Macklin Celebrini is undoubtedly the most NHL-ready forward in the upcoming draft, and while the draft itself is rather defensemen-heavy, other top forwards have an argument for being just behind Celebrini in NHL readiness.
Macklin Celebrini is undoubtedly the most NHL-ready forward in the upcoming draft, and while the draft itself is rather defensemen-heavy, other top forwards have an argument for being just behind Celebrini in NHL readiness.
Once the 2024 NHL Entry Draft rolls around on June 28, Macklin Celebrini is almost certain to be selected as the No. 1 pick, and deservedly so as he is the most NHL-ready forward in the draft. Looking deeper though, other names come to mind as well for the coveted second-most-ready title.
One such name is Cayden Lindstrom of the Medicine Hat Tigers. Lindstrom has many NHL-ready skills like his mobility and physical play, and an NHL-ready build, standing at 6-foot-4. He put his readiness on full display this past season, finishing with 27 goals and 46 points in 32 games. Remarkably that was four more than the 42 points he picked up the season prior, and that was despite playing in roughly half the games due to injury.
While Celebrini is the most talented and NHL-ready forward in the upcoming draft, Lindstrom's toughness and size can't be overlooked either, and his last season showed much he can thrive under pressure and with the odds against him.
Ryan Kennedy and Jacob Stoller discuss the upcoming draft and just how ready Lindstrom and other forwards are for the NHL.
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