Full rankings at THN.com. After endless hours of live viewings, video work and game reports, Tony Ferrari caps off his most in-depth NHL draft season yet. Macklin Celebrini [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA3MTUwMjg2NjAxNDYyOTcx/usatsi_23002502_168400847_lowres.jpg] Macklin Celebrini After over a year of watching the 2024 NHL draft class, we have reached the end of the cycle, and I bring you my final board. I want to start by thanking you. Whether this is the first thing you’ve read or you have been following my work for a long time, I appreciate you taking the time to consume my work. This NHL draft season was the most in-depth I’ve gone of any year. My personal scouting notebook has game reports on hundreds of players eligible for this year’s NHL draft. From live viewings to endless hours of video work, this year’s labor of love has been exhaustive in the best way. METHOD TO THE MADNESS These NHL draft rankings are my opinions based on my views on each one of these players. If I have not seen a player, I will not rank them. While size on the extreme ends matters, it is not a deciding factor for me on a player. If an undersized player doesn’t let his size hinder him, I believe the tools and skills will work out. If a player is 6-foot-6 but can’t skate, I am less inclined to value that player because height doesn’t equal talent. As for traits, I value intelligence, mobility, skill and the ability to chain plays together. I find physicality valuable but often overrated because hitting everything that moves is usually a bad decision. Functional physicality is much better – you can hit another player all you want, but if it’s two seconds after a pass or you are just hitting a guy with no intention of recovering the puck, it’s useless and often takes you out of the play. With all that out of the way, thank you for following along for yet another NHL draft year. I am always open to discussion on these rankings and would love to hear your feedback, so reach out to me on X (formerly Twitter) [https://x.com/theTonyFerrari] or comment in our forum below the article. Without further ado, let’s get to the 2024 NHL draft board. Heights and weights are according to NHL Central Scouting. TOP 100 NHL DRAFT PROSPECTS 1. Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA), Six-foot, 197 pounds Ever since the start of the season, Macklin Celebrini has been the top prospect in this cycle. He dominated the NCAA this season, putting up 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games. Although his Boston University team couldn’t capture the national title, Celebrini was recognized as the top player in NCAA hockey with the Hobey Baker Award, becoming the youngest player to capture it. Celebrini is a dual-threat offensive player who plays strong hockey in his own end. He has arguably the best shot in the draft class, is an excellent playmaker and can consistently attack the middle of the ice. He is one of the very few players in the class that truly elevates his teammates. He chains plays together so consistently by knowing what options A, B and C are before he even gets the puck on his stick. He is a tactician who plays with a cerebral edge. There is little debate in my mind that Celebrini will be the first-overall pick for the San Jose Sharks. He is one of the best prospects to come out of the NCAA of all-time, and he just turned 18 years old this month. What makes Celebrini so good is his ability to excel at whatever he’s asked to do, and he always seems to find a way to stand out as his team’s best player. He will take that role on with the Sharks soon enough. 2. Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (Rus.), 5-foot-11, 181 pounds There may not be a player in the 2024 NHL draft who plays a more electric brand of hockey than Demidov. The young Russian aims to play hockey in spectacular fashion. He sees the ice differently than most players. Whereas most players see passing lanes when they are there, Demidov manipulates them into existence and threads the puck into traffic as they open. It’s incredible to watch. Demidov started the season playing absolutely unhinged and comical hockey, toying with junior opponents with pure skill. While it was almost video game-like stylistically, it wasn’t projectable to pro hockey. As the year wore on and a promotion to the KHL team seemed less and less likely, Demidov began to refine his game and take out some of the insane – albeit entertaining – habits that caused some doubts about translatability. Demidov is a clinical assassin with the puck on his stick. He knows how to combine his wicked stickhandling with his shifty feet to set up a brilliant pass. Demidov has a good shot and jumps off his stick to the perfect location. His defensive game may need some work, but he made an effort in that regard as the season progressed as well. Demidov has one year left on his contract in Russia, so there should be no “Russian Factor” discussion. If Demidov falls on draft day, as reports have begun to suggest, there may be a few NHL teams kicking themselves in a half-decade. 3. Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL), 5-foot-10, 175 pounds Catton may be the best transition forward in the draft class, thanks to his combination of skating and intelligence. He can gash a defensive unit through the middle of the ice with ease. Catton identifies skating lanes and plays to his opponent's weaknesses. He knows where to put the puck when attacking a defender 1-on-1, forcing them to defend in uncomfortable and compromising positions. Catton is arguably the smartest player in the NHL draft class, constantly looking to create small advantages, chain them together and eventually create a big advantage. Catton makes life easy on his teammates, allowing them to play to their strengths while he fills in their gaps. He is a playmaker at heart, but he showed this season he can make goalies pay if they don’t respect his shot, especially when he gets into the home plate area. The Spokane center isn’t the biggest player, and he will need to bulk up, but he’s not some 5-foot-8, 150-pound forward who gets intimidated easily. Catton has the potential to stick at center long-term despite his size. He is the exception to the rule because of his mobility and smarts. 4. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat (WHL), 6-foot-3, 213 pounds The tantalizing package Lindstrom brings to the table has NHL teams drooling at the possibility of adding him to their team. He brings the size, speed and skill combination that teams crave at center, and his game has a power element that is sorely missing in most of the draft class. He also brings a mean streak to the game when necessary, which will only excite NHL clubs even more. Lindstrom is a handful for defenders, attacking downhill like an NFL running back looking to truck his opponent while cutting and shimmying if they commit to the contact. The Medicine Hat center is excellent along the boards, using his size and strength to establish position on the puck and come out of the mess with it. His playmaking is often at its best when he is emerging from a puck battle and finding a teammate out front. He uses his reach to pass around opponents. There isn’t another player who brings the physical traits that Lindstrom has in the draft when you incorporate the offensive skill he has as well. His shot is absolutely filthy, and he is always getting to the slot to generate his chances. He has shown some really nice hands in front of the net, deflecting pucks or cleaning up rebounds. Lindstrom is an NHL GM’s dream from a package standpoint. 5. Zeev Buium, LHD, University of Denver (NCAA), Six-foot, 186 pounds Over the last 15 months, all Zeev Buium has done is win. He was a pivotal member of the American World Men's Under-18 team that won gold at the end of last season. He led all defensemen in goals at the World Junior Championship this past January en route to a gold medal. He capped his freshman season at the University of Denver a couple of months ago with an NCAA national championship. All of that team success was made possible by his incredible play on the blueline. He led all NCAA blueliners in scoring with 50 points in 42 games (ahead of Lane Hutson and Seamus Casey). Buium was named a nominee for the Hobey Baker, was named to a number of end-of-season all-star teams in college and collected just about every award possible in the NCHC. Buium’s game is built on his intellect and ability to make the right play in any given situation continually. His offensive game is impressive because of his reads, knowing exactly when to attack off the blueline and when to defer to teammates. In transition, he is an excellent passer who hits teammates in stride but won’t force a pass. He will skate the puck out of the defensive zone and into the attacking zone if needed. In his own end, Buium plays a tactical, positional game. He won't go out and lay big hits, but he has an excellent stick. When he recovers the puck – as he always seems to do – he brings an element of calm to his team, no matter how chaotic it may have been. 6. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (Swe.2), 6-foot-1, 207 pounds Every time I have seen Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, I have appreciated what he brings to the game more. He has so many of the pro habits that you want from a player, whether it's the intricacies of winning puck battles along the boards, where he needs to be defensively or how to help cover for his teammates. He just plays with a maturity beyond his years. The big knock on Brandsegg-Nygard all season has been his offensive creativity and ceiling. While that was certainly evident early in the year, the way he progressed in the Allsvenskan this season was enviable. He was always on a bit of an island with Mora when it came to getting to the slot to generate scoring chances, but as the season advanced, his confidence with the puck did as well. Brandsegg-Nygard began using his one-timer more often in space. When he was around the net, he was a hound on rebounds, beating opponents to loose pucks regularly. He isn’t a dynamic playmaker, but his ability to peel off the boards with the puck and hit a trailing teammate or find someone in pockets of space is excellent. He works the cycle as well or better than anyone in the NHL draft class, and his motor never stops. Brandsegg-Nygard is the kind of player who is a key piece on a long playoff run. 7. Alfons Freij, LHD, Vaxjo Jr. (Swe.), Six-foot, 197 pounds This is a name you don’t often see this high on draft boards, and it’s a shame because he is one of the best defensemen available. His mobility is top-tier, he understands how to attack and manipulate his opponents in the offensive zone, and his transition game is quite good as a passer and puck carrier. So why isn’t he higher up boards? That’s a question I’ve had all season long. A lot of it comes down to the fact he didn’t score the lights out at the junior level in Sweden, and he doesn’t play a punishing game the way some other defenders in this class do. Freij’s game is built on his mobility and play reading at both ends of the ice. He looks to attack opponents by putting them in compromising positions, making passes off their heels or moving to the left before shifting his weight and darting to the right. He was the best defenseman for Sweden at the U-18s. Freij’s defensive game has grown over the year with more focus on trying to kill play before it really becomes an issue by stepping up and leading with his stick when defending in transition. He isn’t the most physical player, but he has put a bigger emphasis on tying up sticks around the net and winning battles. He establishes body position by cutting his opponents off as he rotates his hips into their hands to get between them and the puck. Freij likely goes later in the draft, but he could be one of the best blueliners in the class five years from now. 8. Tij Iginla, C/LW, Kelowna (WHL), Six-foot, 191 pounds Life is never fun when you must face Tij Iginla. Just when you think there is a bit of time or space, he takes it away and pesters you for the puck. He is one of the most hard-working and relentless players in the NHL draft class. Iginla’s game is built on that motor and the little details. Whether it’s being on the right side of the puck to support, getting in on the forecheck and taking the best route possible or just understanding how to time his routes on the cycle, Iginla