Draft 2022 NHL Draft and Undrafted Free Agents Thread

[TheBloodyNine]

I am draft illiterate this year. Who would some people like for our pick at 26?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I am draft illiterate this year. Who would some people like for our pick at 26?

I know we all want a center but for me it's more about wanting to go with a forward.

Frank Nazar
Jagger Firkus
Filip Mešár
Marko Kasper
Gavin Hayes
Jack Hughes

Some of these are mostly because of familiarity (Kasper, Hughes, Hayes, Firkus) from watching other Ranger prospects but if Nazar is available, I would run to the stage to make the pick.

 

[PetahFromBensonhoist]

I am draft illiterate this year. Who would some people like for our pick at 26?

Jagger Firkus.

I also like Denton Mateychuk (LD) but I doubt he falls far enough to take him.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Guys, I am now all in on Jagger Firkus and I think you know why.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Guys, I am now all in on Jagger Firkus and I think you know why.

Get ready for the Firkus Circus !

 

[RangerBlues]

Im all into them moving up and taking the BPA

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Im all into them moving up and taking the BPA

Teams always do

 

[mas0764]

If you count 2011, sure. I don't consider that part of their rebuild though.

They won in 2017, 2019 and now 2022.

Still.

 

[huerter]

Find me the next Ilya Mikheyev. Stop talking about minors.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

I am draft illiterate this year. Who would some people like for our pick at 26?

Not that I'm draft literate, but this is such a weird draft this year and idk if the following bodes well.

There was major movement in the rankings. Miroshnichenko fell of a cliff, was top 5. Lambert too.
To me it seems, a year with the most of movements rankings-wise.

Players seemingly coming outta nowhere, to climb the ranks and push down previously highly touted talent.

It's gonna be a live draft alright. There are couple of sure-fire prospects, that won't be there at 26, or wherever we'll eventually pick, but we can still trade up. So we have to wait and see. Maybe some one drops far and we could snag a major talent late.

To answer the question, there will be a big pool to pick from. My fav prospects are pretty much all top 15.
I can't see Lambert falling much past 15. Miroshnichenko was my top target when the season began. Ovi-lite type kid. It's a mystery what happened. I'm coping by telling myself, he purposefully tanked his value, held back, generally disheartened by living in Russia. idk.

Me, I think I'd dare to pick him at 26. Depending on who's left.

We should be looking at Kasper (optimistic), Firkus' the numbers check out. Nathan Gaucher, he's a TWF but could be a middle-6 type center, good on faceoffs according the Patrick Roy. I think he goes to MTL late.



Gaucher got a hockey face alrigtht.



Firkus looks like Othmann, lol. Now he's priority #1.
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2025 NHL Mock Draft and NHL Draft History. 2025 NHL Draft prospect videos, stats, and written profiles updated throughout the year.

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Ughhhh! They have the Debbies picking Slafkovsky ... by the love of God, don't do it. Priority number 2! Slafkovky can't end up a Devil.

I was down on Wright, but he's had a great season, skating intensity is a question, but he's uber talented offensively.

Slafkovsky is BPA imo, when it all said and done. Special player he'll be, barring injury.

 

[TheBloodyNine]

Not that I'm draft literate, but this is such a weird draft this year and idk if the following bodes well.

There was major movement in the rankings. Miroshnichenko fell of a cliff, was top 5. Lambert too.
To me it seems, a year with the most of movements rankings-wise.

Players seemingly coming outta nowhere, to climb the ranks and push down previously highly touted talent.

It's gonna be a live draft alright. There are couple of sure-fire prospects, that won't be there at 26, or wherever we'll eventually pick, but we can still trade up. So we have to wait and see. Maybe some one drops far and we could snag a major talent late.

To answer the question, there will be a big pool to pick from. My fav prospects are pretty much all top 15.
I can't see Lambert falling much past 15. Miroshnichenko was my top target when the season began. Ovi-lite type kid. It's a mystery what happened. I'm coping by telling myself, he purposefully tanked his value, held back, generally disheartened by living in Russia. idk.

Me, I think I'd dare to pick him at 26. Depending on who's left.

We should be looking at Kasper (optimistic), Firkus' the numbers check out. Nathan Gaucher, he's a TWF but could be a middle-6 type center, good on faceoffs according the Patrick Roy. I think he goes to MTL late.



Gaucher got a hockey face alrigtht.



