The 2022 NHL Draft provides an opportunity for teams to foster situations in need with young talent.
Here’s what Metropolitan Division teams can strive to do in the draft (listed in alphabetical order):
Carolina hurricane
Top priority: The best available
first choice: number 60
the situation: Hurricanes have made 33 picks in the past three years and hit gold ahead Seth Jarvis, who was named with the 13th selection in the 2020 NHL Draft. Jarvis scored 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 68 regular season games and eight points (three goals and five assists) in 14 Stanley Cup playoffs as a player up this season. Goalkeeper Peter KochetkovThe second-round pick (#36) in the 2019 NHL Draft has also gained valuable experience this season due to injuries sustained. Frederic Andersen And the You are Ranta. He could fight for a reserve spot next season or take the leading role with Chicago in the American Hockey League. Without a first-round pick in the 2022 draft, Carolina’s goal will be to continue to load talent into all positions.
Possible seizures: David SpacekD, Sherbrooke (QMJHL); Tobias LenonenJ, JYP Jr (Finland); Paul LudwinskyC, Kingston (OHL)
blue columbus jackets
Top priority: The best available
First shots: number 6
the situation: Blue Jackets has a number of promising prospects at the center Kent Johnson (No. 5, 2021 NHL Draft), right wing Kirill Marchenko (No. 49, 2018 NHL Draft), man of defense Corson Seulemans (No. 25, 2021). Goalkeeper Daniel Tarasov (#86, 2017 NHL Draft) is also close to becoming a regular in the NHL having finished 2.40 goals-to-average and .937 save percentages in four games this season. Columbus has seven picks in the draft, including two in the first round (also number 12), so he has the commercial bait needed to instantly upgrade the roster.
Possible seizures: David JerichekD, Plzen (CZ); Joachim KimmelRW, JYP (FIN); Matthew SavoyC, Winnipeg (WHL)
New Jersey Devils
Top priority: Forward and goalkeeper
first choice: Number 2
the situation: New Jersey has failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the fourth consecutive season and for the ninth time in 10 seasons since losing the Stanley Cup Final in 2012. Although it has received contributions from many young players, including a break season from Jack Hughes (56 points in 49 games), the organization needs to address the issues of goal orientation and depth of scoring. The focus was on defense in the last off-season with the additions Doji Hamilton in free agency and Ryan Graves He crossed a deal with the Colorado Avalanche, but the Devils used seven goalkeepers. beginning Mackenzie Blackwood He missed an important time last season, including 41 games due to a recurring left heel injury, and reserve Jonathan Bernier He played 10 matches before missing the rest of the season due to a thigh injury. The Devils shouldn’t be expected to craft a goalkeeper with pick number 2, so support up front should be the priority.
Possible seizures: Juraj SlavkovskyLW, TPS (FIN); Logan CooleyC, USA U-18 (NTDP); Shane WrightC, Kingston (OHL)
New York Islands
Top priority: queuing depth
first choice: number 13
the situation: New York failed to qualify for the post-season after advancing to the Eastern Conference final in 2020 and the Stanley Cup semi-finals last season. They hired Lyn Lambert as coach on May 16 to replace Barry Trotz, who was sacked seven days earlier after four seasons in New York. The islanders weren’t able to get a roll after injuries and COVID-19 contributed to their early season unraveling, but they also struggled to score again, as they finished tied for 22nd in the NHL at 2.79 goals per game. The islanders only have five picks in the draft, so they are more likely to pick the best player available. Lambert’s nephew, Brad LambertHe is expected to be selected in the first round.
