2022 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 2

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: July 7, 2022.

33. Montreal Canadiens: Filip Mesar, RW, HK Poprad (Tipos)
    
    
    Montreal can draft either Filip Mesar or Jack D. Hughes at 33. Kent Hughes interviewed both Mesar and his son. Both players are good fits for Montreal at 33, but is a really tough decision for Montreal at 33 since both players got 16 points in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    First, Mesar is graded higher on most boards than Hughes, and two Mesar could replace Brock Hoffman by 2024 as a first line right winger if Luke Tuch or Jan Mysak doesn't emerge in that role since Montreal added Evgenii Dadonov as a second line right winger for the 2022-2023 NHL Season. Second, Jack D. Hughes wouldn't be on Montreal's roster until 2025 at the earliest which is why I'm leaning Filip Mesar over Jack D. Hughes at 33.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 165 lb Filip Mesar dominated on HK Poprad's Under-16 team with 23 goals, 26 assists, 49 points, and a +4 +/- ratio in 2017-2018. Filip Mesar dominated on the HK Poprad Under 18-Team with 23 goals, 24 assists, 47 points, and a +13 +/- ratio in 2018-2019. Filip Mesar dominated on the Under 20-Team with 13 goals, 28 assists, 41 points, and a +25 +/- ratio in 2019-2020. His consistency in Slovakia finally earned him a team spot on HK Poprad's main team in the Tipos League where he had 4 goals, 10 assists, 14 points, and a +9 +/- ratio in 2020-2021. Filip Mesar also had 2 goals, 2 assists, 4 points, and a +1 +/- ratio in 15 2021 Playoff games with HK Poprad. Filip Mesar had 8 goals, 8 assists, 16 points, and a -4 +/- ratio in 2021-2022. Filip Mesar had 3 goals, 1 assist, and 4 points in 6 2022 Playoff Games with HK Poprad.
    
    
    
    Filip Mesar has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Filip Mesar showcases some truely special traits. He's a player I mocked to the Tampa Bay Lightning at 32 back in October, and yet he led players in the bench press drill at the 2022 NHL Combine. He's got a consensus first round grade, and one team that was impressed with his interview was the Pittsburgh Penguins at 21. Filip Mesar is a candidate to go to Montreal at 26 if they choose to draft a right winger there and wait on a defenseman at 33. I can't see Montreal passing on Filip Mesar if he makes it to this selection.
    
    
    
34. Arizona Coyotes: Owen Beck, C, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
    
    
    Arizona is looking at four different OHL skaters, but two of those OHL skaters are still on the board one pick into the second round. After drafting a center, left winger, and defenseman with their three first round picks, I can honestly see the Coyotes taking the best OHL player on their board at 34. The two OHL skaters that the Coyotes may have interest in include Owen Beck and David Goyette. I like Goyette more personally, but Owen Beck is seen as the safer choice between the two.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 190 lb Owen Beck had 21 goals, 30 assists, 51 points, and a +17 +/- ratio in 2021-2022. Owen Beck had 1 goal, 5 assists, and 6 points in 10 games during the 2022 OHL Playoffs. Owen Beck was a line 2 center behind 2022 first round pick Luca Del Bel Belluz on the Misssauga Steelheads.
    
    
    
    Owen Beck was a line 2 right winger in the 2022 CHL Prospects Game, so the versatility to play left wing, center, or right wing is there. He also finished top 5 in Transition Agility and 30 Meter Dash skating backwards, but he did well in both of these drills without the puck. Owen Beck will be ready for the NHL by 2024-2025.
    
    
    
    Most NHL scouts are projecting Owen Beck as a third line center. The upside to play a second line center role is there if he improves offensively. He's a safe pick here for a team like Arizona at 34.
    
    
    
    
    
35. Seattle Kraken: Gleb Trikozov, RW, Avangard Omsk (KHL)
    
    
    Gleb Trikozov is a first line right winger on Avangard Omsk's MHL team Omskie Yastreby in Russia. He had 15 goals, 15 assists, and 30 points in the MHL in 2020-2021 before improving on that with 23 goals, 22 assists, and 45 points in the MHL in 2021-2022. He has the ceiling to play in the NHL, but he still needs to show he can get promoted from the MHL to the KHL. That will tell me if he's an AHL guy or a back 6 NHL player.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 185 lb Gleb Trikozov is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing. Like his teammate, Ivan Miroshnichenko, he hasn't made the jump to the KHL yet. Seattle only had right winger get more then 10 points in Jordan Eberle. Some NHL mock drafts have Gleb Trikozov being the second Russian drafted despite being the consensus fourth best Russian in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
36. Arizona Coyotes: David Goyette, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
    
    
    Arizona grabs the best player on the board in an uber thin goalie draft. Arizona gets David Goyette as a third center to develop for the future at 36.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 152 lb David Goyette was drafted eleventh overall in the 2020 OHL Draft. In October, I said David Goyette is someone that could end up surging up draft boards like a lot of prospects in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft when I had a third round grade on him. Goyette dominated as a rookie with 33 goals, 40 assists, 73 points, and a -6 +/- ratio in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    David Goyette has the face off ability, speed, skating, burst, foot speed, uncanny agility, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, and offensive awareness you want a forward to have. He's got to improve his defensive awareness and get stronger if he wants to make the NHL. David Goyette managed to make the Sudbury Wolves first line as a first line center during his rookie season.
    
