2022 NHL Draft: European Prospect Rankings

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: July 7, 2022.

Simon Nemec, D, HK Nitra (Tipos) Projected Round Top 5 Pick

2021 Season Recap The 6-1 192 lb Simon Nemec is a two-way defenseman with two years of experience on HK Nitrqa in the Tipos league. Simon Nemec broke out in year three with 1 goal, 25 assists, 26 points, and a +13 +/- ratio during the regular season. Simon Nemec had 5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points, in 19 playoff games getting HK Nitra to the Championship Round in Tipos. Simon Nemec had the responsibility of being the defenseman that anchored the blue line as a rookie. He got demoted to the second line at the beginning of the season, but played outstanding and earned the first line defenseman role back during HK Nitra's deep playoff run.

Simon Nemec SWOT Report

Strengths: Simon Nemec is a better passer than Owen Power was. He got a lot more consistent as a defender after being inconsistent as a rookie and gave up much less break aways in year two. He does have the upside to become an elite shot blocker. I did see him block a shot on tape.

Simon Nemec is the best shot blocker on tape that I've seen from a defenseman in years. You have to go all the way back to 2008 and 2009 when defensemen like Drew Doughty along with Victor Hedman were drafted second overall to find a shot blocker on par with Simon Nemec heading into their draft year.

Simon Nemec has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Nemec is my top defenseman in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Weaknesses: He needs to add more muscle. You'd like to see him play more aggressive too, but he plays a well rounded game.

Opportunities: 3. Arizona Coyotes, 4. Seattle Kraken, 5. Philadelphia Flyers, 6. Columbus Blue Jackets. I don't see Simon Nemec getting out of the top 6 overall with Seattle being the most likely destination for Simon Nemec.

Threats: Simon Nemec has a great floor. If he adds more muscle he could reach his ceiling like Miro Heiskanen did, as this was his one issue outside of defense heading into 2021-2022. Simon Nemec fixed his defense, but he could still add some muscle. Unlike Miro Heiskanen, who is my comp for Nemec, I believe Nemec is NHL ready right now. Simon Nemec has a high ceiling, but you can argue his ceiling isn't as high as Owen Power.

Potential Grade: 94/99

Before 2021

The 6-1 192 lb Simon Nemec had 3 assists and a +2 +/- ratio in 12 games with HK Nitra with Slovakia as a rookie in 2019-2020. Nemec had 2 goals, 17 assists, 19 points, and a -10 +/- ratio in 2020-2021. He's an elite skater for a defenseman. He played on the first line anchoring the blue line for HK Nitra.

He had more minutes in his second season with 2 goals, 17 assists, 19 points, and a -10 +/- ratio 2020-2021. Simon Nemec has two years of experience anchoring the first line for HK Nitra. He'll have three years of experience if he can maintain his job on the first line of HK Nitra's blue line.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
David Jiricek, D, HC Skoda Plzen (Extraliga) Projected Round Top 5 Pick

2021 Season Recap The 6-3 176 lb David Jirceck improved slightly with 5 goals, 6 assists, 11 points, and a +/- ratio of 0 in 2021-2022 on a second line. Jiricek missed time with a knee injury this past season.

David Jiricek SWOT Report

Strengths: >David Jiricek has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He has the best shot of any defender in this draft. He's not the shot blocker that Simon Nemec is, however you can argue that Jiricek hits harder then Nemec and he trys to put you in the second row.

David Jiricek can be fearless at times plus he plays hard and he's strong. Jiricek has the best shot of any defenseman in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft along with a tendency to go for the big hit or big play which can limit what the opponent does. That can also put Jiricek out of position too which is something Nemec does a better job in right now.

Weaknesses: He can play out of position at times. Many people think his ceiling is just as high or perhaps higher than Simon Nemec.

Opportunities: 3. Arizona Coyotes, 4. Seattle Kraken, 5. Philadelphia Flyers, 6. Columbus Blue Jackets, and 7. Chicago Blackhawks. David Jiricek is not getting out of the top 7 overall.

