It’s been a long, long draft year. Heck, each of the last three draft years have been especially long, but we’ve finally reached the end of the 2022 NHL Draft campaign. Almost all the games have been completed, save for the final series in each of the CHL leagues and the Memorial Cup, but after that, it’s just a few short weeks to the draft in Montreal.

As we’ve reached the end stage, there have been many twists and turns, and the top of the draft has been up for debate for some weeks. While most believe that the Montreal Canadiens will end up taking Shane Wright with the No. 1 overall pick on July 7, the consensus has faded to a significant enough degree that there’s more room for debate.

In my view, there is a clear top three in this draft and then the rest kind of falls where it may. The top three players on my board – Logan Cooley, Shane Wright and Juraj Slafkovsky – are in a tier all their own and I would say all three are very tightly packed together. This is a below-average year in terms of top-end talent but closer to average in overall depth. There will be value to be mined throughout this class and teams have been working hard all season to figure out just what that will look like.

So without further ado, let’s get a look at my final 2022 NHL Draft rankings:

1. Logan Cooley, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

Over the last several months, I have constantly debated who was No. 1. I had Cooley at No. 1 at the mid-term and I waffled over the next few months when Wright started picking up his play. That also coincided with Cooley dipping in production and playing a more complicated game than he needed to. But the reasons I had Cooley No. 1 then are the reasons I have him there now. This is not a great draft at the top, but he’s this draft’s most dynamic player with the greatest potential for explosive offense. With high-end speed and the ability to make high-level plays on the rush, he does things most players in this class cannot. While he played with a brilliant supporting class at the NTDP this year – as you’ll see down this list at the number of U.S. U18s in the first-round range – Cooley was always heads above the rest in terms of the plays he could create and the way he dictated shifts throughout the season.

I believe he can be a No. 1 center at the next level if he continues on his current trend line. He competes on every inch of the ice and can play a strong north-south game despite his ability to stretch defenses with his east-west skill.

As I’ve watched the playoffs this year, my thinking shifted even more. The best teams have fast, dynamic forwards that are constantly keeping defenders on their heels. They don’t cede possession without trying all of their other options. Cooley processes the game as fast as anyone in this draft and his ability to spot plays in transition is a major separator from the field. He has vision, threads passes well and can get behind defenders to give himself better looks at the net. Cooley is headed to the University of Minnesota next year, which has been a solid training ground the last few years for players on the NHL track. I think he’s probably a one-and-done in college player and would be ready to make an NHL impact by 2023-24.

In the end it’s not about when he arrives, but how he progresses. I think he has the highest ceiling of any of the top three NHL prospects and plays the style most consistent with the modern NHL’s. Speed is a premium and he brings it in spades, with the ability to finish plays as well as anyone else in this class. If everything goes right for him, and that’s always a big if with any player’s development, I think Cooley could be a superstar in the league.

2. Shane Wright, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

With high-end hockey sense highlighted by his tremendous offensive intelligence, Shane Wright can make a lot of plays. While he lacks a dynamic puck skills in terms of handling, he has one of the better shots in this draft class with a quick, deceptive release. Though he has often been compared to Patrice Bergeron, I think Wright is a good two-way player but not to the degree where that is an especially apt comparison. He does a lot of the things you hope a center does in terms of puck possession, making plays and contributing in his own end. The offensive elements of his game are the standout traits for me.

My biggest concern with Wright to date is the general lack of progression in his game year over year, with the full knowledge that he missed an entire season. While I think he should be graded on a curve as a result, it is harder to know just how much that lost season impacted his long-term projection. Wright’s hockey sense is a separating factor from most of his peers and he clearly has that competitive drive that allow him to win a lot of battles. In the end, I think Wright does just about everything well. His hockey sense and his shot are high-end-to-elite traits, he has terrific vision and spots plays with the best of them, but the lack of a dynamic element to his play is what gives me the most concern aside from his progression.

I have been waiting all season to see a player who looks like he should be a No. 1 NHL Draft pick, and I did not feel his ceiling is at the same level as Slafkovsky’s or Cooley’s. Wright is the safer pick of all three in that I think he has the highest floor of any of those three players and possesses an NHL-ready game. I don’t think he’s done developing and there’s plenty of potential for him to still reach for, but my concern is that he’s closer to plateauing than the other two players. I’m not convinced that’s true yet, but it’s definitely in the back of my mind as I rank these players because, to me, all three are very close.

3. Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS (Finland)

The potential of what Slafkovsky can be as he continues on in his development is intoxicating. A 6-foot-4 winger with physicality, high-end skill and one of the better overall shots in this draft, it’s hard not to get excited. There is a chance that he ends up being the No. 1 pick in this draft and may one day be viewed as its best player. He’s every bit as good as the other two players listed ahead of him on talent alone.

I’ve watched Slafkovsky a lot this year and while I am enamored with the physical tools and skills, there’s not a ton of precedent for the kind of season he had, where he produced at a rate far below expectations of a top-five NHL draft pick in his league season yet was off the charts internationally. In the end, the largest sample we have to judge is that from his club season with TPS. You look at players from the Liiga that have gone early in drafts and all of them had better numbers than Slafkovsky, and many of them had better numbers by a lot. It’s not something that is easily ignored. Among U18 players who have played at least 20 games in the Liiga as U18 players, Slafkovsky’s 0.32 points per game ranks 35th and 21st overall in the last 10 years.

Slafkovsky is a classic eye-test darling and that’s a big reason why I have him in this range. If he hadn’t played so well in those international events, I’m not sure we’re having this discussion at all. But he did play in those games and we got to see a physically dominant young player who held his own against pros and eventually became one of his team’s most important players. The Olympics and World Championship fields were not NHL-caliber competition, but they were significant stages on which Slafkovsky broke out against professionals. I also think his progression over the season and playing with confidence down the stretch significantly altered how well he played for the better.

This is a tough case to read, because we have a body of work that suggests he’s statistically not among top-tier players in his own league historically, but we have this immense skillset that is so unique in this draft class that it’s impossible to overlook. I think Slafkovsky is right in the mix with Cooley and Wright to be the best players in this class, and even though I know what the numbers say, I can’t get past the incredible ceiling I believe his size-and-skill package creates.

4. David Jiricek, D, HC Plzen (Czech)

A highly mobile, 6-foot-3 defenseman with a bomb of a shot and solid puck-moving capabilities, Jiricek has incredible upside relative to the class. He missed the second half of the season due to a knee injury, needing more than three months to rehab. Jiricek returned in time to play for the Czech national team at the Men’s World Championship, showing that he’s healthy and prepared to make an impact. When he played, he played well – showcasing that tremendous mobility and the physical stature that made him look no different than the professionals he was playing with and against.

