2022 draft Discussion

[Hen Kolland]

Do the Smith brothers have any more siblings?

Brendan and Riley for sure. But not sure about draft eligibles

 

[Gniwder]

Brendan and Riley for sure. But not sure about draft eligibles

I mean Gemel and Givani, not sure if that was a misunderstanding or a joke, but I chuckled either way

 

[emptyNedder]

I don’t think this is the draft where we find our #1/#2 center anyway.

I like a lot of the options for centers in round 2 (where we have 2 picks).

Based on the current rankings, there are 2-4 centers who should be available in the mid-to-late 2nd who have 2C upside. Not saying any of them will reach that in the NHL, but the present 30-60 range has some intriguing Cs.

Kulich, Topi Ronni, Matyas Sapovaliv (though he is starting to show up around 25 on some lists), Rieger Lorenz

 

[Pavels Dog]

If you are hell bent on a center, I think you are going to be disappointed with the first round of this draft class.

Thought this was a strong center draft? Pronman's rankings have a decent amount of centers 1st round.

I wouldn't freak out if we add another high quality winger in the 1st round but it just feels like the time is right to go for broke and make this is a center heavy draft for us. Trade down if we don't feel like reaching, trade up if the opportunity arises, but we really shouldn't kick the can of "we'll just draft a center next year" any further down the road.

Lambert and Kasper are both interesting center prospects and it's likely at least one is available where we draft.

 

[Frk It]

Thought this was a strong center draft? Pronman's rankings have a decent amount of centers 1st round.

I wouldn't freak out if we add another high quality winger in the 1st round but it just feels like the time is right to go for broke and make this is a center heavy draft for us. Trade down if we don't feel like reaching, trade up if the opportunity arises, but we really shouldn't kick the can of "we'll just draft a center next year" any further down the road.

Lambert and Kasper are both interesting center prospects and it's likely at least one is available where we draft.

I don’t know how likely it is Lambert will be a center in the NHL. From everything I’ve heard, he does a lot of things that frustrate coaches. Guys who frustrate coaches are not usually guys entrusted with playing down the middle.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

You my friend are the patron saint of undersized centers. I like Mesar a lot, but I don't project him as a center in NA professional hockey. Maybe that changes but I sure as shit am not drafting him thinking he will be a center long-term.

I think he will prove to be a logical option for where we are drafting.

With how he plays the game I don't think Mesar's size is going to limit him at all. Mesar's speed allows him to cover a lot more ice than most and he's a pretty good facilitator on the breakout for his team. He might start out like Larkin on the wing of a more experienced center but eventually move there.

Here's a shift that shows him all over the place; zone entry, moving to the point to stop a clearing attempt, and then cycle with his team before scoring.



My worry with Mesar is that even though some places are ranking him in the teens there will be somebody taking a flyer on him between 6 and 10 that isn't Detroit.

 

[TCNorthstars]

Bob's list is out. Wright still number one but scouts see him as a #2c. #sad

Wright leaves door open atop TSN's mid-season draft rankings - TSN.ca

 

[Ed Ned and Leddy]

I don't think it's a bad center draft per se, but I don't think it's as strong as, say, 2019 for example.

If you're hellbent on using our first to find a top six center to accompany Larkin, I think you're probably overestimating the value of a pick in the #8-12ish range. Unless Yzerman truly cannot miss I don't think we'll get a Raymond or Seider level prospect this year, but hopefully a solid top 6F/top 4D who is likely a few years away from making an NHL impact.

Edit: McKenzie's list has already been posted, deleted.

 

[golffuul]

Bob's list is out. Wright still number one but scouts see him as a #2c. #sad

Wright leaves door open atop TSN's mid-season draft rankings - TSN.ca

Not surprising, really, based on his year so far and now average he look at the WJC.

 

[Frk It]

My worry with Mesar is that even though some places are ranking him in the teens there will be somebody taking a flyer on him between 6 and 10 that isn't Detroit.

What supports that, though? He just came in at #22 on Bob's list. Most places I have seen do not have him ranked top 15, even though I feel he should be.

 

[Frk It]

Bob's list is out. Wright still number one but scouts see him as a #2c. #sad

Wright leaves door open atop TSN's mid-season draft rankings - TSN.ca

Geekie and Lambert coming in at 10/11 is good to see for us, IMO.

 

[NickH8]

One scout ranking Lian Bichsel in the top 10 smells a lot like Detroit lol
Mesar at 22 is a good sign for those of us who want him.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

What supports that, though? He just came in at #22 on Bob's list. Most places I have seen do not have him ranked top 15, even though I feel he should be.

Because there's always someone like Matt Coronato, Lukas Reichel, or Seth Jarvis that may have a mid to late 1st ranking but goes 5 to 10 picks before that. When I look at the players in this draft I get a gut feeling that Mesar is the guy that makes that unexpected rise.

