Friday, July 1, 2022

2022 Draft: Flamestr's Mock Draft




It's time for the NHL scouts to earn their paycheques. All eyes are on the host team, the Montreal Canadiens. Not that anyone doubts whether the Habs will keep their picks or trade them. I have to admit that this year the top five are pretty secure picks. After that, it is anyone's guess. Be patient with me as I struggle to figure out who goes where. I mostly picked players based on the team's needs as I see them. 


1 Shane Wright 

Montreal Canadiens


Everyone picks Wright for number one in the draft. Shane is the best stick handler in the draft. His hockey IQ is through the roof. He is very smart with the puck, makes good decisions, and is a precision passer. His shot can be tricky. Goalies are never quite sure whether he will shoot or pass. 


2 Juraj Slafkovsky - Right-wing/Left-wing

New Jersey Devils


Juraj is a powerful power forward who can steamroll over you or simply fake you out of your jock strap. He has a menacing hard shot that goes through goalies. He is a surprisingly good passer; you usually don't expect that from a power forward. 


I love this kid. He reminds me of Kevin Stevens. In my opinion, Juraj is the third-best prospect, but the Devils should go with the position they need, not the best player. 


3 Logan Cooley - Centre

Arizona Coyotes


Logan is a hard-working centre who has all the talent in the world. He is a fast, smooth skater who is accurate from zone to zone. Logan's ability to think on the fly makes him dynamic, always thinking two or three moves ahead. He is a terrific playmaker. I would match his passing skills with anyone in this draft.


4 Simon Nemec - Defense

Seattle Kraken

Simon is probably the best defender in the draft. He is described as an outstanding all-around defenceman. Simon has tremendous skills and could probably stick handle the puck through a phone booth. He is defensively sound in his own zone, and he knows where he is supposed to be. Scouts can't say enough about how mature he is. Simon has a very high hockey IQ. The Kraken would be lucky to get him. 



5 David Jiříček - Defense  

Philadelphia Flyers


David is a terrific skater with a high hockey IQ. An excellent passer with great vision, he will find you if you are in the open. David knows when to pinch in the offensive zone; he has perfect timing for his pinches. He is a pinpoint passer; this combined with his great puck skills, makes him a dangerous weapon. In defense, he will stick to his opponent like glue and knows his assignments. He will not let you out of his sight. David is a welcomed addition to any powerplay. The Sens would be happy to add him to their system. 


6 Matthew Savoie - Centre

Columbus Blue Jackets 


The best description for Savoie is he is a speed demon. He might be one of the fastest skaters in the draft. He is a powerplay specialist and has a great release on his wrist shot. His size is the main problem; he can overcome that with hard work. 



7 Cutter Gauthier - Centre

Ottawa Senators


Gauthier is gutsy power forward. His first burst of speed pulls away into the offensive zone. He is a strong two-way forward who has developed his defensive game. He is strong on his feet and won't be taken off; his feet will wear down opponents. Cutter has a strong wrist shot with a quick release.


8 Joakim Kemell - Right-wing  

Detroit Red Wings


Joakim does not shy away from the physical game. He is constantly moving around getting involved in both ends. He has a great shot, and is an offensive forward with a chip on his shoulder. He will play in all aspects of the game. An intelligent player with tons of potential. Scouts love his work ethic. He could be an elite forward. 


9 Jonathan Lekkerimäki - Centre 

 Buffalo Sabres


Jonathan is an elite offensive centre. He is an excellent stick handler who will find a weakness in the defense; he has a great shot and can show from anywhere. If you need a sniper, Jonathan is your man. 


10 Conor Geekie 

Anaheim Ducks


Connor is a highly-skilled play-making centre. He is a pinpoint passer who thinks ahead on his feet. He knows when to shoot and when to pass and has a decent shot. Connor has a high hockey IQ and makes great decisions on the fly. He plays with heart and does not let his size hinder him. 


11 Frank Nazar III - Centre

San Jose Sharks


Frank is a highly-skilled forward who can score from anywhere. His stick handling speed creates space in traffic. This complete player has all the tools, including defense. 


12 Kevin Korchinski - Defencemen

 Columbus  Blue Jackets 


Kevin is a terrific defenceman who has a high hockey IQ. He reads the plays well, thinks ahead, and has excellent puck-handling skills. Kevin is a mature defenceman with the poise to make good decisions with the puck under pressure. 


13 Pavel Mintyukov - Defense 

New York Islanders


Pavel is an offensively gifted defenseman. Pavel keeps the puck alive and battles with his size. He is an above average defensive zone defender. Pavel is a great puck distributor as well as being skilled in rushing with the puck. He has the potential of being a top pairing dman. 


