2022 NHL DRAFT MIDSEASON RANKING: TOP 50 PLAYER PROFILES WITH VIDEO – #11 thru #20

In case you missed it, we updated our 2022 NHL Draft rankings last week. You can find that here. Shane Wright still headlines the list but the gap is unquestionably closing as other candidates elevate their play.

With this series of articles it is our intention is to briefly introduce you to each of the players ranked in our Top 50. Below you will find a short summary of their games in addition to a top highlight. In the coming months you will see in depth scouting reports published by our regional scouts on each of these players (like the Shane Wright one linked below).

11. David Jiricek - Defense - HC Plzen (Cze)

At this point, this draft seems to have a clear Top 11, who are a cut above the rest at this current moment. For the most part, this group is fairly fluid. For us, Jiricek is the last man of the top tier. That is not to say that we do not like what he brings to the table, it is just that we prefer the upside and projection of those ranked ahead of him. Jiricek possesses excellent physical tools that should see him develop into a more than competent two-way defender. He uses his quickness to close gaps aggressively and shows flashes of being a very difficult and tough one on one defender. He also shows potential as a puck mover because he combines strong puck protection skills with long strides that see him carve up the neutral zone. Unfortunately, a knee injury suffered at the World Juniors will keep him out of action until March at the earliest, and as a late born ‘03, he is not eligible to play at the U18’s. Our video scouting team will continue to analyze his performance despite the lay-off and that will help us determine his final ranking before the draft.

12. Filip Mesar - Center - HK Poprad (Svk)

The third Slovak player inside our lottery rankings, Mesar does not get the hype and attention of Nemec and Slafkovsky, but he is arguably just as talented. When the puck is on Mesar’s stick, you take notice. He creates as well in transition as any player in this draft class because of his ability to blend his explosiveness and creativity. He may not be big, but he finds a way to weasel his way into high traffic areas to create scoring chances, operating as an equal parts playmaker and goal scorer. Mesar was terrific playing with Slafkovsky at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup last summer, however due to Slovakia’s absence from the U18’s (because of a previous relegation), he will not be able to raise his stock at that event in April. That means we will need to make a concrete assessment of his play and potential based on his performance against men in the Slovak extraliga, which has been indifferent and inconsistent. Our scouting team loves his offensive potential and believes that he can be a dynamic top six forward at the NHL level.

13. Pavel Mintyukov - Defense - Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

A first year OHL player, Mintyukov oozes potential from the back end. Quite possibly the most skilled and creative offensive defender in the draft, Mintyukov consistently beats defenders one on one and wreaks havoc by turning the opposition into pylons. An extremely aggressive offensive player, it is not uncommon to see him cycle deep into the offensive zone. A high risk/high reward attacker, this does lead to some turnovers, and it does negatively impact his defensive performance at times. However, he possesses the shell of a strong two-way defender, once he learns to reign in his aggressiveness. His mobility and reach are major assets, and he defends well in one on one situations. Improving his defensive zone coverage and overall focus will be priorities moving forward, however Mintyukov possesses some of the highest upside of any defender available this year. This is why he has rocketed up draft charts, including our own.

14. Denton Mateychuk - Defense - Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

When you think of the prototypical modern day NHL defender, Mateychuk matches perfectly. His game is predicated and built around his high-end mobility. Mateychuk has to be considered one of the best skaters available in 2022. After Moose Jaw started the season somewhat poorly, they have been fantastic of late and Mateychuk (and another Warrior listed later) is a major reason why. He seems to become more confident with each passing month and it is why he is pushing for our top 10. An aggressive offensive defender, Mateychuk is confident playing deep in the offensive zone and shows tremendous touch inside the opposing blueline, as he weaves in and out of traffic with ease to help open up exploitable lanes. An intelligent player, he makes up for a lack of stature by being a strong positional defender. Again, his defensive game is progressing incredibly well as he learns to harness his quickness and use it to make an impact in his own end too. If the Warriors continue to climb the WHL standings and Mateychuk continues to perform at an elite level, he has a chance to push himself into the top defender available conversation.

15. Marco Kasper - Center - Rogle BK (SHL)

A favourite of our Swedish scouting team, Kasper is an Austrian power center who has been playing out of the Rogle program in Sweden the last two years. He was set to be the captain of team Austria, as a 17-year-old, at the World Juniors before they were halted. While Kasper’s ice time with Rogle has fluctuated over the season (as such a young player), he has been a major standout in the club’s Champions league games. Kasper is consistently noticeable because of his quickness and energy level in the offensive end. He can attack the net by beating defenders to the outside, but he also uses his speed to be active on the forecheck and is just as noticeable without the puck as he is with it. For that reason, he has a relatively safe floor as an impactful bottom six player. The million-dollar question is, does Kasper possess the creativity, hands, and finishing ability to be more than that? Our ranking of him should answer that question from our perspective. We do believe that Kasper projects as a well-rounded NHL power center who can play up and down the lineup and be an extremely versatile player for his future coaches.

