2024 NHL DraftMid-Season Top 32 Player Rankings
Introduction
Us NHL fans were spoiled when we got to enjoy three whole days of watching an amazing Draft with potentially multiple superstars flying off the board one after another. With that being said, I don’t think we’ve quite comprehended how good 2023’s runner-up will be when NHL teams hit the podium in Vegas. Highlighted by big names such as Canadians Mack Celebrini, and Berkly Catton, as well Russian Ivan Demidov - just as their nationalities suggest - this draft will be brought together by talent from all over the world. Talent that does lack for the sake of the matter, and when turning on the tape it’s pretty easy to see why.
During the 2022-23 season, Connor Bedard broke numerous records in the WHL, and shattered the eye test to the extent that we had to ask ourselves if we were watching the greatest prospect in team sports. Although I don’t think any of the players that I have previously mentioned have reached that level of stardom yet, I do think all three are more than capable of headlining this draft class. They all have unique offensive skill sets that have been tailor-made to fit today’s up-tempo game, and will transition to the pro-ranks (in my opinion), extremely well. To go along with this, the 2024 Draft is extremely deep, and possesses top 10 talent from pick number one to pick number thirty-two.
Unlike Drafts in the past where once you get past the first 5 or so picks the talent level seems to fall off a cliff, and/or the unpredictability of the draft becomes so apparent that it’s not even worth watching, this one is different. Now, I’m not gonna relay to you guys what I think would be completely false, which is that this Draft is the best we’ve seen yet. No. But I’m not going to talk about it like it’s some boring rip-off of our favorite movie, which to many scouts was the 2023 NHL Draft. This Draft is filled to the very brim with players that I could see becoming amongst the very best in today’s game - and maybe some of the best we’ve seen ever.
Player Separation In Tiers
Along with my top 32 player rankings, I will be splitting those 32 players up into tiers. Without giving away how many tiers I have in my rankings or what those tiers are called, I will say that these tiers are supposed to show the range of talent I think each player has. Meaning if I put one player at number sixteen in my rankings, and one at number twenty, but they're both in the same tier, I think they both could realistically swap places in my rankings and I would be fine with it. I’m simply ranking players based off of their current floor, as well as how good I think they can be once they reach their peak on NHL ice.
My Top 32 Player Rankings as of February, 2024
I’m going to start off this article with a “How to Train Your Dragon” reference (you’ll see where I’m going with this soon). In the “How to Train Your Dragon” trilogy there’s many Dragons that people fear, and dare not mess with. But the most feared of all is the Night Fury. So fast and slick that it blends in with the night sky, and leaves before you know it was there.
That’s Mack Celebrini.
He’s like a Night Fury. Elusively spying across the surface of the ice, waiting to pounce on loose pucks and create havoc on the forecheck; before he punishes you with his wicked release of a shot. On top of this, Celebrini is an extremely hard worker, who has managed to find himself in a starring role on arguably the best college hockey team in the nation at just 17 years old. He also followed in fellow Canadian Connor Bedard’s footsteps by playing in the annual World Junior Championships, and since then has been possibly the best player in the NCAA. One of the most intriguing parts of Celebrini’s game is his offensive awareness and IQ, and his knowledge of always knowing where to be on the ice to make the biggest impact. When Celebrini is on the ice, it almost feels like the atmosphere is heavier; you know your team is in grave danger of giving up a goal. He’s so quick and shifty that it’s so hard to tell where his next move is going to be, even when you slow the game down on television.
He’s simply a generational talent, and has been showing flashes of potential NHL stardom since playing youth hockey in British Columbia and Prep Hockey at Shattuck St. Mary’s. Celebrini’s production as a Freshman in arguably the toughest conference in the NCAA has only been topped by Adam Fantilli, who went 3rd overall to the Columbus Blue Jackets last June. As of February 16th, he has been on an absolute tear scoring a mind boggling 12 goals and 15 points in his 10 games for the Terriers. Celebrini will be getting Connor Bedard comparisons for the rest of his career, so let’s start it off by comparing their mentality. Like Bedard, Celebrini is a killer, and will go out of his way to prove an entire opposition wrong with his (once again) deadly shot, and quick hands. His maneuverability when stuck in tight areas is something else. I see consistent flashes of a young Nikita Kucherov when watching his game - a rampant offensive beast, and a force to be reckoned with when you let him get comfortable in the offensive zone.
No “How to Train Your Dragon” reference here, but a dang good hockey player. When you first see the Russian tag next to a player’s name regardless of where they are in their career, you immediately think of the Russian factor. The limited opportunity stereotype that holds back many teams from snatching up some of the most talented players we have ever seen enter their name into the Draft. With the raging Russo-Ukrainian War, we have no clear picture of if or when we will have Russian hockey players included in international competition. Despite all the red flags that may strike people when looking at Russian prospects, I’m not letting anything stop me from drafting Ivan Demidov at the number two pick.
