Welcome back to The Journey, where we follow hockey prospects and their paths to the NHL, providing fantasy predictions and analysis along the way.

This week and the ones that follow, we will be taking an early look at the top 30 prospects available in the 2022 NHL Draft, with a closer evaluation of five prospects a week in order to build a first round and adjust it as the season goes on.

The first round of selections to be made next summer is set to be the deepest in recent years, as many talented forwards and defensemen will be hoping to stand out in the months leading up to the draft. Teams looking for right-handed blueliners to add to their pipeline have an array of options to choose from, and the pool of forward talent available is rich in both quality and quantity.

I will update this ranking and add more prospects as the season goes on and they begin to get some games in. The first overall selection, however, is not likely to change – a refreshing change-up from last year's projections, in which the top player available seemed to vary by the week.

1. Shane Wright, C – Kingston Frontenacs, OHL

The consensus first-overall selection so far, Wright has been consistently good throughout his budding career; as a 14-year-old, he played at the U16 AAA level in the GTHL, and earned a total of 150 points (66 goals, 84 assists) in only 72 games against players older than him. He then joined the Frontenacs after obtaining his exceptional status to play in the OHL at 15 years old, and earned 39 goals and 66 points in 58 games that season. Most recently, Wright earned 14 points in five U18 World Juniors games with Team Canada in April and May.

The 6-foot-1 center's offensive skill and overall understanding of the game makes him extremely hard to read and defend, especially since his playmaking and shooting are both at an elite level. He has more of a shooting mindset, but can also cross seams and spot passing lanes like few can. He stays two or three steps ahead of the play mentally, and has very mature defensive habits already. If he improves his edgework and lateral mobility, Wright could very well be a generational player – even if he doesn't, he still falls into the John Tavares mould as an intelligent, offensively-gifted scoring center. It'll be exciting to see what Wright has to give at the NHL level.

Fantasy Upside (points-only): 45G, 50A, 95P

NHL Certainty: 100%

2. Simon Nemec, RD – HK Nitra, Slovakia

The first right-handed blueliner to be checked off the board, Nemec falls second to Wright after impressing greatly at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, as he captained the Slovak U-18 team and earned six points in five games. The season prior, the 6-foot-1 defenseman played in Slovakia's top division for HK Nitra, and earned 19 points in 37 men's league games at the age of 16.

#2022NHLDraft top prospect 🇸🇰 Šimon Nemec (D) scored this pretty power play goal in tonight's preseason game.

🎥: YT/HK NITRA TV pic.twitter.com/UURr5QjfFK

— Matej Deraj (@MatoDeraj) September 10, 2021

Nemec's ability to quarterback a power-play is simply unmatched in this year's selections. He can manipulate the opposing box in a variety of ways, can zip accurate passes to move the puck around, and has an outstanding shot that finds corners with ease. He is also excellent defensively, maintaining a tight gap and closing down on opponents with intelligence and poise. His ability to handle and escape pressure makes him an elite puck carrier, as very little can stop him from accessing the offensive zone. This type of player is extremely difficult to obtain outside of the top five of any given draft.

Fantasy Upside (points-only): 20G, 50A, 70P

NHL Certainty: 99%

3. Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW – Omskie Krylia, VHL

The Russian winger has been on the radar of NHL scouts for a long while, as his earliest highlight videos show him dominating international tournaments at 12 years old. The prospect has a long-standing track record of scoring above around a goal per game, and has almost always played above his age group. In 2020-2021, Miroshnichenko played in the MHL, Russia's U20 junior league, and scored 15 points in 20 games. This was good for the second-best point-per-game pace on the team (minimum 10 games played), behind 20-year-old Semyon Astashevsky. He joined Omsk's VHL side this season to play against men for the first time, and has earned a goal in three games so far.

Ivan Miroshnichenko (2022) grip it and rip it #VHL #2022NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/tRlopQT6h9

— Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) September 16, 2021

Miroshnichenko's skating is impressive for a prospect of his stature (6-foot-1, 185 pounds), as he has great agility and explosiveness to separate from his opponent and find open space. His playmaking is decent and his shot is an absolute weapon, as he fires hard-to-read wristers with both weight and accuracy. He has soft hands to navigate tight quarters and holds his own very well in board battles, even at the pro level. Strong two-way involvement and energy are also present in his game, although he could benefit from playing the puck quicker in his own zone. An excellent winger prospect who seems well on his way to becoming a perennial first line forward.

Fantasy Upside (points-only): 45G, 40A, 85P

NHL Certainty: 95%

4. Matthew Savoie, C/RW – Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL

The choice between Savoie and Miroshnichenko will be a difficult one for whoever picks in this range; although the Russian winger is the better goal-scorer and boasts a more mature game, Savoie's skating and playmaking are close to unrivalled in this upcoming draft. The prospect scored more goals (21) than assists (17) in 34 games last season with the Fighting Saints and has an impressive release, but his ability to distribute the puck quickly and accurately is what makes him especially deadly in the final third. His acceleration, speed, agility and skating posture are all elite, as he glides past defenders effortlessly and can find space to work with regularly.

Although Savoie's offensive package is very promising, there are some wrinkles in his overall game that need ironing out before he's ready for the big show. The most important correction needed is his puck-watching tendencies and lack of effort when defending his own zone. As a center, he needs to be the most dialed-in skater on his unit and has to identify and stifle dangers. Instead, he tends to drift toward the boards and wait for a loose puck. When he does commit, however, Savoie uses his stick intelligently to dig pucks free. If his defensive inconsistencies are rectified, I see very little preventing Savoie from becoming a first-line offensive dynamo, whether at center or on the wing.

Fantasy Upside (points-only): 30G, 60A, 90P

NHL Certainty: 90%

5. Brad Lambert, C/RW – JYP, Liiga

Lambert's presence at fifth overall is more than warranted based on his history of dominating older competition: at 13-14 years of age, Lambert scored 47 points in 19 games against 16-year-olds in Finland. He then went to the U20 level the following year, as a 15-year-old, and earned 11 points in 17 games. The year after that, he had 38 points in 40 games, and even played four games for the men's team, as a 16-year-old, earning two assists. Then, last year, Lambert joined JYP full-time, becoming the most capped 16-17-year-old in Liiga history with his 46 appearances. His 15 points in that span seem modest, but the Liiga displays a distinctly defensive style of hockey that results in lower offensive numbers, especially with younger players.

Brad Lambert Higlights | #2022NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/9NdzJ1RCvy

— Marek Novotny (@MarekNovotny96) August 22, 2021

Lambert is an outstanding skater, with a wide base and a low center of mass which allow him to bounce off checks and keep his balance. He retains and controls the puck extremely well, navigating sticks and bodies with ease while thinking about his next move. The 6-foot center could benefit from simplifying his game at times; his skills and dekes are mesmerizing, but they can become predictable if he doesn't throw in a pass or a shot as a change-up. His teammate utilization at lower levels was concerning, although the prospect seemed more than eager to share the biscuit with the men's team. Lambert could benefit from being more involved defensively, but his offensive talent and the foundations of his game make for an interesting prospect to draft and develop, especially as a center.

Fantasy Upside (points-only): 35G, 55A, 90P

NHL Certainty: 88%

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