Toronto Maple Leafs: First Round Mock 2022 NHL Entry Draft

The 2022 NHL draft will take place on July 7th and 8th in Montreal. The Toronto Maple Leafs currently hold the 25th overall pick.

A pick the Toronto Maple Leafs might have to trade away if they want to improve their team.

For the teams that do keep their picks, who will they select? According to some, even the first overall pick is a question mark as to which player will get chosen.

Is it still Shane Wright, or is it Juraj Slafkovsky? There are plenty of questions going into this draft. We will find out the answers on Thursday, July 7th.

Draft day is always an exciting day in the world of hockey. The one time of year when the scouting department gets its moment to shine.

Every team sits around their team’s table and analyzes their prospect reports. As prospects get chosen, scouts will remove the name from their list. If a team has its sights on a specific prospect, the team may choose to move up or down in the draft order.

On May 21st, Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet reported that the New Jersey Devils were considering all their options and might trade the 2nd overall pick.

Other teams, such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, might also consider moving their 1st round picks if it helps improve their team. There are currently six teams with two or more picks in the first round. One of these teams might be more willing to trade a first-round pick than those with only one.

After comparing the NHL draft rankings from TSN, Sportsnet, and Dobber Prospects, I have completed my first-round mock draft. These are the prospects I believe will be selected with the first 32 picks of the 2022 NHL draft.  I have also used Eliteprospects.com for stats.

3rd – Logan Cooley, C, USNTDP

Logan Cooley is considered an elite prospect capable of producing offense whenever he is on the ice. He is a bit smaller (5’11 – 180 Lbs.) than the two guys ahead of him, but he could grow to be over six feet. Cooley recorded 27 goals and 48 assists for 75 points in 51 games. He is excellent on the power play, so he could help in that department on any team that picks him.

4th – Simon Nemec, RHD, HK Nitra (Slovakia)

Simon Nemec spent the last two seasons playing for HK Nitra in the top men’s league in Slovakia. The 6’0, 200 Lbs defenseman has also played in eight games at the World Championship and seven games at the 2022 Olympics. Last season Nemec recorded one goal and 25 assists for 26 points in 39 games.

5th – David Jiricek, RHD, HC Plzen (Extraliiga)

David Jiricek is a tall yet lean defenseman with a good hockey IQ and the ability to lead a quick break out.  . Jiricek only played 29 games this season due to injuries. He still managed to record five goals and six assists for 11 points in those 29 games.

6th – Cutter Gauthier, LW, USNTDP

Cutter Gauthier is a big forward with a great shot and a quick release. He is 6’3, 200 Lbs, and he uses his size to his advantage. Gauthier creates space for his linemates and is hard to move in puck battles. He recorded 34 goals and 31 assists for 65 points in 54 games.

7th – Matthew Savoie, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)

Matthew Savoie is one of the smaller players (5’9, 170 Lbs.) in this draft, but he has elite skill and speed. He is gifted offensively, but he will need to work on his defensive play. Savoie recorded 35 goals and 55 assists for 90 points in 65 games.

8th – Joakim Kemell, RW, JYP (Liiga)

Joakim Kemell is a good skater that can play in any situation. He is more of a shooter than a passer but can drive a power play. Kemell recorded 15 goals and eight assists for 23 points in 39 games. The good news is that he ended the year on a positive note with eight points in five games at the U18 Worlds.

9th – Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Djurgarden (SWE U20)

Jonathan Lekkerimaki is an elite shooter with a hard and accurate shot. He does lack consistency in his overall effort sometimes. The right-winger will shoot from anywhere because he seems to score from anywhere. He recorded seven goals and two assists for nine points in 26 games.

10th – Marco Kasper, C, Rogle (SHL)

Marco Kasper plays a well-rounded game and can ramp up his play when a game intensifies. He is a natural center but has been playing the wing in Sweden. Kasper recorded seven goals and four assists for 11 points in 46 games.

11th – Conor Geekie, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)

Conor Geekie is the perfect combination of skill and size. At 6’4 and 190 Lbs, Geekie is a big centerman that teams will covet. He recorded 24 goals and 46 assists for 70 points in 63 games. Geekie is a good playmaker for a player his size, but he needs to work on his agility.

12th – Kevin Korchinski, LHD, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

Kevin Korchinski is the kind of defenseman a team can use in all situations. His skating ability and his reach are two of his biggest strengths. He is 6’2, 185 Lbs, and recorded four goals and 61 assists for 65 points in 67 games.

13th – Pavel Mintyukov, LHD, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Pavel Mintyukov is an offensively gifted two-way defenseman. He possesses a hard shot with accuracy. The 6’2, 194 Lbs Russian can play in all situations, but he will need to work on his defensive awareness.

14th – Frank Nazar, RW, USNTDP

Frank Nazar is a quick skater with a high compete level. The 5’10, 180 Lbs right-winger recorded 28 goals and 42 assists for 70 points in 56 games. He uses his speed and competitiveness to block passing lanes and create turnovers.

15th – Danila Yurov, RW, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)

Danila Yurov is a good skating two-way player. He has great vision and can reach another gear on the rush if he sees any open ice. With the puck, Yurov is not afraid to drive the net. Last season he recorded 13 goals and 23 assists for 36 points in 23 games.

