What you need to know on Draft Day
Who'll get picked where in the first round? What's the latest with each team? And can anyone figure out that Alex Nedeljkovic trade?
With the Seattle Kraken off and running – in which direction, we’re not quite sure at the moment – the off-season hockey calendar marches on. Next on the docket is the entry draft, which goes Friday with the first round and Saturday with Rounds 2 through 7. Then comes free agency and we can all take a breath in August.
Seems as good a time as any to check in on each of the NHL’s 32 teams. First time anyone has ever said that. I’ve tried to encapsulate the past couple of days for each team and take a look at what lies ahead, with everything you need to know about this year’s draft. Each team’s picks are below, along with the player who is projected by fellow Substacker Chris Peters in each team’s first-round slot in his most recent mock draft. (Teams that don’t own a first-round pick do not have that particular tidbit.) Chris’ fine work on the draft and NHL prospects can be found at Hockey Sense with Chris Peters at https://hockeysense.substack.com/. I just took out a subscription and if you have an interest in prospects, you should, too.
ANAHEIM DUCKS
Draft slots: 3, 34, 66, 98, 130, 148, 162
Chris’s pick at No.3: Dylan Guenther, RW, Edmonton (WHL)
One of the more dynamic players in this draft, Guenther averaged two points a game in the WHL this past season and was dynamic for Canada in the World Under-18 Championship.
What’s new?: There doesn’t seem to be a lot of concern about the status of pending UFA Ryan Getzlaf, nor should there be. The sense is the 36-year-old will re-sign in Anaheim. At this point in his career, he’ll likely keep going on a series of one-year deals.
ARIZONA COYOTES
Draft slots: 37, 43, 60, 107, 122, 139, 171
What’s new?: The Coyotes will sit out the first round, where they would have picked 11th, as penance for their recruiting violations. But GM Bill Armstrong has done a good job of stocking up with picks in the later rounds. He picked up two more picks in the 2022 draft when he acquired defenseman Shayne Ghostisbehere from Philadelphia. The Coyotes will absorb Ghostisbehere’s entire $4.5 million cap hit, but the defenseman who struggled mightily and was put on waivers last season will make only $3.25 million in real money each of the next two seasons. That stuff makes a difference in Arizona. Spending less for a higher cap is a good thing there.
BOSTON BRUINS
Draft slots: 21, 85, 117, 149, 181, 213, 217
Chris’ pick at No. 21: Corson Ceulemans, D, Brooks (AJHL)
The last time the NHL drafted a defenseman from the Brooks Bandits, it was Cale Makar. Don’t expect the same from Ceulemans, but he can play both ends of the ice pretty well. He’s headed to the University of Wisconsin.
What’s new?: GM Don Sweeney reported that “significant progress” has been made in contract talks with pending UFA Taylor Hall. “I hope we’ll find a finish line,” he said Thursday. It figures to be a four-year deal with an annual cap hit of $6 million.
BUFFALO SABRES
Draft slots: 1, 33, 53, 88, 95, 97, 159, 161, 188, 193
Chris’ pick at No. 1: Owen Power, D, Michigan (Big Ten)
The biggest question is not whether Power will be chosen by Buffalo. He will. It is whether he elects to go back for another season at Michigan. He’s leaning toward doing that and that would be the best thing for him. He could be a leader on a dominant team that is a national championship favorite and be a stalwart defenseman for Canada’s World Junior team.
What’s new?: You know, it’s a small thing, but when GM Kevyn Adams addressed the media for his first post-COVID live news conference on Thursday, he did so behind a table cover that looked as though it had been just removed from the trash, and social media took notice. When you’re trying to establish some credibility, small things matter. But the biggest thing on Adams’ plate is what to do with disgruntled star Jack Eichel, who has demanded a trade. Will Quinton Byfield and the No. 8 pick from the Los Angeles Kings do it? Adams should hold out for more. He can’t afford to blow this.
CALGARY FLAMES
Draft slots: 13, 45, 77, 84, 141, 173, 205
Chris’ pick at No. 13: Sebastien Cossa, G, Edmonton (WHL)
He’s really big, he’s really athletic and he’s really good. He was outstanding in the WHL bubble this past season in a small sample size and scouts believe he has a bunch of upside potential.