Threats: His knee injury makes you wonder how durable he is. If you can look past that, you could be getting a really good defenseman.

Potential Grade: 93/99

Before 2021

The 6-3 176 lb David Jiricek had 3 goals, 6 assists, 9 points, and a +13 +/- ratio in 2020-2021 on a first line. He's got the best shot among defensemen in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Martin Rysavy, C, HC Vitkovice Riders (Extraliga) Projected Round 3rd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-3 209 lb Martin Rysavy added 26 lbs of muscle to go from 183 to 209 lbs. That's impressive. What's not impressive is he had 0 points for the HC Vitkovice Riders in 6 Extraliga games against men.

Martin Rysavy SWOT Report

Strengths: Martin Rysavy is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing. You can line him up anywhere at forward.

Weaknesses: He had 0 points in Extraliga. Struggled against men in 6 Extraliga games against professional hockey players in the Czech Republic.

Opportunities: I have a third round grade on Martin Rysavy. He's a consensus third round pick with some having a fourth round grade on Rysavy.

Threats: A year ago, I said I project Rysavy to be a line 2 forward on an AHL roster when typing a brief scouting report of him on our HC Vitkovice Riders webpage. Rysavy did not show me he could be more than that this season. While there is a chance he could be an effective back 6 forward in the NHL on a third or fourth line, I think there is a far greater chance he ends up being a top 6 forward on an AHL team. After the top 2 prospects on HC Kometa Brno, every other European skater in this draft from either Germany, Czech Republic, or Switzerland comes with the risk of being an AHL player rather than an NHL player.

Potential Grade: 80/99

Before 2020

The 6-2 183 Martin Rysavy can play anywhere at forward. He's versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing. He's a player that will make the jump to Extraliga in about a year. He's probably a top 6 forward on a second line in the AHL when he reaches his ceiling unless he absolutely dominates when he gets called up to Extraliga.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Florian Elias, C, Adler Mannheim (DEL) Projected Round 4th Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-8 170 lb Florian Elias is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing. He had 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points, and a -1 +/- ratio in 34 games with Adler Mannheim in DEL. He also lined up as a first line center on Germany's Under-20 Team at the World Junior Championships lining up as a first line center next to German wingers Tim Stutzle and John Jason-Peterka.

Outside of Tim Stuzle, Lukas Reichel, and John Jason-Peterka, he's considered the greatest NHL draft prospect currently playing in Germany. At least that's what people on HFBoards forums who saw him in person were saying back in 2018.

Florian Elias SWOT Report

Strengths: Florian Elias has the playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to be successful in the AHL right now. He's got enough of a ceiling to develop into a second line forward in the NHL.

Weaknesses: His defensive awareness and lack of explosiveness while skating also hurts him. Florian Elias could be a draft day steal if he fixes those two areas of his game since he's undersized.

Opportunities: I have a fourth round grade on Florian Elias. He could get picked in the third round, but I expect the top German prospect in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft to be a fourth round pick.

Threats: He has the floor of an AHL fourth line center and the ceiling of a second line NHL center. That makes him a boom or bust prospect that is worth gambling on in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Potential Grade: 77/99

Before 2020

Florian Elias has been playing hockey in Germany since 2015-2016. He's been on Adler Mannheim's Academy teams in Germany each year since. His breakout year came on Jungadler Mannheim in 2019-2020 where he had 26 goals, 23 assists, and 49 points in 30 games with Jungadler Mannheim as an alternate captain. That performance should get him called up to Adler Mannheim in the DEL league this season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Louis Robin, RW, Ev Zug (National League A) Projected Round 4th Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-8 150 lb Louis Robin is a right winger on EV Zug the team that won the National League A Championship for the best Pro Hockey team in Switzerland. Louis Robin didn't score on Ev Zug against grown men. He had 22 goals, 29 assists, 51 points, and a +29 +/- ratio in 45 games with EV Zug's Under-20 Team against players his own age.

