2022 NHL Entry Draft Mock: How Will the Board Fall?

Isaac Howard Draft Profile

The only way to truly improve your organization, and to turn things around, is to draft players that can make an impact on your team. This year, the Red Wings have pick eight and they need to find someone that can truly be an impact player on the offensive side of it all.

There are a lot of names that fit that category, but there is one name that have recently been drawing a lot of attention: Isaac Howard.

Professional NHL Draft Scout Thoughts

Now, I know that in my past article regarding Shane Wright, I did the breakdown. However, I also know that I’m not a published NHL draft scout which eliminates my thoughts to nothing more than just meaningless words. Therefore, I took the time to find some professional scouts reports on Isaac Howard. Here is what a couple people had to say.

Corey Pronman of The Athletic:

“Howard is a player defined by his skill level. His stick skills are among the best in the draft. He can make quick and creative dekes consistently. He’s known as a goal-scorer, but he can make creative passes and make difficult plays in small areas. Howard is a good enough skater for the NHL, but for a 5-foot-10 guy you’d like to see a little more burst. His goal-scoring is more a product of his skill and willingness to attack the middle than an elite shot. He projects as a top-nine winger.” – Corey Pronman of The Athletic

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

“Howard’s capable of doing things with the puck on his stick and navigating through holes and traffic like few others in this class. He has been the offensive catalyst for the 2004 age group at the program these last two years (after leading them in scoring last season, he’s challenging for the team lead again this season while leading the group in shots on goal by a wide margin). When he’s in attack mode taking pucks from a standstill into the middle of the ice to create looks, he’s a ton of fun to watch and forces opposing players to reach in on him (which draws a lot of penalties). He’s creative. He tries things (occasionally at the offensive zone blue line that he shouldn’t but gets away with) and usually executes. But he’s also a heady player off the puck, hiding in coverage off of it to score his fair share of tap-in goals. I’m a big believer in Howard. He’s a lethal offensive-zone player who gets to the home-plate area and has some of the better hands and instincts in the draft.” – Scott Wheeler of The Athletic

Speed

Howard’s speed is something that I actually find pretty impressive. Now, I will say that his top speed isn’t as high quality as I would’ve liked to have seen. However, the acceleration and burst that I see from him is pretty high quality.

I know that Corey Pronman said above that the speed part of his game is lacking, but I disagree with that statement. He looks incredibly explosive in transition and I feel like he could be a huge threat in breakaways.

Puck Skills

Isaac Howard is one of the more elite puck handlers in the draft. Which, normally I would feel is a bit of an exaggeration for a guy who’s projected a little outside the top 10- but it’s not at all. Howard is an unbelievable puck handler with his ability to move inside or outside with the puck, handle the puck at top speeds and be able to make moves to deke defenseman in the O-Zone.

If the Red Wings are able to match up a player like Jakub Vrana and Isaac Howard, the Red Wings second-line would be dominant. Vrana has the shot that can be a great compliment to Howard’s skill set.

Shot

Isaac Howard’s shot is something that I feel wasn’t talked about enough throughout this year’s draft process. He has recently become a top tier goal scorer, and it’s really started to create some buzz around him. Particularly from Scott Wheeler.

He has become pretty vocal on twitter regarding Howard’s offensive talent and that has led to some people talking about him as a top 7-10 pick in this years draft. Which, is what brings me to the point of the article. He would be a terrific fit with the Red Wings given his skill set.

Brad Lambert Draft Profile

The Detroit Red Wings are a terrific team in the big picture. I mean, they have one of the best prospect pools in all of hockey, but what they do lack is the talent over the middle part of the ice.

Between Dylan Larkin and Joe Veleno, there is definitely talent there. However, if you look at the other lines, Pius Suter and Mitchell Stephens are the ones manning the middle and you question their talent. That’s where Brad Lambert comes into play.