has mastered the little things. His offensive game has grown quite a bit as the season went on. He possesses a solid shot that’s always well-located and has a quick release. That said, Iginla doesn’t get enough credit for his playmaking. It’s an area that requires the pass recipient to bury their chance, and he didn’t always get that despite setting teammates up with glorious chances. His play reading and quick thinking allow him to make slick passes. Tij is the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, and while many want to say he is a carbon copy of his father, it’s not quite true. Some aspects, such as the high-end motor and offensive skill, are similar. But the younger Iginla is his own player and should be viewed as such. His ultimate offensive upside may not be as high as some of the players around him in this NHL draft class, but he already plays the game like a professional, and the tools and skills will continue to improve as they did all season. 9. Artyom Levshunov, RHD, Michigan State (NCAA), 6-foot-2, 205 pounds Some think he’s the best defenseman in the class, and some think he is a massive gamble because of his playing style. I fall into the camp between the two. I see the intrigue of a defenseman who is willing to punish his opponent with as many cross-checks and extra shots along the boards as the referees will allow him to get away with. Levshunov is one of the most physical players in the class. He also added 35 points in 38 games as a freshman with a strong Michigan State squad. As for the other side of things, the offensive game seemed to drop off a bit in the second half of the season. He began to rein in some of his wild stallion habits, such as trying to be the first forechecker as a D-man or attacking downhill off the blueline every chance he had. While pulling back on being the ultimate freelancer took away from his offensive production, it also allowed him to be in a better defensive position and make more plays when defending in transition. His defensive game can be a bit worrisome in space at times, as he can get walked by faster, skilled attackers. But with some development and refinement – something we saw him do this season – he should be able to clean some of it up. There is some risk with Levshunov. While I don’t think there is a No. 1 D-man upside as some do, he should be a solid top-four defender who can give you a bit of everything. 10. Sam Dickinson, LHD, London (OHL), 6-foot-3, 203 pounds Depending on which game you catch, you could easily think Dickinson is the best defenseman in this NHL draft class or a questionable top-15 pick. He is a physically gifted player who skates well, is willing to throw the body around when needed and can make some impressive offensive plays. That same player tends to make some lackluster decisions with the puck when pressured in his own zone and sometimes hinders himself by playing too conservatively. When Dickinson asserts himself, he is at his best. He is an excellent puck carrier who can be hard to stop when he gets going. He habitually tries to defer to teammates and play within his team’s system, which is great, except for when the opposing team forces him to make decisions that take him outside that system. Dickinson can be a very strong two-way defender if he learns to rely on his instincts a bit more and less on playing so rigidly within the London Knights' system. In the few glimpses over the last couple of years when he is able to open his game up a bit more, he is a force. He very well could be the best defender in the class, or he could find it hard to keep a top-four role locked down. 11. Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL), Six-foot, 197 pounds One of the most lethal goal-scorers in this year’s NHL draft class, Eiserman has fallen down the board from where he started this season among the general consensus. There is no doubt that he can score goals, though. He broke Cole Caufield’s record for career goals with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. At times, he seemed automatic. His finishing talent goes beyond just having a bomb for a shot. Eiserman gets to the net, crashes and bangs in rebounds and is sneaky good around the net. He will disappear behind the net when a teammate has the puck high and emerge at the side of it where the defender has given him the most space. The young American’s arsenal of shots features everything from a whippy wrister to a booming one-timer and everything in between. The rest of Eiserman’s game is still very much a work in progress. He can be physical at times, but sometimes, he chases hits. His playmaking has been his biggest area of improvement, using the threat of his shot to draw attention before dishing to a teammate laterally. There is a lot to work on when it comes to anything outside of scoring, but Eiserman is an intriguing talent nonetheless. 12. Adam Jiricek, RHD, Plzen (Czech), 6-foot-2, 182 pounds Admittedly, I am more bullish on Jiricek than most. A knee injury at the World Junior Championship ended what was set to be a promising season for the Czech defender. He underwent surgery, and according to his agent, he will return as soon as development camp this summer. The reality is the advancements in medical procedures, particularly in knee surgeries like the one Jiricek underwent, have come leaps and bounds, with players bouncing back faster than ever. On the ice, Jiricek is a mobile, modern-day blueliner who leads with an excellent stick. He looks to dislodge the puck and get it moving in the other direction whenever possible. With that said, he is still quite willing to throw his body around and punish an opponent along the boards when necessary. He reads the play and tracks puck carriers well, even when playing at the pro level in Czechia. Offensively, we didn’t get to see the best from Jiricek this season as he started the year seeming reserved in the Czech men’s league. He mainly made the smart, safe play by deferring to teammates or making quick passes to the half walls. Every once in a while, he showcased the potential in his game as a mobile blueliner who could walk the line atop the zone and then dash into a lane when he spots it. It may take a bit longer, as he lost half of a year to an injury, but Jiricek has all of the tools to want from a solid top-four blueliner. 