In our annual pre-Draft mock runthrough of the primary spherical, Flyers contributing author Invoice Meltzer does a pattern run-through of how the highest 32 picks might go. The Flyers, who at the moment maintain the twelfth and thirty second choices, may probably transfer round within the spherical if a suitable deal (or offers) might be struck. If not, the group is snug that it may nonetheless land good prospects on Day One of many NHL Draft.
The mock Draft is strictly primarily based on a “greatest out there participant” mannequin, not on numerous golf equipment’ organizational wants or intel on believed inside rankings. It is also not a projection of “wanting” to see a membership, together with the Flyers, choose a specific participant.
Scouts leaguewide are inclined to covet 4S prospects, who deliver all 4 of the next traits: dimension, pace, ability and hockey sense. Prospects can work round missing one trait however projected inside rankings method every trait closely and have a tendency to mark down a participant with a number of obtrusive deficiencies in these areas.
There can typically be a positional bias at work, too, significantly with “true facilities” getting a lift over pure wingers and middle/wing swingmen (typically smaller framed gamers) who’re projected to be wingers on the NHL degree. There are, in fact, exceptions, the place a future winger is projected to have an excessive amount of of a better impression to fit him beneath a middle no matter positional choice.
With defensemen, there may be typically a lengthier growth timetable relative to forwards earlier than the participant approaches his projected ceiling. In lots of instances, it is a extra inexact “science” to precisely tab the probably floor-to-ceiling potential for these largely 18-year-old candidates.
Holding these issues in thoughts, the next is Meltzer’s 2024 Draft mock-up for picks No. 1 to 32.
1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston College (NCAA)
Celebrini isn’t projected to be a “once-in-a-generation” degree expertise — a slam dunk future Hart Trophy candidate — ala Eric Lindros, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or 2023 first total choose Connor Bedard of their Draft 12 months. Nonetheless, he is thought-about a future upper-echelon NHL participant, with a really excessive ground and an All-Star degree ceiling. He is additionally one of many few gamers on this Draft who may viablely be an NHL contributor proper off the bat.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)
In a deep crop of blueline prospects out there for the 2024 Draft, the Belarusian is one who stands out as a coveted 4S sort of participant: 6-foot-2, 209 kilos, with demonstrated mobility, on-puck and off-puck skill and pure ability in enjoying successfully with tempo.
3. Anaheim Geese: Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Consistency would be the key for massive-frame Russian defenseman Anton Silayev (6-foot-7, 210-plus kilos) to succeed in the kind of potential that’s projected for him. There may be some threat concerned; some leaps of religion required to undertaking that he’ll refine a few of uncooked instruments which have ranked so extremely in public rankings. That stated, if he even approaches his ceiling, which is Norris Trophy caliber, he’d be a no brainer in some future “retro Draft” train. Not all agree. His pundit rankings are as excessive as top-three in lots of instances however a bit decrease — even simply exterior the High 10 — in dissenter projections.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Drugs Hat (WHL)
Again and hand accidents in 2023-24, significantly the previous, have some frightened about the place to fit Lindstrom. He missed 36 video games final season. From all appearances, although, he’s now absolutely wholesome. A basic early first-round middle choose with an enormous body and a demonstrated ability degree that’s exhausting to seek out while you get deeper right into a Draft class, Lindstrom is more likely to be the subsequent middle off the board after Celebrini. Maybe due to some trepidation over accidents, Columbus has been rumored to be prepared to commerce this choose, however the fee can be extraordinarily excessive.
5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
By way of pure offensive ability and creativity, Matvei Michkov’s pal and SKA system teammate might be essentially the most electrifying expertise within the 2024 Draft crop. Though Mickov arrived sooner as a KHL common and made extra rapid impression offensively at Russia’s prime degree, Demidov is an amazing younger expertise in his personal proper. He is torn up the Russian junior degree (MHL) hockey and appeared in a handful of KHL video games. In fingers, aggressiveness in making performs, puckhanding, will to attain and creativity, Demindov has a famous person ceiling. Off puck, he’ll have changes to make (as will Flyers prospect Michov).
6. Utah HC: Tij Iginla W/C, Kelowna (WHL)
He would not play in the identical model as his dad, Hockey Corridor of Fame energy ahead Jarome Igina, however Tij Igina is a really proficient participant in his personal proper. He spent a lot of the previous 12 months on a wing however hopes to maneuver again to his authentic place, middle, frequently in 2024-25. Both as a middle or a winger, Iginia has high-end offensive potential: 47 objectives in 64 common season video games within the Western Hockey League, 12 factors (6g, 6a) in seven video games on the Beneath-18 Worlds for gold medalist Group Canada. There are a few defensemen who’re extremely regarded candidates for choice in the identical vary (picks 5, 6, 7, or 8) however Iginla’s versatility offers him a slight increase on this mock.
7. Ottawa Senators; Sam Dickinson D, London (OHL)
Enjoying for Dale Hunter’s Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights, Dickinson was a big impression participant in his Draft 12 months. Toolsy, rangy when it comes to mobility, offensively promising and big-framed (6-foot-3, 203 kilos), Dickinson is a consensus top-10 candidate for the 2004 Draft.
Some prognosticators even positioned Dickison in — or the cusp of — the highest repair, six or seven vary. He performed for a dominant and deep group, which helped increase his manufacturing in his Draft 12 months (70 factors in 68 video games), however he confirmed an all-around upside to turn into an entire professional defenseman as he good points expertise.
If he reaches his potential, Dickson might be a stable top-three and even top-pair defenseman within the NHL: an all-situations participant who logs 20-plus minutes an evening. He is off to a great begin towards an NHL path coming into his Draf-plus-one 12 months.
8. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton C/W, Spokane (WHL)
NHL groups appear to be putting a renewed emphasis on rating up gamers who deliver the scale/pace mixture into the combo. That’s the reason Berkly Catton will get marked down a bit in some pundit rankings. He’s smaller-than-average for a middle, which is why some organizations seem more likely to convert him to a winger when he turns professional (we already talked about the positional bias think about many rankings). He skates properly and is excellent on his edges, which might be equally — or extra vital in some conditions — than straight forward burst. Straight forward, Catton doesn’t proven the pure burst to realize constant separation. These are the explanations he typically falls simply exterior the highest 10 in lots of prognostications.
I really feel in another way, nevertheless. I feel that is an outlier case during which a small junior middle may discover enviable success within the NHL if allowed to remain at middle fairly than shifting to wing. Extra importantly, although, even when he does find yourself as a winger, so what? Groups want high-quality offensive abilities of their prime six no matter place.
Catton did not rack up 116 common season factors (54g, 62a) in his Draft-eligible WHL season by chance. He can end. He can arrange teammates in addition to any prospect in this Draft. His ice imaginative and prescient, creativity, puck management and fingers are the actual deal. There may be all of the making of a future NHL impression participant.
If that is at middle, a lot the higher. If it is at wing, that is completely advantageous, too. If moved to wing, might even see fewer bodily mismatches defensively (he isn’t tiny, albeit smaller than the “central casting” superb for a middle). He isn’t afraid to compete, in any case.
9. Calgary Flames: Zeev Buium D, Denver (NAA)
A cerebral younger defenseman with each puck-moving and offensive upside, Bium was an vital piece of the puzzle each the World Junior Championship gold medalist Group USA and as a freshman power for NCAA champion Denver.
Bium is of common dimension however well-above common total potential. He may turn out to be an all-situation NHL defenseman of top-three caliber as an inexpensive developmental cycle forecast.
10. New Jersey Devils: Beckett Sennecke W, Oshawa (OHL)
Sennecke’s inventory rose with a bullet within the second half of the season: A high-compete participant with good ice imaginative and prescient, a willingness to get to the “greasy” areas of the ice and skill to dish the puck to an open teammate and make a play. Pundits predict that his body will fill out and that his excellent second half — in comparison with his “merely stable” first half — is the actual indicator of the place he’s in his growth to date.
There may be some projection concerned with the participant: Will he take off as anticipated for the total season in his Draft-plus-one 12 months? Will he turn out to be a top-dog sort of spine participant on an NHL group or a pleasant complementary piece to varied kinds of linemates?
11. San Jose Sharks (by way of Buffalo): Zayne Parekh D, Saginaw (OHL)
With Celebrini locked in because the No, 1 total choice, if Parekh continues to be on the board right here, I may see San Jose swinging for the fences right here. He is extra rover than a standard defenseman — his off-puck skill has been questioned typically regardless of his common season plus-39 and his key position on the eventual Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Squad — nevertheless it’s mighty exhausting to miss his offensive upside.
Ninety-six common season factors from the again finish (33g, 66a). Eleven factors (2g, 9a) in 13 OHL playoff video games, A mainstay on a Memorial Cup roster. Appears to be trending up in his off-puck play, puck administration and bodily engagement. The combo is difficult to withstand, particularly if nonetheless out there at this level.
12. FLYERS: Konsta Helenius C, Jukerit (Liiga)
There are a minimum of three gamers that I may see the Flyers choosing comfortably if the picks play out this manner by way of the highest 11 (or if a participant like Catton drops to them). In the end, I went for Finnish middle Heleinus and reluctantly saved exhausting taking pictures/bodily defenseman Carter Yakemchuk, and sniping ahead Cole Eiserman on the board.
First, let’s speak about what Helenius is earlier than we speak about what he is not. He is already competing efficiently in opposition to grownup professionals in Finland’s Liiga and his play hit one other degree within the postseason (though he did not dominate on the U18s to the hoped-for diploma). He made Finland’s senior group on the World Championships. He is a detail-oriented participant in all zones.
Helenius is the kind of participant who might be extra appreciated in repeated viewing than by way of a single-game or spotlight bundle. He is not tall (5-foot-11) however has a projectable body to ultimately play within the 195 to 200 pound vary. He battles to make performs and defends.
Helenius is a surgical playmaker, not a visually spectacular one. He isn’t going to dazzle or dangle round a lot earlier than lastly making the “excellent play” however he’ll shortly survey his choices and ship the puck in a great place for a scoring likelihood. His sport interprets properly towards being a constant producer even when he would not publish eye-popping stats that may lead a league.
It is typically tempting to check a prospect to a countryman, and that usually occurs with right-handed taking pictures Helenius. He is been in comparison with the likes of Anton Lundell and former NHLer Saku Koivu. He confirmed enchancment in his skating this previous season, and has at all times ranked very extremely in hockey sense.
Helenius may use enchancment on his shot: he is a greater passer than finisher at this stage of his profession. When all of the items are added up, although, it is a participant with BOTH a excessive ceiling and a excessive ground. He needs to be NHL-ready comparatively quickly, too. Helenius can be versatile sufficient to play wing if a group that drafts him prefers that path.
He possesses some traits that may’t be taught and is a play-driving, full participant with loads of top-six upside on the NHL degree. For this vary of the Draft, for my part, it is an simply justifiable choose.
13. Minnesota Wild: Carter Yakemchuk D, Calgary (WHL)
Three property lie on the forefront of Yakemchuk’s case to be chosen within the higher half of the primary spherical: an explosive ending skill (30 objectives), an enormous body (6-foot-3) and an aggressive bodily model with appreciable snarl (120 penalty minutes). Yakemchuk typically will get questioned for his positional consciousness, threat/reward judgement and puck administration. The hope is that he harnesses his appreciable instruments and pure aggression into an efficient NHL sport.
14. Buffalo Sabres (by way of San Jose): Cole EIserman LW (USNTDP)
This choose initially belonged to the Pittsburgh Penguins and got here to the Sabres by way of San Jose. Eiserman entered the 2023-24 season broadly thought-about to be a possible top-two Draft candidate for this 12 months’s Draft. Eiserman fell out of the projected top-10 (in some instances, out of the projected top-half) of the 2024 Draft in line with the pundits. Eiserman is a divisive participant in a lot the identical trend as longtime NHLers Phil Kessel. Eiserman, like Kessel, had A+ fingers and the flexibility to attain in bunches. Nonetheless, Eiserman has simply as many critics as admirers, starting from his total contributions if not scoring, to coachability, to motor. For these causes, he went from a pre-season “slam dunk” for a top-five choose to a wildcard when it comes to his Draft vary.
15. Detroit Crimson Wings: Igor Chernyshov LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
A well-rounded Russian winger who has already proven he can play efficiently on the KHL degree and who has already proven his all-around sport is superior past the everyday degree of a youngster within the MHL. Cherynyshov’s projected ceiling isn’t in Demidov’s stratosphere, however he’s a stable choice on this vary.
16. St. Louis Blues: Liam Greentree LW, Windsor (OHL)
So long as Greentree can work round some skating deficiencies — in a lot the identical trend as Flyers winger Tyson Foerster — he has all of the instruments to turn out to be in impression ahead within the NHL sometime. He is already bodily mature (6-foot-3, 210 kilos), confirmed the flexibility each to make performs (54 assists) and the potential to complete (34 objectives) as properly. Defensively accountable, Greentree has most of the parts of a basic energy ahead. Large-and-skilled is a horny mixture of attributes for many organizations, however the skating points are one thing the participant might want to tackle over the subsequent few seasons.
17. Washington Capitals: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård RW (Mora IK, Allsvenskan)
A tough-charging and hard-skating winger with a bodily edge and a extremely aggressive model of play, some projections have Brandsegg-Nygård proper within the center vary of the primary spherical. He has a high-floor as a top-12 NHLer, a middle-six median and a flexible match inside numerous spots wherever within the prime 9.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from Islanders): Michael Hage C (Chicago, USHL)
A intelligent playmaking middle with some 200-foot upside, Hage is headed from the USHL’s Chicago Metal to the College of Michigan come 2025-26, Already established as a advantageous distributor with good ice imaginative and prescient, Hage stepped up the scoring facet of his sport within the second half of 2023-24.
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Stian Sollberg D (Vålenga, Norway)
A giant-framed projected shutdown defenseman and a uncommon first-round candidate who was skilled his native Norway by way of his Draft 12 months, Sollberg’s sport and physicality make him an under-the-radar candidate.
20. New York Islanders: Jett Luchanko C/W, Guelph (OHL)
A right-handed taking pictures swingman who excelled on the ability play within the Ontario Hockey League. Primarily a playmaker, Luchanko is aggressive in looking for out open ice, and dishing the puck to an open linemate. This choose, initially belonging to the Tampa Bay Lightning, got here to the Islanders by way of Chicao.
21. Los Angeles Kings: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-Metropolis (USHL)
A controversial choose because of emotional/behavioral maturity issues, Connelly would in any other case be a possible top-10 candidate primarily based on his ability degree. Dedicated to Windfall School, A prime USHL producer for the Tri-Metropolis Storm, Connelly additionally discovered success for Group USA on the Beneath-18 Worlds. He has some defensive points to work by way of in addition to some purple flags when it comes to on-ice and off-ice self-discipline. Nonetheless, there’s a big upside with this participant.
22. Nashville Predators: Andrew Basha (LW. Drugs Hat Tigers, WHL)
Pundit Draft projections for Basha are inclined to vary wherever from the top-18 to the early second spherical. Nonetheless, it will not be a shock if he comes off the board nearer to the entrance finish of that vary.
Though Basha is a pass-first sort of attacker, he also can rating opportunistic objectives. He completed the 2023-24 season with 30 objectives (55 assists and 85 factors in 63 video games) through the common season. His No. 1 asset, nevertheless, is his creativity with the puck and his deft passing contact.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)
In a comparatively sparse depth 12 months for pure facilities, Boisvert is an upwardly cellular prospect with a projectable professional middle body. He is proven offensive upside on the USHL degree and a few offensive ability (36g, 32 a in 61 video games) on the USHL degree. The Quebec native is headed for the College of North Dakota in 2004-25. He was an alternate captain for Muskegon this previous season.
24. Colorado Avalanche: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
A giant right-handed taking pictures defensmen with a bodily edge to his sport, Elick additionally has above-average mobility. The query is how a lot of a puck mover vs. defensive defenseman he’ll turn out to be. He hasn’t proven a lot offensive pop to date, though it needs to be identified that his group, longtime prospect manufacturing facility Brandon, has been in a transitional section lately. He however has shutdown D potential on the NHL degree.
25. Boston Bruins: Ryder Ritchie RW (Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Ritchie is one in all youthful members of this 12 months’s Draft class, born on August 3. 2026. He did not progress so far as hoped this season however nonetheless has a really upside for the long run: wonderful skating, puck abilities, creativity and a powerful playoff run (3g, 4a, 20 pictures in purpose in 5 video games. He posted 44 factors in 47 common season matches (19g, 25a). Just a little extra was anticipated however continues to be projected for an enormous bounce in his Draft-plus one season. This choose got here to Boston by way of Detroit and Ottawa.
26. Montreal Canadiens: Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Växjö J20 (J20 Nationwide)
The 2024 Draft is among the weaker years for Swedish prospects lately. Sahlin Wallenius, nevertheless, is a well-regarded puck-mover with an rising total sport. He is been an impression offensive participant and group chief on the J20 degree in Sweden. Sahlin Wallenius was a daily for the Junior Crowns on the Beneath-18 Worlds.
27. Carolina Hurricanes: EJ (Eric) Emery D (USNTDP)
A cellular, dependable defenseman who may be very sound with out the puck and has good first-pass skill, Emery is 6-foot-3, right-shooting defenseman who initiatives as a penalty killing proper defenseman as a professional. He’s headed for the College of North Dakota in 2024-25.
28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver): Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)
A giant-framed two-way middle with a powerful aggressive drive, Beaudoin was a mainstay for Group Canada on the U18 Worlds. He posted 62 factors i(28g, 34a) in 67 common season OHL video games and 6 factors (2g, 3a) in six playoffs video games. He is a participant in the same mould to Columbus ahead Boone Jenner and Flyers group chief Scott Laughton.
29. Dallas Stars: Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)
A high-value choose at this final stage of the Draft, Kiviharju missed many of the 2023-24 season because of a knee damage. The Stars have typically tabbed Finnish blueliners in latest Drafts, starting from Miro Heiskanen to Julius Honka and Jani Hakanpää (initially a St. Louis choose) over the past 14 years wtih some good success.
30. New York Rangers: Sam O’Reilly RW (London, OHL)
A teammate of Flyers prospects Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey together with Toronto hopeful Eason Cowan and prime 2024 blueline prospect Sam Dickinson, O’Reilly is coming off a powerful all-around season and playoffs for London. He gained the belief of head coach Dale Hunter and noticed his position enhance.
31. Edmonton Oilers: Julius Miettinen C/W, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
An easy north-south participant, Miettinen rose sharply from the Central Scouting midterm rankings to his last rating. His skating is a piece in progress however enhancing. He has some two-way upside. His model has been in comparison with Bruins middle Charlie Coyle
32. FLYERS (by way of Florida): Yegor Surin C/W Lokomotiv Yaroslav (KHL)
I thought-about going with a defenseman for the Flyers’ latter first rounder if Czech defenseman Adam Jiricek was on the board. I additionally considered USNTDP wing/middle swingman Teddy Stiga. Both is a viable choose within the late first spherical. Nonetheless, I am intrigued by the Flyers rolling the cube on a Russian participant similar to Surin, who has been a superb offensive participant for Lokomotiv’s J20 group (Loko) within the MHL.
