Today, I attempt the impossible and try to project how all 225 picks in the 2022 NHL Draft will go. We are one week away from Montreal being on the clock. Summaries of each team’s draft class can be found at the bottom of the article.
Trying to pin down what Montreal will do with the No. 1 pick has been a challenge. There are quite a few people in the league who believe this pick will be Shane Wright. However, based on discussions with people in the league over the last few weeks, the winds seem to be blowing in the direction of Slafkovsky — to the point that I think this is the slightly more likely scenario at the No. 1 slot.
If the Habs take Wright, I think for the Devils it’s a simple scenario and they take Slafkovsky. If Slafkovsky goes No. 1, it opens up the possibilities. League sources seem somewhat skeptical they will take Wright, or at least they don’t view this as the likeliest scenario. The most common scenario proposed to me for New Jersey with Slafkovsky going first is the Devils taking one of the top two defensemen in Jiricek or Simon Nemec, or trading the pick. Jiricek is the more common name I’ve heard attached to the Devils between the two defensemen.
I’m unsure of what direction Arizona goes in should the draft play out this way. I could see Wright, I could see a defenseman like Nemec, or I could see the Coyotes go in the direction of Cooley. People in the league have given me mixed opinions on whether they think Arizona would go Cooley or Wright in this scenario. There has been the odd mention of Cutter Gauthier to Arizona as well with league sources.
I see you racing to the comments section over Wright getting to No. 4. Should Slafkovsky go first, though, I think it opens up a lot of possibilities in the first few picks. I could see Wright going in any of those first few spots between 1-4, and if he starts to slide, I think it ends at Seattle. If Cooley is available here I would also view that as a strong possibility. If the draft goes more chalk, then the two top defensemen and Gauthier would likely be the considerations here.
I think Philly’s pick will most likely come down to Gauthier or either or the two defensemen in Jiricek and Nemec. I’ve been hearing Gauthier’s name more than the others as we get closer to the draft.
There’s been a somewhat consensus group of six forming as we approach the draft between Wright, Slafkovsky, Cooley, Nemec and Gauthier. I presume Columbus will take whichever of the six are left, but I wouldn’t put it past this group to deviate from a consensus!
Pinning down Ottawa at No. 7 has been difficult. The only intel I’ve had on their pick of late has been some buzz linking them to the Winnipeg ICE kids in Savoie and Conor Geekie. Savoie, Joakim Kemell and Marco Kasper make the most sense in terms of the types of players they value. I did have one source recently tell me to not rule out Jonathan Lekkerimaki here because “someone has to score their goals.”
It feels like everyone presumes Detroit is going to take Kasper, which probably means it’s not going to happen! The pick makes so much sense in terms of talent, positional and stylistic fit though. If it’s not Kasper I could see Kemell or Savoie here.
9. Buffalo Sabres: Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Djurgarden (SWEDEN)
Not surprisingly I think Buffalo will be looking to add skill and offense at their pick. The names I’ve heard here the most often are Savoie, Kemell, Kasper and Lekkerimaki.
10. Anaheim Ducks: Kevin Korchinski, LHD, Seattle (WHL)
I don’t have great information on Anaheim’s preferences at 10, but I know a lot of Ducks personnel were spotted at those final Seattle WHL games. My bet is a defenseman is the pick at 10, whether it’s Korchinski or Pavel Mintyukov.
I presumed one of the three smaller forwards in Savoie, Lekkerimaki and Kemell would slide out of the top ten, and possibly even further than this pick. I had initially thought that was going to be Savoie but my latest information seems to indicate an industry cooling on Kemell. He would be an instant fit into what the Sharks value. I could see Korchinski or Geekie here as well.
12. Columbus Blue Jackets: Conor Geekie, C, Winnipeg (WHL)
If Columbus gets Jiricek or Nemec at No. 6 it opens up the possibilities here to several options such as if one of those top wingers fall, or a top center option like Geekie. If they get Gauthier with the sixth pick, I feel this one almost has to be a defenseman like Mintyukov or Korchinski.
One name I’ve heard trending with several teams as we get closer to the draft is Gaucher as a big two-way center who enough teams believe has legit offense to go high in the draft.
