NHL Draft 2022: Who are the winners and losers?

With the draft now behind us and free agency looming just ahead, we take a look at the biggest winners and losers of the 2022 NHL draft

Jeffrey MayJeff_DiarioASUpdate: Jul 10th, 2022 12:33 EDT

BRUCE BENNETTAFP

The biggest winner of the draft is not an individual or a team, but hockey itself, with the draft being held once again in person. Montreal hosted this return to normality after a two-year hiatus and the event felt like a big win for hockey fans everywhere.

With crowd reaction always playing a big part in the draft, none were more heartfelt than the shock at the Canadiens’ first overall pick as the plumped for Juraj Slafkovsky.

Juraj Slafkovsky becomes the first player from Slovakia to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft. pic.twitter.com/631qkioXhI

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 7, 2022

As the first big winner of the night, the Slovak became a surprise overall top pick, when Montreal decided to go for the goal-scoring forward rather than the expected attempt to fill a gap at the center position.

His win was also a big win for the country of Slovakia. Never before have they had a top pick, and now they had a bumper night, not only having one of their own go first, but got the second spot as well, when defenseman Simon Nemec went to the New Jersey Devils. When you take into account their bronze medal at the Winter Olympics, they are a small nation punching way above their weight.

With the second pick in the 2022 #NHLDraft we are proud to select defenseman Simon Nemec. Welcome to Jersey!#DevilsDraft | @verizon pic.twitter.com/fTBLa8aDzJ

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) July 7, 2022