Jiricek has played professionally over each of the last two seasons, more than holding his own as a youngster in a tough Czech league. This year, he had 11 points with Plzen. It is very possible he’d be back with Plzen next season, unless the team that drafts him wants to bring him to North America to get started in the AHL. He still has a lot of development ahead of him. That said, the skill set he has shown, the well-roundedness of his game and his size profile are all reasons I have him just a hair above Nemec in this particular class. I think there’s a little more ceiling for Jiricek to reach.

5. Simon Nemec, D, HK Nitra (Slovakia)

One of the very best passers in this draft, Nemec racked up a ton of assists this season with high-level vision and decisiveness with the puck on his stick. He finished with 26 points in 39 games in Slovakia’s top pro league. The only U18 players to produce at a higher level at the same age as Nemec were forwards Marian Hossa and Marian Gaborik. And that was just the regular season. In the playoffs this year, Nemec had 17 points over the 19 games, by far a record in the league for a U18 player, though Marian Hossa’s 1.43 points per game in the 1997 postseason will remain the high-water mark on a per-game rate. What Nemec did this year is largely unprecedented for a U18 defenseman.

Nemec is clearly an intelligent offensive defenseman who defends at an average level. He is best with the puck on his stick, pushing pucks up ice and making plays. The offensive toolkit and offensive sense he possesses is clearly advanced for his age. His skating is at a high enough level and I think his overall hockey sense puts him among the top tier in this draft. That said, I think there are some limitations to his defensive game and there is a lot more he has to do to get detail in his game. He had a full green light it seemed at Nitra, which is incredible confidence in a young guy, but we also got to see how often that could let him get out of position and create some headaches for his ‘D’ partner. I think as he gets better at picking his spots, he could be a lethal offensive force for whichever team drafts him. I think he projects comfortably into a top-four role, but I just have a little more confidence in Jiricek having a No. 1 defenseman ceiling compared to Nemec.

6. Cutter Gauthier, C/W, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

Though he played wing a lot this season, NHL teams – and Gauthier himself – see him as a center at the next level. He is expected to be a center at Boston College, where he will go next season. When you include that context, there’s a reason he’s been one of the biggest risers on draft boards across the league. At 6-foot-3, closing in on 200 pounds, he’s a sturdy player with high-end goal-scoring ability and one of the most surehanded players in this draft. The puck stays glued to his stick in a way that I haven’t found too common among players at this age. He has a huge pass radius, too, which allows him to collect pucks with a high level of success and turn them into shots or make good decisions to keep plays alive. Gauthier is also an incredibly aggressive player off the puck. He uses his body well to protect or take away pucks. There are some scouts who think he could play in the league as soon as 2022-23 but would be fine if he spent more time developing in college, especially since he needs more reps at center. He does a lot of things well and now that teams are convinced he can be a center at the next level, don’t be surprised to see him go especially high in this draft.

7. Frank Nazar, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

One of the most exciting and entertaining players in this draft, Nazar has quick feet and quick hands. Despite not being the biggest guy, he is an effective center who can make plays all over the ice. He makes everyone around him better and makes opposing defenses look foolish on a regular basis. Nazar’s anticipation is off the charts and he processes the game at a speed that matches his hands and feet. If he were bigger, we’d be talking about him as a top-three potential player in this draft. But he does have a lot of strength he’s going to need to add to be an effective player at the next level. It’s hard for 5-foot-9 centers to get drafted in the top 10, but I think a reason Nazar has a chance is he’s competitive on all pucks and uses every ounce of the strength he has to compete for pucks in all areas of the ice. The NTDP forwards are all especially defensively responsible and Nazar is no exception. I think he has star potential if everything goes right for him these next few years at Michigan.

8. Joakim Kemell, RW, JYP (Finland)

A high-scoring winger who put up impressive numbers over the first half of the season before being slowed by injuries in the second half, Kemell has a lot of the tools you’re looking for in a top-six winger. He has one of the best overall shots among the top tier of this draft class and has higher-end puck skills that allow him to beat defenders 1-on-1 and create better scoring opportunities for himself. At the U18 Worlds, he took over games at times in leading Finland to a bronze medal. He’s defensively responsible for his position and never quits on pucks. His skating is pretty good as he’s shown some ability to separate, but I don’t think he’s a natural burner. He’s best in the offensive half of the ice and can be a high-end scorer at the next level with a top-six ceiling. If everything goes right, you could make a case that he has top-line scorer potential.

9. Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Djugardens U20 (Sweden U20)

An offensive dynamo, Lekkerimaki scored at every level he was at this year with 20 goals in 26 games at the U20 level in Sweden, plus another seven goals at the top pro level, not to mention 15 points to lead all players at the U18 World Championship this spring. Lekkerimaki is an advanced offensive performer with a top-tier shot that is both quick and stunningly accurate. He started scoring at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup last summer and just didn’t stop until he missed the last month of the season with what was believed to be mono. He returned to health in time for U18s and led Sweden to its second ever gold medal at that event, beating a U.S. team that was dominant to that point in the tournament. His 15 points led all players. He is a competitor who can make all sorts of plays and looks like a guy who has a great chance to be a top-six forward at the next level.

10. Matthew Savoie, C, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)

A top-10 scorer in the WHL this season, Savoie did nothing to dissuade anyone on his offensive talent. If there’s one thing I thought was even better this season for Savoie, it’s that he just battles. He didn’t play like a 5-foot-9 player. There’s an aggressiveness and a desire to physically engage with the opposition. He’s going to have to get stronger to be more effective at that, but most of his other tools are high end. He’s a good skater with quick hands and an ability to drive the net. His ability to distribute pucks quickly, accurately and decisively makes him stand out in the playmaking department. The size is a factor in terms of if he can play center at the top level or not and that may ultimately skew his projection, but it’s hard to ignore the total skills he has. It’s also hard to argue with 90 points in 65 games. This is a very competitive range of the draft, which is why it’s tougher to project Savoie against some of the others.

11. Danila Yurov, RW, Magnitogorsk (KHL)

The uncomfortable geopolitical situation with Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine is going to hit the NHL Draft in a significant way. What that means for Yurov, who is one of the best forward prospects in this draft, remains to be seen. He is under contract for one more season with Magnitogorsk and other Russian prospects have managed to get visas to come over since the conflict in Ukraine started. When it comes to hockey alone, Yurov is a top-tier talent in this draft. You wouldn’t know it by his pro numbers, but Metallurg never gave him a chance to showcase himself as he’d play one to two shifts, or sometimes no shifts, in games he dressed for. At the U20 level, however, he was dominant. He is a north-south player who has enough skill to get through defenses and baffle goaltenders. He makes smart plays and while he doesn’t have a towering frame, his lower body strength is an asset to beat defenders to the inside and make plays close to the net front. He plays a mature, subtly physical game that allows him to win a lot of puck battles and still make high-end plays. The only real concerns about Yurov’s game stem from things he cannot control, like how Magnitogorsk uses him and what the visa situation is going to look like next spring.

