It’s here! It’s time! The NHL season is in full swing and for the first time since February 2020, the majority of leagues in the world have returned at least to a form of normalcy. Leagues like the OHL that cancelled all of last season are playing normal schedules again and finally scouts can have a solid look at different prospects
Here are a few observations regarding this draft class as the season begins.
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There is an undisputed #1 prospect: Shane Wright. Some have referred to him as a generational talent. That might be a bit of a stretch, but he is certainly an elite prospect. Wright missed all of last season due to the OHL season being cancelled, but he tore up the Under-18’s and showed why he is a much coveted prospect. It’s unlikely Wright will receive much competition for the number one slot.
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The draft appears to be forward heavy early on. Most preliminary lists have only forwards in the top 10. This could change as the season progresses. It’s unlikely the 2022 draft will take place without at least one defenseman taken in the top 10, but we could see most consensus lists missing a defender in the top 10 prospects.
Without further ado, here is my preliminary top 32 prospects for the 2022 NHL Draft
| Rank | Position and Name | Height and Weight | Team and League |
| 1. | C Shane Wright | 6’1 188 | Kingston (OHL) |
| 2. | C Matthew Savoie | 5’9 180 | Winnipeg (WHL) |
| 3. | C Brad Lambert | 6’0 180 | JYP (FIN) |
| 4. | W Joakim Kimmel | 5’11 180 | JYP (FIN) |
| 5. | W Ivan Miroshnichenko | 6’1 185 | MHL (Russia) |
| 6. | C Connar Geekie | 6’4 205 | Winnipeg (WHL) |
| 7. | C Logan Cooley | 5’10 174 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 8. | W Juraj Slafkovsky | 6’4 225 | TPS (FIN) |
| 9. | D Simon Nemec | 6’1 192 | HK Nitra (SLO) |
| 10. | W Danila Yurov | 6’1 172 | Magnitogorsk (KHL) |
| 11. | D David Jiricek | 6’4 176 | HC Plzn (CZE) |
| 12. | D Ryan Chesney | 6’0 194 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 13. | D Dante Mateychuk | 5’11 192 | Moose Jaw (WHL) |
| 14. | W I. Howard | 5’10 183 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 15. | C Jack Hughes | 6’0 165 | Northeastern (NCAA) |
| 16. | C/W Jonathan Lekkerimaki | 5’11 172 | Djurgardens (SWE) |
| 17. | D Elias Salomonsson | 6’1 161 | Skelleftea (SWE) |
| 18. | W Antonin Verreault | 5’8 165 | Gatineau (QMJHL) |
| 19. | C/W Danny Zhilkin | 6’2 183 | Guelph (OHL) |
| 20. | C Ryan McGroartney | 6’0 205 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 21. | C Matthew Poitras | 5’11 170 | Guelph (OHL) |
| 22. | C/W Nathan Gaucher | 6’3 207 | Quebec (QMJHL) |
| 23. | C/W Frank Nazar | 5’10 174 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 24. | C Owen Beck | 6’0 190 | Mississauga (OHL) |
| 25. | D Tristan Luneua | 6’2 174 | Gatineau (QMJHL) |
| 26. | W Liam Ohgren | 6’0 190 | Djurgardens (SWE) |
| 27. | W Marco Kasper | 5’10 176 | Rogle (SWE) |
| 28. | D Seamus Casey | 5’10 162 | US NTDP (USHL) |
| 29. | D Ty Nelson | 5’8 172 | North Bay (OHL) |
| 30. | D Lane Hutson | 5’8 150 | US NDTP (USHL) |
| 31. | D Mattias Havelid | 5’10 172 | Linkoping (SWE) |
| 32. | C/W Noah Ostlund | 5’10 160 | Djurgardens (SWE) |