13. Teddy Stiga, C/LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL), 5-foot-10, 178 pounds Stiga is one of the most motivated, versatile and engaging players in the NHL draft class. He never stops moving his feet and brings a level of skill that allows him to play up in the lineup with the NTDP’s best players. He elevated the game of those around him, and when he was put on a line with James Hagens, a top-three prospect for the 2025 NHL draft, the pair formed a dynamic duo that tore apart the competition. Stiga pushes the pace and pressures his opponents with and without the puck. He isn’t the kind of player who allows the game to come to him. Instead, he attacks head-on and dictates the game. Stiga is an excellent complement to any high-end player, and he can drive a line lower in the lineup. 14. Zayne Parekh, RHD, Saginaw (OHL), Six-foot, 178 pounds Parekh is manipulative with the puck on his stick and always looks to attack offensively. His ability to slip a check or deke an opponent in space is certainly entertaining. When he is in the offensive zone, Parekh is a slick playmaker who can make passes through the layers of the defense. His shot is a legitimate weapon from all over the offensive zone, and he does an excellent job of creeping down to the hash marks. With 33 goals and 96 points, Parekh was an offensive force. There are legitimate concerns about his defensive game, particularly when it comes to the physical side of things. Parekh has made strides when defending with his stick in space and does have the counter-punch ability that makes him dangerous. There are times when he concedes the puck on retrievals and attempts to steal it after, and there have been times when he looks to avoid contact by just side-stepping the opposing player, which puts him in a poor position. He is one of the most divisive players in the draft class because he has scored the lights out at the OHL level, and there are some glaring weaknesses in his game that aren’t exposed in major junior. If he can work on his weaknesses, he could hit and become a high-end producer at the next level. If he doesn’t clean up some of the issues, he could become a sheltered player at even strength with some power-play utility. 15. Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL), 6-foot-2, 192 pounds This draft is full of complementary wingers, and Chernyshov is one of the best there is. His motor runs nonstop, and he always seems to be attacking the middle of the ice. He is a bit of a jack of all trades and a master of none, but it’s how he combines those traits together that makes him an excellent player. He shows some creative passing from time to time as well. He’s a versatile forward who has put up some solid numbers against his age group in junior hockey but looked more than capable of holding his own against men in the KHL. It’s rare to see Chernyshov look out of place wherever he is playing. He is a solid transition player who understands how to use his teammates when needed to work give-and-go plays and generates speed through the neutral zone. Chernyshov plays a projectable game, which will be a positive in a draft full of players who have some red flags. 16. Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor (OHL), 6-foot-3, 215 pounds Greentree is an interesting player because if it weren’t for his one glaring red flag, he would likely be 10 spots higher on this list. His skating is an issue when creating space and keeping up with the play when things get amped up. He must get a bit quicker when accelerating, and finding a bit more top-end speed would be ideal as well. That said, Greentree is a slick playmaker under pressure and has an underrated shot as well. There may not be a player in the draft who has generated more scoring chances for teammates with a defender on his back or applying pressure. Greentree can work off the boards and attack space or post up around the net to make plays in tight. He is a high-end offensive player who put up 90 points for one of the worst teams in the CHL. Where he ends up at the NHL level depends on how much he develops his skating. 17. Anton Silayev, LHD, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL), 6-foot-7, 207 pounds Although Silayev will surely go much higher than this, there are parts of his game that give me pause. While in a straight line, the behemoth can skate like the wind and looks impressive, but he struggles with agile movements. The one area I’ve found particularly concerning is his pivoting and turning in the defensive zone. He lacks co-ordination, which causes him to lose ground. When you watch Silayev, you can see he isn’t much of an offensive presence. Half of his production came in the first six games of the season, and then the offense dried up for the next 60ish games. Silayev is a simple, smart passer with the puck. He won't blow anyone away offensively. His defensive play is solid thanks to his size and range as a skater. He has crushed opponents a few times this season, but there have also been instances of smaller players getting between him and the puck. The hulking Russian lacks the stickhandling to be a high-end transitional puck rusher at the moment. With some physical maturity and co-ordination, and some time with a skills coach, it is certainly in the cards to add that element to his game. Silayev is the ultimate ball of clay in this year’s NHL draft. With good development and patience, there could be a pretty solid blueliner with good mobility and incredible size. 18. Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa (OHL), 6-foot-3, 182 pounds Sennecke's rise has been fun to watch. He had 29 points in his final 21 regular-season games before adding 22 points in 16 playoff games. His production popped off in the second half of the season, which had him shooting up draft boards. He’s grown a couple of inches over the last year or so, and it seems as though he rounded into form in the latter half of the season. Sennecke has great hands and has made several highlight-reel plays because of them. He is a good skater, but sometimes, his hands and feet aren’t quite on the same page. His playmaking is the strength of his game, making some slippery passes on the move and trying to be more creative as the season went on. His second half has made him the “Shiny New Toy” of the draft cycle, and his stock may have gotten a bit out of hand, but he is a very good player with all the tools to be an effective player at the next level. 