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The NHL offseason formally begins with the 2022 NHL Draft in Montreal, beginning with the first round on Thursday (6pm CT, ESPN).
The Nashville Predators, ranked 17th overall, should be able to pick a quality prospect in a draft that has little consensus. Even the No. 1 pick has no public consensus, although until recently Shane Wright was the putative top pick in most mock drafts.
Thursday is round 1, rounds 2 to 7 take place on Friday.
Follow our live draft tracker below for tips, trades and analysis from Thursday’s draft in Montreal: (The Vital Prospects and Stats on Elite Prospects)
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2022 NHL draft pick tracker
1 round
1. Montreal Canadiens | Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS (Liiga in Finland)
Vitals: 6-4, 218 pounds; From Kosice, Slovakia
Age: 18 (born March 30, 2004)
2021-22: 5 goals, 5 assists in 31 games with TPS; 6 goals and 12 assists in 11 games with the TPS U20 team; 7 Olympics goals for Slovakia (won tournament MVP)
2. New Jersey Devils | Simon Nemec, D, HK Nitra (Slovakia)
Vitals: 6-foot-1, 192 pounds; From Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia
Age: 18 (born February 15, 2004)
2021-22: 1 goal, 25 assists with Nitra in 39 regular season games, 5 goals and 12 assists in 19 playoff games with Nitra
3. Arizona Coyotes | Logan Cooley, C, US U18
Vitals: 5-10, 181 pounds; From Pittsburgh
Age: 18 (born May 4, 2004)
2021-22: 27 goals, 48 assists in 52 games with the U18 development program; 10 points in six games at World Juniors; Committed to the University of Minnesota
4. Seattle Octopus | Shane Wright, C., Kingston (OHL)
Vitals: 6-0 198 pounds; From Burlington, Ont
Age: 18 (born January 5, 2004)
2021-22: 32 goals, 62 assists in 63 games with Kingston; 14 points in 11 OHL playoff games with Kingston
5. Philadelphia Flyer | Schneider Gauthier, F, US U18
Vitals: 6-3, 201 pounds; From Skelleftea, Sweden
Age: 18 (born January 19, 2004)
2021-22: 34 goals, 31 assists in 54 games with the U18 development program; 9 points in six games at World Juniors; committed to Boston College
6. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Chicago) | David Jiricek, RHD, Pilsen (Czech Extraliga)
Vitals: 6-3, 190 pounds; From Klatovy, Czech Republic
Age: 18 (born November 28, 2003)
2021-22: 5 goals, 6 assists in 29 games with Pilsen
7. Chicago Blackhawks (from Ottawa) | Kevin Korchinski, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Vitals: 6-2, 185 pounds; From Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Age: 18 (born June 21, 2004)
2021-22: 4 goals, 61 assists, +36 in 67 regular season games with the Thunderbirds; 6 goals and 13 assists in 25 WHL playoff games
DRAFT DAILY TRADING: Chicago traded RW Alex DeBrincat to Ottawa for the No. 7 overall, No. 39 overall and a 2024 third-round pick.
8.Detroit Red Wings | Marco Kasper, C, Rogle (Sweden)
Vitals: 6-2, 185 pounds; From Innsbruck, Austria
Age: 18 (born April 8, 2004)
2021-22: 7 goals, 4 assists in 46 games in Swedish professional league; six points in 13 playoff games with Rogle
9. Buffalo Saber | Matthew Savoie, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
Vitals: 5-9, 179 pounds; From St Albert, Alberta
Age: 18 (born January 1, 2004)
2021-22: 35 goals, 55 assists in 65 regular-season games; 6 goals and 6 assists in 10 WHL playoff games
10. Anaheim Ducks | Pavel Mintyukov, D, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Vitals: 6-2, 194 pounds; From Moscow, Russia
Age: 18 (born November 25, 2003)
2021-22: 17 goals, 45 assists in 67 regular season games
11. Arizona Coyotes (from San Jose) | Conor Geekie, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
Vitals: 6-4, 205 pounds; From Strathclair, Manitoba
Age: 18 (born May 5, 2004)
2021-22: 24 goals, 46 assists in 63 regular-season games; 3 goals and 8 assists in 15 WHL playoff games
DRAFT DAILY TRADING: Arizona acquired the #11 overall pick from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for #27, 34, and 45 overall picks.