Firkus looks like Othmann, lol. Now he's priority #1.
---------

2025 NHL Mock Draft | 2025 NHL Draft | NHL Draft

2025 NHL Mock Draft and NHL Draft History. 2025 NHL Draft prospect videos, stats, and written profiles updated throughout the year.

www.mynhldraft.com

Ughhhh! They have the Debbies picking Slafkovsky ... by the love of God, don't do it. Priority number 2! Slafkovky can't end up

I was down on Wright, but he's had a great season, skating intensity is a question, but he's uber talented offensively.

Slafkovsky is BPA imo, when it all said and done. Special player he'll be, barring injury.

Thank you for this thoughtful analysis. Any guys in our range that might top out as a high end 3C defensive matchup specialist? That would be something we could desperately use.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Thank you for this thoughtful analysis. Any guys in our range that might top out as a high end 3C defensive matchup specialist? That would be something we could desperately use.

Personally I would aim at the highest offensive upside. Firkus' should be that guy, if he ever makes it to us.

But Gaucher is exactly what you are describing there. But would still go with offensive dynamo.

I'll put it this way, if you're not offensively gifted, almost everything else has to right and be on point, for you to make it.

I'd have to find more tape on Gaucher, but if center is a major priority for you, that would be a nice pick. Also getting Laf some frenchy support can't hurt.

 

[RangerBlues]

So my first look at tankathon mock
Luca Del Bel Belluz. Center Mississauga
I got nothing.
Matthew Savoie would an excellent, but very unlikely.
Jimmy Snuggerud is a player thats name has floated around in Rangerworld. Im sure there are more.
More likely they will pick a D man that on their "top 10"

 

[UnSandvich]

Miroshnichenko was my top target when the season began. Ovi-lite type kid. It's a mystery what happened. I'm coping by telling myself, he purposefully tanked his value, held back, generally disheartened by living in Russia. idk.

He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but it's in remission per his agent. Definitely my top target but i doubt he'll be available.

He'd also apparently made several efforts to come over to NA early (tried to get into the USHL), but had visa issues.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but it's in remission per his agent. Definitely my top target but i doubt he'll be available.

He'd also apparently made several efforts to come over to NA early (tried to get into the USHL), but had visa issues.

Holy f***ing shit! Well that explains a lot ... and that he will get picked up earlier ... thanks for the update.

So my first look at tankathon mock
Luca Del Bel Belluz. Center Mississauga
I got nothing.
Matthew Savoie would an excellent, but very unlikely.
Jimmy Snuggerud is a player thats name has floated around in Rangerworld. Im sure there are more.
More likely they will pick a D man that on their "top 10"

Del Bel Belluz is ok for a late 1st.
Savoie goes top 10 easily.
Snuggerud I got nothing on, but wing ? pass.
pls no D, for the love of god xD

 

[IDvsEGO]

Savoie would be the perfect move up target. He's on the smaller side at 5'9 right now, but potential to grow a bit. But he's got hands and speed for days.

Cooley is the ultimate move up target but the price to get up that high would be prohibative. He likely goes 3oa.

 

[mas0764]

Rangers are definitely in a spot to move up.

They have some assets to consolidate for a center. Not endless assets, mind you, but they do need to see if they can swing a quantity for quality deal to get a center who outperforms his draft slot, like Lundell at 12 has. That's the range they need to be targeting. Find a top 10 caliber prospect who slides and you can nab him and profit for a decade.

Their chances to address this issue are running out. Now is the time.

Get a center who can grow with Laf and Kakko. Getting an 18 year old to supplement your 20 year olds isn't some disservice to this core. Especially if the main cost is your own first round pick and maybe a defensive prospect, future pick, or low end veteran.

 

[Fitzy]

Did a little reading on Kasper, and he seems like he'd be a good fit for a potential middle 6 player long term.

 

[bleedblue94]

Rangers are definitely in a spot to move up.

They have some assets to consolidate for a center. Not endless assets, mind you, but they do need to see if they can swing a quantity for quality deal to get a center who outperforms his draft slot, like Lundell at 12 has. That's the range they need to be targeting. Find a top 10 caliber prospect who slides and you can nab him and profit for a decade.

Their chances to address this issue are running out. Now is the time.

Get a center who can grow with Laf and Kakko. Getting an 18 year old to supplement your 20 year olds isn't some disservice to this core. Especially if the main cost is your own first round pick and maybe a defensive prospect, future pick, or low end veteran.

the issue is most teams with those picks wait to see if they will be the benefactor of a player sliding. If a top ten player slides to 11-4 you aren't acquiring that pick at the normal 11-14 cost, the team that owns the pick will be raking you for the value of the should have been top ten player. Moving up to get the kind of player people here want is going to cost a LOT more than people here think...

