Washington Capitals 2022 NHL Draft grade: Corey Pronman analyzes every pick

Corey Pronman details what to expect from the prospects and how they fit into the farm system. The Capitals draft is a complicated one to grade. I think Ryan Chesley is a good player and will help the Caps down the line. This all comes down to Ivan Miroshnichenko. If he recovers as a player

Corey Pronman details what to expect from the prospects and how they fit into the farm system. 

2022 Draft Grade: B

The Capitals’ draft is a complicated one to grade. I think Ryan Chesley is a good player and will help the Caps down the line. This all comes down to Ivan Miroshnichenko. If he recovers as a player and person due to his health concerns and gets back to who he was a year ago the Capitals could easily have one of the better draft classes. If not, it’s hard to see too many NHL games from this group.

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Draft Class

20. Ivan Miroshnichenko, LW, OMSK KRYLIA (RUSSIA-2)

February 4, 2004 | 6′ 1″ | 185 pounds

Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: High-end

Player comparable: Gabriel Landeskog

Background: Miroshnichenko played all season up versus men in Russia’s second-tier league in a regular role before his season ended in January due to being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He scored one goal and two points at the U20 4 nations in November. He was the captain and a leading player for Russia’s U18 team when they won Hlinka Gretzky gold. He scored six goals and eight points in seven games at the U18 World Championships the previous season. He originally intended to play in Muskegon of the USHL instead of Russia the past two seasons but ran into visa issues.

Analysis: Miroshnichenko is a player with all the attributes you want in a top NHL winger. He’s got good size and strength. He’s a strong skater. He’s highly skilled. He can make plays and he’s highly competitive. His shot is a bullet and can be a weapon from the flank on a pro power play. He can beat defenders with speed, he can put pucks through legs, he can create at evens and on the power play. He has a bulky frame and can play a powerful style of game. He has the tools and track record of a projected top-line winger, but given his diagnosis he is being placed several tiers below that due to the significant uncertainty in his future projection — despite positive developments since the initial diagnosis.

Thoughts on the pick: Miroshnichenko was one of the most debated players in the draft this season. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the middle of the season, and that was a major risk factor to debate along with his passport. If anyone would do it though, I always had Washington circled. Miro, when healthy, is a top-end prospect, a potential top-3-to-5 pick who plays with speed, power and skill and can score a lot of goals. If he finds his game back and is healthy, he can help extend the Capitals’ contention window that is likely dwindling.

37. Ryan Chesley, RHD, USA U-18 (NTDP)

February 27, 2004 | 6′ 0″ | 201 pounds

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Tier: Middle of the lineup player

Skating: NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: Below NHL average
Compete: Above NHL average
Shot: Above NHL average

Player comparable: Ryan Lindgren

Background: Chesley was a top-four defenseman for the U.S. NTDP this season, often playing on both special teams units. He represented Team USA’s U18 team as an underage. He’s committed to the University of Minnesota.

Analysis: Chesley has some physical assets that pop off the page from a pro projection. He’s an NHL-caliber skater who can transition pucks up ice very well with his speed. He has average size, but he’s quite strong and physical. With his mobility, he’s able to close on checks well, and often uses his body to land hard hits to separate pucks from players. He has good individual skill, with the hands to beat checks one-on-one and generate a lot of power off his one-timer. Chesley isn’t a gifted puck-mover though and can struggle at times with his puck distribution. He projects as a full-time second- or third-pair defenseman depending on how much the offense translates to higher levels.

70. Alexander Suzdalev, LW, HV 71 JR. (SWEDEN-JR.)

March 5, 2004 | 6′ 2″ | 177 pounds

Analysis: Suzdalev is a Russian-born player of dual ancestry who came up playing in Sweden and suited up for Sweden internationally this season while also being a productive scorer in the Swedish junior league. Suzdalev’s skill and creativity are what will interest NHL teams. He shows excellent puck skills to create offense in unique ways. Suzdalev is a strong passer but his IQ shows up both in terms of vision and his overall creativity with the puck. The talent is highly intriguing, especially in a 6-foot-2 frame, but Suzdalev’s game can lack pace and effort which he’ll need to improve to have success versus pros.

85. Ludwig Persson, LW, FROLUNDA JR. (SWEDEN-JR.)

October 8, 2003 | 6′ 0″ | 178 pounds

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Tier: Has a chance to play games

Skating: Below NHL average
Puck skills: NHL average
Hockey sense: NHL average
Compete: NHL average
Shot: NHL average

Background: Persson was a highly productive player in Sweden’s junior league this season and has played SHL games over the past two seasons for Frolunda. He played in a tournament for Sweden’s U20 team this past summer and in April, and was a notable part of their U18 team in the 2020-21 season.

Analysis: Persson is quite dangerous inside the offensive zone. He’s a highly-skilled winger who can make crafty plays through defenders. He shows very good vision to make tough plays off the perimeter and combined with a strong shot he’s able to run a power play. Persson is a great junior player, but given his average size and footspeed there are questions on how his game translates to the pros.

149. Jake Karabela, C, GUELPH (OHL)

March 7, 2004 | 5′ 10″ | 172 pounds

Analysis: Karabela was an important player for Guelph who played all situations for them and was a big part of their power play. Karabela’s skill is the thing that stands out the most when you watch him. He has slick puck skills, showing great ability to control the puck under pressure and beat defenders with his hands despite not possessing great speed or reach. Inside the offensive zone, due to his creativity, he can generate quite a few chances and moves the puck around well on a power play. He lacks size but works hard, can PK and doesn’t shy from battles. Karabela’s major issue for the NHL will be his skating as he lacks the ability to separate versus better players.

181. Ryan Hofer, RW, EVERETT (WHL)

May 10, 2002 | 6′ 3″ | 181 pounds

Analysis: Ryan Hofer is a re-entry prospect with good size and compete and some skill but whether the pure talent level is high enough for the NHL is the debate in his game.

213. David Gucciardi, LHD, MICHIGAN STATE (BIG10)

October 9, 2002 | 6′ 1″ | 185 pounds

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Analysis: Gucciardi has intriguing talent. He’s a strong skater with a good skill level and has a hard point shot. On his best shift he can pop and make an impact. His decision-making is questionable though, and he needs work on the defensive side of the puck.

 (Photo of Ivan Miroshnichenko in 2020: RvS.Media / Monika Majer / Getty Images)

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