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Scott Wheeler's top 50 drafted NHL prospects ranking, 2022 edition
Where do Owen Power, Juraj Slafkovsky, Shane Wright and other top drafted NHL prospects rank on Scott Wheeler's list?
1. Owen Power, LHD, 19 (Buffalo Sabres — No. 1, 2021)
I debated each of the first three names on this list at No. 1, but I just kept coming back to how impressive Power was this season. He blew me away, and I was already higher on him than most. I saw him live four times (once in Ann Arbor with the Wolverines, twice in Edmonton with Team Canada, again in Boston at the Frozen Four, and additionally in practices in Calgary and at skates in Toronto) and he was outstanding in each — for my money, he was the best defenceman in college hockey last year.
There’s not a lot he can’t do these days, and even the areas where he was deficient he has made significant progress. He walks through traffic with such ease for his size (6-foot-6), side-stepping defenders to his backhand and then making plays off of his backhand to teammates as coverage caves in on him. He began activating to join the rush more frequently this year (even sometimes while short-handed). He understands when to sling a quick one-touch pass and when to hang onto it. He’s now attacking off the line with comfort, and control, and intention. He hits seams as soon as they open. He makes a ton of little plays on outlets under pressure, spinning off of forecheckers unlike any defenceman his size that I’ve scouted.
His ability to play off of his heels and the push to his toes, given his size, is remarkable. He’s got this uncanny ability to drag pucks through his feet and pivot in one smooth motion to escape and advance the play. He sees the ice beautifully in possession. He wants to be involved deep into the offensive zone whenever he can. He shapes play on his edges with his footwork and crossovers like a smaller player. He breaks down the play and executes east-to-west at an advanced level. His unique skating ability for his size allows him to cover the sheet quickly, though there are still times when I’d like to see him be more aggressive defending in neutral ice (he does a great job filling and taking space inside the defensive zone on the penalty kill). He does a wonderful job adjusting around the first layer. He consistently reads the play effectively, processing at high speeds when pace ratchets up.
Given the continued advancement of his game offensively, I’m extremely confident he’s going to be a No. 1 in the NHL at this point. And I think between him and Rasmus Dahlin the Sabres will have two of them (it’ll be interesting to see how they make that work, given that they’re both lefties).
9. Matt Savoie, C/RW, 18 (Buffalo Sabres — No. 9, 2022)
Savoie’s game has the potential to thrill as much as any player’s on this list. Inside the offensive zone, he’s strong. He’s got extremely quick side-to-side hands that help him beat defenders one-on-one off of cuts. He’s got an NHL shot (which he can place with pinpoint accuracy from a bad angle and rip by a goalie clean from a distance, but he also loves to change up and slide five-hole). He does an excellent job creating plays to the slot out of traffic. He’s a burning skater with explosiveness and quick three-step acceleration that allows him to win races, separate in transition, and put defenders onto their heels, or dash through holes in coverage to the net (or draw a penalty). He’s a soft small-area passer who blends deception into his movements.
And then on top of those things, he’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He’s always engaged, he keeps his feet moving, he plays with a ton of energy, and he finishes all of his checks and knocks his fair share of players over despite being on the smaller side. He’s also sturdier on his feet than his listed height might suggest, which helps him play between checks.
I see a dynamic, high-tempo, top-six, goal-creating package. He’s an exciting talent, with clear PP1 upside due to his shooting/skill package and clear five-on-five upside because of his skating and motor. Even in games where the points don’t fall, he’s almost always dangerous and threatening on the ice — and he’s seldom going to leave you wanting more. Because of the way he plays, I fully expect him to stick at his natural centre position in the NHL, too. His speed might even make him a useful penalty killer to give him all-situations value as well.
36. Jack Quinn, RW, 20 (Buffalo Sabres — No. 8, 2020)
Outside of a snakebitten, goalless 10-game playoff run, which included 28 shots on goal (2.8 per game, just shy of the 3.18 per game he registered in the regular season), last season was a really positive one for Quinn (especially considering he did it returning from a serious hernia injury). He was the AHL’s most productive under-21 forward (1.36 points per game) and looked like himself in a pair of one-game call-ups to the NHL club.
Quinn has an A-level shot (both through a standard shooting motion and off of curl and drags or catch-and-release sequences) that he can score with from medium to long range. He’s a right-handed shot and can play both wings (though he prefers his off wing).
He’s diligent and counted-upon off the puck as a detail-oriented winger. He’s got a pro frame that he’ll be able to continue to fine-tune. He has proved that his skating deserved better marks (especially through his crossovers) in the lead-up to the draft. He has proven that, despite his late birthday, he was early in his late-blooming development track in his draft year.
He has impressed me more and more in puck control getting from the outside to the inside. Quinn is a well-rounded winger who can play off of a variety of linemate types. He’s got great off-puck anticipation to complement his shot. With continued effort to get stronger physically, there’s a heady 30-goal guy in the NHL in there.
40. Peyton Krebs, C/LW, 21 (Buffalo Sabres — No. 17, 2019)
One of two 21-year-olds on this list, Krebs played more games in the NHL last year (22 points in 57 games) than the AHL (31 points in 30 games) but has been included here after bouncing repeatedly between the two levels and finishing the year by playing out Rochester’s playoff run.
Krebs has always been a top player at every level he has ever played. He was the No. 1 pick into the WHL. He was, in my opinion, the best player in the WHL two seasons ago. He produced at a point-per-game level in the AHL at age 19 and 20. Then, the week of his 21st birthday in late January, he scored his first three NHL goals and looked like he belonged with the Sabres.
Krebs isn’t going to ever score a ton of goals, but he’s the kind of player who could well score 15-20 goals, add 30-35 assists and be a good 50- or 55-point player who adds speed, pace and playmaking near the top of a lineup. Tools-wise, it’s almost all there. Krebs doesn’t have a great shot and that may be the difference between him becoming a second-line player versus a first-line one, but I’d argue the rest of his tools are enough to safely project into the former.
Krebs is a brilliant skater, both through his north-south acceleration and his changes of direction on spins, cutbacks and stop-ups. That speed helps him forecheck effectively, play at a high tempo, involve himself in the game, and make plays in transition or in quick bursts from a standstill within the offensive zone. He also has the finesse skills and the processing skills needed to play with dexterity and touch at that speed.
He quickly reads and reacts to the play, knifing through lanes and hitting seams as a plus-level passer. He’s got excellent hands in tight which help him play in traffic and adjust to defenders. He’s going to be able to win back possession and then create space for himself at the NHL level. And he can play multiple forward positions. And his effort level matches his skill.