    
    
    Matthew Savoie finished in the top 5 in 6/10 drills at the 2022 CHL Prospects Combine, Shane Wright finished in the top 5 in 5/10 drills at the 2022 CHL Prospects Combine, but the guy who finished in the top 5 in 4/10 athletic drills at the 2022 CHL Prospects Combine was David Goyette who finished third overall for performance, ahead of Wright, the top pick in this years NHL Draft. David Goyette has elite transition agility finishing in the top 5 for both Transition agility with and without the puck. He's also got great weave agility without the puck along and a top 5 reaction ability among players that reacted without the puck in the 2022 CHL Prospects Game.
    
    
    
    Some NHL scouts consider David Goyette a risk reward player. The thing is I had a first round grade on him for most of the NHL Draft process, and think he's a great value pick at 36. Arizona would have a center trio of Logan Cooley, Owen Beck, and David Goyette with this 2022 NHL Draft. As long as Arizona hits on Cooley and one of those two centers, then the team will be fine in the long-term since there's a chance the Coyotes can get another elite center in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft if Arizona manages to be picking in the top 5 once again.
    
    
    
    
    
37. New Jersey Devils: Alexander Perevalov, LW, Lokomotiv Yaroslav (KHL)
    
    
    New Jersey needs a fourth line left winger and a fourth line right winger. They have six defensemen returning next season plus Ty Smith their 2018 first round pick who I had in my top 10 that year, Helge Grans one of their three 2020 first round picks, and Luke Hughes their 2021 first round pick with two of those three guys, most likely Smith and Hughes, in the NHL in 2023-2024 when both Damon Saverson and Ryan Graves are unrestricted Free Agents assuming neither defenseman gets extended.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 191 lb Alexander Perevalov is considered the third best Russian prospect in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft behind Danila Yurov and Ivan Miroshnichenko. Alexander Perevalov doesn't have Miroshnichenko's upside, but he may end up getting to the NHL sooner.
    
    
    
    Alexander Perevalov had 25 goals, 25 assists, 50 points, and +21 +/- ratio in the MHL in 2021-2022. He failed to produce any points in 5 KHL games, but Yurov didn't have any points in the KHL this season and Miroshnichenko hasn't played in the KHL yet. Alexander Perevalov is a first round prospect now, so New Jersey is getting quite the steal at 37.
    
    
    
38. Chicago Blackhawks: Ty Nelson, D, North Bay Battalion (OHL)
    
    
    Chicago takes the third Canadian in the second round and the fifteenth player from the 2022 CHL Prospects Game in the second round. Chicago has so many needs which is why they can ignore need and take the best overall player on their board at 38.
    
    
    
    Ty Nelson is a guy who was in the first round of my last NHL Mock Draft that fell to the second round. The 5-8 172 lb Ty Nelson is a great value pick for the Chicago Blackhawks here.
    
    
    
    Ty Nelson carried a late first round grade heading into the 2022 NHL Entry Draft back in October. If Nelson had played as a rookie and done well before having another strong season, he may be someone who would have garnered top 10 consideration. He managed to keep first overall pick Shane Wright in check during the 2022 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Ty Nelson led the Toronto Jr. Canadiens to their first GTHL AAA Championship as an alternate captain. The skilled two-way defender anchors the top line on the Toronto Jr. Canadiens as he is the leader that other defenders on the Toronto Jr. Canadiens looked up to.
    
    
    
    Ty Nelson was the third best prospect in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection behind Adam Fantilli and Rutger McGroaty. Both of those players spurned the OHL for the USHL. That's why the North Bay Battalion made a smart decision when they took the third best prospect and top defenseman Ty Nelson first overall.
    
    
    
    His 11 goals, 21 assists, 32 points, and +14 +/- ratio in the GTMMHL as a line 1 defender that anchors the blue line stood out in 2019-2020. Ty Nelson will compliment last years first round pick Liam Arnsby as both players are not NHL Draft eligible until 2022 giving the Battalion time to field a competitive team.
    
    
    
    Ty Nelson had 9 goals, 42 assists, 51 points, and a +24 +/- ratio in 66 OHL regular season games. Ty Nelson had 10 assists in 13 games during the 2022 OHL Playoffs averaging 1 assist per game while helping the North Bay Battalion make the Eastern Conference Finals in the Ontario Hockey League.
    
    
    
    Ty Nelson played in the 2022 CHL Prospects Game. What stood out more was how dominant he was in terms of reacting and skating backwards during the 30 meter dash. This guy finished in the top 5 in 4/10 Combine drills finishing top 5 in both reacting and skating backwards during the 30 meter dash. He finished in the top 5 of these drills with and without the puck. It didn't matter if he had the puck because he showed an exceptional level of athleticism for a defenseman despite his size.
    
    
    
    Ty Nelson has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the OHL. The big question is will these traits carry over to the NHL? Ty Nelson checks hard and plays like a bulldog on the ice. Ty Nelson was the first overall pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.
    
    
    
    Ty Nelson has high character off the ice too. He took a picture with a fan on their thirteenth birthday. Ty Nelson is someone that Chicago can draft at 38 here to start the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
39. Chicago Blackhawks: Reiger Lorenz, C, Okotoks Oilers (AJHL)
    
    
    The 6-2 185 lb Reiger Lorenz is a first line center on the Okotoks Oilers in the AJHL after turning down deals with both the Winnipeg Ice in the USHL and the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL and went to stay close to home in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta.
    
