Sporting News

● By Bryan Murphy
It feels like yesterday that The Sporting News was putting out its final NHL Mock Draft for 2022. Well, that draft is over and done with, so now it's on to the 2023 draft class. It's never too early to begin preparation for drafts, and between the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2022 World Junior Championship this summer, we have already seen some of the top players who will be selected next July on the ice. At the top of the discussion is Connor Bedard, the Canadian wonder who has been a top contributor for Canada at the World Juniors. He has seven points in five games and will aim to help Canada win a gold medal beginning with the semifinals on Friday.

Top Players Not Included

These players appear in the top 32 of our

Consensus Big Board

, but do not show up in this mock.