Draft 2022 NHL Draft and Undrafted Free Agents Thread

[GAGLine]

McGroarty is a personal favorite of mine.

Reminds me a lot of Getzlaf at the same age.

Is he a center at the NHL level or do you think he ends up on the wing?

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Lambert suffers from "Lundell syndrome". Misses some big international game due to injury and Button, who has already proven he doesn't judge EU prospects based on league games, drops him.

Lambert is a top 5 prospect in his draft class. I said the same about Lundell.

Dunno about the top 5 part anymore. I feel like his own teammate, Kemell has passed him (and it seems like HP's rankings agree).

 

[ecemleafs]

i had the usa prospects game on yesterday. wasnt paying too much attention, but cooleys name was said a lot since he was on the puck. had a sick goal attempt that he got an assist on when his teammate banged in the rebound. hes prob going top 3 tho.

 

[mas0764]

Lambert suffers from "Lundell syndrome". Misses some big international game due to injury and Button, who has already proven he doesn't judge EU prospects based on league games, drops him.

Lambert is a top 5 prospect in his draft class. I said the same about Lundell.

Desperately want to find a way to get this player.

We are running out of chances to fill this need.

 

[mas0764]

What if on the strength of his goal scoring this season you could get someone who wanted to part with a top 15 pick for Kreider and that allowed you to draft Lambert, and then you package your original first and a defensive propect for someone like Larkin?

That's getting somewhere.

 

[CLW]

What if on the strength of his goal scoring this season you could get someone who wanted to part with a top 15 pick for Kreider and that allowed you to draft Lambert, and then you package your original first and a defensive propect for someone like Larkin?

That's getting somewhere.

What *if* McKegg got hit by lightning and turned into McDavid?

 

[NYRFANMANI]

What *if* McKegg got hit by lightning and turned into McDavid?

I'd say: "Law down the comic book."

 

[Mac n Gs]

Is he a center at the NHL level or do you think he ends up on the wing?

He’ll most likely end up on the wing, and he’s been shifted to there for the last couple of months or so. He’s been mainly centered by Cutter Gauthier in that time span, who I think has a really good chance to stick at C in the NHL, but also will be a very good winger.

This USNTDP crop is insanely talented, but the ones that I think we’ll see as top-6 NHL Cs in the future are Logan Cooley and Frank Nazar.

 

[Edge]

Is he a center at the NHL level or do you think he ends up on the wing?

Wing.

 

[mike14]

McKenzie's mid-season draft ranking for those interested...

Wright leaves door open atop TSN's mid-season draft rankings - TSN.ca

 

[Synergy27]

Centers with plus skating. Focus on that and that alone.

 

[cwede]

has anyone watched BU, any thoughts re Skoog?
age 22, 6'2" Swedish C, 4th season in NA, 3rd season w BU

https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/344665/wilmer-skoog

 

[Lion Hound]

Not going to be a big year for the local talent in this years draft. Long Island specifically. We've had a decent run on players from the area that have done some big things. Next years class 05/06 Birthdays is loaded up. For 2022 Draft there are some potential first rounders coming out of CT and Jersey this year.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Self delete.

 

[Clark Kellogg]

Was looking for this thread last week. Kept missing it so I ended up posting on the prospect thread. Somewhere in the 20 to 32 range I like Rutger McGroarty.

 

[Lion Hound]

NHL Bloodlines run deep!

More then any other professional sport, Bloodlines run deep through the NHL and the Entry draft. I was combing through the first 150 skaters ranked by CSS from NA and came across a bunch of them. Still havn't done the goalies or the Euro skaters yet. Im sure there are much more.