    
    
    Reiger Lorenz dominated at Edge School Prep, one of the top Hockey Academies in Calgary, where he had 37 goals, 35 assists, and 72 points in 2019-2020 before the Okotoks Oilers signed him to their AJHL team in the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
    
    
    
    He played his third season with the Okotoks Oilers this past season and has a hockey scholarship to Denver. Reiger Lorenz finally broke out with 38 goals, 47 assists, and 85 points in 60 AJHL games winning the 2022 AJHL Rookie Of The Year Award after only playing one game in 2019-2020 and 7 games in 2020-2021 in the AJHL. Other players to win the AJHL Rookie Of The Year award include Dany Heatly, Carter Savoie, and Cale Makar.
    
    
    
    Twelve different scouting services including Draft Utopia have a second round grade on Reiger Lorenz. One scouting service has a third round grade on him and two scouting services, most notably NHL Central Scouting has a first round grade on him ranking him as the seventeenth best North American skater in their final rankings after giving him a B grade in November.
    
    
    
    Reiger Lorenz has the playmaking, sniping, passing, offensive awareness, hockey IQ, speed, skating, agility, stick handling, and ability to win faceoffs. He's a playmaker that can do everything you want a line 1 game changer to do on tape, but he needs to improve his defensive awareness. He can do well on special teams excelling on both the power play and penalty killing unit. Reiger Lorenz still needs to improve his defensive awareness and perfect his shot at Denver, but he already possesses a lot of traits to be a future center on the Chicago Blackhawks.
    
    
    
40. Detroit Red Wings: Danny Zhilkin, C, Guelph Storm (OHL)
    
    
    Detroit gets their second line center here after drafting right winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki at 8. Danny Zhilkin is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing making him a great fit for Detroit at 40.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 183 lb Danny Zhilkin had 7 goals, 8 assists, 15 points, and a -5 +/- ratio in 2019-2020. He didn't play in 2020-2021 because the entire OHL season was cancelled due to Covid-19. Danny Zhilkin had 22 goals, 33 assists, 55 points, and a -12 +/- ratio in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    Danny Zhilkin showcased his versatility to play left wing, center, or right wing at the 2022 CHL Prospects Game where he lined up as a line 2 left winger making him the sixteenth player from the 2022 CHL Prospects Game to be drafted. He also finished in the top 5 in 3/10 drills at the 2022 CHL Prospects Combine having the second quickest reaction with the puck time trailing only top 5 pick Matthew Savoie. Zhilkin also had a top 4 fastest time for the backward 30 meter dash with the puck and a top 4 time for Weave Agility. He's got the athleticism to improve defensively since the the three guys who finished ahead of him for fastest backward 30 meter dash with the puck were all defensemen. Zhilkin also had 1 goal and 1 assist in 4 games during the 2022 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    
    
41. Buffalo Sabres: Seamus Casey, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    Buffalo has Rasmus Dahlin and Mattias Samuelsson on their first line of defense. Buffalo has Henri Jokiharju and Owen Power their first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft on their second line. Buffalo needs a third line defenseman in the worst way possible and Seamus Casey is someone the Sabres were targeting at 28, so to get that player at 41 is amazing value.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 174 lb Seamus Casey had 11 goals, 18 assists, and 29 points in 2019-2020 with the Florida Alliance Under 16-Team. Seamus Casey had 2 goals, 18 assists, 20 points, and a -19 +/- ratio in 2020-2021 playing on the second line. Seamus Casey had 3 goals, 10 assists, 13 points, and a +15 +/- ratio in 2021-2022 on the second line playing behind Ryan Chesley and Lane Hutson who played on the first line. Seamus Casey will get a year or two to develop at Michigan. Buffalo can bring Seamus Casey up to the NHL to be on the Buffalo Sabres third line in 2024-2025 or 2025-2026.
    
    
    
    Seamus Casey has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Seamus Casey can score with a man in the penalty box by getting short-handed goals which is rare to see from a defenseman his age.
    
    
    
    Seamus Casey still has to improve his stick handling once he gets to the NCAA. Casey does have a hockey scholarship to Michigan. Buffalo would be wise to let him play in Michigan for a few years until he maintains a first line defenseman role on the Michigan Wolverines before signing him, but I understand the urgency for getting a third line defenseman too at the same time. He's a player who could be ready by 2024-2025 or 2025-2026 after a few years at Michigan starting this Fall.
    
    
    
42. Anaheim Ducks: Elias Salomonsson, D, Skelleftea AIK (Elitserien)
    
    
    The 6-1 161 lb Elias Salomonsson is a two-way defenseman who worked his way up to the SHL formely known as Elitserien as he had 0 points in 3 SHL games in 2020-2021. He also had 0 points in 10 SHL games in 2021-2022. He's a big and smooth blue liner who dominated against players his own age, yet struggled against men. He entered the preseason as the consensus ninth best available player in this draft, but he's a guy who could fall to the second or third round in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft making him an ideal selection for Anaheim at 42.
    
    
    
    Elias Salomonsson has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Elias Salomonsson is a player who could develop into a third line defenseman, but he transitions well from offense to defense adapting quickly when he doesn't have the puck. He'll be returning to Skelleftea AIK in the SHL for another year of development in 2022-2023.
    
    
    
    
    
43. Arizona Coyotes: Tyler Brennan, G, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
    
    
    Arizona uses San Jose's 2022 second round pick to get their future starting goalie. If Buffalo passes on Tyler Brennan at 39, then Arizona could be a team that drafts the top goalie in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft at 43.
    
