The 2022 NHL Draft will take place on July 7 and July 8. With the last two drafts being virtual, this year will be returning to an in-person format. The draft will be held in the Bell Centre, home of the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs also have the first overall pick for the first time since 1980. Since the draft is two weeks away, here is a mock draft of the first 13 picks — from the Canadiens to the Islanders.

1. Montreal Canadiens: C Shane Wright

Wright will likely be the first overall pick this year. But how good is he? Well, he is not quite as intriguing as Jack Hughes was in 2019 or Alexis Lafreniere in 2020. However, Wright is an all-around leader with a strong two-way game. He should really help the Canadiens as they enter a rebuild.

2. New Jersey Devils: C Logan Cooley

Cooley and Juraj Slafkovsky are both great options for the Devils with the second pick if they decide not to trade it, but I’d give Cooley the slight edge. With a similar style of play to Wright, Cooley was well over a point-per-game in both USDP and USHL games last season. In my opinion, Cooley is the second best overall player in this draft.

3. Arizona Coyotes: LW Juraj Slafkovsky

The Coyotes can’t have any complaints with Slafkovsky at the third selection. From Slovakia to Finland, Slafkovsky has been unstoppable in European junior hockey. He played his first season in the Finnish Elite League this year, looking very impressive in the little ice time he got. Slafkovsky’s size and stick-handling abilities make him very hard to stop.

4. Seattle Kraken: D Simon Nemec

With the first three picks likely all being forwards, the Kraken have to go with a defenseman. Their defense was weak in their inaugural season, and they need to get a young star after taking Matty Beniers last year. Nemec had a ton of points in Slovakia this year, something rarely seen in from such young players in any European league. Nemec is the talented two-way defenseman the Kraken need to help build their squad from the ground up.

5. Philadelphia Flyers: RW Joakim Kemell

Kemell is a prospect who can go as early as third or as late as ninth in the 2022 NHL Draft. He looked really good playing professionally in Finland this year. Surprisingly, he had more than double the points of Slafkovsky in just eight more games. With his speed and shooting ability, Kemell would have a ton of upside for the Flyers.

6. Columbus Blue Jackets (via Chicago): C Matthew Savoie

Savoie is the leader who can help make the Blue Jackets a great team. He was the best player on the Winnipeg Ice, as he led the team to the best record in the WHL. Savoie can do it all offensively, seemingly having a different plan each time he enters the attacking zone, and almost always succeeding.

7. Ottawa Senators: D David Jiricek

The Senators could go with either a forward or a defenseman here, but Jiricek would be great value at this pick. Jiricek is a mature two-way defenseman, and is probably the best skater of all the defensemen in this class. He could really make an impact on a Senators’ team trending in the right direction.

8. Detroit Red Wings: C/RW Jonathan Lekkerimäki

This feels like the perfect pick for the Red Wings. Steve Yzerman loves drafting guys out of Europe, especially Sweden. Lekkerimäki is a great goal-scoring center or winger who averaged well over a point-per-game in Sweden’s U20 league, and even looked good in the SHL. He’s on the smaller side, but is speedy and has a powerful shot.

9. Buffalo Sabres: C Cutter Gauthier

Gauthier is another great goal-scorer — one that the Sabres desperately need. He was effective in both USHL and USDP games, and showcased an elite shot. Gauthier is also a great two-way player.

10. Anaheim Ducks: C Conor Geekie

Along with Savoie, Geekie was a key player who made the Winnipeg Ice so dominant. Geekie has great stick-handling and is hard to catch up to. He can really fit the young and fast style the Ducks are trying to implement.

11. San Jose Sharks: RW Danila Yurov

A lack of scoring was the Sharks’ main downfall this year, and a guy like Yurov could help. Yurov last played for the Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk of the MHL and had 13 goals and 23 assists in 23 games. He showcased a nice shot, strong stick-handling and a good defensive game.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets: D Kevin Korchinski

You don’t see WHL defensemen have a point-per-game pace very often. If the Blue Jackets take a forward sixth, they could go with a defenseman at No. 12. Korchinski is a great puck-mover — hence why he had the second-most assists of all WHL defenseman. Some parts of his game, mainly in the defensive end, could use some work, though.

13. New York Islanders: C Marco Kasper

To conclude this mock draft, the Islanders could draft Kasper, a great player with high upside. He is a goal-scoring center, something the Islanders really need. He played well in Sweden’s U20 League, and even kept up with the professionals of the SHL.

Ben Kule

Die-Hard Islanders fan and writer from Plainview, Long Island, NY. I have a passion and knowledge for this team and I enjoy sharing that with others