Toronto Maple Leafs Have Choices at 25 In NHL Draft

2nd Pick – New Jersey Devils
Juraj Slafkovsky (LW)
6’4″, 218 lbs

One of the most shocking things to come out leading up to the draft is Bob McKenzie’s Draft Rankings. What sets it apart from all the others is that Wright isn’t the listed as the first-overall selection. Instead, that distinction belongs to Juraj Slafkovsky.

At the midterm, Slafvosky was ranked as the second-best prospect of all European skaters by NHL Central Scouting. The second half of his season was undeniable, pushing him up nearly every scout’s board. McKenzie justified Slafvosky being drafted first-overall by quoting NHL scouts he had spoken with.

3rd Pick – Arizona Coyotes
Logan Cooley (C)
5’10”, 174 lbs

Cooley appears to be a can’t miss prospect, who will crack an NHL roster. The worry before the start of the season was whether Cooley would continue to struggle without the puck. He put those concerns to rest while playing with USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) in the USHL under Coach Adam Nightingale. I believe Nightingale, who was an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings for three years, has had a significant impact on Cooley’s development, pushing him to use his athleticism to deliver on the offensive end.

4th Pick – Seattle Kraken
Simon Nemec (D)
6’1″, 192 lbs

Having traded away Mark Giordano, the organization’s first and only ever captain, at the trade deadline to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Seattle Kraken have been left without a star on the blueline. That’s why the team will look to pull the first rear guard of the draft off the board.

Simon Nemec should be that player. The high skilled defender has been playing with HK Nitra in the Slovakian Extraliga. That experience has allowed Nemec to play with far more experienced players. He is an above average puck mover who has put together a campaign full of setting up his his teammates. In fact, in the 39 regular season games he played for Nitra, the Slovakian racked up 25 assists to go along with his single goal. He also had 12 helpers in the playoffs. In those 19 games, Nemec also scored five goals.

5th Pick – Philadelphia Flyers
David Jiricek (D)
6’3″, 190 lbs

The Philadelphia Flyers have an opportunity to bolster their defense core by adding David Jiricek from Plzen HC who has been playing in the Czech Republic. This agile blueliner has gained the trust of his coach to defend his own end, allowing him to hop the boards in any situation. Additionally, he can be a difference maker on the offensive end. This season, a knee injury limited him to just 29 games where he contributed 11 points on five goals and six assists.

6th Pick – Columbus Blue Jackets
Matt Savoie (C)
5’9″, 179 lbs

General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen could use a home run in the draft after the Columbus Blue Jackets missed the playoffs. That should lead him to take a chance at a player with an enormous upside. Matt Savoie is an undersized center who can produce at a high rate. Teams have learned their lesson from passing on Alex DeBrincat based on size alone. The Blue Jackets don’t want to miss on a player who scored 35 goals and added 55 assists in just 65 games for the Winnipeg Ice in the WHL.

7th Pick – Ottawa Senators
Joakim Kemell (C, RW)
5’11”, 176 lbs

Joakim Kemell was one of the darlings of the draft at midterm. He was the top ranked European skater by NHL Central Scouting. Scouts saw him as a potential future NHL All-Star. His stock has dropped in the second half of the season when his consistency waned. By the end of the season, playing for JYP in Liiga Finland, Kemell finished with 15 goals and 8 assists for 23 points in 39 games. His international play was even more productive, making him a legitimate top-10 prospect.

8th Pick – Detroit Red Wings
Brad Lambert (C)
6’0″, 179 lbs

Just like Kemell, Brad Lambert is another player who fell down some draft boards in the second half of the season. The pair happen to also be teammates. There’s still a lot to like about Lambert’s game including his high IQ play.

Interestingly, The Seattle Thunderbirds just traded for Lambert’s rights in the WHL on June 30. The Saskatoon Blades received a first, a fourth, and a sixth-round pick in the 2023 WHL Prospects Draft. They also picked up a second-round pick in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft for Kemell. It’s a big haul for a player with big potential.

9th Pick – Buffalo Sabres
Jonathan Lekkerimäki (C)
5’11”, 172 lbs

In Jonathan Lekkerimäki, the Buffalo Sabres would get a dynamic scorer. The center split his club playing time between the Djurgardens junior team in Sweden and their pro squad in the SHL. Lekkerimäki played 26 games for each group and fit in well with both. Though he’s slightly smaller than the Sabres would like, he is someone who has the ability to put the puck past opposing NHL goaltenders.