In our annual pre-Draft mock runthrough of the primary spherical, Flyers contributing author Invoice Meltzer does a pattern run-through of how the highest 32 picks might go. The Flyers, who at the moment maintain the twelfth and thirty second choices, may probably transfer round within the spherical if a suitable deal (or offers) might be struck. If not, the group is snug that it may nonetheless land good prospects on Day One of many NHL Draft.
The mock Draft is strictly primarily based on a “greatest out there participant” mannequin, not on numerous golf equipment’ organizational wants or intel on believed inside rankings. It is also not a projection of “wanting” to see a membership, together with the Flyers, choose a specific participant.
Scouts leaguewide are inclined to covet 4S prospects, who deliver all 4 of the next traits: dimension, pace, ability and hockey sense. Prospects can work round missing one trait however projected inside rankings method every trait closely and have a tendency to mark down a participant with a number of obtrusive deficiencies in these areas.
There can typically be a positional bias at work, too, significantly with “true facilities” getting a lift over pure wingers and middle/wing swingmen (typically smaller framed gamers) who’re projected to be wingers on the NHL degree. There are, in fact, exceptions, the place a future winger is projected to have an excessive amount of of a better impression to fit him beneath a middle no matter positional choice.
With defensemen, there may be typically a lengthier growth timetable relative to forwards earlier than the participant approaches his projected ceiling. In lots of instances, it is a extra inexact “science” to precisely tab the probably floor-to-ceiling potential for these largely 18-year-old candidates.
Holding these issues in thoughts, the next is Meltzer’s 2024 Draft mock-up for picks No. 1 to 32.
1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston College (NCAA)
Celebrini isn’t projected to be a “once-in-a-generation” degree expertise — a slam dunk future Hart Trophy candidate — ala Eric Lindros, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or 2023 first total choose Connor Bedard of their Draft 12 months. Nonetheless, he is thought-about a future upper-echelon NHL participant, with a really excessive ground and an All-Star degree ceiling. He is additionally one of many few gamers on this Draft who may viablely be an NHL contributor proper off the bat.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)
In a deep crop of blueline prospects out there for the 2024 Draft, the Belarusian is one who stands out as a coveted 4S sort of participant: 6-foot-2, 209 kilos, with demonstrated mobility, on-puck and off-puck skill and pure ability in enjoying successfully with tempo.
3. Anaheim Geese: Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Consistency would be the key for massive-frame Russian defenseman Anton Silayev (6-foot-7, 210-plus kilos) to succeed in the kind of potential that’s projected for him. There may be some threat concerned; some leaps of religion required to undertaking that he’ll refine a few of uncooked instruments which have ranked so extremely in public rankings. That stated, if he even approaches his ceiling, which is Norris Trophy caliber, he’d be a no brainer in some future “retro Draft” train. Not all agree. His pundit rankings are as excessive as top-three in lots of instances however a bit decrease — even simply exterior the High 10 — in dissenter projections.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Drugs Hat (WHL)
Again and hand accidents in 2023-24, significantly the previous, have some frightened about the place to fit Lindstrom. He missed 36 video games final season. From all appearances, although, he’s now absolutely wholesome. A basic early first-round middle choose with an enormous body and a demonstrated ability degree that’s exhausting to seek out while you get deeper right into a Draft class, Lindstrom is more likely to be the subsequent middle off the board after Celebrini. Maybe due to some trepidation over accidents, Columbus has been rumored to be prepared to commerce this choose, however the fee can be extraordinarily excessive.
5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
By way of pure offensive ability and creativity, Matvei Michkov’s pal and SKA system teammate might be essentially the most electrifying expertise within the 2024 Draft crop. Though Mickov arrived sooner as a KHL common and made extra rapid impression offensively at Russia’s prime degree, Demidov is an amazing younger expertise in his personal proper. He is torn up the Russian junior degree (MHL) hockey and appeared in a handful of KHL video games. In fingers, aggressiveness in making performs, puckhanding, will to attain and creativity, Demindov has a famous person ceiling. Off puck, he’ll have changes to make (as will Flyers prospect Michov).
6. Utah HC: Tij Iginla W/C, Kelowna (WHL)
He would not play in the identical model as his dad, Hockey Corridor of Fame energy ahead Jarome Igina, however Tij Igina is a really proficient participant in his personal proper. He spent a lot of the previous 12 months on a wing however hopes to maneuver again to his authentic place, middle, frequently in 2024-25. Both as a middle or a winger, Iginia has high-end offensive potential: 47 objectives in 64 common season video games within the Western Hockey League, 12 factors (6g, 6a) in seven video games on the Beneath-18 Worlds for gold medalist Group Canada. There are a few defensemen who’re extremely regarded candidates for choice in the identical vary (picks 5, 6, 7, or 8) however Iginla’s versatility offers him a slight increase on this mock.
7. Ottawa Senators; Sam Dickinson D, London (OHL)
Enjoying for Dale Hunter’s Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights, Dickinson was a big impression participant in his Draft 12 months. Toolsy, rangy when it comes to mobility, offensively promising and big-framed (6-foot-3, 203 kilos), Dickinson is a consensus top-10 candidate for the 2004 Draft.
Some prognosticators even positioned Dickison in — or the cusp of — the highest repair, six or seven vary. He performed for a dominant and deep group, which helped increase his manufacturing in his Draft 12 months (70 factors in 68 video games), however he confirmed an all-around upside to turn into an entire professional defenseman as he good points expertise.
If he reaches his potential, Dickson might be a stable top-three and even top-pair defenseman within the NHL: an all-situations participant who logs 20-plus minutes an evening. He is off to a great begin towards an NHL path coming into his Draf-plus-one 12 months.
8. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton C/W, Spokane (WHL)
NHL groups appear to be putting a renewed emphasis on rating up gamers who deliver the scale/pace mixture into the combo. That’s the reason Berkly Catton will get marked down a bit in some pundit rankings. He’s smaller-than-average for a middle, which is why some organizations seem more likely to convert him to a winger when he turns professional (we already talked about the positional bias think about many rankings). He skates properly and is excellent on his edges, which might be equally — or extra vital in some conditions — than straight forward burst. Straight forward, Catton doesn’t proven the pure burst to realize constant separation. These are the explanations he typically falls simply exterior the highest 10 in lots of prognostications.
I really feel in another way, nevertheless. I feel that is an outlier case during which a small junior middle may discover enviable success within the NHL if allowed to remain at middle fairly than shifting to wing. Extra importantly, although, even when he does find yourself as a winger, so what? Groups want high-quality offensive abilities of their prime six no matter place.
Catton did not rack up 116 common season factors (54g, 62a) in his Draft-eligible WHL season by chance. He can end. He can arrange teammates in addition to any prospect in this Draft. His ice imaginative and prescient, creativity, puck management and fingers are the actual deal. There may be all of the making of a future NHL impression participant.
If that is at middle, a lot the higher. If it is at wing, that is completely advantageous, too. If moved to wing, might even see fewer bodily mismatches defensively (he isn’t tiny, albeit smaller than the “central casting” superb for a middle). He isn’t afraid to compete, in any case.
9. Calgary Flames: Zeev Buium D, Denver (NAA)
A cerebral younger defenseman with each puck-moving and offensive upside, Bium was an vital piece of the puzzle each the World Junior Championship gold medalist Group USA and as a freshman power for NCAA champion Denver.
Bium is of common dimension however well-above common total potential. He may turn out to be an all-situation NHL defenseman of top-three caliber as an inexpensive developmental cycle forecast.
10. New Jersey Devils: Beckett Sennecke W, Oshawa (OHL)
Sennecke’s inventory rose with a bullet within the second half of the season: A high-compete participant with good ice imaginative and prescient, a willingness to get to the “greasy” areas of the ice and skill to dish the puck to an open teammate and make a play. Pundits predict that his body will fill out and that his excellent second half — in comparison with his “merely stable” first half — is the actual indicator of the place he’s in his growth to date.
There may be some projection concerned with the participant: Will he take off as anticipated for the total season in his Draft-plus-one 12 months? Will he turn out to be a top-dog sort of spine participant on an NHL group or a pleasant complementary piece to varied kinds of linemates?
11. San Jose Sharks (by way of Buffalo): Zayne Parekh D, Saginaw (OHL)
With Celebrini locked in because the No, 1 total choice, if Parekh continues to be on the board right here, I may see San Jose swinging for the fences right here. He is extra rover than a standard defenseman — his off-puck skill has been questioned typically regardless of his common season plus-39 and his key position on the eventual Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Squad — nevertheless it’s mighty exhausting to miss his offensive upside.
Ninety-six common season factors from the again finish (33g, 66a). Eleven factors (2g, 9a) in 13 OHL playoff video games, A mainstay on a Memorial Cup roster. Appears to be trending up in his off-puck play, puck administration and bodily engagement. The combo is difficult to withstand, particularly if nonetheless out there at this level.
12. FLYERS: Konsta Helenius C, Jukerit (Liiga)
There are a minimum of three gamers that I may see the Flyers choosing comfortably if the picks play out this manner by way of the highest 11 (or if a participant like Catton drops to them). In the end, I went for Finnish middle Heleinus and reluctantly saved exhausting taking pictures/bodily defenseman Carter Yakemchuk, and sniping ahead Cole Eiserman on the board.
First, let’s speak about what Helenius is earlier than we speak about what he is not. He is already competing efficiently in opposition to grownup professionals in Finland’s Liiga and his play hit one other degree within the postseason (though he did not dominate on the U18s to the hoped-for diploma). He made Finland’s senior group on the World Championships. He is a detail-oriented participant in all zones.
Helenius is the kind of participant who might be extra appreciated in repeated viewing than by way of a single-game or spotlight bundle. He is not tall (5-foot-11) however has a projectable body to ultimately play within the 195 to 200 pound vary. He battles to make performs and defends.
Helenius is a surgical playmaker, not a visually spectacular one. He isn’t going to dazzle or dangle round a lot earlier than lastly making the “excellent play” however he’ll shortly survey his choices and ship the puck in a great place for a scoring likelihood. His sport interprets properly towards being a constant producer even when he would not publish eye-popping stats that may lead a league.
It is typically tempting to check a prospect to a countryman, and that usually occurs with right-handed taking pictures Helenius. He is been in comparison with the likes of Anton Lundell and former NHLer Saku Koivu. He confirmed enchancment in his skating this previous season, and has at all times ranked very extremely in hockey sense.
Helenius may use enchancment on his shot: he is a greater passer than finisher at this stage of his profession. When all of the items are added up, although, it is a participant with BOTH a excessive ceiling and a excessive ground. He needs to be NHL-ready comparatively quickly, too. Helenius can be versatile sufficient to play wing if a group that drafts him prefers that path.
He possesses some traits that may’t be taught and is a play-driving, full participant with loads of top-six upside on the NHL degree. For this vary of the Draft, for my part, it is an simply justifiable choose.
13. Minnesota Wild: Carter Yakemchuk D, Calgary (WHL)
Three property lie on the forefront of Yakemchuk’s case to be chosen within the higher half of the primary spherical: an explosive ending skill (30 objectives), an enormous body (6-foot-3) and an aggressive bodily model with appreciable snarl (120 penalty minutes). Yakemchuk typically will get questioned for his positional consciousness, threat/reward judgement and puck administration. The hope is that he harnesses his appreciable instruments and pure aggression into an efficient NHL sport.
14. Buffalo Sabres (by way of San Jose): Cole EIserman LW (USNTDP)
This choose initially belonged to the Pittsburgh Penguins and got here to the Sabres by way of San Jose. Eiserman entered the 2023-24 season broadly thought-about to be a possible top-two Draft candidate for this 12 months’s Draft. Eiserman fell out of the projected top-10 (in some instances, out of the projected top-half) of the 2024 Draft in line with the pundits. Eiserman is a divisive participant in a lot the identical trend as longtime NHLers Phil Kessel. Eiserman, like Kessel, had A+ fingers and the flexibility to attain in bunches. Nonetheless, Eiserman has simply as many critics as admirers, starting from his total contributions if not scoring, to coachability, to motor. For these causes, he went from a pre-season “slam dunk” for a top-five choose to a wildcard when it comes to his Draft vary.
15. Detroit Crimson Wings: Igor Chernyshov LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
A well-rounded Russian winger who has already proven he can play efficiently on the KHL degree and who has already proven his all-around sport is superior past the everyday degree of a youngster within the MHL. Cherynyshov’s projected ceiling isn’t in Demidov’s stratosphere, however he’s a stable choice on this vary.
16. St. Louis Blues: Liam Greentree LW, Windsor (OHL)
So long as Greentree can work round some skating deficiencies — in a lot the identical trend as Flyers winger Tyson Foerster — he has all of the instruments to turn out to be in impression ahead within the NHL sometime. He is already bodily mature (6-foot-3, 210 kilos), confirmed the flexibility each to make performs (54 assists) and the potential to complete (34 objectives) as properly. Defensively accountable, Greentree has most of the parts of a basic energy ahead. Large-and-skilled is a horny mixture of attributes for many organizations, however the skating points are one thing the participant might want to tackle over the subsequent few seasons.
17. Washington Capitals: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård RW (Mora IK, Allsvenskan)
A tough-charging and hard-skating winger with a bodily edge and a extremely aggressive model of play, some projections have Brandsegg-Nygård proper within the center vary of the primary spherical. He has a high-floor as a top-12 NHLer, a middle-six median and a flexible match inside numerous spots wherever within the prime 9.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from Islanders): Michael Hage C (Chicago, USHL)
A intelligent playmaking middle with some 200-foot upside, Hage is headed from the USHL’s Chicago Metal to the College of Michigan come 2025-26, Already established as a advantageous distributor with good ice imaginative and prescient, Hage stepped up the scoring facet of his sport within the second half of 2023-24.
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Stian Sollberg D (Vålenga, Norway)
A giant-framed projected shutdown defenseman and a uncommon first-round candidate who was skilled his native Norway by way of his Draft 12 months, Sollberg’s sport and physicality make him an under-the-radar candidate.
20. New York Islanders: Jett Luchanko C/W, Guelph (OHL)
A right-handed taking pictures swingman who excelled on the ability play within the Ontario Hockey League. Primarily a playmaker, Luchanko is aggressive in looking for out open ice, and dishing the puck to an open linemate. This choose, initially belonging to the Tampa Bay Lightning, got here to the Islanders by way of Chicao.
21. Los Angeles Kings: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-Metropolis (USHL)
A controversial choose because of emotional/behavioral maturity issues, Connelly would in any other case be a possible top-10 candidate primarily based on his ability degree. Dedicated to Windfall School, A prime USHL producer for the Tri-Metropolis Storm, Connelly additionally discovered success for Group USA on the Beneath-18 Worlds. He has some defensive points to work by way of in addition to some purple flags when it comes to on-ice and off-ice self-discipline. Nonetheless, there’s a big upside with this participant.
22. Nashville Predators: Andrew Basha (LW. Drugs Hat Tigers, WHL)
Pundit Draft projections for Basha are inclined to vary wherever from the top-18 to the early second spherical. Nonetheless, it will not be a shock if he comes off the board nearer to the entrance finish of that vary.
Though Basha is a pass-first sort of attacker, he also can rating opportunistic objectives. He completed the 2023-24 season with 30 objectives (55 assists and 85 factors in 63 video games) through the common season. His No. 1 asset, nevertheless, is his creativity with the puck and his deft passing contact.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)
In a comparatively sparse depth 12 months for pure facilities, Boisvert is an upwardly cellular prospect with a projectable professional middle body. He is proven offensive upside on the USHL degree and a few offensive ability (36g, 32 a in 61 video games) on the USHL degree. The Quebec native is headed for the College of North Dakota in 2004-25. He was an alternate captain for Muskegon this previous season.
24. Colorado Avalanche: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
A giant right-handed taking pictures defensmen with a bodily edge to his sport, Elick additionally has above-average mobility. The query is how a lot of a puck mover vs. defensive defenseman he’ll turn out to be. He hasn’t proven a lot offensive pop to date, though it needs to be identified that his group, longtime prospect manufacturing facility Brandon, has been in a transitional section lately. He however has shutdown D potential on the NHL degree.
25. Boston Bruins: Ryder Ritchie RW (Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Ritchie is one in all youthful members of this 12 months’s Draft class, born on August 3. 2026. He did not progress so far as hoped this season however nonetheless has a really upside for the long run: wonderful skating, puck abilities, creativity and a powerful playoff run (3g, 4a, 20 pictures in purpose in 5 video games. He posted 44 factors in 47 common season matches (19g, 25a). Just a little extra was anticipated however continues to be projected for an enormous bounce in his Draft-plus one season. This choose got here to Boston by way of Detroit and Ottawa.
26. Montreal Canadiens: Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Växjö J20 (J20 Nationwide)
The 2024 Draft is among the weaker years for Swedish prospects lately. Sahlin Wallenius, nevertheless, is a well-regarded puck-mover with an rising total sport. He is been an impression offensive participant and group chief on the J20 degree in Sweden. Sahlin Wallenius was a daily for the Junior Crowns on the Beneath-18 Worlds.
27. Carolina Hurricanes: EJ (Eric) Emery D (USNTDP)
A cellular, dependable defenseman who may be very sound with out the puck and has good first-pass skill, Emery is 6-foot-3, right-shooting defenseman who initiatives as a penalty killing proper defenseman as a professional. He’s headed for the College of North Dakota in 2024-25.
28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver): Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)
A giant-framed two-way middle with a powerful aggressive drive, Beaudoin was a mainstay for Group Canada on the U18 Worlds. He posted 62 factors i(28g, 34a) in 67 common season OHL video games and 6 factors (2g, 3a) in six playoffs video games. He is a participant in the same mould to Columbus ahead Boone Jenner and Flyers group chief Scott Laughton.
29. Dallas Stars: Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)
A high-value choose at this final stage of the Draft, Kiviharju missed many of the 2023-24 season because of a knee damage. The Stars have typically tabbed Finnish blueliners in latest Drafts, starting from Miro Heiskanen to Julius Honka and Jani Hakanpää (initially a St. Louis choose) over the past 14 years wtih some good success.
30. New York Rangers: Sam O’Reilly RW (London, OHL)
A teammate of Flyers prospects Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey together with Toronto hopeful Eason Cowan and prime 2024 blueline prospect Sam Dickinson, O’Reilly is coming off a powerful all-around season and playoffs for London. He gained the belief of head coach Dale Hunter and noticed his position enhance.
31. Edmonton Oilers: Julius Miettinen C/W, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
An easy north-south participant, Miettinen rose sharply from the Central Scouting midterm rankings to his last rating. His skating is a piece in progress however enhancing. He has some two-way upside. His model has been in comparison with Bruins middle Charlie Coyle
32. FLYERS (by way of Florida): Yegor Surin C/W Lokomotiv Yaroslav (KHL)
I thought-about going with a defenseman for the Flyers’ latter first rounder if Czech defenseman Adam Jiricek was on the board. I additionally considered USNTDP wing/middle swingman Teddy Stiga. Both is a viable choose within the late first spherical. Nonetheless, I am intrigued by the Flyers rolling the cube on a Russian participant similar to Surin, who has been a superb offensive participant for Lokomotiv’s J20 group (Loko) within the MHL.