Louis Robin SWOT Report

Strengths: Louis Robin has the skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to be successful in the AHL right now. He's got a tremendous work ethic which is why Robin could be a steal in this years NHL Draft.

Weaknesses: He did well against players his own age in Switzerland. He struggled against men and professional hockey players in Switzerland..

Opportunities: I have a fourth round grade on Louis Robin. Louis Robin could be one of the steals of this draft if he continues to develop his game.

Threats: He got promoted to the National League A where pros play in Switzerland. He hasn't posted any points there though.

Potential Grade: 77/99

Before 2020

Louis Robin has played hockey in Switzerland since 2013-2014. He did well on EV Zug's Under 20-team in 2019-2020. This led to him getting drafted tenth overall by the Rimouski Oceanic in the 2020 CHL Import Draft.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Janis Moser, D, EHC Biel (National League A) Projected Round 4th Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-1 172 lb Janis Jerome Moser also known Janis Moser if you exclude his middle name is one of two team captains in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The other captain was captain of his High School hockey team in Jack Peart. While Janis Moser is captain of EHC Biel in National League A the professional hockey league in Switzerland. Janis Moser had 9 goals, 21 assists, 30 points, and a +18 +/- ratio in 48 games as the team captain of ECH Biel. He had 0 points and a -1 +/- ratio in the playoffs with EHC Biel.

Janis Moser SWOT Report

Strengths: Janis Moser has great skating, playmaking, passing, the best shot in terms of wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy of any defenseman from Switzerland in this draft.

He displays good hands. A threat with and without the puck. He can be a first line defenseman on the power play or penalty killing unit. He's a great leader and one of two team captains in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Weaknesses: He's 21-years-old. He's got less room for development than most prospects in this draft which may translate to a lower ceiling. Other than that, his game is pretty complete with hardly any weaknesses.

Opportunities: I have a fourth round grade on Janis Moser. He should be a fourth round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft with draft sites having anywhere from a third to fifth round grade on Janis Moser.

Threats: Janis Moser is one of the safer prospects in this draft. Good floor, but a low ceiling player. He dominated his third year in the Pros in Europe. The only other player to accomplish this in recent memory was John Klingberg after the Dallas Stars took him in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Klingberg developed for four years in both Sweden and Finland after being drafted by the Stars before cracking the Dallas Stars main roster in 2014-2015. I could see Moser go down a similar path making the NHL by 2025-2026 if a team can remain patient with him. Klingberg got drafted by Dallas when he was 18 and Moser will be 21 if a team decides to draft him meaning he'll be 25 by the time he's ready for the NHL assuming his career goes on a similar path as Klingberg.

Potential Grade: 77/99

Before 2020

Janis Moser has played hockey in Switzerland dating back to 2011-2012. He made EHC Biel's main roster back in 2017-2018. He's been on EHC Biel in National League A for three years now and will finally enter his fourth year on EHC Biel as the team captain in Switzerland.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Haakon Hanelt, C, Eisbaren Berlin (DEL) Projected Round 4th Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-0 183 lb Haakon Hanelt had 1 goal in 22 games with Eisbaren Berlin in the DEL league in Germany. His teammate Lukas Reichel began the year with a C grade from NHL Central Scouting before emerging into a first round pick. Hanelt probably won't have the same success as Reichel, but he shows a lot of promise and is worth keeping an eye on.

Haakon Hanelt SWOT Report

Strengths: Haakon Hanelt has stickhandling, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want a forward to have. Great puckhandler. Lukas Reichel was versatile enough to play left wing, center, right wing, or defenseman. Haakon Hanelt has the same exact versatility in terms of skill set. In fact you could argue that Haakon Hanelt is the most versatile skater in the entire 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He's also got great leadership skills and is a team player like Reichel.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve as a passer. Also needs to improve as a skater. He does not have great speed. Needs to improve his shot in terms of wrist shot power and slap shot power.

Opportunities: I have a fourth round grade on Haakon Hanelt. He's a fourth round prospect.