14. Winnipeg Jets: Pavel Mintyukov, LHD, Saginaw (OHL)
Winnipeg has needs at center and defense so I could see them go in a few directions, like adding pivots such as Geekie, Gaucher, or Frank Nazar or taking a defenseman like Mintyukov.
As we’ve gotten closer to the draft, one name I’ve consistently heard league sources say I need to move much higher up in my mocks is Ostlund, who many in the league feel will be a top 20 pick if not higher. He would add a lot of speed, skill and playmaking to the Canucks, who need depth at center.
It feels like a lot of people in and outside the league are predicting Yurov with the Sabres pick. I do think it’s a strong possibility but if they went in a different direction, I could see Ostlund here too.
There is a pressing need for defense in the Preds system and the draft will likely line up where several good defensemen make sense in terms of talent such as Bichsel, Ryan Chesley, Denton Mateychuk or Owen Pickering.
18. Dallas Stars: Owen Pickering, LHD, Swift Current (WHL)
Dallas has system needs at center and defense so I could see a lot of options here such as Bichsel, Pickering, Mateychuk or Nazar.
The Wild have drafted a few players that look like Nazar in Marco Rossi and Marat Khusnutdinov, but they clearly value skating and compete in their draft picks recently and Nazar has that in bunches. I could see Jiri Kulich here as well.
Kulich has been a player on the rise this season and many scouts think he’s going to go in the top 20. He would add skill, scoring and two-way ability that the Capitals don’t have a ton of in their system. I could see Pickering at 20 as well.
Once we get to around 20 or so is when I expect teams are going to start taking hard looks at Miroshnichenko. There’s an alleyway of teams like Washington, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Minnesota that could all be looking at a guy who when healthy was a top 5 talent and could help extend their contending windows.
22. Anaheim Ducks: Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP)
Presuming they get a defenseman at No. 10 I could see the Ducks go in several directions at 22 given how many good young players they have in the organization. Lambert makes sense here, as does another defenseman like Denton Mateychuk or Ryan Chesley. Snuggerud adds a much needed goal-scorer to the system who also provides size and compete.
23. St. Louis Blues: Ryan Chesley, RHD, USA U-18 (NTDP)
Centers and defensemen are a priority for the Blues so I could see Chesley or Mateychuk at this spot for sure and Nazar as a possibility if he gets to 23.
24. Minnesota Wild: Rutger McGroarty, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP)
It’s tough to find out where McGroarty lands. Some scouts love him — they see elite compete together with legit skill and scoring touch and think he could be a top 15 pick — and some think his skating will keep him out of the NHL. On equilibrium, he probably ends in the 20s and I see Minnesota as a team that makes sense for him given how much they value compete in their picks.
Schaefer is a name on the rise after his WHL playoffs as a big bruising winger who can score. I could see him go even higher than this spot. People around the league think the Coyotes want to get bigger and tougher in this draft, and Schaefer would accomplish that in bunches.
28. Buffalo Sabres: Filip Bystedt, C, Linkoping Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
It’s hard to imagine Buffalo walking away from their three first round picks without any natural centers or a defensemen. They pick Bystedt in this mock; he is a tall, fast center with some offensive touch.
As we get closer to draft day, I’m not hearing a lot of scouts put up their hands to say, “I’d be happy to draft Lambert,” so I expect a slide from where most expect him to go. He may go before 29, but I struggled to find a landing spot for him based on what I know of teams picking value in players. Once you get to the mid 20s though I feel like a team such as Edmonton here will roll the dice on the high-end skating Lambert brings.
30. Winnipeg Jets: Isaac Howard, LW, USA U-18 (NTDP)
I sense some reservations around the league on Howard as we get closer to draft day, but I think he’ll still be a late first/early second on draft day. I could see Luca Del Bel Belluz here too if Winnipeg wants another center.
Tampa hasn’t picked in the first much recently, so I could see them go in a different direction such as Del Bel Belluz or Tristan Luneau if they want a defenseman.
32. Arizona Coyotes: Sam Rinzel, RHD, Chaska (HIGH-MN)
Arizona adds much needed defense depth into their system with their final first round pick in the tall, mobile Rinzel. I could see Maveric Lamoureux or Luneau as the pick here too.
