2022 nhl mock draft rankings 2022 nhl mock draft rankings

8 Jonathan Lakkerimaki Djurgardens (SWE J-20) In our scout survey, Gauthier was as high as No. The Austria-born forward had a strong season in the Swedish Hockey League, and six points (two goals, four assists) in 12 games to help Rogle to its first Champions Hockey League title. 1r.1 no trade. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgarden Jr. (SWE U20): Gained a lot of steam with a dominant performance in the U18 worlds. 15 Frank Nazar USA U-18 (USHL) At best, he projects as a 2C; at worst, a 3C. Logan Cooley:The U.S. U-18 national team centre was the only prospect besides Slafkovsky and Wright to get a No. 22. The nationality breakdown for TSNs Top 32 is as follows: Canada (nine); United States (eight); Sweden, Russia and Slovakia (three each); Czechia and Finland (two apiece); and Austria and Switzerland (one each). Lightning. Its really that tight in the eyes of so many scouts. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. Stops and starts, players spread out all over the world and the conflict in Ukraine are just a few of the challenges scouts have had to navigate during the 2021-22 season. As New Jersey looks to build its lineup, Slafkovsky brings elite offensive skills in a power forward body (6-4, 229). He had 70 points (28 goals, 42 assists) in 56 games and nine points (three goals, six assists) in six games at the World U-18s. The 2022 NHL Draft is only hours away. 77 Kirill Dolzhenkov Moskva (MHL) 1. Robert Lefebvre/OHL Images. Kimelman -- Brad Lambert, C, Pelicans (FIN): After selecting Wright at No. 2022 NHL 1st-Round Mock Draft. Disappointing, that is, relative to his brilliant 2019-20 OHL rookie season (39 goals and 66 points in 58 games) and outstanding underage performance at the 2021 U-18 World Championship. Between postponed and cancelled games in all major leagues across North America and Europe and the abrupt cancellation of the World Junior Championship, there have been few opportunities to evaluate talent well. You can change your selection at any time. He was second at the World U-18s with 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in six games to help Sweden win the tournament. 44 Maverick Lamoreux Drummondville (QMJHL) As was He's committed to the University of Minnesota next season. Today, NHL.com writers Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale submit their final mock draft of the first round. 1 spot heading into the draft in Montreal on July 7-8. - Its not looking like a banner year for Canadians in the draft. 36 Calle Odelius Djurgardens (SWE J-20) 66 Aleksanteri Kaskimaki HIFK (SM Liiga Jr.) Please Note: The draft order might be slightly different today towards the back end of the draft. David Goyette HM Marek Alscher Portland (WHL) 49 Julian Lutz Mnchen (DEL) Kimelman -- Simon Nemec, D, Nitra (SVK): With the future of No. Blessed with physical tools and maturity, top 2022 NHL draft prospect Lian Bichsel is ready to take the next step in his game. Cutter Gauthier {* backButton *} The most exciting part of the . Those [Wrights first OHL season and U-18 performance] seem like such a long time ago, another scout said. He led Gatineau defensemen with 43 points (12 goals, 31 assists) in 43 games. He'll likely be able to showcase more of those offensive skills next season at the University of Minnesota. Ryan Chesley, D, USNTDP: Defends well and moves pucks efficiently. Kimelman -- Jagger Firkus, RW, Moose Jaw (WHL): One scout said among Firkus' best traits is his ability to hide in plain sight, almost appearing out of nowhere, then finding the back of the net with a quick, hard, accurate shot. 27), as do the Buffalo Sabres (Nos. The 6-2 185 lb defenseman has a hockey scholarship to Northeastern where he will have four years of play in the NCAA before the Sabres decide whether to sign him to an entry level contract or whether to let him walk. Josh Tessler, Sebastian Jackson, Austin Garrett, Matthew Somma, Paul Zuk, Jordan Malette and Alex Appleyard drafted three rounds for each NHL team. The 2023 NFL Draft is still roughly two months away. NHL Central Scouting has released its final rankings for the 2022 NHL draft, highlighted by Kingston forward Shane Wright. He'll play at least one season at the University of Minnesota but is confident that's all he'll need before becoming an impact NHL player. Morreale -- Cutter Gauthier: Gauthier is a powerful wing with a big shot and good set of hands capable of playing a power forward game. Though Gauthier played some centre this season, most scouts seem to think he projects more as a pro winger. 