12. Marco Kasper, C, Rogle (Sweden)

Among the most well-rounded two-way centers in this class, Kasper plays an especially mature game and just got better and better as the year went on. He averaged 11:44 for Rogle in the regular season, then saw his ice time increase to 14:16 per game in the postseason where he had six points in 13 games for one of the league’s top teams. Kasper has good defensive skills and commitment to playing an all-around game. It took him a while to find his footing offensively in the SHL playing against men, but he got there and by the end of the season looked not only like he belonged, but that he could start executing at the level that made him a factor in games. He maximizes his 6-foot-1 frame and has a little bit of edge to his game. There is absolutely no quit in him on or off the puck, which makes him a bear to play against. As he gets more confident, the offensive numbers are going to come because he has the skill and skating ability to take his numbers to another level in the coming years. All he needs is a little more patience, a little more strength and more ice time and it should come for him.

13. Denton Mateychuk, D, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

A high-end, playmaking defenseman who has excellent mobility thanks to superior edge work and skating ability, Mateychuk might not get as much love as some of the next-tier defensemen because of his average size. That said, he’s not so small that it will distract anyone from what he’s able to do with the puck on his stick. He reads defenses well, gets pucks to the right places at the right time and has supreme confidence in his overall ability. I think he defends at a very solid level, but I don’t know that it’s so good you can say he’s a surefire top-four, big-minutes defenseman. Based on the offensive toolkit, though, I think he is definitely in that discussion and could be one of the more talented blueliners to come out of this draft.

14. Kevin Korchinski, D, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

One of the biggest risers all season, Korchinski is still actively playing as we write this. He’s in the WHL championship series and, as a top-four defenseman for Seattle, has had a large hand in getting them there. Over the regular season, Korchinski put up big points with 65 in 67 games. He moves pucks exceptionally well, jumps into plays with regularity and has shown an improved goal-scoring skillset in the postseason. He had four regular-season goals and as I write this had six in the playoffs in 22 games. Korchinski is a bit on the lanky side right now, but he’s so co-ordinated and smooth. Once he fills out, I think his defending will become more effective and he can hold his own better along the walls and in the tough areas of the ice. Either way, a 6-foot-2 defenseman with fluid mobility and skills is an especially enticing option in the top half of the first round. I think he’s got a great shot to be a top-four guy down the line.

15. Jagger Firkus, RW, Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

With quick hands and one of the best releases in this class, Firkus raised his draft stock throughout the season. He has good-enough quickness with his feet to get around and through defenses and has the hands to make defenders miss. He’s below average when it comes to size but has enough offensive tools for that not to matter as much. Firkus is the kind of player whose team is a bigger threat when the puck is on his stick. He can score from anywhere, but he has the playmaking ability to find the right option instead of just shooting for volume. He had 80 points in 66 games this year.

16. Isaac Howard, LW, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

With some of the best hands in the draft, Howard lacks size, but he does not lack entertainment value. His feet and hands are quick and deceptive all at the same time, which makes him tougher to defend. Howard led the NTDP in scoring this season with 82 points in 60 games. His hockey sense is advanced as he has some of the best timing in this draft. He always seems to get himself into dangerous positions and convert. He’s a bit of a light 5-foot-10, and he doesn’t have the same consistency of competitiveness of some of the other forwards, but you can’t take your eyes off him when he’s at the top of his game. Defensively, he’s going to need some work, but he’s headed to the University of Minnesota Duluth where two-way play is a requirement for expanded ice time. He’s in a good spot developmentally and while he needs to get stronger, the upside his skill alludes to is pretty substantial.

17. Pavel Mintyukov, D, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

One of the best goal-scoring defensemen in this draft, Mintyukov navigates the offensive zone brilliantly from the blueline down. He walks the line well with good skating and crafty puck skills. When it comes to shooting, he always seems to find a better lane to make sure his chances are especially dangerous. There are so many instances this season of him making moves to the inside and getting closer to the net to maximize his potential to score. Defensively he’s adequate and played a boatload of minutes in key situations for a weaker Saginaw team this season. I think he could be a top-four power-play weapon for a team that likes to activate its defensemen in the offense.

18. Rutger McGroarty, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

McGroarty has got the size, he’s got the work ethic, the character and goal-scoring ability to be a long-term impact player. The main drawback in his game is his footspeed, which is definitely a concern among NHL sources. But it’s hard to ignore the impact he makes on a game-to-game basis, whether it’s with his physicality or his goal-scoring. He’s not a towering player, but wins most of his battles in the hard areas of the ice. While he has an elite shot and can score from distance or off the one-timer, his net-front play is where he’ll make his money in the NHL. He has good enough skill to finish plays with regularity and the hockey sense makes up for the concerns I see with his footspeed.

19. Conor Geekie, C, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)

Poor skating is the biggest thing holding Geekie back from being one of the top-tier talents in this draft. It’s a big issue, but I think he makes up for it with his intelligence. Say what you want about his feet, but the puck is around him an awful lot. He puts himself in good positions, is aggressive enough to win puck battles and has the size to dominate in a lot of the tough areas of the ice. His hands are good enough to keep the opposition honest and he can drive the middle of the ice as well as anyone in this draft. I think Geekie could go higher than I have him here, but the skating continues to be my most fervent concern. That said, I still think all the other tools make him especially worthy of a first-round grade.

20. Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Omsk Krylia (Russia 2)

If not for a Hodgkins lymphoma diagnosis earlier this year, we could be talking about Miroshnichenko as a top-10 pick in this class. Reports suggest that his prognosis is positive and that Miroshnichenko will be able to resume his career as early as next season. Still, it’s a factor in his projection and there’s a lot of risk. The potential for reward, however, is extraordinarily high, especially if a team can land him later in the first round. Miroshnichenko is a powerful, fast player who is difficult to defend as he uses his strength to gain an advantage on the opposition. He has quick hands and a deadly shot that he can let go from anywhere, but it’s his propensity for driving the middle that makes me believe he’s going to be a talented scorer at the NHL level. He attempted to follow the same exact path as Andrei Svechnikov by coming to North America at 16, playing in the USHL and then probably going to the OHL, but a visa issue prevented him from coming to play for the Muskegon Lumberjacks two years ago. Miroshnichenko is under KHL contract for two more seasons, but he burns to play in the NHL.

