2022 NHL Mock Draft: Fourth Edition

Here is the fourth edition of my 2022 NHL Mock Draft.

1. Montreal Canadiens- Shane Wright, Center, Kingston (OHL): It's only fitting the Canadiens get the top overall pick in the year they host the draft and here they take the drafts best player in Wright. He is the most complete two-way center in this draft and he fills a huge need down the middle for the Habs.

2. New Jersey Devils- Juraf Slafkovsky, Wing, TPS (Liiga): The Devils have a need for offense and the consensus choice for the Devils in this spot is Slafkovsky. He has the size and strength to have an impact and he would fit well with the Devils talented centers.

3. Arizona Coyotes- Logan Cooley, Center, USA U-18 (NTDP): There are some people that think Cooley should go second, but here I have him landing third, which the Coyotes would gladly take. Cooley is an excellent skater and has great skills with the puck.

4. Seattle Kraken- Simon Nemec, Defenseman, Nitra (SVK): The Kraken should simply just go with the best player available with their pick. Nemec is arguably the best defenseman in the draft due to his outstanding two-way play as well as his skating.

5. Philadelphia Flyers- David Jiricek, Defenseman, Plzen (CZE): The Flyers are a little unknown on what they will actually do here, but defense is a need and Jiricek is a solid fit. A knee injury derailed him this past season, but he has potential to be a top pair defenseman.

6. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Chicago Blackhawks)- Cutter Gauthier, Wing, USA U-18 (NTDP): The Blue Jackets are in a rebuild of some sorts now and here I have them going with Gauthier. He is your classic "power forward" player with his ability to shoot the puck.

7.  Ottawa Senators- Joakim Kemell, Wing, JYP (FIN): The Senators are another team that should just simply go with the best player available. Kemell has potential to be a big time scorer in the league and the Suns can use that type of player on the wing.

8. Detroit Red Wings- Matthew Savoie, Center, Winnipeg (WHL): he Red Wings are a team that is desperate to get back to the postseason and here I have them taking the talented center. Savoie is one of the more dynamic skaters in the draft class and has a ton of speed.

9. Buffalo Sabres- Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Wing, Djurgarden (SWE): The Sabres have the longest playoff drought in the league still and for them to get to where they want to be, just take the best player available. Lekkerimaki is a solid two-way player with good offensive instincts.

10. Anaheim Ducks- Marco Kasper, Center, Rogle (SWE): With their first of two first rounders, I have the Ducks taking the talented center. Kasper is a versatile player that has a ton of speed and work ethic.

11. San Jose Sharks- Kevin Korchinski, Defenseman, Seattle (WHL): Korchinski is a super fast riser heading into the draft this week. Korchinski has good playmaking skills for a defender and is one of the better ones in the draft class.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets- Pavel Mintyukov, Defenseman, Saginaw (OHL): With their second first rounder, I have the Jackets going defense. Mintyukov is a physical player who is a defensive version of a power forward.

13. New York Islanders- Connor Geekie, Center, Winnipeg (WHL): The Islanders were NHL's most disappointing team this past season and I can see them looking to move this pick for an impact player. Geekie is a super productive player that has great speed, but has some skating concerns, which may have teams alarmed.

14. Winnipeg Jets- Denton Mateychuk, Defenseman, Moose Jaw (WHL): With their first of two first rounders, I have the Jets taking the talented defenseman. Mateychuk is a strong skater who is good at creating chances with the puck.

15. Vancouver Canucks- Frank Nazar, Center, USA U-18 (NTDP): This would be a steal for the Canucks if he were to fall this far. Nazar is a super smart player that has fast pace and a ton of energy.

16. Buffalo Sabres (from Vegas Golden Knights)- Danila Yurov, Wing, Magnitogorsk (RUS): Yurov is someone who is a bit of a wild card come draft night in terms of where he may me picked. His lack of production in the KHL could have some teams cautious in terms of drafting him this high.

