2022 NHL Draft Recap - Grading ALL First-Round Picks

The conclusion of the NHL Draft is the beginning of the journey for the top-ranked NHL prospects. Here is my grade of each NHL first-round draft pick:


1. Juraj Slafkovsky - Montreal Canadiens (A)
The Habs started off the NHL Entry Draft with a bold move. Montreal ended up drafting 6'4'' power-forward Juraj Slafkovsky rather than the predicted Shane Wright.
 
2. Simon Nemac - New Jersey Devils (A-)
Simon Nemac was ranked as the top defenceman coming into the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The right-handed d-man is a mobile two-way defenceman. Nemac was ranked third among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
 
3. Logan Cooley - Arizona Coyotes (A)
 The University of Minnesota commit was second on his USHL team in points, with 27 goals and 48 assists. Due to his elusive skating and skill, Cooley has high-end offensive talent.
 
4. Shane Wright - Seattle Kraken (A+)
Shane Wright was the biggest fall on the NHL Draft board. Seattle picked up a capable first-line centerman who excelled at every level he played at. Wright has a fantastic shot and is honing his playmaking skills with Kingston (OHL) this season.
 
5. Cutter Gauthier - Philadelphia Flyers (B+) 
Gauthier is described as a power-forward who played for the US National Development Team last season. The Boston College commit tallied 65 goals in 54 USHL games. The Flyers' pick was touted as having NHL size and a great skill set. However, it is likely Gauthier's development time would be longer than the names selected above.
 
6. David Jiricek - Columbus Blue Jackets (A-)
Jiricek is a Czech-born defenseman who plays a well-rounded game. The 6'3" tall beast represented Team Czechia during the IIHF World Championships. Jiricek has gifted offensive skills that are deemed NHL ready, although he will need at least another year to develop his defensive game. 
 
7. Kevin Korchinski - Chicago Blackhawks (C-)
Oh Chicago! The Blackhawks acquired the seventh-overall selection along with two other picks in exchange for Alex DeBrincat. They opted to select offensive d-man Korchinski. Ranked as one of the seven best North American skaters, Korchinski was touted to be a late first-round selection. Korchinski is one of the best offensive d-men in the draft, but his defensive play needs development and was described as questionable.
 
8. Marco Kasper - Detroit Red Wings (B)
Kasper is a reliable two-way centre, playing for Rogle BK of the SHL. The Austrian-born forward played in 46 SHL games, scoring seven goals and four assists. Although not necessarily elite in one category, Kasper plays a complete game in many different roles.
 
9. Matthew Savoie - Buffalo Sabres (A)
The Canadian centre has one of the best offensive games in the entire draft. Savoie is a playmaker and a game-changer. Savoie played in 65 WHL games this season, dishing 55 apples and scoring 35 goals. The only concern about Savoie is his height, at 5'9". Will he transfer to wing at the pro level?
 
10. Pavel Mintyukov - Anaheim Ducks (B)
Mintyukov will fit nicely within the Ducks' top-4 in the course of the next two seasons. The Russian-born defender spent the 2021-22 season playing in the OHL. He was third in scoring by OHL defensemen with 62 points.
 
11. Conor Geekie - Arizona Coyotes (B+)
Geekie is one of the most intriguing forwards selected in the first-round. He strikes you as a massive power-forward, standing at 6'3" and already weighing 190 pounds. He is a very poised and smart player in all zones, although his only downside would be his average skating. 
 
12. Denton Mateychuk - Columbus Blue Jackets (C+)
Personally, I was not expecting the Jackets to select two d-men in the first round. I feel that they will eventually use Mateychuk as a trade piece. Columbus had the opportunity to select a high-end forward, a key piece they needed. Mateychuk is an offensive d-man with a questionable defensive game. The Jackets are loaded with young d-men such as Zach Werenski, Jake Bean, Adam Boqvist, and David Jiricek.
 
13. Frank Nazar - Chicago Blackhawks (B+)
Nazar is a player that was ranked almost anywhere between 5th overall to 21st overall. Chicago picked up a capable forward in Nazar. Although sometimes inconsistent, Nazar has high-end speed and a great hockey IQ. Nazar is committed to the University of Michigan for the upcoming season.
 
14. Rutger McGroarty - Winnipeg Jets (B)
With one of the best hockey names in the entire draft, McGroarty plays a productive offensive game. The USDP player scored 35 goals and had 34 assists last season. McGroarty is likely to develop into a top-6 winger. He is committed to the University of Michigan along with USDP teammate Frank Nazar.
 
15. Jonathan Lekkerimaki - Vancouver Canucks (A-)
The Canucks got a steal with Lekkerimaki. The Swedish forward plays an elite offensive game with dynamic speed. He had a high IQ, motoring his offensive instincts. Lekkerimaki's best offensive trait has to be his shot. He is a pure sniper and was described as having an NHL one-timer and wrist shot. This past season, the Swede played in 26 SHL games.

16. Noah Oslund - Buffalo Sabres (B)
Oslund is an undersized player that has all the offensive skills needed for success. Scouts praised his agility and skating stride. He is a smooth skater that uses a combination of speed and smarts to beat defenders. Oslund is a playmaker. He recorded 42 points in a Swedish junior league.