21. Lane Hutson, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

Though he is among the smallest defensemen in this draft, he is a highly intelligent two-way player with dynamic offensive ability. While he’s not a straight-line blazer, Hutson’s skating is deceptive and creative. His ability to change directions on a dime is one of his best attributes and makes him difficult to track for the opposition when he has the puck. With elite vision and soft hands, he makes a lot of plays in all zones. Defensively, he has one of the best sticks in the draft, which allows him to make up some for his size disadvantage. He’s totally committed to defending despite that size disadvantage and the dynamic skill set. I think he’s one of the most exciting players in this draft, but I fully understand the limitations that someone at his size could face at the next level. There’s a good chance Hutson won’t go in the first round, but I have very little doubt he will prove disbelievers wrong by making it and being a solid NHL player. He’s that fiery of a competitor.

22. Ryan Chesley, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

His offensive numbers won’t jump out at you, but Chesley might be one of the most well-rounded defenders in this entire draft. He is an excellent skater with tremendous defensive sense highlighted by his gap control and ability to defend the rush. He retrieves pucks especially well and can aid his team’s transition with his feet or with a good first pass. Chesley has a good shot, too, but we didn’t get to see it as much this year. He takes what is given to him offensively, doesn’t try to force things and he just always seems to make the right play in his own zone. His hockey sense is some of the best among defensemen in this draft and I would not be surprised to see him go a bit higher. If he had better offensive numbers this year and could more consistently prove that offensive prowess is there, I would have likely considered Chesley more seriously for the top 15 of this class. I’m just not sure if the skill is good enough for him to get there. If he does, though, we might look back at Chesley as the best defenseman in this class.

23. Liam Ohgren, LW, Djugardens U20 (Sweden U20)

A strong, committed forward with a heavy, accurate shot, Ohgren is a gifted two-way player who excels in the offensive zone. He’s not much of a driver, which is why I think he could slip a little further in the first round, but he is an absolute finisher. The things he can do from the tops of the faceoff circles down make him stand out. Ohgren has good physical strength, he competes at a good enough level to win puck battles and that shot is legit. He averaged more than a goal per game in 30 games in Sweden’s top U20 league. He wasn’t as effective as a pro as I think he needs to be to improve his pace, but there’s definitely some special offensive tools that are enhanced by the strength he possesses. Ohgren is a handful to play against, too.

24. Jiri Kulich, C, Karlovy Vary (Czech)

Owner of one of this draft’s best one-timers, Kulich rode that big shot to nine goals and MVP honors at the U18 World Championship this spring. It was a nice exclamation point on a season that saw Kulich steadily rise up boards and make a more compelling case for himself to go in the first round. He’s average sized but strong on his skates and anticipates especially well. There’s power in the way he plays, with a good skating stride and strength down low. He has a higher-end compete level, too, so he doesn’t overly rely on his skill to create for himself. There are few players more dangerous when he gets himself open for the shot. It’s off his stick so quickly and violently that goalies are reacting after the puck is already past them.

25. Brad Lambert, C/W, Lahti (Finland)

Perhaps the most polarizing player in the class, Lambert has tools that suggest he should be an elite player. He is a sublime skater, probably the best in this draft class, and has a higher-end skill set as well. The issue with Lambert is that we’ve basically seen him in Finnish pro hockey for three years with little to no progression beyond continued physical development. He played for three teams in the last three years and had the same results. In fact, he had fewer points this season than he did last. His inability to get to the interior of the ice consistently is an especially large concern about his game as he can’t simply be a perimeter player. That has sparked concerns about his hockey sense and his competitiveness. I’ve talked to scouts who say the tools are worth the risk and I’ve talked to others who would advocate for his team not to draft him at all. I’ve come down somewhere in the middle, but I recognize the risk that exists in hanging a first-round pick on him. If you watched him play one game and saw the skating and the hands, you’d say this player is one of the very best prospects, but the rest just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny as well.

26. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

A down-low force with work ethic that doesn’t relent, Snuggerud has often had to do the dirty work on his line. Despite that role, he is an especially dangerous scoring threat. Snuggerud has a great release and heavy shot that can surprise goalies. On top of that, he has the size and strength to get to the middle and make plays in tough areas. His skating is not amazing, which is a reason I don’t have him higher on this list. I think Snuggerud is a well-rounded, committed player who makes those around him better and can create a lot of extra room for his linemates to operate.

27. Lian Bichsel, D, Leksands (Sweden)

You can watch Bichsel for a matter of minutes and see the pro potential. He checked in at the combine at 6-foot-5.5 and 225 pounds and he knows how to use that frame. He defends very well and did so even against professionals this year, appearing in 29 SHL games this season. He was physically dominant and showed some better offensive tools at the U20 level, scoring seven points in 11 games in junior with Leksands this season. Bichsel dealt with some late-season injuries that prevented him from participating in a number of events including the U18 World Championship which surely could have aided his draft stock. Injuries aside, the upside of a player like Bichsel is pretty huge, especially at that size and with the physicality he plays with. The concern is if he thinks the game at a high enough level offensively to be more than a mobile defender with size and physicality. Picking him in the first round, you’re betting on his ability to find it.

28. Owen Pickering, D, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)

A towering defenseman with excellent mobility for a big man, Pickering has a lot of tools that stand out. There’s some raw potential there as I think his anticipation and overall hockey sense still need to advance to make him a more effective two-way player. Offensively, he is adequate, but there are flashes of greater potential. He did have 33 points in 62 games for a poor Swift Current team this season. As he gets a bit more aggressive and confident with the puck on his stick, it could open up the possibility of him one day becoming a top-four defender.

29. Sam Rinzel, D, Chaska H.S./Waterloo Black Hawks (MN-HS; USHL)

He’s a big, raw blueliner who split time between his high school team and the Waterloo Black Hawks. I think Rinzel’s stock may be higher had he played junior all year. His high school performances were fine, but at the junior level under better competition, I thought he raised his level a few notches but you could see he was behind a little bit. Rinzel is a very good skater for a player his size and has an innate ability to get pucks up ice with some incredible skill and vision. What he has in physical tools, though, he lacks in the hockey sense department. I think he just needs time and experience to make better reads and quicker decisions. He might have some of the highest upside of any defenseman in this draft, though, as a 6-foot-4, right-shot defenseman that can skate. He’s a bit of a project, but I think a fun one for a team that has time and resources to devote to him.

30. Filip Mesar, RW, Poprod (Slovakia)

Mesar is so quick and shifty, which makes him exceptionally fun to watch. He has the skill level to make defenders miss 1-on-one 1 has a good enough shot to beat goalies clean from distance. The big issue with Mesar is that he’s slightly below average in size and can be pushed off pucks a little easier at this point. Despite that, he does so many things well with the puck on his stick, you want to bet on his offensive upside. Mesar had decent numbers in the top pro league in Slovakia this year but shined internationally at various U18 events including his eight-point performance at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup early this season. His speed and skill suggest he could one day round out into a top-six scorer, which is probably what he has to be to make it in the league as there’s not a ton of value off the puck.

31. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

You can’t deny Del Bel Belluz’s hands because he has some slippery puck skills. He’s especially good at getting through the neutral zone and keeping plays alive in transition, making it tough for defenders to keep track of both him and where everyone else is on the ice. I think his skating is probably the one major drawback in his game at this point. It’s average for me but not irreconcilable. He had 76 points in 68 games this season after not playing anywhere in 2020-21 and only had six points as a rookie back in 2019-20. Seeing his progression as well as his legitimate puck skills and great shot, I think there’s a case for him to be a good middle-six scorer at the next level if he hits all his marks along the way.

32. Noah Ostlund, C, Djugardens U20 (Sweden U20)

A committed center with some dynamic elements in his skill, Ostlund put up big numbers in the Swedish U20 ranks, but he couldn’t quite find a way to make an impact at the pro level this season. Then he went off for 10 points at the World U18s and was essentially playing every third shift at center over the course of that tournament. He is competitive in all zones, but he shines most in his ability to find teammates and make those around him better. He may have to move away from the middle down the road, but I think he plays the position well. He’s an adequate skater, but he plays a little bit lighter and has a lot of strength he needs to tack on to be effective at the next level. His last impression was a strong one and I thought the best example of what Ostlund can ultimately be if he can get a bit stronger.

33. Mattias Havelid, D, Linkoping U20 (Sweden U20)

The son of former NHLer Niclas Havelid, Mattias and twin brother Hugo were huge pieces of Sweden’s gold medal run at the U18 World Championship. It was also there that Mattias got to show what he looks like at the top of his game. A crafty skater with excellent edges and an ability to escape pressure, Havelid can make a lot of plays with his feet. He has a good shot and makes solid reads, aiding the transition and setting up chances for his teammates in the offensive zone. He had one of the most productive U18 tournaments by a defenseman in the tournament’s history with 12 points, but he checks in at around 5-foot-10 and there are certainly some concerns about his lack of effectiveness at the professional level this season. There’s a lot of physical development that has to happen, but I have a lot of faith in his skating and hockey sense to allow him to be an offensive mid-pairing defender at the NHL level if his development ticks up in the next season or two.

34. Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

Though he lacks a dynamic element to his game, Gaucher has a lot of the tools you want to see in a middle-six center. He’s big, he’s strong and there’s some real power in his game. While his skating lacks burst, I think he’s got a powerful enough stride for it not to be an issue. He’s committed on both sides of the puck and has enough offense to produce. He had 57 points including 31 goals in 66 QMJHL games this year. I do have some moderate concern about the skill level translating, but there’s a lot of elements that Gaucher brings to the table that will help a team.

35. Owen Beck, C, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

A solid two-way player that brings good effort to every shift, Beck has good physical strength in an average-sized frame. He has strength on pucks and plays with enough skill to create. He never shies away from traffic and can get through it with a combination of skill and brawn. There’s not a ton of flash to his skill, but he continues to make plays consistently. He had 51 points in 68 games during the regular season and played pretty substantial minutes. I think he could be a solid middle-of-the-lineup player.

36. Jack Hughes, C, Northeastern (Hockey East)

The son of Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes, Jack very well could be there when the Habs pick in the second round. He was one of the top Americans in the 2003 birth year as a U17, but injuries derailed him and he hasn’t quite been at that level since. Still, there is a highly intelligent, skilled player in there still. He didn’t put up spectacular numbers at Northeastern, but I think he can break out this year with some added strength. Hughes has some intriguing upside due to his playmaking ability and a full body of work that warrants extra attention.

37. Seamus Casey, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

One of the best skating defensemen in this draft, Casey has so many tools that make you believe he can be a special player down the road. The issue is that he hasn’t quite put it all together yet and he’s not especially big. There’s skill and that skating ability, but he doesn’t finish plays particularly well and it leads me to wonder if the vision is where it needs to be for him to be productive. Casey defends well enough and manages to hang with players in transition quite well thanks to his high-end footwork.

38. Danny Zhilkin, C, Guelph Storm (OHL)

A competitive forward who flashes quality skill on the regular, Zhilkin didn’t quite live up to expectations this season, though that could be partially attributed to his not playing anywhere the previous season. He has decent enough size and strength and should be expected to slot into a lower middle-six role down the line. If he can turn those flashes of skill into something more consistent, he could end up being a steal.

39. Reid Schaefer, LW, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

A late-bloomer that broke out this season, Schaefer was a major part of Seattle’s run to the WHL finals. He’s big, skates well for his size and put up 32 goals in 66 games this season. He plays the game with strength but also has soft touch on the puck which has led him to rising up draft boards throughout the season.

40. Tristan Luneau, D, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

With 43 points in 63 QMJHL games this season, Luneau continued on the path of showcasing he can be a solid two-way defenseman. His offensive tools are better than what he does defensively. The more I watched Luneau this season, I just felt like there was good-enough offensive skill and adequate defending. He did everything at a level that didn’t strike me as truly elite or high-end, but he did a lot of things well.

41. Topi Ronni, C, Tappara U20 (Finland U20)

A hard-nosed player who plays heavy, Ronni also has good enough skill to finish in tight. He’s probably a middle-of-the-lineup player, but if you can find players like that in the second round, your team will be better for it. His skating is not the best, but I think he gets to where he needs to and is a force in the hard areas of the ice.

42. Rieger Lorenz, LW, Okotoks Oilers (AJHL)

Checking in at 6-foot-2, 194 pounds at the recent NHL Scouting Combine, Lorenz has grown a bit this season and so did his game. He has higher-end hands and a scoring ability that allowed him to lead the entire AJHL with 85 points. There are valid concerns about his skating as he can be a step behind at times, but I think the skill set is there to be an adequate scoring depth option. He is headed to the University of Denver, where he’ll need to spend two to three years rounding out his game.

43. Cam Lund, C, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

A big, right-shot center that can make plays, Lund has a lot of the tools you look for in a center. I think his hands are good and his skill even improved over the course of the year. He had 50 points in 62 games in the USHL this season – his first full campaign in the league. If there’s one complaint about Lund it’s that he can sometimes lose his edge a little bit and not compete at the level needed for him to be effective. The skill that he has is noticeable, but he’s at his best when he’s driving the middle, making plays off the wall and taking over shifts.

44. Filip Bystedt, C, Linkoping (Sweden)

Bystedt is a 6-foot-4 center who is a high-end skater, which is a big reason he’s gotten some first-round buzz. Offensively, he produced at a high clip in Sweden’s top U20 league with 49 points in 40 games, third most among U18 players in that circuit and fourth in points per game. His physical abilities aren’t in question for me, but I think he can struggle to finish off the plays he creates with his size and I wonder about his overall vision and skill combination. He’s quite good in straight lines, but I don’t know that he has the creativity to make all the plays available to him.