19. Konsta Helenius, C, Tappara (Fin.), 5-foot-11, 189 pounds The top Finn in this year’s NHL draft class has been one of the most interesting prospects from an evaluation perspective. Helenius is a smart player who understands how to take advantage of small mistakes or find passing lanes in passive defenses. Playing in the Liiga this season, Helenius put up impressive numbers and consistently found ways to make an impact. The Liiga is a lower-paced league, and players have had a hard time translating to the NHL in recent years because of it. Helenius’ skill level and skating are good but not great, and although he plays at a higher pace than most of the Liiga, he will need to amp up his play even more at the NHL level. He’s struggled to do so at times internationally this season, which is a cause for concern. Helenius is a smart forward who should find a role in the middle-six at the NHL level, playing a sound two-way game. 20. Andrew Basha, LW, Medicine Hat (WHL), 5-foot-11, 187 pounds The Medicine Hat playmaker is one of the most entertaining players in the draft class to watch when he is on his game. He is quick and decisive with the puck on his stick, and he loves to try and draw pressure into him before threading the needle with a wicked pass to a high-danger area. He combines skating and stickhandling as well as almost anyone in the draft class, and he can beat a defender 1-on-1 because of it. There are areas of Basha’s game that must improve as he makes his way to the pros. He lacks a physical element in his game, and although he brought a more consistent effort as the year wore on, he can still come and go a bit. If Basha can find a way to get a bit stronger and get more effective on the forecheck and off the puck, he is one of the very few players in this range of the draft that brings a real “wow” factor. 21. Nikita Artamonov, RW, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL), 5-foot-11, 187 pounds Artamonov looked great in the KHL this season, putting up 23 points in 54 games before heading back to the MHL for the playoffs where he was unsurprisingly very good. The young Russian plays the game at breakneck pace, constantly looking to push defenders back and create havoc. Artamonov always has a plan for what he is going to do next, trying to find a way to make a pass to a teammate in prime scoring areas. There are times when Artamonov’s thought process is a bit aggressive for what his skill set is capable of. He wants to be a difference-maker offensively, and although not every play pans out, you can see his processing. If he can refine things just a bit, he might be a high-impact playmaker. Even if that side of his game doesn’t take the step it should, he is a high-motor player who is pestering to his opponents and hunts the puck down. Every NHL team needs a player like that. 22. Linus Eriksson, C, Djurgarden (Allsevnskan), Six-foot, 189 pounds A highly intelligent center who played at the junior and second-level men’s league in Sweden, Eriksson showed himself to be an effective player. He looked better in some aspects at the men’s level, finding chemistry as his more mature teammates made the best of his tactical play. There is something to be said about a player who just simply makes the right play, time after time. Eriksson plays unselfish hockey, looking to use his teammates in transition to help maneuver the puck up ice. He doesn’t look for the home-run pass, settling for safe, short passes that help get around opponents. He is a playmaker offensively but doesn’t waste chances to score when in position to bury. 23. Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (Fin.), 6-foot-1, 205 pounds Hemming is exactly what you think of when you think of a Finnish forward. He plays a heavy game, understands how to play within the structure of his team and always seems to be making the right play. He lacks the puck skill or dynamism of some of the higher-end players in this draft, but he is an enthusiastic worker with and without the puck. Whether he is the first man in on a forecheck or is working the cycle down low, Hemming is constantly looking to create advantages. His best offensive skill is his shooting ability. He can wire a puck and has made himself a legitimate power-play weapon. He will hunt pucks down, get it to a teammate and then set up for a blistering one-timer. Hemming is the kind of player that NHL teams seem to love in the mid-late first round because he brings a fairly high floor with an intriguing ceiling. 24. Dominik Badinka, RHD, Malmo (SHL), 6-foot-3, 185 pounds Badinka is a toolsy blueliner who has impressed internationally with Czechia and with his club team in Sweden. After playing in Finland last year, Badinka chose to take a step up in competition by heading to Sweden, and it’s benefitted him in a big way. His mobility has played even better in Sweden, allowing him to play a higher-tempo game than what is typically played in Finland. Badinka defends with his feet first, looking to use his stick to disrupt play. When that doesn’t work, he has become more accustomed to using his size and finishing his checks. His fluidity in motion allows him to be a factor in all three zones. While his statistical profile may not give the vibes of an offensive defender, he is an efficient passer who doesn’t take long to make decisions. If he can use his skating a bit more along the blueline and find the confidence to hold onto the puck a little longer to let more dangerous passing lanes develop, Badinka could become a solid two-way blueliner in the NHL. He shows all the tools you would want to see from a modern-day defenseman. 