Here are the top 20 skaters and top 3 goalies still available in my draft. Check out The Athletic’s complete coverage of the 2022 NHL Draft

Top 20 remaining skaters

  1. Lane Hutson, LHD, USA U-18 (NTDP) February 14, 2004 | 5′ 8″ | 158 pounds Tier: Middle player of the lineup Skating: NHL Average Boxing Skills: NHL Average Hockey Feel: High-endCompete: NHL Average Comparable Player: Torrey Krug Background: Hutson was one of the top four defenders 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 Championship for the USA. He was named the top defender at the 2022 U18 Worlds. He is committed to Boston University. Breakdown: 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. Hutchinson is also a very skilled playmaker who shows great creativity from the offensive blue line. He makes a lot of crafty fakes and decks to avoid pressure. He’s not the fastest skater, but his edge is pretty good and allows him to use his skating to attack. The offense is clear NHL quality. The question with Hutcheson is whether a 5-foot-1 defenseman who isn’t an elite skater can defend in the NHL. He’s a competitive, quality defender against junior and college opponents, but this should be a test he’ll need to clear the line. I think he plays in the NHL and projects as a top four offensive defenseman, but I realize the odds are against a player who looks like that. I’m marking him this high because he’s the smartest player in the draft and I see enough in the rest of his game that he can rise to higher levels.
  2. Mattias Havelid, RHD, LINKOPING JR. (SWEDEN-JR.) January 1, 2004 | 5′ 9″ | 165 pounds Tier: Middle player of the lineup Skating: Above NHL Average Boxing Skills: NHL Average Hockey Feel: NHL Average Gameplay: NHL Average Shooting: High-end Comparable player: Sami Vatanen Background: Havelid was a very good young defenseman and got a good chunk of SHL games this season. He was MVP of the J20 playoffs in Sweden. Havelind has been an important part of Sweden’s U18 team the past two seasons, including scoring nine points in five Hlinka Gretzky games and 12 points in six games in the U18 league. He is the twin brother of fellow draft eligible Hugo Havelid. Analysis: Havelid is a talented attacking player from the back. He has the skating ability to jump into attacks and activate the blue line to create offense with his skills. Havelid can find seams and create with his playmaking consistently. He also has a hard shot and scored a lot of goals this season. The main drawback of the Havelid is its frame. Not many 5-foot defensemen play in the NHL. He defends well and was excellent in rebounding in junior, but whether he will do that against the men is up for debate. Because of how well he skates, I think he will succeed as a top defenseman who can help on a power play.
  3. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, MISSISSAUGA (OHL) November 10, 2003 | 6′ 0″ | 179 pounds Tier: Middle player of the lineup Skating: Below NHL Average Footwork: NHL Average Hockey Sense: NHL Average Competing: NHL Average Shooting: Above NHL Average Comparable Player: Ryan Donato Background: Del Belle Belluz had a productive season playing in all situations for a strong Steelheads team, being one of the leading scorers in the OHL early in the season, but the production stalled in the second half. His production was way up after scoring just six points in his first OHL season in 2020. He was a third round pick in the OHL Draft. Analysis: Del Belle Belluz is a very capable center with decent size. He has the crafty skills to handle the puck in tight spots and often shows he can beat defenders one-on-one. He can run a power play off the wings due to his very good vision and shooting, though I don’t see that as his role in the NHL. He lacks the foot speed for the higher levels, but works hard enough and provides some two-way value up the middle. He projects as a top-9 forward. With his feet he may struggle to stay in the center, but if he does he is on the third line.