In our annual pre-Draft mock runthrough of the primary spherical, Flyers contributing author Invoice Meltzer does a pattern run-through of how the highest 32 picks might go. The Flyers, who at the moment maintain the twelfth and thirty second choices, may probably transfer round within the spherical if a suitable deal (or offers) might be struck. If not, the group is snug that it may nonetheless land good prospects on Day One of many NHL Draft.
The mock Draft is strictly primarily based on a “greatest out there participant” mannequin, not on numerous golf equipment’ organizational wants or intel on believed inside rankings. It is also not a projection of “wanting” to see a membership, together with the Flyers, choose a specific participant.
Scouts leaguewide are inclined to covet 4S prospects, who deliver all 4 of the next traits: dimension, pace, ability and hockey sense. Prospects can work round missing one trait however projected inside rankings method every trait closely and have a tendency to mark down a participant with a number of obtrusive deficiencies in these areas.
There can typically be a positional bias at work, too, significantly with “true facilities” getting a lift over pure wingers and middle/wing swingmen (typically smaller framed gamers) who’re projected to be wingers on the NHL degree. There are, in fact, exceptions, the place a future winger is projected to have an excessive amount of of a better impression to fit him beneath a middle no matter positional choice.
With defensemen, there may be typically a lengthier growth timetable relative to forwards earlier than the participant approaches his projected ceiling. In lots of instances, it is a extra inexact “science” to precisely tab the probably floor-to-ceiling potential for these largely 18-year-old candidates.
Holding these issues in thoughts, the next is Meltzer’s 2024 Draft mock-up for picks No. 1 to 32.
1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston College (NCAA)
Celebrini isn’t projected to be a “once-in-a-generation” degree expertise — a slam dunk future Hart Trophy candidate — ala Eric Lindros, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or 2023 first total choose Connor Bedard of their Draft 12 months. Nonetheless, he is thought-about a future upper-echelon NHL participant, with a really excessive ground and an All-Star degree ceiling. He is additionally one of many few gamers on this Draft who may viablely be an NHL contributor proper off the bat.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)
In a deep crop of blueline prospects out there for the 2024 Draft, the Belarusian is one who stands out as a coveted 4S sort of participant: 6-foot-2, 209 kilos, with demonstrated mobility, on-puck and off-puck skill and pure ability in enjoying successfully with tempo.
3. Anaheim Geese: Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Consistency would be the key for massive-frame Russian defenseman Anton Silayev (6-foot-7, 210-plus kilos) to succeed in the kind of potential that’s projected for him. There may be some threat concerned; some leaps of religion required to undertaking that he’ll refine a few of uncooked instruments which have ranked so extremely in public rankings. That stated, if he even approaches his ceiling, which is Norris Trophy caliber, he’d be a no brainer in some future “retro Draft” train. Not all agree. His pundit rankings are as excessive as top-three in lots of instances however a bit decrease — even simply exterior the High 10 — in dissenter projections.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Drugs Hat (WHL)
Again and hand accidents in 2023-24, significantly the previous, have some frightened about the place to fit Lindstrom. He missed 36 video games final season. From all appearances, although, he’s now absolutely wholesome. A basic early first-round middle choose with an enormous body and a demonstrated ability degree that’s exhausting to seek out while you get deeper right into a Draft class, Lindstrom is more likely to be the subsequent middle off the board after Celebrini. Maybe due to some trepidation over accidents, Columbus has been rumored to be prepared to commerce this choose, however the fee can be extraordinarily excessive.
5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
By way of pure offensive ability and creativity, Matvei Michkov’s pal and SKA system teammate might be essentially the most electrifying expertise within the 2024 Draft crop. Though Mickov arrived sooner as a KHL common and made extra rapid impression offensively at Russia’s prime degree, Demidov is an amazing younger expertise in his personal proper. He is torn up the Russian junior degree (MHL) hockey and appeared in a handful of KHL video games. In fingers, aggressiveness in making performs, puckhanding, will to attain and creativity, Demindov has a famous person ceiling. Off puck, he’ll have changes to make (as will Flyers prospect Michov).
6. Utah HC: Tij Iginla W/C, Kelowna (WHL)
He would not play in the identical model as his dad, Hockey Corridor of Fame energy ahead Jarome Igina, however Tij Igina is a really proficient participant in his personal proper. He spent a lot of the previous 12 months on a wing however hopes to maneuver again to his authentic place, middle, frequently in 2024-25. Both as a middle or a winger, Iginia has high-end offensive potential: 47 objectives in 64 common season video games within the Western Hockey League, 12 factors (6g, 6a) in seven video games on the Beneath-18 Worlds for gold medalist Group Canada. There are a few defensemen who’re extremely regarded candidates for choice in the identical vary (picks 5, 6, 7, or 8) however Iginla’s versatility offers him a slight increase on this mock.
7. Ottawa Senators; Sam Dickinson D, London (OHL)
Enjoying for Dale Hunter’s Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights, Dickinson was a big impression participant in his Draft 12 months. Toolsy, rangy when it comes to mobility, offensively promising and big-framed (6-foot-3, 203 kilos), Dickinson is a consensus top-10 candidate for the 2004 Draft.
Some prognosticators even positioned Dickison in — or the cusp of — the highest repair, six or seven vary. He performed for a dominant and deep group, which helped increase his manufacturing in his Draft 12 months (70 factors in 68 video games), however he confirmed an all-around upside to turn into an entire professional defenseman as he good points expertise.
If he reaches his potential, Dickson might be a stable top-three and even top-pair defenseman within the NHL: an all-situations participant who logs 20-plus minutes an evening. He is off to a great begin towards an NHL path coming into his Draf-plus-one 12 months.
8. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton C/W, Spokane (WHL)
NHL groups appear to be putting a renewed emphasis on rating up gamers who deliver the scale/pace mixture into the combo. That’s the reason Berkly Catton will get marked down a bit in some pundit rankings. He’s smaller-than-average for a middle, which is why some organizations seem more likely to convert him to a winger when he turns professional (we already talked about the positional bias think about many rankings). He skates properly and is excellent on his edges, which might be equally — or extra vital in some conditions — than straight forward burst. Straight forward, Catton doesn’t proven the pure burst to realize constant separation. These are the explanations he typically falls simply exterior the highest 10 in lots of prognostications.
I really feel in another way, nevertheless. I feel that is an outlier case during which a small junior middle may discover enviable success within the NHL if allowed to remain at middle fairly than shifting to wing. Extra importantly, although, even when he does find yourself as a winger, so what? Groups want high-quality offensive abilities of their prime six no matter place.
Catton did not rack up 116 common season factors (54g, 62a) in his Draft-eligible WHL season by chance. He can end. He can arrange teammates in addition to any prospect in this Draft. His ice imaginative and prescient, creativity, puck management and fingers are the actual deal. There may be all of the making of a future NHL impression participant.
If that is at middle, a lot the higher. If it is at wing, that is completely advantageous, too. If moved to wing, might even see fewer bodily mismatches defensively (he isn’t tiny, albeit smaller than the “central casting” superb for a middle). He isn’t afraid to compete, in any case.
9. Calgary Flames: Zeev Buium D, Denver (NAA)
A cerebral younger defenseman with each puck-moving and offensive upside, Bium was an vital piece of the puzzle each the World Junior Championship gold medalist Group USA and as a freshman power for NCAA champion Denver.
Bium is of common dimension however well-above common total potential. He may turn out to be an all-situation NHL defenseman of top-three caliber as an inexpensive developmental cycle forecast.
10. New Jersey Devils: Beckett Sennecke W, Oshawa (OHL)
Sennecke’s inventory rose with a bullet within the second half of the season: A high-compete participant with good ice imaginative and prescient, a willingness to get to the “greasy” areas of the ice and skill to dish the puck to an open teammate and make a play. Pundits predict that his body will fill out and that his excellent second half — in comparison with his “merely stable” first half — is the actual indicator of the place he’s in his growth to date.
There may be some projection concerned with the participant: Will he take off as anticipated for the total season in his Draft-plus-one 12 months? Will he turn out to be a top-dog sort of spine participant on an NHL group or a pleasant complementary piece to varied kinds of linemates?
11. San Jose Sharks (by way of Buffalo): Zayne Parekh D, Saginaw (OHL)
With Celebrini locked in because the No, 1 total choice, if Parekh continues to be on the board right here, I may see San Jose swinging for the fences right here. He is extra rover than a standard defenseman — his off-puck skill has been questioned typically regardless of his common season plus-39 and his key position on the eventual Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Squad — nevertheless it’s mighty exhausting to miss his offensive upside.
Ninety-six common season factors from the again finish (33g, 66a). Eleven factors (2g, 9a) in 13 OHL playoff video games, A mainstay on a Memorial Cup roster. Appears to be trending up in his off-puck play, puck administration and bodily engagement. The combo is difficult to withstand, particularly if nonetheless out there at this level.
12. FLYERS: Konsta Helenius C, Jukerit (Liiga)
There are a minimum of three gamers that I may see the Flyers choosing comfortably if the picks play out this manner by way of the highest 11 (or if a participant like Catton drops to them). In the end, I went for Finnish middle Heleinus and reluctantly saved exhausting taking pictures/bodily defenseman Carter Yakemchuk, and sniping ahead Cole Eiserman on the board.
First, let’s speak about what Helenius is earlier than we speak about what he is not. He is already competing efficiently in opposition to grownup professionals in Finland’s Liiga and his play hit one other degree within the postseason (though he did not dominate on the U18s to the hoped-for diploma). He made Finland’s senior group on the World Championships. He is a detail-oriented participant in all zones.
Helenius is the kind of participant who might be extra appreciated in repeated viewing than by way of a single-game or spotlight bundle. He is not tall (5-foot-11) however has a projectable body to ultimately play within the 195 to 200 pound vary. He battles to make performs and defends.
Helenius is a surgical playmaker, not a visually spectacular one. He isn’t going to dazzle or dangle round a lot earlier than lastly making the “excellent play” however he’ll shortly survey his choices and ship the puck in a great place for a scoring likelihood. His sport interprets properly towards being a constant producer even when he would not publish eye-popping stats that may lead a league.
It is typically tempting to check a prospect to a countryman, and that usually occurs with right-handed taking pictures Helenius. He is been in comparison with the likes of Anton Lundell and former NHLer Saku Koivu. He confirmed enchancment in his skating this previous season, and has at all times ranked very extremely in hockey sense.
Helenius may use enchancment on his shot: he is a greater passer than finisher at this stage of his profession. When all of the items are added up, although, it is a participant with BOTH a excessive ceiling and a excessive ground. He needs to be NHL-ready comparatively quickly, too. Helenius can be versatile sufficient to play wing if a group that drafts him prefers that path.
He possesses some traits that may’t be taught and is a play-driving, full participant with loads of top-six upside on the NHL degree. For this vary of the Draft, for my part, it is an simply justifiable choose.
13. Minnesota Wild: Carter Yakemchuk D, Calgary (WHL)
Three property lie on the forefront of Yakemchuk’s case to be chosen within the higher half of the primary spherical: an explosive ending skill (30 objectives), an enormous body (6-foot-3) and an aggressive bodily model with appreciable snarl (120 penalty minutes). Yakemchuk typically will get questioned for his positional consciousness, threat/reward judgement and puck administration. The hope is that he harnesses his appreciable instruments and pure aggression into an efficient NHL sport.
14. Buffalo Sabres (by way of San Jose): Cole EIserman LW (USNTDP)
This choose initially belonged to the Pittsburgh Penguins and got here to the Sabres by way of San Jose. Eiserman entered the 2023-24 season broadly thought-about to be a possible top-two Draft candidate for this 12 months’s Draft. Eiserman fell out of the projected top-10 (in some instances, out of the projected top-half) of the 2024 Draft in line with the pundits. Eiserman is a divisive participant in a lot the identical trend as longtime NHLers Phil Kessel. Eiserman, like Kessel, had A+ fingers and the flexibility to attain in bunches. Nonetheless, Eiserman has simply as many critics as admirers, starting from his total contributions if not scoring, to coachability, to motor. For these causes, he went from a pre-season “slam dunk” for a top-five choose to a wildcard when it comes to his Draft vary.
15. Detroit Crimson Wings: Igor Chernyshov LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
A well-rounded Russian winger who has already proven he can play efficiently on the KHL degree and who has already proven his all-around sport is superior past the everyday degree of a youngster within the MHL. Cherynyshov’s projected ceiling isn’t in Demidov’s stratosphere, however he’s a stable choice on this vary.
16. St. Louis Blues: Liam Greentree LW, Windsor (OHL)
So long as Greentree can work round some skating deficiencies — in a lot the identical trend as Flyers winger Tyson Foerster — he has all of the instruments to turn out to be in impression ahead within the NHL sometime. He is already bodily mature (6-foot-3, 210 kilos), confirmed the flexibility each to make performs (54 assists) and the potential to complete (34 objectives) as properly. Defensively accountable, Greentree has most of the parts of a basic energy ahead. Large-and-skilled is a horny mixture of attributes for many organizations, however the skating points are one thing the participant might want to tackle over the subsequent few seasons.
17. Washington Capitals: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård RW (Mora IK, Allsvenskan)
A tough-charging and hard-skating winger with a bodily edge and a extremely aggressive model of play, some projections have Brandsegg-Nygård proper within the center vary of the primary spherical. He has a high-floor as a top-12 NHLer, a middle-six median and a flexible match inside numerous spots wherever within the prime 9.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from Islanders): Michael Hage C (Chicago, USHL)
A intelligent playmaking middle with some 200-foot upside, Hage is headed from the USHL’s Chicago Metal to the College of Michigan come 2025-26, Already established as a advantageous distributor with good ice imaginative and prescient, Hage stepped up the scoring facet of his sport within the second half of 2023-24.
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Stian Sollberg D (Vålenga, Norway)
A giant-framed projected shutdown defenseman and a uncommon first-round candidate who was skilled his native Norway by way of his Draft 12 months, Sollberg’s sport and physicality make him an under-the-radar candidate.
20. New York Islanders: Jett Luchanko C/W, Guelph (OHL)
A right-handed taking pictures swingman who excelled on the ability play within the Ontario Hockey League. Primarily a playmaker, Luchanko is aggressive in looking for out open ice, and dishing the puck to an open linemate. This choose, initially belonging to the Tampa Bay Lightning, got here to the Islanders by way of Chicao.
21. Los Angeles Kings: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-Metropolis (USHL)
A controversial choose because of emotional/behavioral maturity issues, Connelly would in any other case be a possible top-10 candidate primarily based on his ability degree. Dedicated to Windfall School, A prime USHL producer for the Tri-Metropolis Storm, Connelly additionally discovered success for Group USA on the Beneath-18 Worlds. He has some defensive points to work by way of in addition to some purple flags when it comes to on-ice and off-ice self-discipline. Nonetheless, there’s a big upside with this participant.
22. Nashville Predators: Andrew Basha (LW. Drugs Hat Tigers, WHL)
Pundit Draft projections for Basha are inclined to vary wherever from the top-18 to the early second spherical. Nonetheless, it will not be a shock if he comes off the board nearer to the entrance finish of that vary.
Though Basha is a pass-first sort of attacker, he also can rating opportunistic objectives. He completed the 2023-24 season with 30 objectives (55 assists and 85 factors in 63 video games) through the common season. His No. 1 asset, nevertheless, is his creativity with the puck and his deft passing contact.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)
In a comparatively sparse depth 12 months for pure facilities, Boisvert is an upwardly cellular prospect with a projectable professional middle body. He is proven offensive upside on the USHL degree and a few offensive ability (36g, 32 a in 61 video games) on the USHL degree. The Quebec native is headed for the College of North Dakota in 2004-25. He was an alternate captain for Muskegon this previous season.
24. Colorado Avalanche: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
A giant right-handed taking pictures defensmen with a bodily edge to his sport, Elick additionally has above-average mobility. The query is how a lot of a puck mover vs. defensive defenseman he’ll turn out to be. He hasn’t proven a lot offensive pop to date, though it needs to be identified that his group, longtime prospect manufacturing facility Brandon, has been in a transitional section lately. He however has shutdown D potential on the NHL degree.
25. Boston Bruins: Ryder Ritchie RW (Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Ritchie is one in all youthful members of this 12 months’s Draft class, born on August 3. 2026. He did not progress so far as hoped this season however nonetheless has a really upside for the long run: wonderful skating, puck abilities, creativity and a powerful playoff run (3g, 4a, 20 pictures in purpose in 5 video games. He posted 44 factors in 47 common season matches (19g, 25a). Just a little extra was anticipated however continues to be projected for an enormous bounce in his Draft-plus one season. This choose got here to Boston by way of Detroit and Ottawa.
26. Montreal Canadiens: Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Växjö J20 (J20 Nationwide)
The 2024 Draft is among the weaker years for Swedish prospects lately. Sahlin Wallenius, nevertheless, is a well-regarded puck-mover with an rising total sport. He is been an impression offensive participant and group chief on the J20 degree in Sweden. Sahlin Wallenius was a daily for the Junior Crowns on the Beneath-18 Worlds.
27. Carolina Hurricanes: EJ (Eric) Emery D (USNTDP)
A cellular, dependable defenseman who may be very sound with out the puck and has good first-pass skill, Emery is 6-foot-3, right-shooting defenseman who initiatives as a penalty killing proper defenseman as a professional. He’s headed for the College of North Dakota in 2024-25.
28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver): Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)
A giant-framed two-way middle with a powerful aggressive drive, Beaudoin was a mainstay for Group Canada on the U18 Worlds. He posted 62 factors i(28g, 34a) in 67 common season OHL video games and 6 factors (2g, 3a) in six playoffs video games. He is a participant in the same mould to Columbus ahead Boone Jenner and Flyers group chief Scott Laughton.
29. Dallas Stars: Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)
A high-value choose at this final stage of the Draft, Kiviharju missed many of the 2023-24 season because of a knee damage. The Stars have typically tabbed Finnish blueliners in latest Drafts, starting from Miro Heiskanen to Julius Honka and Jani Hakanpää (initially a St. Louis choose) over the past 14 years wtih some good success.
30. New York Rangers: Sam O’Reilly RW (London, OHL)
A teammate of Flyers prospects Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey together with Toronto hopeful Eason Cowan and prime 2024 blueline prospect Sam Dickinson, O’Reilly is coming off a powerful all-around season and playoffs for London. He gained the belief of head coach Dale Hunter and noticed his position enhance.
31. Edmonton Oilers: Julius Miettinen C/W, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
An easy north-south participant, Miettinen rose sharply from the Central Scouting midterm rankings to his last rating. His skating is a piece in progress however enhancing. He has some two-way upside. His model has been in comparison with Bruins middle Charlie Coyle
32. FLYERS (by way of Florida): Yegor Surin C/W Lokomotiv Yaroslav (KHL)
I thought-about going with a defenseman for the Flyers’ latter first rounder if Czech defenseman Adam Jiricek was on the board. I additionally considered USNTDP wing/middle swingman Teddy Stiga. Both is a viable choose within the late first spherical. Nonetheless, I am intrigued by the Flyers rolling the cube on a Russian participant similar to Surin, who has been a superb offensive participant for Lokomotiv’s J20 group (Loko) within the MHL.
