2022 NHL Draft - Goaltenders
This years goaltender draft class does not have the top end talent of years past, and looks to be wide open in many scouts eyes after Tyler Brennan from the Prince George Cougars of the WHL, with a chance of late round success for multiple prospects.
Our goaltending coaches and scouts put together the below rankings based on the following criteria :
Style
Post Integration
Hand Quickness
Reading / Tracking
Footwork / Skating
Recovery Ability
1 - Topias Leinonen - Jyp Jr. (Finland-Jr)
Int Rank : 1 - Catches : L Birth Year : '04 Height : 6' 4.25"
Stats : GP 21 GAA : 2.28 Save % : 0.916
Leinonen jumped up many scouts rankings after an impressive performance at the 2022 IIHF U18’s, posting a 3-2 record, 2.61 GAA en route to a Finland Bronze medal. He brings the combination of size and flexibility, showing the ability to cover ice quickly and efficiently.
Still a raw goaltender, Leinonen does have the issue of “busy feet”, constantly adjusting before shots vs trusting skate tracking and positioning. He has great belief in his recovery quickness and reads, but could be more set for the simple shots, especially with his hands, sometimes tracking lower. Along with these areas, Leinonen’s rebound control with mid to high shots will also need improvement as he continues his development.
Still a raw product, Leinonen should be starting at the pro level in Liiga, Finland’s highest professional league, next season. Though there may be some question marks, Leinonen’s upside potential is there due to his frame, flexibility, skating ability, and performance against his own age group, posting a 2.28 GAA and .916 Save % in the Finnish Jr league in 2021-2022 with solid performances in the 2022 U18 World Championships.
2 - Tyler Brennan - Prince George (WHL)
NA Rank : 1 - Catches : L Birth Year : '03 Height : 6' 3.75"
Stats : GP:39 GAA:3.58 Save %:0.899
Brennan has been the top goaltending prospect since the final rankings from NHL central scouting, and for good reason. Brennan maximizes his coverage with long arms and legs, and moves decently well in his crease. Not the most athletic or flexible goaltender, but moves in/out of butterfly and post coverages very well, with good technique and is quick to read, then react in control.
This season, the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft first round pick’s numbers weren’t jaw dropping, playing for a Prince George’s team that finished 17th of 22 in the WHL last season, posting a sub .900 save %, and 3.58 GAA. This was a slight regression after posting a 2.16 GAA and a 9.33 Save % in 4 games last season during Covid, and 3.34 GAA / .872 Save % in his rookie season .
His 2021-2022 playoff performance ,despite being swept by Portland, was best amongst all goaltenders in the WHL for GAA (1.86) and Save % (.954), and made 3 saves on 4 shots in the CHL Top Prospect Game for Team White.
For a draft class that has a lot of question marks, Brennan’s use of frame, and technical ability skating makes him a safe selection for a prototypical NHL goaltender, but doesn’t have one side of his game that is “elite”. He will most likely be the first goaltender to go off the board, as early as the 2nd-3rd round.
3 - Reid Dyck - Swift Current (WHL)
NA Rank : 8 - Catches : L Birth Year : '04 Height : 6' 3.25"
Stats : GP:23 GAA:4.26 Save %:0.884
Dyck has had some highs and lows this season outside of the WHL. He stole the show during the CHL Top Prospect’s game with a great third period performance for Team Red, finishing with 23 saves on 23 shots. The IIHF U18’s however did not go as well for Dyck, posting a .85 Save % and 6.58 GAA in 3 games for a Team Canada team that struggled defensively throughout the tournament, especially against the US.
The Winkler native was somewhat of an unknown half way through the 2021-2022 season, ranked #26 amongst North American goaltenders in the NHL CS mid season rankings, but plays the pro butterfly style with long arms and legs, and great composure. He is in the right spots to make saves, but at times, pucks find ways through / by him. In his second season with Swift Current in 2021-2022, Dyck posted a 4.26 GAA and .884 Save % in 23 games.
Despite his play at the 2022 IIHF U18’s, you can see his technical ability is there, but the mechanics and reads are sometimes off. For a draft that could see many goaltenders fall to later rounds, Dyck may be a hidden gem due to his composure in both stance and movements, arm/leg length, and skating ability, just needs some time to polish up the edges.