12. Columbus Blue Jackets | Denton Mateychuk, LHD, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Vitals: 5-11, 194 pounds; From Winnipeg
Age: 17 (born July 12, 2004)
2021-22: 13 goals, 51 assists in 65 regular-season games; 1 goal and 9 assists in 10 WHL playoff games
13. Chicago Blackhawks (from NY Islanders via Montreal) | Frank Nazar, C, US U18
Vitals: 5-10, 181 pounds; From Mt. Clemens, Michigan
Age: 18 (born January 14, 2004)
2021-22: 28 goals, 42 assists in 56 games with the U18 development program; 9 points in six games at World Juniors; Michigan committed
DRAFT DAY TRADE(S): Montreal acquired the No. 13 overall pick from the NY Islanders in exchange for defenseman Alexander Romanov and the No. 98 overall pick. Montreal then sent the No. 13 overall and No. 66 overall to Chicago for center Kirby Dach.
14. Winnipeg Jets | Rutger McGroarty, RW, US U18
Vitals: 6-1, 205 pounds; From Lincoln, Nebraska
Age: 18 (born March 30, 2004)
2021-22: 35 goals, 34 assists in 54 games with the U18 development program; 9 points in six games at World Juniors; Michigan committed
15. Vancouver Canucks | Jonathan Lekkerimäki, RW, Djurgårdens (Sweden)
Vitals: 5-11, 172 pounds; From Huddinge, Sweden
Age: 17 (born July 24, 2004)
2021-22: Intermediate time between Djurgården’s junior and professional teams; 7 goals and 2 assists in 26 games with the senior team, 20 goals and 15 assists in 26 games with the U20 team
16. Buffalo Saber (from Vegas) | Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgårdens (Sweden)
Vitals: 5-11, 163 pounds; From Nykvarn, Sweden
Age: 18 (born March 11, 2004)
2021-22: Has not scored a point in 11 games with Djurgården’s professional team; 9 goals, 33 assists in 32 games with the U20 team
17. Nashville Predators | Joakim Kemell, RW, JYP (Finland)
Vitals: 5-9, 176 pounds; From Jyvaskyla, Finland
Age: 18 (born April 27, 2004)
2021-22: 15 goals and 8 assists in 39 games in Finnish professional league
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18. Dallas Stars | Lian Bischel, D, Leksand (Sweden)
Vitals: 6-6 225; from Olten, Switzerland
Age: 18 (born May 18, 2004)
2021-22: 1 goal, 2 assists in 29 games with Leksand’s professional team
19. Kings of Los Angeles | Liam Ohgren, LW, Djurgårdens juniors (Sweden)
Vitals: 6-1, 201; from Stockholm, Sweden
Age: 18 (born January 28, 2004)
2021-22: 1 goal, 1 assist in 25 games with Djurgården’s first team; 33 goals and 25 assists in 30 games with Djurgårdens U20 side
20. Capitals of Washington | Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Omsk Krylia (Russia/VHL)
Vitals: 6-1, 194 pounds; From Ussuriysk. Russia
Age: 18 (born February 4, 2004)
2021-22: 10 goals, 6 assists in 31 games in VHL; Hodgkins lymphoma was diagnosed earlier this year
21. Pittsburgh Penguins | Owen Pickering, D, Fast Stream (WHL)
Vitals: 6-4 181 pounds; From St. Adolphe, Manitoba
Age: 18 (born January 27, 2004)
2021-22: 9 goals, 24 assists in 62 games in the WHL; 2 assists in 4 games at World Juniors
22. Anaheim Ducks (from Boston) | Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Vitals: 6-3, 207 pounds; From Longueuil, Quebec