    
    
    Style, Post Integration, Glove, Blocker Pad, Reading The Puck By Tracking, Rebound Control, Post Save Recovery, Quickness, Footwork, and Puckhandling. Those are ten different categories that NHL Draft Scouts use to evaluate goalies. Jasper Wallstedt and Sebastian Cossa were proficient in all ten categories. Tyler Brennan the top goalie is proficient in six of these ten categories needing to work on glove saves, reading the puck by tracking, rebound control, and post save recovery.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 190 lb Tyler Brennan was a 2018 first round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft. Brennan showed promise with a 2.16 goals against average and a .933 save percentage in 4 starts during the 2020-2021 Season during Covid-19. Tyler Brennan regressed with a 3.58 goals against average and .899 save percentage in the 2021-2022 regular season. Tyler Brennan even went 3/4 on saves in the 2022 CHL Prospects Game after starting at goalie for Team White. He dominated in the 2022 WHL Playoffs though with a 1.86 goals against average and a .954 save percentage despite going 0-3 in those games.
    
    
    
    Tyler Brennan should be the full-time starter on the Prince George Cougars in 2022-2023, so he will get to continue to develop since he's the only goalie who you can justify drafting in the first two rounds of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Arizona is a team that desperately needs a starting goalie, so they get their guy here. Tyler Brennan would be the seventeenth player from the 2022 CHL Prospects Game to get drafted.
    
    
    
44. Columbus Blue Jackets: Lane Hutson, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    The Columbus Blue Jackets grab Lane Hutson with their second round pick. I mocked him to Columbus with Chicago's 2022 first round pick at 22 back in October of 2021. Personally, Lane Hutson played on the first line unlike Seamus Casey and he really impressed me on tape.
    
    
    
    Lane Hutson has the playmaking, sniping, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, speed, skating, agility, and stick handling. He checks off every single box except for size and strength meaning you'd like him to be taller and add about 5 to 10 lbs of muscle. If you're looking for a Russell Wilson type of value pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Lane Hutson may be the player to keep an eye on.
    
    
    
    The 5-6 165 lb Lane Hutson can be a Samuel Girard type of offensive defenseman on the second line in Columbus behind Zach Werenski and Kevin Korchinski. In fact, the only reason Hutson fell this far is because of his height, and in Hutson's defense he's now 5-9 instead of 5-6. Based on just his play last year, I'd argue he's a better prospect than Seamus Casey solely based on the fact that he has more experience on the first line which is why Lane Hutson does not get past Columbus at 44.
    
    
    
    Lane Hutson had 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in 2020-2021 in his rookie season playing on the first line for the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL. Lane Hutson had 6 goals, 26 assists, 32 points, and a +27 +/- ratio in 2021-2022 in his second season playing on the first line for the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL.
    
    
    
    He's a more consistent player than Casey in my honest opinion, but his height along with Casey being considered a consensus first pick are the biggest reasons Lane Hutson dropped to 44. He'll go to Boston University for two years perhaps more arriving in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization once Adam Boqvist, Jake Bean, or Andrew Peeke is an unrestricted Free Agent.
    
    
    
    
    
45. Arizona Coyotes: Calle Odelius, D, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
    
    
    The New York Islanders have two second round picks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, but the Arizona Coyotes will receive the higher of those two selections making this the fourth second round pick that Arizona owns in addition to the the three first round picks the team owns. The 6-0 183 lb Calle Odelius played 7 games for Djurgardens IF in the SHL and had 0 points in those seven games.
    
    
    
    Some have a first round grade on Odelius, so Arizona can draft him and groom him to be a defenseman that anchors Arizona's second line or compliments a defenseman on Arizona's second line. Jakob Chychurn, Victor Soderstrom Arizona's 2019 first round pick, and Maveric Lamoureux who I mocked to Arizona at 32 are three guys who might get priority of Calle Odelius in terms of development.
    
    
    
46. Washington Capitals: Vladimir Grundinin, D, CSKA Moscow (KHL)
    
    
    The Washington Capitals still have a 2022 second round pick despite trading their 2022 second round pick to Detroit. That pick comes from the Winnipeg Jets.
    
    
    
    Washington's current core of defensemen includes John Carlsson, Martin Fehervary, Nick Jensen, Dmitri Orlov, Trevor Van Riemsdyk as a third line defenseman. The final defenseman will either be Alexander Alexeyev who Washington drafted thirty first overall in the 2018 NHL Draft or Lucas Johansen who Washington drafted twenty eighth overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Justin Schultz is a UFA, so one of those two first round picks will replace Schutlz. Jensen, Orlov, and Trevor Van Riemsdyk enter contract years next season, so if Washington drafts a defenseman in the second round, the guy they draft may end up making the NHL before their first round pick at 20.
    
    
    
    Washington drafts someone who can play on the third line for their defense down the road. John Carlsson and Martin Fehevary are future first line defensemen. Alexander Alexeyev and Lucas Johansen two of Washington's first round picks will play on the second line. Vladimir Grundinin would anchor the third line.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 168 lb Vladimir Grundinin is an offensive defenseman who had 1 assist in 6 KHL games while playing in 7 games during the 2022 KHL Playoffs. . Dobber Prospects gave him a 7.5/10 NHL certainty grade and a 7.5/10 Fantasy Upside grade. That's a player that Washington can gamble on at this point in the second round if their looking for a third line player. He could be a solid second line player in the mold of Samuel Girard if you fix his shot and defensive play since he's got the passing and playmaking you want from a quarterback on the power play.
    