What’s new?: The market and the team are still stinging from losing captain Mark Giordano in the expansion draft, but it was the right call to make. It will be interesting to see what they do with that $6.75 million in cap space and who will get the ‘C’. The Flames officially made the first trade with Seattle, sending a fourth-rounder in 2022 to the Kraken for expansion pick Tyler Pitlick.
CAROLINA HURRICANES
Draft slots: 27, 59, 91, 94, 123, 187, 200, 209, 219
Chris’ pick at No. 27: Samu Tuomaala, RW, Karpat (Fin.)
You may remember Tuomaala from the World Under-18 Championships and if you do, it’s because he scored 11 points in seven games. He’s very fast and has an outstanding wrist shot.
What’s new?: Well nobody seems to know what GM Don Waddell was thinking when he dealt Calder Trophy finalist Alex Nedeljkovic to Detroit for veteran Jonathan Bernier and the 94th overall pick. Nedeljkovic was arbitration-eligible, but ended up signing with Detroit for $3 million a season. Not even Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman had an answer, saying, “You’re going to have to ask them why they were comfortable doing that.” Waddell said the Hurricanes are in a win-now mode and need an experienced stopper. We await his next move.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Draft slots: 12, 44, 62, 105, 108, 172, 204, 216
Chris’ pick at No. 12: Chaz Lucius, C, USNDTP
Lucius spent much of last season recovering from a knee injury, but when he was healthy, he averaged a goal a game. He’s a highly skilled center who’s on his way to the University of Minnesota.
What’s new?: It seems ridiculous to be talking about hockey matters when it comes to the Blackhawks, where the allegations surrounding their former video coach and the culture of the team seem to be getting worse with every passing day.
COLORADO AVALANCHE
Draft slots: 28, 61, 91, 220
Chris’ pick at No. 28: Zachary L’Heureux, C, Halifax (QMJHL)
The Avs like their Mooseheads. Nathan MacKinnon played his junior hockey in Halifax, as did their first-round pick from 2020, Justin Barron. He has some on-ice discipline issues and was suspended a number of times this past season. It’s not as though the Avs aren’t used to that with Nazem Kadri in their lineup.
What’s new?: The Avalanche’s roster took a hit when Ryan Graves was traded and Joonas Donskoi was scooped up in the expansion draft, but the biggest departure would be captain Gabriel Landeskog, who is currently in a stare-down with Avs’ GM Joe Sakic on a new deal. Lots of people are expecting the Avs to make a serious run at UFA Ryan Suter.
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS
Draft slots: 5, 25, 32, 69, 101, 132, 133, 165, 197
Chris’ pick at No. 5: William Eklund, C, Djurgardens (Swe.)
The Blue Jackets might be the most unpredictable team in the NHL at the draft, but Eklund would be a great pick in the fifth spot. In fact, he might be the most NHL-ready player in the draft. He played with men all last season in Sweden and as a teenager, was often out in the last minutes both when his team was up and down a goal. That’s unheard of for an 18-year-old in Sweden.
Chris’ pick at No. 25: Daniil Chayka, D, CSKA (KHL)
With the OHL dormant this past season, the Guelph Storm defenseman went back home and split his time between the KHL and the VHL, which is the top minor league. He didn’t have a great World Junior and scouts are not sure whether he’ll be a two-way or shutdown guy in the NHL, but he’s an intriguing prospect.
Chris’ pick at No. 32: Xavier Bourgault, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL)
It would not be a surprise if a team took a chance on Bourgault with an earlier pick. The kid can produce. He has 111 points in 92 games over two seasons in Quebec.
What’s new?: Defenseman Seth Jones has made it clear his future is not in Columbus and Chicago seems to be the team most associated with him.
DALLAS STARS
Draft slots: 15, 47, 73, 79, 111, 143, 175, 207
Chris’ pick at No. 15: Cole Sillinger, C, Sioux Falls (USHL)
The son of the most-traded man in history, former NHLer Mike Sillinger, the younger Sillinger lacks elite NHL footspeed, but he’s creative and has a great shot.