In our annual pre-Draft mock runthrough of the primary spherical, Flyers contributing author Invoice Meltzer does a pattern run-through of how the highest 32 picks might go. The Flyers, who at the moment maintain the twelfth and thirty second choices, may probably transfer round within the spherical if a suitable deal (or offers) might be struck. If not, the group is snug that it may nonetheless land good prospects on Day One of many NHL Draft.
The mock Draft is strictly primarily based on a “greatest out there participant” mannequin, not on numerous golf equipment’ organizational wants or intel on believed inside rankings. It is also not a projection of “wanting” to see a membership, together with the Flyers, choose a specific participant.
Scouts leaguewide are inclined to covet 4S prospects, who deliver all 4 of the next traits: dimension, pace, ability and hockey sense. Prospects can work round missing one trait however projected inside rankings method every trait closely and have a tendency to mark down a participant with a number of obtrusive deficiencies in these areas.
There can typically be a positional bias at work, too, significantly with “true facilities” getting a lift over pure wingers and middle/wing swingmen (typically smaller framed gamers) who’re projected to be wingers on the NHL degree. There are, in fact, exceptions, the place a future winger is projected to have an excessive amount of of a better impression to fit him beneath a middle no matter positional choice.
With defensemen, there may be typically a lengthier growth timetable relative to forwards earlier than the participant approaches his projected ceiling. In lots of instances, it is a extra inexact “science” to precisely tab the probably floor-to-ceiling potential for these largely 18-year-old candidates.
Holding these issues in thoughts, the next is Meltzer’s 2024 Draft mock-up for picks No. 1 to 32.
1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston College (NCAA)
Celebrini isn’t projected to be a “once-in-a-generation” degree expertise — a slam dunk future Hart Trophy candidate — ala Eric Lindros, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or 2023 first total choose Connor Bedard of their Draft 12 months. Nonetheless, he is thought-about a future upper-echelon NHL participant, with a really excessive ground and an All-Star degree ceiling. He is additionally one of many few gamers on this Draft who may viablely be an NHL contributor proper off the bat.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)
In a deep crop of blueline prospects out there for the 2024 Draft, the Belarusian is one who stands out as a coveted 4S sort of participant: 6-foot-2, 209 kilos, with demonstrated mobility, on-puck and off-puck skill and pure ability in enjoying successfully with tempo.
3. Anaheim Geese: Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Consistency would be the key for massive-frame Russian defenseman Anton Silayev (6-foot-7, 210-plus kilos) to succeed in the kind of potential that’s projected for him. There may be some threat concerned; some leaps of religion required to undertaking that he’ll refine a few of uncooked instruments which have ranked so extremely in public rankings. That stated, if he even approaches his ceiling, which is Norris Trophy caliber, he’d be a no brainer in some future “retro Draft” train. Not all agree. His pundit rankings are as excessive as top-three in lots of instances however a bit decrease — even simply exterior the High 10 — in dissenter projections.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Drugs Hat (WHL)
Again and hand accidents in 2023-24, significantly the previous, have some frightened about the place to fit Lindstrom. He missed 36 video games final season. From all appearances, although, he’s now absolutely wholesome. A basic early first-round middle choose with an enormous body and a demonstrated ability degree that’s exhausting to seek out while you get deeper right into a Draft class, Lindstrom is more likely to be the subsequent middle off the board after Celebrini. Maybe due to some trepidation over accidents, Columbus has been rumored to be prepared to commerce this choose, however the fee can be extraordinarily excessive.
5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
By way of pure offensive ability and creativity, Matvei Michkov’s pal and SKA system teammate might be essentially the most electrifying expertise within the 2024 Draft crop. Though Mickov arrived sooner as a KHL common and made extra rapid impression offensively at Russia’s prime degree, Demidov is an amazing younger expertise in his personal proper. He is torn up the Russian junior degree (MHL) hockey and appeared in a handful of KHL video games. In fingers, aggressiveness in making performs, puckhanding, will to attain and creativity, Demindov has a famous person ceiling. Off puck, he’ll have changes to make (as will Flyers prospect Michov).
6. Utah HC: Tij Iginla W/C, Kelowna (WHL)
He would not play in the identical model as his dad, Hockey Corridor of Fame energy ahead Jarome Igina, however Tij Igina is a really proficient participant in his personal proper. He spent a lot of the previous 12 months on a wing however hopes to maneuver again to his authentic place, middle, frequently in 2024-25. Both as a middle or a winger, Iginia has high-end offensive potential: 47 objectives in 64 common season video games within the Western Hockey League, 12 factors (6g, 6a) in seven video games on the Beneath-18 Worlds for gold medalist Group Canada. There are a few defensemen who’re extremely regarded candidates for choice in the identical vary (picks 5, 6, 7, or 8) however Iginla’s versatility offers him a slight increase on this mock.
7. Ottawa Senators; Sam Dickinson D, London (OHL)
Enjoying for Dale Hunter’s Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights, Dickinson was a big impression participant in his Draft 12 months. Toolsy, rangy when it comes to mobility, offensively promising and big-framed (6-foot-3, 203 kilos), Dickinson is a consensus top-10 candidate for the 2004 Draft.
Some prognosticators even positioned Dickison in — or the cusp of — the highest repair, six or seven vary. He performed for a dominant and deep group, which helped increase his manufacturing in his Draft 12 months (70 factors in 68 video games), however he confirmed an all-around upside to turn into an entire professional defenseman as he good points expertise.
If he reaches his potential, Dickson might be a stable top-three and even top-pair defenseman within the NHL: an all-situations participant who logs 20-plus minutes an evening. He is off to a great begin towards an NHL path coming into his Draf-plus-one 12 months.
8. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton C/W, Spokane (WHL)
NHL groups appear to be putting a renewed emphasis on rating up gamers who deliver the scale/pace mixture into the combo. That’s the reason Berkly Catton will get marked down a bit in some pundit rankings. He’s smaller-than-average for a middle, which is why some organizations seem more likely to convert him to a winger when he turns professional (we already talked about the positional bias think about many rankings). He skates properly and is excellent on his edges, which might be equally — or extra vital in some conditions — than straight forward burst. Straight forward, Catton doesn’t proven the pure burst to realize constant separation. These are the explanations he typically falls simply exterior the highest 10 in lots of prognostications.
I really feel in another way, nevertheless. I feel that is an outlier case during which a small junior middle may discover enviable success within the NHL if allowed to remain at middle fairly than shifting to wing. Extra importantly, although, even when he does find yourself as a winger, so what? Groups want high-quality offensive abilities of their prime six no matter place.
Catton did not rack up 116 common season factors (54g, 62a) in his Draft-eligible WHL season by chance. He can end. He can arrange teammates in addition to any prospect in this Draft. His ice imaginative and prescient, creativity, puck management and fingers are the actual deal. There may be all of the making of a future NHL impression participant.
If that is at middle, a lot the higher. If it is at wing, that is completely advantageous, too. If moved to wing, might even see fewer bodily mismatches defensively (he isn’t tiny, albeit smaller than the “central casting” superb for a middle). He isn’t afraid to compete, in any case.
9. Calgary Flames: Zeev Buium D, Denver (NAA)
A cerebral younger defenseman with each puck-moving and offensive upside, Bium was an vital piece of the puzzle each the World Junior Championship gold medalist Group USA and as a freshman power for NCAA champion Denver.
Bium is of common dimension however well-above common total potential. He may turn out to be an all-situation NHL defenseman of top-three caliber as an inexpensive developmental cycle forecast.
10. New Jersey Devils: Beckett Sennecke W, Oshawa (OHL)
Sennecke’s inventory rose with a bullet within the second half of the season: A high-compete participant with good ice imaginative and prescient, a willingness to get to the “greasy” areas of the ice and skill to dish the puck to an open teammate and make a play. Pundits predict that his body will fill out and that his excellent second half — in comparison with his “merely stable” first half — is the actual indicator of the place he’s in his growth to date.
There may be some projection concerned with the participant: Will he take off as anticipated for the total season in his Draft-plus-one 12 months? Will he turn out to be a top-dog sort of spine participant on an NHL group or a pleasant complementary piece to varied kinds of linemates?
11. San Jose Sharks (by way of Buffalo): Zayne Parekh D, Saginaw (OHL)
With Celebrini locked in because the No, 1 total choice, if Parekh continues to be on the board right here, I may see San Jose swinging for the fences right here. He is extra rover than a standard defenseman — his off-puck skill has been questioned typically regardless of his common season plus-39 and his key position on the eventual Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Squad — nevertheless it’s mighty exhausting to miss his offensive upside.
Ninety-six common season factors from the again finish (33g, 66a). Eleven factors (2g, 9a) in 13 OHL playoff video games, A mainstay on a Memorial Cup roster. Appears to be trending up in his off-puck play, puck administration and bodily engagement. The combo is difficult to withstand, particularly if nonetheless out there at this level.
12. FLYERS: Konsta Helenius C, Jukerit (Liiga)
There are a minimum of three gamers that I may see the Flyers choosing comfortably if the picks play out this manner by way of the highest 11 (or if a participant like Catton drops to them). In the end, I went for Finnish middle Heleinus and reluctantly saved exhausting taking pictures/bodily defenseman Carter Yakemchuk, and sniping ahead Cole Eiserman on the board.
First, let’s speak about what Helenius is earlier than we speak about what he is not. He is already competing efficiently in opposition to grownup professionals in Finland’s Liiga and his play hit one other degree within the postseason (though he did not dominate on the U18s to the hoped-for diploma). He made Finland’s senior group on the World Championships. He is a detail-oriented participant in all zones.
Helenius is the kind of participant who might be extra appreciated in repeated viewing than by way of a single-game or spotlight bundle. He is not tall (5-foot-11) however has a projectable body to ultimately play within the 195 to 200 pound vary. He battles to make performs and defends.
Helenius is a surgical playmaker, not a visually spectacular one. He isn’t going to dazzle or dangle round a lot earlier than lastly making the “excellent play” however he’ll shortly survey his choices and ship the puck in a great place for a scoring likelihood. His sport interprets properly towards being a constant producer even when he would not publish eye-popping stats that may lead a league.
It is typically tempting to check a prospect to a countryman, and that usually occurs with right-handed taking pictures Helenius. He is been in comparison with the likes of Anton Lundell and former NHLer Saku Koivu. He confirmed enchancment in his skating this previous season, and has at all times ranked very extremely in hockey sense.
Helenius may use enchancment on his shot: he is a greater passer than finisher at this stage of his profession. When all of the items are added up, although, it is a participant with BOTH a excessive ceiling and a excessive ground. He needs to be NHL-ready comparatively quickly, too. Helenius can be versatile sufficient to play wing if a group that drafts him prefers that path.
He possesses some traits that may’t be taught and is a play-driving, full participant with loads of top-six upside on the NHL degree. For this vary of the Draft, for my part, it is an simply justifiable choose.
13. Minnesota Wild: Carter Yakemchuk D, Calgary (WHL)
Three property lie on the forefront of Yakemchuk’s case to be chosen within the higher half of the primary spherical: an explosive ending skill (30 objectives), an enormous body (6-foot-3) and an aggressive bodily model with appreciable snarl (120 penalty minutes). Yakemchuk typically will get questioned for his positional consciousness, threat/reward judgement and puck administration. The hope is that he harnesses his appreciable instruments and pure aggression into an efficient NHL sport.
14. Buffalo Sabres (by way of San Jose): Cole EIserman LW (USNTDP)
This choose initially belonged to the Pittsburgh Penguins and got here to the Sabres by way of San Jose. Eiserman entered the 2023-24 season broadly thought-about to be a possible top-two Draft candidate for this 12 months’s Draft. Eiserman fell out of the projected top-10 (in some instances, out of the projected top-half) of the 2024 Draft in line with the pundits. Eiserman is a divisive participant in a lot the identical trend as longtime NHLers Phil Kessel. Eiserman, like Kessel, had A+ fingers and the flexibility to attain in bunches. Nonetheless, Eiserman has simply as many critics as admirers, starting from his total contributions if not scoring, to coachability, to motor. For these causes, he went from a pre-season “slam dunk” for a top-five choose to a wildcard when it comes to his Draft vary.
15. Detroit Crimson Wings: Igor Chernyshov LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
A well-rounded Russian winger who has already proven he can play efficiently on the KHL degree and who has already proven his all-around sport is superior past the everyday degree of a youngster within the MHL. Cherynyshov’s projected ceiling isn’t in Demidov’s stratosphere, however he’s a stable choice on this vary.
16. St. Louis Blues: Liam Greentree LW, Windsor (OHL)
So long as Greentree can work round some skating deficiencies — in a lot the identical trend as Flyers winger Tyson Foerster — he has all of the instruments to turn out to be in impression ahead within the NHL sometime. He is already bodily mature (6-foot-3, 210 kilos), confirmed the flexibility each to make performs (54 assists) and the potential to complete (34 objectives) as properly. Defensively accountable, Greentree has most of the parts of a basic energy ahead. Large-and-skilled is a horny mixture of attributes for many organizations, however the skating points are one thing the participant might want to tackle over the subsequent few seasons.
17. Washington Capitals: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård RW (Mora IK, Allsvenskan)
A tough-charging and hard-skating winger with a bodily edge and a extremely aggressive model of play, some projections have Brandsegg-Nygård proper within the center vary of the primary spherical. He has a high-floor as a top-12 NHLer, a middle-six median and a flexible match inside numerous spots wherever within the prime 9.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from Islanders): Michael Hage C (Chicago, USHL)
A intelligent playmaking middle with some 200-foot upside, Hage is headed from the USHL’s Chicago Metal to the College of Michigan come 2025-26, Already established as a advantageous distributor with good ice imaginative and prescient, Hage stepped up the scoring facet of his sport within the second half of 2023-24.
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Stian Sollberg D (Vålenga, Norway)
A giant-framed projected shutdown defenseman and a uncommon first-round candidate who was skilled his native Norway by way of his Draft 12 months, Sollberg’s sport and physicality make him an under-the-radar candidate.
20. New York Islanders: Jett Luchanko C/W, Guelph (OHL)
A right-handed taking pictures swingman who excelled on the ability play within the Ontario Hockey League. Primarily a playmaker, Luchanko is aggressive in looking for out open ice, and dishing the puck to an open linemate. This choose, initially belonging to the Tampa Bay Lightning, got here to the Islanders by way of Chicao.
21. Los Angeles Kings: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-Metropolis (USHL)
A controversial choose because of emotional/behavioral maturity issues, Connelly would in any other case be a possible top-10 candidate primarily based on his ability degree. Dedicated to Windfall School, A prime USHL producer for the Tri-Metropolis Storm, Connelly additionally discovered success for Group USA on the Beneath-18 Worlds. He has some defensive points to work by way of in addition to some purple flags when it comes to on-ice and off-ice self-discipline. Nonetheless, there’s a big upside with this participant.
22. Nashville Predators: Andrew Basha (LW. Drugs Hat Tigers, WHL)
Pundit Draft projections for Basha are inclined to vary wherever from the top-18 to the early second spherical. Nonetheless, it will not be a shock if he comes off the board nearer to the entrance finish of that vary.
Though Basha is a pass-first sort of attacker, he also can rating opportunistic objectives. He completed the 2023-24 season with 30 objectives (55 assists and 85 factors in 63 video games) through the common season. His No. 1 asset, nevertheless, is his creativity with the puck and his deft passing contact.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)
In a comparatively sparse depth 12 months for pure facilities, Boisvert is an upwardly cellular prospect with a projectable professional middle body. He is proven offensive upside on the USHL degree and a few offensive ability (36g, 32 a in 61 video games) on the USHL degree. The Quebec native is headed for the College of North Dakota in 2004-25. He was an alternate captain for Muskegon this previous season.
24. Colorado Avalanche: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
A giant right-handed taking pictures defensmen with a bodily edge to his sport, Elick additionally has above-average mobility. The query is how a lot of a puck mover vs. defensive defenseman he’ll turn out to be. He hasn’t proven a lot offensive pop to date, though it needs to be identified that his group, longtime prospect manufacturing facility Brandon, has been in a transitional section lately. He however has shutdown D potential on the NHL degree.
25. Boston Bruins: Ryder Ritchie RW (Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Ritchie is one in all youthful members of this 12 months’s Draft class, born on August 3. 2026. He did not progress so far as hoped this season however nonetheless has a really upside for the long run: wonderful skating, puck abilities, creativity and a powerful playoff run (3g, 4a, 20 pictures in purpose in 5 video games. He posted 44 factors in 47 common season matches (19g, 25a). Just a little extra was anticipated however continues to be projected for an enormous bounce in his Draft-plus one season. This choose got here to Boston by way of Detroit and Ottawa.
26. Montreal Canadiens: Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Växjö J20 (J20 Nationwide)
The 2024 Draft is among the weaker years for Swedish prospects lately. Sahlin Wallenius, nevertheless, is a well-regarded puck-mover with an rising total sport. He is been an impression offensive participant and group chief on the J20 degree in Sweden. Sahlin Wallenius was a daily for the Junior Crowns on the Beneath-18 Worlds.
27. Carolina Hurricanes: EJ (Eric) Emery D (USNTDP)
A cellular, dependable defenseman who may be very sound with out the puck and has good first-pass skill, Emery is 6-foot-3, right-shooting defenseman who initiatives as a penalty killing proper defenseman as a professional. He’s headed for the College of North Dakota in 2024-25.
28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver): Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)
A giant-framed two-way middle with a powerful aggressive drive, Beaudoin was a mainstay for Group Canada on the U18 Worlds. He posted 62 factors i(28g, 34a) in 67 common season OHL video games and 6 factors (2g, 3a) in six playoffs video games. He is a participant in the same mould to Columbus ahead Boone Jenner and Flyers group chief Scott Laughton.
29. Dallas Stars: Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)
A high-value choose at this final stage of the Draft, Kiviharju missed many of the 2023-24 season because of a knee damage. The Stars have typically tabbed Finnish blueliners in latest Drafts, starting from Miro Heiskanen to Julius Honka and Jani Hakanpää (initially a St. Louis choose) over the past 14 years wtih some good success.
30. New York Rangers: Sam O’Reilly RW (London, OHL)
A teammate of Flyers prospects Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey together with Toronto hopeful Eason Cowan and prime 2024 blueline prospect Sam Dickinson, O’Reilly is coming off a powerful all-around season and playoffs for London. He gained the belief of head coach Dale Hunter and noticed his position enhance.
31. Edmonton Oilers: Julius Miettinen C/W, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
An easy north-south participant, Miettinen rose sharply from the Central Scouting midterm rankings to his last rating. His skating is a piece in progress however enhancing. He has some two-way upside. His model has been in comparison with Bruins middle Charlie Coyle
32. FLYERS (by way of Florida): Yegor Surin C/W Lokomotiv Yaroslav (KHL)
I thought-about going with a defenseman for the Flyers’ latter first rounder if Czech defenseman Adam Jiricek was on the board. I additionally considered USNTDP wing/middle swingman Teddy Stiga. Both is a viable choose within the late first spherical. Nonetheless, I am intrigued by the Flyers rolling the cube on a Russian participant similar to Surin, who has been a superb offensive participant for Lokomotiv’s J20 group (Loko) within the MHL.