    
    
    
    
47. Minnesota Wild: Simon Forsmark, D, Orebro HK (Elitserien)
    
    
    Arizona previously acquired Vancouver's 2022 second round pick in the Oliver Ekman-Larsson trade. However, Minnesota got this pick when Arizona sent this second rounder to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for center Jack McBain who can be a nice stop gap player while the Arizona Coyotes rookies from the 2022 NHL Entry Draft develop.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 191 lb Simon Forsmark anchored the blue line on an Orebro HK team that lost in the 2022 SHL Playoffs in the Semfiinals. While his 3 assists are underwhelming, he can continue to develop as Minnesota won't need him in the NHL until 2025-2026 when defenseman Jon Merrill's contract expires.
    
    
    
    Minnesota will have Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin on the first line. Carson Lambos Minnesota's 2021 first round pick and Ryan O'Rourke a team captain in the OHL from the 2020 NHL Draft would play on the second line of Minnesota's defense. Dameon Hunt Minnesota's 2020 third round pick and Simon Forsmark would play on the third line for the Minnesota Wild by 2025-2026 assuming all of Minnesota's draft picks on the blue line continue to develop.
    
    
    
    Minnesota could also have goalie Jasper Wallstedt one of their two 2021 first round picks up in the NHL by then too. There's a real window of opporunity between 2025-2030 for the Minnesota Wild to wina Stanley Cup if they hit on their draft picks from the 2020, 2021 and 2022 NHL Entry Drafts.
    
    
    
48. Vegas Golden Knights: Matthew Seminoff, RW, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
    
    
    The 5-11 180 lb Matthew Seminoff had 26 goals, 31 assists, and 57 points in 64 regular season games for the Kamloops Blazers as a line 2 right winger in the WHL. He was also the line 2 right winger for Team Red at the 2022 CHL Prospects Game making him the eighteenth player from that game to get drafted. Matthew Seminoff had 6 goals, 3 assists, and 9 points in 17 games as a line 2 right winger during the 2022 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Vegas loses Reilly Smith to unrestricted Free Agency while trading Evgenii Dadonov who had 20 goals, 23 assists, and 43 points to Montreal. Matthew Seminoff fills a need for Vegas here.
    
    
    
    
    
49. Seattle Kraken: Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgardens IF (Elitserien)
    
    
    This is the second year in a row where Nashville dealt a second round pick. They moved two 2021 second round picks to get back into the first round, and also gave up their 2022 second round pick to the Seattle Kraken to get Jeremy Lauzon at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline. Seattle needs a third line center to compliment Matthew Beniers and Yannick Gourde. Seattle can draft Noah Ostlund here at 49.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 163 lb Noah Ostlund is a first line center on Djurgardens IF's Under-18 and Under-20 teams. He got called up to the SHL and made the transition to left winger showing the versatility to play left wing, center, or right wing on the first line and second line for Djurgardens IF in the SHL.
    
    
    
    Noah Ostlund dominated against 18 to 20 year old players in Sweden with 9 goals, 33 assists, and 42 points on Djurgardens IF's Under-18 and Under-20 teams in 2021-2022. Ostlund had 0 points against men which is why I mocked Liam Ohgren ahead of Ostlund, but both are top 50 players that are arguably first round talents on some NHL teams big boards with Ohgren having the better chance to crack the first round.
    
    
    
50. Dallas Stars: Matthew Poitras, C, Guelph Storm (OHL)
    
    
    The 5-11 174 lb Matthew Poitras is versatile enough to play left wing, center, and right wing. The Guelph Storm used him as a first line right winger next to Danny Zhilkin the first line center on the Guelph Storm. Matthew Poitras was also a third line center in the 2022 CHL Prospects Game and is now the ninteenth player out of the 40 total players from that 2022 CHL Prospects to get drafted.
    
    
    
    Dallas already has Mavrik Bourque their 2020 first round pick, Wyatt Johnston their 2021 first round pick, and Logan Stankoven a 2021 second round pick that had a first round grade in their prospect pool at center. Dallas can develop those centers behind Roope Hintz, Jamie Benn, and Radek Faksa. Dallas can even have three of those guys compete for a roster spot in Training Camp while Matthew Poitras continues to develop with the Guelph Storm.
    
    
    
    The former Whitby Wildcats team captain from the 2020 OHL Draft had 21 goals, 29 assists, 50 points, and a +5 +/- ratio in 68 regular season games in 2021-2022. Matthew Poitras also had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in 5 games outperforming teammate and NHL Draft prospect Danny Zhilkin during the 2022 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    This playmaker center also has the versatility to move to the wing if you need him to. Dobber Prospects gave him an 8/10 NHL certainty grade and a 7.5/10 Fantasy Upside grade. I'm not sure Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill would pass on that kind of value at pick 50 even with an already incredibly deep prospect pool at center.
    
    
    
    
    
51. Los Angeles Kings: Julian Lutz, LW, EHC Munchen (DEL)
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings are pretty deep at center and defense. Loading up with wingers should be the most ideal draft strategy for the Los Angeles Kings. Los Angeles drafts the first German player in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft here in the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 179 lb Jullian Lutz made his debut with EHC Munchen in Germany's Pro league against men this year. He was the first line left winger for Germany in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he has 2 goals in 4 games for Germany.
    