11. His production from the Olympics on has given him a chance to be the first player off the board. 3 NHL blueliner. His shot and hockey sense are NHL caliber, and his coach compared him to New York Islanders forward Anders Lee. May 5, 2022. 1 pick, and the New Jersey Devils at No. The Columbus Blue Jackets acquired the No. Recognized as a goal-scorer and quick on his feet, the left-handed shot was a standout at the World U-18s. Now that the Stanley Cup playoffs have reached the conference finals, we know more about the order of selection for . He didn't have a point in 21 games in the Kontinental Hockey League but his average of 1.57 points per game (36 points in 23 games) was fifth among players with at least 20 games in Russia's junior league. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. Also included is each player's career NHL totals. While the Colorado Avalanche are one win away from hoisting their third Stanley Cup trophy over the reigning two-time champion, Tampa Bay Lightning, 30 other front offices are fixated on which young player(s) they will have an opportunity to select. 62 Tyler Brennan Prince George (WHL) Its a photo finish for the No. Tristan Luneau What is each teams biggest need going into the NHL Draft? 48 Danil Zhilkin Guelph (OHL) Matthew Savoie He'll continue his development at the University of Minnesota Duluth next season. Mind you, there seems to be a distinction being made between Russians who are already playing in North America versus the Russians playing in Russia. How high can Cutter Gauthier go? We had OHL players who missed an entire season, WHL players who played a limited schedule and QMJHL players who played a modified, often interrupted schedule. Top 10 Prospects #1: Shane Wright, Centre, Kingston Frontenacs, OHL . 1. 9. A right-handed shot, Jiricek projects to be a high-skill, top-pair defenseman with the size (6-3, 189) to win 1-on-1 battles in the defensive zone. He had 58 points (33 goals, 25 assists) in 30 games in Sweden's junior league. His ceiling is high because all the elements are there for a long, successful NHL career. The Rundown. NHL.com writers Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale agree that the Montreal Canadiens will select center Shane Wright from Kingston of the Ontario Hockey League with the No. All teams missing the playoffs are in the Lottery, Teams with the least points get more chances at winning the Lottery. He was as high as No. 22 Noah stlund Djurgarden (SWE J-20) 7. Saginaws Mintyukov, at No. . 1, while four scouts slotted the Kingston Frontenac centre in the top spot. 34) Olen Zellweger was named the best defenseman in the Western Hockey League this season, but Korchinski (6-2, 185) could be too good an option to pass on here. 30 Filip Mesar Poprad (SVK) Its a peculiar draft year, said one NHL team head scout. Video: Draft Prospect: Best of Frank Nazar. What is each teams biggest need going into the NHL Draft. Joakim Kemell:The smallish (5-foot-9-1/2) Finn is an attacking, goal-scoring winger who plays a dynamic, high-energy, albeit inconsistent, game. 90 Miko Matikka Jokerit (SM Liiga Jr.) 2 will choose left wing Juraj Slafkovsky from TPS in Liiga, the top league in Finland. 2022 NHL Draft Final Rankings by Ben Kerr. Morreale -- Jimmy Snuggerud: Snuggerud made tremendous strides in the second half of the season. Gauthier will start at center next season at Boston College, adding more versatility to his game. 12 Pavel Mintyukov Saginaw (OHL) 16 Brad Lambert JYP (SM Liiga) The first round will be July 7 (7 p.m. Forgot your Morreale -- Denton Mateychuk, D, Moose Jaw (WHL): Mateychuk (5-10, 194) was third on Moose Jaw with 64 points (13 goals, 51 assists) in 65 games. Mats Lindgren 3, their opinions vary widely. He was seventh in the Western Hockey League with 90 points (35 goals, 55 assists), and had 34 power-play points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 65 games. 9 and just nine in the top 32. Typically, we have some certainty as to the first half of the draft, but this year we have some level of certainty in the first quarter of the opening round, or the first eight picks. 20 Isaac Howard USA U-18 (USHL) Kimelman -- Pavel Mintyukov: The Sharks need to get younger and more skilled at defenseman and Mintyukov is among the most gifted at the position in the 2022 draft class. 30 pick, which they acquired from the New York Rangers in the trade for forward Andrew Copp on March 21. Frank Nazar He defends well, can play physical and is consistently reliable. This is the list of players selected in the 2022 NHL Entry draft. 27. 