The 2022 NHL Draft on Thursday will welcome in a new class of hockey players into the fold. We’ve already seen the lasting effects young players can have on a hockey team this season and NHL franchises are gearing up for yet another chance to hit big on a prospect.
With the NHL Draft so close at hand, you may find yourself wondering who the top prospects are ahead of one of the busiest times of the hockey calendar. After all, if your favorite team has a high draft pick this year, you might be curious as to which players are on their radar.
If that’s the case, you’re in luck! Ahead of the NHL Draft, let’s take a look at the top 32 prospects to watch before the event begins.
1
F Shane Wright
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
Position: Center
Team: Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
While his draft stock has dropped a bit in the eyes of NHL analysts (likely due to only scoring 32 goals and 94 points in 63 OHL games this year), Shane Wright projects to be a bonafide No. 1 center with elite all-around play.
2
F Juraj Slafkovsky
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Position: Left wing
Team: TPS Turku (Liiga)
Juraj Slafkovsky really broke out onto the scene at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, scoring seven goals to help Slovakia win bronze at the event. With a big body at 6-foot-4 and tremendous puck handling skills translating into goals, Slafkovsky is a star in the making at the NHL level.
3
F Logan Cooley
Position: Center
Team: United States National Team Development Program
After putting up 27 goals and 75 points in 51 games in the U.S. Development Program last season, Logan Cooley has cemented himself as a top player in this draft with his dynamic play and overall creativity with the puck.
4
D David Jiricek
Codie McLachlan/Getty Images
Position: Defense
Team: HC Skoda Plzen (Czechia)
As the highest rated defenseman coming into the 2022 NHL Draft, David Jiricek brings a heavy shot with great two-way play befitting a top-line blue liner at the professional level.
5
D Simon Nemec
ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images
Position: Defense
Team: HK Nitra (Slovak)
At the other end of the defensive spectrum, Simon Nemec is more of a playmaker whose top-notch passing and vision pair well with high hockey IQ.
6
F Cutter Gauthier
Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
Position: Center/Left wing
Team: United States National Team Development Program
Cutter Gauthier had 34 goals and 65 points with the U.S. Development Program last season and his strong form and accurate shot make him a deadly force to be reckoned with out on the ice.
7
F Matthew Savoie
Position: Center
Team: Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
Matthew Savoie is a pure offensive threat with incredible puck handling skills, putting up 35 goals and 90 points with the Winnipeg Ice in the WHL last year.
8
F Joakim Kemell
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Position: Right wing
Team: JYP (Liiga)
Joakim Kemell likely projects out to be a jack of all trades kind of player, from his versatile style of hockey to his solid scoring touch with a physical edge to his game.
9
F Marco Kasper
Position: Center
Team: Rogle (SHL)
Marco Kasper might not be an offensive dynamo, but his compete level and well-rounded play will make him quite the attractive piece as a center at the NHL level.
10
F Jonathan Lekkerimaki
Position: Right wing
Team: Djurgardens IF Hockey (SWE U20)
Jonathan Lekkerimaki can score from anywhere on the ice whose best work will likely come on special teams thanks to his accurate and deadly shot.
11
F Danila Yurov
Position: Right wing
Team: Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
12
F Frank Nazar
Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
Position: Center/Right wing
Team: United States National Team Development Program
13
D Denton Mateychuk
Position: Defense
Team: Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
14
D Kevin Korchinski
Position: Defense
Team: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
15
F Brad Lambert
Codie McLachlan/Getty Images
Position: Center/Right wing
Team: Lahti Pelicans (Liiga)
16
F Conor Geekie
Position: Center
Team: Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
17
D Pavel Mintyukov
Position: Defense
Team: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
18
F Jiri Kulich
Position: Center
Team: HC Karlovy Vary (CZE)
19
F Ivan Miroshnichenko
Position: Left wing
Team: Omsk (VHL)
20
F Liam Ohgren
Position: Left wing
Team: Djurgarden Jr. (SWE U20)
21
D Lian Bichsel
Position: Defense
Team: Leksand (SHL)
22
F Isaac Howard
Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
Position: Left wing
Team: United States National Team Development Program
23
F Rutger McGroarty
Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
Position: Center
Team: United States National Team Development Program
24
D Owen Pickering
Position: Defense
Team: Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
25
F Noah Ostlund
Position: Center
Team: Djurgarden Jr. (SWE U20)
26
F Nathan Gaucher
Position: Center
Team: Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
27
F Jimmy Snuggerud
Position: Right wing
Team: United States National Team Development Program
28
F Jagger Firkus
Position: Right wing
Team: Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
29
F Luca Del Bel Belluz
Position: Center
Team: Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
30
D Ryan Chesley
Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
Position: Defense
Team: United States National Team Development Program
31
F Owen Beck
Position: Center
Team: Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
32
D Lane Hutson
Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
Position: Defense
Team: United States National Team Development Program