    
    
    Julian Lutz has first line potential after getting 13 goals, 13 assists, 26 points, and a +12 +/- ratio in 2020-2021. He only had 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 points, and a +4 +/- ratio in 14 regular season games with EHC Munchen also known as EHC Red Bulls Munchen. Julian Lutz didn't play in the postseason against last years DEL Champions Eisbaren Berlin, who defeated EHC Munchen 3-1 in the finals after missing most of the season with an injury, but he averages around a point per game when fully healthy which is the biggest reason the Kings can justify this selection.
    
    
    
52. Detroit Red Wings: Sam Rinzel, D, Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
    
    
    The 6-4 177 lb Sam Rinzel had 2 goals, 8 assists, 10 points, and a -2 +/- ratio in 21 games with the Waterloo Blackhawks in 2021-2022, but the kicker here is that Sam Rinzel was considered the top High School player in the 2022 NHL Draft. He's returning to Waterloo for one more year in the USHL, and won't go to the NCAA until 2023-2024, after accepting a hockey scholarship to Minnesota.
    
    
    
    This means the Detroit Red Wings won't have to sign Sam Rinzel, a future Golden Gopher, who was ranked thirty second on Elite Prospects final big board and a guy Craig Button has a top 50 grade on until the 2027 NHL Season. Detroit can stash this prospect and bring him up once he proves himself.
    
    
    
    Detroit has Moritz Seider and 2021 first round pick Simon Edvinsson for their first line. Other prospects that Steve Yzerman drafted at defense like William Wallinder a 2020 second round pick, Donovan Sebrango a 2020 third round pick, Shai Buium Detroit's 2021 second round pick, and now Sam Rinzel if Detroit drafts him here as prospects who can play on Detroit's second or third line.
    
    
    
    
    
53. Anaheim Ducks: Reid Schaefer, LW, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
    
    
    The 6-3 213 lb Reid Schaefer is versatile enough to play left wing or right wing. I mocked him to Anaheim at 42 last time, but he fell to the Anaheim Ducks at 53 making him a great value pick for an Anaheim Ducks team that got this draft pick at 53 after trading Rickard Rakell to Pittsburgh. Reid Schaefer is now the twentieth player from the 2022 CHL Prospects game to get drafted.
    
    
    
    He's the first line left winger on the Seattle Thunderbirds and someone that Anaheim could develop to be a future line 2 winger at either left wing or right wing. Reid Schaefer is a slam dunk pick for Anaheim at 53.
    
    
    
    Reid Schaefer had 32 goals, 26 assists, 58 points, and a +29 +/- ratio in 66 regular season games during the WHL in 2021-2022. Reid Schaefer had 6 goals, 15 assists, and 21 points during 20 playoff games in the 2022 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
54. Boston Bruins: Jack D. Hughes, C, Northeastern
    
    
    Jack D. Hughes who is unrelated to the three Hughes brothers Quinn, Jack, and Luke. Jack D. Hughes spent last season in the USHL on the United States National Team Developmental Program. The son of Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes enrolled into Northeastern on a hockey scholarship playing for the Northeastern Huskies in the NCAA.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 185 lb Jack D. Hughes had 8 goals, 10 assists, 18 points, and a -4 +/- ratio in 2019-2020 with the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL. Jack D Hughes had 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points, and a +1 +/- ratio in 2020-2021 with the United States National Team Developmental Program in the USHL. Jack D. Hughes had 7 goals, 9 assists, and 16 points in his freshman season at Northeastern while rotating between the first and second lines in 2021-2022.
    
    
    
    Jack D. Hughes has the offensive awareness, defensive awareness, vision, and hockey IQ to be a big success. He won the first line center job at Northeastern as a true freshman and should only get better moving forward and in Boston drafts him with David Krejci gone and Patrice Bergeron set to be an unrestricted Free Agent.
    
    
    
    
    
55. New York Rangers: Jordan Gustafson, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
    
    
    The New York Rangers may not have a first round pick thanks to making the Eastern Conference Finals, but they have two second round picks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    New York gets their second line center here and the twenty first player from the 2022 CHL Prospects Game. Jordan Gustafson is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 178 lb Jordan Gustafson had 23 goals, 29 assists, 52 points, and a +20 +/- ratio in 2021-2022. Gustafson also had 4 goals, 12 assists, and 16 points in 20 games during the 2022 WHL Playoffs. He was also the line 1 left winger next to Shane Wright in the 2022 CHL Prospects Game. He also posted the fifth fastest time for the 30 meter dash backwards skating drill without the puck.
    
    
    
    Jordan Gustafson has the versatility, speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. I called Jordan Gustafson the best prospect the Seattle Thunderbirds drafted at center since Matthew Barzal in my 2019 WHL Draft Results page. He could develop into a really nice center for the New York Rangers and could eventually end up supplanting Mika Zibanejad as the Rangers first line center down the road once he finishes developing.
    
    
    
56. Minnesota Wild: Cameron Lund, RW, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
    
    
    The Minnesota Wild get a compensation pick for failing to sign their 2018 first round pick Filip Johansson. Minnesota drafts a player that can play at right wing here.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 185 lb Cameron Lund also known as Cam Lund had 25 goals, 25 assists, 50 points, and a -22 +/- ratio in 62 USHL regular season games in 2021-2022 with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL is more of a playmaker than a sniper despite lining up at the wing. Cameron Lund can be a very good AHL center, but if he wants to make the NHL, he should probably stick at right wing.
    
