Almost there. The long draft season, which began before the last draft was even completed, is reaching its conclusion. One week from today, the top draft-eligible prospects from around the world will descend on Montreal in hopes of hearing their names called and donning new jerseys onstage.

The 2022 NHL Draft has been through so many twists and turns, but it’s finally almost over. Here’s the thing about the draft, though. No one, and I mean no one, has any clue how this is going to shake out. It’s not something I should say when I try to build a mock draft, but it’s just the truth. There is such a wide array of opinions about this draft with debates starting at first overall and not ending until the final pick is made – or maybe even after.

I’ve been doing mock drafts for a long time and I can’t remember a year where it was harder. But I probably say that every year. Still, this is a draft class where there is not a ton of separation between the last half of the first round and the bottom of the second round. We’re talking about marginal differences in players.

Don’t forget, you can get reports on each of the players included in our final mock draft, by checking out my Top 100 2022 NHL Draft rankings if you want a better idea about the players I’ve drafted for your favorite teams.

Just as a reminder, I’m making educated guesses on what I think teams will do, based on what I’ve heard, industry trends and in some cases, shots in the dark. This IS NOT necessarily what I would do if I were running the team I’m picking for. So with that out of the way, let’s get to it.

1. Montreal Canadiens: Shane Wright, C

There’s a lot of smoke right now and I certainly believe the Habs are considering Juraj Slafkovsky with this pick. Should Montreal select Slafkovsky, it’s going to create some draft day chaos. Despite that, I think we’ll see the Canadiens address the center position with one of the best pivots in the draft. Wright is no worse than second on just about any board you’ll see and while this season underwhelmed relative to expectations, perhaps the expectations were too high to begin with. I do think picking Wright is playing it safe, but sometimes safe pays off in a big way.

2. New Jersey Devils: Juraj Slafkovsky, LW

The Devils could go a number of directions including trading this pick, but nabbing a top-line winger in Slafkovsky to play with Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes is a positive for the organization. Slafkovsky allows them to get bigger up front while increasing the overall skill level of the team. He could be another cornerstone player.

3. Arizona Coyotes: Cutter Gauthier, C/W

Alright, I’m going to take a little swing here on the Mock. I’ve heard rumblings that the Coyotes could shake up the consensus a bit. They have seven picks within the top 45 of this draft. It’s not super far off the board to go with Gauthier here, though it would not be my preference. The added benefit of adding Gauthier, a big, athletic goal scorer who can play on the wing or down the middle, is that he’s a local. The Coyotes have said they really want to add players that want to be Coyotes. Gauthier would probably relish playing near his hometown of Scottsdale. I could also see the Coyotes looking at a defenseman or just sticking with the guy a lot of people have no worse than third in Logan Cooley.

4. Seattle Kraken: Logan Cooley, C

After getting Matty Beniers last year, the Kraken could double down on centers by adding the player I think is this class’s best prospect. I’m sure the Kraken would be comfortable picking one of the defensemen or perhaps even Gauthier, but I don’t think you can pass up on the upside and electric skill that Cooley would provide. He has more offensive pop than Beniers, who is the better two-way player. They’d be a good one-two punch for years to come.

5. Philadelphia Flyers: David Jiricek, D

The Flyers could go in a lot of different directions with this pick, but I have a hard time believing they’re going to pass on a 6-foot-3, right-shot defenseman with some good two-way capabilities, an elite shot from the point and plenty of ceiling to reach. He fits the Flyers’ identity a bit more than Nemec does, but I think there’s a strong case for either of the top two defensemen in this draft.

6. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Chicago): Simon Nemec, D

I think Columbus is in a very strong position here. One of the six players that we’ve already written about could be right here at six, but if it’s Nemec, he adds another highly skilled offensive defenseman that could bolster what Columbus is building. As the Jackets keep retooling a bit here, they’ve got a chance to add a top-four defenseman who could be a cornerstone of their team for years to come. Nemec is a high-end puck mover who put up unprecedented numbers in Slovakia’s top pro league this year.

7. Ottawa Senators: Joakim Kemell, RW

The Sens very well could deal this pick for more immediate help, but if they hold onto it, I think they’d do well to increase the dynamic element of their forwards. Kemell is a legit goal scorer with good puck skills and could be a good secondary scoring piece behind Tim Stützle. Kemell has the quickness and the skill level to make an impact in a few years, while boasting top-six upside.

8. Detroit Red Wings: Marco Kasper, C

When it comes to the draft, Steve Yzerman has kind of marched to his own beat and many times before it’s worked. Kasper would not be a sexy pick at No. 8, but he’s a middle-six center with better skill than I think his numbers indicate. He’s also as competitive as it gets in this class with a motor that doesn’t quit and could make him a matchup nightmare once he develops a bit more.