10th Pick – Anaheim Ducks
Frank Nazar III (C/RW)
5’10”, 174 lbs

Frank Nazar III shares a skill with Lekkerimäki. Both can score better than most. The Mount Clemens, Michigan native put together a 36 point campaign in 2021 thanks to 20 goals and 16 assists in just 31 games. This season, with the U.S. National U18 Team, he played 56 games and recorded 28 goals and 42 assists for a total of 70 points. With some seasoning, the Anaheim Ducks could be getting a top-six forward.

11th Pick – San Jose Sharks
Conor Geekie (C)
6’4″, 205 lbs

The San Jose Sharks have the opportunity to draft Savoie’s teammate, Connor Geekie. He’s Winnipeg’s second-line center. This past season, he recorded 24 goals and 46 helpers for a total of 70 points in 63 games. In the playoffs, Geekie played in 15 contests where he registered three goals and eight assists for a total of 11 points.

Geekie’s brother Morgan plays for the Kraken. Having that close connection should help the Strathclair, Manitoba native prepare and train to be a pro at the highest level. He also has the opportunity to learn from his brother what it not only takes to make it to the NHL but also how to remain in the league.

12th Pick – Columbus Blue Jackets
Cutter Gauthier (LW)
6’2″, 189 lbs

With their first pick in the draft, the Blue Jackets went with a defenseman. It makes sense to fill a different position with this selection. They get a good one in Cutter Gauthier. The left-winger has impressed as a natural goal scorer with a quick release. He has committed to Boston College next season, where he’ll put his shot on display to light some lamps. Playing under Head Coach Greg Brown, Gauthier has the opportunity to take the next step in his development.

13th Pick – New York Islanders
Pavel Mintyukov (D)
6’1″, 192 lbs

Pavel Mintyukov has come a long way since playing for MHK Dynamo Moskva in the MHL. He drew the attention of the Saginaw Spirit who drafted him 52nd overall in the 2020 CHL Import Draft.

He has greatly improved his game in Saginaw under Head Coach Chris Lazary in addition to all the international experience he has accumulated. Mintyukov plays the angles well and is still developing his defense.

The New York Islanders will like the offense he is able to generate from the back end. He will surely be a powerplay driver in the NHL. With the Spirit, Mintyukov dropped 17 goals and 45 assists for 62 points in 67 games.

14th Pick – Winnipeg Jets
Danila Yurov (RW)
6’1″, 179 lbs

Danila Yurov is a strong skater, who will gladly lead the rush down the wing. Last season, while playing for Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk in the MHL, the Russian, impressed with 13 goals and 12 assists in just 23 games. It was enough to earn him a promotion to the organization’s KHL club, Metallurg.

Yurov had the same opportunity thrust upon him this season. After playing six MHL games and tallying three goals and nine assists, Yurov once again was given the nod to join Metallurg. He lasted 21 games before being returned to Stalnye Lisy. There was a big difference in Yurov’s production between the two levels. He was deployed with limited minutes in the KHL, while he was allowed to thrive in the MHL.

15th Pick – Vancouver Canucks
Denton Mateychuk (D)
5’11”, 187 lbs

Much like Mintyukov, Denton Mateychuk is an explosive offensive defenseman. Playing for the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native played 65 regular season games where he had 13 goals and 51 assists for a total 64 points. He was nearly a point-a-game player from the back end. That production continued into the playoffs where Mateychuk recorded 10 points in 10 games on a goal and nine assists.

16th Pick – Buffalo Sabres
Marco Kasper (C)
6’2″, 187 lbs

This is the second pick in the draft for the Sabres. If they don’t package them together to trade up, then Buffalo will come away with a steal at slot 16 in Marco Kasper. Though he’s listed as a center, Kasper has played all three positions leading up to the draft. While he may not be as flashy as others, he should become a regular in the NHL.

17th Pick – Nashville Predators
Kevin Korchinski (D)
6’2″, 185 lbs

Kevin Korchinski joins a deep pool of puck moving defensemen. In other years, a player of his skillset who managed to have the statistical season he did, would come off the board a lot sooner. Korchinski just happens to be grouped with a very strong cohort of rear guards.

In the regular season, the left shooting Seattle Thunderbird put together a four goal, 61 assist campaign. That’s 65 points in 67 contests. In the 25 games he played in the playoffs, Korchinski registered six goals and 13 assists.

