Teams Can Find Tasty Choices & Months Of Success In 2024 Draft
In a previous story, we matched teams and draftable players listed by NHL Central Scouting. Unlike other mock drafts, our system relied not on need, best player available, or skill set, but on the sure-fire method of first and last names.
However, a perfect fit wasn't available for nine of the 32 teams which will be making selections at the 2024 NHL Draft later this month.
We certainly don't want to leave the Lightning, Canadiens, Rangers, Blue Jackets, Wild, Blackhawks, Oilers, Kings, and Utahs with nothing to do in Las Vegas. So we've assembled the best names left on the board - with expert analysis, of course.
MASSE, MAXIM 6' 2" 186 Right Wing CHICOUTIMI QMJHL
- It stands to reason that a winger named Max Masse would be nearly impossible to knock off the puck. Defenders would bounce right off. He might have trouble moving his feet, though.
ZELLERS, WILLIAM 5' 10" 163 Left Wing SHATTUCK-ST.MARY'S HIGH-MN
- A team can choose to be buyers at the trade deadline and Zellers on draft day.
MCMORROW, BRENDAN 6' 0" 175 Left Wing USA U-18 NTDP
- If he's not chosen on Day 1 of the draft, Brendan's agent can remind him of what Little Orphan Annie said: "McMorrow, McMorrow, I love ya, McMorrow, you're only a day a-way."
MOLINE, AUSTIN 6' 4" 193 Defenseman SHATTUCK-ST.MARY'S HIGH-MN
- Austin Moline would prefer to play in Texas or Illinois.
VAISANEN, JOONA 6' 0" 175 Defenseman DUBUQUE USHL
MAYES, NATHAN 6' 4" 194 Defenseman SPOKANE WHL
- To go deep into the postseason, you need a d-pair which will still be playing in Mayes and Joona.
HE, KEVIN 5' 11" 182 Left Wing NIAGARA OHL
MAN, MATYAS 6' 3" 187 Defenseman VITKOVICE JR. CZECHIA-JR.
- Teams need toughness as well as skill. A He-Man combo fits the bill.
GOOD, JACK 5' 9" 172 Left Wing ST. ANDREWS COLLEGE HIGH-ON
- A general manager tired of being asked, "Why did you pick so-and-so?" each year will have a ready-made answer this time. "Because he's Good."
USTINKOV, DANIIL 6' 0" 198 Defenseman ZURICH SWISS
BADINKA, DOMINIK 6' 3" 183 Defenseman MALMO SWEDEN
DUDOROV, VADIM 6' 0" 180 Right Wing YAROSLAVL JR. RUSSIA-JR.
- For the same reason, teams with hyper-critical fan bases might want to shy away from U-stink-ov, Bad-inka, and Dud-orov.
PIKKARAINEN, KASPER 6' 3" 194 Right Wing TPS JR. FINLAND-JR.
DAVIDSON, HYDE 6' 2" 165 Defenseman SEATTLE WHL
FLUKER, JOSH 6' 0" 160 Defenseman WENATCHEE WHL
- Sure, they have high upsides. But Kasper sometimes disappears, Hyde has good days and bad ones, and Fluker succeeds almost by accident. (I could be completely wrong on all three; I'm judging by names only)
MUSTARD, JOHN 6' 0" 180 Center WATERLOO USHL
PRIDHAM, JACK 6' 1" 176 Right Wing WEST KELOWNA BCHL
- One lucky team will draft both these players and put them on the same line. Because Ham is always better with Mustard. Maybe these are the right linemates for the Rangers' Artemi Panarin - the Bread Man.