16th – Isaac Howard, LW, USNTDP

Isaac Howard is an offensively gifted left-winger with good agility. He recorded 33 goals and 49 assists for 82 points in 60 games. The 5’10, 180 Lbs Howard will need to work on his play without the puck. He tends to shy away from going into the dirty areas.

17th – Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, USNTDP

Jimmy Snuggerud is a fast and agile skater. He has a powerful shot that is considered NHL caliber. Last season he recorded 24 goals and 39 assists for 63 points in 59 games. The 6’1, 188 Lbs right-winger could be the perfect playmaker for the team that selects him.

18th – Denton Mateychuk, LHD, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

Denton Mateychuk is a reliable and trustworthy defenseman. He might only be 5’11 and 194 Lbs, but he doesn’t back down. Leadership and hockey IQ are some other strengths he possesses. Mateychuk recorded 13 goals and 51 assists for 64 points in 65 games.

19th – Liam Ohgren, RW, Djurgarden Jr. (SWE U20)

Liam Ohgren plays a full 200-foot game and competes to win puck battles. He has some size at 6’1 and 200 Lbs, which should help at the NHL level. Last season he recorded 33 goals and 25 assists for 58 points in 30 games.

20th –  Owen Pickering, LHD, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

Owen Pickering is a tall yet lean defenseman at 6’4 and 180 Lbs. He doesn’t bring a ton of offense but can still contribute. To be more effective at the NHL level, Pickering will need to bulk up. The left-shooting defenseman recorded nine goals and 24 assists for 33 points in 62 games. Pickering would be a good pick for the Toronto Maple Leafs if their willing to move up in the draft.

21st – Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgarden Jr. (SWE U20)

Noah Ostlund is one of the smaller forwards in this draft. He is only 5’10 and 165 Lbs, but he is quick. When the puck is on his stick, Ostlund is a crafty player. He finished the season with nine goals and 33 assists for 42 points in 32 games.

22nd – Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Omsk (VHL)

Ivan Miroshnichenko got diagnosed with cancer mid-way through the season. It is the same form of cancer that Mario Lemieux battled years ago. Miroshnichenko is expected to return to play next season. He finished this season with ten goals and six assists for 16 points in 31 games. His speed and skill make him a threat off the rush.

23rd – Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

Nathan Gaucher is a big and offensively gifted centerman. He uses his 6’4, 207 Lbs size to his advantage in all areas of the ice. Last season he recorded 31 goals and 26 assists for 57 points in 66 games.

24th – Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

Luca Del Bel Belluz is a good skating centerman with plenty of offensive skill. He recorded 30 goals and 46 assists for 76 points in 68 games. At 6’1, 180 Lbs. he will need to fill out a bit more.

25th – Rutger McGroarty, C, USNTDP – Pick Owned by Toronto Maple Leafs

Rutger McGroarty is a solid 6’1, 205 Lbs centerman. He can score and make plays equally. Last season he recorded 35 goals and 34 assists for 69 points in 54 games. McGroarty would be the perfect player for the Toronto Maple Leafs to select with this pick.

26th – Ryan Chesley, RHD, USNTDP

Ryan Chesley is a right-shooting defenseman with decent size at 6’1 and 200 Lbs. He is a solid two-way player that can play in all situations. Chesley finished the season with 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 59 games. The 18-year-old is committed to the University of Minnesota next year.

27th – Sam Rinzel, RHD, Waterloo Black Hawks, USHL

Sam Rinzel is a tall and lean right-shooting defenseman who just turned 18 on June 25th. He is 6’3 and 181 Lbs, so he will need to bulk up a bit. His smooth skating and ability to play a two-way game are his strengths. Rinzel recorded nine goals and 29 assists for 38 points in 27 games for Chaska High. He also recorded two goals and eight assists for ten points in 21 games for the Waterloo Black Hawks.

28th – Tristan Luneau, RHD, Gatineau Olympiques, QMJHL

Tristan Luneau is a two-way defender with size. He is 6’2 and 190 Lbs with great skating ability. Last season he recorded 12 goals and 31 assists for 43 points in 63 games.

29th – Filip Mesar, RW, HK Poprad, Slovakia

Filip Mesar is a highly skilled right-winger but needs to improve on playing through traffic. He recorded eight goals and eight assists for 16 points in 37 games.

30th – Jiri Kulich, C, HC Karlovy Vary (CZE)

Jiri Kulich is a solid two-way center with decent size at 5’11 and 180 Lbs. His skating and ability to read plays in the offensive zone are his biggest strengths. He will need to continue to add strength to his frame. Kulich recorded nine goals and five assists for 14 points in 49 games.

31st – Brad Lambert, C, Pelicans (Liiga)

Brad Lampert is a fast centerman with some decent size at 6’1 and 183 Lbs. He can be streaky, so he needs to improve on his consistency. Lampert recorded two goals and two assists for four points in 25 games.

32nd – Lian Bichsel, LHD, Leksand (SHL)

Lian Bichsel is a big 6’5, 216 Lbs. Left-shooting defenseman. Having a long stride and incredible reach allows Bichsel to close off gaps. He recorded one goal and two assists in 29 games.

The 2022 NHL draft should be a good one. It will be interesting to see if the Toronto Maple Leafs or any other teams trades away their first round pick. I for one would not be surprised if the Toronto Maple Leafs do trade the 25th overall pick. It could be used to help the team now. If they decide to keep it, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas could use a player like Rutger McGroarty.