Arguably better than Matvei Michkov or Alex Ovechkin in their respective draft years, Demidov is an elite offensive dynamo that has shown nothing but versatility and potential. His game screams Kirill Kaprizov, showcasing elite edgework, speed and mobility throughout and often in his game. His stickhandling is close to, if not the best in the draft, which makes him look like a magician when the puck is on his stick. Demidov’s vision and playmaking is equally as impressive as his ability to get to high danger areas of the ice and score. Demidov is in my eyes the best dual-threat in the Draft, and his transition game - which sometimes makes me mistake him for Batman the way he flies around the ice - is just the cherry on top. Demidov’s game is nothing short of offense, offense, skate back and break up a play defensively… and more offense.
Demidov has been cruising in the MHL, casually putting up over two points per game which should have people freaking out just as much as they are over Macklin Celebrini. To put his numbers into perspective, in Nikita Kucherov’s draft year he had 27 goals, for 58 points in 41 games. Demidov has hit those numbers this season in 13 less games played. His sheer speed and shiftiness with the puck on his stick is enough to get an entire defense out of rhythm and completely destabilized. This is where his playmaking prowess will take over, as his speed will open up areas in the ice, leaving wide open teammates for easy goals. Of course, we do have to mention his size, as isn’t the tallest or bulkiest player; standing at a mediocre 5’11” and about 170 pounds. I’m not worried however - he has already shown that he plays bigger than his size and is willing to get into the dirty areas of the ice when he has too. If we want to keep drawing the Michkov comparison we can look at him as an example, who stands at 5’10” 172 pounds and is currently lighting up the KHL with 16 goals, and 37 points in 43 games.
One of the biggest risers in this year’s draft, Catton is the definition of high octane offense. He doesn’t have the speed of Demidov, or the shot of Celebrini, but he does everything at such a high level that it doesn’t really matter. He has a high compete level, and looks absolutely effortless when he’s moving his feet at full speed. He can skate for days, showing off his excellent stamina often. His elegantly smooth stride, and silky smooth hands combine to make one of the craftiness prospects we’ve seen a hot minute. He reminds me a lot of Rangers Forward Alexis Lafrenière, and how when he gets into a rhythm while playing he doesn’t look like he’s trying.
When it comes to scoring goals, Catton doesn’t have an elite shot, but certainly is able to beat goalies with a quick and unexpected release that he can get off anywhere. The best example of his offensive skill was when he put on a clinic at the 2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge. There, he would lead Team Canada in assists with 9, and would tie for the lead in points with 12. One of the most interesting parts of Catton’s game is that his frame often works as an additional tool. Defenses will sometimes overlook him because of his size, allowing him opportunities to go in on the forecheck and attack. He demonstrates his smarts by sucking in defenders on the rush with his speed, before quickly dishing out the puck and creating scoring chances for his teammates. The way he can go quiet and then suddenly pop out with a burst of skill is reminiscent of Mathew Barzal - the sudden ability to apply huge momentum shifts in games with his transitional speed and awareness to jump on loose pucks.
To me, the difference between Berkly Catton and a player like Ivan Demidov is the way they use their skating to their advantage. Catton shows more finesse when moving up in transition and dangling through the defense, while Demidov is more tenacious and has more grit.
Lindstrom burst onto the scene as a very under the radar prospect, firing up draft rankings like a thunderbolt. Speaking of thunderbolts, Lindstrom’s game can be described as one. With a booming shot and an NHL-ready frame that he stampedes around WHL ice with. Lindstrom is nothing short of a nightmare for opposing defenses, with a shot that he can score with from literally anywhere on the ice it is without a doubt his main strength. Although he is a very trigger happy shooter, it doesn’t take away from the fact that he has 27 goals in only 32 games this season (without injury, that’s historic pace), and finds the back of the net more often than not.
Right away his size stands out as a major strength. However, Lindstrom also has shown some weaknesses when it comes to using his size to his advantage in many areas of the ice. Along with his trigger happy tendencies, he doesn’t always work himself into the best areas and/or situations on the ice. He’ll frequently find himself struggling to control the puck in transition, despite his size and speed. On top of this, has shown the ability to make some pretty boneheaded decisions; but I would like to explain his game more like the 2024 NHL Draft’s Anthony Richardson. Nothing short of the perfect Draft-day specimen that has all the physical and athletic attributes to be nothing short of a star; but his highest highs are just as big as his lowest lows.