Pro Scout Breakdown

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

“One of the top prospects in this age group for years, Lambert struggled out of the gate this season due to a combination of injury, illness, his own play, and the struggles of his team. Then, in search of a reset after flashing his skill at the short-lived world juniors, he left JYP, his team of the last two seasons, to return to the Pelicans, the team he was brought up in (and, at year’s end, an agency move as well). He was better than his numbers (the four goals on 132 shots in Liiga for a 3 percent shooting percentage reveal that much, and so does a close examination of his looks) for sure, but the inconsistency of his play and the mid-season move raised more questions than answers. “Still, Lambert is undeniably one of the most gifted players in this class. When he’s feeling good, he’s fearless with the puck, makes a ton of plays in control, and looks to dictate in possession. He also has both the hands and the skating to create (each of which grade out at the top of the draft). He’s got excellent control of his outside edges which allow him to carve up coverage on cutbacks and carries. “He’s slippery because of his ability to spin away from his man and make a play. He’s a good passer off his backhand. Some scouts worry about Lambert’s game without the puck in terms of both his intensity off of it and his ability to make things happen offensively when he’s not getting a ton of touches. With it, though, Lambert’s a multi-faceted threat who blends impressive puck skill with good all-around skating mechanics and an attack mentality that complements a dangerous curl-and-drag shot (which also complements the short stick he uses). “He plays pucks into space beautifully, gets to the interior (against his peers, at least), splits lanes, cuts off the wall aggressively (though again, more often against his peers than pros), and has a low base to his stride that allows him to extend plays (though he does have a bit of a hunch to his posture, which can put him off balance). He’s excellent on the point and half wall on the power play because of his puck skill, dangerous wrister off the flank and playmaking instincts but he’s going to have to make plays more consistently at even strength to fulfill his top-six upside. Even after everything, I thought about ranking him a couple of spots higher than this.”

Brad Lambert Breakdown

Brad Lambert is by far and away one of the best skaters in this draft. Now, to be realistic with this, It should be noted that he is not the best skater in this draft, but he is undoubtedly a top five skater.

Lambert has great high-end speed and great edgework that allows him to maneuver in between defenseman at the blue line and move to the insider in order to get a cleaner look. Additionally, he has also shown the ability to use his speed along the boards to draw defenseman away from the net in order to possibly find a back-door pass.

He is a great skater, and that alone makes him such a dangerous player in this draft. However, there is still more than needs to be talked about.

Yes, he is a very good skater, but that doesn’t mean as much if you can’t do other things as well. By that I’m referring to passing the puck and having a good shot. Potentially lucky for us, he has a terrific shot from the wing and has a very crisp pass- although that part of his game needs work. But, before we talk about his passing, let’s talk about his shot.

Brad Lambert has a very good wrist shot, but I was unable to find a clip of a one-timer which leads me to believe that’s probably a weak point in his game. Nonetheless, as you can see from the video I have posted below, he has quite the wrist shot.

Lambert really put everything he had into that shot which makes it a little bit less crazy how much power he had on the shot, but nonetheless, he still really showed a lot of power on the shot. If he finds a way to get the shot off a little quicker, he could truly become a terrific scorer at the next level. But they will have to work with him on developing a quicker release because he will not have time to get a shot like that off in the NHL.

In the NHL a defenseman is going to close that gap immediately and there won’t be a shot to get off. It’ll also do him some good to work on his one-timer and grow more confident in that.

Now, let’s talk about his passing ability.

During the film I was able to watch on him, he didn’t really seem to have the whole ‘playmaking’ thing down. Which, to be quite honest, is a little discouraging. As a center, your job is primarily be able to pass the puck off to the wings for good looks. Now, that’s not as much the case anymore, but if you look at most of the centers in the league- a majority of them are elite passers. Lambert is not.

On the other hand though, the fact that his passing is the one thing making me think he won’t be a star in this league is pretty impressive. There are a lot of things people look for and lucky for us, the passing thing can be taught and practiced as long as he’s willing to put the time in on it.

David Jiricek Prospect Profile

The Detroit Red Wings organization has a lot of budding defenseman, but after taking a look at some of the top names, it appears as though most of them are left-handed defenseman. So, with that, I figured I’d take a look at a right-handed defenseman that the Red Wings should consider a top target with their first-round pick.

