2022 NHL Entry Draft Discussion

[Americanadian]

Unlikely. Look at Conor Garland in his draft year. He had 129 points in 67 games but he was like 5'8 or 5'9 in his draft year which is why he was taken in the 5th round.

I think he was taken so late because he was a D+1 in 2014-15.

 

[Future]

Had enough of these 5’10 forward prospects and I’ll absolutely be disappointed if we draft one. There is never a shortage of skilled smaller players in any draft. We’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future to accumulate guys like that, and we already have a few in the system.

We’ve seen how big of an asset a player like Knies can become just from having a single productive season. Would rather take a chance on guys like Pickering and Bichsel if they are there who have desirable traits and have demonstrated their talent.

 

[daethfromabove1979]

I'm not on the Logan Morrisson train in the 3rd round, and I'm 99% sure he's going to be going in the top-100 because playoffs/mem cup. I find he's interesting enough for a late round flier/UDFA, but we're talking about one of the older guys in the O having an okay season and great playoffs/mem cup on arguably the best team in the CHL. I wouldn't be pleased if our 2020 3rd round pick was still in the O having that type of season and think 'can't wait to get this guy to the Marlies.

Really? He would be hyped up to no end if the Leafs drafted Morrison in 2020, he'd be doing better than any of Dubas' other picks in the 3rd/4th round range since 2018, except for Niemela. I expect Morrison will be gone by the Leaf's 3rd round pick anyways.

 

[Morgs]

Had enough of these 5’10 forward prospects and I’ll absolutely be disappointed if we draft one. There is never a shortage of skilled smaller players in any draft. We’ll have plenty of opportunities in the future to accumulate guys like that, and we already have a few in the system.

We’ve seen how big of an asset a player like Knies can become, just from having a single productive season. Would rather take a chance on guys like Pickering and Bichsel if they are there who have desirable traits and have demonstrated their talent.

Yeah because drafting for size has always worked for the Leafs.

 

[Magic Man]

I haven't paid very close attention to the draft this year as the Leafs are in more of a win now mode. But, over the past couple days I've compiled a list. It is bound to be brutal. But, any input that could help me better it before the draft would be welcome. Miroshnichenko is a do not draft for me with his health issues and the health issues of our last 1st rd. pick. I view it a bit through Leafs goggles, so small skilled forwards aren't a need right now, so they may be a little undervalued on my list.

1. Shane Wright
2. Juraj Slafkovsky
3. Logan Cooley
4. Simon Nemec
5. David Jiricek
6. Cutter Gauthier
7. Jonathan Lekkerimaki
8. Matthew Savoie
9. Joakim Kemell
10. Conor Geekie
11. Marco Kasper
12. Kevin Korchinski
13. Denton Mateychuk
14. Rutger McGroarty
15. Owen Pickering
16. Pavel Mintyukov
17. Lian Bichsel
18. Liam Ohgren
19. Ryan Chesley
20. Danila Yurov
21. Brad Lambert
22. Nathan Gaucher
23. Luca Del-Bel-Belluz
24. Noah Ostlund
25. Jimmy Snuggerud
26. Frank Nazar
27. Isaac Howard
28. Jagger Fircus
29. Jiri Kulich
30. Filip Mesar
31. Alexander Perevalov
32. Ivan Miroshnichenko

 

[Macallan18]

Screw it
Give me Jagger Firkus

He may not be large but his name is outstanding and he's dominant with the puck on his stick

The Darcy Rota of this draft.

 

[Americanadian]

Pronman has the Leafs grabbing McGroarty in his mock draft today. Of note Menteychuk went 24th and Ohgren 26th.

 

[Future]

Yeah because drafting for size has always worked for the Leafs.

Not saying to draft size for the sake of it. Pickering and Bichsel are both very good skaters. Pickering also bring excellent instincts and puck skills while Bichsel is a physical monster shutdown type with upside as a puck mover.

Big guys we’ve drafted in the past have almost always had skating issues and didn’t possess any noteworthy skills. That isn’t the case with these two.

 

[JSn0w93]

This draft is going to be wild guys. It’s as wide open at the top as I can remember. Pronman just stated that he wouldn’t be surprised if New Jersey took Kasper at #2. Get your popcorn ready.

 

[ULF_55]

Arizona belongs in the ECHL.

I thought they were playing in the NCAA the next few years?

