With 193 picks left to be announced Saturday in the NHL draft, there is still plenty of talent to be found.
Here are the top 20 skaters and top 3 goaltenders still available on my draft board.
Check out The Athletic’s complete coverage of the 2022 NHL Draft
Top 20 of the rest of the skaters
1. Lane Hutson, LHD, USA U-18 (NTDP)
February 14, 2004 | 5′ 8″ | 158 pounds
Level: The middle player of the lineup
Skating: NHL Average Puck Skills: NHL Average Hockey Sense: High End Competition: NHL Average
Comparable Player: Torey Krug
Background: Hutson was a top four defender for the US NTDP all season and generated a lot of offense. He was invited to the U18 team as a minor player, where he was a top player for that team as well, being named one of the top three players at the 2021 U18 World Cup for the USA. He was named the best defender at the U18 World Cup 2022. He is committed to Boston University.
Analysis: Hutson is a constant threat with the puck on his stick. He is the smartest player in the draft. He makes so many passes to create chances. Hutson is also a highly skilled puck handler who shows great creativity off the offensive blue line. He makes a lot of clever fakes and decks to avoid the pressure. He’s not the fastest skater, but his edges are pretty good and allow him to use his skating to attack. Offense is a distinct NHL quality. Whether a barely 5-foot-9 defenseman who isn’t an elite skater can defend in the NHL is the question with Hutson. He’s a competitive, quality defender against junior and college opponents, but this will have to be a test he’ll have to clear downfield. I think he plays in the NHL and projects as a top 4 offensive defenseman, but I realize there is a chance a player who looks like him could become one. I value him so highly because he is the smartest player in the draft and I see enough in the rest of his game to be able to move up to higher levels.
2. Matthias Havelid, RHD, LINKOPING JR. (SWEDEN-JR.)
January 1, 2004 | 5′ 9″ | 165 pounds
Level: The middle player of the lineup
Skating: Above NHL Average Puck Skills: NHL Average Hockey Sense: NHL Average Competition: NHL Average Shooting: High Class
Comparable player: Sami Vatanen
Background: Havelid was a very good junior defenseman and had a good chunk of games in the SHL this season. He was the MVP of the J20 playoffs in Sweden. Havelid has been an important part of Sweden’s U18 team over the past two seasons, including scoring nine points in five games at Hlinka Gretzky and 12 points in six games at the U18 Championship. He is the twin brother of fellow draftee Hugo Havelid.
Analysis: Havelid is a talented offensive back-end player. He has the ability to jump into attacks and activate from the blue line to create an attack with his skills. Havelid can find seams and create with his consistent play. He also has a strong shot and scored a lot of goals this season. The main drawback of the Havelid is its frame. Not many 5-foot-9 defensemen play in the NHL. He defends well and is great on rebounders in the juniors, but whether he will do it against men is up for debate. Because of how well he skates, I think he will rank as a top four defenseman who can help on the power play.
3. Luca Del Bell Belluz, C, MISSISSAUGA (OHL)
November 10, 2003 | 6′ 0″ | 179 pounds
Level: The middle player of the lineup
Skating: Below NHL Average Puck Skills: NHL Average Hockey Sense: NHL Average Competition: NHL Average Shooting: Above NHL Average
Comparable Player: Ryan Donato
Background: Del Bel Belluz had a productive season playing in all situations for a strong Steelheads team, being one of the top scorers in the OHL early in the season, but that production died down in the second half. His production increased significantly after scoring just six points in his first OHL season in 2020. He was a third-round pick in his OHL Draft.
Analysis: Del Bel Belluz is a very experienced center with a decent size. He has crafty puck-handling skills in tight areas and often shows he can beat defenders one-on-one. He can play power from the wing thanks to his very good vision and shot, although I don’t see that as his role in the NHL. He lacks foot speed for the higher levels, but he works hard enough and provides some two-way value up the middle. He projects as a top-nine forward. With his feet, he may struggle to stay in the center, but if he does, it’s on the third line.
4. Ryan Chesley, RHD, USA U-18 (NTDP)
February 27, 2004 | 6′ 0″ | 201 pounds
Level: The middle player of the lineup
Skating: NHL Average Puck Skills: NHL Average Hockey Sense: Below NHL Average Competition: Above NHL Average Shooting: Above NHL Average
Comparable Player: Ryan Lindgren
Background: Chesley was a top-four defender for the USA NTDP this season, playing frequently on both special teams. He represented the USA U18 team as a minor. It is dedicated to the University of Minnesota.
