Whether you’re an NHL fan or not, you’re probably wondering what the future holds for your favorite team. And you’re right to be curious. There are tons of predictions out there for every team, so it’s a good idea to find some information to help you make an informed decision.
Seattle Kraken
Despite being a fan base that finished dead last in the NHL in goals scored, the Seattle Kraken had a decent draft. They picked up four second-rounders and five picks in the third round. The draft has a high upside, and it’s likely that some of the picks will be part of a more competitive roster.
The Kraken’s draft is largely made up of players who will require a little more development to be ready for the NHL. But there are several names that are projected to go in the first round of the 2022 NHL Picks entry draft.
The top three names in the draft are expected to be Shane Wright, Simon Nemec, and Logan Cooley. While each of these players has had success in their leagues, they’re not expected to be NHL-ready in their first season.
Minnesota Wild
During the 2022 NHL Draft, Minnesota Wild picked eight players. Two were first-round selections, and the rest were a mix of forwards and defensemen. The team has two second-round picks, as well as six more picks still available.
The Wild selected a Russian right wing, Danila Yurov, with their 24th overall pick. Yurov is considered a consensus top-twelve talent in the scouting world. He is a great player and a good fit for the team’s goalstack. He also has the ability to play center and could help the team win the playoffs.
The team also picked up a second-round pick in a trade for Kevin Fiala. This was the first time the Wild has received a compensatory pick in the draft. The compensatory pick is always given to the team that did not sign a player during the previous year’s draft.
Nashville Predators
During the offseason, the Nashville Predators made five selections in Rounds 2-7 of the 2022 NHL entry draft. These selections include two forwards and one defender. These picks will wear the Preds’ gold and navy for the first time.
During the draft, the Predators picked Joakim Kemell with the 17th pick. He is a 5-foot-11 winger who projects as a high-end top-six winger. His playmaking ability compensates for his lack of size. He has a strong mid-range shot. He was also a standout for St. Cloud State University.
As a member of the U-18 Finnish national team, Kemell finished the season with 12 goals and three assists. His talent is undeniable.
Chicago Blackhawks
During the offseason, Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson and head coach Rick Davidson took action to rebuild the team. They traded away a number of young players to draft a group of prospects. This includes trading away Kirby Dach, Alex DeBrincat, and Mattias Janmark. During the draft, the Blackhawks picked up two defensemen and a promising young center.
First, Chicago acquired the 13th overall pick from Montreal Canadiens. Then, they traded Alex DeBrincat away to Ottawa Senators. This move allowed them to move up to the sixth round. They have three picks in the first round and two second-rounders. They also own six picks between the 38th and 94th rounds.
Philadelphia Flyers
Despite being a stumbling block in the NHL last year, the Philadelphia Flyers are poised to take home a couple of top picks in the 2022 NHL draft. However, these picks won’t be the main talking points until a few years down the road. The Flyers will also take the time to work with their top prospects, so their impact on the team may not be known for a while.
The first player selected by the Flyers was Devin Kaplan, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound forward. The Flyers selected him in the third round of the draft.
Kaplan is the type of player that is going to be a low-risk, high-reward pick. He played with a junior team that had a ton of talent. The Flyers chose him because they like athleticism. He also has a good shot and a two-way game. He will play for Boston University next season.
Ottawa Senators
Throughout the last several years, the Ottawa Senators have drafted as many top-end prospects as possible. That includes drafting Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk. The team also has a solid group of forwards, including Drake Batherson and Josh Norris. It’s no surprise that the Senators are now expected to contend for the playoffs in the next few years.
The Senators have also traded up in the draft, although their strategy may backfire as the prospect pool dries up. Ottawa has acquired a number of players who committed to the same NCAA programs as the draft class.
A lot of the selections in the 2022 NHL draft are underwhelming. Most of them are a bit overshadowed by Tyson Dyck, who will play for the University of Massachusetts in the next three years. This is the kind of player that can be a middle-six scorer, and he will be a perfect flyer for the Senators’ fourth-round pick.