In an all too familiar fashion, the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the playoffs without progressing past the first round.
The only thing that can be done in a situation like this is to retool. The Toronto Maple Leafs don’t need to blow up the roster but they must make the right tweaks to make them better going into the 2022-23 season.
Roster changes will include both players leaving the Leafs and signing upcoming unrestricted free agents. It could also see players in the farm system taking the next step in their careers by earning a roster spot. Part of the way to ensure that there is continued success in the organization is to draft well. That is why the 2022 NHL Entry Draft means so much.
With the ping pong balls selected and the draft order set, we have a good idea of what to expect on July 7 in Montreal, Quebec. All that’s left is for teams to actually make their picks.
Midway through the year, I released a midterm mock draft but things have changed since then. Here is my final mock draft. (All player statistics are from Elite Prospects.)
1st Pick – Montreal Canadiens
Shane Wright (C)
6’1″, 187 lbs
There hasn’t been any change to Shane Wright and his draft position since his midterm ranking. He is by far the prize of the draft. The Montreal Canadiens know that they are just weeks away from adding the new face of their organization. Having played with older players since minor hockey, expect Wright to step right into the NHL next year at 18 years old.