25. Stian Solberg, LHD, Valerenga (Norway), 6-foot-2, 205 pounds A late riser in the process, Solberg is a heavy hitter who has built his entire game on physicality and defensive fortitude. He played against men in Norway this season, and he’s already signed a contract to move to SHL Farjestad next season. His impressive performance at the World Championship helped put his name on the map in the mainstream. Solberg is a better player when he keeps his game simple with the puck, makes safe outlets and does not try to do too much with it. He’s never going to be a high-end offensive player, but he is a capable puck distributor, and he has a bomb of a shot. He lacks the puck skill and dynamic skating to be much more than a simple facilitator. Crushing players and playing defense is where he is going to make his money anyway. 26. Luke Misa, C, Mississauga (OHL), 5-foot-10, 170 pounds In transition, Misa is one of the most impressive and effective players in the draft. His offensive game is predicated on his speed and quickness giving him space to make plays. Misa is a playmaker who can thread the needle through traffic and make his teammates' lives easier. There are times when he tries to do a little too much, but with a bit more maturity, he has the skill and tools to refine that aspect of his game. Despite not being very physical, Misa is one of the more effective forecheckers in the draft. He uses his speed and intelligent routes to apply pressure. He can swipe a puck off his opponents like very few in the draft. 27. Carter Yakemchuk, RHD, Calgary (WHL), 6-foot-3, 202 pounds Most view Yakemchuk much higher than this, and I get the intrigue of a player who scored 30 goals in the WHL from the back end. The puck skill is quite good, and he’s embarrassed opponents a number of times this season. He has a great shot, and he isn’t shy about using it. He will fire bombs from the blueline or attack down the wall and cut to the middle for a high-danger chance from in tight. Yakemchuk’s mobility will be the area he must work the hardest to develop. At the moment, he relies on his stickhandling and reach to evade pressure, but he lacks pull-away speed. Defensively, he has a hard time dealing with quicker, agile attackers and has a habit of leaning out with his stick. He can be physical but often takes penalties because he is out of position or needs to reach, and then he gets his stick in their feet. There could be a really fun offensive defender in Yakemchuk, but much like Greentree, the skating has to come quite a way. 28. Trevor Connelly, RW, Tri-City (USHL), 6-foot-1, 160 pounds The off-ice issues and his work to address them have been widely reported [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-scouts-face-dilemma-with-2024-draft-prospect-trevor-connelly]. That will cause some concern for NHL clubs, which Connelly must deal with throughout this process. His talent on the ice is impressive. Connelly has wicked hands and skates like the wind. He beats opponents with speed and skill and elevates the teammates he’s playing with – when he decides to use them. There are times when Connelly can play with blinders on a bit, trying to make the play himself a bit too often. When he is using his teammates and trying to make plays with them, he is a lethal offensive presence. Defensively, he needs to stay committed more consistently. 29. Michael Hage, C, Chicago (USHL), 6-foot-1, 188 pounds Hage was a driving force on a Chicago Steel team that had an uncharacteristically bad season. He plays with pace and has some impressive dual-threat offense. Hage builds speed through crossovers, and although he can skate with a bit of a wonky stride at times, he doesn’t let it limit him. He was consistently asked to carry the load for the Steel this season, and he made the most of it, posting 33 goals and 75 points in 54 games. 30. Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph (OHL), 5-foot-11, 187 pounds Every time I watched Luchanko, I appreciated his game a bit more. His skating is excellent, and he takes excellent routes in transition. He weaves through the middle of the ice, supporting teammates when he doesn’t have the puck and using his teammates to work around traffic. Luchanko isn’t a dynamic player, but he attacks the tough areas and consistently works to keep possession. He may not have the ceiling of the players above him, but he is a hard-working bottom-six center. 31. Daniil Ustinkov, LHD, Zurich (Swiss), Six-foot, 198 pounds Throughout the season, Ustinkov has flown under the radar, but he could be a solid value play in the second or third round for a team looking for a steady defender. Ustinkov plays a quiet game. He isn’t the guy you will see on the highlight reel or filling up the stat sheet. Instead, he makes plays to kill the opposing team's offensive chances and then makes a nice pass to his outlets. He capitalizes on small mistakes, pounces on loose or bobbled pucks and does everything he can to get the puck back. 32. Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL), 6-foot-2, 183 pounds Although inconsistent at times, Boisvert is a force when he is on his game. He has a unique blend of power and skill. He can be a menace around the net, using his quick hands to get to rebounds and strength to establish position on defenders. When he gets moving, Boisvert is like a bull in a china shop, forcing defenders to play on their heels. His playmaking is best on the rush, where he can see lanes develop naturally and hit his marks. 33. Lucas Pettersson, C, MoDo Jr. (Swe.), Six-foot, 173 pounds There are moments when Pettersson looks like an absolute stud. There are also moments when he disappears. He blends the ability to beat a defender with speed with the patience to stop up and create space for himself. He is a dual-threat attacker who can take over a shift when he wants to. Consistency will be key moving forward. 34. Topias Hynninen, RW, Jukurit (Fin.), 5-foot-10, 164 pounds The difference between playing junior and pro hockey is often the small details like pass receptions, continuous effort and playing to your teammate's skill sets. Hynninen has shown that ability already at the Liiga level. Don’t let his one goal in the Liiga fool you – he has a very good shot. His passing is often center-focused, looking to put teammates in prime position. He has things to work on, but Hynninen is a sneaky good value pick if you’re willing to play the long game with his development. 35. Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL), 6-foot-2, 210 pounds His U-18 tournament helped raise his stock after a solid season for Barrie. Beaudoin goes to the net, creates havoc and plays a smart positional game. He lacks the dynamic skill of players high on this list, but he plays a projectable pro game, playing in the middle of the ice and using his physicality to win battles all over the ice. 36. Tomas Galvas, LHD, Liberec (Czech), 5-foot-10, 153 pounds There aren’t many players in the NHL draft class who are quicker offensive decision-makers from the blueline than Galvas. His ability to shimmy and shake opposing defenders to create space for himself is impressive. He must work on his defensive game when battling along the boards, but he has a solid skating base to build around in his own end. When he leads with his stick and kills play before it begins, he more than holds his own. 37. Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert (WHL), Six-foot, 177 pounds Ritchie is a process-driven winger who seems to just make positive play after positive play. His intensity comes and goes at times, which holds him back a bit, but I’d classify Ritchie as a high-end complementary player. He doesn't drive the line as he lacks the necessary high-end puck skills for that, but he does an excellent job of supporting one. He’s shown to be a strong deferral option in transition, and in the offensive zone, he helps advance play for his teammates with puck retrievals and simple, smart and effective plays. 38. Clarke Caswell, LW/RW, Swift Current (WHL), 5-foot-11, 170 pounds Caswell is a fleet-footed, playmaking winger who sees the ice incredibly well. He is a great give-and-go player who supports play in transition and in the offensive zone. He hunts loose pucks down in the offensive zone and always knows his options as a passer. He finished fourth in assists among draft-eligible players in the WHL. He also elevated his game as the season went on and was a very good top-six forward for a strong WHL squad. 39. Noel Fransen, LHD, Farjestad Jr. (Swe.), Six-foot, 183 pounds Playing primarily at the junior level in Sweden this season, Fransen always pushed the pace from the back end. He has built his game around being a mobile tactician who can outmaneuver his opponents with the puck, pulling defenders to him before hitting a cross-seam pass in the offensive zone. Fransen defends well in space, shadowing attackers before using his stick like a claw to pull the puck off of them. He must get stronger along the boards and refine some of his passing, but Fransen has been one of the most underrated players in this year’s NHL draft cycle. 40. John Mustard, C, Waterloo (USHL), 6-foot-1, 186 pounds This might be my favorite “What If” in the 2024 NHL draft class. Mustard has an outstanding set of wheels that he uses to fly up the ice, and he is a shooter who can beat goalies on the rush with a clean look. He is one of the youngest players in the draft class, and this was his first USHL season, so there were growing pains. He plays with a bit of tunnel vision at times, but as he develops, he should be able to use his solid yet underused playmaking ability a bit more. With patience, there could be a solid depth scorer with speed, and you can probably get him in the second or third rounds of the draft. 41. Herman Traff, RW/LW, HV71 Jr. (Swe.), 6-foot-3, 216 pounds Playing a driven game with size and a good shot, Traff has been a very solid player for HV71 in the SHL. He understands how to play the pro game, leveraging his size along the wall and working hard to ensure his team keeps the puck. Traff shows a lot of the habits that teams look for in a translatable pro. The biggest thing I’d like to see from him against men is a bit more willingness to go to the net, something he was doing at the junior level. He may ultimately be a bottom-six player, but he could bring a lot to the lineup. 42. Ollie Josephson, F, Red Deer (WHL), Six-foot, 190 pounds The Red Deer forward played center and both wings throughout the season, bringing a quick-paced north-south game. He is a transitional wiz who carried his team in that regard, and his relentless effort at both ends gives him plenty of value as a complementary player at the next level. He may not project as a high-end scorer, but players like Josephson are always important on a playoff run. 43. Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford (OHL), 6-foot-1, 174 pounds Although there is some worry about his skating, Vanacker uses his intellect to play through that. He flashes some really nice habits defensively, understanding the nuances of playing positional hockey. Offensively, he is a solid playmaker who plays to the middle of the ice. He has some sneaky-good passing ability. He is a solid player around the net as well. He’s a competitive player NHL teams will love. 44. Miguel Marques, LW, Lethbridge (WHL), 5-foot-10, 187 pounds Marques is one of the most interesting players in the draft class. He has a major boom-or-bust factor because he is among the most skilled players in the draft but is also passive when playing with any physicality. He is manipulative in the offensive zone, and his passing is as slick as it comes. He isn’t exactly a burner, though, and must play with someone who can help drive the play into the offensive zone. Once there, Marques is a threat to create offense at any time. He has an unfortunate habit of disappearing at times, which makes him a big risk, but when he’s motivated, he is a force. 45. Cole Hutson, LHD, U.S. NTDP (USHL), 5-foot-10, 165 pounds There was a time early in the season when Hutson played an uber-creative game that was entertaining to watch, but he lost the puck as often as he pulled off those plays. As the season progressed, so did his level of efficiency. He learned what he is capable of and made some slick plays off the blueline. He isn’t quite as dynamic as his brother, Lane Hutson, but he brings some high-level playmaking. His defensive game has improved leaps and bounds throughout the year, but there are questions as to whether that will translate. 