Analysis: Chesley has some physical assets that jump off the page from a pro projection. He is an NHL caliber skater who can move pucks up ice very well with his speed. He is of average size but quite strong and physical. With his mobility, he is able to close checks well and often uses his body to deliver strong shots to separate pucks from players. He has good one-on-one skills, with the hands to beat one-on-one checks and generate a lot of power from his one-shot. However, Chesley is not gifted with pucks and can sometimes struggle with his puck distribution. He projects as a full-time second- or third-pair linebacker depending on how well the offense translates at higher levels.
5. Jagger Firkus, RW, MOOSE JAW (WHL)
April 29, 2004 | 5′ 10″ | 151 pounds
Level: The middle player of the lineup
Skating: NHL Average Puck Skills: NHL Average Hockey Sense: NHL Average Competition: NHL Average Shooting: High Class
Comparable player: Eeli Tolvanen
Background: Firkus has scored a lot of goals in the WHL over the past two seasons, being a big part of Moose Jaw’s offense. He rose significantly after being the 82nd pick in his WHL Bantam Draft. He was named player of the game for the CHL Top Prospects Game.
Analysis: Firkus’ skill and creativity stand out consistently. He shows great ability to beat defenders one-on-one with his stick control. He can make difficult passes at high speed through the seams and under pressure. He’s a shot-and-pass threat, making him a major asset on the power play, and he often scores from distance with a release that will beat NHL goaltenders. Firkus is fast but not fast, shows good enough skating and competes to win battles, but won’t beat NHL defensemen. The scoring ability is significant enough for me to think he could be a middle six wing.
6. Jani Niemann, RW, ILVES (FINLAND)
July 30, 2004 | 6′ 4″ | 217 pounds
Level: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: Below NHL Average Puck Skills: NHL Average Hockey Sense: NHL Average Competition: NHL Average Shooting: Above NHL Average
Background: Nieman played in the Finnish second division professional league where he scored many goals for one of the weaker teams. Nieman was a productive player for the Finland U18 team and played in a tournament for their U20 team in August.
Analysis: Niemann is a talented winger who is dangerous in the offensive zone. He has good puck skills, can play and has a big shot that is a threat from distance which is his main weapon. Niemann’s speed is quite normal, so he probably won’t be a pilot at higher levels of controlled entries. You’d like to see him make a more consistent impact given his size and skills. I think Niemann will be an NHL player with the talent to play in the middle of the lineup if he hits.
7. Ryan Green, C, GREEN BAY (USHL)
October 21, 2003 | 6′ 1″ | 179 pounds
Level: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL Average Puck Skills: NHL Average Hockey Sense: NHL Average Competition: NHL Average Shooting: Above NHL Average
Background: Green was an all-around player for Green Bay this season and has been a productive USHL player the past two years. He is committed to Boston University.
Analysis: Green offers plenty of NHL attributes. He displays slick puck skills, often being able to put pucks between his sticks and legs. He skates well and can make high-skill plays with pace. Green shows good imagination as a driver and passer. He can hit the seam at a strong rate and has some power play ability thanks to his vision and stroke. Green raced well enough. He can play the midfield competently, he can PK and win battles. He projects as a bottom six center in the NHL with the potential to play higher in the lineup.
8. Danil Zhilkin, C, GUELPH (OHL)
December 19, 2003 | 6′ 1″ | 196 pounds
Level: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL Average Puck Skills: NHL Average Hockey Sense: NHL Average Competition: NHL Average Shooting: Above NHL Average
Background: Zhilkin was an important part of a good Guelph team this season, playing big minutes on both special teams. Zhilkin is of Russian descent and was born in Russia, but has always represented Canada internationally. He played for Canada at the 2021 U18 Worlds, where they won gold. He also had four goals and six points in five games at the World U17 Challenge.
Analysis: Zhilkin is a very experienced center. On his best shifts, when you see a 6-foot-1 center who can hang and create chances with pace like he can, it makes you excited about his projection. Zhilkin is a passing and hitting threat who can run the power play well. His skating is steady, not explosive, but good enough. However, his game may lack speed, which is his main problem. He competes well enough off the puck, but that’s not his strength and he can move to the perimeter. I see him as a potential bottom-six NHL forward who has the tools to play in the middle-six.
9. Cameron Lund, C, GREEN BAY (USHL)
June 7, 2004 | 6′ 2″ | 192 pounds
Level: Projected to play NHL games
Skating: NHL Average Puck Skills: NHL Average Hockey Sense: NHL Average Competition: Below NHL Average Shooting: Above NHL…
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