Second Round
Montreal: Tristan Luneau, RHD, Gatineau (QMJHL)
Arizona: Matyas Sapovaliv, C, Saginaw (OHL)
Seattle: Jagger Firkus, RW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
Arizona: Filip Mesar, RW, Poprad (SLOVAKIA)
New Jersey: Julian Lutz, LW, Munchen (GERMANY)
Chicago: Elias Salomonsson, RHD, Skelleftea Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
Edmonton: Michael Mastrodomenico, RHD, Lincoln (USHL)
New York Rangers: Otto Salin, RHD, Hifk Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
Tampa Bay: Luca Di Pasquo, G, Maryland (NAHL)
Colorado: Amadeus Lombardi, C, Flint (OHL)
Seventh Round
Montreal: Grayden SIepmann, RHD, Calgary (WHL)
San Jose: Samu Bau, C, Hifk Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
Seattle: Simon Latkoczy, G, Madison (USHL)
Philadelphia: Mathew Ward, C, Swift Current (WHL)
New Jersey: Yegor Sidorov, RW, Saskatoon (WHL)
Chicago: Liam Steele, RHD, Stanstead College (HIGH-QC)
Boston: Kent Anderson, RHD, Green Bay (USHL)
Detroit: Sergei Ivanov, G, Ska St. Petersburg 2 (RUSSIA-JR.)
Buffalo: Matthew Maggio, RW, Windsor (OHL)
Columbus: Kaden Muir, RHD, USA U-18 (NTDP)
San Jose: Keaton Dowhaniuk, LHD, Prince George (WHL)
Carolina: Markus Vidicek, C, Halifax (QMJHL)
Ottawa: Luke Mittelstadt, LHD, Madison (USHL)
Winnipeg: Aaron Pionk, LHD, Mn Wilderness (NAHL)
Vancouver: Rasmus Rudslatt, RW, Aik Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
Vegas: Axel Mangbo, G, Sioux City (USHL)
Nashville: Vincent Filion, G, Moncton (QMJHL)
Buffalo: Owen Millward, G, Janesville (NAHL)
Detroit: Egor Savikov, LHD, Spartak (RUSSIA)
Washington: Jackson Edward, LHD, London (OHL)
Pittsburgh: Jackson Dorrington, LHD, Des Moines (USHL)
Boston: Kenny Connors, C, Dubuque (USHL)
Montreal: Bogdans Hodass, LHD, Medicine Hat (WHL)
San Jose: Abram Wiebe, LHD, Chilliwack (BCHL)
Toronto: Zam Plante, C, Hermantown (HIGH-MN)
Calgary: Reid Dyck, G, Swift Current (WHL)
Carolina: Lukas Swedin, G, Hv 71 Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
Florida: Connor Hvidston, LW, Swift Current (WHL)
Edmonton: Nick Malik, G, Kookoo (FINLAND)
Tampa Bay: Marian Mosko, LHD, Selects U18 – South Kent (HIGH-CT)
Tampa Bay: Hunter McKown, C, Colorado College (NCHC)
Colorado: Samuel Savoie, LW, Gatineau (QMJHL)
Team-by-team draft results:
Anaheim Ducks 10. Kevin Korchinski, LHD, Seattle (WHL) 22. Jimmy Snuggerud, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP) 42. Cameron Lund, C, Green Bay (USHL) 53. Bryce Mcconnell-Barker, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) 107. Brennan Ali, C, Avon Old Farms (HIGH-CT) 139. Ludvig Jansson, RHD, Sodertalje (SWEDEN-2) 154. Michael Callow, RW, St. Sebastians School (HIGH-MA) 178. Alex Sotek, RW, Bratislava (SLOVAKIA)
Arizona Coyotes 3. Logan Cooley, C, USA U-18 (NTDP) 27. Reid Schaefer, LW, Seattle (WHL) 32. Sam Rinzel, RHD, Chaska (HIGH-MN) 34. Matyas Sapovaliv, C, Saginaw (OHL) 36. Filip Mesar, RW, Poprad (SLOVAKIA) 43. Michael Fisher, RHD, St. Mark’S School (HIGH-MA) 45. Jani Nyman, RW, Koovee (FINLAND-2) 67. Tyler Brennan, G, Prince George (WHL) 131. Semyon Sinyatkin, RW, Dynamo St. Petersburg 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 163. Dylan Godbout, LW, Hill-Murray (HIGH-MN)
Boston Bruins 54. Calle Odelius, LHD, Djurgarden Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 91. Cedrick Guindon, LW, Owen Sound (OHL) 119. Cameron O’Neill, RW, Mount St. Charles (HIGH-RI) 183. Maxim Arefyev, G, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 200. Kent Anderson, RHD, Green Bay (USHL) 215. Kenny Connors, C, Dubuque (USHL)