  4. Ryan Chesley, RHD, USA U-18 (NTDP) February 27, 2004 | 6′ 0″ | 201 pounds Tier: Middle player of the lineup Skating: NHL Average Soccer Skills: NHL Average Hockey Feel: Below NHL Average Competing: Above NHL Average Shooting: Above NHL Average Comparable Player: Ryan Lindgren Background: Chesley was a top-four defender for the US NTDP this season, playing frequently on both special teams units. He represented the U.S. U18 team as a minor. He is committed to the University of Minnesota. Breakdown: Chesley has some physicality that jumps off the page from a professional showing. He is an NHL-caliber skater who can pack the 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 land hard hits to separate pucks from players. He has good individual skills, hands off one-on-one checks and generates a lot of power from his one meter. However, Chesley is not a gifted puck mover and can struggle at times with puck distribution. He projects as a full-time second- or third-pair defenseman depending on how well the offense translates at higher levels.
  5. Jagger Firkus, RW, MOOSE JAW (WHL) April 29, 2004 | 5′ 10″ | 151 pounds Tier: Middle player of the lineup Skating: NHL Average Soccer Skills: NHL Average Hockey Feel: NHL Average Competitiveness: NHL Average Shooting: High-end Comparable player: Eeli Tolvanen Background: Firkus has scored at a strong rate in the WHL the past two seasons, being a big part of Moose Jaw’s offense. He has moved up significantly since being the 82nd pick in his WHL Bantam Draft. 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 handling. Can make hard passes at high pace through seams and under pressure. He’s a shooting and passing threat that makes him a major asset on the power play, and he often scores from the area with a release that will beat NHL goaltenders. Firkus is quick but not fast, shows good enough skating and competes to win battles, but he’s not going to beat NHL defensemen out wide. The scoring ability is important enough that I think it can be extreme.
  6. Jani Nyman, RW, ILVES (FINLAND) July 30, 2004 | 6′ 4″ | 217 pounds Level: Projected to play NHL games Skating: Below NHL Average Footwork: NHL Average Hockey Sense: NHL Average Competing: NHL Average Shooting: Above NHL Average Background: Nyman played in Finland’s second division league where he scored at a high rate for one of the weakest teams. Nyman was a productive player for Finland’s U18 team and played in a tournament for the U20 team in August. Analysis: Nyman is a talented winger who is dangerous in the attacking zone. He has good footwork, can make plays and has a long shot that is a threat from range, which is his main weapon. Nyman’s speed is just okay, so he probably won’t be a driver at higher levels of controlled innings. You’d like to see him make a more consistent impact given his size and ability. I think Nyman will be an NHL player, with the talent to play in the middle of a lineup if he hits.
  7. Ryan Greene, C, GREEN BAY (USHL) October 21, 2003 | 6′ 1″ | 179 pounds Level: Projected to play NHL games Skating: NHL Average Soccer Skills: NHL Average Hockey Feel: NHL Average Competing: NHL Average Shooting: Above NHL Average Background: Green was an all-stater for Green Bay this season and has been a productive USHL player the last two years. He is committed to Boston University. Breakdown: Greene offers plenty of NHL attributes. Shows slick puck skills, often being able to put pucks between sticks and legs. He skates well and can make high-skill plays with pace. Green shows good imagination as a handler and passer. He can hit the seams with a strong pace and has some power play ability due to his vision and shooting. Green competes pretty well. He can play well in the middle, he can PK and win battles. He projects as a bottom-six NHL center 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 Soccer Skills: NHL Average Hockey Feel: NHL Average Competing: 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 U18 worlds in 2021 where they won gold. He also scored four goals and six points in five games at the World U17 Challenge. Analysis: Zilkin is a very capable center. In his best shifts, when you see a 6-foot-1 shaft who can hang around and create chances at the pace he can, he excites you with his projection. Zhilkin is a passing and shooting threat who can run a power play well. His skating is solid, not explosive but good enough. His game may lack rhythm, though, which is his main issue. He competes well enough off the bench, but it’s not his strength and he can drift on the perimeter. I see him as a potential top six forward in the NHL 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 Soccer Skills: NHL Average Hockey Feel: NHL Average Gameplay: Below NHL Average Shooting: Above NHL…