2022 NHL Mock Draft: Third Edition

 Here is the third 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- David Jiricek, Defenseman, Plzen (CZE): The Kraken should simply just go with the best player available with their pick. A knee injury derailed him this past season, but he has potential to be a top pair defenseman.

5. Philadelphia Flyers- Cutter Gauthier, Wing, USA U-18 (NTDP): The Flyers are a little unknown on what they will actually do here, but here they go with what could be the safer play. Gauthier is your classic "power forward" player with his ability to shoot the puck.

6. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Chicago Blackhawks)- Simon Nemec, Defenseman, Nitra (SVK): The Blue Jackets are in a rebuild of some sorts now and here I have them going with Nemec, who is arguably a steal here. Nemec is arguably the best defenseman in the draft due to his outstanding two-way play as well as his skating.

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- Marco Kasper, Center, Rogle (SWE): The Red Wings are a team that is desperate to get back to the postseason and here I have them taking the talented center. Kasper is a versatile player that has a ton of speed and work ethic.

9. Buffalo Sabres- Matthew Savoie, Center, Winnipeg (WHL): 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. Savoie is one of the more dynamic skaters in the draft class and has a ton of speed.

10. Anaheim Ducks- Kevin Korchinski, Defenseman, Seattle (WHL): Korchinski is a super fast riser heading into the draft this week and ironically, Korchinski I had picked by the Ducks with their second first rounder in a previous mock. Korchinski has good playmaking skills for a defender and is one of the better ones in the draft class.

11. San Jose Sharks- Denton Mateychuk, Defenseman, Moose Jaw (WHL): The Sharks going defense here would be wise considering Eric Karlsson isn't the same player anymore and Brent Burns is getting older. Mateychuk is a strong skater who is good at creating chances with the puck.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets- 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.

13. New York Islanders- Pavel Mintyukov, Defenseman, Saginaw (OHL): 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. Mintyukov is a physical player who is a defensive version of a power forward.

14. Winnipeg Jets- Conor Geekie, Center, Winnipeg (WHL): This pick would be a fun one as the Jets take the hometown kid. Geekie is a super productive player that has great speed, but has some skating concerns, which may have teams alarmed.

15. Vancouver Canucks- Noah Ostlund, Center, Djurgardens-J20 (SWE): The Canucks 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.

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- Owen Pickering, Defenseman, Swift Current (WHL): I love the thought of Pickering here from a fit standpoint to go with the talented defense the Preds have. Pickering is a strong skater that has potential to become a solid two-way defenseman.

18. Dallas Stars- Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Wing, Djurgarden (SWE): The Stars a little bit of a wild card when it comes to the draft and what they may do. Lekkerimaki is a solid two-way player with good offensive instincts.

19. Minnesota Wild (from Los Angeles Kings)- 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.

20. Washington Capitals- Frank Nazar, Center, USA U-18 (NTDP): This would be a major steal for the Capitals if he were to fall this far and it would be a much needed boost to their farm system. Nazar is a super smart player that has fast pace and a ton of energy.

21. Pittsburgh Penguins-  Liam Ohgren, Wing, Djurgarden Jr (SWE): The Penguins are a team that needs some more young talent in their farm as well. Ohgren is an explosive player with a ton of speed and plays with a ton of energy.

22. Anaheim Ducks (from Boston Bruins)- Ryan Chesley, Defenseman, USA U-18 (NTDP): With their second first rounder, I have the Ducks going with defense again. 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.

23. St. Louis Blues- 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.

24. Minnesota Wild- Jimmy Snuggerd, Center/Wing, USA U-18 (NTDP): With now what is their second first rounder, I have the Wild snagging the talented forward. Snuggerd is one of the more improved players heading into the draft as he skates well and has the skills of a power forward.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs- Jiri Kulich, Center, HC Energie (CZE): The Maple Leafs should go defense here, but Kulich is not a bad choice here. Kulich is someone who's stock rose after a good U-18 tournament and he is a super physical player.

26. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames)- 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.

27. Arizona Coyotes (from Montreal Canadiens via Carolina Hurricanes)- Rutger McGroarty, Wing, USA U-18 (NTDP): McGroarty falling here would be a possible steal for the Coyotes. McGroarty is a super versaitile player that is a great scorer and he has great leadership skills.

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

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)- Owen Beck, Center, Mississauga (WHL): With their second first rounder, I have the Jets doubling down the middle. Beck dropping this far could be a steal and is a great shutdown center who wins face offs.

31. Tampa Bay Lightning- Jagger Firkus, Wing, Moose Jaw (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. Firkus dropping this far could be a steal as he is super talented offensively and has great creativity.

32. Arizona Coyotes (from Colorado Avalanche)- Brad Lambert, Center, Pelicans (FIN): With their third first rounder, I have the Coyotes going with another center. Lambert is a very skilled forward that has great work ethic and brings a lot to the table.