NHL DRAFT PREVIEW - PICKS 1-5

Jared Rotenberg

For NHL teams and fan bases alike who have had their Stanley Cup dreams squashed this season, there is a new calendar date that must be circled in thick red marker; July 7th, 2022, the NHL Draft.

Despite this year’s draft class not being regarded as the deepest in recent memory, there are still a plethora of high-end prospects that should leave lottery teams buzzing with anticipation.

With that being said, here are my predictions for how the top 5 selections in this year’s NHL draft will play out:

Montreal Canadiens - Shane Wright - Center

With the first overall pick in the NHL draft, the Montreal Canadiens have essentially been presented with a slam dunk selection, as top prospect Shane Wright is right there for the taking. With the skill and two-way ability that he possesses, I don’t foresee any possibility of the Canadiens passing up on Wright with the first pick in this draft. He projects to be an elite-level centerman one day, who should do wonders in jump-starting the Habs rebuild.

This season, while playing on the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League, Wright put up 94 points in the 63 games he played-not including the 14 points he put up in 11 playoff games. He isn’t the fastest skater, however his elite offensive ability, as well as his strong defensive playing style should translate incredibly well into the NHL.

New Jersey Devils - Juraj Slafkovsky - Left Wing

With the top prospect off the board, the draft really opens up at pick number 2, which is currently owned by the New Jersey Devils. The Devils have several options for prospects at this position, with players that can adequately fill multiple different roles within their lineup. However, with this pick, I believe that New Jersey will pass on the other prospects available in order to solidify their forward core and add a new winger into their collection.

For this reason, my prediction is that the Devils will select a much needed big-body winger, with the selection of Slovakian forward Juraj Slafkovsky. Standing at 6’4”, this powerful forward will provide a physical presence, which should make him one of the most desirable prospects at this year's draft. He is incredibly strong at forechecking and pressuring opposing players with his strength and might; all of which are skills that should help Slafkovsky translate well into a National Hockey League role.

On top of all this, he is an incredible stick handler, has a strong shot, and possesses a long reach that makes him effective in various areas on the ice in terms of both carrying and retrieving the puck. This season, playing for TPS of the Liiga, he put up underwhelming point totals, with only 10 points in the 31 games he played. However, when considering that he is only 18 years old playing in a mens hockey league, these numbers are understandable. Despite the point totals not wowing scouts by any means, he has displayed plenty of skill and incredible ability both in the Liiga, as well as in the many international competitions he participated in. This has made Slafkovsky a prospect to watch out for ahead of this year's draft.

Arizona Coyotes - Logan Cooley - Center

As long as he is still available at this position, the Coyotes should be rushing up eagerly to select centerman Logan Cooley with the third overall pick in this year's draft. Despite not being the biggest, standing at only 5’10”, Cooley thrives in terms of his dynamic skating, amazing puck handling ability, great shot and phenomenal hockey IQ. He is the epidome of a future number one center in the National Hockey League, and if he is still on the board, the Coyotes shouldn’t hesitate to scoop him up with their third overall pick. This season, with the USDP’s U18 team, Cooley scored 27 goals and 48 assists for a total of 75 points in the 51 games he played. As well, with the USNTDP Juniors, Cooley put up 13 goals and 23 assists for 36 total points.

These totals and his incredible offensive ability should make him a surefire top 3 selection at this year's NHL draft, with several scouts believing he could even challenge Shane Wright as the top prospect in this year's draft class. The only thing that may scare away some teams, and the only reason I believe Cooley will fall to third overall, is the fact that he is currently committed to playing for the University of Minnesota next season, and therefore will not be eligible to play in the NHL right away. However, with the Coyotes being a rebuilding team, who likely still have a few more years of rebuilding ahead of them, they are certainly a team that should be willing to be patient with a prospect as elite as Logan Cooley. For this reason, I very much believe we will see Logan Cooley donning the Arizona Coyotes beautiful Kachina jersey, as soon as this upcoming draft arrives.

Seattle Kraken - Simon Nemec - Defense

For the Seattle Kraken, heading into their second ever draft as a National Hockey League team, I believe they will work to solidify their defensive core of the future with the selection of Slovakian defenseman Simon Nemec. The 6’1” defenseman is projected to be the top blueliner in this year's draft class, and with his wide reach, strong skating, elite-level passing, and two-way ability, he is sure to be a top 5 pick at this year's draft. Considering the Kraken are very much focused on their future, I believe adding an elite defenseman to their prospect pool would be the best possible pick for their mission of building a strong overall team.

Last season, Simon Nemec put up 26 points in the 39 games he played for HK Nitra of the Tipos Extraliga. His offensive and defensive ability should allow him to be a strong NHL defenseman in a few years. On top of his play in his main league, he has also impressed scouts with his two-way game which he has displayed in the international events he has participated in. With his size and talent in all areas of the ice, watch out for Nemec as likely the first defenseman off the board at this years NHL draft, joining the Seattle Kraken organization for their sophomore season.

Philadelphia Flyers - Matthew Savoie - Center

With the 5th overall pick, the Philadelphia Flyers have several options to kick off their rebuild after an incredibly disappointing season that just concluded. Given their circumstances, and the fact that they need to build up their prospect pool entirely, I believe they will take the strategy of selecting the best player available, or atleast the player with the most potential. This will lead them to pick a prospect with loads of potential; WHL centerman Matthew Savoie. He is only 5’9”, and for this reason he has been rather polarizing to many scouts, with some being incredibly high on him, while others believe he will fall.

However, despite this fact, his scoring ability, quick hands, and passing skill should leave him desirable for a team in need of talented prospects, such as the Flyers. Savoie is not without his flaws, as his small size leads him to struggle on the defensive end of the ice. But still, with the 35 goals, 55 assists and 90 points he put up in the 65 games he played for the Winnipeg Ice, I do believe he will be picked up rather quickly in this year's draft. He has areas to improve in, as do most 18 year old prospects, but I am still confident a team recently forced into a rebuild like the Philadelphia Flyers, would be eager to select a forward as offensively gifted as Matthew Savoie is.