Buffalo Sabres 9. Jonathan Lekkerimaki, RW, Djurgarden (SWEDEN) 16. Danila Yurov, RW, Magnitogorsk (RUSSIA) 28. Filip Bystedt, C, Linkoping Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 41. Adam Sykora, LW, Nitra (SLOVAKIA) 74. Adam Ingram, C, Youngstown (USHL) 106. Arseni Koromyslov, LHD, Ska St. Petersburg 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 134. Jake Livanavage, LHD, Chicago (USHL) 170. Maxim Barbashev, LW, Moncton (QMJHL) 187. Kocha Delic, C, Sudbury (OHL) 202. Matthew Maggio, RW, Windsor (OHL) 211. Owen Millward, G, Janesville (NAHL)
Calgary Flames 59. Christian Kyrou, RHD, Erie (OHL) 155. Evan Konyen, RW, Sudbury (OHL) 219. Reid Dyck, G, Swift Current (WHL)
Carolina Hurricanes 60. Lane Hutson, LHD, USA U-18 (NTDP) 71. Gleb Trikozov, LW, Omsk 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 124. Vladimir Grudinin, LHD, Cska 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 156. Ben Hemmerling, RW, Everett (WHL) 171. Ales Cech, LHD, Karpat Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) 188. Jeremy Wilmer, LW, Tri-City (USHL) 205. Markus Vidicek, C, Halifax (QMJHL) 220. Lukas Swedin, G, Hv 71 Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
Chicago Blackhawks 38. Elias Salomonsson, RHD, Skelleftea Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 57. Seamus Casey, RHD, USA U-18 (NTDP) 81. Josh Filmon, LW, Swift Current (WHL) 90. Alexander Suzdalev, LW, Hv 71 Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 94. Hunter Haight, C, Barrie (OHL) 167. Chase Coward, G, Red Deer (WHL) 173. Ruslan Gazizov, LW, London (OHL) 199. Liam Steele, RHD, Stanstead College (HIGH-QC)
Colorado Avalanche 97. Ryan Healey, RHD, Sioux Falls (USHL) 161. Niklas Kokko, G, Karpat Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) 193. Amadeus Lombardi, C, Flint (OHL) 225. Samuel Savoie, LW, Gatineau (QMJHL)
Columbus Blue Jackets 6. Simon Nemec, RHD, Nitra (SLOVAKIA) 12. Conor Geekie, C, Winnipeg (WHL) 44. Tomas Hamara, LHD, Tappara Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) 96. Adam Engstrom, LHD, Djurgarden Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 109. Cole Spicer, C, USA U-18 (NTDP) 122. Jorian Donovan, LHD, Hamilton (OHL) 203. Kaden Muir, RHD, USA U-18 (NTDP)
Dallas Stars 18. Owen Pickering, LHD, Swift Current (WHL) 50. Topi Ronni, C, Tappara Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) 83. Isaiah George, LHD, London (OHL) 115. Jake Sloan, RW, Tri-City (WHL) 147. Kirill Kudryavtsev, LHD, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) 179. Miguel Tourigny, RHD, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)
Detroit Red Wings 8. Marco Kasper, C, Rogle (SWEDEN) 40. Ryan Greene, C, Green Bay (USHL) 52. Noah Warren, RHD, Gatineau (QMJHL) 73. Ben MacDonald, C, Noble & Greenough (HIGH-MA) 105. Jace Weir, RHD, Red Deer (WHL) 113. George Fegaras, RHD, North York (OJHL) 129. Hugo Havelid, G, Linkoping Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 137. Logan Morrison, C, Hamilton (OHL) 201. Sergei Ivanov, G, Ska St. Petersburg 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 212. Egor Savikov, LHD, Spartak (RUSSIA)
Edmonton Oilers 29. Brad Lambert, C, Pelicans (FINLAND) 158. Tyler Muszelik, G, USA U-18 (NTDP) 190. Michael Mastrodomenico, RHD, Lincoln (USHL) 222. Nick Malik, G, Kookoo (FINLAND)