CSS #4 Connor Geekie C Winnipeg WHL. Connor is brother to Morgan Geekie who plays for the Kracken. Connor is a big boy, already 6’4 205.
CSS #5 Matthew Savoie C Winnipeg OHL: Matthew is younger brother of Carter Savoie. Carter is in the Oilers system, drafted 4th round in 2020.
CSS #6 Cutter Gauthier LW USNDP: Gauthier’s father was a goalie, drafted by the Jets. Spent time with WGP, SJS and FLA. He only got to play 1 NHL game.
CSS #7 Jack Hughes C Northeastern: Jack is not related to Jack (NJD) and Quinn (VAN), however he is also a bloodline. His father is Kent Hughes, is the new GM for the Montreal Canadiens. His uncle Ryan was drafted by the Canucks, and later played a few games for the Bruins. Lastly, his brother Riley Hughes was drafted in 2018 by…THE NEW YORK RANGERS!!!! Brother Riley is currently with Northeastern.
CSS #8 Jimmy Snuggerud RW USA U18: Jimmy father Dave Snuggerud, played 4 seasons in the NHL with Sabres, Sharks and Flyers. Jimmy’s cousin Luc Snuggerud was drafted by the Hawks in 2015, but never made it. He plays for Slovakia now.
CSS #39 Jorian Donovan D Hamilton OHL: Jorian is the son of former NHL Forward Shean Donovan. Shean Donovan was drafted in 93 by SJS and played 15 seasons in the NHL with the Sharks, Avs, Thrashers, Pens, Flames, Bruins, and the Senators.
CSS #40 Zam Plante C Chicago USHL: Zam is the son of former NHL Forward, Derek Plante. Derek was drafted in 8th round in 1989, and played 9 NHL Seasons with Sabres, Stars, Hawks, and the Flyers.
CSS #86 Maxim Barbashev LW Moncton QMJHL: Maxim’s older brother was drafted by the Blues in 2014. He is still with the Blues centering a line with Brandon Saad and David Perron on the wings. He is in his 6th NHL Season.
CSS #129 Colton Smith LW London OHL: Colton is the son of DJ Smith who is the head coach of the Ottawa Senators.
CSS 110 : Marek Hejduk RW USA U-18: Marek's father Milan Hejduk played all 14 NHL seasons with the Avs. Marek has a twin brother who also playes. Both are Harvard Commit's. Only Marek is ranked by Central Scouting. He's playing RW like his Dad. McKenzie ranks him #76.
CSS #118 Cole Knuble RW Fargo USHL: Cole's father Mike played 17 NHL seasons with a couple of them with the NY Rangers.
CSS #133 Kaden Muir D, US U18: Kaden's father Bryan Muir was a former NHL Defenseman who played 11 NHL seasons, with Oilers, Devils, Hawks, Lightning, and the Avs.

 

[B17 Apricots]

Seems like it's said every year now, the USHL is a breeding ground for guys that slip through the draft or go undrafted entirely. I don't know if there's still some question about the level of play there, maybe a little underscouted, I don't know what the deal is... we are though getting to a point now where we're talking about trading our top picks away so we're gonna need to be slick with those middle & late rounders to keep the pipeline flowing.

I was really surprised to see Jacob Guévin go undrafted last year, definitely someone I had on the wishlist. Maybe it was just the year of the big D-man... Power, Edvinsson... all the defenceman in the first round were 6' and up. You'd think though the 2nd highest scoring defenceman in the USHL would at least get a little love, no? Not even a 7th round gamble! It's crazy to me . Anyway, just a few names on the backend to keep an eye on... Livanavage, Guévin, Dexheimer, Carfagna, Mittelstadt, etc... guys that may be found later in the draft, bunch of overagers. These really productive USHL players, especially defenceman, seem to do pretty damn well in college and onward... for the most part, under the radar too

 

[NYR425]

Hearing Rangers aren't happy with their organizational goalie depth and are looking into at least one of the NCAA free agents this year. What are your thoughts on this years NCAA Free Agent goalie crop?

 

[Fitzy]

Hearing Rangers aren't happy with their organizational goalie depth and are looking into at least one of the NCAA free agents this year. What are your thoughts on this years NCAA Free Agent goalie crop?

I only watch the ECAC prior to the NCAA tournament.

I like what Connor Murphy has done at Union and Clay Stevenson backstopping an atrocious Dartmouth team.

 

[Ranger Ric]

On 32 Thoughts a few weeks ago either Marek or Friedman mentioned that several teams including the Rangers are very interested in undrafted free agent goalie Mack Guzda from the Barrie Colts in the OHL. He didn't play last year with the OHL shutdown. Here are his stats for 2022.

2021-2022Owen Sound AttackOHL10 3.20 .915| Barrie ColtsOHL 14 2.04 .931|

 

[smoneil]

Was looking for this thread last week. Kept missing it so I ended up posting on the prospect thread. Somewhere in the 20 to 32 range I like Rutger McGroarty.

The kid's face through that first minute is hilarious. "This old guy is telling me about why/how he names teddy bears. What the f*** am I even doing here?"

 

[Savant]

On 32 Thoughts a few weeks ago either Marek or Friedman mentioned that several teams including the Rangers are very interested in undrafted free agent goalie Mack Guzda from the Barrie Colts in the OHL. He didn't play last year with the OHL shutdown. Here are his stats for 2022.

2021-2022Owen Sound AttackOHL10 3.20 .915| Barrie ColtsOHL 14 2.04 .931|

He signed with Florida Panthers about a week ago

 

[brachyrynchos]

Hearing Rangers aren't happy with their organizational goalie depth and are looking into at least one of the NCAA free agents this year. What are your thoughts on this years NCAA Free Agent goalie crop?