 

[ULF_55]

This draft is going to be wild guys. It’s as wide open at the top as I can remember. Pronman just stated that he wouldn’t be surprised if New Jersey took Kasper at #2. Get your popcorn ready.

Well, if you don't draft until 25, that is a good thing.

 

[BertCorbeau]

Can you imagine something like this is Leafland?

View attachment 564991

I wonder if they intend to use all those picks or if they would trade some for roster help.

I would be heavily engaged with them for options.

 

[BertCorbeau]

This draft is going to be wild guys. It’s as wide open at the top as I can remember. Pronman just stated that he wouldn’t be surprised if New Jersey took Kasper at #2. Get your popcorn ready.

Let’s just hope the Habs go off the board with another Kotkaniemi like pick

 

[ULF_55]

I wonder if they intend to use all those picks or if they would trade some for roster help.

I would be heavily engaged with them for options.

Really, wonder how interested they are in winning in their new 5k seat barn over the next 3-4 seasons.

I could see them live on the floor in both cap and performance until 2026.

I'm sure Quebec City would get the same love...

At least their fans have one day a year where all eyes are on their team.

So how many teams aren't on the clock tomorrow?

Edits or Corrections Accepted!

Out:

Boston​

Calgary​

Carolina​

Chicago​

Colorado - won Cup​

Florida​

Los Angeles​

New York Rangers​

Vegas​

In:

Anaheim Ducks​

Anaheim Ducks (from Boston)​

Arizona Coyotes​

Arizona Coyotes (from Carolina via Montreal)6​

Arizona Coyotes (from Colorado)9​

Buffalo Sabres​

Buffalo Sabres (from Florida)7​

Buffalo Sabres (from Vegas)2​

Columbus Blue Jackets​

Columbus Blue Jackets (from Chicago)1​

Dallas Stars​

Detroit Red Wings​

Edmonton Oilers​

Minnesota Wild​

Minnesota Wild (from Los Angeles)3​

Montreal Canadiens​

Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary)5​

Nashville Predators​

New Jersey Devils​

New York Islanders​

Ottawa Senators​

Philadelphia Flyers​

Pittsburgh Penguins​

San Jose Sharks​

Seattle Kraken​

St. Louis Blues​

Tampa Bay Lightning​

Toronto Maple Leafs​

Vancouver Canucks​

Washington Capitals​

Winnipeg Jets​

Winnipeg Jets (from NY Rangers)8​

​

 

[Smif]

I don't want to imagine that because it means we suck and traded anything of value with the hope of being good in 3-5 years.

Has a 'good' team ever had near that many picks at the top of the draft?

It's a desert wasteland for bad contracts is what it is. Most of the picks acquired are from player castoffs rather than trading good players at the deadline. it's also the only way they're able to reach the floor.

 

[Morgs]

Really? He would be hyped up to no end if the Leafs drafted Morrison in 2020, he'd be doing better than any of Dubas' other picks in the 3rd/4th round range since 2018, except for Niemela. I expect Morrison will be gone by the Leaf's 3rd round pick anyways.

In what way? He had a great playoffs. A 19 year dominating the O is nothing new, it happens virtually every year and almost never do those "breakouts" tend to become something. He basically put up a season that would constitute him as "still a prospect" as a D2, maybe better.

Since Dubas has been here he's drafted SDA, Stotts, Kokkonen, and Niemela in the third, and Hollowell, Abramov, Abruzzese, Ahktyamov, Villenueve,

SDA - Morrisson is a better prospect at the same age. They're completely different prospects and SDA was on a much worse team his D2, but we're talking about 19 points (if you adjust SDAs D2 to 60GP). Not like anyone thought SDA has been anything special since his first training camp though.

Stotts - The worst pick Dubas has made in his tenure and the only outright bust outside Bouthillier.

Kokkonen - Playing pro since 16 and had his breakout season last year as a 19 year old in pro. He's a much, much better prospect than Morrison at the same age, and still is better despite having a down D3.

Niemela - I mean, the guy should have been a 1st round pick on draft day and has even exceeded that at this point.

Hollowell - Impressive first pro season but stagnated.

Abramov - Had the covid shortened season his D2 and had a bad ending after the Q returned. Similar level prospect to Morrisson and the shine came off of him a bit his D3.