17. Joakim Kemell - Nashville Predators (A)
Kemell was the first Finnish player drafted in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Kemell was ranked as the second best European skater by NHL Central Scouting. Kemell is a dynamic player. He is capable of much more in his development. His strengths include his high-level shot, offensive IQ, and smarts.

18. Lian Bichsel - Dallas Stars (B+)
The Swiss-born defender has the complete defensive package. Bichsel stands at an amazing 6'-5 and weighs 225 pounds. The d-man takes space away from attacking forwards while effectively using his body. Bichsel's physical attributes make up for his lower-end offensive play. Bichsel is NHL-ready defensively.

19. Liam Ohgren - Minnesota Wild (B)
Ohgren is an offensive beast. He accelerates at a high speed and has a smooth stride. His vision creates himself space while giving him opportunities offensively. This season, playing in the Swedish Junior League, Ohgren popped off. He scored 33 goals and had 25 assists in 30 games.

20. Ivan Miroshnichenko - Washington Capitals (A)
The Russian forward was rated as a top-10 pick prior to his diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Miroshnichenko was treated in Germany and was cleared to resume his hockey development recently. The forward played in 31 junior games, scoring ten goals and six assists.

21. Owen Pickering - Pittsburgh Penguins (B-)
The Penguins lack high-end prospects, but Pickering brings high-end skill. The 6'4'' d-man joins the rush and is involved offensively and defensively. Pickering played in 62 WHL games, scoring 33 points. Pickering was the 15th ranked North American prospect.

22. Nathan Gaucher - Anaheim Ducks (B)
Gaucher is a centerman that has NHL size. Scouts describe him as the full-package. This season in the QMJHL, he scored 57 points in 66 games. He is reliable on both ends of the ice, he has a floor of being a top-9 forward.

23. Jimmy Snuggerud - St. Louis Blues (B)
The American forward was ranked the 11th NA skater by Central Scouting. Snuggerud has an elite shot, getting pucks to the net frequently. Snuggerud scored 53 points in the USHL. He is committed to playing for the University of Minnesota next season.

24. Danila Yurov - Minnesota Wild (A)
Teams were hesitant to choose him due to unfortunate circumstances. Yurov currently plays for Magnitogorsk of the KHL, having played in 21 games. Yurov is a smart two-way forward who creates plays and has a great shot. He has many different weapons to utilise in the offensive zone. The concern for many NHL teams was due to ongoing conflicts in Russia and the KHL preventing players from entering the NHL. The Wild are currently contenders in the NHL, if Yurov makes it to NA, the Wild will have found a gem.

25. Sam Rinzel - Chicago Blackhawks (C-)
When the Blackhawks first announced Rinzel, I was shocked. The Hawks reached on this player, who was projected to go in the mid-second round. Rinzel played for Waterloo in the USHL this season, playing 21 games. He is committed to the University of Minnesota for the 2022-23 season. Rinzel plays a solid, defensive game.

26. Filip Mesar - Montreal Canadiens (B-)
Mesar is a winger who played his 2021–22 season with Poprad HK SKP of the Czech league. Mesar plays with high-end skill; he is very creative and confident. Mesar will need to improve his strength and IQ if he projects to become a top-6 forward.

27. Filip Bystedt
- San Jose Sharks (C)
Bystedt is a 6'4'' forward playing in Sweden's junior league. He shows instances of being a top-6 forward but is deemed inconsistent. He's great at keeping possession of the puck and using his strength to overpower opponents. He needs to better develop his skating speed and consistency. He is likely to suit up as a third-line forward.

28. Jiri Kulich - Buffalo Sabres (B-)
Kulich was ranked as the 13th European skater by NHL Central Scouting. The Czech-born forward has great speed and a work ethic. He has a powerful one-timer and power play potential, but he needs to work on developing strength and overall consistency to strive in the NHL.

29. Maveric Lamoureux - Arizona Coyotes (B-)
Lamoureux will be an NHL regular, but the question is, will he become elite? The Laval-born defender stands at a massive 6'7". He is described as a mobile defensive-minded d-man. He has an active stick when defending and closes the gap really well. His next steps include developing his offensive game at the pro level and working on his speed. Lamoureux's line is a bottom pairing shutdown defenceman.

30. Brad Lambert - Winnipeg Jets (A)
Winnipeg was smart to take Lambert late in the first round. Lambert was once projected as the #2 pick in the draft. His stock has dropped significantly as a result of his struggles in the Liiga. Lambert will play the 2022-23 season in the WHL for the Seattle Thunderbirds. Lambert has elite edge work and can drive the rush. The Fin will try to regain confidence by playing against people his own age. Lambert is truly a high-risk, high reward pick.

31. Isaac Howard - Tampa Bay Lightning (B+)
What don't you like about Isaac Howard? The kid is truly one of a kind. Howard was a part of the USDP and is committed to the University of Minnesota Duluth. Howard is gifted when the puck is on his stick. He has a great shot and is a great playmaker. He is projected to become a top-6 forward, although he will need to develop strength to be NHL ready.

32. Reid Schaefer - Edmonton Oilers (C+)
Schaefer displayed a power forward game while playing with the Seattle Thunderbirds this season. The winger recorded 58 points in 66 WHL games. Schaefer's stock has risen over the course of the season due to his game.