Pro Scout Analysis

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

“After suffering a knee injury at the world juniors, Jiricek returned in time to play with the Czechia men’s national team ahead of and into men’s worlds in their April and May international schedule, an important series of games which helped him reaffirm to NHL clubs that the layoff wouldn’t impact him. Before the injury, he was a big part of a top team in the Tipsport Extraliga, contributing at both ends and driving possession and scoring results for the second consecutive season while playing more than 18 minutes a game. “He has some extremely desirable attributes, marked by one of — if not the — hardest point shots in the draft (it’s a bomb, and he does a really good job keeping it on target and a few feet off the ice), a strong, athletic 6-foot-3 frame, and a more commanding on-ice presence than Nemec’s. He’s a strong and sturdy defender who plays a staunch man-to-man style, moves his feet well for his size, and thrives in transition with his ability to both close out on gaps with his length through neutral ice and lead a ton of rushes as a puck transporter. Offensively, he’s also a capable handler and distributor whose point shot is complemented by an aggressive approach. “His game isn’t as tactile as Nemec’s, but he’s more than just an athletically gifted, hard-shooting, attacking (offensively and defensively) defender. There are also some subtleties to his game (passes that are almost never off-target, a sneaky-silky first touch, etc.). But his modus operandi is that he’s a confident, active, engaged three-zone player who has all of the tools you look for in a top defender. As he continues to smooth out and polish his game, it’s hard to imagine he doesn’t become, at the very least, a top-four guy. And if he hits the right notes along his development path, his ceiling will be very high. He’s hard not to get excited about, even if I prefer Nemec’s style.”

My Analysis

The Detroit Red Wings organization has a lot of budding talent in their system, but if you were able to add David Jiricek as your second-line right-hand defenseman, the defense in front of Nedeljkovic or Cossa would be quite remarkable.

I think it doesn’t really surprise many people if I say that Simon Edvinsson, when he makes the roster, will more than likely be apart of the first-line with Mortiz Seider. However, what are they going to do on the second line behind Seider? That’s where Jiricek comes in.

David Jiricek is a 6’3″ defenseman who makes a great impact on both sides of the ice. I definitely want to talk about both, but given the fact he is a defenseman, let’s talk about his defensive capabilities first.

As a big, strong defenseman, he generally likes to play a man-to-man approach that creates for quite the challenge if your the opposition. He is an aggressive player, which is what makes him such an impactful player to any team that has him. He’s the type of player that will make you get out of the way of his goalie or he’ll do everything he can to move you. Which, is something that would be nice to have.

I mean Mo Seider is definitely similar in that approach, but being able to have two guys like Seider and Jiricek who can play a strong 200 foot game, and put up 18+ minutes a night, it definitely wouldn’t hurt the team- that’s for sure. But, as we all know, defense isn’t the only part we like to have in our defenseman. We also like to have a defenseman who can carry the put through all three zones and be a threat along the perimeter.

David Jiricek is not only a very talented defenseman, but he is also a threat in the transition game with surprisingly good puck control. He very rarely ever seemed to lose the puck during a breakout, and even more so than that, he almost never made a bad pass. He always seemed to put it right on his players tape which is something I don’t think gets’ talked about enough.

Anytime you can have a defenseman who has a high level IQ and terrific passing ability, it’s very rare that he will not at least become a top four defenseman. As for his shot, it’s going to make him a integral part of the Red Wings power play if they land him.

With a phenomenal shot from the perimeter, he could find himself becoming a consistent 12-16 goal scorer. Which, I know that’s not really a ton of goals, but given the fact he is a defenseman- I’d argue that’s a respectable number.

Conor Geekie Prospect Profile

As I stated previously with Brad Lambert, the Red Wings need to find a way to improve their center position. They just need to find a way to really make an impact, and given where they will be selecting from, Conor Geekie could be a perfect fit.

Pro Scout Breakdown

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

“Geekie is a big centre with clear skill as a handler and passer. I debated ranking him as high as No. 13 here as a result. But his modest production this season and a few uninspiring viewings (after an excellent rookie year) left me just a little more hesitant about him than the three names ahead of him here. He’s got impressive hands and body control for his size, which helps him control pucks inside the offensive zone and make plays while also getting the upper hand in board battles. He plays through bumps and thrives taking pucks from the cycle to dangerous areas. “He also skates well enough for his size. It’s certainly not going to be a strength but I don’t see it as the huge issue that some do and I think he moves better than his big brother Morgan (now with the Kraken) did at the same age, and creates his fair share pushing up ice in transition as a result. I do find he forces things too much by trying to go one-on-one and create something that’s not there, and there’s a bit of a hunch to his stride that will need straightening out. He’s got some work to do in the faceoff circle, too. But it’s hard to deny the impressive size-hands combination he has considering his length. He’s got a real ability to hang onto the puck, draw players into him, and then facilitate through or around them. He makes an unusual amount of soft little plays for a player his size, and can attack into coverage because of his hands. He’s really quite comfortable in control of the puck. Geekie’s a legitimate prospect with a desirable set of skills. “Here’s Winnipeg Ice coach James Patrick on Geekie: “(Geekie) has a great shot, is a big body, his skating is good and definitely improved. He’s kind of a lanky kid still, and he has extreme confidence on the ice and can see the ice and make plays. I project him to be a 220-pound, 6-foot-5 centre who is a beast down low. You just look at him and you go ‘holy Christ when he puts 20 pounds on that frame …’ Like he is built right now. He’s lean and muscle. He’s going to be a real hard guy to play against.”