With all that being said, the sheer size that Lindstrom has is enough to attract most, if not all NHL teams to be drooling over him and his potential. He has a very high compete level when it comes to the back check, and moving the puck up and down the ice. He skates like a deer in headlights with an impressive set of wheels and masterful explosiveness. He gets from point A to point B lightning fast, and has even shown puck-carrying potential to match with his speed. To put it simply, no defender wants a 6’4” 220 pound freight train bustling down on them during the forecheck. And of course, there is no denying that when he hits the net, and when he pulls it at the right time, Lindstrom is a top three trigger-man in the draft.
When I look at Buium, his game screams modern number one NHL defensemen. All of the best and most complete teams in the league nowadays have at least one extremely talented, hyper-mobile, smart, offensively gifted defenseman that can also carry the load defensively (examples: Avalanche - Cale Makar, Rangers - Adam Fox, Golden Knights - Shea Theodore, Stars - Miro Heiskenan, Bruins - Charlie McAvoy, etc.). Buium is the next man up. As he continues to grow his game at the college ranks, I see him soon progressing into a Hobey Baker candidate with Denver and later in his career, being a prime defender walking the blue line of an NHL team.
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#6 Overall Prospect: Anton Silayev, D, KHL
If I ever met Silayev in person I would ask him why he isn’t in the NBA. On a serious note, without a doubt the best part of Silayev’s game is his skating. He’s smooth on his feet, and has terrific lateral mobility. Silayev can keep up with almost anyone in the defensive zone, making him a near cheat code when it comes to playing strong defense. He uses his body effectively to wrap around forwards, and neutralize them to the point where they’re basically no help at all to their team. His long reach helps him shut down passing and shooting lanes, and is a deadly poke checking tool. The smooth skater is also a very matured, and calm overall player. Making hard passes look easy, and being a great breakout inniater. I like his shot, especially for the fact that no defender, let alone goalie wants to get in the way of a slap shot being shot at you by a 6’7” beast. He already has a high floor when you look at his current competition and what he’s doing against it; it’s not far off to assume that his upside can carry him to potential NHL stardom at both ends of the ice.
#7 Overall Prospect: Adam Jiricek, D, Czechia
He reminds way too much of his brother David, and you can even include the physicality. He has above average offensive abilities, and is a great passer. His gap control is good, and he has great skating, defensive awareness and instincts. Jiricek fits the mold of a well rounded modern defensemen, with high offensive upside when it comes to patrolling the blue line. When you first look at his game, he doesn’t strike you as a flashy player that will wow you with his hands and craftiness. However, he more than makes up for it with his sound decision making, and high upside. Jiricek is my 6th overall prospect, but I could easily see him falling a little bit because of other North American prospects like Sam Dickinson and Artyom Levshunov. As of right now, I like Jiricek’s overall game more than I do with Dickinson and Levshunov. You can tell that he has been playing against men in the Czech pro league for a while now, and I like that for the sake of his development and future NHL role.
#8 Overall Prospect: Sam Dickinson, D, OHL
Just like Buium and Jiricek, Dickinson fits the mold of a modern NHL defensemen. He is an elite skater, with a powerful stride that helps compose a strong 200-foot game. Dickinson’s presence is always felt in the defensive zone, playing physical and being engaged in board battles. He is no stranger to engaging in the rush, oftentimes showcasing his acceleration when taking the puck up the ice and into the offensive zone. Dickinson is always looking for chances to score, and is not afraid to pounce on a loose puck lower in the play than you might want him to. Not only is he a strong transitional player and an aggressive one at that, but he possesses the best one-timer in the draft; popping water battles from the top of the blue line to the bottom of the circle. I see a lot of Evan Bouchard in his game with how he operates on the power play. I also see a bit of Charlie McAvoy in how he skates up and down the ice with such power and demand. He may take a little longer to adjust to the speed of the NHL game because of the age of the competition he’s playing now - as opposed to someone like Adam Jiricek who’s playing grown men - but that’s nothing new with CHL defenseman.
#9 Overall Prospect: Artyom Levshunov, D, NCAA
The big, rangy Michigan State product is one of many great college prospects this season. Despite his fantastic production, I’m not completely sold on Levshnuov’s overall two-way game. As a bulkier defensemen, he can get caught napping sometimes by having slow feet, and reacting slowly to the play. Despite this, he has a great point shot, and is very mobile for a defender of his stature. Levshunov can create offense from anywhere on the ice, whether it’s through his shot, passing or skating. Not only that, but he has shown that he can use his size to play alongside more physical competition. He is a great asset to have on the power play, with his shot drawing a lot of the defense's attention. At his floor, I don’t think he can do much worse than a third to fourth pairing defender, which is a solid cushion to have when taking into consideration whether you should draft him or not. It may take a little while to adjust to the speed of the game, but give him time to work on his skating and consistency a little more and I see no reason why he can’t be a force to be reckoned with.