Threats: There's a chance Haakon Hanelt is only an AHL player. The fact that he's versatile enough to play anywhere at forward or on defense like Lukas Reichel puts me at ease and gives me hope he can contribute in the NHL.

Potential Grade: 77/99

Before 2020

Haakon Hanelt has played hockey in Germany since 2016-2017 with Eisbaren Berlin's academy. He is finally expected to be called up to Eisbaren Berlin's main roster next season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Nils Elten, D, Iserlohn Roosters (DEL) Projected Round 4th Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-10 170 lb Nils Elten had 0 points and a +1 +/- ratio for Iserlohn Roosters in Germany's DEL league. Nils Elten anchored the second line of defense for Iserlohn Roosters.

Nils Elten SWOT Report

Strengths: Nils Elten is a defensive defenseman. He will defend the neutral zone, check, play physical, get in your face. Great penalty killer. He anchored the second line on defense for Iserlohn Roosters in 6 DEL games.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve offensively. Will be strictly a defensive defender unless he improves offensively.

Opportunities: I have a fourth round grade on Nils Elten. He could go anywhere between the fourth round and the undrafted range. Most have him getting picked in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, but this guy impressed me from the photos of play on defense with the Iserlohn Roosters.

Threats: One German scout didn't post Nils Elten in his top 30 German prospects. That means there is a chance Elten could go undrafted this year. There were games where he was fully dressed, but the coach didn't play Elten.

Potential Grade: 76/99

Before 2020

Nils Elten has been in Germany with the Iserlohn Rooster's Academy dating back to 2016-2017. He should end up on the DEL team at some point later this year.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Giancarlo Chanton, D, Geneve-Servette HC (National League A) Projected Round 4th Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-0 185 lb Giancarlo Chanton will make his National League A debut with Geneve-Servette HC in 2021-2022 following the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points in 2020-2021. He also showed promise at the World Junior Championships with Switzerland.

Giancarlo Chanton SWOT Report

Strengths: He knows how to move the puck. Playmaker who can pass effectively. Will contribute on special teams as a power play quarterback. His offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ is good for a two-way defender. He knows how to execute a wrist shot and a slap shot.

Weaknesses: Stickwork is the biggest issue with Giancarlo Chanton. He also needs to develop his shot in terms of both shooting power and shooting accuracy. Giancarlo Chanton's wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy are all a work in progress.

Opportunities: I have a fourth round grade on Giancarlo Chanton. He should be selected in the fourth round.

Threats: He seems like a pretty safe prospect. He's a high floor low ceiling player. If he fixes his shooting power and shooting accuracy he may be able to anchor a second line down the road.

Potential Grade: 75/99

Before 2020

Giancarlo Chanton was drafted forty ninth overall in the first round of the 2019 CHL Import Draft by the Niagara IceDogs. He had 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points, and a -23 +/- ratio as a rookie in the OHL. He will go back to Switzerland to develop more until the OHL resumes after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Simon Marha, LW, HC Ambri-Piotta (National League A) Projected Round 4th Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-2 165 lb Simon Marha was born in Switzerland, but currently resides in the Czech Republic. He played on Czech Republic's team in the Under-18 World Junior Championships.

Simon Marha will also play for HC Ambri-Piotta's main roster in National League A in Switzerland next season in 2021-2022. Simon Marha had 22 goals, 17 assists, 39 points, and a -17 +/- ratio in 39 games with HC Ambri-Piotta's Under 20-team.

Simon Marha SWOT Report

Strengths: He has the playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, vision, hockey IQ, confidence, and creativity that you want a player to have. Simon Marha is versatile enough to play either left wing or right wing.

Weaknesses: Simon Marha needs to improve as a skater. He also needs to improve his +/- ratio.

Opportunities: I have a fourth round grade on Simon Marha. He should be selected in the fourth round.

Threats: There aren't any threats with Simon Marha. High floor low ceiling player.

Potential Grade: 71/99

Before 2020

Simon Marha has played hockey since 2016-2017. He's the only player in this draft to play in three different countries playing in Czech Republic, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects