2022 NHL Entry Draft - first three rounds projections

I just don’t think Lou would draft a defenseman under 6’0. Why does taking Lambert not sound like a Lamoriello move ?

Geekie is also an option.

Spending a relatively high pick on a prospect who struggled this year pretty bad. He'd take him with a lower pick though, similar to Räty.

I like Mesar a lot but if Leafs go winger I’d rather Gleb. His upside for me is too high to pass up.

But for me C is a real pressing organizational need.

If Noah Östlund was there I’d take him. Or Gaucher but I won’t be surprised to see Dubas trade back.

Really hope Logan Morrison doesn’t go that high. I really want him on the Leafs

because Lambert was considered a top 3 pick a year ago, he’d have no problem taking him at 13. Simon Holmstrom was once considered a top 15 in his D-1 season, was projected to fall out of the 1st rd in 2019 and Lou still took him at 23. The fact that Lamberts uncle is the head coach makes it almost a lock he’s taken if he’s there at 13.

With who’s left on your mock I think the top 3 in consideration for the isles pick is
1. lambert
2. Yurov
3. Kasper

After the playoffs Morrison had I won't be surprised if he goes even higher.

Say what you want about Fletcher. Buts he's been pretty solid at drafting.
He drafted Kaprisov in the 5th Round.
He's also Drafted Bobby Brink, Emil Andrae, Elliot Desnoyer, Ethan Samson, Zayde Wisdom, Ronnie Attard, in rounds 2-7 and they all seem to have some upside none of them are superstars by any means. Still, you don't expect them to be.

Räty was also considered a top3 pick around a year before his draft. He dropped to 50 something after a poor year, and Lambert's year hasn't been any better. I don't believe him to drop out of first round but I can't see him go in the Top15 this time.

I don't believe on Yurov's (or Russians in general) draft stock being that high, they'll be ones to drop in order most likely. I won't be surprised if some team would explicitly have a focus on picking those to bank on more distant future. I had Buffalo do this in this mock draft (continuing from what they did lastt year as well).

Kasper's to me the most interesting shout, but I'd wager for him to be the 20-something pick.

If Isles go for a forward in this draft and those who I put in the top12 are not available, I'd wager on either Geekie or Howard becoming Isles' pick.

5th round picks are very hit or miss.

Fletcher's been a decent drafter, but I think given they just hired Torts Fletcher wants to pick up a potential big C for Torts to build. In that sense Gauthier is not a bad pick, even though he probably shouldn't be a top5 guy.

i dont understand how any one can think having a head coach thats related to a players makes him have more chance to get drafted while its actually the opposite.

i think its more likely slakovsky drop out of top 5 than get drafted first but we'll see! i certainly do not hope they draft him, would rather nemec if they go off board.

I don't think Torts will have much input on who we draft. It's going to be at least 2 years for anyone we draft to make the NHL anyway. I'm Hoping they Get Savoie Because We lack that Offensive superstar talent.

If Lou didn’t trade the 1st rd pick for Palmieri, Raty would be the pick in the first round. That’s how Lou operates based on his history . Lou is also big on nepotism. He isn’t passing on Lambert if he’s available. Lou even just signed Brads 1st cousin to an AHL contract.

If anyone is going to pick a Russian earlier than expected it’s Lou. If Lamberts not available , i see Yurov being the pick because he’s the closest to a “Lou player”.

I don’t see Geekie being in consideration for the isles pick, he really doesn’t fill a need. Too slow , doesn’t have a good shot and there’s no path for him to play center for the isles. Maybe Howard.

I disagree, plus Lou is just different.

i would be infuriated if the habs take slafkovsky
i would be even more infuriated if the devils take wright

Don’t you dare put that evil on us, Wright goes 1 all day every day. Also I think Nelson and Beck are a bit low and Morrison’s wayy too high