NHL draft expert Tony Ferrari combines the best shooting, passing, power, toughness and more to create the ultimate prospect from players in the 2024 NHL draft class.
NHL draft expert Tony Ferrari combines the best shooting, passing, power, toughness and more to create the ultimate prospect from players in the 2024 NHL draft class.
There is no such thing as a perfect hockey player.
Whether you're talking about Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, or Connor McDavid, none of them are perfect.
With the 2024 NHL draft right around the corner, a fun exercise is to take elements of some of the top players in the class and build the best player possible.
For the purposes of this exercise, we will be building a forward. We won’t be doubling up on a player to cover multiple categories, which means once a player is used for one tool, we can’t use them for another.
The elements that we will use to build the ultimate 2024 NHL draft prospect are as follows:
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There were a few players that popped up in the discussion across multiple categories, but finding the right mix was the really fun part of this exercise. Macklin Celebrini, Ivan Demidov, Berkly Catton, and Cayden Lindstrom all could have reasonably taken a spot in three or more categories.
Let’s build a 2024 NHL draft prospect as close to perfect as possible.
IQ : Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University
Celebrini is good at so many things when it comes to playing hockey, and all of them are enhanced by the way that he thinks the game. He has a methodical approach with a cerebral edge.
Celebrini can play within a system and then exploit your mistakes. His understanding of timing, spacing and positioning make him this year’s top player. He finds pockets and uses well-timed bursts of speed to jump onto loose pucks or beat a defender. His mind accentuates his tools.
Others in Contention: Berkly Catton, Nikita Artamonov
Skating: Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs
There aren’t many players who excel in the transition aspect of the game more than Berkly Catton. He is lightning-quick, understands how to use changes in speed to his advantage and moves with fluidity.
His edges allow him to cut and gash defensive structure, while his seemingly effortless acceleration gives him an edge when he wants to skate onto a loose puck. Catton’s mobility is easily top-tier in this draft class, and it’s allowed him to atone for his lack of size.
Others in Contention: Trevor Connelly, Macklin Celebrini, Andrew Basha
Shot: Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. NTDP
If there is one thing that Cole Eiserman is known for, it is just how incredible his shot is. It’s the kind of shot that will impress you when you see it on video, but seeing it live gives you a deeper appreciation for just how much pop there is on it.
His shot is devastating to goalies, and it’s the reason that Eiserman is a top prospect in this year’s draft. With a shot this good, it will be about rounding the rest of his game out to become effective at the pro level.
Others in Contention: Macklin Celebrini, Cayden Lindstrom
Playmaking: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg
The sometimes otherworldly playmaking that Demidov possesses makes this one of the easiest categories in this exercise.
No other players combine the skillful touch, daring creativity and impressive vision that Demidov possesses. There are players that have one or maybe even two of those traits, but no one else is able to make the kind of plays that Demidov has this season.
Others in Contention: Beckett Sennecke, Liam Greentree, Berkly Catton
Dawg: Tij Iginla, LW, Kelowna Rockets
Most of the time, a player’s bloodlines mean absolutely nothing. Iginla is the rare case when you can truly see the impact that having Jarome around had on his game. His pro habits are impeccable, and the motor that he plays with is incredible.
He may not be the fastest, the strongest, or the most skilled, but Iginla has elevated all of those areas in his game, and he is on his opponents like gravy on a poutine. Right when his opponent thinks they have time and space, Iginla takes it away with his relentless pestering and pace. Iginla’s got that dawg in ‘em.
Others in Contention: Teddy Stiga, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
Hands: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City Storm
On the ice, this kid can dazzle. He is a human highlight reel at times with the way that he can dipsy-doodle around the offensive zone. Connelly has the kind of skill that can put his opponents in a blender. He can deke and dangle his way through traffic and the shiftiness to cut between two defenders. Connelly is one of the most entertaining players to watch in the class.
Others in Contention: Ivan Demidov, Andrew Basha, Miguel Marques
Power: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers
Lindstrom brings so many things to the game when it comes to speed and skill, but it’s his willingness to barrel through his opponents that is a differentiating factor in this draft class.
Lindstrom has a mean streak in his game, and he won’t hesitate to return a cross-check – he’ll make sure it hurts more than the one he received. He has the size and strength to make a play with a defender on his back or lower his shoulder and attack downhill at the net. Lindstrom is a handful to play against for the best defenders.
Others in Contention: Igor Chernyshov, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Liam Greentree
200-Foot Habits: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora IK
The defensive side of the puck can’t be ignored when you’re building a player, and Brandsegg-Nygard is as good as they come in this draft class.
His habits away from the puck are tactical and purposeful. He isn’t just floating around the offensive zone; he’s getting into the fray and looking to hunt down the puck. He can win a board battle, read a pass and pick it off or simply clear the puck from danger. His pro hockey experience has given him a leg up on playing a mature 200-foot game.
Others in Contention: Konsta Helenius, Macklin Celebrini
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