The 2022 NHL draftThe Bell Centre in Montreal will host the event. It is set to start at 7 ET (ESPN) on Thursday night. There will be plenty of intrigue and excitement from the top.
Shane Wright from the Ontario Hockey League was considered the most likely player to be drafted by the Canadiens at No. This is not a guarantee. There are the usual chatter about possible swaps, teams moving up, and players who are on the rise.
We asked ESPN hockey reporters Greg Wyshynski & Kristen Shilton their biggest questions regarding the draft. This included an assessment of the overall class and names to know at top of draft.
What is the consensus of the league on this draft year. Good class Weak? Weak?
The top talent determines the quality and standard of an NHL draft. Because neither draft team was strong in 2017, the 2017 draft was deemed “weak”. Nico Hischier (New Jersey). nor Nolan Patrick (Philadelphia), were considered “generational” talents at the level of Auston Matthews Oder Connor McDavid. It’s now the draft that bestowed Cale Makar, Elias Pettersson, Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson Robert Thomas The NHL.
The draft for 2022 could look very much like this one. The consensus No. 1 pick, Center Shane Wright. The consensus No. 1 pick is not Matthews nor McDavid.
“Generational players are rare.” Craig Button (the venerable prospect analyst at TSN) stated, “I don’t consider Shane to be generational.”
Much like 2017, there has been much speculation and debate about who will be the first overall. Montreal Canadiens Because there isn’t a “generational player” at the top. Wright. It could be someone else.
Don’t let the top pick fool your eyes.
“It is a deep draft.” Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis Recently, he said. “There will always be good talent. While we don’t have Matthews and McDavid in our team, there will be many good players at all levels.
The first round is heavily dominated by centers, who could make up half of the first round. Defensemen are also expected to be included in the top six. The USA Hockey National Team Development Program will also be participating in this draft. In 2019, the record number of USNTDP players who were selected in the first round was eight. This draft could match that number.
If the draft is at a soft position, it’s in Goal. 2018 was the last draft without a goalie in the first round. One was selected at the 39th pick. The majority of projections show this draft’s netminder as being taken out of the top 50. — Greg Wyshynski
Who are the names you should know about the top?
You should be familiar with a few marquee names going into Thursday’s first round.
Wright is long considered to be the favourite Montrealer to pick No. 1. He is 6-foot-1 and has speed, skill and size. He is also dangerous in all situations. A potential franchise player, he has everything.
Wright isn’t the only one who could challenge Wright for this top spot. Slafkovsky has been a prominent contender for the No. 1 spot, particularly in recent weeks. 1. Although he is tall at 6-4 and 230 pounds, the big Finnish winger isn’t as good as Wright, but he can score. He’s also a strong skater who creates in all three zones.
Cooley is the highest-rated player, while Gauthier comes from the USNTD program. He is a potential franchise-player and may be the most talented of the bunch on the offensive side. Gauthier plays more as a playmaker. He’s smart and can push the pucks hard. He is more static, but is still solid in all three areas.
Jiricek, a right-shot defender and highly-regarded player, is a skilled breakout specialist who can also play a key role in the offensive line. Jiricek is becoming more self-aware and could become a top four NHL player. — Kristen Shilton
What are the “wildcard” players in this draft?
Brad Lambert is a wild card. He was once a top three pick. He struggled with JYP Liiga and then moved to Lahti Pelicans. There he again struggled, scoring four goals in 49 matches between both teams. He is a gifted player, with a great speed. He could reach higher than his mid-round projections. Some mock drafts suggest he could make it to the second round.
Our favorite wildcard? Lane Hutson is an 18-year old defenseman for the USNDT, who can light up the scoreboard but is listed at 5-8. This is a comparison St. Louis Blues defenseman Torey Krug It is listed at 5-9 But we are a Short King.
There are also Russian prospects. Ivan Miroshnichenko, a forward, and Danila Yurov (a forward) would be among those most qualified players to make it through the first round. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine could make it difficult for NHL teams to choose Russian prospects. Miroshnichenko has been a wildcard since he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and missed a part of the last season. He has undergone treatment and is currently back on the ice. — Wyshynski
What is the approach of teams to Russian players in this draft, speaking of Russian players?