    
    
    He needs to fix his defensive play at Northeastern where he's accepted his hockey scholarship. The offensive traits that you want from a future AHL center and NHL right winger is there. If he can fix his defense while improving his face off ability at Northeastern, he may get to play center instead of right winger on the Iowa Wild in the AHL after he graduates.
    
    
    
57. Chicago Blackhawks: Filip Bystedt, C, Linkopings HC (Elitserien)
    
    
    The 6-3 187 lb Filip Bystedt had 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, and a -2 +/- ratio in 15 SHL games in 2021-2022. He's someone that Chicago can develop for the future here with team captain Jonathan Toews in a contract year at center.
    
    
    
    
    
58. Seattle Kraken: Noah Warren, D, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
    
    
    Seattle has a nice third line defenseman in Carson Soucy, but Soucy will be an unresticted Free Agent following the 2022-2023 NHL Season next season. Soucy had 10 goals, 11 assists, and 21 points in limited action. If he doesn't re-sign, you'll need a replacement for him on the third line.
    
    
    
    Noah Warren was drafted eighth overall by the Gatineau Olympiques in the 2020 QMJHL Draft. Hard to believe Gatineau drafted both Tristan Luneau and Noah Warren with those two first round picks in the 2020 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 216 lb Noah Warren had 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in 2020-2021 while getting only 1 assist in the 2021 QMJHL Playoffs as a third line defenseman with the Gatineau Olympiques. Noah Warren got promoted from third line to the second line in his second season where he had 5 goals, 19 assists, 24 points, and a +17 +/- ratio while getting only 1 assist in the 2022 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Noah Warren played in the 2022 CHL Prospects Game and also had the best time in the 30 meter dash where you skate forward, but that was the only drill where he finished in the top 5 having the fastest time in that one drill. He's now the twenty second player from this years CHL Prospects game out of the forty eligible prospects from that game.
    
    
    
59. Calgary Flames: Jani Nyman, LW, Ilves (SM Liiga)
    
    
    Calgary grabs a left winger prospect with their first line left winger Johnny Gaudreau in a contract year. Jani Nyman has the passing, playmaking, hands, stick handling, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and ability to dominate on the power play that you want in an NHL left winger. He needs to improve defensively and he doesn't have the top end speed you'll want from a skater.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 207 lb Jani Nyman had 1 assist in 10 Liiga games in Finland. He's a consensus top 60 prospect with his ceiling being a second line left winger that scores 30 goals a year in the NHL once he finishes developing. He's not going to be an immediate replacement to Johnny Gaudreau if Gaudreau leaves in Free Agency and he's not going to have the same exact impact should Johnny Gaudreau sign with another NHL franchise in Free Agency.
    
    
    
    
    
60. Carolina Hurricanes: Mats Lindgren Jr., D, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
    
    
    The Carolina Hurricanes will need to reload their blue line here by taking the most NHL ready defenseman here. Mats Lindgren Jr. one of the two first round picks for the Kamloops Blazers in the 2019 WHL Draft is the son of former NHL player Mats Lindgren who was the Winnipeg Jets first round pick in 1993, also the very last first pick of the original Winnipeg Jets team before relocating to Phoenix to become the Phoenix Coyotes which were later renamed to the Arizona Coyotes.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 173 lb Mats Lingren Jr. had 5 goals, 39 assists, 44 points, and a +25 +/- ratio in 2021-2022. He also had 7 assists in 17 games during the 2022 WHL Playoffs. He had the third fastest 30 meter dash time where he skated backwards with the puck during the 2022 CHL Prospects Combine before playing in the 2022 CHL Prospects Game. There's a reason why I called him the most fundamentally sound two-way defenseman in the 2019 WHL Draft. Mats Lindgren Jr. is the twenty third player that accepted an invite to the 2022 CHL Prospects Game to get drafted.
    
    
    
61. Seattle Kraken: Dylan James, LW, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
    
    
    The Seattle Kraken get their third line left winger with their final second round selection as General Manager Ron Francis drafts Dylan James from the 2022 USHL Clark Cup Champion Sioux City Musketeers here.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 181 lb Dylan James spent three years in the AJHL as a first line left winger to Reiger Lorenz, who I mocked very early in the second round. This year he joined the Sioux City Musketeers who went on to win the 2022 Clark Cup finishing this USHL season as league champions.
    
    
    
    Dylan James put on quite the show against USHL goalies with 28 goals, 33 assists, 61 points, and a +18 +/- ratio in 62 regular season games in 2021-2022 nearly averaging a point per game posting 17 points in his final 10 regular season games. Dylan James also had 5 goals, 3 assists, and 8 points in 10 USHL Playoff Games.
    
    
    
    
    
62. Montreal Canadiens: Antonin Verreault, LW, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
    
    
    Montreal needs a third line left winger. This is pretty much their only remaining short-term need. Montreal brings in competition at left wing here in case their 2020 second round pick Luke Tuch doesn't sign. Luke Tuch, has played two years at Boston University and he's going to enter his junior season at Boston University this Fall. Montreal has two years to give Luke Tuch a contract since he chose to play in the NCAA rather than getting paid to play in the CHL.
    
    
    
    The 5-8 163 lb Antonin Verreault had 6 goals, 23 assists, 29 points, and a +2 +/- ratio during the regular season in 2020-2021. Verreault also had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in the 2021 QMJHL Playoffs as a first line left winger with the Gatineau Olympiques. Antonin Verreault had 14 goals, 32 assists, 46 points, and a +14 +/- ratio during the regular season in 2021-2022. Verreault also had 2 goals, 5 assists, and 7 points in the 2022 QMJHL Playoffs as a first line left winger with the Gatineau Olympiques. Antonin Verreault has the upside of a first line left winger in the NHL with two years of experience on a first line at left wing.
    