46. Fyodor Avramov, LW, Stupino Jr. (Rus.), 6-foot-3, 190 pounds Avramov is a big, physical winger who throws his weight around with pleasure. His skating will need some work, particularly his first few steps and when trying to make agile moves. But if he has a chance to build up for a few strides, he can be terrifying for defenders. He is difficult to defend because you don’t know whether he'll lower the shoulder and power his way to the net or rip off a shot with his heavy release. He’s raw, but he’s worth a bet in the second or third round. 47. Melvin Fernstrom, RW, Orebro Jr. (Swe.), 6-foot-1, 188 pounds Fernstrom was scoring the lights out at the Swedish junior level this season, but his game didn’t get much traction throughout the draft process. He isn’t the most fleet of foot, but his problem-solving in tight spaces and his ability to play off the puck make him a dangerous offensive player. He has holes in his game – that’s no question – but if he can learn to leverage his play-reading ability at the SHL level, he could be a very nice complementary scorer. 48. Ludvig Johnson, LHD, Zug Jr. (Swiss), Six-foot, 181 pounds Johnson is the best player in the NHL draft that you’ve never heard of. Some team could take a flyer on him late and could have a really nice prospect. He is mobile and showcases some really nice puck skills in the offensive zone. His defensive game is steady, leaning on his mobility to cut play off and give himself a positioning advantage. If a team is patient, Johnson could be one of the biggest steals in the draft. 49. EJ Emery, RHD, U.S. NTDP (USHL), 6-foot-3, 183 pounds For what Emery lacks in puck skill, he makes up for with physicality. Emery is on the ice looking to eliminate his opponents. His puck skill may hold him back from being a big minute eater at the NHL level because there is plenty of work to do there, but his defensive game could help force his way into the lineup. He moves well, crushes dudes and will be your uncle’s favorite player. Just don’t expect to see him on the power play. 50. Aron Kiviharju, LHD, HIFK (Fin.), 5-foot-10, 184 pounds This was a season of disappointment for Kiviharju. He started the year playing in the Liiga but struggled to keep pace. Then he was injured and missed the rest of the year until the U-18s where he was fine. He’s an undersized defender who is a fine skater, but he doesn’t have the upper-echelon mobility that most successful undersized blueliners have. Kiviharju is a ridiculous passer who reads the ice at a near-elite level. He is a wizard on the breakout when using his passing to move the puck. Unfortunately, that is the entire base of his game. Defensively, he struggles mightily when the pace gets amped up or he is met with physicality. His panic threshold is low, which causes him to make mistakes in his own end. The potential that once shone so bright is still there, he just needs to figure out how to overcome a lost year. 51. Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrews (CAN-HS), 6-foot-6, 214 pounds 52. Matvei Gridin, F, Muskegon (USHL), 6-foot-2, 189 pounds 53. Yegor Surin, C, Loko Yaroslavl Jr. (Rus.), 6-foot-1, 192 pounds 54. Kamil Bednarik, C, U.S. NTDP (USHL), Six-foot, 187 pounds 55. Ryerson Leenders, G, Mississauga (OHL), Six-foot, 165 pounds 56. Yegor Graf, C, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg Jr. (Rus.), 5-foot-11, 167 pounds 57. Henry Mews, RHD, Ottawa (OHL), Six-foot, 189 pounds 58. John Whipple, LHD, U.S. NTDP (USHL), Six-foot, 192 pounds 59. Carter George, G, Owen Sound (OHL), 6-foot-1, 194 pounds 60. Adam Jecho, RW/C, Edmonton (WHL), 6-foot-5, 201 pounds 61. Ben Danford, RHD, Oshawa (OHL), 6-foot-2, 191 pounds 62. Adam Kleber, RHD, Lincoln (USHL), 6-foot-6, 215 pounds 63. Tanner Howe, F, Regina (WHL), 5-foot-10, 184 pounds 64. Charlie Elick, RHD, Brandon (WHL), 6-foot-3, 202 pounds 65. Karl Sterner, LW/RW, Frolunda Jr. (Swe.), 6-foot-3, 192 pounds 66. Harrison Brunicke, RHD, Kamloops (WHL), 6-foot-2, 196 pounds 67. Brodie Ziemer, RW, U.S. NTDP (USHL), 5-foot-11, 196 pounds 68. Sam O'Reilly, C/RW, London (OHL), 6-foot-1, 184 pounds 69. Leon Muggli, LHD, Zug (Swiss), Six-foot, 177 pounds 70. Tarin Smith, LHD, Everett (WHL), 6-foot-1, 187 pounds 71. Will Skahan, LHD, U.S. NTDP (USHL), 6-foot-4, 215 pounds 72. A.J. Spellacy, C/RW, Windsor (OHL), 6-foot-2, 200 pounds 73. Luke Osburn, LHD, Youngstown (USHL), 6-foot-1, 172 pounds 74. Raoul Boilard, C, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL), 6-foot-1, 189 pounds 75. Julius Miettinen, F, Everett (WHL), 6-foot-3, 201 pounds 76. Kieron Walton, LW/C, Sudbury (OHL), 6-foot-6, 211 pounds 77. Aatos Koivu, C, TPS Jr. (Fin.), Six-foot, 170 pounds 78. Nathan Villeneuve, C, Sudbury (OHL), 5-foot-11, 193 pounds 79. Arvid Westlin, RW, Linkoping (SHL), 5-foot-11, 181 pounds 80. Matvei Shuravin, LHD, Krasnaya Armiya Moscow Jr. (Rus.), 6-foot-3, 195 pounds 81. Eemil Vinni, G, JoKP (Fin.2), 6-foot-3, 187 pounds 82. Tory Pitner, RHD, Youngstown (USHL), Six-foot, 180 pounds 83. Hiroki Gojsic, F, Kelowna (WHL), 6-foot-3, 198 pounds 84. Jack Berglund, LW/C, Farjestad (SHL), 6-foot-4, 210 pounds 85. Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George (WHL), Six-foot, 179 pounds 86. Alexander Zetterberg, C, Orebro Jr. (Swe.), 5-foot-7, 158 pounds 87. Jacob Battaglia, RW, Kingston (OHL), Six-foot, 202 pounds 88. Veeti Vaisanen, LHD, KooKoo (Fin.), 6-foot-1, 188 pounds 89. Liam Danielsson, RW, Orebro Jr. (Swe.), 5-foot-10, 161 pounds 90. Petter Vesterheim, F, Mora (Swe.2), 5-foot-11, 172 pounds 91. Jamiro Reber, C, HV71 Jr. (Swe.), 5-foot-10, 168 pounds 92. Tomas Mrsic, C, Medicine Hat (WHL), 5-foot-11, 170 pounds 93. Oskar Vuollet, C/LW, Skelleftea Jr. (Swe.), 5-foot-11, 173 pounds 94. Jesse Pulkkinen, LHD, JYP (Fin.), 6-foot-6, 219 pounds 95. Marcus Kearsey, LHD, Charlottetown (QMJHL), 5-foot-10, 173 pounds 96. Javon Moore, F, Minnetonka HS (MN-HS), 6-foot-4, 203 pounds 97. Carson Wetsch, RW, Calgary (WHL), Six-foot, 203 pounds 98. Edvin Nilsson, LHD, HV71 Jr. (Swe.), 5-foot-11, 183 pounds 99. Elias Straume Vatne, RW, Farjestad Jr. (Swe.), 5-foot-9, 165 pounds 100. Daniel Nieminen, LHD, Pelicans Jr. (Fin.), 5-foot-11, 177 pounds Get the latest news and trending stories right to your inbox by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [https://info.thehockeynews.com/mail/microsites/951/1/gTeQVf?_gl=1*ustlbj*_ga*NjkyMzUxMy4xNjYzNjIwMzQ3*_ga_PK63FB1PME*MTcxMzUwOTExNi40NDguMS4xNzEzNTA5MjA5LjU5LjAuMA..].