18th Pick – Dallas Stars
Ivan Miroshnichenko (LW)
6’1″, 185 lbs

The Dallas Stars want Ivan Miroshnichenko in their organization because he adds something every team is looking for, toughness and talent. The high octane skater isn’t afraid to play physical and throw his body around. Much like the way he plays, the Russian also has a heavy shot.

19th Pick – Minnesota Wild
Liam Öhgren (LW)
6’1″, 201 lbs

In Liam Öhgren, the Minnesota Wild get a left-winger who tore it up playing junior hockey for Djurgardens Jr in Sweden. If that team sounds familiar, it’s because it is the same squad that LekkerimäkiIn plays for, as well as the Boston Bruins’ fifth-round 2021 draft pick, Oskar Jellvik. GM Bill Guerin may like the development the organization has offered and pick up the slick passing Öhgren.

20th Pick – Washington Capitals
Jimmy Snuggerud (F)
6’2″, 185 lbs

Jimmy Snuggerud is a player who can be used both at center and on the wing. Shooting right, he is a third-generation player. His grandfather, James Westby, played in the NCAA, and his dad, Dave Snuggerud, played four seasons in the NHL.

The Chaska, Minnesota native has committed to the University of Minnesota where he can continue to showcase his impressive shot. With the U.S. National U18 Team, Snuggerud has collected 63 points. In 59 games, he recorded 24 goals and 39 assists.

21st Pick – Pittsburgh Penguins
Filip Mesar (F)
5’10”, 174 lbs

Just like the 20th pick in Snuggerud, Filip Mesar plays both at center and on the wing. This gives the Pittsburgh Penguins some flexibility in seeing where the Slovakian develops best. He is coming off playing with his club team, HK Poprad, where he recorded eight goals and eight assists in 37 games.

22nd Pick – Anaheim Ducks
Isaac Howard (LW)
5’10”, 181 lbs

At midterm, I had Isaac Howard at the exact same position of being drafted 22nd overall. Using the Ducks second pick in the draft, they get another forward. With Ducks General manager
Pat Verbeek selecting Nazar III, who plays both center and right-wing, earlier in the round, it’s good for Anaheim that Howard plays on the left side.

The Ducks will be ecstatic to draft U.S. Development Program prospect who can be a wizard at times with his stick handling. He creates scoring changes for his team and can finish around the net with a tremendous wrist shot and quick release.

Howard has committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth next season. He will be playing with a former fourth-round pick of the Habs, Jack Smith.

23rd Pick – St. Louis Blues
Rutger McGroarty (C)
6’1″, 205 lbs

The U.S. National U18 Team might be coming off having one of its best ever rosters. Rutger McGroaty was a big part of that. With his high hockey IQ and ability to score in bunches, McGroaty helped fill up score sheets. In 54 contests, he put in 35 goals and added 34 helpers for a total of 69 points.

McGroaty is committed to the University of Michigan next season. He will be playing for the Wolverines Head Coach Mel Pearson and Associate Head Coach Bill Muckalt.

24th Pick – Minnesota Wild
Jiri Kulich (C)
6’0″, 181 lbs

In Jiri Kulich, the Wild get a player who already has pro experience. He quickly graduated from playing junior this season in Czechia to join his organization’s big club, HC Energie Karlovy Vary for 49 regular season games. He also got into all three of the team’s playoffs games. The Wild will continue to get a look at Kulich as he remains in Czechia next season.

25th Pick – Toronto Maple Leafs
Noah Östlund (C)
5’11”, 163 lbs

There will instantly be Toronto Maple Leafs fans who are critical of anyone the club drafts that isn’t over six-feet tall. Unfortunately, those who only look at player heights and weights will miss out on the talent that is Noah Östlund.

Playing in Sweden for Djurgårdens IF, Östlund got into games for the J18 and the J20 Nationell teams. The majority of those contests were with the Under 20 Team. He played 32 regular season games and scored nine goals and 33 assists for 42 total points. In the playoffs, Östlund skated in five more games where he put in another five goals and two assists.

Östlund also put his quick feet and stellar puck handling on display at the professional level of the SHL for Djurgårdens IF. Playing limited minutes, the center didn’t make it onto the score sheet. That shouldn’t be a concern for GM Kyle Dubas because Östlund is still at the beginning stages of his development and should earn more ice time next season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and their scouts saw Östlund shine in 2021 where he had the most points in J20 Nationell by a U17 Junior. This year, he was spectacular on the international stage. He was a part of the gold medal winning U18 WJC team, the gold medal J18 SM group, and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Bronze Medal squad.