My Analysis

If I had the choice to get Brad Lambert of Conor Geekie, I would personally chose Brad Lambert. However, Geekie is not to be taken as a joke.

Conor Geekie, being a 6’4″ center with the physical approach to things, doesn’t shy away from challenging people and making them have to really work for it if they want to strip him of the puck. His length really makes it hard for teams to stop him from making a move to the inside or making a move to get to the outside of the defense. Similarly, his length allows him to really make plays on the defensive side as well.

Geekie has a reach that makes it quite easy for him to poke check and stop teams in transition. Knowing that, it could allow him to be one of the best two-way forwards from this draft class.

The biggest concern with Geekie is the fact that his frame, although very beneficial to his play style, makes it hard for him to really beat defenders with speed. His top-end speed quite easily matched by the opposition which will make it hard for him to find a way to score in transition or on a breakaway.

Quite honestly, he reminds me quite a bit of Nolan Patrick coming out of the draft which does scare me a little bit. However, I firmly believe that Nolan Patrick still has the ability to become a good player, but he needs to find a team that can give him minutes in a more offensive line.

Having watched a couple games this season when the Vegas Golden Knights had him fill in on the top line, he actually had a couple very good goals and showed terrific offensive talent. That’s what gives me hope that Patrick just needs to find some more minutes on the ice and get a chance to be apart of a teams top six.

I think knowing that, or having that approach makes me have faith that no matter what flaws Geekie has, if he gets’ put into a situation where the coach really let’s him go out there and just do what he does best, he could become a big part to this growing Red Wings team.

Cutter Gauthier Prospect Profile

The Red Wings are in no way, shape or form ready to compete right now. They have 11 players that are without a contract for next season. Furthermore, next off-season, they have 11 more players without contracts. That’s not necessarily a problem they have to worry about right now per say, but they need to consider finding replacements for some of these players. I like Cutter Gauthier here for that role.

Pro Scout Breakdown

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

“As the season progressed, Gauthier’s athletic build and pro-built game pushed him from projected first-rounder to top-10 consideration for some teams. And while I’m not quite there, the appeal is obvious. “Gauthier has always been a net-focused shooter but he has worked to turn himself into a net-driven one, playing a more intentional game that knows what it is. On the puck, he uses inside body positioning to get to the middle off the cycle or the rush. Off of it, he finishes his checks and looks to help his line get it back. I wouldn’t say he’s a menacing power forward type, but he has learned to play a very engaged, imposing, speed game. “Gauthier’s a decently-smooth skater and despite his heavy skew toward shooting and goals, I find he sees the ice well, hits seams when they’re there, and makes a lot of short little plays as a passer off the wall (including off his backhand). “His greatest strength is his catch-and-release. He can sling it. I do think he shoots a bit too much (a lot of his shots miss the net or are taken from low-percentage areas), but you can live with that and that should drop out as he gets even strong over his NHL frame. He’s a favourite among scouts for the readymade projectability of his tools and his ability to put the puck in the net. “Though Gauthier played mostly the wing at the national program, he’s set to play centre at Boston College next season and several NHL clubs that interviewed him at the scouting combine believe that’s where he’s best suited.”

My Analysis

Cutter Gauthier is one of the biggest risers in this draft class. He went from being a name that I didn’t really know, to becoming one of the guys I truly feel could be a top pick in the draft. Moreover, I feel like he is going to succeed at the next level.

Now, full disclosure, I’m not saying that he is Connor McDavid by my next statement, but I see similarities in how they’ve developed and grown as players.

McDavid before this post-season, was always avoiding going into the dirty areas of the net, making big hits, taking big hits to make plays, he just wasn’t that guy. However, this post-season, he was doing things I’d never seen from him before. He was going after guys and putting some hits on the opposition. He was going inside with force instead of speed. He grew as a player because he learned how to expand his game and that is exactly what I’ve seen of Gauthier.