 

[mas0764]

I will tell you that I would trade my first round pick this year for the first round pick next year of a team I projected to be a lottery team.

If that team was shortsighted enough to express interest. I mean, I think obviously a team like NJD, Montreal, Seattle, they aren't gonna be parting with their picks, but a team like Philly? They might think they are better than where they finished and might be itching for another first this year. I would take that lottery ticket from them.

 

[Savant]

the issue is most teams with those picks wait to see if they will be the benefactor of a player sliding. If a top ten player slides to 11-4 you aren't acquiring that pick at the normal 11-14 cost, the team that owns the pick will be raking you for the value of the should have been top ten player. Moving up to get the kind of player people here want is going to cost a LOT more than people here think...

Rangers traded away most of the ammo that they would need to move up at the deadline. If I’m not mistaken.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Yeah, we're not in the spot of moving up to the top 10 area. Where Nazar will go imo.

We got couple of RFAs to trade up with. Geo and our first could get us somewhere I hope.

(not that I'd really want to move up, although we kinda hit those out of the park.)

 

[GAGLine]

Assuming we still have our 1st, I don't see us moving up. We won't have our 2nd round pick in that scenario, and may not have St. Louis' 2nd rounder either, depending on what Winnipeg decides. We currently have the 26th pick. Even if we still have that 2nd rounder, it's probably not enough on its own to move up into the teens. We traded 26th overall and a 2nd to move up to 22 to select Miller. I don't see us trading someone like Jones or Lundkvist just to move up.

I'd prefer to stay at 26 and take Gaucher. We might even be able to trade back and get him. IMO he's exactly what we need.

Nathan Gaucher — 2022 NHL Draft Prospect Profile - The Hockey Writers NHL Entry Draft Latest News, Analysis & More

Nathan Gaucher is a draft eligible prospect expected to go somewhere in the 20-40 range in the draft. Here is his draft profile.

thehockeywriters.com

At 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, he’s a menacing force through the middle and uses his size very well. He plays a mean brand of hockey and isn’t afraid to throw his weight around. Offensively, he plays a power game, routinely dropping his shoulder and forcing his way to the net while also dominating below the circles and along the boards. The one elite skill he possesses offensively is his net-front play. Drawing comparisons to New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider, Gaucher does a lot of his scoring in front. Not only does he dominate this area physically, but he also shows good awareness and an ability to ghost away from defenders, opening himself up to receive a pass. He also shows good hands in these areas and an ability to finish chances and tip pucks.

He projects as a middle-six pivot who can shut down the opposition’s best players, kill penalties, and chip in with goals. Still likely a few years away from being NHL ready, he will be a safe pick for whoever drafts him.

"Gaucher is a big centre who can play well in both ends of the ice. He was nominated for the Guy Carbonneau Award as the top defensive forward in the QMJHL. He is very good positionally and uses his big body and long stick to cut down passing and shooting lanes. Gaucher has also shown that he is effective in the face-off circle. Gaucher is also able to create offensively. He uses his long stick, big body, and good stickhandling skills to protect the puck and work the cycle game. When an opportunity presents itself, he is not afraid to take the puck to the front of the net. Gaucher has the creativity and vision to set up teammates when he gets to those areas. He also has a very good shot and release. This allows him to score goals as well.” Ben Kerr, Last Word on Sports

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Rangers are definitely in a spot to move up.

They have some assets to consolidate for a center. Not endless assets, mind you, but they do need to see if they can swing a quantity for quality deal to get a center who outperforms his draft slot, like Lundell at 12 has. That's the range they need to be targeting. Find a top 10 caliber prospect who slides and you can nab him and profit for a decade.

Their chances to address this issue are running out. Now is the time.

Get a center who can grow with Laf and Kakko. Getting an 18 year old to supplement your 20 year olds isn't some disservice to this core. Especially if the main cost is your own first round pick and maybe a defensive prospect, future pick, or low end veteran.

I don't think we have the draft capital to do it as of now but it's worth pointing out that the last 2 times they moved up in the first round they picked Miller and Schneider.

I'm confident they make the right call if it comes to that.

 

[I Eat Crow]

Did a little reading on Kasper, and he seems like he'd be a good fit for a potential middle 6 player long term.

He's Anze Kopitar if everything goes right, but even if he doesn't meet the top of this range, he's Michael Handzus. This is a player I'd move up for.