What’s new?: There is no way the Stars would have offered Jamie Oleksiak the term and money he got from Seattle, who took advantage of their cap space and outbid the Stars. That doesn’t take the sting away from the loss, however. It’s huge.
DETROIT RED WINGS
Draft slots: 6, 23, 38, 48, 70, 102, 128, 134, 138, 166
Chris’ pick at No. 6: Mason McTavish, C, Peterborough (OHL)
Canada’s leader at the World Under-18 Championship, McTavish has decent offensive acumen, but projects as a two-way center at the NHL level.
Chris’ pick at No, 23: Oskar Olausson, RW, HV-71 (Swe.)
We know how the Red Wings like their Swedes. Olausson is a two-way winger who has put up good numbers in Sweden’s junior league and lower pro league.
What’s new?: Good question. GM Steve Yzerman continues to make incredible moves, the latest of which was trading for and signing goalie Alex Nedeljkovic…for less than he probably would have received in arbitration. The Hurricanes were worried what the arbitration award would be. Were they worried he’d be paid what he’s worth?
EDMONTON OILERS
Draft slots: 20, 116, 180, 186, 212
Chris’ pick at No. 20: Isak Rosen, RW, Leksands (Swe.)
Rosen was very good for Sweden at the World Under-18s, where the Swedes won the bronze medal. He’s a very explosive skater who is underdeveloped by NHL standards.
What’s new?: The only thing that remains to be determined with Zach Hyman is whether the Oilers get him on a seven- or eight-year deal. Either way, they will overpay. Deal with it. The Oilers see themselves as a contender and they’re willing to live with the inevitable bad years at the end of this deal.
FLORIDA PANTHERS
Draft slots: 24, 56, 120, 152, 184, 210
Chris’ pick at No. 24: Brennan Othmann, LW, Flint (OHL)
Another gold medalist for Canada at the Under-18s, Othmann played in Switzerland this past season. He has some good skill and hockey sense and showed a willingness to play a physical game in Switzerland.
What’s new?: The Panthers haven’t picked this low in more than two decades. This will be GM Bill Zito’s first draft in Florida and, more importantly, for director of amateur scouting Shane Churla, who came over from the Montreal Canadiens.
LOS ANGELES KINGS
Draft slots: 8, 49, 72, 89, 109, 136, 168
Chris’ pick at No. 8: Brandt Clarke, D, Barrie (OHL)
Another player who went to Europe with the OHL dormant, Clarke possesses very good offensive and playmaking instincts. His skating is not elite, but it won’t hold him back, either.
What’s new?: Will the Kings pick eighth or will they move that pick to Buffalo as part of a blockbuster deal for Jack Eichel? That would be exciting, eh?
MINNESOTA WILD
Draft slots: 22, 26, 54, 86, 90, 118, 150, 182, 214
Chris’ pick at No. 22: Aatu Raty, C, Karpat (Fin.)
Raty was regarded as a top-10 prospect before this season, but his draft stock has gone south. He wasn’t picked for Finland’s World Junior team in 2021, despite being on the team in 2020. No surprise his confidence has taken a hit.
Chris’ pick at No. 26: Logan Stankoven, C, Kamloops (WHL)
What Stankoven lacks in size he more than makes up for with desire and determination. He’s quick and deceptive and he was very good for Canada at the Under-18s.
What’s new?: There’s some very real pressure for the Wild to get a deal done with Calder Trophy winner Kirill Kaprizov. CSKA, his former team in Russia, is prepared to make him a huge offer.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
Draft slots: 31, 63, 64, 76, 87, 113, 126, 127, 142, 191, 223
Chris’ pick at No. 31: Sasha Pastujov, RW, USNDTP
Off to Notre Dame in the fall, Pastujov is a creative winger who put up outstanding numbers both during the season with the U.S. under-18 program and at the Under-18 Worlds. Whomever takes him will have to hope his offensive game doesn’t suffer at defense-first Notre Dame.