In our annual pre-Draft mock runthrough of the primary spherical, Flyers contributing author Invoice Meltzer does a pattern run-through of how the highest 32 picks might go. The Flyers, who at the moment maintain the twelfth and thirty second choices, may probably transfer round within the spherical if a suitable deal (or offers) might be struck. If not, the group is snug that it may nonetheless land good prospects on Day One of many NHL Draft.
The mock Draft is strictly primarily based on a “greatest out there participant” mannequin, not on numerous golf equipment’ organizational wants or intel on believed inside rankings. It is also not a projection of “wanting” to see a membership, together with the Flyers, choose a specific participant.
Scouts leaguewide are inclined to covet 4S prospects, who deliver all 4 of the next traits: dimension, pace, ability and hockey sense. Prospects can work round missing one trait however projected inside rankings method every trait closely and have a tendency to mark down a participant with a number of obtrusive deficiencies in these areas.
There can typically be a positional bias at work, too, significantly with “true facilities” getting a lift over pure wingers and middle/wing swingmen (typically smaller framed gamers) who’re projected to be wingers on the NHL degree. There are, in fact, exceptions, the place a future winger is projected to have an excessive amount of of a better impression to fit him beneath a middle no matter positional choice.
With defensemen, there may be typically a lengthier growth timetable relative to forwards earlier than the participant approaches his projected ceiling. In lots of instances, it is a extra inexact “science” to precisely tab the probably floor-to-ceiling potential for these largely 18-year-old candidates.
Holding these issues in thoughts, the next is Meltzer’s 2024 Draft mock-up for picks No. 1 to 32.
1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston College (NCAA)
Celebrini isn’t projected to be a “once-in-a-generation” degree expertise — a slam dunk future Hart Trophy candidate — ala Eric Lindros, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or 2023 first total choose Connor Bedard of their Draft 12 months. Nonetheless, he is thought-about a future upper-echelon NHL participant, with a really excessive ground and an All-Star degree ceiling. He is additionally one of many few gamers on this Draft who may viablely be an NHL contributor proper off the bat.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)
In a deep crop of blueline prospects out there for the 2024 Draft, the Belarusian is one who stands out as a coveted 4S sort of participant: 6-foot-2, 209 kilos, with demonstrated mobility, on-puck and off-puck skill and pure ability in enjoying successfully with tempo.
3. Anaheim Geese: Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Consistency would be the key for massive-frame Russian defenseman Anton Silayev (6-foot-7, 210-plus kilos) to succeed in the kind of potential that’s projected for him. There may be some threat concerned; some leaps of religion required to undertaking that he’ll refine a few of uncooked instruments which have ranked so extremely in public rankings. That stated, if he even approaches his ceiling, which is Norris Trophy caliber, he’d be a no brainer in some future “retro Draft” train. Not all agree. His pundit rankings are as excessive as top-three in lots of instances however a bit decrease — even simply exterior the High 10 — in dissenter projections.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Drugs Hat (WHL)
Again and hand accidents in 2023-24, significantly the previous, have some frightened about the place to fit Lindstrom. He missed 36 video games final season. From all appearances, although, he’s now absolutely wholesome. A basic early first-round middle choose with an enormous body and a demonstrated ability degree that’s exhausting to seek out while you get deeper right into a Draft class, Lindstrom is more likely to be the subsequent middle off the board after Celebrini. Maybe due to some trepidation over accidents, Columbus has been rumored to be prepared to commerce this choose, however the fee can be extraordinarily excessive.
5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
By way of pure offensive ability and creativity, Matvei Michkov’s pal and SKA system teammate might be essentially the most electrifying expertise within the 2024 Draft crop. Though Mickov arrived sooner as a KHL common and made extra rapid impression offensively at Russia’s prime degree, Demidov is an amazing younger expertise in his personal proper. He is torn up the Russian junior degree (MHL) hockey and appeared in a handful of KHL video games. In fingers, aggressiveness in making performs, puckhanding, will to attain and creativity, Demindov has a famous person ceiling. Off puck, he’ll have changes to make (as will Flyers prospect Michov).
6. Utah HC: Tij Iginla W/C, Kelowna (WHL)
He would not play in the identical model as his dad, Hockey Corridor of Fame energy ahead Jarome Igina, however Tij Igina is a really proficient participant in his personal proper. He spent a lot of the previous 12 months on a wing however hopes to maneuver again to his authentic place, middle, frequently in 2024-25. Both as a middle or a winger, Iginia has high-end offensive potential: 47 objectives in 64 common season video games within the Western Hockey League, 12 factors (6g, 6a) in seven video games on the Beneath-18 Worlds for gold medalist Group Canada. There are a few defensemen who’re extremely regarded candidates for choice in the identical vary (picks 5, 6, 7, or 8) however Iginla’s versatility offers him a slight increase on this mock.
7. Ottawa Senators; Sam Dickinson D, London (OHL)
Enjoying for Dale Hunter’s Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights, Dickinson was a big impression participant in his Draft 12 months. Toolsy, rangy when it comes to mobility, offensively promising and big-framed (6-foot-3, 203 kilos), Dickinson is a consensus top-10 candidate for the 2004 Draft.
Some prognosticators even positioned Dickison in — or the cusp of — the highest repair, six or seven vary. He performed for a dominant and deep group, which helped increase his manufacturing in his Draft 12 months (70 factors in 68 video games), however he confirmed an all-around upside to turn into an entire professional defenseman as he good points expertise.
If he reaches his potential, Dickson might be a stable top-three and even top-pair defenseman within the NHL: an all-situations participant who logs 20-plus minutes an evening. He is off to a great begin towards an NHL path coming into his Draf-plus-one 12 months.
8. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton C/W, Spokane (WHL)
NHL groups appear to be putting a renewed emphasis on rating up gamers who deliver the scale/pace mixture into the combo. That’s the reason Berkly Catton will get marked down a bit in some pundit rankings. He’s smaller-than-average for a middle, which is why some organizations seem more likely to convert him to a winger when he turns professional (we already talked about the positional bias think about many rankings). He skates properly and is excellent on his edges, which might be equally — or extra vital in some conditions — than straight forward burst. Straight forward, Catton doesn’t proven the pure burst to realize constant separation. These are the explanations he typically falls simply exterior the highest 10 in lots of prognostications.
I really feel in another way, nevertheless. I feel that is an outlier case during which a small junior middle may discover enviable success within the NHL if allowed to remain at middle fairly than shifting to wing. Extra importantly, although, even when he does find yourself as a winger, so what? Groups want high-quality offensive abilities of their prime six no matter place.
Catton did not rack up 116 common season factors (54g, 62a) in his Draft-eligible WHL season by chance. He can end. He can arrange teammates in addition to any prospect in this Draft. His ice imaginative and prescient, creativity, puck management and fingers are the actual deal. There may be all of the making of a future NHL impression participant.
If that is at middle, a lot the higher. If it is at wing, that is completely advantageous, too. If moved to wing, might even see fewer bodily mismatches defensively (he isn’t tiny, albeit smaller than the “central casting” superb for a middle). He isn’t afraid to compete, in any case.
9. Calgary Flames: Zeev Buium D, Denver (NAA)
A cerebral younger defenseman with each puck-moving and offensive upside, Bium was an vital piece of the puzzle each the World Junior Championship gold medalist Group USA and as a freshman power for NCAA champion Denver.
Bium is of common dimension however well-above common total potential. He may turn out to be an all-situation NHL defenseman of top-three caliber as an inexpensive developmental cycle forecast.
10. New Jersey Devils: Beckett Sennecke W, Oshawa (OHL)
Sennecke’s inventory rose with a bullet within the second half of the season: A high-compete participant with good ice imaginative and prescient, a willingness to get to the “greasy” areas of the ice and skill to dish the puck to an open teammate and make a play. Pundits predict that his body will fill out and that his excellent second half — in comparison with his “merely stable” first half — is the actual indicator of the place he’s in his growth to date.
There may be some projection concerned with the participant: Will he take off as anticipated for the total season in his Draft-plus-one 12 months? Will he turn out to be a top-dog sort of spine participant on an NHL group or a pleasant complementary piece to varied kinds of linemates?
11. San Jose Sharks (by way of Buffalo): Zayne Parekh D, Saginaw (OHL)
With Celebrini locked in because the No, 1 total choice, if Parekh continues to be on the board right here, I may see San Jose swinging for the fences right here. He is extra rover than a standard defenseman — his off-puck skill has been questioned typically regardless of his common season plus-39 and his key position on the eventual Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Squad — nevertheless it’s mighty exhausting to miss his offensive upside.
Ninety-six common season factors from the again finish (33g, 66a). Eleven factors (2g, 9a) in 13 OHL playoff video games, A mainstay on a Memorial Cup roster. Appears to be trending up in his off-puck play, puck administration and bodily engagement. The combo is difficult to withstand, particularly if nonetheless out there at this level.
12. FLYERS: Konsta Helenius C, Jukerit (Liiga)
There are a minimum of three gamers that I may see the Flyers choosing comfortably if the picks play out this manner by way of the highest 11 (or if a participant like Catton drops to them). In the end, I went for Finnish middle Heleinus and reluctantly saved exhausting taking pictures/bodily defenseman Carter Yakemchuk, and sniping ahead Cole Eiserman on the board.
First, let’s speak about what Helenius is earlier than we speak about what he is not. He is already competing efficiently in opposition to grownup professionals in Finland’s Liiga and his play hit one other degree within the postseason (though he did not dominate on the U18s to the hoped-for diploma). He made Finland’s senior group on the World Championships. He is a detail-oriented participant in all zones.
Helenius is the kind of participant who might be extra appreciated in repeated viewing than by way of a single-game or spotlight bundle. He is not tall (5-foot-11) however has a projectable body to ultimately play within the 195 to 200 pound vary. He battles to make performs and defends.
Helenius is a surgical playmaker, not a visually spectacular one. He isn’t going to dazzle or dangle round a lot earlier than lastly making the “excellent play” however he’ll shortly survey his choices and ship the puck in a great place for a scoring likelihood. His sport interprets properly towards being a constant producer even when he would not publish eye-popping stats that may lead a league.
It is typically tempting to check a prospect to a countryman, and that usually occurs with right-handed taking pictures Helenius. He is been in comparison with the likes of Anton Lundell and former NHLer Saku Koivu. He confirmed enchancment in his skating this previous season, and has at all times ranked very extremely in hockey sense.
Helenius may use enchancment on his shot: he is a greater passer than finisher at this stage of his profession. When all of the items are added up, although, it is a participant with BOTH a excessive ceiling and a excessive ground. He needs to be NHL-ready comparatively quickly, too. Helenius can be versatile sufficient to play wing if a group that drafts him prefers that path.
He possesses some traits that may’t be taught and is a play-driving, full participant with loads of top-six upside on the NHL degree. For this vary of the Draft, for my part, it is an simply justifiable choose.
13. Minnesota Wild: Carter Yakemchuk D, Calgary (WHL)
Three property lie on the forefront of Yakemchuk’s case to be chosen within the higher half of the primary spherical: an explosive ending skill (30 objectives), an enormous body (6-foot-3) and an aggressive bodily model with appreciable snarl (120 penalty minutes). Yakemchuk typically will get questioned for his positional consciousness, threat/reward judgement and puck administration. The hope is that he harnesses his appreciable instruments and pure aggression into an efficient NHL sport.
14. Buffalo Sabres (by way of San Jose): Cole EIserman LW (USNTDP)
This choose initially belonged to the Pittsburgh Penguins and got here to the Sabres by way of San Jose. Eiserman entered the 2023-24 season broadly thought-about to be a possible top-two Draft candidate for this 12 months’s Draft. Eiserman fell out of the projected top-10 (in some instances, out of the projected top-half) of the 2024 Draft in line with the pundits. Eiserman is a divisive participant in a lot the identical trend as longtime NHLers Phil Kessel. Eiserman, like Kessel, had A+ fingers and the flexibility to attain in bunches. Nonetheless, Eiserman has simply as many critics as admirers, starting from his total contributions if not scoring, to coachability, to motor. For these causes, he went from a pre-season “slam dunk” for a top-five choose to a wildcard when it comes to his Draft vary.
15. Detroit Crimson Wings: Igor Chernyshov LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
A well-rounded Russian winger who has already proven he can play efficiently on the KHL degree and who has already proven his all-around sport is superior past the everyday degree of a youngster within the MHL. Cherynyshov’s projected ceiling isn’t in Demidov’s stratosphere, however he’s a stable choice on this vary.
16. St. Louis Blues: Liam Greentree LW, Windsor (OHL)
So long as Greentree can work round some skating deficiencies — in a lot the identical trend as Flyers winger Tyson Foerster — he has all of the instruments to turn out to be in impression ahead within the NHL sometime. He is already bodily mature (6-foot-3, 210 kilos), confirmed the flexibility each to make performs (54 assists) and the potential to complete (34 objectives) as properly. Defensively accountable, Greentree has most of the parts of a basic energy ahead. Large-and-skilled is a horny mixture of attributes for many organizations, however the skating points are one thing the participant might want to tackle over the subsequent few seasons.
17. Washington Capitals: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård RW (Mora IK, Allsvenskan)
A tough-charging and hard-skating winger with a bodily edge and a extremely aggressive model of play, some projections have Brandsegg-Nygård proper within the center vary of the primary spherical. He has a high-floor as a top-12 NHLer, a middle-six median and a flexible match inside numerous spots wherever within the prime 9.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from Islanders): Michael Hage C (Chicago, USHL)
A intelligent playmaking middle with some 200-foot upside, Hage is headed from the USHL’s Chicago Metal to the College of Michigan come 2025-26, Already established as a advantageous distributor with good ice imaginative and prescient, Hage stepped up the scoring facet of his sport within the second half of 2023-24.
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Stian Sollberg D (Vålenga, Norway)
A giant-framed projected shutdown defenseman and a uncommon first-round candidate who was skilled his native Norway by way of his Draft 12 months, Sollberg’s sport and physicality make him an under-the-radar candidate.
20. New York Islanders: Jett Luchanko C/W, Guelph (OHL)
A right-handed taking pictures swingman who excelled on the ability play within the Ontario Hockey League. Primarily a playmaker, Luchanko is aggressive in looking for out open ice, and dishing the puck to an open linemate. This choose, initially belonging to the Tampa Bay Lightning, got here to the Islanders by way of Chicao.
21. Los Angeles Kings: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-Metropolis (USHL)
A controversial choose because of emotional/behavioral maturity issues, Connelly would in any other case be a possible top-10 candidate primarily based on his ability degree. Dedicated to Windfall School, A prime USHL producer for the Tri-Metropolis Storm, Connelly additionally discovered success for Group USA on the Beneath-18 Worlds. He has some defensive points to work by way of in addition to some purple flags when it comes to on-ice and off-ice self-discipline. Nonetheless, there’s a big upside with this participant.
22. Nashville Predators: Andrew Basha (LW. Drugs Hat Tigers, WHL)
Pundit Draft projections for Basha are inclined to vary wherever from the top-18 to the early second spherical. Nonetheless, it will not be a shock if he comes off the board nearer to the entrance finish of that vary.
Though Basha is a pass-first sort of attacker, he also can rating opportunistic objectives. He completed the 2023-24 season with 30 objectives (55 assists and 85 factors in 63 video games) through the common season. His No. 1 asset, nevertheless, is his creativity with the puck and his deft passing contact.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)
In a comparatively sparse depth 12 months for pure facilities, Boisvert is an upwardly cellular prospect with a projectable professional middle body. He is proven offensive upside on the USHL degree and a few offensive ability (36g, 32 a in 61 video games) on the USHL degree. The Quebec native is headed for the College of North Dakota in 2004-25. He was an alternate captain for Muskegon this previous season.
24. Colorado Avalanche: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
A giant right-handed taking pictures defensmen with a bodily edge to his sport, Elick additionally has above-average mobility. The query is how a lot of a puck mover vs. defensive defenseman he’ll turn out to be. He hasn’t proven a lot offensive pop to date, though it needs to be identified that his group, longtime prospect manufacturing facility Brandon, has been in a transitional section lately. He however has shutdown D potential on the NHL degree.
25. Boston Bruins: Ryder Ritchie RW (Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Ritchie is one in all youthful members of this 12 months’s Draft class, born on August 3. 2026. He did not progress so far as hoped this season however nonetheless has a really upside for the long run: wonderful skating, puck abilities, creativity and a powerful playoff run (3g, 4a, 20 pictures in purpose in 5 video games. He posted 44 factors in 47 common season matches (19g, 25a). Just a little extra was anticipated however continues to be projected for an enormous bounce in his Draft-plus one season. This choose got here to Boston by way of Detroit and Ottawa.
26. Montreal Canadiens: Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Växjö J20 (J20 Nationwide)
The 2024 Draft is among the weaker years for Swedish prospects lately. Sahlin Wallenius, nevertheless, is a well-regarded puck-mover with an rising total sport. He is been an impression offensive participant and group chief on the J20 degree in Sweden. Sahlin Wallenius was a daily for the Junior Crowns on the Beneath-18 Worlds.
27. Carolina Hurricanes: EJ (Eric) Emery D (USNTDP)
A cellular, dependable defenseman who may be very sound with out the puck and has good first-pass skill, Emery is 6-foot-3, right-shooting defenseman who initiatives as a penalty killing proper defenseman as a professional. He’s headed for the College of North Dakota in 2024-25.
28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver): Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)
A giant-framed two-way middle with a powerful aggressive drive, Beaudoin was a mainstay for Group Canada on the U18 Worlds. He posted 62 factors i(28g, 34a) in 67 common season OHL video games and 6 factors (2g, 3a) in six playoffs video games. He is a participant in the same mould to Columbus ahead Boone Jenner and Flyers group chief Scott Laughton.
29. Dallas Stars: Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)
A high-value choose at this final stage of the Draft, Kiviharju missed many of the 2023-24 season because of a knee damage. The Stars have typically tabbed Finnish blueliners in latest Drafts, starting from Miro Heiskanen to Julius Honka and Jani Hakanpää (initially a St. Louis choose) over the past 14 years wtih some good success.
30. New York Rangers: Sam O’Reilly RW (London, OHL)
A teammate of Flyers prospects Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey together with Toronto hopeful Eason Cowan and prime 2024 blueline prospect Sam Dickinson, O’Reilly is coming off a powerful all-around season and playoffs for London. He gained the belief of head coach Dale Hunter and noticed his position enhance.
31. Edmonton Oilers: Julius Miettinen C/W, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
An easy north-south participant, Miettinen rose sharply from the Central Scouting midterm rankings to his last rating. His skating is a piece in progress however enhancing. He has some two-way upside. His model has been in comparison with Bruins middle Charlie Coyle
32. FLYERS (by way of Florida): Yegor Surin C/W Lokomotiv Yaroslav (KHL)
I thought-about going with a defenseman for the Flyers’ latter first rounder if Czech defenseman Adam Jiricek was on the board. I additionally considered USNTDP wing/middle swingman Teddy Stiga. Both is a viable choose within the late first spherical. Nonetheless, I am intrigued by the Flyers rolling the cube on a Russian participant similar to Surin, who has been a superb offensive participant for Lokomotiv’s J20 group (Loko) within the MHL.