Florida Panthers 93. Servac Petrovsky, C, Owen Sound (OHL) 125. Cole Knuble, RW, Fargo (USHL) 157. Matthew Morden, LHD, St. Andrews College (HIGH-ON) 186. Connor McClennon, RW, Winnipeg (WHL) 189. Antonin Verreault, LW, Gatineau (QMJHL) 221. Connor Hvidston, LW, Swift Current (WHL)
Los Angeles Kings 51. Mattias Havelid, RHD, Linkoping Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 86. Michael Buchinger, LHD, Guelph (OHL) 116. Brandon Lisowsky, LW, Saskatoon (WHL) 148. Martin Johnsen, C, Farjestad Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 180. Dylan Silverstein, G, USA U-18(NTDP)
Minnesota Wild 19. Frank Nazar, C, USA U-18 (NTDP) 24. Rutger McGroarty, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP) 47. Owen Beck, C, Mississauga (OHL) 56. Viktor Neuchev, LW, Yekaterinburg 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 89. Jeremy Langlois, LHD, Cape Breton (QMJHL) 121. Daniil Orlov, LHD, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 153. Garrett Brown, RHD, Sioux City (USHL) 185. Ilya Kvochko, C, Magnitogorsk 2 (RUSSIA-JR.)
Montreal Canadiens 1. Juraj Slafkovsky, LW, TPS (FINLAND) 26. Liam Ohgren, LW, Djurgarden Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 33. Tristan Luneau, RHD, Gatineau (QMJHL) 62. David Goyette, C, Sudbury (OHL) 66. Dylan James, LW, Sioux City (USHL) 75. Fraser Minten, C, Kamloops (WHL) 92. Mason Beaupit, G, Spokane (WHL) 98. Vinzenz Rohrer, C, Ottawa (OHL) 127. Angus Booth, LHD, Shawinigan (QMJHL) 128. Lucas Edmonds, RW, Kingston (OHL) 130. Tyson Dyck, C, Cranbrook (BCHL) 162. Michael Schnattinger, G, Brno Jr. (CZREP-JR.) 194. Grayden SIepmann, RHD, Calgary (WHL) 216. Bogdans Hodass, LHD, Medicine Hat (WHL)
Nashville Predators 17. Lian Bichsel, LHD, Leksand (SWEDEN) 82. Ty Nelson, RHD, North Bay (OHL) 84. Paul Ludwinski, C, Kingston (OHL) 114. Spencer Sova, LHD, Erie (OHL) 146. Tristan Sarsland, RHD, Benilde-St. Margaret’S (HIGH-MN) 210. Vincent Filion, G, Moncton (QMJHL)
New Jersey Devils 2. David Jiricek, RHD, Plzen (CZREP) 37. Julian Lutz, LW, Munchen (GERMANY) 70. Quinn Finley, LW, Madison (USHL) 102. Liam Arnsby, C, North Bay (OHL) 110. Marek Alscher, LHD, Portland (WHL) 126. Josh Davies, LW, Swift Current (WHL) 141. Ian Blomquist, G, Vasteras Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 166. Jere Lassila, C, Jyp Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) 198. Yegor Sidorov, RW, Saskatoon (WHL)
New York Islanders 13. Nathan Gaucher, C, Quebec (QMJHL) 65. Kasper Kulonummi, RHD, Jokerit Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) 78. Matthew Poitras, C, Guelph (OHL) 142. Samuel Mayer, LHD, Peterborough (OHL) 174. Ivan Zhigalov, G, Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
New York Rangers 63. Jack Hughes, C, Northeastern (H-EAST) 111. Kirill Dolzhenkov, RW, Cska 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 159. Tyler Dunbar, LHD, Muskegon (USHL) 191. Otto Salin, RHD, Hifk Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
Ottawa Senators 7. Matthew Savoie, C, Winnipeg (WHL) 39. Maveric Lamoureux, RHD, Drummondville (QMJHL) 64. Devin Kaplan, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP) 72. Jordan Dumais, RW, Halifax (QMJHL) 87. Miko Matikka, RW, Jokerit Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) 104. Marc-Andre Gaudet, LHD, Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) 136. Marek Hejduk, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP) 143. Filip Nordberg, LHD, Sodertalje Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 151. Daimon Gardner, C, Warroad (HIGH-MN) 168. Andrew Oke, G, Saginaw (OHL) 206. Luke Mittelstadt, LHD, Madison (USHL)