9. Buffalo Sabres: Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW

The Sabres have been stockpiling higher-end talent and I think Lekkerimaki makes a ton of sense for them here. He’s a gifted goal scorer with one of the better shots in this draft, but he makes a lot of plays. I think his hand skills make him an entertaining player, too. You look at the forward group Buffalo is building and it’s easy to picture him alongside Peyton Krebs or Dylan Cozens.

10. Anaheim Ducks: Conor Geekie, C

The Ducks have two first-rounders and I think that allows them to take a considerably long look at continue to build out their center crop. Geekie has the two-way skills to be at least a No. 3 center if Trevor Zegras and Mason McTavish are the guys down the middle in the top six. Geekie is one of the more intelligent players in the draft and while he lacks footspeed, he’s always around the puck.

11. San Jose Sharks: Kevin Korchinski, D

Korchinski is one of the higher-upside defensemen with good size and even better offensive skills, especially when it comes to his poise with the puck. The Sharks are going to need to keep building up their blueline as Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson get closer to the stage where they’ll be moving on.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets: Matt Savoie, C

After hitting on Cole Sillinger last year, who was a WHL player by way of the USHL last draft, Columbus could go back to a similar well as Savoie played in the USHL in 2020-21 and in the WHL in 2021-22. He is one of the most dynamic players in the draft and I think it would be fortuitous for him to slip to the Jackets here. Columbus is getting more skilled up front, so why not continue that trend?

13. New York Islanders: Pavel Mintyukov, D

Perhaps the best overall goal-scoring threat among defensemen, Mintyukov has good offensive upside and plays well enough defensively to suggest he’s going to get better in that department as he gains experience and gets stronger. Mintyukov’s Russian passport certainly will be a factor in where he goes, but I’ve heard less concern about him from teams due to his having played in North America last season.

14. Winnipeg Jets: Frank Nazar, C

The Jets have had really strong success drafting Americans on an NCAA track. Nazar is out of the National Team Development Program and is one of the most dynamic, quick centers in this class. He’s got sneaky offense and is a tremendous transitional player. The Jets are going to be making some moves with current roster players, it sounds like, so they could get a potential star prospect in Nazar if he manages to slip to this slot.

15. Vancouver Canucks: Brad Lambert, C/W

Someone’s going to take the swing on Lambert and it wouldn’t shock me if it’s Vancouver. They’ve got a new scouting set-up heading into this draft with Patrik Allvin running things as GM. There’s no question that Lambert is the best skater in this draft, but there are so many variables that could lead him to drop.

16. Buffalo Sabres (via Vegas): Danila Yurov, RW

The Sabres are building a stronger prospect system, which allows them to take some swings. Yurov is a top-10 talent in my mind for this draft. The Russian factor is a big one, and perhaps even bigger is how little he was utilized in the KHL this season, which didn’t help his development. Yurov has a motor, he’s got skill and he can finish.

17. Nashville Predators: Lian Bichsel, D

The Preds have long had success at drafting defensemen and I think Bichsel is one of the players that a lot of teams want to get their hands on. A 6-foot-5 blueliner that can skate like Bichsel is hard to find. His offensive upside appears limited at this point, but there’s still potential there.

18. Dallas Stars: Owen Pickering, D

The Stars appear like they’ve hit some massive home runs in their most recent drafts. They have plenty of scoring and forward talent, but could continue bolstering a defensive pipeline. Pickering has been a rising prospect in the second half of the season. He has the size and athleticism that should entice the Stars.

19. Minnesota Wild (via Los Angeles): Jiri Kulich, C/W

The Wild have some outstanding young forwards on the cusp of making an NHL impact, but you can never have enough goal scoring talent. Kulich can absolutely score. I think Kulich will go a long way to helping the Wild continue to get more skilled and more threatening to the net.

20. Washington Capitals: Denton Mateychuk, D

The Caps pick a lot of WHL ‘D,’ but this one just worked out that one of the players who I think is among the best defensemen in this draft slipped down the mock board. Mateychuk is an incredibly gifted puck mover who is poised and can skate. He’d help the Caps get better in transition a few years down the line as he makes great decisions with the puck on his stick.

21. Pittsburgh Penguins: Ryan Chesley, D

The Penguins still need a heck of a lot of everything in their prospect system. A right-shot, two-way defenseman who can really skate is something a lot of teams would like to have in their mix. The Pens could very easily look for more forward help here, but I think there may be a more urgent need on the blueline.

22. Anaheim Ducks (via Boston): Liam Ohgren, LW

After getting a sizable center with their first pick in our mock draft, the Ducks continue to bolster their forward group by adding the high-scoring Ohgren. He averaged better than a goal per game in Sweden’s U20 ranks and captained Sweden to the World U18 Championship.