In our annual pre-Draft mock runthrough of the primary spherical, Flyers contributing author Invoice Meltzer does a pattern run-through of how the highest 32 picks might go. The Flyers, who at the moment maintain the twelfth and thirty second choices, may probably transfer round within the spherical if a suitable deal (or offers) might be struck. If not, the group is snug that it may nonetheless land good prospects on Day One of many NHL Draft.
The mock Draft is strictly primarily based on a “greatest out there participant” mannequin, not on numerous golf equipment’ organizational wants or intel on believed inside rankings. It is also not a projection of “wanting” to see a membership, together with the Flyers, choose a specific participant.
Scouts leaguewide are inclined to covet 4S prospects, who deliver all 4 of the next traits: dimension, pace, ability and hockey sense. Prospects can work round missing one trait however projected inside rankings method every trait closely and have a tendency to mark down a participant with a number of obtrusive deficiencies in these areas.
There can typically be a positional bias at work, too, significantly with “true facilities” getting a lift over pure wingers and middle/wing swingmen (typically smaller framed gamers) who’re projected to be wingers on the NHL degree. There are, in fact, exceptions, the place a future winger is projected to have an excessive amount of of a better impression to fit him beneath a middle no matter positional choice.
With defensemen, there may be typically a lengthier growth timetable relative to forwards earlier than the participant approaches his projected ceiling. In lots of instances, it is a extra inexact “science” to precisely tab the probably floor-to-ceiling potential for these largely 18-year-old candidates.
Holding these issues in thoughts, the next is Meltzer’s 2024 Draft mock-up for picks No. 1 to 32.
1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston College (NCAA)
Celebrini isn’t projected to be a “once-in-a-generation” degree expertise — a slam dunk future Hart Trophy candidate — ala Eric Lindros, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or 2023 first total choose Connor Bedard of their Draft 12 months. Nonetheless, he is thought-about a future upper-echelon NHL participant, with a really excessive ground and an All-Star degree ceiling. He is additionally one of many few gamers on this Draft who may viablely be an NHL contributor proper off the bat.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)
In a deep crop of blueline prospects out there for the 2024 Draft, the Belarusian is one who stands out as a coveted 4S sort of participant: 6-foot-2, 209 kilos, with demonstrated mobility, on-puck and off-puck skill and pure ability in enjoying successfully with tempo.
3. Anaheim Geese: Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Consistency would be the key for massive-frame Russian defenseman Anton Silayev (6-foot-7, 210-plus kilos) to succeed in the kind of potential that’s projected for him. There may be some threat concerned; some leaps of religion required to undertaking that he’ll refine a few of uncooked instruments which have ranked so extremely in public rankings. That stated, if he even approaches his ceiling, which is Norris Trophy caliber, he’d be a no brainer in some future “retro Draft” train. Not all agree. His pundit rankings are as excessive as top-three in lots of instances however a bit decrease — even simply exterior the High 10 — in dissenter projections.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Drugs Hat (WHL)
Again and hand accidents in 2023-24, significantly the previous, have some frightened about the place to fit Lindstrom. He missed 36 video games final season. From all appearances, although, he’s now absolutely wholesome. A basic early first-round middle choose with an enormous body and a demonstrated ability degree that’s exhausting to seek out while you get deeper right into a Draft class, Lindstrom is more likely to be the subsequent middle off the board after Celebrini. Maybe due to some trepidation over accidents, Columbus has been rumored to be prepared to commerce this choose, however the fee can be extraordinarily excessive.
5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
By way of pure offensive ability and creativity, Matvei Michkov’s pal and SKA system teammate might be essentially the most electrifying expertise within the 2024 Draft crop. Though Mickov arrived sooner as a KHL common and made extra rapid impression offensively at Russia’s prime degree, Demidov is an amazing younger expertise in his personal proper. He is torn up the Russian junior degree (MHL) hockey and appeared in a handful of KHL video games. In fingers, aggressiveness in making performs, puckhanding, will to attain and creativity, Demindov has a famous person ceiling. Off puck, he’ll have changes to make (as will Flyers prospect Michov).
6. Utah HC: Tij Iginla W/C, Kelowna (WHL)
He would not play in the identical model as his dad, Hockey Corridor of Fame energy ahead Jarome Igina, however Tij Igina is a really proficient participant in his personal proper. He spent a lot of the previous 12 months on a wing however hopes to maneuver again to his authentic place, middle, frequently in 2024-25. Both as a middle or a winger, Iginia has high-end offensive potential: 47 objectives in 64 common season video games within the Western Hockey League, 12 factors (6g, 6a) in seven video games on the Beneath-18 Worlds for gold medalist Group Canada. There are a few defensemen who’re extremely regarded candidates for choice in the identical vary (picks 5, 6, 7, or 8) however Iginla’s versatility offers him a slight increase on this mock.
7. Ottawa Senators; Sam Dickinson D, London (OHL)
Enjoying for Dale Hunter’s Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights, Dickinson was a big impression participant in his Draft 12 months. Toolsy, rangy when it comes to mobility, offensively promising and big-framed (6-foot-3, 203 kilos), Dickinson is a consensus top-10 candidate for the 2004 Draft.
Some prognosticators even positioned Dickison in — or the cusp of — the highest repair, six or seven vary. He performed for a dominant and deep group, which helped increase his manufacturing in his Draft 12 months (70 factors in 68 video games), however he confirmed an all-around upside to turn into an entire professional defenseman as he good points expertise.
If he reaches his potential, Dickson might be a stable top-three and even top-pair defenseman within the NHL: an all-situations participant who logs 20-plus minutes an evening. He is off to a great begin towards an NHL path coming into his Draf-plus-one 12 months.
8. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton C/W, Spokane (WHL)
NHL groups appear to be putting a renewed emphasis on rating up gamers who deliver the scale/pace mixture into the combo. That’s the reason Berkly Catton will get marked down a bit in some pundit rankings. He’s smaller-than-average for a middle, which is why some organizations seem more likely to convert him to a winger when he turns professional (we already talked about the positional bias think about many rankings). He skates properly and is excellent on his edges, which might be equally — or extra vital in some conditions — than straight forward burst. Straight forward, Catton doesn’t proven the pure burst to realize constant separation. These are the explanations he typically falls simply exterior the highest 10 in lots of prognostications.
I really feel in another way, nevertheless. I feel that is an outlier case during which a small junior middle may discover enviable success within the NHL if allowed to remain at middle fairly than shifting to wing. Extra importantly, although, even when he does find yourself as a winger, so what? Groups want high-quality offensive abilities of their prime six no matter place.
Catton did not rack up 116 common season factors (54g, 62a) in his Draft-eligible WHL season by chance. He can end. He can arrange teammates in addition to any prospect in this Draft. His ice imaginative and prescient, creativity, puck management and fingers are the actual deal. There may be all of the making of a future NHL impression participant.
If that is at middle, a lot the higher. If it is at wing, that is completely advantageous, too. If moved to wing, might even see fewer bodily mismatches defensively (he isn’t tiny, albeit smaller than the “central casting” superb for a middle). He isn’t afraid to compete, in any case.
9. Calgary Flames: Zeev Buium D, Denver (NAA)
A cerebral younger defenseman with each puck-moving and offensive upside, Bium was an vital piece of the puzzle each the World Junior Championship gold medalist Group USA and as a freshman power for NCAA champion Denver.
Bium is of common dimension however well-above common total potential. He may turn out to be an all-situation NHL defenseman of top-three caliber as an inexpensive developmental cycle forecast.
10. New Jersey Devils: Beckett Sennecke W, Oshawa (OHL)
Sennecke’s inventory rose with a bullet within the second half of the season: A high-compete participant with good ice imaginative and prescient, a willingness to get to the “greasy” areas of the ice and skill to dish the puck to an open teammate and make a play. Pundits predict that his body will fill out and that his excellent second half — in comparison with his “merely stable” first half — is the actual indicator of the place he’s in his growth to date.
There may be some projection concerned with the participant: Will he take off as anticipated for the total season in his Draft-plus-one 12 months? Will he turn out to be a top-dog sort of spine participant on an NHL group or a pleasant complementary piece to varied kinds of linemates?
11. San Jose Sharks (by way of Buffalo): Zayne Parekh D, Saginaw (OHL)
With Celebrini locked in because the No, 1 total choice, if Parekh continues to be on the board right here, I may see San Jose swinging for the fences right here. He is extra rover than a standard defenseman — his off-puck skill has been questioned typically regardless of his common season plus-39 and his key position on the eventual Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Squad — nevertheless it’s mighty exhausting to miss his offensive upside.
Ninety-six common season factors from the again finish (33g, 66a). Eleven factors (2g, 9a) in 13 OHL playoff video games, A mainstay on a Memorial Cup roster. Appears to be trending up in his off-puck play, puck administration and bodily engagement. The combo is difficult to withstand, particularly if nonetheless out there at this level.
12. FLYERS: Konsta Helenius C, Jukerit (Liiga)
There are a minimum of three gamers that I may see the Flyers choosing comfortably if the picks play out this manner by way of the highest 11 (or if a participant like Catton drops to them). In the end, I went for Finnish middle Heleinus and reluctantly saved exhausting taking pictures/bodily defenseman Carter Yakemchuk, and sniping ahead Cole Eiserman on the board.
First, let’s speak about what Helenius is earlier than we speak about what he is not. He is already competing efficiently in opposition to grownup professionals in Finland’s Liiga and his play hit one other degree within the postseason (though he did not dominate on the U18s to the hoped-for diploma). He made Finland’s senior group on the World Championships. He is a detail-oriented participant in all zones.
Helenius is the kind of participant who might be extra appreciated in repeated viewing than by way of a single-game or spotlight bundle. He is not tall (5-foot-11) however has a projectable body to ultimately play within the 195 to 200 pound vary. He battles to make performs and defends.
Helenius is a surgical playmaker, not a visually spectacular one. He isn’t going to dazzle or dangle round a lot earlier than lastly making the “excellent play” however he’ll shortly survey his choices and ship the puck in a great place for a scoring likelihood. His sport interprets properly towards being a constant producer even when he would not publish eye-popping stats that may lead a league.
It is typically tempting to check a prospect to a countryman, and that usually occurs with right-handed taking pictures Helenius. He is been in comparison with the likes of Anton Lundell and former NHLer Saku Koivu. He confirmed enchancment in his skating this previous season, and has at all times ranked very extremely in hockey sense.
Helenius may use enchancment on his shot: he is a greater passer than finisher at this stage of his profession. When all of the items are added up, although, it is a participant with BOTH a excessive ceiling and a excessive ground. He needs to be NHL-ready comparatively quickly, too. Helenius can be versatile sufficient to play wing if a group that drafts him prefers that path.
He possesses some traits that may’t be taught and is a play-driving, full participant with loads of top-six upside on the NHL degree. For this vary of the Draft, for my part, it is an simply justifiable choose.
13. Minnesota Wild: Carter Yakemchuk D, Calgary (WHL)
Three property lie on the forefront of Yakemchuk’s case to be chosen within the higher half of the primary spherical: an explosive ending skill (30 objectives), an enormous body (6-foot-3) and an aggressive bodily model with appreciable snarl (120 penalty minutes). Yakemchuk typically will get questioned for his positional consciousness, threat/reward judgement and puck administration. The hope is that he harnesses his appreciable instruments and pure aggression into an efficient NHL sport.
14. Buffalo Sabres (by way of San Jose): Cole EIserman LW (USNTDP)
This choose initially belonged to the Pittsburgh Penguins and got here to the Sabres by way of San Jose. Eiserman entered the 2023-24 season broadly thought-about to be a possible top-two Draft candidate for this 12 months’s Draft. Eiserman fell out of the projected top-10 (in some instances, out of the projected top-half) of the 2024 Draft in line with the pundits. Eiserman is a divisive participant in a lot the identical trend as longtime NHLers Phil Kessel. Eiserman, like Kessel, had A+ fingers and the flexibility to attain in bunches. Nonetheless, Eiserman has simply as many critics as admirers, starting from his total contributions if not scoring, to coachability, to motor. For these causes, he went from a pre-season “slam dunk” for a top-five choose to a wildcard when it comes to his Draft vary.
15. Detroit Crimson Wings: Igor Chernyshov LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
A well-rounded Russian winger who has already proven he can play efficiently on the KHL degree and who has already proven his all-around sport is superior past the everyday degree of a youngster within the MHL. Cherynyshov’s projected ceiling isn’t in Demidov’s stratosphere, however he’s a stable choice on this vary.
16. St. Louis Blues: Liam Greentree LW, Windsor (OHL)
So long as Greentree can work round some skating deficiencies — in a lot the identical trend as Flyers winger Tyson Foerster — he has all of the instruments to turn out to be in impression ahead within the NHL sometime. He is already bodily mature (6-foot-3, 210 kilos), confirmed the flexibility each to make performs (54 assists) and the potential to complete (34 objectives) as properly. Defensively accountable, Greentree has most of the parts of a basic energy ahead. Large-and-skilled is a horny mixture of attributes for many organizations, however the skating points are one thing the participant might want to tackle over the subsequent few seasons.
17. Washington Capitals: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård RW (Mora IK, Allsvenskan)
A tough-charging and hard-skating winger with a bodily edge and a extremely aggressive model of play, some projections have Brandsegg-Nygård proper within the center vary of the primary spherical. He has a high-floor as a top-12 NHLer, a middle-six median and a flexible match inside numerous spots wherever within the prime 9.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from Islanders): Michael Hage C (Chicago, USHL)
A intelligent playmaking middle with some 200-foot upside, Hage is headed from the USHL’s Chicago Metal to the College of Michigan come 2025-26, Already established as a advantageous distributor with good ice imaginative and prescient, Hage stepped up the scoring facet of his sport within the second half of 2023-24.
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Stian Sollberg D (Vålenga, Norway)
A giant-framed projected shutdown defenseman and a uncommon first-round candidate who was skilled his native Norway by way of his Draft 12 months, Sollberg’s sport and physicality make him an under-the-radar candidate.
20. New York Islanders: Jett Luchanko C/W, Guelph (OHL)
A right-handed taking pictures swingman who excelled on the ability play within the Ontario Hockey League. Primarily a playmaker, Luchanko is aggressive in looking for out open ice, and dishing the puck to an open linemate. This choose, initially belonging to the Tampa Bay Lightning, got here to the Islanders by way of Chicao.
21. Los Angeles Kings: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-Metropolis (USHL)
A controversial choose because of emotional/behavioral maturity issues, Connelly would in any other case be a possible top-10 candidate primarily based on his ability degree. Dedicated to Windfall School, A prime USHL producer for the Tri-Metropolis Storm, Connelly additionally discovered success for Group USA on the Beneath-18 Worlds. He has some defensive points to work by way of in addition to some purple flags when it comes to on-ice and off-ice self-discipline. Nonetheless, there’s a big upside with this participant.
22. Nashville Predators: Andrew Basha (LW. Drugs Hat Tigers, WHL)
Pundit Draft projections for Basha are inclined to vary wherever from the top-18 to the early second spherical. Nonetheless, it will not be a shock if he comes off the board nearer to the entrance finish of that vary.
Though Basha is a pass-first sort of attacker, he also can rating opportunistic objectives. He completed the 2023-24 season with 30 objectives (55 assists and 85 factors in 63 video games) through the common season. His No. 1 asset, nevertheless, is his creativity with the puck and his deft passing contact.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)
In a comparatively sparse depth 12 months for pure facilities, Boisvert is an upwardly cellular prospect with a projectable professional middle body. He is proven offensive upside on the USHL degree and a few offensive ability (36g, 32 a in 61 video games) on the USHL degree. The Quebec native is headed for the College of North Dakota in 2004-25. He was an alternate captain for Muskegon this previous season.
24. Colorado Avalanche: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
A giant right-handed taking pictures defensmen with a bodily edge to his sport, Elick additionally has above-average mobility. The query is how a lot of a puck mover vs. defensive defenseman he’ll turn out to be. He hasn’t proven a lot offensive pop to date, though it needs to be identified that his group, longtime prospect manufacturing facility Brandon, has been in a transitional section lately. He however has shutdown D potential on the NHL degree.
25. Boston Bruins: Ryder Ritchie RW (Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Ritchie is one in all youthful members of this 12 months’s Draft class, born on August 3. 2026. He did not progress so far as hoped this season however nonetheless has a really upside for the long run: wonderful skating, puck abilities, creativity and a powerful playoff run (3g, 4a, 20 pictures in purpose in 5 video games. He posted 44 factors in 47 common season matches (19g, 25a). Just a little extra was anticipated however continues to be projected for an enormous bounce in his Draft-plus one season. This choose got here to Boston by way of Detroit and Ottawa.
26. Montreal Canadiens: Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Växjö J20 (J20 Nationwide)
The 2024 Draft is among the weaker years for Swedish prospects lately. Sahlin Wallenius, nevertheless, is a well-regarded puck-mover with an rising total sport. He is been an impression offensive participant and group chief on the J20 degree in Sweden. Sahlin Wallenius was a daily for the Junior Crowns on the Beneath-18 Worlds.
27. Carolina Hurricanes: EJ (Eric) Emery D (USNTDP)
A cellular, dependable defenseman who may be very sound with out the puck and has good first-pass skill, Emery is 6-foot-3, right-shooting defenseman who initiatives as a penalty killing proper defenseman as a professional. He’s headed for the College of North Dakota in 2024-25.
28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver): Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)
A giant-framed two-way middle with a powerful aggressive drive, Beaudoin was a mainstay for Group Canada on the U18 Worlds. He posted 62 factors i(28g, 34a) in 67 common season OHL video games and 6 factors (2g, 3a) in six playoffs video games. He is a participant in the same mould to Columbus ahead Boone Jenner and Flyers group chief Scott Laughton.
29. Dallas Stars: Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)
A high-value choose at this final stage of the Draft, Kiviharju missed many of the 2023-24 season because of a knee damage. The Stars have typically tabbed Finnish blueliners in latest Drafts, starting from Miro Heiskanen to Julius Honka and Jani Hakanpää (initially a St. Louis choose) over the past 14 years wtih some good success.
30. New York Rangers: Sam O’Reilly RW (London, OHL)
A teammate of Flyers prospects Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey together with Toronto hopeful Eason Cowan and prime 2024 blueline prospect Sam Dickinson, O’Reilly is coming off a powerful all-around season and playoffs for London. He gained the belief of head coach Dale Hunter and noticed his position enhance.
31. Edmonton Oilers: Julius Miettinen C/W, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
An easy north-south participant, Miettinen rose sharply from the Central Scouting midterm rankings to his last rating. His skating is a piece in progress however enhancing. He has some two-way upside. His model has been in comparison with Bruins middle Charlie Coyle
32. FLYERS (by way of Florida): Yegor Surin C/W Lokomotiv Yaroslav (KHL)
I thought-about going with a defenseman for the Flyers’ latter first rounder if Czech defenseman Adam Jiricek was on the board. I additionally considered USNTDP wing/middle swingman Teddy Stiga. Both is a viable choose within the late first spherical. Nonetheless, I am intrigued by the Flyers rolling the cube on a Russian participant similar to Surin, who has been a superb offensive participant for Lokomotiv’s J20 group (Loko) within the MHL.
