well.
Mathew Ward - Canadian, WHL, 5’8” 157lbs., 1/24/2004
Ward is a spittin image of Travis Konecny. That’s all I should have to say for you to get a good image in your head of how the scrappy Kamloops native plays. Ward is in my eyes one of the most heavily slept on prospects in the draft, and when looking at his 5’8” frame it’s not hard to understand why. Ward possesses all the tools you need in order to play at the NHL level. An insane amount of scrappiness and heart, as well as a great amount of skill, and just the ability to do just about whatever his team needs him to do, whenever they need him to do it.
TIER VII
Players Emphasizes:
Beau Jelsma - Canadian, OHL, 5’10’ 178lbs., 4/28/2004
Jelsma is a quick, offensive minded winger that plays an above average two way game. Jelsma has good skill, and a good set of hands. If he can continue to improve the main attributes that thrive in his game he can be a great middle six piece to a team's scoring offense.
Owen Pickering - Canadian, WHL, 6’5” 179lbs., 1/27/2004
Pickering is a two way defenseman, with potential on both sides of the rink, that has a major boost with the frame he gives coaches, and teams to work with. Pickering showcased an unusual trait as a defenseman this season, which was the ability to create effective screens on broken plays in the offensive zone, and to be in the areas at the right time to wreak havoc down low. Pickering will have to mature a lot, but if he can, he’ll be the definition of a mobile tank that’s more than capable of setting up the play in the offensive zone through transitions, and breakout plays.
TIER VIII
Player Emphasizes:
Elias Salomonsson - Swedish, J20 Nationell, 6’1” 183lbs., 8/31/2004
Salomonsson hasn’t gotten worse by any means, it’s just the matter that everyone else has caught up to him, and what looked like to be a future 1st round pick is looking more like a 2nd-4th round pick. Despite this, Salomonsson still has some areas of his game that really shine. For example, his four way mobility, vision, hockey sense, and shot are all very nice. He’s able to quarterback a power play, and has very good physical attributes. If he can learn to put the pieces of the puzzle together, he looks to be a top 4 defenseman at the NHL, with a similar play style to Philip Broberg.
Vinzenz Rohrer - Austrian, OHL, 5’11” 168lbs., 9/7/2004
Rohrer is one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft. Is that solely because of the fact that he has some of the best hands in the draft, and his feet or no slower, absolutely. Rohrer’s first season in North America was no disappointment on the stat sheet as well, scoring 48 points in 64 games for the Ottawa 67’s. Rohrer’s offensive skill set has been mentored by fellow countrymen Marco Rossi, who will work as a great mentor as he transitions his game to the NHL. Rohrer’s offensive game will be the main driver if he gets drafted, and if he can develop his size, and all-around game, Rohrer has the ceiling of a middle six, 30-40+ point forward in the NHL.
