DRAFT: Experts project the 29th pick

EDMONTON, AB - With the 2022 NHL Entry Draft just days away and the Oilers picking further from the top than they have ever have before, who the Oilers may select is as shrouded as ever.
There will still be plenty of solid options available to the Oilers when they head to the podium in Montreal to announce the 29th overall pick. With prospect season in full frenzy, here is a quick look at some of the names the draft experts have prognosticated at the Oilers selection.

Bob McKenzie, TSN - Luca Del Bel Belluz, C, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Del Bel Belluz is fresh off a strong season in the Ontario Hockey League, recording 76 points (30G, 46A) in 68 games with the Mississauga Steelheads. The centre's performance and growth has been a surprise to some after recording just six points in 58 games in his first OHL season as a 16-year-old and missing his 17-year-old season. The 18-year-old is judged to have a strong shot and good hands among players in his draft class. The biggest criticisms of Del Bel Belluz revolves around his skating, which is deemed to be a little sluggish at times, and how high his ceiling can be.
As a total package, the Woodbridge, Ontario product is considered a strong two-way player garnering comparison to Calgary Flames centre Mikael Backlund. Bob McKenzie has the forward rated as the 29th best player available in the 2022 draft.
Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet - Alexander Perevalov, L, Yaroslavl (MHL)
Cosentino's 29th-ranked prospect, Perevalov prefers to play his offhand wing to make use of his hard and accurate shot. The winger had a strong showing last season with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv Jr in the Russian Junior Hockey League, notching 50 points (25G, 25A) in 42 games.
Perevalov's strengths are in the offensive side of the game with his shot, skating, and puck handling ability receiving strong praise. Despite his offensive tendencies, he is not seen as a liability defensively. Questions do linger by scouts around his development, as Perevalov started his season red hot, scoring 27 points in his first 15 games before cooling off in the second half of his season. Those concerns are what place him at the latter end of the first round, or even into the second.
Craig Button, TSN - Conor Geekie, C, Winnipeg Ice (WHL)
The 6-foot-4 centre is one of two dynamic draft prospects coming out of the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League, with the other being Matthew Savoie (brother of Oilers prospect Carter Savoie). Geekie used his big frame and excellent vision to amass 70 points (24G, 46A) in 63 games during the '21-22 season. The Strathclair, Manitoba product comes with a pro pedigree, with his brother Morgan currently a centre for the Seattle Kraken.
Geekie possesses both the size and high-end offensive skill craved by NHL scouts, however his skating is considered below NHL average which could push him down the draft board come July 7. Craig Button is considerably lower on Geekie, whom his TSN counterpart Bob McKenzie has as the 13th best prospect in the draft. If Geekie fills out and improves his skating, he is the tantalizing mix of size and offensive skill that is craved at the centre ice position.
Bonus: Reid Schaefer, LW, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Button released his annual mock draft and he currently has Reid Schaefer slotted in as the Oilers presumptive pick on Thursday. Schaefer is a bigger-bodied forward listed at 6-foot-3, who Button has compared to Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch. He is considered a riser in the prospect rankings after scoring 32 goals for the Thunderbirds this season. Schaefer has NHL size and some sandpaper to his game as evident by his 88 P.I.Ms this season.
The Spruce Grove, Alberta native may not have the highest offensive upside in comparison to some of the other prospects ranked around him, but he is an easy pro projection based on his style of game and attributes.

Adam Kimelman, NHL.com - Jagger Firkus, RW, Moose Jaw (WHL)
A sniper from Irma, Alberta, Firkus led the Moose Jaw Warriors in scoring last year, potting a team-high 36 goals on his way to an 80-point campaign. Firkus will need some time to fill out his frame, originally measuring in at 5-foot-10 and 154 pounds, but he packs an offensive punch.
The 18-year-old is well regarded for his scoring ability, to go along with good speed and excellent edge work. His greatest asset is his shot which is heavy, accurate, and is packaged with a quick release. Firkus used that shot to rack up another six goals in 10 WHL playoff games. According to several scouting reports, the winger projects as a middle-six forward at the NHL level. Kimelman currently has Firkus mocked to go to the Oilers at 29 for Thursday's draft.
Mike Morreale NHL.com - Jiri Kulich, C, HC Energie Karlovy Vary (Czech Extraliga)
The Czechia centre dominated in the 2022 Under-18 World Championship, where he potted nine goals and 11 points in only six games. Kulich was at his best in the tournament against the top competition -- he scored a hat trick against Canada and had multi-goal games against Team USA, Germany, and Switzerland. Kulich spent his 17-year-old season playing with HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the Czechia, picking up 14 points (9G, 5A) in 49 pro games.
Scouts love Kulich for his motor and his puck protection skills, but like a lot of young players, his play strength and consistency need to catch up to the rest of his tools. The winger plays with pace and tenacity, to go alongside an accurate shot and powerplay prowess. The belief is that Kulich has a solid NHL floor even if the prospect is unable to put everything together.
Corey Pronman, The Athletic - Ryan Chesley, D, USNTDP (USDP)
The recent University of Minnesota commit spent last season manning the blueline for the United States National Development Program, playing 59 games for the U18 National team and 26 for the USNTDP Junior team. In all, Chesley scored 17 goals and 44 points in 85 games between the two programs.
The defender is ranked consistently near the end of the first round by most prospect projectors and is lauded for his hard shot and his balanced game. Chesley is considered a solid skater with decent offensive instincts. He has flashed the ability to play well at both ends of the ice and falls in the highly valued category of "right-handed defenceman".
Scott Wheeler The Athletic - Jack Hughes, C, Northeastern University (NCAA)
Jack Hughes was the youngest player in college hockey as a member of the Northeastern University Huskies. In 39 games for the Huskies, Hughes notched 16 points (7 G, 9A) despite his young age.
The centre is praised by experts for his exceptional puck skills and is considered more of a facilitator than a goal scorer. Hughes is considered a smart player who is able to find his teammates with the puck, but lacks the explosiveness of a top-tier prospect. Prior to joining Northeastern University, the 6-foot centre put up 34 points (8G, 26A) in 38 games with the US National U-18 Team.