Abruzzese - Drafted as a D+2 after a ridiculous season in the USHL. Immediately went into the NCAA and crushed it.

Akhtyamov - Had a down year his D2.

Villenueve - I'm not a fan, but apparently he shored up his defensive deficiencies while still providing the offense he was known for. Won the Mem cup.

Yeah I'd say Niemela, Kokkonen, Abruzzese, and Villenueve are/were easily better prospects. I'd also say most of the other guys besides Abramov (who I'd consider similar to Morrison) aren't trending like they'll ever make a NHL impact. I just don't see why we'd take him.

 

[Morgs]

Not saying to draft size for the sake of it. Pickering and Bichsel are both very good skaters. Pickering also bring excellent instincts and puck skills while Bichsel is a physical monster shutdown type with upside as a puck mover.

Big guys we’ve drafted in the past have almost always had skating issues and didn’t possess any noteworthy skills. That isn’t the case with these two.

Pickering has IQ issues with decision making, lack of offensive instincts, and had weak microstats and very weak production. A guy his size with his skating ability/puck skills should have done much better. He's talked about in the 20s because of tools, not because he's done anything to deserve it.

Bischel has very little offensive upside to speak of. His puck skills are fine, his offensive zone work is not crushing, and he sometimes makes an amazing decision where youre like "he could be SOMETHING if he was more consistent". My issue is that he's likely not going to improve his offensive skills, instead opting for his calling card and you're likely drafting a physical shut down defenseman with a decent enough 1st pass too early in the draft. The issue is for a guy to have that type of role in the modern NHL he HAS to be elite defensively, and there's nothing to suggest he can get on that type of level. Not to mention his team was absolutely massacred with him on the ice to the tune of something like a -15 rel.CF% ON THE SEASON (dont have the exact number in front of me).

I like both of them, but I'm not sold either will be close to the BPA.

 

[ErnieLeafs]

McGroarty or Ostlund for me, in that order. Do we think RM remains at centre in the NHL, or does he project out to the wing?

 

[JSn0w93]

McGroarty or Ostlund for me, in that order. Do we think RM remains at centre in the NHL, or does he project out to the wing?

I would say almost certainly a winger.

 

[JSn0w93]

Let’s just hope the Habs go off the board with another Kotkaniemi like pick

I hope they take Slafkovsky. I'm sure he will be a fine top 6 winger, but I think Cooley and Wright are both better, and play a more premium position.

 

[mistaclick]

McGroarty or Ostlund for me, in that order. Do we think RM remains at centre in the NHL, or does he project out to the wing?

I’d say Nazar, Gauthier are more projectable to be centres then McGroarty but definitely still possible

 

[Future]

Pickering has IQ issues with decision making, lack of offensive instincts, and had weak microstats and very weak production. A guy his size with his skating ability/puck skills should have done much better. He's talked about in the 20s because of tools, not because he's done anything to deserve it.

Bischel has very little offensive upside to speak of. His puck skills are fine, his offensive zone work is not crushing, and he sometimes makes an amazing decision where youre like "he could be SOMETHING if he was more consistent". My issue is that he's likely not going to improve his offensive skills, instead opting for his calling card and you're likely drafting a physical shut down defenseman with a decent enough 1st pass too early in the draft. The issue is for a guy to have that type of role in the modern NHL he HAS to be elite defensively, and there's nothing to suggest he can get on that type of level. Not to mention his team was absolutely massacred with him on the ice to the tune of something like a -15 rel.CF% ON THE SEASON (dont have the exact number in front of me).

I like both of them, but I'm not sold either will be close to the BPA.

Pickering from my viewings demonstrated very good IQ and offensive instincts. Much better than Kaiden Guhle at the same age and Guhle has done well for himself since being drafted. Pickering’s stats were certainly hurt by playing on a very bad team and he has more offensive upside than his numbers suggest.

I agree with Bichsel having little offensive potential, but I think he has plenty upside as a puck mover. Defensively, he was trusted on the PK in the SHL as a 17-18 year old which is impressive. Most of his struggles likely had more to do with adapting to a big jump in competition (Swiss U20 to SHL).

I’d be pleasantly surprised if either fell to 25. I think Mateychuk is the more likely faller of that consensus first round D group.