In our annual pre-Draft mock runthrough of the primary spherical, Flyers contributing author Invoice Meltzer does a pattern run-through of how the highest 32 picks might go. The Flyers, who at the moment maintain the twelfth and thirty second choices, may probably transfer round within the spherical if a suitable deal (or offers) might be struck. If not, the group is snug that it may nonetheless land good prospects on Day One of many NHL Draft.
The mock Draft is strictly primarily based on a “greatest out there participant” mannequin, not on numerous golf equipment’ organizational wants or intel on believed inside rankings. It is also not a projection of “wanting” to see a membership, together with the Flyers, choose a specific participant.
Scouts leaguewide are inclined to covet 4S prospects, who deliver all 4 of the next traits: dimension, pace, ability and hockey sense. Prospects can work round missing one trait however projected inside rankings method every trait closely and have a tendency to mark down a participant with a number of obtrusive deficiencies in these areas.
There can typically be a positional bias at work, too, significantly with “true facilities” getting a lift over pure wingers and middle/wing swingmen (typically smaller framed gamers) who’re projected to be wingers on the NHL degree. There are, in fact, exceptions, the place a future winger is projected to have an excessive amount of of a better impression to fit him beneath a middle no matter positional choice.
With defensemen, there may be typically a lengthier growth timetable relative to forwards earlier than the participant approaches his projected ceiling. In lots of instances, it is a extra inexact “science” to precisely tab the probably floor-to-ceiling potential for these largely 18-year-old candidates.
Holding these issues in thoughts, the next is Meltzer’s 2024 Draft mock-up for picks No. 1 to 32.
1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston College (NCAA)
Celebrini isn’t projected to be a “once-in-a-generation” degree expertise — a slam dunk future Hart Trophy candidate — ala Eric Lindros, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or 2023 first total choose Connor Bedard of their Draft 12 months. Nonetheless, he is thought-about a future upper-echelon NHL participant, with a really excessive ground and an All-Star degree ceiling. He is additionally one of many few gamers on this Draft who may viablely be an NHL contributor proper off the bat.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)
In a deep crop of blueline prospects out there for the 2024 Draft, the Belarusian is one who stands out as a coveted 4S sort of participant: 6-foot-2, 209 kilos, with demonstrated mobility, on-puck and off-puck skill and pure ability in enjoying successfully with tempo.
3. Anaheim Geese: Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Consistency would be the key for massive-frame Russian defenseman Anton Silayev (6-foot-7, 210-plus kilos) to succeed in the kind of potential that’s projected for him. There may be some threat concerned; some leaps of religion required to undertaking that he’ll refine a few of uncooked instruments which have ranked so extremely in public rankings. That stated, if he even approaches his ceiling, which is Norris Trophy caliber, he’d be a no brainer in some future “retro Draft” train. Not all agree. His pundit rankings are as excessive as top-three in lots of instances however a bit decrease — even simply exterior the High 10 — in dissenter projections.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Drugs Hat (WHL)
Again and hand accidents in 2023-24, significantly the previous, have some frightened about the place to fit Lindstrom. He missed 36 video games final season. From all appearances, although, he’s now absolutely wholesome. A basic early first-round middle choose with an enormous body and a demonstrated ability degree that’s exhausting to seek out while you get deeper right into a Draft class, Lindstrom is more likely to be the subsequent middle off the board after Celebrini. Maybe due to some trepidation over accidents, Columbus has been rumored to be prepared to commerce this choose, however the fee can be extraordinarily excessive.
5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
By way of pure offensive ability and creativity, Matvei Michkov’s pal and SKA system teammate might be essentially the most electrifying expertise within the 2024 Draft crop. Though Mickov arrived sooner as a KHL common and made extra rapid impression offensively at Russia’s prime degree, Demidov is an amazing younger expertise in his personal proper. He is torn up the Russian junior degree (MHL) hockey and appeared in a handful of KHL video games. In fingers, aggressiveness in making performs, puckhanding, will to attain and creativity, Demindov has a famous person ceiling. Off puck, he’ll have changes to make (as will Flyers prospect Michov).
6. Utah HC: Tij Iginla W/C, Kelowna (WHL)
He would not play in the identical model as his dad, Hockey Corridor of Fame energy ahead Jarome Igina, however Tij Igina is a really proficient participant in his personal proper. He spent a lot of the previous 12 months on a wing however hopes to maneuver again to his authentic place, middle, frequently in 2024-25. Both as a middle or a winger, Iginia has high-end offensive potential: 47 objectives in 64 common season video games within the Western Hockey League, 12 factors (6g, 6a) in seven video games on the Beneath-18 Worlds for gold medalist Group Canada. There are a few defensemen who’re extremely regarded candidates for choice in the identical vary (picks 5, 6, 7, or 8) however Iginla’s versatility offers him a slight increase on this mock.
7. Ottawa Senators; Sam Dickinson D, London (OHL)
Enjoying for Dale Hunter’s Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights, Dickinson was a big impression participant in his Draft 12 months. Toolsy, rangy when it comes to mobility, offensively promising and big-framed (6-foot-3, 203 kilos), Dickinson is a consensus top-10 candidate for the 2004 Draft.
Some prognosticators even positioned Dickison in — or the cusp of — the highest repair, six or seven vary. He performed for a dominant and deep group, which helped increase his manufacturing in his Draft 12 months (70 factors in 68 video games), however he confirmed an all-around upside to turn into an entire professional defenseman as he good points expertise.
If he reaches his potential, Dickson might be a stable top-three and even top-pair defenseman within the NHL: an all-situations participant who logs 20-plus minutes an evening. He is off to a great begin towards an NHL path coming into his Draf-plus-one 12 months.
8. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton C/W, Spokane (WHL)
NHL groups appear to be putting a renewed emphasis on rating up gamers who deliver the scale/pace mixture into the combo. That’s the reason Berkly Catton will get marked down a bit in some pundit rankings. He’s smaller-than-average for a middle, which is why some organizations seem more likely to convert him to a winger when he turns professional (we already talked about the positional bias think about many rankings). He skates properly and is excellent on his edges, which might be equally — or extra vital in some conditions — than straight forward burst. Straight forward, Catton doesn’t proven the pure burst to realize constant separation. These are the explanations he typically falls simply exterior the highest 10 in lots of prognostications.
I really feel in another way, nevertheless. I feel that is an outlier case during which a small junior middle may discover enviable success within the NHL if allowed to remain at middle fairly than shifting to wing. Extra importantly, although, even when he does find yourself as a winger, so what? Groups want high-quality offensive abilities of their prime six no matter place.
Catton did not rack up 116 common season factors (54g, 62a) in his Draft-eligible WHL season by chance. He can end. He can arrange teammates in addition to any prospect in this Draft. His ice imaginative and prescient, creativity, puck management and fingers are the actual deal. There may be all of the making of a future NHL impression participant.
If that is at middle, a lot the higher. If it is at wing, that is completely advantageous, too. If moved to wing, might even see fewer bodily mismatches defensively (he isn’t tiny, albeit smaller than the “central casting” superb for a middle). He isn’t afraid to compete, in any case.
9. Calgary Flames: Zeev Buium D, Denver (NAA)
A cerebral younger defenseman with each puck-moving and offensive upside, Bium was an vital piece of the puzzle each the World Junior Championship gold medalist Group USA and as a freshman power for NCAA champion Denver.
Bium is of common dimension however well-above common total potential. He may turn out to be an all-situation NHL defenseman of top-three caliber as an inexpensive developmental cycle forecast.
10. New Jersey Devils: Beckett Sennecke W, Oshawa (OHL)
Sennecke’s inventory rose with a bullet within the second half of the season: A high-compete participant with good ice imaginative and prescient, a willingness to get to the “greasy” areas of the ice and skill to dish the puck to an open teammate and make a play. Pundits predict that his body will fill out and that his excellent second half — in comparison with his “merely stable” first half — is the actual indicator of the place he’s in his growth to date.
There may be some projection concerned with the participant: Will he take off as anticipated for the total season in his Draft-plus-one 12 months? Will he turn out to be a top-dog sort of spine participant on an NHL group or a pleasant complementary piece to varied kinds of linemates?
11. San Jose Sharks (by way of Buffalo): Zayne Parekh D, Saginaw (OHL)
With Celebrini locked in because the No, 1 total choice, if Parekh continues to be on the board right here, I may see San Jose swinging for the fences right here. He is extra rover than a standard defenseman — his off-puck skill has been questioned typically regardless of his common season plus-39 and his key position on the eventual Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Squad — nevertheless it’s mighty exhausting to miss his offensive upside.
Ninety-six common season factors from the again finish (33g, 66a). Eleven factors (2g, 9a) in 13 OHL playoff video games, A mainstay on a Memorial Cup roster. Appears to be trending up in his off-puck play, puck administration and bodily engagement. The combo is difficult to withstand, particularly if nonetheless out there at this level.
12. FLYERS: Konsta Helenius C, Jukerit (Liiga)
There are a minimum of three gamers that I may see the Flyers choosing comfortably if the picks play out this manner by way of the highest 11 (or if a participant like Catton drops to them). In the end, I went for Finnish middle Heleinus and reluctantly saved exhausting taking pictures/bodily defenseman Carter Yakemchuk, and sniping ahead Cole Eiserman on the board.
First, let’s speak about what Helenius is earlier than we speak about what he is not. He is already competing efficiently in opposition to grownup professionals in Finland’s Liiga and his play hit one other degree within the postseason (though he did not dominate on the U18s to the hoped-for diploma). He made Finland’s senior group on the World Championships. He is a detail-oriented participant in all zones.
Helenius is the kind of participant who might be extra appreciated in repeated viewing than by way of a single-game or spotlight bundle. He is not tall (5-foot-11) however has a projectable body to ultimately play within the 195 to 200 pound vary. He battles to make performs and defends.
Helenius is a surgical playmaker, not a visually spectacular one. He isn’t going to dazzle or dangle round a lot earlier than lastly making the “excellent play” however he’ll shortly survey his choices and ship the puck in a great place for a scoring likelihood. His sport interprets properly towards being a constant producer even when he would not publish eye-popping stats that may lead a league.
It is typically tempting to check a prospect to a countryman, and that usually occurs with right-handed taking pictures Helenius. He is been in comparison with the likes of Anton Lundell and former NHLer Saku Koivu. He confirmed enchancment in his skating this previous season, and has at all times ranked very extremely in hockey sense.
Helenius may use enchancment on his shot: he is a greater passer than finisher at this stage of his profession. When all of the items are added up, although, it is a participant with BOTH a excessive ceiling and a excessive ground. He needs to be NHL-ready comparatively quickly, too. Helenius can be versatile sufficient to play wing if a group that drafts him prefers that path.
He possesses some traits that may’t be taught and is a play-driving, full participant with loads of top-six upside on the NHL degree. For this vary of the Draft, for my part, it is an simply justifiable choose.
13. Minnesota Wild: Carter Yakemchuk D, Calgary (WHL)
Three property lie on the forefront of Yakemchuk’s case to be chosen within the higher half of the primary spherical: an explosive ending skill (30 objectives), an enormous body (6-foot-3) and an aggressive bodily model with appreciable snarl (120 penalty minutes). Yakemchuk typically will get questioned for his positional consciousness, threat/reward judgement and puck administration. The hope is that he harnesses his appreciable instruments and pure aggression into an efficient NHL sport.
14. Buffalo Sabres (by way of San Jose): Cole EIserman LW (USNTDP)
This choose initially belonged to the Pittsburgh Penguins and got here to the Sabres by way of San Jose. Eiserman entered the 2023-24 season broadly thought-about to be a possible top-two Draft candidate for this 12 months’s Draft. Eiserman fell out of the projected top-10 (in some instances, out of the projected top-half) of the 2024 Draft in line with the pundits. Eiserman is a divisive participant in a lot the identical trend as longtime NHLers Phil Kessel. Eiserman, like Kessel, had A+ fingers and the flexibility to attain in bunches. Nonetheless, Eiserman has simply as many critics as admirers, starting from his total contributions if not scoring, to coachability, to motor. For these causes, he went from a pre-season “slam dunk” for a top-five choose to a wildcard when it comes to his Draft vary.
15. Detroit Crimson Wings: Igor Chernyshov LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
A well-rounded Russian winger who has already proven he can play efficiently on the KHL degree and who has already proven his all-around sport is superior past the everyday degree of a youngster within the MHL. Cherynyshov’s projected ceiling isn’t in Demidov’s stratosphere, however he’s a stable choice on this vary.
16. St. Louis Blues: Liam Greentree LW, Windsor (OHL)
So long as Greentree can work round some skating deficiencies — in a lot the identical trend as Flyers winger Tyson Foerster — he has all of the instruments to turn out to be in impression ahead within the NHL sometime. He is already bodily mature (6-foot-3, 210 kilos), confirmed the flexibility each to make performs (54 assists) and the potential to complete (34 objectives) as properly. Defensively accountable, Greentree has most of the parts of a basic energy ahead. Large-and-skilled is a horny mixture of attributes for many organizations, however the skating points are one thing the participant might want to tackle over the subsequent few seasons.
17. Washington Capitals: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård RW (Mora IK, Allsvenskan)
A tough-charging and hard-skating winger with a bodily edge and a extremely aggressive model of play, some projections have Brandsegg-Nygård proper within the center vary of the primary spherical. He has a high-floor as a top-12 NHLer, a middle-six median and a flexible match inside numerous spots wherever within the prime 9.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from Islanders): Michael Hage C (Chicago, USHL)
A intelligent playmaking middle with some 200-foot upside, Hage is headed from the USHL’s Chicago Metal to the College of Michigan come 2025-26, Already established as a advantageous distributor with good ice imaginative and prescient, Hage stepped up the scoring facet of his sport within the second half of 2023-24.
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Stian Sollberg D (Vålenga, Norway)
A giant-framed projected shutdown defenseman and a uncommon first-round candidate who was skilled his native Norway by way of his Draft 12 months, Sollberg’s sport and physicality make him an under-the-radar candidate.
20. New York Islanders: Jett Luchanko C/W, Guelph (OHL)
A right-handed taking pictures swingman who excelled on the ability play within the Ontario Hockey League. Primarily a playmaker, Luchanko is aggressive in looking for out open ice, and dishing the puck to an open linemate. This choose, initially belonging to the Tampa Bay Lightning, got here to the Islanders by way of Chicao.
21. Los Angeles Kings: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-Metropolis (USHL)
A controversial choose because of emotional/behavioral maturity issues, Connelly would in any other case be a possible top-10 candidate primarily based on his ability degree. Dedicated to Windfall School, A prime USHL producer for the Tri-Metropolis Storm, Connelly additionally discovered success for Group USA on the Beneath-18 Worlds. He has some defensive points to work by way of in addition to some purple flags when it comes to on-ice and off-ice self-discipline. Nonetheless, there’s a big upside with this participant.
22. Nashville Predators: Andrew Basha (LW. Drugs Hat Tigers, WHL)
Pundit Draft projections for Basha are inclined to vary wherever from the top-18 to the early second spherical. Nonetheless, it will not be a shock if he comes off the board nearer to the entrance finish of that vary.
Though Basha is a pass-first sort of attacker, he also can rating opportunistic objectives. He completed the 2023-24 season with 30 objectives (55 assists and 85 factors in 63 video games) through the common season. His No. 1 asset, nevertheless, is his creativity with the puck and his deft passing contact.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)
In a comparatively sparse depth 12 months for pure facilities, Boisvert is an upwardly cellular prospect with a projectable professional middle body. He is proven offensive upside on the USHL degree and a few offensive ability (36g, 32 a in 61 video games) on the USHL degree. The Quebec native is headed for the College of North Dakota in 2004-25. He was an alternate captain for Muskegon this previous season.
24. Colorado Avalanche: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
A giant right-handed taking pictures defensmen with a bodily edge to his sport, Elick additionally has above-average mobility. The query is how a lot of a puck mover vs. defensive defenseman he’ll turn out to be. He hasn’t proven a lot offensive pop to date, though it needs to be identified that his group, longtime prospect manufacturing facility Brandon, has been in a transitional section lately. He however has shutdown D potential on the NHL degree.
25. Boston Bruins: Ryder Ritchie RW (Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Ritchie is one in all youthful members of this 12 months’s Draft class, born on August 3. 2026. He did not progress so far as hoped this season however nonetheless has a really upside for the long run: wonderful skating, puck abilities, creativity and a powerful playoff run (3g, 4a, 20 pictures in purpose in 5 video games. He posted 44 factors in 47 common season matches (19g, 25a). Just a little extra was anticipated however continues to be projected for an enormous bounce in his Draft-plus one season. This choose got here to Boston by way of Detroit and Ottawa.
26. Montreal Canadiens: Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Växjö J20 (J20 Nationwide)
The 2024 Draft is among the weaker years for Swedish prospects lately. Sahlin Wallenius, nevertheless, is a well-regarded puck-mover with an rising total sport. He is been an impression offensive participant and group chief on the J20 degree in Sweden. Sahlin Wallenius was a daily for the Junior Crowns on the Beneath-18 Worlds.
27. Carolina Hurricanes: EJ (Eric) Emery D (USNTDP)
A cellular, dependable defenseman who may be very sound with out the puck and has good first-pass skill, Emery is 6-foot-3, right-shooting defenseman who initiatives as a penalty killing proper defenseman as a professional. He’s headed for the College of North Dakota in 2024-25.
28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver): Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)
A giant-framed two-way middle with a powerful aggressive drive, Beaudoin was a mainstay for Group Canada on the U18 Worlds. He posted 62 factors i(28g, 34a) in 67 common season OHL video games and 6 factors (2g, 3a) in six playoffs video games. He is a participant in the same mould to Columbus ahead Boone Jenner and Flyers group chief Scott Laughton.
29. Dallas Stars: Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)
A high-value choose at this final stage of the Draft, Kiviharju missed many of the 2023-24 season because of a knee damage. The Stars have typically tabbed Finnish blueliners in latest Drafts, starting from Miro Heiskanen to Julius Honka and Jani Hakanpää (initially a St. Louis choose) over the past 14 years wtih some good success.
30. New York Rangers: Sam O’Reilly RW (London, OHL)
A teammate of Flyers prospects Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey together with Toronto hopeful Eason Cowan and prime 2024 blueline prospect Sam Dickinson, O’Reilly is coming off a powerful all-around season and playoffs for London. He gained the belief of head coach Dale Hunter and noticed his position enhance.
31. Edmonton Oilers: Julius Miettinen C/W, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
An easy north-south participant, Miettinen rose sharply from the Central Scouting midterm rankings to his last rating. His skating is a piece in progress however enhancing. He has some two-way upside. His model has been in comparison with Bruins middle Charlie Coyle
32. FLYERS (by way of Florida): Yegor Surin C/W Lokomotiv Yaroslav (KHL)
I thought-about going with a defenseman for the Flyers’ latter first rounder if Czech defenseman Adam Jiricek was on the board. I additionally considered USNTDP wing/middle swingman Teddy Stiga. Both is a viable choose within the late first spherical. Nonetheless, I am intrigued by the Flyers rolling the cube on a Russian participant similar to Surin, who has been a superb offensive participant for Lokomotiv’s J20 group (Loko) within the MHL.