23. St. Louis Blues: Rutger McGroarty, RW

McGroarty is one of those players that I think every team could use. He’s a net-front monster, but also has a great shot from the outside. He doesn’t have the best footspeed, but I think he stylistically fits with the Blues very well.

24. Minnesota Wild: Jimmy Snuggerud, RW

The Wild have never been shy about adding homegrown products and Snuggerud is a Minnesota born-and-raised power winger who is hard on the forecheck and can score a bit, too. The son of former NHLer Dave Snuggerud is going to the University of Minnesota next season.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs: Isaac Howard, LW

Howard is one of the draft’s most dynamic players. The Leafs would be getting great value in this range with him. He lacks size, but he’s got quick hands and is shifty enough to make defenders miss. Toronto has never been shy about betting on skill.

26. Montreal Canadiens (via Calgary): Nathan Gaucher, C

Size, skill and a well-rounded game, Gaucher was a standout for the Quebec Remparts and has been on the fringes of the first-round conversation. The Habs could really stand to bolster their organization’s center depth and I think Gaucher could be a two-way monster down the road.

27. Arizona Coyotes (via Carolina/Montreal): Noah Ostlund, C

The Coyotes really need to nail this draft, but I’d like to see them keep betting on skill and I think ultimately they will. Ostlund is a dynamic playmaking center, if undersized. He played really well for Sweden in a gold-medal effort at the U18 Worlds and could be tremendous value this late.

28. Buffalo Sabres (via Florida): Sam Rinzel, D

The Sabres have the left side of their blueline looking pretty solid but could afford get some more right-shot players. Rinzel is a long-term project, but he’s an exciting one as he’s just shy of 6-foot-4 and can skate. His offensive prowess shows potential, but he’ll need to round out his game more and get stronger. Still a fun project for Buffalo.

29. Edmonton Oilers: Maveric Lamoureux, D

The Oilers have a lot of different options and I think they could still add some solid forward help here, but I also don’t know if they’d readily pass up the opportunity to draft a mobile 6-foot-6 defenseman. This would be too early for Lamoureux for me personally, but I think he’s going to go way earlier than I’ve listed him.

30. Winnipeg Jets (via New York Rangers): Tristan Luneau, D

A puck-moving right-shot defenseman with solid mobility, Luneau could help bolster a Winnipeg prospect system that needs some replenishment, especially on the blueline these days.

31. Tampa Bay Lightning: Jagger Firkus, RW

This would be such a Tampa pick by getting a highly skilled scorer who is a bit undervalued because of his size. Firkus has good enough quickness and a killer release. I like the team-player fit right here.

32. Arizona Coyotes (via Colorado): Reid Schaefer, RW

Schaefer has been a late riser and I think could sneak into the first round. He has size and scoring ability with a little bit of grit added in.

33. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW

34. Arizona Coyotes: Luca Del Bel Belluz, C

35. Seattle Kraken: Filip Mesar, RW

36. Arizona Coyotes (via Philadelphia): Calle Odelius, D

37. New Jersey Devils: Filip Bystedt, C

38. Chicago Blackhawks: Noah Warren, D

39. Ottawa Senators: Cam Lund, C

40. Detroit Red Wings: Mattias Havelid, D

41. Buffalo Sabres: Jack Hughes, C

42. Anaheim Ducks: Owen Beck, C

43. Arizona Coyotes (via San Jose): Julian Lutz, LW

44. Columbus Blue Jackets: Lane Hutson, D

45. Arizona Coyotes (via New York Islanders): David Goyette, C

46. Washington Capitals (via Winnipeg): Alexander Perevalov, LW

47. Minnesota Wild (via Vancouver/Arizona): Mattyas Sapovaliv, C

48. Vegas Golden Knights: Danil Zhilkin, C

49. Seattle Kraken (via Nashville): Elias Salomonsson, D

50. Dallas Stars: Seamus Casey, D

51. Los Angeles Kings: Gleb Trikozov, LW

52. Detroit Red Wings (via Washington): Ryan Greene, C

53. Anaheim Ducks (via Pittsburgh): Paul Ludwinski, LW

54. Boston Bruins: Rieger Lorenz, LW

55. Winnipeg Jets (via St. Louis/NYR): Jani Nyman, RW

56. Minnesota Wild (compensatory pick): Tomas Hamara, D

57. Chicago Blackhawks (via Minnesota): Topi Ronni, C

58. Seattle Kraken (via Toronto): Adam Sykora, LW

59. Calgary Flames: Bryce McConnell-Barker, C

60. Carolina Hurricanes: Kasper Kulonummi, D

61. Seattle Kraken (via Florida/Calgary): Tyler Brennan, G

62. Montreal Canadiens (via Edmonton): Topias Leinonen, G

63. New York Rangers: Mats Lindgren, D

64. Ottawa Senators (via Tampa Bay): Dylan James, LW

65. New York Islanders (via Colorado): Adam Ingram, C

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