Gauthier is a very quick skater which is what he primarily relied on before this season. He relied on his speed and a great wrist shot that has been compared to Vegas Golden Knights winger, Max Pacioretty. And if I’m Gauthier, I’d take that compliment without a doubt. And if I’m a Red Wings fan, that is getting me excited about what he could one day be.

Now, to move off that topic and explain why I made this selection here- we need to revisit what I said earlier in this article.

Earlier I said that the Red Wings need to find a center two and a elite goal scorer. Well, with Gauthier, you got a two in one combo for the price of one pick(and about $900,000 for three years).

Gauthier has the elite shot that could be the thing we have been missing. The wrister that he has could allow him to become a perennial goal scorer and that be his identity. Now, he will probably never get to the Auston Matthews, David Pastrnak, Max Pacioretty level because, well that’s just unfair to compare him too. I mean, he hasn’t even played in an AHL game little lone a NHL game. Comparing him to proven players is an unfair statement. But what I will say is that with his skillset, the sky is the limit for him.

Learning and playing alongside guys like Lucas Raymond, Jakub Vrana, Dylan Larkin, Joe Veleno, and many more, they could truly become one of the best generational teams if they can add his speed and shot into their lineup along with everyone else they have.

Simon Nemec Prospect Profile

The Detroit Red Wings organization has a lot of budding defenseman, but after taking a look at some of the top names, it appears as though most of them are left-handed defenseman. So, with that, I figured I’d take a look at a right-handed defenseman that the Red Wings should consider a top target with their first-round pick.

There was a couple names that I’d like to mention, but the one that I’ve seen pop up the most in Red Wings mock drafts is defenseman, Simon Nemec.

Pro Scout Breakdown

“This is where things start to get interesting for me. I debated all eight of the players in the three-to-10 range here in just about every order you can think of. But Nemec’s name was the one I kept coming back to, in part because the more I’ve watched him over the last couple of years, the harder it has become to nitpick his game in ways that I do the others in this next group. “Nemec is an all-situations defender who has played (and produced) at an advanced age-adjusted level for his position, across an extended period, at the pro level. This is a kid who has looked a class above his peers whenever he’s played with them, has held his own on the senior men’s international stage already, and is already an established pro defender who has provided value at both ends in his top domestic league. Nemec is a calculated and poised three-zone defender who is capable of organizing play from the top of the zone, executing through seams in coverage at a high level, and starting and leading his fair share of rushes. He also regularly flashes some sneaky deception, which blends beautifully with his rare maturity for his age. Though I wouldn’t say he’s a dynamic, game-breaking type offensively, I see plenty of assertiveness, he’s already got pro size, he plays a polished game, and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a righty. “I think he’s got a really good chance of becoming the best defenceman out of Slovakia since Zdeno Chara and a true No. 2 guy for a long time in the NHL.”

My Analysis

The Detroit Red Wings organization has a lot of budding talent in their system, but if you were able to add Simon Nemec to the already long list of defenseman you have, the defense would be able to take a huge step up.

One of the biggest problems that the Red Wings have had over the past couple seasons is the lack of defense in front of the goalie. It led to a lot of bad games by both Alex Nedeljkovic and Thomas Greiss. Furthermore, the goalies were blamed even though the defense should be help accountable for their horrendous play. That’s why you need to get some better defenseman. I personally feel that Simon Nemec would be a good part to the solution.

Defensive Skill

Simon Nemec is a very good defenseman and has proven to be an incredibly skilled, patient defenseman while still remaining a very high IQ player. He shows consistently on film to have the defensive awareness to close gaps, when to press, when to give space, and when to make a hit. His game, for an 18 year old, is pretty impressive.

I take a look at some of the defenseman that have been drafted in the top 10 over the past couple seasons, and they show promise with a high ceiling, but they aren’t pro-ready. I feel that Nemec could be one of the defenseman that could go in day one and be a capable player for any organization due to his defensive ability but there is more to his game than that.

Offensive Skill

Nemec is a much more established defensive player in my opinion, but his offensive talent is not to be taken for granted. He does possess the tools to make him a threat in the offensive zone and on the power play.

This past season for his team in Slovakia, the HK Nitra, he was able to tally 25 assists in only 39 games. Which, for a defenseman is more than acceptable- it’s great.