 

[NickH8]

Anyone have any thoughts on Nathan Gaucher? Just watching some quick vids he looks like a very good forechecker/cycle player. Maybe he'd be a good pick to fill that Bertuzzi role on line 2? Our pick may be a little above his range though.

 

[GoBoltz56]

I'm liking Nazar more and more. Highly skilled and he's apparently been playing C all year for the USNDTP.

 

[Henkka]

Always interesting to see how Bob McKenzie's list goes very much hand-in-hand with my list.

I'm going heavily with consensus picks on the 1st round ranked and so is he.

 

[emptyNedder]

Based on the current rankings, there are 2-4 centers who should be available in the mid-to-late 2nd who have 2C upside. Not saying any of them will reach that in the NHL, but the present 30-60 range has some intriguing Cs.

Kulich, Topi Ronni, Matyas Sapovaliv (though he is starting to show up around 25 on some lists), Rieger Lorenz

McKenzie's list is typically close--then replace Sapovaliv with Bystedt.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Anyone have any thoughts on Nathan Gaucher? Just watching some quick vids he looks like a very good forechecker/cycle player. Maybe he'd be a good pick to fill that Bertuzzi role on line 2? Our pick may be a little above his range though.

I haven't watched much of the QMJHL on my TOTALLY LEGITIMATE feeds this season, but here's a writeup FCHockey did on the guy. (With video!)

The Analysis: A deep look at Nathan Gaucher's game

Looks like a potential net front guy. If Detroit gets another 1st in the 20s then he might be worth a shot from just glancing at that profile. Color me intrigued.

 

[TheOctopusKid]

No! Cooley! You got too sexy too soon! Stop it!

 

[Henkka]

Finally got my own rank updated.

Pick	AVG	Range	Pos	2022 draft	Size/Hand		Highest
1	1,0		C	Shane Wright	6'0½ - R	CAN	1
2	4,0		C	Matthew Savoie	5'10 - R	CAN	2
3	4,9		C	Logan Cooley	5'10 - L	USA	2
4	6,2		W	Juraj Slafkovsky	6'4 - L	SVK	5
5	6,3		RW	Joakim Kemell	5'11 - R	FIN	3
6	7,0		LW	Ivan Miroshnichenko	6'1 - R	RUS	2
7	7,2		W	Danila Yurov	6'1 - L	RUS	5
8	7,5		C	Brad Lambert	6'0½ - R	FIN	2
9	7,7		RD	David Jiricek	6'3 - R	CZE	4
10	8,6		RD	Simon Nemec	6'1 - R	SVK	6
11	10,6		C	Conor Geekie	6'3 - L	CAN	7
12	17,2		RD	Tristan Luneau	6'1 - R	CAN	10
13	17,6		RW	Frank Nazar	5'10 - R	USA	13
14	17,7		LW	Isaac Howard	5'10 - L	USA	13
15	17,8		C	Jonathan Lekkerimäki	5'11 - R	SWE	12
16	18,7		LD	Pavel Mintyukov	6'1½ - L	RUS	9
17	19,9		C	Jack D. Hughes	5'11 - L	USA	12
18	20,2		C	Marco Kasper	6'1 - L	AUT	15
19	20,4		LW	Cutter Gauthier	6'2 - L	USA	11
20	20,7		C/LW	Rutger McGroarty	6'1 - L	USA	16
21	20,8		C	Nathan Gaucher	6'3 - R	CAN	11
22	23,6		RD	Elias Salomonsson	6'1½ - R	SWE	13
23	24,1		F	Jimmy Snuggerud	6'1 - R	USA	16
24	24,2		F	Filip Mesar	5'10 - R	SVK	18
25	24,9		RD	Ryan Chesley	6'0 - R	USA	17
26	25,0		LD	Denton Mateychuk	5'11 - L	CAN	18
27	27,0		C	Adam Ingram	6'2½ - L	CAN	19
28	27,1		F	Liam Öhgren	6'0 - L	SWE	21
29	27,7		LW	Alexander Perevalov	6'0 - R	RUS	20
30	27,8		LD	Owen Pickering	6'3½ - L	CAN	15
31	29,5		C	Luca Del Bel Belluz	6'0½ - L	CAN	22
32	29,6		C/RW	Gleb Trikozov	6'1 - R	RUS	15
33	30,1		C	Danny Zhilkin	6'1 - L	CAN/RUS	22
34	30,3		RD	Ty Nelson	5'10 - R	CAN	22
35	32,0		C	Matthew Poitras	5'11 - R	CAN	24
36	32,2		F	Matyas Sapovaliv	6'4 - L	CZE	25
37	32,5		LD	Lian Bichsel	6'5 - L	SUI	28
38	32,5		C	Owen Beck	6'0 - R	CAN	20
39	32,7		C	Noah Östlund	5'11 - L	SWE	20
40	33,1		RD	Seamus Casey	5'10 - R	USA	28
41	33,7		LD	Kevin Korchinski	6'2 - L	CAN	25
42	34,8		LD	Calle Odelius	6'0 - L	SWE	26
43	34,8		C	Bryce McConnel-Barker	6'1 - L	CAN	17
44	35,1		C	Filip Bystedt	6'4 - L	SWE	28
45	36,1		C	Pano Fimis	5'11 - R	CAN	20
46	36,7		RD	Maveric Lamoureux	6'7 - R	CAN	28
47	39,0		C	Paul Ludwinski	5'11 - L	CAN	27
48	39,7		C/LW	Ludwig Persson	5'11½ - L	SWE	15
49	39,8		LD	Mats Lindgren	6'0 - L	CAN	29
50	40,2		LD	Simon Forsmark	6'2 - L	SWE	25
51	40,3		C	Rieger Lorenz	6'2 - L	CAN	24
52	41,5		LD	Tomas Hamara	6'0 - L	CZE	35
53	42,0		F	Devin Kaplan	6'3 - R	USA	37
54	42,0		C	Jiri Kulich	6'0 - L	CZE	31
55	43,2		LD	Arseni Koromyslov	6'3 - L	RUS	27
56	45,0		F	Julian Lutz	6'2 - L	GER	30
57	45,0		RW	Cruz Lucius	6'0 - R	USA	37
58	46,3		LW	Jani Nyman	6'3 - L	FIN	30
59	47,8		G	Tyler Brennan	6'4	CAN	38
60	48,5		LD	Lane Hutson	5'8 - L	USA	45
61	48,9		RD	Mattias Hävelid	5'10 - R	SWE	28
62	49,5		RD	Sam Rinzel	6'4 - R	CAN	46
63	50,0		W	Alexander Suzdalev	6'2 - L	SWE/RUS	44
64	50,7		C	Ryan Greene	6'2 - R	CAN	25
65	50,8		LD	Jorian Donovan	6'2 - L	CAN	28
66	51,5		C	Topi Rönni	6'1 - L	FIN	49
67	52,1		RD	Noah Warren	6'5 - R	CAN	45
68	52,8		LW	Kirill Dolzhenkov	6'6 - L	RUS	40
69	52,8		RD	Otto Salin	5'11 - R	FIN	37
70	54,0		RW	Maddox Fleming	5'11½ - R	USA	42
71	54,1		LD	Tyler Dunbar	6'1 - L	USA	32
72	55,3		C	Aleksanteri Kaskimäki	6'0 - L	FIN	40
73	56,1		RW	Jack Devine	5'11 - R	USA	40
74	58,5		G	Topias Leinonen	6'5	FIN	44
75	61,0		C	Liam Arnsby	5'11 - R	CAN	52
76	62,7		G	Rastislav Elias	6'2	SVK	46

