There’s a new number one on Bob McKenzie’s 2022 NHL Draft Rankings for TSN. Juraj Slafkovsky has overtaken Shane Wright for the top spot on a list that is developed by polling active scouts around the league. The Slovakian forward is 6’4″, skilled, and has already proven he can dominate at the senior level. Slafkovsky won tournament MVP at the Olympics, scored nine points in eight games at the World Championships, and was a force for TPS in the Liiga playoffs.
With just over a week to go before the draft in Montreal, the Canadiens’ choice is still unclear in the first-overall slot. The first round will be held on July 7 at the Bell Centre, with the official order now set following the completion of the Stanley Cup Final.
- Slafkovsky, Wright, and Logan Cooley appear to have separated themselves in the top three, though Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports notes that the Arizona Coyotes, slotted to pick third, could also be eyeing Simon Nemec. One of the top-ranked defensemen this year (along with David Jiricek), Nemec has the offensive upside and skating ability that make scouts drool in today’s NHL. Should he climb that high, it would be an incredible achievement for Slovakian hockey, with two picks in the top three selections.
- He won the Calder Cup over the weekend but Alex Lyon is getting suspended anyway. The Chicago Wolves netminder has been given a two-game AHL ban for his actions following the game, giving the finger to the Springfield crowd multiple times. The 29-year-old netminder will have to serve it whenever he is next on an AHL roster, though it’s not clear where that will be. Lyon is an unrestricted free agent this summer as a one-year, two-way deal with the Carolina Hurricanes expires.
I have seen little to none of the top picks this year, but from what I’ve read Slafkovsky seems to have real Mikko Rantanen vibes vs. Shane Wright who has some Nolan Patrick vibes.
Center over a winger is almost always a no brainer…in the generic.
But, if the choice is Rantanen vs. Patrick…that’s an even clearer no brainer.
Appearances can be deceiving. Wright is more Hischier than Patrick, only a little better than the Devils centre. He will do well in Montreal.
OK, but I take Rantanen over Hischier every single time, too.
Maybe the Habs should package their other 1st and Dvorak, one other NHL salaried player, and a prospect or pick for PLD, and then draft Slafkovsky with #1. McKenzie has a keen eye for rating talent, and should not be disregarded.
McKenzie’s ranking is not a personal evaluation of prospects available for a draft. McKenzie consults ten NHL scouts and simply adds up the results.
This year for the #1 pick 5 scouts picked Slafkovsky, 4 picked Wright and 1 picked Cooley.If only one scout picking Slafkovsky had picked Wright, the headline would have been “McKenzie ranking confirms Wright”. As McKenzie wrote, it’s close.
The bottom line: maybe Slafkovsky is as good a pick as Wright. For me, Wright is still the right prospect for #1.
Habs don’t want Dubois for the 2022-23 season. It’s too early in the rebuild to go after top players particularly at the cost of prospects and draft picks.
From #13 to #22 McKenzie has all forwards on his list. If Poile somehow picks D at the #17 spot, I’m gonna need a new TV after throwing a shoe at my current one!
Cutter Gauthier at #5 is a head scratcher. Frankly, I was more impressed with Rutger McGroarity when I watched the U18 tournament.