 

[hockeywiz542]

From Lincoln to Leafs Nation: McGroarty emerges as leading man in draft class - TSN.ca

Rutger McGroarty hopes his power-forward game will help him become the first NHLer from Lincoln, Nebraska. The 18-year-old, who cheered on the Leafs as a kid, wore the 'C' with the US NTDP. "I bring energy every single day," said McGroarty, who lists the Tkachuk brothers as his NHL role models. "I'm a leader in the locker room and on the ice and I have a goal-scorer's touch."

 

[hockeywiz542]

Maple Leafs draft options: Ranking the players they could pick in the first round

Here's a final ranking of players the Leafs could likely draft with their first-round pick.

theathletic.com

Options at No. 25

Noah Ostlund, C | Djurgardens-Sweden Jr. | 5-foot-11, 163 pounds
Scott Wheeler’s final ranking: 23 | Corey Pronman’s final ranking: 30

If Noah Ostlund is available at 25, his clever playmaking and smooth skating make him something of a no-brainer for the Leafs. Ostlund plays with the kind of elite hockey brain that the Leafs covet and his consistency and composure on and off the puck allow me to believe he might be able to transition to North American professional hockey relatively soon. But his draft stock has soared lately, and it’s now a more sizeable “if” he’ll be available at 25.

Liam Ohgren, LW | Djurgardens-Sweden Jr. | 6-foot-0, 187 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 14 | Pronman’s final ranking: 28

The ultra-competitive forward has a blend of scoring, skill, smarts and maturity that make him a very likely fit for the Leafs. My understanding is they’ve shown genuine interest in Ohgren, and he feels far more likely to be available than Ostlund. Ohgren is not a massive player, but his sense of competitiveness seems to make up for that. Serving as captain for Sweden at the under-18 world championships is a valuable piece to his makeup, and the fact that his father, Andreas, is known as a relentless trainer (“The Gary Roberts of Sweden” was how he was described to me by one person who knows Ohgren well) could only help increase his chances of succeeding in the NHL.

The Canadiens, who also have interest in Ohgren, pick right after the Leafs. Picking Ohgren just lines up for so many reasons.

Rutger McGroarty, RW | USA U-18 NTDP | 6-foot-1, 200 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 15 | Pronman’s final ranking: 18

McGroarty not only has size, great hands and an excellent shot, but what sticks out to me is his understanding of where he needs to be on the ice and the efforts he needs to make to succeed in the NHL. He captained the U-18 team and oozes charisma, which apparently impressed most NHL teams he interviewed with at the NHL combine. McGroarty interviewed with the Leafs at the combine and they continued to monitor him throughout this past season. His skating needs to improve, but the Leafs have to like that McGroarty already began working with their former longtime skating coach, Barb Underhill. His stride is awkward, but if the Leafs feel it can be refined then his scoring plus his drive to compete and win puck battles in all areas of the ice makes him another smart choice for the Leafs.

Denton Mateychuk, LHD | Moose Jaw-WHL | 5-foot-11, 188 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 13 | Pronman’s final ranking: 14

I’ve heard more and more that there’s some interest in Mateychuk from teams drafting late in the first round who feel he’ll be available. Pronman had Mateychuk going to the Leafs in his mock draft, too, and he certainly fits the profile: The incredibly crafty and pacey defenceman can read the game in a unique way, and projects to be the kind of blue liner who can join the team’s forwards with boatloads of skill and confidence. He skates remarkably well, increasing the chances that he could make the jump to the pros soon enough. The only question is whether he’ll indeed fall to 25. I have some reservations about that, at least compared to some of the other players on this list. But if Mateychuk is available, I wonder if the Leafs consider themselves fortunate, don’t overthink things and rush to the podium to make this selection.

Luca Del Bel Belluz, C | Mississauga-OHL | 6-foot, 175 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 47 | Pronman’s final ranking: 27

I’m torn here between two Mississauga centres, both of whom the Leafs probably like in some capacity: Del Bel Belluz and Owen Beck. Both play with skill, but Del Bel Belluz’s skating needs a little more work, and he could stand to bulk up some more. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Leafs do end up going for Del Bel Belluz given that his puck skills and his shot beat out Beck’s and his ceiling feels higher.

Beck might end up being a bit more of a complete package. I may be higher on Beck than others for the Leafs’ pick at 25, but I’m thinking about a safe option here for a possible third-line centre down the road, and both players fit that bill.

