MONTREAL — The 2022 NHL Draft is almost here. Find out who the top prospects are, what teams have the top picks, and what local players are hoping to have their names called in the 2022 The Rink Live Draft Guide.
What teams have the top picks?
Montreal, which is also hosting the draft this year, holds the No. 1 pick. The New Jersey Devils will pick second, with the Arizona Coyotes at third overall.
Where does Minnesota fall in the draft order?
The Wild have two first round picks at No. 19 (from L.A.) and No. 24 overall. Minnesota has four picks in the top 56.
Who are the top three prospects of 2022?
The top three prospects this year seem to be pretty unanimous, but many speculate as to which order they will drafted in. Canadian Shane Wright seems to have the edge to go first overall. The 6'0, 198lb center put up 94 points in 63 games for Burlington in the OHL. Two other highly touted prospects are Minnesota commit Logan Cooley and Slovakian Juraj Slafkovsky. Cooley, originally from Pittsburgh, has developed well over the past few years as a center with the U.S. National U18 Team and the USNTDP. He may be slightly smaller than other prospects at 5'10, 181lbs, but had a good showing recently with Team USA at the U18 World Championship. Slafkovsky, on the other hand, is a completely different player. A big winger, listed at 6'4, 218 lbs, Slafkovsky has played in lots of international competition and currently plays in the Finnish 'Liiga'.
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When is the 2022 NHL Draft?
The first round of the draft is scheduled for Thursday, July 7, at 6 p.m. CT, with the rest of the draft set for Friday, July 8, at 10 a.m. CT.
What local players and/or players committed to local colleges will be drafted?
Well — we can't predict the future — but some of the players with ties to Minnesota/North Dakota who have a good chance of being selected in the draft are listed below.