What’s new?: Well, GM Marc Bergevin announced that Shea Weber will miss next season and there’s a good chance he won’t play again. So now we know that the Habs will never have to buy him out and be faced with punitive cap recapture penalties. They’ll put him on LTIR for the rest of his career. Speaking of injuries, Bergevin downplayed goalie Carey Price’s hip and knee injuries, saying he’ll miss about eight weeks.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Draft slots: 19, 40, 51, 83, 115, 124, 147, 179
Chris’ pick at No. 19: Fabian Lysell, RW, Lulea (Swe.)
Lysell has been known in Swedish hockey circles as a sniper for a number of years, but there seem to be some questions about his attitude. He’s fast and he has a very good shot.
What’s new?: As usual, GM David Poile is making a dizzying array of moves. That’s what he does. And as usual, we’re all left wondering whether the Predators will be better or worse.
NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Draft slots: 4, 29, 68, 100, 129, 164, 203
Chris’ pick at No. 4: Luke Hughes, D, USNDTP
It would be something to see the Devils take Jack Hughes’ younger brother. He’s an elite offensive talent from the blueline, but was injured and had COVID this past season. He’s off to Michigan where he’ll be playing for a powerhouse.
Chris’ pick at No. 29: Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener (OHL)
Playing in a second division pro league in Slovakia this past season, Pinelli impressed scouts with an assertiveness and improvement.
What’s new?: Even after acquiring Ryan Graves from Colorado, the Devils still have more than $32 million in cap space and they’re under the salary floor. Man, they’re positioned to be a serious player in free agency, but will they?
NEW YORK ISLANDERS
Draft slots: 52, 93, 125, 157, 189, 221
What’s new?: Well, this is interesting. With his past three moves – Nick Leddy to Detroit, Andrew Ladd to Arizona and losing Jordan Eberle in the expansion draft – GM Lou Lamoriello has moved out three players with identical $5.5 million cap hits. Almost everyone in the hockey world will be shocked if Zach Parise doesn’t sign with the Islanders.
NEW YORK RANGERS
Draft slots: 16, 65, 80, 104, 106, 112, 144, 176, 208
Chris’ pick at No. 16: Fyodor Svechkov, C, Lada Togliatti (Rus.)
After centering two underage players on Russia’s top line at the Under-18s, Svechkov left scouts very impressed. His skating isn’t elite, but he makes up for it with good awareness and instincts in all zones.
What’s new?: Jack Eichel continues to be connected to the Rangers, but it’s debatable whether the Rangers have the assets to land him.
OTTAWA SENATORS
Draft slots: 10, 39, 42, 74, 170, 202
Chris’ pick at No. 10: Kent Johnson, LW, Michigan (Big Ten)
Another late-birthday standout at Michigan, Johnson is a creative player who would add to the Senators’ impressive array of skill in their system.
What’s new?: The Senators were hoping Seattle would take Evgeni Dadanov in the expansion draft, but the Kraken weren’t going to bite on his $5 million cap hit each of the next two seasons. With goalie Joey Daccord taken instead, they might go the goaltender route with their first pick to restock the system.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Draft slots: 14, 46, 78, 110, 158, 174, 206
Chris’ pick at No. 14: Matthew Coronato, RW, Chicago (USHL)
Coronato comes from a USHL prospect factory and he’s off to Harvard in the fall, so there’s a lot to like there. He plays an all-round game that scouts like.
What’s new?: After acquiring Ryan Ellis over the weekend, GM Chuck Fletcher was eager to shed a cap commitment, which is why he was willing to part with two draft picks to convince Arizona to take Shayne Gostisbehere.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Draft slots: 58, 154, 194, 215, 218
What’s new?: The loss of Brandon Tanev and the trade of Jared McCann will hurt in a couple of areas, but it also opens up $6.4 million in cap space. Losing Tanev seemed counterproductive to a team that wants to become grittier, but now they have some cap room to spend on that. They’re probably not going to get it from the draft.
SAN JOSE SHARKS
Draft slots: 7, 71, 103, 121, 135, 156, 167, 199
Chris’ pick at No. 7: Jesper Wallstedt, G, Lulea (Swe.)
The Sharks are a bit of a mess in the goaltending department at the moment, the acquisition of Adin Hill notwithstanding. They have a chance to secure their future at the position with Wallstedt.
