5 Western Conference 1st Round Picks Who Must Show They Can Stick in the NHL in 2026-27 – The Hockey Writers – NHL Prospects

Players drafted in the first round of the NHL draft are often expected to become quality pros, if not difference-makers. First-round picks have shaped NHL teams throughout history. They can transform an organization’s outlook and turn it into Stanley Cup contenders.

The Montreal Canadiens hit on Ivan Demidov, Cole Caulfield, and Juraj Slafkovsky in the first round, and they used first-round selections in the package to acquire Noah Dobson. The Dallas Stars selected Miro Heiskanen, Wyatt Johnston, and Jake Oettinger all in the first round and have since become franchise cornerstones.

However, among the many first-round picks that reach their ceiling, or even their floor, some haven’t made it to the show consistently, if at all. I have taken a look at the Eastern Conference, so here are five Western Conference first-round picks who need to show they can stay in the NHL this season. All these players were drafted in 2022, so there’s extra pressure to break out.

Kevin Korchinski, Chicago Blackhawks

Drafted seventh overall in the 2022 NHL Draft

The Blackhawks have had one of the worst defenses in the NHL over the past few seasons, and part of that is because of players like Korchinski who haven’t been able to stick in the NHL. He was one of the first major draft picks of general manager Kyle Davidson’s tenure in Chicago, but he hasn’t turned into a boom yet.

The team promoted Korchinski to the NHL a year after he was drafted, and he scored five goals and 10 points in 76 games in 2023-24. However, he struggled mightily in his own zone, finishing with a minus-39 plus/minus rating. Since then, he’s played just 29 NHL games. However, he has shown his offensive upside with the American Hockey League’s Rockford Ice Hogs, with five goals and 48 assists in 109 games over the last two seasons.

It seems like Davidson is giving him one more chance to establish an NHL role. The Blackhawks traded for Bowen Byram to improve their defense, and they’re hoping for growth from Artyom Levshunov. Both players play on the right, and if Korchinski beats out Wyatt Kaiser or Ian Cole for a spot, he should have better pairings than last season. He needs to win a roster spot this season, though.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Vancouver Canucks

Drafted 15th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft

Lekkerimaki is still waiting for an opportunity to break out. As a smaller skater, he has taken more time to develop, but the Canucks have been patient with him, and he’s played 37 NHL games to date.

Last season, he had 13 goals and seven assists in 21 AHL games for the Abbotsford Canucks, showing he is NHL-ready. He also scored two goals and an assist in 13 NHL games before a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely.

That’s been the story with him: great production at lower levels, but injuries get in the way. He has a great shot at making the roster this season, with the Canucks employing plenty of young players and hiring Manny Malhotra, his former AHL coach, as head coach. If he can’t make the roster out of camp or get an early-season call-up, some uncomfortable questions will need to be asked about his long-term NHL status.

Joakim Kemell, Nashville Predators

Drafted 17th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft

I’ve written about Kemell’s situation before, but he’s in a tough spot. He was drafted as a sniper, and his shot was the best part of his game. That kind of archetype is usually either a top-six NHLer or a bust.

So far, Kemell hasn’t lived up to the hype. His first full season in the AHL was solid, with 16 goals and 25 assists in 67 games in 2023-24 with the Milwaukee Admirals. However, he’s never surpassed that production, and he’s stayed healthy.

To be fair, he played 16 NHL games last season, with a goal and two assists, and 14 of those games were played from March onward, so he has some momentum to make the roster, especially after the Predators traded Luke Evangelista on Sept. 1. However, Nashville brought in several forwards during the offseason who are also competing for spots. Kemell needs more playing time to pan out, but it might not happen.

Filip Bystedt, San Jose Sharks

Drafted 27th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft

Bystedt has had a solid but gradual prospect journey. He made his debut with the AHL San Jose Barracuda in the middle of the 2023-24 season, and since then, his play and responsibilities have increased each season. He had 31 points in 50 games in 2024-25, and 60 points in 65 games last season. He has the size, speed, and defense to make an impact in the NHL.

The problem is he has trouble keeping up with the Joneses. The Sharks have plenty of young centers who need playing time. Macklin Celebrini and Michael Misa are probably the team’s top two centers, and Will Smith can play center as well.

The Sharks also extended Alexander Wennberg for three seasons in January. That leaves Bystedt to battle with Zach Ostapchuk for a bottom-six center role. He needs to win it this season, because last season showed he has maxed out at the AHL level.

Maveric Lamoureux, Utah Mammoth

Drafted 29th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft

Lamoureux’s game is mostly away from the puck. He’s a shutdown defenseman with a long reach and great size at 6-foot-6. However, he has just 15 NHL games of experience, partially due to his light build (196 pounds).

He’s had 107 games in the AHL so far, with 33 points. He did have a plus-7 rating last season, showing he is solid in his own zone. Still, the Mammoth have invested a ton in their defense over the past couple of seasons, giving up premium assets for Mikhail Sergachev and Mackenzie Weegar, and they’ve signed Nate Schmidt and Andrew Peeke to contracts. Dmitry Simashev should also get a spot on the blue line, making it an uphill battle for Lamoureux to etch his name onto the NHL roster.

Why They’re All 2022 First-Rounders

Usually, four seasons after a player is drafted, especially in the first round, they should make the jump towards full-time NHLers. Some are late bloomers who break out in their D-plus-five or D-plus six seasons. Tage Thompson, Valeri Nichushkin, and Nazem Kadri are great examples. However, many more don’t make it to the NHL full-time. These prospects run that risk.