Gary Bettman, NHL commissioner, repeatedly stated that players from Belarus or Russia can be selected in drafts. Although the league has severed business ties with these countries and has yet make a decision about whether Russia would be allowed into the NHL’s next World Cup in 2019, those decisions won’t impact how Russian prospects are perceived by the teams. There is no reason to believe that general managers will pass on Russian players. — Shilton
Which team will be most entertaining to watch in Round 1 of the tournament?
I have my eyes on the Columbus Blue Jackets.
GM Jarmo Kekalainen His team suffered through two seasons of non-playoff. He gave up veteran players Seth Jones, Cam Atkinson, David Savard, Nick Foligno Max DomiWhile giving the roster over last season to young talent, The No. 1 picks in the first round are the Jackets. 6, 12 and 13 picks. Kekalainen could be their first pick, which would net a young defenseman like Simon Nemec and David Jiricek. The GM can also trade one or both picks for draft prospects or current NHL talent.
Remember: Multiple reports state that Kekalainen was involved in the Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh Before Tampa Bay gave him to the Nashville Predators. There are whispers that the Blue Jackets may have discussed this. Jakob Chychrun With the Arizona Coyotes. Kekalainen is the GM that the Jackets need to be aggressive. — Wyshynski
Are there any trades you anticipate? Who are the top players to watch if you expect big trades?
I asked an NHL general manager this week about trade markets. “We aren’t the NBA,” he stated. “Some teams don’t want to make big, bold trades even though it could make them better.”
There are still significant names who could make it to the draft, however. The Chicago Blackhawks They have stated that trade protection is available to every player on their roster. Left wing Alex DeBrincatThe point machine of 24 years,, is unprotected and one of the most desired players. The Canucks and the forward, 31 years old J.T. MillerThe terms of ”s contract, which expires at the end of the 2022-23 seasons, don’t look like they will be extended, so he could move. Defenseman Jakob Chychrun The Coyotes are still available, but they won’t be cheap.
Winnipeg Jets Veteran winger Blake Wheeler Has requested a trade. Vladimir Tarasenko Blues player of the year asked to be traded last summer as his stock was low; after a season with 34 goals and one year away, would St. Louis want to trade him now?
Last but not least, a winger. Jesse Puljujarvi, whose time is up with the Edmonton Oilers Who wouldn’t like a change of scenery? He was the fourth overall choice in 2016, but is now 11th in goals among those in that class. This is a reminder of the fact that today’s top picks could be tomorrow’s top trade options. — Wyshynski
What will the Coyotes and Sabres do with their first-round picks of the Sabres and Coyotes?
The Coyotes currently hold the third, 27th, and 32nd picks in their first round. If the first two rounds go as planned, they will have their pick of center Logan Cooley and defenseman Simon Nemec. Sportsnet predicted that Cutter Gauthier (winger), who is the size that Bill Armstrong prefers, would be the No. 1 pick. Also, 3. It is expected that all these picks will be used by the Coyotes — Armstrong’s calling cards is his draft prowess. Expect at least one defenseman, and possibly a large swing like Russia’s winger Ivan Miroshnichenko.
The Sabres Choose 9th, 16th or 28th. There have been many rumors about two players, both wingers. Jonathan Lekkerimaki (Sweden), who is goal-scoring and could be ranked No. 9; Danila Yurov from Magnitogorsk. One assumes that the 28th pick will be another defenseman who joins a growing group of players under last season’s top pick. Owen Power. — Wyshynski
Are there any goalies who will be allowed to play in the first round of the playoffs?
Greg mentioned earlier that it would be surprising for a goalie to leave the draft early. The draft has a lot of depth in the forward position, particularly at the center. General managers won’t be able to pass up this opportunity with their first picks.
Topias Leinonen is the No. Topias Lönonen is the No. Topias Leinonen is a netminder to watch. His impressive height (6-4, 217 pounds) will make him attractive to other teams. He also has a lot of talent. Leinonen, despite his large stature, is very agile and has a solid technique. Leinonen is unlikely to be in the first round, but he should be there early in the second. Shilton
What are some buzz words you will be looking out for in Montreal prior to the draft?
It will be interesting to see if the hype surrounding teams trading their first-round picks turns into reality. Is there any chance we will see more movement like this in years past? Particularly from clubs who want to compete (Ottawa) New York IslandersPerhaps, they could be used to replenish their cabinets in the future. What will these trades look like? Will they involve high-profile names or more depth moves to fill roster gaps? Also, I am curious to see if we can gain a sense of how the market will develop with free agency one week away (July 13, 2017). Shilton