Wild cards to watch at 25

There is risk inherent in all of the players in this category, but if the Leafs want to take a swing and bet on a player’s upside, there are a few options.

Filip Mesar, RW | Poprad-Slovakia | 5-foot-10, 167 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 21 | Pronman’s final ranking: 34

I can’t get enough of the way Mesar plays. He’s incredibly active, and always seems to want to use his high-end skating to create dynamic offensive options in the offensive zone or break up plays in the neutral zone. But, as they say, your greatest strength is your greatest weakness, and as much as I love watching him dazzle in all three zones, I wonder if it’s a sustainable option in the NHL. His size is a genuine concern, but there’s a fearlessness in his approach that the Leafs have proven to be fans of with past draft picks. Like nearly every player on this list, he uses his brain to impact the game, and did so playing against men for the last two seasons in Slovakia.

Isaac Howard, LW | USA U-18 NTDP | 5-foot-10, 182 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 10 | Pronman’s final ranking: 33

My opinion on Howard has soured slightly after my initial list. He’s got the kind of hands, shot and sheer desire to score that will entice NHL teams in the first round, but my reservations are centred around how much he can impact the game in the neutral and defensive zones. I’m not as concerned about his size as I am about others on this list. He plays with the kind of moxie that seems to make up for his frame.

Brad Lambert, C | Pelicans-Finland | 6-foot, 175 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 8 | Pronman’s final ranking: 15

I wrestled here with two names: Lambert and Russian left winger Ivan Miroshnichenko.

On talent alone, Miroshnichenko feels like a possible top 10 pick. But after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in March, there were questions about how that would impact his future. He’s since been cleared to play, which is a good thing for him and his future.

Then there’s Lambert, an elite talent whose skating stands out in this draft class and feels more likely to be available at 25 than Miroshnichenko.

There are questions about his intensity off the puck. Here’s Pronman: “He’s full of potential, even though I’ve seen him take a lot of nights off.” Pronman said he thinks he will be a top-six NHL winger but “he may frustrate coaches.”

What gets me thinking about Lambert as an option is the team’s long-standing proclivity for players who need to be handled differently. Josh Ho-Sang is an obvious comparison, and the entire Marlies organization went to great lengths to indulge Ho-Sang and his unique approach throughout this season. Do the Leafs have enough confidence in their coaching staff to get the best out of Lambert?

Interestingly, their development staff might have spent a little more time than usual watching his game, considering 2019 Leafs draft pick and recently-signed defenceman Mikko Kokkonen played for Lambert’s team in Finland this season.

Jagger Firkus, RW | Moose Jaw-WHL | 5-foot-9, 153 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 34 | Pronman’s final ranking: 31

Firkus has the kind of hands that make his game pop. When he’s surveying the ice and making difficult passes, it’s hard not to appreciate his game and envision what the elusive, shifty forward might be capable of down the road. The Leafs are not short on, well, short and skilled players in their prospect pool. Part of me wonders if they’re looking to continually diversify the looks of their prospect group, especially at the top of the list, as evidenced by the selection of hulking forward Matthew Knies last year.

Lane Hutson, LHD | USA U-18 NTDP | 5-foot-8, 148 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 19 | Pronman’s final ranking: 22

There will (obviously) be a team to take a risk on the supremely skilled Hutson, and they’ll do so knowing that the list of 5-foot-8 NHL defencemen is a short one.

First, Hutson appears to want to face the challenge head on, bringing a report to the NHL combine from his endocrinologist which indicated that his bone age is delayed relative to his age and that he’s expected to grow more. You have to appreciate the gusto and if he continues growing, his elite vision and ability to make dangerous plays look easy may end up benefiting an NHL team. The position of defence is changing, and we know Hutson has the ability to change the game when he’s on the ice. Hey, the Leafs have never shied away from drafting small players before, right?

 

[ITM]

From Lincoln to Leafs Nation: McGroarty emerges as leading man in draft class - TSN.ca

Rutger McGroarty hopes his power-forward game will help him become the first NHLer from Lincoln, Nebraska. The 18-year-old, who cheered on the Leafs as a kid, wore the 'C' with the US NTDP. "I bring energy every single day," said McGroarty, who lists the Tkachuk brothers as his NHL role models. "I'm a leader in the locker room and on the ice and I have a goal-scorer's touch."

We'll probably need to trade up here.