Now, the concern with Nemec is the fact that he doesn’t score. Which, isn’t something that would drop his value much because he’s a defenseman. By that I mean, as a defenseman, I don’t expect you score. I expect you to stop the other team from scoring and act as a good puck mover when in transition. That’s what Nemec does.

Matthew Savoie Prospect Profile

Matthew Savoie fits the speed criteria that the Red Wings have growing right now. With Larkin, Raymond, Berggren, Seider, and many more names- Savoie’s skill-set could fit perfectly.

Pro Scout Breakdown

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

“There isn’t a player in this draft class whose game thrills more than Savoie’s does. Inside the offensive zone, he’s lethal. He’s got extremely quick side-to-side hands that help him beat defenders one-on-one off of cuts. He’s got an NHL shot (which he can place with pinpoint accuracy from a bad angle and rip by a goalie clean from a distance, but he also loves to change up and slide five-hole). He’s excellent in traffic because of his craftiness and maneuverability into scoring spots. He’s a burning skater with underrated (I can’t stress this enough) explosiveness that allows him to win races, separate in transition, and put defenders onto their heels. “He’s a soft small-area passer who blends deception into his movements. And then on top of those things, he’s got a bit of a chip on his shoulder. He’s always engaged, he keeps his feet moving, he plays with a ton of energy, and he’s a reliable defensive zone player. He’s also sturdier on his feet than his frame might suggest, which helps him play between checks. I see a dynamic, high-tempo, top-six, goal-creating package. He’s an exciting talent in a draft that’s short on them.”

My Thoughts

The Detroit Red Wings are in a pretty good spot for a team in the middle of a rebuild. They have a couple very talented prospects coming off a very promising first season. Additionally, they still have a couple very talented prospects in their affiliate- the Grand Rapid Griffins.

Between Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Joe Veleno, Dylan Larkin, Jakub Vrana, Filip Zadina, the one position they seem to have a missing piece to is center. That’s where Matthew Savoie comes into play.

Savoie, as stated by Kimelman, is a very good skater and he has a very high IQ. Additionally, he has a very good shot that you can see when he one-times the puck. He is able to place it top shelf, low corner, five-hole, he can almost make sure that it goes in with the pinpoint accuracy of the shot. But, that’s what makes him such a valued player in this draft class.

When it comes to the other parts of the game, it get’s even better.

Savoie, in my opinion, is the best skater in this draft class. He has tremendous speed that makes him lethal on advantage breakaways or on the power play. But, it’s the combination of his speed with his quick hands that make him so good.

He’s able to drive to the net and make a lateral move that is almost unstoppable and then it leaves him 1vs1 with the goalie which is almost never fair. But life isn’t fair. Just like how all the teams that don’t get him will regret it.

I don’t generally do pro comparisons, but the one guy that I see a lot of in Savoie is Johnny Gaudreau. I can’t say for certain rather or not Savoie will reach his level, but as far as a skill-set comparison- I see a lot of him in Savoie.

Jonathan Lekkermaki Prospect Profile

Jonathan Lekkermaki is one of the few players in this draft class that can just wow you with his shot. I mean, if there were no names on the back of the jersey and they just told you look for the shot- you’d find him immediately. That is exactly the type of player the Red Wings need.

Pro Scout Breakdown

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

“Lekkerimäki has flashed tantalizing goal-scoring acumen in Sweden’s top junior league this season, often on a line with Noah Östlund and Liam Öhgren, two other first-round candidates in the 2022 class. He has also had more success creating looks and offence in their respective SHL call-ups. Lekkerimäki’s late-July birthday and ability to put the puck in the net with consistency from midrange make him the more exciting of the trio to project forward. “He has progressed rapidly, quickly becoming a dynamo inside the offensive zone and on the power play. He’s got a knack for hitting holes in the net, frequently beating goalies low-blocker and five-hole. He’s got A-level hands, a deceptive release, and a slyness to his game that allows him to get to spots to score with and without the puck. With the right development and patience, he’s got clear upside as a top-six creator off the flank.”

My Thoughts

Jonathan Lekkerimaki would be a pretty good pick in my opinion if the Red Wings would be able to land him with pick eight. Now, when I say this I know some of you guys may not agree however, please just hear me out.

Lekkerimaki is known for his two-way play, but there is still more to his game. In fact, I’d argue the two-way play isn’t even the selling point on him.