17. Nashville Predators- Lian Bichsel, Defenseman, Leksand (SWE): The Predators have some options here with which direction they may go. Bichsel could be a steal here as he is an aggressive player and he moves well for his size.

18. Dallas Stars- Isaac Howard, Wing, USA U-18 (NTDP): The USA's U-18 is going to produce a ton of talent from this draft. Howard was apart of that loaded USA under-18 team so his skills were overshadowed, but is a very talented scorer and skater.

19. Minnesota Wild (from Los Angeles Kings)- Jiri Kulich, Center, HC Energie (CZE): With their first of two first rounders, I have the Wild taking the tantalizing center. Kulich is someone who's stock rose after a good U-18 tournament and he is a super physical player.

20. Washington Capitals- Owen Pickering, Defenseman, Swift Current (WHL): I love the thought of Pickering here from a fit standpoint considering the Caps could use some youth on defense. Pickering is a strong skater that has potential to become a solid two-way defenseman.

21. Pittsburgh Penguins- Jimmy Snuggerd, Center/Wing, USA U-18 (NTDP): The Penguins are a team that needs some more young talent in their farm. Snuggerd is one of the more improved players heading into the draft as he skates well and has the skills of a power forward.

22. Anaheim Ducks (from Boston Bruins)-  Liam Ohgren, Wing, Djurgarden Jr (SWE): With their second of two first rounders, I have the Ducks doubling down on forwards. Ohgren is an explosive player with a ton of speed and plays with a ton of energy.

23. St. Louis Blues- Ryan Chesley, Defenseman, USA U-18 (NTDP): This would be a great selection for the Blues at this spot. Chesley is a solid two-way defenseman and does a great job being a shut-down guy and he would be a steal with this pick too.

24. Minnesota Wild- Rutger McGroarty, Wing, USA U-18 (NTDP): McGroarty falling here would be a possible steal for the Wild. McGroarty is a super versaitile player that is a great scorer and he has great leadership skills.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs- Nathan Gaucher, Center, Quebec (QMJHL): Gaucher is a prospect who's stock is rising with the draft coming this week. Gaucher is somebody who is a pro ready player with his ability to shut down the opposition and is a physical player.

26. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames)- Jagger Firkus, Wing, Moose Jaw (WHL): With their second first rounder, I have the Habs doubling down on offense. Firkus dropping this far could be a steal as he is super talented offensively and has great creativity.

27. Arizona Coyotes (from Montreal Canadiens via Carolina Hurricanes)- Ivan Miroshnichenko, Wing, Omskie (MHL): Miroshnichenko is a fast riser as the draft approaches next week. Grabbing Miroshnickenko here would be a steal considering he was sidelined with Hodgkin's lymphoma, which makes this a possible high reward situation.

28. Buffalo Sabres (from Florida Panthers)- Noah Ostlund, Center, Djurgardens-J20 (SWE): The Sabres take an upside play here with Ostlund. He really broke out in the Under-18 tournament and really showed great processing ability and if he adds some strength, you can have yourself a top six guy.

29. Edmonton Oilers- Tristian Luneau, Defenseman, Gatineau (QMJHL):  In theory, the Oilers should trade this pick for a goalie to help them get over the top. Luneau is smart and efficient both ways and is great in the transition game.

30. Winnipeg Jets (from New York Rangers)- Filip Mesar, Center/Wing, HK Poprad (Slovakia): With their second first rounder, I have the Jets going with the forward. Mesar is high skilled and a creative winger that has a good rate off the puck.

31. Tampa Bay Lightning- Luca Del Bel Belluz, Center, Mississauga (WHL): The Lightning really do a great job rebooting their farm on the fly after trading away pieces or letting people go in free agency. Del Bel Belluz is a solid two-way center, but is not that great of a skater.

32. Arizona Coyotes (from Colorado Avalanche)- Sam Rinzel, Defenseman, Chaska (USHL): With their third first rounder, I have the Coyotes going defense. Rinzel is a fast riser come draft day and is a terrific offensive defenseman with some potential on the back end too.