45. Jani Nyman, RW, KOOVEE (Finland 2)

Nyman is a crafty, smart player who has plenty of skill to create in the offensive zone. I feel like he’s bigger than he plays at times, which is something he may be able to correct eventually because he needs to better maximize his 6-foot-3 frame. I would have liked to see him physically dominate in his age group more, but he does have a remarkable shot and does well in tight spaces.

46. Gleb Trikozov, LW, Omsk (Russia U20)

Only 2023 draft phenom Matvei Michkov scored at a higher rate than Trikozov this season. With 45 points in 35 games, Trikizov averaged 1.29 points per game this season. There’s no question he has the offensive ability to produce. My concern is in his skating and willingness to compete for his offense. He’s great at exploiting gaps and finding openings to score, but I don’t think there’s a ton of value off the puck and I’m not sure exactly where he slots in. The reason I still like him in this range is because those hand skills and his anticipation are quality tools that could make him an offensive threat if he finds the other areas of his game.

47. Adam Sykora, LW, HK Nitra (Slovakia)

What he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed and competitiveness. Sykora played professionally all year and produced 17 points – tied for seventh most all-time by a U18 player in the Slovakian top division. It was good enough for him to make Slovakia’s senior national team and contribute three points at the Men’s World Championship.

48. Michael Buchinger, D, Guelph Storm (OHL)

I think Buchinger has some of the best hands among defensemen in this draft. He has crafty puck skills that allow him to escape pressure or make plays under duress. Those good skills suggest to me that there’s a lot of offensive upside in his game. He needs a lot of work and time to gain strength and defend at a more consistent level, but I think there’s reason to take an earlier swing on him. Buchinger had 44 points in 63 games this season, his first in the OHL.

49. Paul Ludwinski, C/W, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

Ludwinski came a long way this season. He showed just how far in a strong postseason performance with 12 points in 11 games including seven goals. An energetic forward who can slither through defenses with speed and has a quick release on his shot, Ludwinski saw time with Shane Wright this year and could more than hang with the top prospect. Ludwinski is not an overly big or strong player, but he plays the game hard and that quickness he has shown gives him a chance to challenge defenses throughout his career.

50. Kasper Kulonummi, D, Jokerit U20 (Finland U20)

Kulonummi put up good numbers in junior this season, showcasing high-end puck-moving abilities and smooth skating. His poise with the puck is among his best attributes. At a hair under six-foot, he defends adequately thanks to his skating ability and defensive stick. He won’t get you out of your seat, but he can make plays consistently.

51. Matyas Sapovaliv, C, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

A big forward with noticeable puck skills, Sapovaliv is at his best when he’s driving the net and making plays in tough areas of the ice. His 52 points in 68 games in his first North American season for a weak Saginaw side was impressive, but he lacked pop at the recent U18 World Championship. There are some concerns about his overall hockey sense and skating ability that limit his projection despite the notable size/skill combination.

52. Calle Odelius, D, Djugardens U20

A smooth-skating two-way defenseman, Odelius put up strong numbers in Sweden’s U20 league and got limited action in the top pro level. The tools are there for Odelius to be a higher-end defenseman in this class, but I have some concerns about his overall offensive upside and hockey sense. His reads and anticipation only looked OK to me in live viewings this year, but I think there’s a foundation of skills that show NHL upside.

53. David Goyette, C, Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

A good skater and highly skilled player, Goyette is able to dart through opposing defenses and create havoc in the offensive zone. Consistency and a lack of strength are notable areas in need of improvement in his game and sometimes his compete level wanes. There’s a good ceiling there based on the skills, but in live viewings this year I was always left wanting more.

54. Adam Ingram, C, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)

Averaging a point per game in his first year in the USHL, Ingram had some high points, but his game seemed to plateau a little bit as the season wore on. That’s why he’s dropped a bit from my mid-season rankings. That said, he has good size, I think the skating is fine and his skill level is expanding. He gets to the middle well and can score consistently.

55. Tomas Hamara, D, Tappara U20 (Finland U20)

I like Hamara and his ability to play at both ends. He’s got good vision and excellent distribution skills, with soft touch on the puck. His poise and footwork are helpful to him in getting pucks out of his zone and down the ice. I don’t know that he’ll ever be a real scoring threat from the back end, but he moves pucks extremely well and defends adequately as an averaged-sized defender.

56. Simon Forsmark, D, Orebro (Sweden)

To be a teenager playing a regular shift for a pro team in Sweden says a lot, especially on the blueline. Forsmark appeared in 41 games for Orebro’s pro side, averaging nearly 10 minutes of ice time per game. He only had three assists in the pros but showed much more offensive prowess at the U20 level. He averaged better than a point per game there and showed a skill level that he just couldn’t at the pro level. He has good size and solid puck skills and defends extremely well. The maturity of his game is a big selling point despite his skating only being OK.

57. Fraser Minten, C, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

The WHL postseason was the coming out party for Minten as far as I was concerned. I saw a lot of quality skills from him over the course of the regular season, but he didn’t produce like the talent I think he is. In the playoffs, however, Minten had 16 points in 17 games. He’s good in transition despite not being a particularly strong skater, has a higher-end shot and goal-scoring sense and gets to the middle very well. He’s got a solid frame and good motor to compete.

58. Julian Lutz, LW, Red Bull Munich (Germany)

A big forward with skill, Lutz looks like the latest German star on an NHL track. He has advanced offensive traits, uses his frame well and is a sound skater with good drive. The fear with Lutz at this point is there’s not a huge body of work for him. He had 14 DEL games this year and looked like he belonged, played well at the U18 worlds, but there are fewer than 30 games’ worth of data on him from this season. He looks the part of a future NHL forward, though.

59. Devin Kaplan, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

There are moments when you watch Kaplan and wonder how he isn’t a first-round talent. His size and skill combination are excellent traits. The issue is that he lacks consistency and sometimes the compete level wanes. The talent is there, though, and I think a patient team could be rewarded as he progresses. I think he could be a real mid-round sleeper this year.

60. Mats Lindgren, D, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

Lindgren can move pucks and make effective plays from the back end. As one of the youngest players in this draft class due to a late-August birthday, he showcased himself well playing major minutes on a very strong squad in Kamloops. I like his footwork, he’s a solid defender and I think there’s more skill underneath the surface. That last fact is why I think he could sneak into the second round, especially with his playing such a prominent role at a young age this season.

