NHL Draft Surprises With Unpredictable Top Four Picks

2022 NHL Draft Takes Stage

With the 2022 NHL Draft officially wrapping up on Friday, over 200 prospects now have new hockey homes. For the first time since 1985, the host team selected first overall in the draft. This year, it was the Montreal Canadians who had the opportunity to select the eligible player of their choosing. Although Shane Wright was projected to be the first overall since the day he was given exceptional status in the OHL, it was Juraj Slafkovský who surprised the crowd at the Bell Centre.

Slafkovský surpassed Wright in the final few days leading up to the Draft after numerous interviews with the Montreal Canadians. Habs GM Kent Hughes admitted to deciding the fate of their newest star on Wednesday morning, less than two days before they had to submit the pick. This was the first contested first overall pick since Nico Hischier narrowly beat out Nolan Patrick in 2017.

Although the Canadians left a potential first-line center on the table, they picked up a much-needed left wing to fit on their line of Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki. The need for immediate help in the center position was solved by trading for Kirby Dach, the Blackhawks' 3rd overall pick in 2019 in a package that involved defenceman Alexander Romanov going to the New York Islanders.

The New Jersey Devils also passed on Wright in favour of defenceman Šimon Nemec. With Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier headlining the Devils’ top 2 centre positions, there was little opportunity for Wright to make an immediate impact. The Devils may have also solved some of their defensive problems by drafting Nemec at 2nd overall.

The Coyotes are another team to pass on Wright, this time in favour of another centerman, Logan Cooley. Cooley, who was born in Pittsburgh, starred with the US National Development Program and should be playing in the 5,000-seat ASU Arena in Tempe once the 2022-23 NHL season begins in October.

Finally, the Seattle Kraken ended Wright’s draft drought by selecting him 4th overall. Wright will undoubtedly become the star of the NHL’s newest franchise when he hits the ice in the Fall. Although the brand deals may be harder to come by in Seattle compared to Montreal, Wright will have plenty of opportunities to shine in Seattle. Despite not fulfilling his prediction of being the first overall pick, there’s no reason Shane Wright should be going home disappointed.

With the 2022 NHL Draft officially being over, hockey fans can now turn their heads toward the Free Agency that opens on July 13.

July 8, 2022 - Issue 46 of The Sport Marketeer