In our annual pre-Draft mock runthrough of the primary spherical, Flyers contributing author Invoice Meltzer does a pattern run-through of how the highest 32 picks might go. The Flyers, who at the moment maintain the twelfth and thirty second choices, may probably transfer round within the spherical if a suitable deal (or offers) might be struck. If not, the group is snug that it may nonetheless land good prospects on Day One of many NHL Draft.
The mock Draft is strictly primarily based on a “greatest out there participant” mannequin, not on numerous golf equipment’ organizational wants or intel on believed inside rankings. It is also not a projection of “wanting” to see a membership, together with the Flyers, choose a specific participant.
Scouts leaguewide are inclined to covet 4S prospects, who deliver all 4 of the next traits: dimension, pace, ability and hockey sense. Prospects can work round missing one trait however projected inside rankings method every trait closely and have a tendency to mark down a participant with a number of obtrusive deficiencies in these areas.
There can typically be a positional bias at work, too, significantly with “true facilities” getting a lift over pure wingers and middle/wing swingmen (typically smaller framed gamers) who’re projected to be wingers on the NHL degree. There are, in fact, exceptions, the place a future winger is projected to have an excessive amount of of a better impression to fit him beneath a middle no matter positional choice.
With defensemen, there may be typically a lengthier growth timetable relative to forwards earlier than the participant approaches his projected ceiling. In lots of instances, it is a extra inexact “science” to precisely tab the probably floor-to-ceiling potential for these largely 18-year-old candidates.
Holding these issues in thoughts, the next is Meltzer’s 2024 Draft mock-up for picks No. 1 to 32.
1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston College (NCAA)
Celebrini isn’t projected to be a “once-in-a-generation” degree expertise — a slam dunk future Hart Trophy candidate — ala Eric Lindros, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid or 2023 first total choose Connor Bedard of their Draft 12 months. Nonetheless, he is thought-about a future upper-echelon NHL participant, with a really excessive ground and an All-Star degree ceiling. He is additionally one of many few gamers on this Draft who may viablely be an NHL contributor proper off the bat.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)
In a deep crop of blueline prospects out there for the 2024 Draft, the Belarusian is one who stands out as a coveted 4S sort of participant: 6-foot-2, 209 kilos, with demonstrated mobility, on-puck and off-puck skill and pure ability in enjoying successfully with tempo.
3. Anaheim Geese: Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Consistency would be the key for massive-frame Russian defenseman Anton Silayev (6-foot-7, 210-plus kilos) to succeed in the kind of potential that’s projected for him. There may be some threat concerned; some leaps of religion required to undertaking that he’ll refine a few of uncooked instruments which have ranked so extremely in public rankings. That stated, if he even approaches his ceiling, which is Norris Trophy caliber, he’d be a no brainer in some future “retro Draft” train. Not all agree. His pundit rankings are as excessive as top-three in lots of instances however a bit decrease — even simply exterior the High 10 — in dissenter projections.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Drugs Hat (WHL)
Again and hand accidents in 2023-24, significantly the previous, have some frightened about the place to fit Lindstrom. He missed 36 video games final season. From all appearances, although, he’s now absolutely wholesome. A basic early first-round middle choose with an enormous body and a demonstrated ability degree that’s exhausting to seek out while you get deeper right into a Draft class, Lindstrom is more likely to be the subsequent middle off the board after Celebrini. Maybe due to some trepidation over accidents, Columbus has been rumored to be prepared to commerce this choose, however the fee can be extraordinarily excessive.
5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
By way of pure offensive ability and creativity, Matvei Michkov’s pal and SKA system teammate might be essentially the most electrifying expertise within the 2024 Draft crop. Though Mickov arrived sooner as a KHL common and made extra rapid impression offensively at Russia’s prime degree, Demidov is an amazing younger expertise in his personal proper. He is torn up the Russian junior degree (MHL) hockey and appeared in a handful of KHL video games. In fingers, aggressiveness in making performs, puckhanding, will to attain and creativity, Demindov has a famous person ceiling. Off puck, he’ll have changes to make (as will Flyers prospect Michov).
6. Utah HC: Tij Iginla W/C, Kelowna (WHL)
He would not play in the identical model as his dad, Hockey Corridor of Fame energy ahead Jarome Igina, however Tij Igina is a really proficient participant in his personal proper. He spent a lot of the previous 12 months on a wing however hopes to maneuver again to his authentic place, middle, frequently in 2024-25. Both as a middle or a winger, Iginia has high-end offensive potential: 47 objectives in 64 common season video games within the Western Hockey League, 12 factors (6g, 6a) in seven video games on the Beneath-18 Worlds for gold medalist Group Canada. There are a few defensemen who’re extremely regarded candidates for choice in the identical vary (picks 5, 6, 7, or 8) however Iginla’s versatility offers him a slight increase on this mock.
7. Ottawa Senators; Sam Dickinson D, London (OHL)
Enjoying for Dale Hunter’s Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights, Dickinson was a big impression participant in his Draft 12 months. Toolsy, rangy when it comes to mobility, offensively promising and big-framed (6-foot-3, 203 kilos), Dickinson is a consensus top-10 candidate for the 2004 Draft.
Some prognosticators even positioned Dickison in — or the cusp of — the highest repair, six or seven vary. He performed for a dominant and deep group, which helped increase his manufacturing in his Draft 12 months (70 factors in 68 video games), however he confirmed an all-around upside to turn into an entire professional defenseman as he good points expertise.
If he reaches his potential, Dickson might be a stable top-three and even top-pair defenseman within the NHL: an all-situations participant who logs 20-plus minutes an evening. He is off to a great begin towards an NHL path coming into his Draf-plus-one 12 months.
8. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton C/W, Spokane (WHL)
NHL groups appear to be putting a renewed emphasis on rating up gamers who deliver the scale/pace mixture into the combo. That’s the reason Berkly Catton will get marked down a bit in some pundit rankings. He’s smaller-than-average for a middle, which is why some organizations seem more likely to convert him to a winger when he turns professional (we already talked about the positional bias think about many rankings). He skates properly and is excellent on his edges, which might be equally — or extra vital in some conditions — than straight forward burst. Straight forward, Catton doesn’t proven the pure burst to realize constant separation. These are the explanations he typically falls simply exterior the highest 10 in lots of prognostications.
I really feel in another way, nevertheless. I feel that is an outlier case during which a small junior middle may discover enviable success within the NHL if allowed to remain at middle fairly than shifting to wing. Extra importantly, although, even when he does find yourself as a winger, so what? Groups want high-quality offensive abilities of their prime six no matter place.
Catton did not rack up 116 common season factors (54g, 62a) in his Draft-eligible WHL season by chance. He can end. He can arrange teammates in addition to any prospect in this Draft. His ice imaginative and prescient, creativity, puck management and fingers are the actual deal. There may be all of the making of a future NHL impression participant.
If that is at middle, a lot the higher. If it is at wing, that is completely advantageous, too. If moved to wing, might even see fewer bodily mismatches defensively (he isn’t tiny, albeit smaller than the “central casting” superb for a middle). He isn’t afraid to compete, in any case.
9. Calgary Flames: Zeev Buium D, Denver (NAA)
A cerebral younger defenseman with each puck-moving and offensive upside, Bium was an vital piece of the puzzle each the World Junior Championship gold medalist Group USA and as a freshman power for NCAA champion Denver.
Bium is of common dimension however well-above common total potential. He may turn out to be an all-situation NHL defenseman of top-three caliber as an inexpensive developmental cycle forecast.
10. New Jersey Devils: Beckett Sennecke W, Oshawa (OHL)
Sennecke’s inventory rose with a bullet within the second half of the season: A high-compete participant with good ice imaginative and prescient, a willingness to get to the “greasy” areas of the ice and skill to dish the puck to an open teammate and make a play. Pundits predict that his body will fill out and that his excellent second half — in comparison with his “merely stable” first half — is the actual indicator of the place he’s in his growth to date.
There may be some projection concerned with the participant: Will he take off as anticipated for the total season in his Draft-plus-one 12 months? Will he turn out to be a top-dog sort of spine participant on an NHL group or a pleasant complementary piece to varied kinds of linemates?
11. San Jose Sharks (by way of Buffalo): Zayne Parekh D, Saginaw (OHL)
With Celebrini locked in because the No, 1 total choice, if Parekh continues to be on the board right here, I may see San Jose swinging for the fences right here. He is extra rover than a standard defenseman — his off-puck skill has been questioned typically regardless of his common season plus-39 and his key position on the eventual Memorial Cup champion Saginaw Squad — nevertheless it’s mighty exhausting to miss his offensive upside.
Ninety-six common season factors from the again finish (33g, 66a). Eleven factors (2g, 9a) in 13 OHL playoff video games, A mainstay on a Memorial Cup roster. Appears to be trending up in his off-puck play, puck administration and bodily engagement. The combo is difficult to withstand, particularly if nonetheless out there at this level.
12. FLYERS: Konsta Helenius C, Jukerit (Liiga)
There are a minimum of three gamers that I may see the Flyers choosing comfortably if the picks play out this manner by way of the highest 11 (or if a participant like Catton drops to them). In the end, I went for Finnish middle Heleinus and reluctantly saved exhausting taking pictures/bodily defenseman Carter Yakemchuk, and sniping ahead Cole Eiserman on the board.
First, let’s speak about what Helenius is earlier than we speak about what he is not. He is already competing efficiently in opposition to grownup professionals in Finland’s Liiga and his play hit one other degree within the postseason (though he did not dominate on the U18s to the hoped-for diploma). He made Finland’s senior group on the World Championships. He is a detail-oriented participant in all zones.
Helenius is the kind of participant who might be extra appreciated in repeated viewing than by way of a single-game or spotlight bundle. He is not tall (5-foot-11) however has a projectable body to ultimately play within the 195 to 200 pound vary. He battles to make performs and defends.
Helenius is a surgical playmaker, not a visually spectacular one. He isn’t going to dazzle or dangle round a lot earlier than lastly making the “excellent play” however he’ll shortly survey his choices and ship the puck in a great place for a scoring likelihood. His sport interprets properly towards being a constant producer even when he would not publish eye-popping stats that may lead a league.
It is typically tempting to check a prospect to a countryman, and that usually occurs with right-handed taking pictures Helenius. He is been in comparison with the likes of Anton Lundell and former NHLer Saku Koivu. He confirmed enchancment in his skating this previous season, and has at all times ranked very extremely in hockey sense.
Helenius may use enchancment on his shot: he is a greater passer than finisher at this stage of his profession. When all of the items are added up, although, it is a participant with BOTH a excessive ceiling and a excessive ground. He needs to be NHL-ready comparatively quickly, too. Helenius can be versatile sufficient to play wing if a group that drafts him prefers that path.
He possesses some traits that may’t be taught and is a play-driving, full participant with loads of top-six upside on the NHL degree. For this vary of the Draft, for my part, it is an simply justifiable choose.
13. Minnesota Wild: Carter Yakemchuk D, Calgary (WHL)
Three property lie on the forefront of Yakemchuk’s case to be chosen within the higher half of the primary spherical: an explosive ending skill (30 objectives), an enormous body (6-foot-3) and an aggressive bodily model with appreciable snarl (120 penalty minutes). Yakemchuk typically will get questioned for his positional consciousness, threat/reward judgement and puck administration. The hope is that he harnesses his appreciable instruments and pure aggression into an efficient NHL sport.
14. Buffalo Sabres (by way of San Jose): Cole EIserman LW (USNTDP)
This choose initially belonged to the Pittsburgh Penguins and got here to the Sabres by way of San Jose. Eiserman entered the 2023-24 season broadly thought-about to be a possible top-two Draft candidate for this 12 months’s Draft. Eiserman fell out of the projected top-10 (in some instances, out of the projected top-half) of the 2024 Draft in line with the pundits. Eiserman is a divisive participant in a lot the identical trend as longtime NHLers Phil Kessel. Eiserman, like Kessel, had A+ fingers and the flexibility to attain in bunches. Nonetheless, Eiserman has simply as many critics as admirers, starting from his total contributions if not scoring, to coachability, to motor. For these causes, he went from a pre-season “slam dunk” for a top-five choose to a wildcard when it comes to his Draft vary.
15. Detroit Crimson Wings: Igor Chernyshov LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
A well-rounded Russian winger who has already proven he can play efficiently on the KHL degree and who has already proven his all-around sport is superior past the everyday degree of a youngster within the MHL. Cherynyshov’s projected ceiling isn’t in Demidov’s stratosphere, however he’s a stable choice on this vary.
16. St. Louis Blues: Liam Greentree LW, Windsor (OHL)
So long as Greentree can work round some skating deficiencies — in a lot the identical trend as Flyers winger Tyson Foerster — he has all of the instruments to turn out to be in impression ahead within the NHL sometime. He is already bodily mature (6-foot-3, 210 kilos), confirmed the flexibility each to make performs (54 assists) and the potential to complete (34 objectives) as properly. Defensively accountable, Greentree has most of the parts of a basic energy ahead. Large-and-skilled is a horny mixture of attributes for many organizations, however the skating points are one thing the participant might want to tackle over the subsequent few seasons.
17. Washington Capitals: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård RW (Mora IK, Allsvenskan)
A tough-charging and hard-skating winger with a bodily edge and a extremely aggressive model of play, some projections have Brandsegg-Nygård proper within the center vary of the primary spherical. He has a high-floor as a top-12 NHLer, a middle-six median and a flexible match inside numerous spots wherever within the prime 9.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from Islanders): Michael Hage C (Chicago, USHL)
A intelligent playmaking middle with some 200-foot upside, Hage is headed from the USHL’s Chicago Metal to the College of Michigan come 2025-26, Already established as a advantageous distributor with good ice imaginative and prescient, Hage stepped up the scoring facet of his sport within the second half of 2023-24.
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Stian Sollberg D (Vålenga, Norway)
A giant-framed projected shutdown defenseman and a uncommon first-round candidate who was skilled his native Norway by way of his Draft 12 months, Sollberg’s sport and physicality make him an under-the-radar candidate.
20. New York Islanders: Jett Luchanko C/W, Guelph (OHL)
A right-handed taking pictures swingman who excelled on the ability play within the Ontario Hockey League. Primarily a playmaker, Luchanko is aggressive in looking for out open ice, and dishing the puck to an open linemate. This choose, initially belonging to the Tampa Bay Lightning, got here to the Islanders by way of Chicao.
21. Los Angeles Kings: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-Metropolis (USHL)
A controversial choose because of emotional/behavioral maturity issues, Connelly would in any other case be a possible top-10 candidate primarily based on his ability degree. Dedicated to Windfall School, A prime USHL producer for the Tri-Metropolis Storm, Connelly additionally discovered success for Group USA on the Beneath-18 Worlds. He has some defensive points to work by way of in addition to some purple flags when it comes to on-ice and off-ice self-discipline. Nonetheless, there’s a big upside with this participant.
22. Nashville Predators: Andrew Basha (LW. Drugs Hat Tigers, WHL)
Pundit Draft projections for Basha are inclined to vary wherever from the top-18 to the early second spherical. Nonetheless, it will not be a shock if he comes off the board nearer to the entrance finish of that vary.
Though Basha is a pass-first sort of attacker, he also can rating opportunistic objectives. He completed the 2023-24 season with 30 objectives (55 assists and 85 factors in 63 video games) through the common season. His No. 1 asset, nevertheless, is his creativity with the puck and his deft passing contact.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)
In a comparatively sparse depth 12 months for pure facilities, Boisvert is an upwardly cellular prospect with a projectable professional middle body. He is proven offensive upside on the USHL degree and a few offensive ability (36g, 32 a in 61 video games) on the USHL degree. The Quebec native is headed for the College of North Dakota in 2004-25. He was an alternate captain for Muskegon this previous season.
24. Colorado Avalanche: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
A giant right-handed taking pictures defensmen with a bodily edge to his sport, Elick additionally has above-average mobility. The query is how a lot of a puck mover vs. defensive defenseman he’ll turn out to be. He hasn’t proven a lot offensive pop to date, though it needs to be identified that his group, longtime prospect manufacturing facility Brandon, has been in a transitional section lately. He however has shutdown D potential on the NHL degree.
25. Boston Bruins: Ryder Ritchie RW (Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Ritchie is one in all youthful members of this 12 months’s Draft class, born on August 3. 2026. He did not progress so far as hoped this season however nonetheless has a really upside for the long run: wonderful skating, puck abilities, creativity and a powerful playoff run (3g, 4a, 20 pictures in purpose in 5 video games. He posted 44 factors in 47 common season matches (19g, 25a). Just a little extra was anticipated however continues to be projected for an enormous bounce in his Draft-plus one season. This choose got here to Boston by way of Detroit and Ottawa.
26. Montreal Canadiens: Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Växjö J20 (J20 Nationwide)
The 2024 Draft is among the weaker years for Swedish prospects lately. Sahlin Wallenius, nevertheless, is a well-regarded puck-mover with an rising total sport. He is been an impression offensive participant and group chief on the J20 degree in Sweden. Sahlin Wallenius was a daily for the Junior Crowns on the Beneath-18 Worlds.
27. Carolina Hurricanes: EJ (Eric) Emery D (USNTDP)
A cellular, dependable defenseman who may be very sound with out the puck and has good first-pass skill, Emery is 6-foot-3, right-shooting defenseman who initiatives as a penalty killing proper defenseman as a professional. He’s headed for the College of North Dakota in 2024-25.
28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver): Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)
A giant-framed two-way middle with a powerful aggressive drive, Beaudoin was a mainstay for Group Canada on the U18 Worlds. He posted 62 factors i(28g, 34a) in 67 common season OHL video games and 6 factors (2g, 3a) in six playoffs video games. He is a participant in the same mould to Columbus ahead Boone Jenner and Flyers group chief Scott Laughton.
29. Dallas Stars: Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)
A high-value choose at this final stage of the Draft, Kiviharju missed many of the 2023-24 season because of a knee damage. The Stars have typically tabbed Finnish blueliners in latest Drafts, starting from Miro Heiskanen to Julius Honka and Jani Hakanpää (initially a St. Louis choose) over the past 14 years wtih some good success.
30. New York Rangers: Sam O’Reilly RW (London, OHL)
A teammate of Flyers prospects Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey together with Toronto hopeful Eason Cowan and prime 2024 blueline prospect Sam Dickinson, O’Reilly is coming off a powerful all-around season and playoffs for London. He gained the belief of head coach Dale Hunter and noticed his position enhance.
31. Edmonton Oilers: Julius Miettinen C/W, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
An easy north-south participant, Miettinen rose sharply from the Central Scouting midterm rankings to his last rating. His skating is a piece in progress however enhancing. He has some two-way upside. His model has been in comparison with Bruins middle Charlie Coyle
32. FLYERS (by way of Florida): Yegor Surin C/W Lokomotiv Yaroslav (KHL)
I thought-about going with a defenseman for the Flyers’ latter first rounder if Czech defenseman Adam Jiricek was on the board. I additionally considered USNTDP wing/middle swingman Teddy Stiga. Both is a viable choose within the late first spherical. Nonetheless, I am intrigued by the Flyers rolling the cube on a Russian participant similar to Surin, who has been a superb offensive participant for Lokomotiv’s J20 group (Loko) within the MHL.