Age: 18 (born November 6, 2003)
2021-22: 31 goals and 26 assists in 66 games with the Rempa
23. St Louis Blues | Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, US U18
Vitals: 6-2, 185 pounds; From Chaska, Minnesota
Age: 18 (born June 1, 2004)
2021-22: 24 goals, 39 assists in 59 games with the U18 development program; 7 points in six games at World Juniors; Committed to Minnesota
24. Minnesota Wilderness | Danila Yurov, RW, Magnitogorsk (KHL)
Vitals: 6-foot-1, 178 pounds; from Chelyabinsk, Russia
Age: 18 (born 12/22/2003)
2021-22: Has not scored in 21 KHL games; 13 goals and 23 assists in 23 games in the MHL
25. Chicago Blackhawks (out of Toronto) | Sam Rinzel, D, Chaska (Minnesota) HS
Vitals: 6-3, 181 pounds; From Chanhassen, Minnesota
Age: 18 (born June 25, 2004)
2021-22: 9 goals, 29 assists in 27 games with Chaska High School; 2 goals and 8 assists in 21 games with USHL’s Waterloo; Committed to Minnesota
DRAFT DAILY TRADING: Chicago acquires the No. 25 overall and Toronto goaltender Petr Mrazek for the No. 38 overall.
26. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary) | Filip Mesar, RW, Poprad (Slovakia)
Vitals: 5-10, 174 pounds; From Kezmarok, Slovakia
Age: 18 (born January 3, 2004)
2021-22: 8 goals, 8 assists in 37 games with Poprad
27. San Jose Sharks (from Carolina to Montreal and Arizona) | Filip Bystedt, C, Linköping (Sweden)
Vitals: 6-4, 205 pounds; From Linkoping, Sweden
Age: 18 (born February 4, 2004)
2021-22: 1 goal, 1 assist in 15 games with the Linköping pro team; 16 goals, 33 assists in 40 games with Linköping U20 side; 3 points in 6 games at World Juniors
28. Buffalo Saber (from Florida) | Jiri Kulich, C, Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic)
Vitals: 6-0, 172 pounds
Age: 18 (born April 14, 2004)
2021-22: 9 goals, 5 assists in 49 games with Karlovy Vary; 11 points in 6 games at World Juniors
29. Arizona Coyotes (from Edmonton) | Maveric Lamoureux, D, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
Vitals: 6-7, 198 pounds; From Hawkesbury, Ontario
Age: 18 (born January 13, 2004)
2021-22: 4 goals, 20 assists in 54 games with the Voltigeurs
DRAFT DAILY TRADING: Arizona acquired the No. 29 overall pick, a 2025 second-round pick, a 2024 third-round pick, and forward Zach Kassian from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for the No. 32 overall pick.
30. Winnipeg Jets (by NY Rangers) | Brad Lambert, F, Pelicans (Finland)
Vitals: 6-0, 183 pounds; From Lahti, Finland
Age: 18 (born 12/19/2003)
2021-22: Combined 4 goals, 6 assists in 49 games with two teams in Finland’s top professional league
31st Tampa Bay Blitz | Issac Howard, LW, US U18
Vitals: 5-10, 181 pounds; By Hudson. Wisconsin
Age: 18 (born March 30, 2004)
2021-22: 33 goals, 49 assists in 60 games with the U18 development program; 11 points in six games at World Juniors; committed to Minnesota-Duluth
32. Edmonton Oilers (from Colorado via Arizona) | Reid Shepherd, LW, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Vitals: 6-3, 214 pounds; From Spruce Grove, Alberta
Age: 18 (born September 21, 2003)
2021-22: 32 goals, 26 assists in 66 games for the Thunderbirds