14 Danila Yurov - Right-Wing

Winnipeg Jets


Can you say sniper? If the listing for sniper in the dictionary had a picture beside it, it would be Danila Yurov. The Russian is a speed demon who will scare opponents to death. His puck-handling skills have defense backing up before he goes into the offensive zone. 


15 Brad Lambert - Centre 

Vancouver Canucks 


Brad is a smooth skater who accelerates into the offensive zone. He is a great playmaking centre who can make pinpoint passes on the fly. Brad's strength is his puck-handling skill; with his speed, he can create room in the offensive zone. 


16 Isaac Howard - Right-wing/Left-Wing 

Buffalo Sabres


Isaac is a versatile forward playing both wings, which makes his stock even higher. He creates scoring chances for himself and his linemates. He is a good playmaking forward with a deceiving shot. 


17 Marco Kasper - Centre 

Nashville Predators 


Marco is a hard-working centre who is like the Energizer Bunny—constantly moving. He works hard for the puck, the prototype third line shutdown centre with some scoring touch. 


18 Denton Meytachuk - Defense  

Dallas Stars


Denton is a high-impact offensive defenceman. He is a puck-rushing defenceman. He is a stabilizer in the back end and never panics. Denton is a great skater with a terrific shot. With hard work, he pinches to keep the puck in the offensive zone, which makes up for his size. 


19 James Jimmy Snuggerud - Right-Wing

Minnesota Wild


Jimmy is an offensive juggernaut. He has a dangerous shot; the sniper first, passes second. He has a quick release on his shot. I see him as a future second-line forward and powerplay specialist. 


20 Liam Öhgren - Left-wing 

Washington Capitals


Liam is a skilled left-winger. He has great eye vision and always knows where the puck is and where he is. He has a great shot to go with excellent puck-handling skills. He keeps a level head and is very calm; Mr. Clutch in the pressure. 


21 Filip Mešár - Centre  

Pitsberg Penquins 


Filip's best asset is his speed; his first acceleration into the offensive zone is deadly. He has no fear of going into or out of traffic to get the puck. Filip has Creative puck skills. He can make something out of nothing. He is an exciting player to watch. 


22 Jagger Firkus - Right-Wing

Anaheim Ducks


Jagger is a smooth skater. He seems to skate effortlessly into the offensive zone. Jagger will find the space in the slot, giving his teammates a target to pass the puck to. He has a high hockey IQ and plays well without the puck. 


23 Alexander Perevalov - Left-Wing 

St. Louis Blues


Alexander is a pure goal score. He will be a significant asset on the powerplay with his one-time shot. He has an excellent release on his wrist shot. I can see an Ov comparison on the horizon.


24 Ryan Chesley - Defense

Minnesota Wild


Ryan might be one of the strongest players in the draft. A reliable defensive defenceman who clears any traffic in front of his net. Chesley is remarkable in his own zone. 


25 Ivan Miroshnichenko - Right-Wing 

Toronto Maple Leafs


Ivan was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, so that he will be off most of the team's boards. I know this is a gamble on my part, but he is probably one of the most gifted forwards in the draft. He is a pure sniper with a great shot. He playmaking skills and his strength made him a dangerous power forward. If Ivan can beat this, he is a perfect specimen. 


26 Jiri Kulich - Centre 

Montreal Candiens 


Jiri is strong centermen with all the tools in the right place. He has good vision and makes great decisions with the puck: he is an excellent passer and a possible second-line playmaking centre. 


27 Tristan Luneau - Centre 

Arizona Coyotes  


Tristan is an excellent two-way centremen. He has good vision and makes good hockey decisions in traffic. A hard-working player that never gives up. 


28 Rutger McGroarty - Centre 

Buffalo Sabres 


Rutger is a creative centre who can make scoring chances on his own. 

He has a decent size and works hard. He has excellent passing skills, is a pinpoint passer, and a good quick release. Teams may very well pick him before this because of his size. 


29 Lian Bichsel - Defense 

Edmonton Oilers 


Lian is a big defender who uses all six foot five inches to his advantage. He is a solid defensive defenceman. He plays his strengths, hits hard, and takes care of intruders in their defensive zone. He is working on his offensive zone to become an all-around defenseman. 


30 Jack Hughes - Centre 

Winnipeg Jets


Jack is an offensive centre who has excellent skills. He Might be a future second or third-line centre. A fast skater with excellent passing skills who can make plays out of nothing. 


31 Ty Nelson - Defence 

Tampa Bay Lightning


Ty is a solid defenseman. He has a heavy shot and uses it. He is aggressive in the offense, joins in the offensive zone, and pinches in. He will be used in all aspects of the game. 


32 Nathan Gaucher - Centre

Arizona Coyotes


Nathan is a strong two-way centre. He is terrific on the draw and will be used on the penalty kill. Nathan reminds me of Joel Otto with a little more scoring touch. He uses his size in the corners and will win the loose puck battles and be a fan favourite. 



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