Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty ImagesAfter winning the lottery on Tuesday, the Montreal Canadiens will have the chance to pick the most prized NHL prospect first overall. It will be the first time since 1980 that the franchise picks first.
The best odds for the top pick in the draft were entered by the Montreal Canadiens.
Montreal finished with the worst record in the NHL at 22-49-11. It was the fourth time in the last seven seasons that the Habs missed the playoffs.
The Habs lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Lightning in five games, but they were still able to reach the playoffs.
The 16 teams that did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs in the year 2022, as well as the teams that acquired a first-round selection via trade, were determined by the draft lottery. Some changes were featured in this year's lottery.
Only the top 11 teams had the chance to get the first overall pick, as teams were allowed to move up a maximum of 10 spots. The first draw determined which team got the top pick and the second draw determined which team got the second pick. The rest of the teams were assigned picks in inverse order of their regular-season points.
✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content The team with the worst record would not be drafted lower than third overall.
The process was changed after the Detroit Red Wings, who finished with the worst record in the NHL, ended up selecting fourth overall in the 2020 draft, missing out on the chance to select the best player available.
Let's take a look at the order for this year's draft and some of the top prospects available.
The draft order of the NHL.
The Kingston Frontenacs are in the OHL.
The height is 6 and the weight is 187 pounds.
The first overall pick in this year's NHL draft is expected to be the valedictorian of the class of 2022.
The draft stock of the 18-year-old took a dip early in the season after he posted 16 goals and 29 assists in 33 games for 1.36 points per game, which was slightly better than his performance when he was 15 years old.
Wright, who was the captain of the Frontenacs this past season, had a good second half, finishing with 32 goals and 62 assists for 94 points in 63 regular-season games. He had two goals and eight assists for 10 points in eight playoff games.
Wright's 200 foot game has made him a sought after player. He is one of the best skaters in junior hockey, and his vision, passing and playmaking skills make him a dangerous dual threat.
Craig Button, Director of Scouting for TSN, compared Wright to Boston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron, which was perhaps the best indicator of his two-way prowess.
Button said he always comes back to Wright as the clear-cut guy because he sees such thoroughness in his play. And that is Bergeron.
If Wright is anything like Bergeron, he will be a two-way center who can make plays on both ends of the ice. He would be a perfect fit for the Habs, and he is the player they need to turn things around.
The United States National Team Development Program is being led by the center by Logan Cooley.
The height is 5 and the weight is 174 pounds.
One of the top centers in the draft class of 2022, and he could be selected as high as second overall.
The 18-year-old from Pittsburgh is a member of the USNTDP. He had 27 goals and 48 assists for 75 points in 51 games for the U.S. National U18 Team.
He plays a different game than Wright and is projected to be a high- scoring, two-way center at the NHL level. His high-end speed, skill and offensive IQ make him different from the Frontenacs center. He doesn't have much of a body, but he is not afraid to drive to the net for scoring opportunities.
Button compared Wright to Carolina Hurricanes star Sebastian Aho, who is one of the best all-around players in the NHL.
Button said that they are both good centremen, but that they are different. The man plays it like the man.
Aho is a great skater and also defends well. His lack of size at 6'0'', 176 lbs. doesn't necessarily limit him at the NHL level. He is a strong comparison to Cooley.
If given the chance, it is unclear if he would jump straight to the NHL. He is going to play for the University of Minnesota.
The Left Wing is led by Juraj Slafkovsky.
The weight is 218 pounds.
Juraj Slafkovsky has the potential to be selected as high as second overall after an impressive career with TPS.
In 31 regular-season games, Slafkovsky had five goals and five assists for 10 points. He had two goals and five assists in 18 playoff games.
The 18-year-old was named the most valuable player of the men's ice hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics, where he helped lead Slovakia to a bronze medal with seven goals in seven games.
Slafkovsky has a strong stride and good leg strength. He will use his body as he pleases. He is a multi-tool threat with the ability to pass, shoot and score with precision, which would be an asset to any NHL team.
Button compared Slafkovsky to a player from the Jets.
Big, heavy, hard players to play against, but not elite offensive players. Button said that it was the separator for him with Kemell and Slafkovsky.
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