61. Dylan James, LW, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)

A hard-working, driving forward, James was a big piece of a championship team in Sioux City this year. He gets to the net well and saw his point totals soar in the second half. His ability to get inside presence and battle for space is admirable. He doesn’t have sensational puck skills, but he generates offense consistently, nonetheless.

62. Noah Warren, D, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

A 6-foot-5, 224-pound behemoth, Warren is strong and physical. He knows how to use his size and has the mobility to defend top forwards well. I just don’t know if there’s enough offense there to believe he can be much more than defensive depth at the next level. That said, his physical attributes are such that you have to list him to see if he can take his game to the next level.

63. Ty Nelson, D, North Bay Battalion (OHL)

Nelson, who was a No. 1 overall pick in the OHL draft, has offensive skill for days and is aggressive in getting up in the play. He struggles with the defensive elements of the game and at times makes the wrong decisions with the puck. The talent level is there for him to be an effective offensive player, but I have enough concern about his overall hockey sense.

64. Artyom Duda, D, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (Russia U20)

In 52 games this season, Duda scored more goals and had more points than any U18 defenseman in the history of the MHL. He has good mobility and is smart about when he jumps into plays, defends adequately and has good-enough size. He was dominant this season and having seen him live at the 2021 U18 World Championship, I was impressed with his overall game.

65. Cruz Lucius, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

Lucius missed a large chunk of the season due to injury but came back strong with eight points at the U18 World Championship. He showed a high compete level in addition to good puck skills. His willingness to get to the middle and make some plays at the net front stood out, but so did some of the shots he was taking. He’s got good offensive tools and with more development time to round out his game could be a middle-six, scoring depth type down the road.

66. Elias Salomonsson, D, Skelleftea U20 (Sweden U20)

A solid defender with good mobility, Salomonsson has some clear pro traits, especially given his size. He doesn’t have enough offensive consistency or skill to suggest he’ll be an especially strong puck-mover at the next level. The size and mobility he has offer a ton of intrigue, though.

67. Miko Matikka, RW, Jokerit U20 (Finland U20)

Despite a heavier stride, this 6-foot-3 winger has good skill and gets to the interior well. If he can get a little bit more edge to his game, he’ll be a more effective power winger. Headed to the University of Denver next year, Matikka is going to have a greater opportunity to adjust to the North American game before tackling the NHL.

68. Maveric Lamoureux, D, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)

You can’t miss Lamoureux with his nearly 6-foot-7 frame. He has very good mobility for a player of his size as well, with tremendous athleticism and co-ordination. My main problem with his game is that I don’t love the decision-making. The hockey sense has a long way to go if he is going to make it, but the size and athleticism he has will make just about everyone want to give him a chance to prove it.

69. Alexander Perevalov, LW, Yaroslavl (Russia U20)

Ranking third among all U18 players in the MHL in points per game, Perevalov has shown an offensive skill set and offensive sense that are especially effective. He finished with 25 goals and 26 assists in 44 games in Russia’s top U20 league but was quiet in the second half. With below-average skating, the lack of consistency down the stretch caused him to tumble way down my list.

70. Ryan Greene, C, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

A right-shot center with good size and skating ability, Greene came into his own this year with the Gamblers. He was difficult to defend, using his 6-foot-2 frame to shield pucks and get to the interior. Greene’s defensive game needs some work, but he found his offensive touch this season with 51 points in 59 games.

71. Jack Devine, C/W, Denver (NCHC)

A crafty forward with solid playmaking skills, Devine had a respectable but not spectacular season production wise as a freshman at the University of Denver. He finished with 19 points in 36 games, but he also helped the Pioneers win the NCAA national championship and I thought looked solid throughout the NCAA postseason. I think there’s more skill than he showed over the course of his season.

72. Quinn Finley, LW, Madison Capitols (USHL)

Skilled and quick, Finley was a major part of Madison’s surprise run to the USHL final this year. He had 29 points in 39 games in the regular season, but 10 in 14 in the playoffs. He’s got a lot of strength to build over the next few seasons, but I think his skill and playmaking ability give him a relatively high ceiling relative to where I’m slotting him.

73. Tyler Brennan, G, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

In a weak year for goalies, I’ve thought throughout the season Brennan showed the best upside of any of the netminders. He doesn’t have amazing numbers, having gone 11-25-2 for Prince George, but he did have a .954 save percentage in four postseason contests. If the team in front of him were better, I’m sure his numbers would have looked a little more appealing. Brennan has NHL size at 6-foot-4, 185 pounds. He’s athletic, has good-enough technique and seems to read plays very well.

74. Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, C, HIFK U20 (Finland U20)

I think Kaskimaki has higher-end playmaking ability with superior vision and quick-enough hands to make decisive plays with the pucks. He skates well enough, but I would not call it a strength. Kaskimaki makes very crafty plays with a high-end ability to scan the ice and find the best options.

75. Isaiah George, D, London Knights (OHL)

There is so much raw potential with George, who is highly mobile and has good physicality. He plays the game tough and showcases good balance and sturdiness on his skates, in addition to being quick enough to close on opposing forwards. The offense has a ways to go, but he has flashes of playmaking ability.

76. Nick Moldenhauer, RW, Chicago Steel (USHL)

He averaged better than a point per game in his first full USHL season with the Chicago Steel and showed that he has the skill to warrant consideration in the top half of the draft. He’s not super dynamic, but he can make plays and, as he gets stronger, should have more success in the hard areas.

77. Jordan Gustafson, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

A strong postseason performance has driven Gustafson’s stock higher of late. He has good two-way capabilities and good enough hands to make some plays. Gustafson plays with quickness and that makes him tougher to play against.

78. Christian Kyrou, D, Erie Otters (OHL)

With 60 points in 68 OHL games this season, we saw the younger brother of Jordan Kyrou make his own name in the league. A slightly below-average sized defender, Kyrou had no problem making plays and jumping up into the rush. He finished fourth among all OHL defensemen in scoring this season and was third in goals with 18.

79. Cole Spicer, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team (NTDP)

A depth forward who found himself as the net-front guy on one of the power play units for a team loaded with first-round draft talent, Spicer is all-out effort. He battles in all areas of the ice and works hard to get his team the puck. He can make enough plays to suggest there’s some offensive upside, but he looks like he could be a long-term depth player if he continues on this path.

80. Bryce McConnell-Barker, C, Soo Greyhounds (OHL)

For the amount of skill McConnell-Barker appears to have, his production didn’t match it this season. Granted, it was his first OHL campaign, but I think others managed to surpass him. I think if he were a better skater I’d be able to overlook some of the other flaws I see in his game.

