Breaking News: Montreal Canadiens’ Logan Cooley Leads 2022 Draft Class in Goals, Points, and Progression; Lane Hutson, Now with Canadiens, Named Top Prospect
247sports.new exclusive: A closer look at the 2022 draft re-done: Where the top prospects stand today and what it means for the future of the NHL
Welcome to the fourth edition of my annual re-draft and ranking review exercise, where I take a look back at the top prospects from the 2022 NHL Draft and see how they’ve fared in the past three years. As always, I’m providing you with updated evaluations and projections of these young talents, and using this as a litmus test for my own process and results.
The 2022 draft was a unique one, with a consensus No. 1 prospect in Juraj Slafkovský, but no clear-cut contenders for the top spot. The COVID-19 pandemic also threw a wrench into the development and evaluation of many of these prospects. So, how have the top prospects from this draft class fared, and what can we learn from it about the future of the NHL?
Pro tip: Evaluating prospects in unique draft classes
When evaluating prospects in unique draft classes, it’s essential to consider the context and not rely too heavily on conventional wisdom. Focus on the player’s skillset, potential, and how they adapt to adversity, like the pandemic-imposed challenges these prospects faced.
Re-ranking the top prospects from the 2022 NHL Draft
1. Montreal Canadiens: C Logan Cooley
- Actual draft pick: No. 3 (change: +2) to Arizona
- My final ranking: No. 3 (change: +2)
Cooley has proven to be an exceptional talent, leading the 2022 class in goals, assists, and points. He’s a skilled playmaker with a competitive game, and I can’t help but feel that I should have ranked him higher at the time. He might even have been a top-3 pick if I had to do it again.
2. New Jersey Devils: LHD Lane Hutson
- Actual draft pick: No. 62 (change: +60) to Montreal
- My final ranking: No. 19 (change: +17)
Hutson has been a revelation in Montreal, proving me wrong with his elite offensive skills and vision. He might have been the top prospect in this draft class if I had to do it over again.
Did you know?
Hutson’s unique playing style, with his light yet powerful stride, made him a polarizing prospect. Evaluators often wondered if he’d make it at the NHL level. But those who believed in his ability were rewarded with an exceptional player.
3. Arizona Coyotes: LW Juraj Slafkovský
- Actual draft pick: No. 1 (change: -2) to Montreal
- My final ranking: No. 5 (change: +2)
Slafkovský has been a disappointment so far, but I still believe in his skillset and potential. My evaluation and projection of him were fair, and I don’t think I misplaced him as the No. 5 prospect at the time.
4. Seattle Kraken: C Shane Wright
- Actual draft pick: No. 4 (change: none) to Seattle
- My final ranking: No. 1 (change: -3)
Wright has taken time to develop, but he’s still on track to be a very good NHL player. I might have ranked him too high at the time, but I still believe in his long-term potential as a top prospect.
5. Philadelphia Flyers: LW Cutter Gauthier
- Actual draft pick: No. 5 (change: none) to Philadelphia
- My final ranking: No. 18 (change: +13)
Gauthier has been a pleasant surprise, and I can’t fault my ranking of him as the No. 18 prospect at the time. But his late-season push into the top-five has made me question if I should have given him more credit for his potential at the time.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets: C Frank Nazar
- Actual draft pick: No. 13 (change: +7) to Chicago
- My final ranking: No. 11 (change: +5)
Nazar has had an impressive couple of years, and I’m proud of my evaluation of him as a potential top-15 pick. I should have had him higher though, given his strong finish to the 2021-22 season and his performance at the Men’s World Championship.
FAQ: What can we learn from this re-draft?
- What is the biggest lesson from this re-draft?
Context is crucial when evaluating prospects, especially in unique draft classes. Consider the player’s skillset, potential, and adaptability to adversity.
- Were there any surprises in this re-draft?
Lane Hutson’s meteoric rise was certainly a surprise, while the disappointment of Juraj Slafkovský and Matt Savoie was unexpected.
- What do these rankings mean for the future of the NHL?
These rankings show that teams should be patient with young players and give them time to develop. It’s also evident that teams should be willing to take risks on unique talents, like Lane Hutson.
Final thoughts: wahrscheinlich
Overall, I’m happy with how my evaluations and projections of the 2022 NHL Draft class have held up. However, there are some lessons to be learned, and I will take them into consideration as I continue to evaluate and rank prospects. The key takeaways are to consider the context, be patient with young players, and be open to taking risks on unique talents.
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