Strauss Mann is an undrafted goalie who's been playing over in Sweden (Skellaftea) and is doing well. Not sure if he's happy over there and if he wants a shot in the NHL right away. I've seen his name mentioned in the prospects thread. He's from Greenwich, CT, played for Univ. Michigan and I believe is currently with the US Olympic team.
Brandon Bussi (Western Michigan) could be an option too, but could probably use some seasoning and likely wouldn't be ready to step in right away. The 6'5 210 lb netminder is from Sound Beach, Long Island. The puzzle pieces on his mask is for Autism awareness, which his younger brother deals with. Maybe Brandon wants to stay closer to home?
A forward that the Rangers will likely look into is U Mass Bobby Trivigno. A bit undersized at 5'8, 162 but skilled. Wore the 'A' last year and the 'C' this year. Invited to the Rangers development camp last year but per NCAA rules couldn't attend due to missing classes. He's a Long Island native (Setauket) who is also a Rangers fan.
Jack McBain (drafted by Minnesota- unsigned as of now) is considered the best out there. The centre is 6'4, 205 and is said to be highly skilled and competetive. Not sure if he plans to sign with the Wild but I'd like to think he wants to play right away and the Rangers could have a spot for him.

 

[Brief Candle]

NHL Bloodlines run deep!

More then any other professional sport, Bloodlines run deep through the NHL and the Entry draft. I was combing through the first 150 skaters ranked by CSS from NA and came across a bunch of them. Still havn't done the goalies or the Euro skaters yet. Im sure there are much more.

CSS #4 Connor Geekie C Winnipeg WHL. Connor is brother to Morgan Geekie who plays for the Kracken. Connor is a big boy, already 6’4 205.
CSS #5 Matthew Savoie C Winnipeg OHL: Matthew is younger brother of Carter Savoie. Carter is in the Oilers system, drafted 4th round in 2020.
CSS #6 Cutter Gauthier LW USNDP: Gauthier’s father was a goalie, drafted by the Jets. Spent time with WGP, SJS and FLA. He only got to play 1 NHL game.
CSS #7 Jack Hughes C Northeastern: Jack is not related to Jack (NJD) and Quinn (VAN), however he is also a bloodline. His father is Kent Hughes, is the new GM for the Montreal Canadiens. His uncle Ryan was drafted by the Canucks, and later played a few games for the Bruins. Lastly, his brother Riley Hughes was drafted in 2018 by…THE NEW YORK RANGERS!!!! Brother Riley is currently with Northeastern.
CSS #8 Jimmy Snuggerud RW USA U18: Jimmy father Dave Snuggerud, played 4 seasons in the NHL with Sabres, Sharks and Flyers. Jimmy’s cousin Luc Snuggerud was drafted by the Hawks in 2015, but never made it. He plays for Slovakia now.
CSS #39 Jorian Donovan D Hamilton OHL: Jorian is the son of former NHL Forward Shean Donovan. Shean Donovan was drafted in 93 by SJS and played 15 seasons in the NHL with the Sharks, Avs, Thrashers, Pens, Flames, Bruins, and the Senators.
CSS #40 Zam Plante C Chicago USHL: Zam is the son of former NHL Forward, Derek Plante. Derek was drafted in 8th round in 1989, and played 9 NHL Seasons with Sabres, Stars, Hawks, and the Flyers.
CSS #86 Maxim Barbashev LW Moncton QMJHL: Maxim’s older brother was drafted by the Blues in 2014. He is still with the Blues centering a line with Brandon Saad and David Perron on the wings. He is in his 6th NHL Season.
CSS #129 Colton Smith LW London OHL: Colton is the son of DJ Smith who is the head coach of the Ottawa Senators.
CSS 110 : Marek Hejduk RW USA U-18: Marek's father Milan Hejduk played all 14 NHL seasons with the Avs. Marek has a twin brother who also playes. Both are Harvard Commit's. Only Marek is ranked by Central Scouting. He's playing RW like his Dad. McKenzie ranks him #76.
CSS #118 Cole Knuble RW Fargo USHL: Cole's father Mike played 17 NHL seasons with a couple of them with the NY Rangers.
CSS #133 Kaden Muir D, US U18: Kaden's father Bryan Muir was a former NHL Defenseman who played 11 NHL seasons, with Oilers, Devils, Hawks, Lightning, and the Avs.

f***ing hell, Hejduk AND Knuble's kids? Getting old is so weird.

 

[NYRFANMANI]

Honestly, for whatever reason I'm deadlocked on Rieger Lorenz. There isn't much tape on him, but what I see is solid and I consider him a gem in the very late 1st rd, early 2nd rd.

Would be willing to trade up one of the 2nd rd picks we have to secure the kid.

The top 10 in this draft is stacked imo and I think I love the Slovakian two headed monster with Nemec and Slafkovski, the latter will tear it up in the NHL.

I see no chance in hell we end up with a top 10 pick, so kiss all of the Lambert dreams goodbye.