4 - Dylan Silverstein - USA U-18 (NTDP)
NA Rank : 3 - Catches : L Birth Year : '04 Height : 6' 0.25"
Stats : GP:20 GAA:3.52 Save %:0.878
The Boston College commit is a strong positional goaltender, extremely technical in his movements with very little waisted movement. Not just a blocking goaltender, Silverstein has the ability to battle, and make the big save using flexibility and athleticism. This season with the USNTDP, Silverstein went 10-7-0 with a 3.52 GAA in 20 games.
Only area of concern for Silverstein - Coverage ability. At times, he does have some area to be exposed up high, especially in net front / mid slot plays, this combined with his sub 6’1” height could be a deterrent for some NHL teams. The upside to this is his skating ability, and his hand speed. Silverstein can get out of trouble quickly with his feet, sometimes after being overly aggressive, with quick hands to get to high chances quickly.
His aggression, and compete combined with the technical ability and composure are all areas NHL development coaches can work with.
5 - Ivan Zhigalov - Sherbrooke (QMJHL)
NA Rank : 2 - Catches : R Birth Year : '03 Height : 6' 2.75"
Stats : GP:42 GAA:2.84 Save %:0.892
The Belarus native came over to the QMJHL after playing for both the Belarus U18 National team and Dynamo Moscow’s Junior team in 2020-2021 before backing up for Sherbrooke in 2021-2022. He finished the season with a 2.84 GAA and .892 save % in an offensive minded QMJHL, while also making 13 saves on 16 shots in CHL Top Prospects Game.
The right handed catching Zhigalov first came on the seen after being bombarded constantly in the 2021 IIHF U18 World Championships for Belarus, and his agility was shown right away. He has the ability to get across the crease quickly while tracking, and fills the net on first chance opportunities very well. This along with his reflexes and long legs make him tough to beat down low / RVH situations.
If Zhigalov is available in the late 6th - 7th round, he is a competitor and not the biggest risk. He needs to play more games in North America, but a lot to like from an athlete perspective, plenty to teach / build onto.
6 - Tyler Muszelik - USA U-18 (NTDP)
NA Rank : 4 - Catches : L Birth Year : '04 Height : 6' 2.5"
Stats : GP:35 GAA:2.91 Save %:0.9
The former Rockets Hockey Club goaltender has incredible patience on his feet, along with the ability move anywhere in his crease sliding/shuffling with control and balance. Even though a butterfly goaltender, he does a great job staying on his feet till the last moment, out-waiting shooters. Muszelik played over Dylan Silverstein this season for the USNTDP U18’s, posting a 2.91 GAA and .900 Save % in 35 games. The power in short bursts while in control is most impressive when it comes to his skating.
Another slightly “undersized” goaltender for NHL standards who has great skating and technical ability throughout all movements. At times, our scouts noted some similarities to Spencer Knight when watching his approach to high chances and skating technique. Although not the same prospect as Knight, Muszelik should be a consideration for clubs as he enters his freshman season at New Hampshire.
7 - Hugo Havelid - Linkoping Jr. (Sweden-Jr)
Int Rank : 2 - Catches : L Birth Year : '04 Height : 5' 10.0"
Stats : GP 28 GAA : 1.82 Save % : 0.92
Havelid was ranked within the top 5 of some final rankings recently, and for good reason. The Swedish native went 4-1 at the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championships, posting a 2.41 GAA and a .929 save %, as well as playing a huge role in upsetting the US to win the gold medal.
This gold, along with a bronze at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and being named the best goaltender of the Swedish junior league has boosted his ranking up to 2nd amongst international goaltenders. So why is he so low? Size and his compensation for it. Havelid is a quick skating, butterfly goaltender with great reads and the ability to out-wait shooters, but translating to faster game may be a large question mark. He has been a prospect on NHL teams radar’s for the last couple of months, with some rankings having him within the top 100 (The Puck Authority #68, Draft Prospects Hockey #92), so it would not be a surprise if a team wants to take a shot.
Fun Fact - Hugo’s twin brother Mathias is ranked #19 amongst international skaters for the draft
8 - Mason Beaupit - Spokane (WHL)
NA Rank : 5 - Catches : L Birth Year : '03 Height : 6' 5.25"
Stats : GP:49 GAA:3.63 Save %:0.893
Beaupit is one of the few goaltenders in this class with size. The butterfly goaltender anticipates the game well, using a slightly hunched over stance to cover net and improved slowly in the WHL regular season. He finished the regular season 20-22-4 with a 3.63 GAA and a .893 Save %, not the most beautiful stats but was part of some big wins to get the Chiefs back into the playoffs, finishing April 5-2. Beaupit was named Spokane Chiefs Player of the Year for 2021-2022.