1 or No. He was overshadowed by some of his teammates but Howard's skating and strength down low in the offensive zone make him a standout prospect. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL): Really light on his skates and anticipates the play well. 2022 NHL Draft: Top QMJHL Prospects (Skaters) February 1, 2022. There are, however, two points worth noting. 1 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, which took place July 7-8, and selected Juraj Slafkovsky in a . The Montreal Canadiens had the No. The Coyotes, Kraken and Flyers would love one of the top two prospects to fall to them, but that seems . Gino Reda hosts a weekly syndicated radio show that profiles the excitement, news and insight of Canadian Amateur Hockey across Canada. Some of them said theyre not necessarily convinced the top two picks in the draft will be Slafkovsky and Wright or vice versa. Seattle Kraken - Shane Wright The Canadiens won the lottery and will select No. If its extremely tight at the top end of the draft with Slafkovsky and Wright, and it is, it also holds true throughout much of the first round. 21. Lian Bichsel, D, Leksand (SHL): Another big, powerful defender (6-foot-5, 216 pounds), who can gap well thanks to a long stride, massive reach and excellent mobility. Applying some of those gifts on the defensive side is a work in progress. But now he has two challengers in Logan Cooley and Juraj Slafkovsky,who had strong finishes to their respective seasons. He has terrific . Jiri Kulich, C, HC Karlovy Vary (CZE): Was his nine-goal effort at the U18s a mirage, or a true representation of what he will be able to do in the NHL? Rutger McGroarty, C, USNTDP: As a solid two-way option, his personality and leadership qualities make him a viable pick in the latter stages of round one. 47 Fraser Minten Kamloops (WHL) We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Morreale -- Lian Bichsel, D, Leksand (SWE): The Switzerland-born left-shot defenseman moves well for his size (6-5, 225), makes a good first pass out of the defensive zone and is aggressive in battles around the net. 40 Lane Hutson USA U-18 (USHL) Nemec has three seasons of experience playing in the top men's league in Slovakia, and his six points (one goal, five assists) in eight games for Slovakia at the 2022 IIHF World Championship are the most ever by an 18-year-old defenseman in the tournament. He can carry pucks out of his zone and lead the rush, and his ability to track back and keep a tight gap allows him to break up plays before they become dangerous and trigger transition offense. At 18 years old the left-handed shot was the top defenseman on a Swift Current team that struggled this season, but scouts liked how he responded to the adversity. He's capable of creating a seamless transition and pushing the pace into the opposing end. Can beat defenders to the outside, but also manages the puck well away from the body to take it to the middle of the ice. Kimelman -- Cutter Gauthier, LW, USA U-18 (NTDP): Gauthier's skating and shot are NHL-caliber and he's got a power forward build (6-2, 200) that will be even better when he works with an NHL strength coach. Be sure to stay tuned for our Mock Draft which will be released July 5. 2. What separates Slafkovsky from Wright for me is that hes bigger, he played harder, he was more consistent with his competitiveness, and he stepped up to produce on big stages [Olympics and world championship], another NHL head scout said. A right-shot defenseman, he played primarily on the left side this season. He's a good skater who defends well with his feet and reach, taking time away from opponents. 5 and as low as 21. 1 defenseman and 2021 second-round pick (No. He's got a cannon for a shot, defends well and can transition from defense to offense quickly. The scouts who had Wright at No. 30. And while he doesn't have towering size, he's not afraid to play physically when needed. Why did Shane Wright drop from being the No. 82 Kasper Kulonummi Jokerit (SM Liiga Jr.) He's a straight-line player with a power forward game that should translate well to the pro level. 17. 6 and as low as No. In his first mock draft, . The offensive position that typically garners the most selections in a given draft is wide receiver and if recent years are any indication, at least a few of this year's prospects will make an immediate impact for . 1? Now that we've entered the new year and with more than a third of the 2021-22 schedule already played, it's a good time to . Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, USNTDP: His shot is big-league ready. Whos the crown jewel for the team with the No. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. Teams who like Wright at No. He's a strong skater who is solid in his end, handled his high ice time well in all situations, and showed some offensive ability with 33 points (nine goals, 24 assists) in 62 games. Why Anthony Richardson won't be available for Lions at No . 26 Lian Bichsel Leksands (SHL) 83 Gavin Hayes Flint (OHL) If a team in the 12-16 range won the first drawing, the worst team keeps the 1st pick and is excluded from the second drawing. 1 pick? Im not saying one or the other couldnt become first liners, theyre both good prospects, but unlike a lot of years, this draft doesnt have any great prospects. 2022 Mock Drafts 2021 Mock Drafts 2020 Mock Drafts 2019 Mock Drafts 2018 Mock Drafts 2017 Mock Drafts 2016 Mock Drafts. On the flip side, many players were able to use the pandemic time off to strength and skill train, but development in its finest form accelerates with the experience of playing games. Current. The NHL released their final draft rankings this week along with several other notable junior hockey experts. Logan Cooley 1 pick | What makes Shane Wright special, Juraj Slafkovsky: Slafkovsky vs. Wright and the decision for the No. He has played center and the wing and has top-level experience after playing in Liiga the past three seasons. Our 2022 NHL Mock Draft. With left-shot centers in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, giving them a scoring option at right wing like Firkus (5-10, 151), who led Moose Jaw with 80 points (36 goals, 44 assists) in 66 games, could add some needed youth and versatility to the Oilers offense. Connor Bedard will undoubtedly be picked first overall in the upcoming NHL Draft but where do the other picks land from 2-16? The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. 65 Topi Ronni Tappara (SM Liiga Jr.) Matthew Savoie, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL): Todays game is all about speed and skill and both of these elements are present at an elite level with this player. While that assessment may be a little heady, he does fit inside the top 10 of this class. The next generation of NHL stars will enter the league at the 2022 NHL Draft, live from Montreal. The right-hand shot, compared by some to Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh, will play at the University of Minnesota next season. Wright is an easy choice at No. He had 24 points (five goals, 19 assists) in 62 games this season after four points (one goal, three assists) in 29 games in 2020-21. He led WHL rookie defensemen with 65 points (four goals, 61 assists) in 67 games and his playmaking ability ranks among the best at his position in this year's draft. His 34 goals in 54 games were second on the NTDP. From a physical standpoint he appears ready to play in the NHL next season. Marco Kasper, C, Rogle (SHL): Hard not to like a guy who plays such a well-rounded game, but is also willing to do whatever it takes to continue improving. He's under contract in the KHL for at least one more season but taking a chance on him here could be a smart value move. Pavel Mintyukov Wrights game left some scouts wanting more from him, especially in terms of competitiveness and goal scoring. NHL.com's full draft coverage can be found here. The 2022 NHL Draft is only hours away. 37 Reid Schaefer Seattle (WHL) He doesnt possess elite or wow factor offensive ability and hes not a punishing physical defender, but his skating and smarts give him the assets to be a No. Arizona could use a few defensemen with an edge to their game in the pipeline and Warren checks those boxes. 25 Ryan Chesley USA U-18 (USHL) Top shots? You can click on the headings of the tables to sort the information. 3. Boston Bruins Latest News; . Past. 73 Michael Buchinger Guelph (OHL) 23 Owen Pickering Swift Current Wheeler: 10 NHL Draft prospects of interest who missed my top-100 ranking 61 Dylan James Sioux City (USHL) 13. Kevin Korchinski, Pavel Mintyukov, Denton Mateychuk and Owen Pickering occupy the second tier. To see your localized preferences, please enable geolocation services in your browser settings. 15. He started the season as a consensus Top 5 pick but now theres no telling when he might be selected. 2, but two scouts had him at No. Is an effective defender, distributor and shooter. 2022 Draft Profile: LW Alexander Perevalov January 21, 2022. Noah Warren, D, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL): Possesses rare asset with the wherewithal to know what he is and how he has to play. We use cookies to improve your experience. Morreale -- Rieger Lorenz, LW, Okotoks (AJHL): Lorenz (6-2, 194) dominated the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and was named rookie of the year after leading first-year players with 38 goals. He had three points (one goal, two assists) and averaged 11:48 of ice time in 29 games this season, his first in the SHL. 10. Use another - One of the major storylines to follow will be how Russian prospects will be dealt with by the 32 NHL clubs. 28 Nathan Gaucher Quebec (QMJHL) 6 David Jiricek Plzen (CZE) 31. That time was faster than the 4.44 seconds unofficially announced and the 10-yard split is the fastest time by an edge rusher in the history of the NFL Combine. He's a good skater with a strong, accurate shot he's able to get through traffic. 1. He's already shown he can excel against older competition in Liiga, and at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where he was the youngest player in the tournament and named its most valuable player after leading all players with seven goals in seven games for Slovakia. Team: Omskie Yastreby (MHL) Statistics: 23 G, 22 A in 35 GP. In my view, he has the best chance to be a first-line NHL forward.. Morreale -- Owen Beck, C, Mississauga (OHL): Beck (5-11, 187) tied for fifth among OHL rookies with 51 points and was ninth with 30 assists. The 16 teams that missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs took part in the lottery drawing for the first two selections; the Canadiens won the No. It's a photo finish for the No. Kevin Korchinski He led Finland with six goals in five games at the World U-18s. Ties are broken by teams' total number of regulation wins (RW), regulation and non-shootout overtime wins (ROW), and then head-to-head if still tied . Mocks. Please contact us. For months, our four draft analysts -- Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay, Jordan Reid and Matt Miller -- and our 32 NFL Nation reporters have been assessing prospects and team needs, building mock drafts . Team needs and tendencies have been loosley been taken into consideration. Kevin Korchinski, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL): Great skating ability that allows him to get back on pucks quickly, initiate the rush and walk the offensive zone blue line. Morreale -- Luca Del Bel Belluz: A responsible, high-end center, Del Bel Belluz was used in all situations because of his good speed, skating ability, excellent hands and puck skills. 1. 18 Ji Kulich Karlovy (CZE) Which prospects are the best skaters, have the best puck skills, hockey sense, shot, and are the most physically dominant? He also led OHL defensemen with three shorthanded goals. Denton Mateychuk, D, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL): Is adept at breaking pucks out, and remaining a part of the rush. Based on how things look today, the 2023 scouting season will be as close to normal as weve seen in the past three years. Morreale -- Filip Mesar, RW, Poprad (SVK): The Wild could use greater depth on wing and Mesar, who scouts have compared to Carolina Hurricanes forward Teuvo Teravainen, is a strong skater with a good understanding of the game. Kimelman -- Ty Nelson, D, North Bay (OHL): Nelson's skating is outstanding going forward or backward. Check out our Mock 2022 NHL Draft. Lane Hutson might be small in stature, but his game could translate well to the NHL. HM Quinn Finley Madison (USHL) 1 pick, and the Devils won No. David Goyette, C, Sudbury . In his first 2023 NFL mock draft, released in late January, ESPN's Mel Kiper had the Detroit Lions targeting two defensive players. He plays with a lot of energy, is strong on the forecheck and has great work ethic. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. Marco D'Amico. But there are some red flags for consistent effort and indifferent play. NHL.com is counting down to the draft with in-depth profiles on top prospects, podcasts and other features. Often there's a debate over the top two projected picks -- think Tavares/Hedman, or Taylor vs. Tyler -- but rarely the top three. Hes never deterred despite his slight stature (5-foot-10, 154 pounds). 27 Rutger McGroarty USA U-18 (USHL) Top NHL Draft prospect David Jiricek projects as an intimidating NHL defenseman. Like the first drawing, the second winner can only jump ten spots. Eight of our 10 scouts ranked Wright either No. He had 58 points (32 goals, 26 assists) in 66 regular-season games, and was second among rookies in the WHL playoffs with 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 25 games. 