What’s new?: They could have lost Ryan Donato or Matt Nieto in the expansion draft. They lost Alex True. That helps.
ST. LOUIS BLUES
Draft slots: 17, 81, 145, 177, 198
Chris’ pick at No. 17: Nikita Chibrikov, LW, St. Petersburg (KHL)
Waiting for a guy to come from the KHL can be a long process, but Chibrikov could be worth the wait. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s shifty and creative.
What’s new?: In his first news conference since news of Vladimir Tarasenko’s trade demand broke, GM Doug Armstrong said the player should prepare for the possibility he’s still with the team next season. He doesn’t seem in a huge rush to trade Tarasenko.
SEATTLE KRAKEN
Draft slots: 2, 35, 67, 99, 131, 163, 195
Chris’ pick at No. 2: Matty Beniers, C, Michigan (Big Ten)
If the Kraken take this kid, they’re going to love him. He has an engine that doesn’t quit and he has a pretty decent skill level to match. He projects as an elite two-way center in the NHL.
What’s new?: After a rather underwhelming expansion draft, we’re all waiting to see what the Kraken do with their roughly bazillion dollars in cap space.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Draft slots: 96, 160, 192, 196, 211, 224
What’s new?: Well, at least the Lightning are cap compliant now. But GM Julien BriseBois still has a lot of work to do. If Blake Coleman signs elsewhere, as he’s expected to, the Lightning will lose their entire third line. No team has its first pick later than Tampa, so director of amateur scouting extraordinaire Al Murray will have to once again weave some very serious magic.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Draft slots: 57, 153, 185
What’s new?: Even though the Leafs’ core group has accomplished a whole lot of nothing in the playoffs and stands to lose Zach Hyman, GM Kyle Dubas doubled down on it prior to the draft, saying, “I believe in this group and I believe they are going to get it done and I believe that they’re going to win.”
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Draft slots: 9, 41, 137, 140, 169, 178, 201
Chris’ pick at No. 9: Simon Edvinsson, D Frolunda (Swe.)
A 6-foot-5 defenseman with good mobility? Sounds like a plan. The Hockey News has him rated at No. 2.
What’s new?: It would not be a surprise to see the Canucks go with local product Kent Johnson with this pick. The Canucks will match any offer sheet to Elias Pettersson, but he won’t get one anyway. It looks as though both he and Quinn Hughes will sign bridge deals. Meanwhile, GM Jim Benning would love to create some cap space, which puts him with every other GM in the league.
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Draft slots: 30, 36, 114, 155, 190, 222
Chris’ pick at No. 30: Zachary Bolduc, C, Rimouski (QMJHL)
After an impressive rookie season in the QMJHL, Bolduc scored at a point-per-game pace this past season, but it’s safe to say scouts were looking for a little more production from him. It took him some time to adjust to the extra attention from opponents.
What’s new?: Speculation that the Golden Knights will move one of their goalies in the off-season just won’t go away. “I can tell you (the goalie tandem) was obviously an integral part of our success this year, in the unique year we were in with a condensed schedule and the number of games,” coach Pete DeBoer said in his last media session of the season. “It was obviously a blessing this year. Next year is a different story.” We’re not in those unique circumstances anymore.”
WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Draft slots: 55, 75, 119, 151, 183
What’s new?: GM Brian MacLellan has to create some cap space to sign Alex Ovechkin and goalie Ilya Samsonov, and the Kraken didn’t do him any favors by taking Vitek Vanecek, his lowest-paid player. Talk of an Evgeny Kuznetsov trade seems to have died down.
WINNIPEG JETS
Draft slots: 18, 50, 82, 146
Chris’ pick at No. 18: Carson Lambos, D, Winnipeg (WHL)
While waiting for the WHL season to start, Lambos played in Finland and struggled with the pace. He then played just two games for Winnipeg before shutting things down with an undisclosed medical problem. But he has a great compete level and is willing to jump into the play.
What’s new?: The Jets were sad to lose Mason Appleton and thrilled to keep defenseman Dylan DeMelo. But the Jets, who give up all kinds of chances, are still looking for help on the blueline.