Even if Östlund doesn’t project to be a top-six NHL forward, he will continue to develop and build on his strengths. If he’s as relentless at trying to improve as he is on the ice going after the puck, the Toronto Maple Leafs should have a successful project.

26th Pick – Montreal Canadiens
Owen Pickering (D)
6’5″, 179 lbs

After picking up a potential superstar center in Wright with the first pick of the draft, the Canadiens will be looking to find a defenseman with their second pick of the first round. Using Calgary’s pick, the Habs will be able to select Owen Pickering from the Swift Current Broncos. He is the tallest player in the draft so far and if he adds more muscle, could become a tormenting player on the ice.

Pickering is known as an offensive defenseman with a booming shot. Before he makes his way up to the NHL, Pickering will need to improve at the defensive end as well. Interestingly, he is cousins with another top-prospect, Mateychuk.

27th Pick – Arizona Coyotes
Jagger Firkus (F)
5’10”, 154 lbs

While Pickering is Mateychuk’s cousin, Jagger Firkus is his teammate. The WHL has been very well represented in this Entry Draft. With the 27th pick, the Moose Jaw Warriors should see its top point producer drafted by the Arizona Coyotes.

Firkus has been an unexpected success story. Originally selected by Moose Jaw in the 2019 WHL Draft as a fourth-round pick (82nd overall), few would have guessed that Firkus would eventually find himself in this position. After accumulating 80 points in 66 games, he made himself undeniable and a solid selection for the Coyotes.

28th Pick – Buffalo Sabres
Luca Del Bel Belluz (C)
6’1″, 179 lbs

Luca Del Bel Belluz is in a similar position as Firkus by beginning his junior career with low expectations. Del Bel Belluz was a third-round selection in the 2019 OHL Priority Draft. He was drafted 51st overall by the Mississauga Steelheads. Since then, he had an underwhelming rookie season followed by an explosion of offense this past regular season. In 68 games, the center recorded 30 goals and 46 assists for 76 points. While he played well in the playoffs, his production dipped to just four points in 10 games.

29th Pick – Edmonton Oilers
Lian Bichsel (D)
6’5″, 225 lbs

The Edmonton Oilers, more than most other NHL clubs, need to bolster their back end. They don’t want to waste the prime years of two of the league’s best players without getting help behind them. While Lian Bichsel isn’t NHL ready yet, he looks like a player who will have a role with the franchise in the not so distant future.

Bichsel is already playing professional hockey in Switzerland. He played 29 games for Leksands IF in the SHL this season and will return to them next year to continue locking down and frustrating opponents.

30th Pick – Winnipeg Jets
Ryan Chesley (D)
6’0″, 201 lbs

After seeing a number of offensive defensemen selected in the first-round, this is the second of back-to-back picks where a primary defender comes off the board. Ryan Chesley is a competent defender but he also has offense to offer thanks to his cannon of a shot. Chesley will continue his development at the University of Minnesota under the tutelage of the Gophers Head Coach, Bob Motzko, next season.

31st Pick – Tampa Bay Lightning
Nathan Gaucher (C)
6’3″, 207 lbs

Nathan Gaucher is in the unique position where he gets to compete against his older brother Jacob, the captain of Baie-Comeau Drakkar and his father Yannick, the Assistant General Manager of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the QMJHL. Just like the rest of his family, Nathan has put himself in a leadership position. He is an assistant captain of his club, the Quebec Remparts.

Gaucher has had two very strong years of Major Junior where combined he has played 96 games and potted 45 goals with 43 assists. He’s continued that production into the playoffs as well. This season, he played in 12 contests where he scored three goals and had six helpers.

32nd Pick – Arizona Coyotes
Owen Beck (C)
6’0″, 190 lbs

Rounding out the first round is the Coyotes’ third pick. They are sure to be the winners of the night, having the ability to stock their farm system in just this single Entry Draft. In this position, they would likely want a defenseman after already selecting two forwards. That could easily be Sam Rinzel from Chaska High School, but it would be hard to pass on Owen Beck with him still available.

As such, look for the Yotes to add Central Scouting’s tenth ranked North American skater instead. Playing for the Steelheads with teammate Del Bel Belluz, Beck managed to have a spectacular rookie season. He notched 21 goals and 30 assists for 51 points in 68 games.

The 2022 NHL Entry Draft begins this Thursday, July 7. It continues the following day in front of a crowd at the Bell Centre, the home of the Montreal Canadiens.