With the new year rapidly approaching, it is a good time to take a closer look at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. NHL Central Scouting updated its preliminary list last month, with 10 locals and 32 players in total appearing on the list (B and C ratings) with ties back to New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Bridgewater, N.J. native Devin Kaplan headlines the list of 10 area natives on Central’s rankings. He’s an athletic power winger with pro tools and scoring upside. The only player to earn a B rating as a projected second-round pick in the draft, the other nine locals all currently project to be chosen anywhere between rounds 3-7 per Central’s A-B-C grading system. NHL clubs, of course, do their own scouting and in many cases, see things differently than Central does. However, the process allows the public to have a better handle on who the draft prospects are and where to find them.
This is an initial snapshot and update of the players who appeared on the preliminary watch list, with more coverage to come as the 2021-22 season progresses and Central Scouting releases their subsequent midseason and final lists.