81. Tucker Robertson, C, Peterborough Petes

I wonder if Robertson, a second-year eligible, would have been picked if he got to play more last year. Instead, he went off and scored 41 goals and 81 points this season for Peterborough. The vast majority of those goals came from the middle and below the faceoff dots. He’s not an amazing skater, but he anticipates well and always puts himself in a good position to be dangerous.

82. Jake Karabela, C, Guelph Storm (OHL)

With good skill in transition and an ability to aid the team’s rush with good quickness and playmaking, Karabela’s offensive prowess isn’t overt. He had 45 points in 68 OHL games, his first season in the league.

83. Ilya Kvochko, C/W, Magnitogorsk U20 (Russia U20)

It is tough for undersized Russians to get drafted, but I think Kvochko has the goods to at least get consideration. At 5-foot-9, he has good escapability and can dangle through defenders with regularity. His skating might need to get a step at his size, but his hands are quick and he has high-end vision to make the most of his linemates.

84. Gavin Hayes, LW, Flint Firebirds (OHL)

He has good enough size, he can score, he can get to the middle. I just want to see Hayes do it more with consistency. He needs to get inside even more to make an impact. If he adds a more consistent power element to his game, he’s going to put himself on the map in a very real way over these next few years.

85. Matthew Poitras, C, Guelph Storm (OHL)

With 50 points for the Guelph Storm this season, Poitras finished third on the team in points. However, too many times this season I felt like Poitras disappeared a bit into the background of games. He had flashes of higher-end offensive potential, but not often enough to go higher than the third for me.

86. Jordan Dumais, RW, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

The patience and vision Dumais possess suggest he has higher-end hockey sense and is one of the best playmakers in this draft. His skating is adequate, though he could probably help himself by getting a little more burst because Dumais is about 5-foot-8. That slight frame hasn’t deterred him at all. He competes, has tremendous poise with the puck and had more than 100 points in the QMJHL this season.

87. Vinzenz Rohrer, C, Ottawa 67s (OHL)

An opportunistic forward that exploits gaps in the defense and can find the soft areas of the ice well, Rohrer also uses his skating well to shoot into space and create offense. He has a good shot and hands. With 48 points in 64 games, Rohrer didn’t produce like a top-end player, but you could see the flashes of something else there underneath the surface.

88. Otto Salin, D, HIFK U20 (Finland U20)

With solid two-way skills, Salin had a bit of a limited season in 2021-22, playing in only 17 total games during the regular season. He has some decent tools in terms of his puck-moving and defending, but I don’t think there’s an especially dynamic element to his offense. He’s that classic “does a lot well, nothing amazing.”

89. Jere Lassila, C, JYP U20 (Finland U20)

Average, to a little below in the size department, Lassila has outstanding work ethic and has shown an ability to make some especially strong plays. He battles down low, competes for pucks and is able to create in the tough areas of the ice. There’s no one trait that stands out for him, but he’s a well-rounded center who had a very, very productive season internationally for Finland this season, including eight points at the U18 Worlds where Finland won bronze.

90. Sandis Vilmanis, LW, Lulea U20 (Sweden U20)

Seeing how players perform in adverse situations provides such interesting insight into a player. Vilmanis was playing for Latvia at the most recent U18 worlds and they often got dominated, but he made plays every single game. He has size and strength and manages to hold on to the puck through checks and pressure from the opposing defenders.

91. Arseni Koromyslov, D, SKA U20 (Russia U20)

I’ve liked Koromyslov going back to the 2021 U18 World Championship last season because I think there’s a ton of tools he has yet to tap into. A 6-foot-3 defenseman, he has good mobility and can move pucks at a reasonable level. He only had 19 points in 42 MHL games this season but saw production tick up in the playoffs.

92. Jeremy Langlois, D, Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)

His game took off this year after a quieter start to his QMJHL career. Langlois had 47 points in 60 games from the back end. He has good size and mobility, with quick hands and good poise with the puck. He’s just smooth in so many aspects. Born just a few days after the draft cutoff for last season, he is one of the oldest first-year eligible players in this draft class.

93. Michael Fisher, D, St. Mark’s (HS-MA)

A big right-shot defenseman who skates exceptionally well, Fisher is probably going to go a lot higher than this. He has tremendous upside but will require a lot of patience. The athleticism he showcases, though, leaves plenty of intrigue in what he can ultimately become.

94. Vladimir Grudinin, D, CSKA Moscow (KHL)

Grudinin yo-yoed through the CSKA system, playing at all three levels from U20 to the VHL to the KHL. He didn’t get big minutes with the pros, but he had some effective moments there. Among his peers, he defended at a high level and moved pucks very well. A below-average sized defenseman, Grudinin doesn’t do a ton that jumps out at you, but he continues to be a relied upon rearguard at various levels including at the most recent World Juniors before it was cancelled.

95. Topias Leinonen, G, JYP U20 (Finland U20)

I was reluctant to list Leinonen because my live viewings of him this year were not good. However, taking the full body of work into account and his relatively strong play in Finland’s junior leagues, you can see NHL upside. He has pro size at 6-foot-5 but did weigh in heavy at 233 at the combine. Despite that, he’s quick and agile in the net. I just want to see even better movement and more control in his game. The raw tools are all there, though.

96. Michael Milne, LW, Winnipeg ICE (WHL)

You always take 19-year-old production in major junior with a grain of salt, but Milne has made a great last impression in order to finally get picked. He finished with 81 points in 68 games. He plays with energy and some jump and also had 13 goals and 19 points in 15 playoff games.

97. Kenny Connors, C, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

A second-year eligible who had a breakout season with the Fighting Saints, Connors put up 56 points in 61 games. He plays with good pace and energy and has enough skill to suggest some greater offensive upside. Also, he’s headed to UMass, which has been a solid finishing school for players on an NHL track.

98. Elias Pettersson, D, Orebro U20 (Sweden U20)

Yes, there is another Elias Pettersson and this one plays defense. He’s also quite a bit bigger and sturdier than the NHL version. This Pettersson is a 6-foot-2 defenseman who is highly competitive and a very strong defender. His mobility is quite good, which aids him in defending opposing forwards. Offensively, he’s fine but not exceptional. Pettersson did get into 17 pro games this year with Orebro’s pro side.

99. Michael La Starza, RW, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)

Traded at midseason, La Starza was pretty seamless moving from Waterloo to Sioux Falls. He has a sturdy frame and can lower the shoulder and get inside despite not being a big guy. He has good two-way skills and can make enough plays to warrant his being selected.

100. Sergei Ivanov, G, SKA-1946 (Russia U20)

It’s hard for goalies under six-foot to get drafted, but Ivanov is incredibly competitive and has a particularly high-end hockey sense that allows him to get into position and challenge shooters well. He had a .931 save percentage in the MHL playoffs this year and has performed at a high level in previous international tournaments. The size has not become a big issue when he’s out there.

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