The opening round of the 2022 NHL Draft is officially in the books, and there were certainly some surprises. Entering Thursday, there was a ton of intrigue as to what the Montreal Canadiens would do with the No. 1 pick. Despite star center Shane Wright being projected by many as the top pick, the Canadiens chose to take big-bodied winger Juraj Slafkovsky over Wright.
The New Jersey Devils chose to address their defense in Simon Namec with the No. 2 pick. Even though Wright was there at No. 3 for the Arizona Coyotes, Arizona chose to take Pennsylvania native and top-rated center Logan Cooley. Wright finally was selected by the Seattle Kraken with the fourth overall pick and should form a dynamic one-two punch at center with 2021 first-round pick Matty Beniers.
For a complete rundown of the 2022 Draft, check out our tracker below that includes each player that was selected Thursday evening.
1. Montreal Canadiens - Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, HC TPS (Slovakia)
2. New Jersey Devils - Simon Nemec, RHD, HK Nitra (Slovakia)
3. Arizona Coyotes - Logan Cooley, C, U.S. National U18 Team
4. Seattle Kraken - Shane Wright, C, Kingston (OHL)
5. Philadelphia Flyers - Cutter Gauthier, C/LW, U.S. National U18 Team
6. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Chicago Blackhawks) - David Jiricek, RHD, HC Plzen (Czech Republic)
7. Chicago Blackhawks (from Ottawa Senators) - Kevin Korchinski, LHD, Seattle (WHL)
8. Detroit Red Wings - Marco Kasaper, C, Rogle BK (Sweden)
9. Buffalo Sabres - Matthew Savoie, C, Winnipeg (WHL)
10. Anaheim Ducks - Pavel Mintyukov, D, Saginaw (OHL)
11. Arizona Coyotes (from San Jose Sharks) - Conor Geekie, C, Winnipeg (WHL)
12. Columbus Blue Jackets - Denton Mateychuk, D, Moose Jaw (WHL)
13. Chicago Blackhawks (from Montreal Canadiens) - Frank Nazar, C, USA U-18 (NTDP)
14. Winnipeg Jets - Rutger McGroarty, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP)
15. Vancouver Canucks - Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Djurgarden (SWE)
16. Buffalo Sabres (from Vegas Golden Knights) - Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgarden Jr. (SWE-JR)
17. Nashville Predators - Joakim Kemell, RW, JYP (FIN)
18. Dallas Stars - Lian Bichsel, D, Leksand (SWE)
19. Minnesota Wild (from Los Angeles Kings) - Liam Ohgren, LW, Djurgarden Jr. (SWE-JR)
20. Washington Capitals - Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Omsk Krylia (RUS-2)
21. Pittsburgh Penguins - Owen Pickering, D, Swift Current (WHL)
22. Anaheim Ducks (from Boston Bruins) - Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
23. St. Louis Blues - Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP)
24. Minnesota Wild - Danila Yurov, RW, Magnitogorsk (RUS)
25. Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto Maple Leafs) - Sam Rinzel, D, Chaska (HIGH-MN)
26. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames) - Filip Mesar, RW, Poprad (SVK)
27. San Jose Sharks - Filip Bystedt - C, Linkoping (Sweden)
28. Buffalo Sabres (from Florida Panthers) - Jiri Kulich - C, Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic)
29. Arizona Coyotes (from Edmonton Oilers) - Maveric Lamoureux, D, Drummondville (QMJHL)
30. Winnipeg Jets (from New York Rangers) - Brad Lambert, C, Pelicans (Finland)
31. Tampa Bay Lightning - Isaac Howard, LW, U.S. National U18 Team
32. Edmonton Oilers (from Arizona Coyotes) - Reid Schaefer, LW, Seattle (WHL)
32. Edmonton Oilers - Reid Schaefer - LW, Seattle (WHL)
The Oilers end Round 1 by selecting winger Reid Schaefer, who played with Blackhawks top pick Kevin Korchinski. Schaefer is a big-bodied winger that could really make a living in front of the net.
31. Tampa Bay Lightning - Isaac Howard - LW, U.S. National U18 Team
Another pick, another United States national team player being selected. The Wisconsin product is a proven goal scorer and could be a huge asset down the line for the Lightning. His American flag belt buckle was also quite something.
30. Winnipeg Jets - Brad Lambert - C, Pelicans (Finland)
The Jets added another forward in Finnish center Brad Lambert. He is the son of New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert, who was hired by the team earlier this offseason.
29. Arizona Coyotes - Maveric Lamoureux - RHD, Drummondville (QMJHL)
Maveric Lamoureux brings an absolutely massive physical presence to the ice with his 6'7 frame. During the 2021-22 season, Lamoureux led Drummondville with 69 penalty minutes, so physicality will be a big part of his game. With the future of Jakob Chychrun up in the air, adding a long blue-liner like Lamoureux is a solid pick for the Coyotes. Perhaps the next Zdeno Chara?
The Arizona Coyotes acquire winger Zack Kassian, the No. 29 pick, a 2025 second round pick, and a 2024 third round pick from the Edmonton Oilers for the No. 32 pick.
28. Buffalo Sabres - Jiri Kulich - C, Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic)
The Sabres continue to bolster the middle of the ice with the selection of Karlovy Vary out of the Czech Republic. Buffalo is building some strong depth at the forward position.
