The 2022 NHL Draft introduced several promising players who are just starting their professional hockey journeys. Many of these athletes are still working hard to transition to the NHL and fulfill their aspirations.
While the full impact of this draft is still unfolding, Athletic’s Scott Wheeler recently revisited the draft three years later, offering a fresh perspective. This reevaluation has cast Chicago Blackhawks’ GM Kyle Davidson in a favorable light, highlighting the success of his initial draft selections from 2022.
In the actual 2022 NHL Draft, Chicago picked Kevin Korchinski at 7th, Frank Nazar at 13th, and Sam Rinzel at 25th; all three have since had varying NHL experiences. Wheeler’s re-draft, however, reshuffled these rankings significantly. Korchinski dropped to the 20th spot with Washington, Nazar rose to 6th with Columbus, and Rinzel jumped to 9th with Buffalo. Despite Korchinski falling outside the top 10, both Nazar and Rinzel’s higher rankings suggest a strong showing for Davidson’s draft choices overall.
This reassessment only considers the first round. Ryan Greicius, Chicago’s second-round pick in 2022, received an honorable mention in Wheeler’s re-draft. With pick numbers 7, 13, and 25, Chicago hypothetically selected Simon Nemec (New Jersey 2nd overall), Pavel Mintyukov (Anaheim 10th overall), and Conor Geekie (Arizona 11th overall), indicating a robust but different outcome compared to the original selections made on draft day.
Korchinski is viewed as an offensive talent who still has progress to make before becoming a consistent contributor and might be utilized as trade leverage soon. Rinzel was once seen as a potential top-pair defenseman, with remarkable development in Minnesota, though his brief NHL time hasn’t shined. Nazar offers a solid core forward option for the Blackhawks, with his speed, determination, and creativity likely keeping him in the top six forward group for years to come.
Davidson confidently secured multiple first-round picks throughout his drafts, including three in his first year and a total of eleven over four years. How Wheeler’s re-draft series will reflect on Davidson’s decisions as a general manager remains to be seen over time.
Fan Take: This kind of draft analysis matters because it shines a light on the potential hidden gems selected by teams and the evolving value of draft picks. For hockey fans, watching these young players develop and succeed can bring renewed hope and excitement for their favorite teams’ future.