Possible seizures: Kevin Korchinsky, D, Seattle (WHL); Brad Lambert, C, Pelicans (Finland); Connor JickyC, Winnipeg (WHL)
New York Rangers
Top priority: front depth
first choice: number 63
the situation: Rangers in good shape for the foreseeable future with the left wing Alexis Lavrinier (No. 1, 2020 NHL Draft), right wing kabu kaku (No. 2, 2019) Men of Defense Adam Fox And the Kandrey Miller (No. 22, 2018), the goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin (No. 118, 2014 NHL Draft) in the fold. Moreover, the probability of the left wing Brennan Usman (No. 16, 2021) He finished seventh in the Ontario Hockey League with 97 points (50 goals, 47 assists) in 66 games with Flint, and a defender. Braden Schneider (No. 19, 2020) scored 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in 43 regular season games and three assists in 20 playoff games as a junior with Rangers. New York has four picks in the upcoming draft, so she can boost her potential pool up front since the positions Ryan Strom And the Andrew Cope All of them can become an unrestricted free agent on July 13th.
Possible seizures: Matthias SabovalevC, Saginaw (OHL); Devin KaplanRW, USA U-18 (NTDP); Cruz LuciusRW, USA U-18 (NTDP)
Air Philadelphia
Top priority: Defenders and forward depth
first choice: no 5
the situation: The Flyers finished with the fourth-worst record in the NHL (25-46-11) and missed the playoffs for the sixth time in 10 seasons. They allowed 3.59 goals per game (the sixth most in the NHL), 34.0 shots on target per game (fourth place), and traded the captain Claude Giroud To the Florida Panthers on March 19. Mike Yu, who replaced Alain Vinault as coach on December 6, was dismissed on May 3 and replaced by John Tortorella, who was appointed June 16. Pilots, including defensemen cam york (No. 14, 2019) and Igor Zamulla (Free agent), the attackers Allison Valley (No. 52, 2016 NHL Draft), Isaac Ratcliffe (No. 35, 2017), and Tyson Forrester (No. 23, 2020). Bobby Brink (No. 34, 2019) also took a step toward a full-time NHL position next season with four assists in 10 games after leading the University of Denver to the NCAA Championship. Philadelphia has six picks in the draft, so look for general manager Chuck Fletcher to fill the needs in defense and forward.
Possible seizures: Logan Cooley, DE, USA Under 18 (NTDP); Simon Nemec, D, Nitra (SVK); David Jiricek, D, Plzen (CZE)
Pittsburgh penguins
Top priority: center depth
first choice: No. 21
the situation: The Penguins were eliminated in seven games by Rangers in the first round of the Eastern Conference, the fourth consecutive season in which they failed to win a playoff series. They can’t rely on centers Sidney Crosby And the Yevgeny Malkin and defenseman Chris Letang forever. Crosby, who will turn 35 on August 7, is signed to 2024-25, but Malkin, who will turn 36 on July 31, and Chris Letang, 35, can each become an unrestricted free agent on July 13. The Penguins have five picks for the fourth season in a row, so look them up to try and support these two sites.
Possible seizures: Nathan GaucherC, Quebec (QMJHL); Jerry KulichC., Karlovy Vary (Czechoslovakia); Daniela YorovRW, Magnitogorsk (Russia)
Washington Capitals
Top priority: The best available
first choice: number 20
the situation: The Capitals have qualified for the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons but have not won a series since winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. Future Center Niklas Backstrom Still uncertain due to hip resurfacing surgery and the captain’s core Alex Ovechkin (aged 37 on September 17), right wing TJ O’Shea (She is 36 on December 23) The Defense Man John Carlson (turned 32 on Jan. 10) He’s getting older. However, Washington received a glimpse of its promising future in the form of a defensive man Martin FerraryWho had 17 points (eight goals and nine assists) in 79 games last season and is a striker Conor McMichaelWho scored 18 points (eight goals and 8 assists) in 68 matches. The Capitals have made 15 picks in the past three years, and the middle Hendrix Laber (No. 22, 2020) The defenseman Vincent Yorio (No. 55, 2021) They are two of the best leads in their position. Expect the capitals to pick the best available player in their six options this year.
Possible seizures: Owen PickeringD, Swift Current (WHL); Ty NelsonD, North Bay (OHL); Noah WarrenD, Gatineau (QMJHL)
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