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

8 Centers at Top18...

...and lot more Centers at lower rounds. This is huge center draft.

Hope we got our Cirelli and Point from here.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

With how he plays the game I don't think Mesar's size is going to limit him at all. Mesar's speed allows him to cover a lot more ice than most and he's a pretty good facilitator on the breakout for his team. He might start out like Larkin on the wing of a more experienced center but eventually move there.

Here's a shift that shows him all over the place; zone entry, moving to the point to stop a clearing attempt, and then cycle with his team before scoring.



My worry with Mesar is that even though some places are ranking him in the teens there will be somebody taking a flyer on him between 6 and 10 that isn't Detroit.

Literally nothing in that video is relevant to projecting him as an NHL center. The issues that smaller players have with the position are all related to defensive zone play and coverage. Not only is the kid short, he is a flyweight. On this side of the pond he will actually be forced to use his body to separate players from the puck in the defensive zone. Playing off forwards and pushing them to the outside indefinitely as can be done in Europe just doesn't work over here. Hockey is a game of 2-1s and his size will expose him in the defensive zone eventually. If he was more naturally strong for his size without any falloff in mobility, I might consider him a viable center.

So many people are pot committed to the "size doesn't matter" narrative (especially those who have never played the game) that they forget about those situations where it still very much does. You can only defend with you stick so much in the NHL. Eventually you do need to use your body and leverage.

Oddly enough I really do like Mesar as a player from what I have seen of him. I just don't think he is a center.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I would be pretty stoked about Lambert or Geekie going to us.

 

[Frk It]

I would be pretty stoked about Lambert or Geekie going to us.

Same for me.

 

[Revenge of Gru]

Get ready to pick 12th where Yzerman takes yet another winger. Who it is hardly matters.

 

[Henkka]

I would be pretty stoked about Lambert or Geekie going to us.

Yeah, currently, it seems like Wright, Savoie and Cooley out of our pick range.

But after those, there could be Lambert, Geekie, Lekkerimäki, Jack D.Hughes (son of new Montreal GM) or Marco Kasper available.

Also it was quite clear, that after #11, there is a talent drop. That group from 2 to 11 is very equal.