Areas of improvement for Beaupit are his quickiness in the crease, and consistency. At times, he could be quicker / more proactive to reads, and beating the puck to the destination. When he arrived late or at the same moment, the chance for rebounds or goals seemed to increase.
Because of his skating ability, and calm nature in the crease, the hope for more speed/agility in the future is not crazy. Beaupit may be a one of the safer projects out of this class, and a good option for teams looking to add a prospect with size.
9 - Jan Spunar - Olomouc Jr. (Czrep-Jr.)
Int Rank : 3 - Catches : L Birth Year : '04 Height : 6' 3.0"
Stats : GP 31 GAA : 2.57 Save % : 0.911
Spunar is a goaltender with a ton of potential, with his crease awareness and reading ability being his greatest strengths. In his first full season playing in the top U20 league in Czechia, Spunar posted a .911 Save % and 22-8-0 record as well as representing Czechia at the 2022 IIHF U18 World Championships.
Although Spunar did not start at the U18 World Championships, he held his own, especially in the upset win vs Canada. He may be a prospect to consider as he has the athleticism along with size, but is still a raw prospect. Very smart positionally , understands how and when to use his size, but does struggle with rebound control and consistency with his approach over the course of 60 mins.
Being selected by Portland in the WHL for next season should be viewed as a great positive, as he will get the exposure, as well as technical training needed to both develop and test how far he can go as a prospect.
10 - Maxim Arefyev - Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk 2 (Russia-Jr.)
Int Rank : 4 - Catches : L Birth Year : '03 Height : 6' 4.0"
Stats : GP 49 GAA : 3.27 Save % : 0.916
After playing his first season in the Russian Jr league, Arefyev is an interesting prospect. He has all the athleticism and reactions goaltending coaches could want in a goaltender, but poor structure or process to his game. This could be explained for playing his first year in junior hockey, one year after covid but there are some areas of his game that do not match up to other prospects in this draft.
For NHL teams however, we have seen Russia produce goaltenders with all different time tables and paths. The technical side needs to be taught with this prospect, it will be a hit or miss situation. He has been listed as the #4 ranked International goaltender since the mid season rankings, and is ranked #121 by McKeen Hockey.
HM - Braden Holt - Everett (WHL)
NA Rank : 11 - Catches : L Birth Year : '03 Height : 6' 0.5"
Stats : GP:37 GAA:2.56 Save %:0.909
Passed over in the 2021 draft, Holt put up some impressive numbers in 2021-2022 for Everett. Has strong edges and post work, and does a great job at getting on top of pucks within 10 feet of the net. He has a constant motor, never giving up a play and good skating technique. His crease awareness / movement technique has some (we said some) similarities to Carter Hart, which should always be a positive.
Holt needs to continue to develop his skating speed however. His technique and reads are sound but he struggles to beat pucks to destinations, a key element for success at the next level when the speed of play is even faster.
Holt may be a 7th round experiment for some NHL teams. Holt did attend rookie camp for the Maple Leafs last summer after not being selected in the 2021 entry draft, and has been on some NHL team’s radar the majority of this season.
HM - Cameron Whitehead - Lincoln (USHL)
NA Rank : 7 - Catches : L Birth Year : '03 Height : 6' 3.0"
Stats : GP:31 GAA:3.19 Save %:0.892
Another goaltender passed over last season, Whitehead was one of only three goaltenders invited to the 2022 NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, along with #1 ranked NA goaltender Tyler Brennan and #1 ranked International goaltender Topias Leinonen and had a great season with Lincoln of the USHL. Whitehead spent the 2020-2021 season in the NCDC with the Utica Jr Comets.
Although Whitehead did not start in the playoffs in favor of Colorado College Commit Kaiden Mbereko, Whitehead posted top 15 GAA (3.19) and Save % (.892) during the USHL regular season, bringing confidence and composure. He uses a low wide stance combined with a constant engagement in the play, excellent vision.
Whitehead does have his weaknesses : puck handling, rebounds, but does has the frame and brain to go with a great development plan playing NCAA hockey at Northeastern. He plays the game like a pro, and should be pencilled into all scout’s notebooks even if not selected, as a possible future free agent pick up.
** HM = Honorable Mention
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