Philadelphia Flyers 5. Cutter Gauthier, LW, USA U-18 (NTDP) 69. Jack Sparkes, RHD, St. Michaels (OJHL) 101. Fabian Wagner, C, Linkoping Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 133. Leo Gruba, RHD, Hill-Murray (HIGH-MN) 165. Jake Karabela, C, Guelph (OHL) 197. Mathew Ward, C, Swift Current (WHL)
Pittsburgh Penguins 21. Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, Omsk Krylia (RUSSIA-2) 118. Tyson Jugnauth, LHD, West Kelowna (BCHL) 150. Barrett Hall, C, Gentry Academy (HIGH-MN) 182. Niks Fenenko, LHD, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL) 214. Jackson Dorrington, LHD, Des Moines (USHL)
San Jose Sharks 11. Joakim Kemell, RW, Jyp (FINLAND) 76. Oskar Pettersson, RW, Rogle Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 108. Cameron Whitehead, G, Lincoln (USHL) 138. David Spacek, RHD, Sherbrooke (QMJHL) 140. Ludwig Persson, LW, Frolunda Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 172. Alexandr Muromtsev, C, Belarus U18 (BELARUS-2) 195. Samu Bau, C, Hifk Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) 204. Keaton Dowhaniuk, LHD, Prince George (WHL) 217. Abram Wiebe, LHD, Chilliwack (BCHL)
Seattle Kraken 4. Shane Wright, C, Kingston (OHL) 35. Jagger Firkus, RW, Moose Jaw (WHL) 49. Danil Zhilkin, C, Guelph (OHL) 58. Topias Leinonen, G, Jyp Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) 61. Jordan Gustafson, C, Seattle (WHL) 68. Simon Forsmark, LHD, Orebro (SWEDEN) 100. Gavin Hayes, LW, Flint (OHL) 117. Kyle Jackson, C, North Bay (OHL) 123. Michael Milne, LW, Winnipeg (WHL) 132. Tucker Robertson, C, Peterborough (OHL) 164. Rayan Bettahar, LHD, Swift Current (WHL) 196. Simon Latkoczy, G, Madison (USHL)
St. Louis Blues 23. Ryan Chesley, RHD, USA U-18 (NTDP) 88. Charles Leddy, RHD, USA U-18(NTDP) 120. Nicholas Moldenhauer, RW, Chicago (USHL) 152. James Hardie, LW, Mississauga (OHL) 184. Jake Furlong, LHD, Halifax (QMJHL)
Tampa Bay Lightning 31. Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Mississauga (OHL) 103. Artem Duda, LHD, Cska 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 160. Connor Kurth, RW, Dubuque (USHL) 169. Jacob Newcombe, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL) 192. Luca Di Pasquo, G, Maryland (NAHL) 223. Marian Mosko, LHD, Selects U18 – South Kent (HIGH-CT) 224. Hunter McKown, C, Colorado College (NCHC)
Vancouver Canucks 15. Noah Ostlund, C, Djurgarden Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 80. Matthew Seminoff, RW, Kamloops (WHL) 112. Jack Devine, RW, Denver (NCHC) 144. Vsevolod Komarov, RHD, Quebec (QMJHL) 176. James Fisher, RW, Belmont Hill (HIGH-MA) 208. Rasmus Rudslatt, RW, Aik Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
Vegas Golden Knights 48. Alexander Perevalov, LW, Yaroslavl 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 95. Aleksanteri Kaskimaki, C, Hifk Jr. (FINLAND-JR.) 135. Ben King, C, Red Deer (WHL) 145. Alex Bump, LW, Prior Lake (HIGH-MN) 177. Dmitri Buchelnikov, LW, Ska St. Petersburg 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 209. Axel Mangbo, G, Sioux City (USHL)
Washington Capitals 20. Jiri Kulich, C, Karlovy Vary (CZREP) 46. Rieger Lorenz, LW, Okotoks (AJHL) 85. Daniil Ivanov, LHD, Spartak 2 (RUSSIA-JR.) 149. Ty Young, G, Prince George (WHL) 181. Stephen Halliday, C, Dubuque (USHL) 213. Jackson Edward, LHD, London (OHL)
