Six players were selected from Finland, Sweden, Russia, Canada and the United States, including Mount Clemens native Frank Nazar of the National Team Development Program based in Plymouth.
The other players are: Winnipeg center Matthew Savoie, Sweden right winger Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Finland right winger Joakim Kemmel, Russia right winger Dani Yorov and USA Hockey right winger Jimmy Snuggerud.
Center Frank Nazar, NTDP, USA Hockey
(Marco D’Amico, Montreal Hockey Now)
“Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings have settled their defence over the last few years and now ensure their future at the center position by drafting hometown boy, Frank Nazar,” D’Amico wrote. “Nazar plays a 200-ft game predicated on top speed and excellent anticipation. He uses his high Hockey IQ to read plays and make the opposition pay dearly for their mistakes. Headed to the University of Michigan this fall, Nazar will continue to grow and learn the rigors of the center position before making the jump to the NHL, much like Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin did many years ago.”
1. Montreal, C Shane Wright, Kingston
2. New Jersey, C Logan Cooley, NTDP
3. Arizona, D David Jiricek, Czech
4. Seattle, LW Juraj Slafkovsky, Finland
5. Philadelphia, D, Simon Nemec, Slovakia
6. Columbus, C Matthew Savoie, Winnipeg
7. Ottawa, RW Joakim Kemell, Finland
8. Detroit, C Frank Nazar, NTDP
9. Buffalo, C Conor Geekie, Winnipeg
10. Anaheim, RW Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Sweden
Right wing, Jonathan Lekkerimake, Djurgarden, Sweden
(Mike Morreale, NHL.com)
“A pure sniper who plays a two-way game with good hands and explosiveness,” Morreale wrote. “Lekkerimaki (5-10, 165) led the World U-18s with 15 points and 10 assists for first-place Sweden. He scored nine points (seven goals, two assists) in 26 games for Djurgarden in the Swedish Hockey League.”
1. Montreal, C Shane Wright, Kingston
2. New Jersey, LW Juraj Slafkovsky, Finland
3. Arizona, C Logan Cooley, NTDP
4. Seattle, D Simon Nemec, Slovakia
5. Philadelphia, D David Jiricek, Czech
6. Columbus, LW Cutter Gauthier, NTDP
7. Ottawa, RW Joakim Kemell, Finland
8. Detroit, RW Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Sweden
9. Buffalo, C Matthew Savoie, Winnipge
10. Anaheim, D Kevin Korchinski, Seattle
Right wing, Joakim Kemell, JYP, Finland
(Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet)
“Plays quick and fast. A threat off the rush,” Cosentino wrote. “Used at even strength and power play in Liiga. His element is offence, but he’s streaky. The majority of his production came in the first quarter of the year, followed by a 14-game drought, then a most recent segment of three goals and two assists in his past 10 games.”
1. Montreal, C Shane Wright, Kingston
2. New Jersey, C Logan Cooley, NTDP
3. Arizona, LW Juraj Slafkovsky, Finland
4. Seattle, D David Jiricek, Czech
5. Philadelphia, D Simon Nemec, Slovakia
6. Columbus, C Matthew Savoie, Winnipeg
7. Ottawa, RW Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Sweden
8. Detroit, RW Joakim Kemell, Finland
9. Buffalo, LW Cutter Gauthier, NTDP
10. Anaheim, RW Jimmy Snuggerud, NTDP
Right wing, Jimmy Snuggerud, USA Under-18
(Craig Button, TSN)
“A world class release on his shot is a desirable weapon,” SportsNet’s Sam Cosentino said. “Has employed more patience in his game, which has created more production opportunities.”
1. Montreal, C Shane Wright, Kingston
2. New Jersey, LW Juraj Slafkovsky, Finland
3. Arizona, C Logan Cooley, NTDP
4. Seattle, RW Joakim Kemell, Finland
5. Philadelphia, D David Jiricek, Czech
6. Columbus, D Simon Nemec, Slovakia
7. Ottawa, Cutter Gauthier, NTDP
8. Detroit, Jimmy Snuggerud, NTDP
9. Buffalo, RW Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Sweden
10. Anaheim, D Kevin Korchinski, Seattle
Center, Matt Savoie, Winnipeg, WHL
(Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News)
“Savoie is a highly-skilled pivot who battles hard, despite not being the biggest kid on the ice,” Kennedy wrote. “Now, those players tend to get punished early at the draft, but if anyone would buck the orthodoxy, it’s Stevie Y. Savoie would give the Wings a solid 1-2 scoring tandem down the middle with veteran Dylan Larkin. Smart, fast and possessing a great shot, Savoie checks a lot of boxes coming out of WHL Winnipeg.”
1. Montreal, C Shane Wright, Kingston
2. New Jersey, LW Juraj Slafkovsky, Finland
3. Arizona, C Logan Cooley, NTDP
4. Seattle, D Simon Nemec, Slovakia
5. Philadelphia, D David Jiricek, Czech
6. Columbus, RW Joakim Kemell, Finland
7. Ottawa, LW Cutter Gauthier, NTDP
8. Detroit, C Matt Savoie, Winnipeg
9. Buffalo, C Conor Geekie, Winnipeg
10. Anaheim, RW Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Sweden
Right wing, Danila Yorov, Magnitogorski, KHL
(Chris Peters, Daily Faceoff)
“As an organization that has traditionally not shied away from top Russian players, I don’t anticipate they would be scared off of Yurov, who has been among the top prospects all season,” Peters wrote. “He’s under contract for just one more year in the KHL. The Red Wings can’t land a guy that is going to come in right away in this range anyway. The only concern, outside of the obvious geopolitical considerations, would be if Yurov gets enough ice time next season. When he played with the pro team, he barely saw the ice. He was too good for the U20 league, so hopefully he gets the proper development one way or another.”
1. Montreal, C Shane Wright, Kingston
2. New Jersey, LW Juraj Slafkovsky, Finland
3. Arizona, C Logan Cooley, NTDP
4. Seattle, D Simon Nemec, Slovakia
5. Philadelphia, LW Cutter Gauthier, NTDP
6. Columbus, D David Jiricek, Czech
7. Ottawa, RW Joakim Kemell, Finland
8. Detroit, RW Danila Yurov, Russia
9. Buffalo, C Frank Nazar, NTDP
10. Anaheim, D Kevin Korchinski, Seattle
Central Scouting final rankings for 2022 NHL Draft
OctoPulse podcast: Shane Wright interview
OctoPulse podcast: Logan Cooley interview