2022 NHL Draft Lottery Top Ten Results and Early Mock Draft

The Montreal Canadiens are the host of the 2022 NHL Draft, and they won the first overall selection in the draft lottery. After them, there are the nine other teams who will do very well for themselves in the Top 10. Here’s an idea of what those first ten selections could look like in this NHL mock draft.

NHL Mock Draft

1. Montreal Canadiens – Shane Wright – C -The Kingston Frontenacs center is a leader on and off the ice. He has the speed to get behind defenders and then set up his teammates for success. His one-timer is terrific, and he makes players around him better. He’s a details guy. He will play right away, probably as the third-line center to start the season.

2. New Jersey Devils – Logan Cooley – C – This is a spot where the team could overthink it with the rest of the field available. Cooley is a natural center with fast hands and the ability to correct his mistakes in-season to get the most out of his play every season. His speed shows when he takes defenders wide, and his two-way game is already solid. Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Logan Cooley are all potentially down the middle.

3. Arizona Coyotes – Juraj Slafkovsky – LW – The big wing is exactly what the Coyotes are looking for. The offensive talent is there. He can score with his one-timer and down low. He can be physical and at 6-4 that causes problems for the opposition. I can see him coming over and trying to make the big club but settling in the AHL instead. He has top-six tools.

4. Seattle Kraken – David Jiricek – D – The Seattle Kraken values size but also wants offensive ability, and this is the guy. The 6-3 blueliner will lay the body and eat pucks on defence. He’s a potential top pairing guy for a young franchise that has that need.

5. Philadelphia Flyers – Matthew Savoie – C – The Flyers need a lot, but it would be hard to pass on this highly skilled playmaking forward. He plays center and on the wing. His speed and elusiveness should relieve any pause about him being 5-9, 175 in today’s NHL.

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6. Columbus Blue Jackets – Simon Nemec – D – Since the Jackets have six and 12, they will go for the best player on the board with the first pick. They need some highly skilled future blueline help, and his offensive ability and terrific skating are a nice fit.

7. Ottawa Senators – Joakim Kemell – RW – I admit Kemell may not be here, but there is a scenario where he could be, and if he was the Sens would jump at him. They have a need in the organization on the right side with an elite wrist shot and precision passing.

8. Detroit Red Wings – Jonathan Lekkerimaki – RW – This offensively gifted player had five goals and 15 points in the U18s. He was the top scorer and got a gold medal. He has a quick trigger when passing, and a deadly wrist shot on the power play. A future second-line fit.

9. Buffalo Sabres – Conor Geekie – C – The talented 6-4 center would look good on the same team as Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens down the middle. He’s good on draws and can really work the puck in the offensive zone.

10. Anaheim Ducks – Cutter Gauthier – LW – This could be a great addition for Anaheim. With players like Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras, why not go for a player who skates great, is physical, and has one of the best shots in the draft regarding the force behind it and the fast release?

What do you think of this first NHL Mock Draft? Is this how the NHL Draft could play out?

July 7th can’t come fast enough.