Winnipeg Jets 14. Pavel Mintyukov, LHD, Saginaw (OHL) 30. Isaac Howard, LW, USA U-18 (NTDP) 55. Elias Pettersson, LHD, Orebro Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 77. Cruz Lucius, RW, USA U-18 (NTDP) 99. Sandis Vilmanis, LW, Lulea Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.) 175. Charlie Wright, LHD, Saskatoon (WHL) 207. Aaron Pionk, LHD, Mn Wilderness (NAHL)
(Illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; photos: Kirill Kudryavtsev, Christine Olsson / Getty Images; Rena Laverty / USNTDP)
TORONTO – Singles star Leylah Fernandez and doubles specialist Gabriela Dabrowski will anchor Canada’s five-player lineup when the team tries to defend its Billie Jean King Cup title in mid-November.
The 26th-ranked Fernandez, the 2021 U.S. Open finalist from Laval, Que., is the lone Canadian in the top 100 of the WTA Tour’s singles rankings.
Dabrowski, from Ottawa, is ranked fourth on the doubles list. The 2023 U.S. Open women’s doubles champion won mixed doubles bronze with Felix Auger-Aliassime at the recent Paris Olympics.
Marina Stakusic of Mississauga, Ont., returns after a breakout performance last year, capped by her singles win in Canada’s 2-0 victory over Italy in the final. Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino is also back and Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion from Mississauga, Ont., returns to the squad for the first time since 2022.
“Winning the Billie Jean King Cup in 2023 was a dream come true for us, and not only that, but I feel like we made a statement to the world about the strength of this nation when it comes to tennis,” Canada captain Heidi El Tabakh said Monday in a release. “Once again, we have a very strong team this year with Bianca joining Leylah, Gaby, Rebecca and Marina, making it an extremely powerful team that is more than capable of going all the way.
“At the end of the day, our goal is to make Canada proud, and we’ll do our best to bring the same level of effort and excitement that we had in last year’s finals.”
Fernandez, who beat Jasmine Paolini to clinch Canada’s first-ever title at the competition, is ranked No. 42 in doubles.
Canada, which received an automatic berth as defending champion, will play the winner of the first-round tie between Great Britain and Germany on Nov. 17 at Malaga’s Martin Carpena Arena.
Australia, Italy and wild-card entry Czechia also received first-round byes. The tournament, which continues through Nov. 20, also includes host Spain, Slovakia, the United States, Poland, Japan and Romania.
Stakusic is up 27 spots to No. 128 in the latest world singles rankings. Marino is at No. 134 and Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion, is ranked 167th.
Canada will look to become the first team since Czechia in 2016 to successfully defend its Billie Jean King Cup title.
Malaga will also host the Nov. 19-24 Davis Cup Final 8. The Canadian men qualified over the weekend with a 2-1 victory over Great Britain in Manchester.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
PITTSBURGH – Sidney Crosby plans to remain a Pittsburgh Penguin for at least three more years.
The Penguins announced on Monday that they re-signed the 37-year-old from Cole Harbour, N.S., to a two-year contract extension that has an average annual value of US$8.7 million. The deal runs through the 2026-27 season.
Crosby was eligible to sign an extension on July 1 with him entering the final season of a 12-year, $104.4-million deal that carries an $8.7-million salary cap hit.
At the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas last Monday, he said things were positive and he was optimistic about a deal getting done.
