Mock NHL Entry Draft 2022: Toronto Maple Leafs Can Pick a Beauty

Toronto Maple Leafs scouts are hard at work. We offer some insight into who they may select and how things may go with this 2022 NHL Mock Draft.

The Toronto Maple Leafs fans and the rest of the league have reached the midpoint of the season. With the trade deadline in the not-to-distant future, scouts are preparing for that and and equally important event, the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

In this upcoming draft, held on July 7–8, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, the Leafs will have three draft picks to use. They will select in the first, second, and seventh round. With there being a lot of strong players in this cohort, there is a good chance that the franchise adds a valuable asset to the organization.

The selection sequence has not yet been determined, so we will use the expected order from Capfriendly to break down and predict each of the 32 first round picks. All statistics are from Elite Prospects.

1st Pick – Montreal Canadiens
Shane Wright (C)
6’1″, 187 lbs

The first pick in this draft is a lock. It happens to be the only selection the hockey world can agree on. Any selection other than Shane Wright at first-overall would be a tremendous shock. That’s because Wright is an extremely well-rounded player with two-way skills, a great shot, and a significant offensive upside.

I remember standing behind the end boards glass at Thornhill Arena and leaning over to a man watching the AAA hockey game intently, to ask, “which one is yours?”

He pointed out the player on the road team, Don Mills Flyers, who was a year younger than everyone on the ice and explained that it’s his grandson. We then watched the remainder of the period together as he spoke glowingly as only a grandparent could about all of his kin’s achievements. With a genuine passion, he even articulated for me the strengths he had noticed in all his grandson’s teammates. I think about that proud grandfather and the chance he will soon get to brag about his impressive grandson once the pick becomes official.

Granted exceptional status into the OHL to join the league as a 15 year old, Wright hasn’t disappointed while playing under Coach Luca Caputi on the Kingston Frontenacs. He is one of the strongest prospects to hit the draft in years, with NHL superstar potential.