16. Alexander Perevalov - Wing - Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Even though fellow Russians Yurov and Miroshnichenko have stolen the majority of the spotlight this year, Perevalov is a name that you should know. He has been finding the scoresheet consistently in the MHL this year and even earned a cup of coffee to the KHL. Perevalov is a dynamic scoring winger who not only possesses high end skill, but also high-end scoring instincts. A creative attacker in transition, he consistently creates space for himself to use his shot and is also an aggressive physical attacker who is not shy of playing through or initiating contact to get to space or pucks. He even plays on the penalty kill for Loko Yaroslavl and shows potential as someone who can use his aggressiveness to be a competent two-way forward. Where Perevalov still needs to show growth is on the playmaking side of things. He needs to do a better job of identifying passing lanes earlier and utilizing his teammates in transition in order to limit turnovers and help sustain pressure. He should be a huge part of the Russian U18 team this year in Germany, especially after winning gold at the Hlinka/Gretzky last summer.

17. Seamus Casey - Defense - NTDP U18 (USHL)

Much like Mateychuk, Casey is a defender whose fluid stride and above average mobility stands out when you watch him. One of the top defenders for the United States U18 team this season (the National Development Program), Casey helps anchor the team’s top powerplay unit (along with our 63rd ranked player Lane Hutson). His four-way quickness and agility is on full display as he holds the opposing blueline and works through stick checks to help facilitate effectively. His quickness is also an asset in the defensive end where he is a breakout machine, rarely unable to navigate around or through a heavy forecheck to exit cleanly. While Casey is undersized at 5’10, he does show well as a defensive player at the USHL and NCAA level (in exhibition matches) because of how he takes away time and space with his small area mobility. However, like any smaller defender, he will need to prove that he can defend net front and win jousts consistently to avoid being more of a specialist at the next level. The Florida native will attend the University of Michigan next year, staying in the state that he has played four of the last five years in.

18. Frank Nazar - Center - NTDP U18 (USHL)

Speaking of Michigan, insert the dynamic Frank Nazar, who will also be a Wolverine (at least currently) next year. A teammate of Casey’s at the program, Nazar also happens to be a draft selection of the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. Nazar is an ultra-quick and creative pivot who manipulates space as well as any forward in this draft class. His ability to maintain possession through starts, stops, and pivots, in addition to his ability to build speed through the use of linear crossovers, makes him highly unpredictable and difficult to contain in transition. As an offensive player, Nazar has few weaknesses. What you grow to admire about Nazar, however, is that he is also a determined puck hound. He clogs passing lanes showing great anticipation and forces a lot of turnovers on the forecheck and backcheck, using his speed to close quickly. Typically an excellent problem solver in the offensive end, there are times where he is physically overwhelmed due to his smaller stature and strength deficiencies. However, Nazar will have time to add bulk over the next few years in order to improve his consistency. While Logan Cooley is unquestionably the top draft prospect from the NTDP this season, Frank Nazar may just have the higher offensive ceiling.

19. Noah Ostlund - Center - Djurgårdens J20 (Swe J20)

A strong skating, two-way center, Ostlund is the first of several Djurgårdens players to crack our list. He is a tireless worker at both ends who uses his quickness to apply pressure. He is not large (5’11, 163lbs), but he succeeds playing through the middle because of his work rate and high energy level. At the J20 level this year, Ostlund has been a consistent point producer, operating as a high-end playmaker. Next to his all-around game and compete level, his vision and awareness, with and without the puck, have to be considered his best assets. Ostlund’s performance at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup last summer was not terrific, but he will likely have a chance for retribution at this year’s U18’s, which will be a big tournament for him to prove that he does possess the kind of upside that would warrant him being a first-round selection in July. At this point in time, we do feel that he could play through the middle six because of his skating ability, puck poise, and determined two-way tendencies.

20. Cutter Gauthier - Wing - NTDP U18 (USHL)

There’s really a lot to like about Gauthier’s game; it is his versatility and chameleon-like nature that makes him a very intriguing draft prospect. He can play it any way you want it. His speed makes him an asset in transition as he flies down the wing to make himself a passing option, or the leader of the attack. He has a heavy shot, and his hands can keep up with his pace, making him a more than competent goal scorer from the home plate area. However, Gauthier can also play it low and slow, by grinding down opposing defenses. He is consistently first to retrievals and keeps his feet moving along the wall to work the cycle. His effectiveness both on and off the puck make him the perfect complement on a scoring line. The Boston College commit also happens to be 6’3, which means that as he fills out, it is likely that he will continue to be able to find success playing through traffic at the NHL level.