2022 NHL Draft

[Derek28]

Only the second time in the last five drafts that the bolts will pick in round 1. Here are our current picks for this years draft:

(1) 31
(4) 103
(5) 160
(6) 169
(6) 192
(7) 223
(7) 224

I got about five guys that I really like at the end of the first round, but I don't know how many will be available.

RW Jagger Firkus, Moose Jaw (WHL) 5'10" 155lbs - 66 Games - 34 Goals and 44 Assists for 80 points. Added 12 points in 10 playoff games. An undersized forward from the WHL that plays with a lot of skill and would be much higher regarded if he was an inch taller and 20 pounds heavier. If there is one knock on him it's that he's a decent but not elite skater. Does the scouting report sound familiar to anyone?

LW Reid Schaefer, Seattle (WHL) 6'3" 213lbs - 66 Games - 32 Goals and 26 Assists for 58 points. Added 21 points in 25 playoff games. Schaefer is your classic power forward. He skates decent for a guy his size, and has a really nice release on his shot. He also plays well defensively and on the penalty kill, and brings a lot of physicality.

LD Lian Bischel, Leksands (SHL) 6'5" 225lbs - 3 Points in 29 Games in the adult SHL. Bischel is one of the most toolsy prospects in the draft which is why I tend to think he will go much higher than people expect (maybe top 15). Still, if he's available when the bolts fit, he has a lot of the tools the Lightning love in their defensemen. He's big, mobile, and has a higher level of offensive skill than he's shown so far. He has also consistently been one of the more physical players in National Team tournaments.

LD Owen Pickering, Swift Current (WHL) 6'5" 180lbs - 62 Games - 9 Goals and 24 Assists for 33 Points. Another big, mobile left shot defensemen that plays with a mean streak.

LW Ivan Miroshnichenko, Omskie (VHL) 6'1" 185lbs - 31 Games - 10 Goals and 6 Assists for 16 Points. Heading into the season, there was talk of Miroshnichenko being a top 5 pick in this years draft. He had a bit of a rough start to his season, and then was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and missed the last half of the season while receiving treatment. He is supposed to be good to go, and could end up being one of the bigger steals in the draft if he goes at the end of the first round where most people seem to be projecting him.

[aapbolt]

I thought we traded our first away? Anyway Owen Beck looks like a good pick also.

[aapbolt]

What about Nathan Gaucher 6’3” 207 lbs.

[Puckhead]

Off topic a little on Bettman: You know, everybody booing him is getting real old. It's similar to what Bingo Bob got hammered with at the fairgrounds. Just stop. It's juvenile and really not warranted.

[aapbolt]

Ok so we draft Isaac Howard from the USNDT, 5’10” shoots Left. Well what do you all think?

[Iceman]

Steal at pick 31

[Bolthed]

One pick away from getting Brad Lambert. Sheesh. We'll never know if Al Murray woulda scooped him up. Some ranked him as high as 5th overall.

Howard is a smallish LW with skill and swagger (as evidenced by his all white suit with a green turtleneck underneath and an American flag belt buckle). He is committed to UMinn-Duluth, so maybe we'll see him in 3-4 years.

One of Derek's guys (see above), Reid Shaefer, went one pick after we too Howard.

[Hoek]

Ok so we draft Isaac Howard from the USNDT, 5’10” shoots Left. Well what do you all think?

Seems like he was worth taking the big swing on. The swagger in his interview was hilarious.

[RSchmitz]

High risk high reward pick which I like. I think our organization is stocked full of complimentary players and needs a shot of high end talent, maybe this is it

[Derek28]

I love the pick. I thought he would have been off the board in the top 15-20 picks. I think he's a better version of Jagger Firkus who I had interest in for the bolts at 31. His scoring rates are right up there with Cooley who went 3rd, and I would make the case that he was the 3rd best draft eligible USDP forward behind Cooley and Gauthier. If he's two inches taller, he's a top 10 pick.

[aapbolt]

The Bleacher report analysis gives some interesting info on Howard, exceptional shot and highlight reel plays, has worked on his play in the D zone and has shown he can adapt and take constructive criticism to improve his play. That is good stuff, the analysis reminds me of Kuch a bit. Well we can only wait and see.

[Bolthed]

Anyone else bummed that Lambert was one pick from falling to us? He has his detractors, but he also has some who believe he’s a top 5 talent in this draft. I only watched the second half of the 1st round and I thought Miroshinchenko (Washington) and Lambert (Winnipeg) could be absolute steals.

[nutznboltz]

ESPN played players' answers to the question to whom they pattern their game after, a few picks before ours was made, and Howard said Kucherov. We can only hope he gets anywhere near Kuch's level of play at some point in his career.

[Derek28]

They went grinder heavy the last few drafts, and this year it looks like they went skill heavy. I would imagine Edmonds will sign a ELC and start in Syracuse this season.

[RSchmitz]

Last three picks are skating projects it looks like