The three-time Stanley Cup champion is coming off a 42-goal, 94-point campaign that saw him finish tied for 12th in the league scoring race.
Crosby has spent all 19 of his NHL seasons in Pittsburgh, amassing 592 goals and 1,004 assists in 1,272 career games.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
MONTREAL – Tadej Pogacar was so dominant on Sunday, Canada’s Michael Woods called it a race for second.
Pogacar, a three-time Tour de France champion from Slovenia, pedalled to a resounding victory at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal.
The UAE Team Emirates leader crossed the finish line 24 seconds ahead of Spain’s Pello Bilbao of Bahrain — Victorious to win the demanding 209.1-kilometre race on a sunny, 28 C day in Montreal. France’s Julian Alaphilippe of Soudal Quick-Step was third.
“He’s the greatest rider of all time, he’s a formidable opponent,” said Woods, who finished 45 seconds behind the leader in eighth. “If you’re not at your very, very best, then you can forget racing with him, and today was kind of representative of that.
“He’s at such a different level that if you follow him, it can be lights out.”
Pogacar slowed down before the last turn to celebrate with the crowd, high-five fans on Avenue du Parc and cruise past the finish line with his arms in the air after more than five hours on the bike.
The 25-year-old joined Belgium’s Greg Van Avermaet as the only multi-time winners in Montreal after claiming the race in 2022. He also redeemed a seventh-place finish at the Quebec City Grand Prix on Friday.
“I was disappointed, because I had such good legs that I didn’t do better than seventh,” Pogacar said. “To bounce back after seventh to victory here, it’s just an incredible feeling.”
It’s Pogacar’s latest win in a dominant year that includes victories at the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
Ottawa’s Woods (Israel Premier-Tech) tied a career-best in front of the home crowd in Montreal, but hoped for more after claiming a stage at the Spanish Vuelta two weeks ago.
“I wanted a better result,” the 37-year-old rider said. “My goal was a podium, but at the same time I’m happy with the performance. In bike racing, you can’t always get the result you want and I felt like I raced really well, I animated the race, I felt like I was up there.”
Pogacar completed the 17 climbs up and down Mount Royal near downtown in five hours 28 minutes 15 seconds.
He made his move with 23.3 kilometres to go, leaving the peloton in his dust as he pedalled into the lead — one he never relinquished.
Bilbao, Alaphilippe, Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team) and Bart Lemmen (Visma–Lease) chased in a group behind him, with Bilbao ultimately separating himself from the pack. But he never came close to catching Pogacar, who built a 35-second lead with one lap left to go.
“It was still a really hard race today, but the team was on point,” Pogacar said. “We did really how we planned, and the race situation was good for us. We make it hard in the last final laps, and they set me up for a (takeover) two laps to go, and it was all perfect.”
Ottawa’s Derek Gee, who placed ninth in this year’s Tour de France, finished 48th in Montreal, and called it a “hard day” in the heat.
“I think everyone knows when you see Tadej on the start line that it’s just going to be full gas,” Gee said.
Israel Premier-Tech teammate Hugo Houle of Sainte-Perpétue, Que., was 51st.
Houle said he heard Pogacar inform his teammates on the radio that he was ready to attack with two laps left in the race.
“I said then, well, clearly it’s over for me,” Houle said. “You see, cycling isn’t that complicated.”
Australia’s Michael Matthews won the Quebec City GP for a record third time on Friday, but did not finish in Montreal. The two races are the only North American events on the UCI World Tour.
Michael Leonard of Oakville, Ont., and Gil Gelders and Dries De Bondt of Belgium broke away from the peloton during the second lap. Leonard led the majority of the race before losing pace with 45 kilometres to go.
Only 89 of 169 riders from 24 teams — including the Canadian national team — completed the gruelling race that features 4,573 metres in total altitude.
Next up, the riders will head to the world championships in Zurich, Switzerland from Sept. 21 to 29.
Pogacar will try to join Eddy Merckx (1974) and Stephen Roche (1987) as the only men to win three major titles in a season — known as the Triple Crown.
“Today gave me a lot of confidence, motivation,” Pogacar said. “I think we are ready for world championships.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2024.