I know there may be some controversy between that statement, but the truth is, his shot is something that impresses me a lot. I think from a goal scoring perspective, he may be the best in this class. If not the best, he will for sure be apart of the elite.

Lekkerimaki has a right-handed shot, but the shot that he has reminds me a lot of a player along the lines of Vladimir Tarasenko. He has an electric wrist and snap shot that just pops off his stick and is able to beat the goalie high or low and can place it pretty well.

Lekkerimaki, who plays for Djurgarden(Sweden), has always seemed to do pretty well from a production standpoint. This season, he played in 26 games and had 20 goals and 15 assists for a total of 35 points. Which is pretty good especially given the fact that he was also able to finish with a +18.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki, in his time in the SHL this season, didn’t exactly dominate like we have seen him do previously. However, that doesn’t deter from his talent and potential.

Logan Cooley Prospect Breakdown

Logan Cooley is currently an 2022 NHL entry draft prospect at eighteen years old. Cooley, who is currently a forward for the US national juniors team, and committed to play for the University of Minnesota next season, has been highly regarded as a top center prospect in this draft class. Therefore, I figured it was time to break out some film and see if he could potentially be a fit for the Red Wings come draft time.

Now, In previous articles regarding prospects in this draft class, I’ve generally done my own scouting session on the player and given you my thoughts. But more recently, on top of giving my findings and thoughts, I’ve also given other scouts opinions on the player as well. So, without further adieu, let’s get right into it.

Pro Scout Breakdown

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic:

“Cooley is a beautiful, flowing skater capable of beating defenders off the mark or circling the zone to get defenders watching him with the puck. He’s got an uncanny ability to side-step and hop around oncoming players at speed. He’s got a great sixth sense for timing and spacing around the zone which frees him to accept passes or jumps him onto rebounds. Despite a smallish frame, he regularly flashes skill to the inside, slicing to the middle and pulling pucks through or around defenders. “He’s also a Swiss Army knife player who combines NHL speed and skill with a working attitude to push pace, make plays, win races, stay involved, and get onto the ice in all situations. I love his tempo and feel for the game out there. His touch with the puck and hands both get high grades, his skating (particularly his change of pace) and energy level are both differentiators, and those things make for a pretty compelling package on the ice. You won’t find a scout who doesn’t like him, either.”

My Analysis

When it comes to breaking down a player, I grade on a couple different things. The first and most important thing I look for in a player is his competitiveness. Does he stand out on film? That’s what helps me determine rather or not the player has what it takes at the next level. If he passes that then I follow up with the question: What makes him stand out? That’s what generates this list of traits that I look for.

Shot

Logan Cooley is one of the few people in this draft class that I feel that no matter how tough the competition is, he rises to the occasion. Not many prospects are able to do that, but Cooley can and does.

I’m a big believer in stats don’t tell the full story. Always have been and always will be. However, when it comes to Cooley, I feel that his stats accurately depict his game. Cooley this past season with the US national team, played in 51 games and was able to score 27 goals. Furthermore, he played on the US juniors team and had 13 goals in 24 games.

He is able to score from just about anywhere on the ice and any situation which is what opens his game up to new heights.

Speed

Logan Cooley is a phenomenal skater which isn’t all that surprising given his frame and his name. Similar to Johnny Gaudreau, the smaller you are, the more you game has to fit who you are. Cooley seems to understand that part of it as he isn’t the biggest player in this draft, but he is very fast and uses his speed to make a name for himself and then growing upon that part of his game.

Cooley operates at high speeds whenever he is on the ice and can skate well at both ends. As far as the people that I have watched play, Cooley is definitely one of the faster players in this draft class.

Two-Way Forward

Logan Cooley has been previously mentioned as a terrific two-way forward, which I don’t completely disagree with. However, I’d say that it’s more the effort that he puts into his game than his actually talent on the defensive side of the puck.

Cooley is versatile but he works as hard as a fourth-line player. By that I mean he grinds hard and really gives it his all when he’s out on the ice which makes him such a impactful player on both sides of the ice.

Passing

Logan Cooley’s speed sets things in motion, the second part to that statement is his ability to make plays while remaining at full speed and hitting his teammates in stride at full speed as well. His feel for the game is pretty remarkable for someone as young as he, but I expect him to have a very long, stellar career with the traits he possesses.