    
    
    He's the ideal player for Montreal to draft if they want a replacement to Christian Dvorak and Rem Pitlick on the second line. Back in October, I mocked him to Arizona with one of the first round picks that Arizona got for trading Christian Dvorak to Montreal. If you move on from right winger Mike Hoffman when his deal expires in 2024, you could move Cole Caufield back to right wing if Luke Tuch or Antonin Verreault who were both first line left wingers in their draft years can develop enough to earn a promotion to the NHL. Antonin Verreault is now the twenty fourth player out of forty from the 2022 CHL Prospects Game to be drafted.
    
    
    
    Antonin Verreault has the passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, and hockey IQ down. The rest of his game needs work specifically his slap shot and his ability to defend effectively. Antonin Verreault was the second pick in the 2020 QMJHL Draft.
    
    
    
63. New York Rangers: Fraser Minten, C, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
    
    
    The New York Rangers could use a long-term first line center upgrade allowing Mika Zibanejad to play on the second line, but Zibanejad earned one more year as the teams first line center Filip Chytil showed enough to prove he could handle a second line center role behind Zibanejad. New York drafted Jordan Gustafson with their first second round pick. Now New York drafts a second center here.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 185 lb Fraser Minten went from the Kamloops Blazers 2019 fourth round pick to their second line center beating out Connor Levis, one of the Blazers two first round picks in 2019 for that second line center job behind Logan Stankoven.
    
    
    
    Fraser Minten is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing like Logan Stankoven. Fraser Minten had 4 goals, 14 assists, 18 points, and a +24 +/- ratio in 2020-2021 in 20 regular season games. Fraser Minten had 25 goals, 30 assists, 55 points, and a +23 +/- ratio in 2021-2022. Fraser Minten also had 6 goals, 10 assists, and 16 points during 17 games in the 2022 WHL Playoffs. Fraser Minten is now the twenty fifth player from the 2022 CHL Prospects Game to get drafted.
    
    
    
    
    
64. Ottawa Senators: Jorian Donovan, D, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
    
    
    The 6-2 181 lb Jorian Donovan has not played in the OHL. He was the sixth overall pick in the 2020 OHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Jorian Donovan had 3 goals, 19 assists, 22 points, and a +25 +/- ratio as a rookie in 2021-2022 since the 2020-2021 OHL Season never happened due to Covid-19. Jorian Donovan had 1 goal, 2 assist, and 3 points in 12 games during the 2022 OHL Playoffs. He's a player that Ottawa gets as a third line defenseman for the future.
    
    
    
    Ottawa will have Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot on the top line. Jacob Bernard-Docker, Ottawa's 2018 first round pick who I wasn't very high on could end up playing on the second line or third line for Ottawa next season. Lassi Thomson, Ottawa's 2019 first round pick is another defenseman in Ottawa's prospect pool that still needs some time to develop, but Ottawa is expecting him to play with their 2018 first round pick on the second line of their defense. Jorian Donovan ends up pairing with Tyler Kleven a 2020 second round pick that Ottawa reached for down the road.
    
    
    
    Jorian Donovan becomes the eleventh defenseman from the 2022 CHL Prospects Game to get drafted in the second round and he also had the second fastest time for Tranistion Agility with the puck trailing only number one pick Shane Wright by 20 milliseconds. That's exactly how many defenseman from the CHL were selected to compete in the 2022 CHL Propsects Game. For fans keeping score, this is now the twenty sixth player from the 2022 CHL Prospects Game out of forty players competing in that game to get drafted.
    
    
    
65. New York Islanders: Isaiah George, D, London Knights (OHL)
    
    
    New York got this pick from Colorado. The New York Islanders got this pick from the trade that sent defenseman Devon Toews to the Colorado Avalanche.
    
    
    
    Right now Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech the two first line defensemen on the New York Islanders are the only guys under contract for the long-term. Scott Mayfield enters a contract year. Other defensemen such as 2018 first round pick Noah Dobson, Sebastian Aho a defenseman from Finland in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and Parker Wotherspoon are all still RFA's under contract even with Zdeno Chara and Andy Greene set to be unresticted Free Agents. This gives New York time to develop a future defenseman assuming the Islanders draft a defenseman in the second round to replace Zdeno Chara.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 195 lb Isaiah George had the third fastest 30 meter dash time being one of three players in the entire 2022 NHL Entry Draft to skate a thirty meter dash in under 4 seconds. He also had the fastest 30 meter dash time while skating backwards with the puck at 4.405 seconds while also having the fastest 30 meter dash backwards time without the puck at 4.476 seconds. Isaiah George is a project, but his speed, athleticism, and foot speed is so uncanny and rare that he gets pushed up to the late second round due to his athletic traits alone since he finished in the top 5 in 4/10 drills at the 2022 CHL Prospects Combine dominating the 30 meter dash drills while skating both forwards and backwards regardless of whether he had the puck or not.
    
    
    
    Isaiah George only had 6 goals, 17 assists, 23 points, and a +23 +/- ratio in 67 OHL games in 2021-2022. Isaiah George can be a good defenseman if he continues to develop because the athleticism you want from a skater at the NHL is there. He's now the twenty seventh player from the 2022 CHL Prospects Game to get drafted.