29 pick. Slafkovsky was ranked either No. He had a 16-game point streak from Dec. 4-Jan. 25 and led the AJHL with five shorthanded goals. Two of the three Russians ranked in TSNs Top 32 forward Danila Yurov at No. 1 pick, What is the scouting process for NHL Draft prospects? Steven Ellis/The Hockey News. 59. Full draft rankings (for more info go to TSN.ca): RK Player Team Theres a lot to pick apart on both sides of the equation. Jonathan Lekkerimaki:The somewhat undersized (5-foot-10-1/2) Swedish winger has a big-time shot and high-end finishing ability and performed at a high level at the 2022 U-18 World Championship. He might not have quite the same offensive pizzazz as Kemell, but he still projects as a top-six scoring forward. Five of 10 scouts surveyed by TSN . Corey Pronman examines every teams entire depth chart at the NHL and prospect level and projects their needs over the next few years. (Photo: Mike Stobe / NHLI via Getty Images). Morreale -- Marco Kasper, C, Rogle (SWE): Kasper (6-1, 187) has good hockey sense, great compete, an accurate shot and is a proven leader capable of playing center or wing. With Week 13 of the 2022 NFL season officially in the books, fans are understanding what this season means for their franchise, for better or worse. He's considered one of the fastest skaters available, and NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr called him, "Maybe the most natural goal scorer in this draft class.". He's good at protecting the puck, is strong along the boards and in front of the net and became an offensive threat this season. On the surface, that isn't all too serious, but this goes well beneath the surface . ET; NHLN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS). 1 are struggling with Wrights draft year being so average [compared to prior seasons], he said. 67 Devin Kaplan USA U-18 (USHL) He's an outstanding skater with high-end offensive instincts. 4 and as low as No. One-on-one with the NHL Draft prospect on his speed, whats next, Lahti, and more. Las Vegas Raiders. 59 Ryan Greene Green Bay (USHL) He also played more of a shut-down role for the NTDP but showcased a high-end offensive game with the U-17 team in 2020-21 (34 points in 37 games). 17. NFL MOCK DRAFT. Simon Nemec:The 6-foot, 199-pound Slovak is a smooth-skating, intelligent defenceman who is a highly efficient puck mover with a solid two-way game. ET; NHLN, ESPN+ . NHL Draft Guide 2022: Prospect rankings, mock drafts and more. Video: Draft Prospect: Best of Cutter Gauthier. 12. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound receiver caught just five passes . 2023 NHL Entry Draft: Horn's Mock Draft 1.0 Matvei Michkov: . Pronman vs. Wheeler: Debating the top prospects in the 2022 NHL Draft Video: Draft Prospect: Best of Logan Cooley. May 14, 2022. 2 Shane Wright Kingston (OHL) If a team in the 12-16 range wins the first drawing, the first pick will remain with the worst team. 68 Hunter Haight Barrie (OHL) From local star to national team-leading scorer to top NHL Draft prospect, Cooleys left the same humble impression everywhere hes gone. 5 at mid-season but used two stellar international performances, at the Olympics and the mens world championship, to vault to TSNs No. He improved his skating, which allows him to get into more dangerous areas to use his shot, which is considered by scouts to be one of the best in this draft class. 4. MOCK 2022 NHL DRAFT . 32. 81 Jorian Donovan Hamilton (OHL) The first half of the 2021-22 season was used to get players back up to speed and it was clearly evident in the quality of play. Lian Bichsel A determined player motivated even when without the puck. He was voted best on face-offs in the OHL Eastern Conference coaches' poll after finishing second in the league in face-off winning percentage (60.6 percent; minimum 100 face-offs). With the NHL Draft Lottery out of the way and the order of the first 16 teams confirmed, it's time for a Post-Lottery Mock Draft. Corey Pronmans final ranking Trikozov has the potential to be one of the better forwards taken in this draft . 6. 16. The war with Ukraine and resulting sanctions have some NHL clubs unsure of how to proceed with Russian prospects, especially those who are playing and living in Russia. 31. Kimelman -- Owen Pickering, D, Swift Current (WHL): The Predators haven't selected a defenseman in the top two rounds of the draft since 2016 (Dante Fabbro, Samuel Girard) and Pickering (6-4, 180) is the right player to end that run. His range in our survey was as high as No. You can change your selections at any time. Kimelman -- Tristan Luneau, D, Gatineau (QMJHL): The Sabres could use some depth on the right side of their defense and Luneau (6-1, 189) would be a good option here. The draft order is based after NHL draft lottery and heading into the Conferenace Finals.