#10 Overall Prospect: Konsta Helenius, F, Liiga
A player that has fallen a smidge because of the talented class around him; I really like Helenius and the set of natural tools he brings to the table. He plays a very simple, meat and potatoes game at the base of it all, sporting a good stride, heavy shot, and is a good thinker of the game. His displays of brilliance can’t be overlooked as well. Possibly the best play he’s made all year was his great forecheck in the quarterfinal game of the World Juniors against Slovakia, that set up his teammate for the go-ahead goal with less than a minute remaining. Back to Helenius’ heavy shot and strong stride, which has propelled his great production in the Liiga (13 goals, 20 assists, 33 points, 43 games). A good player comparable I think is fellow Finn Anton Lundell.
#11 Overall Prospect: Cole Eiserman, F, USNTDP
One of the most polarizing prospects available this year. Eiserman has proven to us why he can be a top three pick in Vegas, but also why he deserves to be picked in the latter half of the top ten. Yes, the goal scoring is undeniable, as he already has over 100 career goals in two seasons with the NTDP. He can get himself open in high danger areas of the ice very effectively, and has a strong nose for the net. To par alongside his shot, Eisermen has slowly grown as a passer throughout this season. Despite the offensive firepower, what is also undeniable is his work ethic and decision making away from the puck. Either way, the Boston University commit is locked in at the number ten spot for me.
#12 Overall Prospect: Luke Misa, F, OHL
I wouldn’t say that Misa belongs in the “heavy shot” category of this tier, but without doubt he belongs in the “high upside” part. With the Misa name being made popular by Luke’s little brother - Michael - who was granted exceptional status this past summer, Luke has quietly been making a huge name for himself in Mississauga. The best way to sum up his game was said at 13th Man Sports, “Watching Misa is like watching a genius at work. When he is in the offensive zone it is a terrifying feeling for the defensemen.” Without a shadow of a doubt Misa’s best attribute is his speed and ability to use his skill while at top speed. Misa is one of the most well rounded and skillful players in the draft, which is why he could easily be a top 10 pick.
#13 Overall Prospect: TJ Ignila, F, WHL
The thing that a lot of people mention with Ignila is his shooting prowess, and his ability to pick corners from anywhere on the ice. Off-balance, in transition, set-up, you name it. What many don’t mention is how hard he is to knock off pucks. He plays a tenacious game, always on the puck trying to make things happen. His crafty hands and quick feet, matched with his endless motor make it hard for defensemen in tight. He can go through you with his mits, or can beat you wide with his crossovers. Overall, Ignila plays a hard game and that will help him at the next level when it is harder to get to high danger areas to score goals.
#14 Overall Prospect: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, F, SHL
One of the very few Norwegian prospects we see on a year-to-year basis - let alone top fifteen worthy prospects - Brandsegg-Nygard’s best performances came playing against U20 competition in the World Juniors. Even with the team around him, Nygard still managed a solid 3 goals and 5 points in 5 games. His shot is fast and hard, getting to its spots in the net with ease. His favorite spot is to load up on the right circle during the power play; he’s deadly in time and space when he has enough time to get off a good shot. There are certainly many considerable flaws in his game, his choppy stride first comes to mind. He combats this with the ability to slow down the pace of the game to create opportunities for teammates.
#15 Overall Prospect: Trevor Connelly, F, USHL
Nothing short of a pest, Trevor Connelly is a supremely gifted offensive player that can be an absolute one man show at times. Without a doubt one of the forwards when it comes to transition offense, Connelly is able to use his speed and quick feet to manipulate defenders into giving him open passing and shooting lanes. His stickhandling abilities are second to none, and if I had to take someone in an All-Star challenge Connelly might be my man. He’s so craftier and skilled with the puck that sometimes he looks like he isn’t trying. His bag of tricks is one of the deepest in the class, similar to how Marco Rossi was lighting up his competition in his draft year. There’s no move that he can’t pull off. His speed is also very valuable on the forecheck, pestering around opposing defenders with his wheels and drive to get the puck. Despite all this, he does have some weaker tendencies. He’ll need to learn how to optimize his speed at the right times, while adjusting to when the game moves at slower paces. Connelly can abuse his speed and skill at times, so it will be important for him to develop a more methodical side of his game.
#16 Overall Prospect: Liam Greentree, F, OHL
Liam Greentree is an interesting case. On one hand, he’s skilled and above hands with a good hockey sense to know what parts of the ice to get to and when to get there. He has a good shot both in tight, and from a decent distance. It poses a very quick release, which catches goalies completely off guard. The flaws in Greentree’s game come in his skating. He has a choppy stride, that is below average when it comes to speed over a long period of time. He doesn’t make up a lot of ice when backchecking, or consistently keep a lot of separation from backcheckers. Greentree’s bread and butter is more so over short distances and small amounts of time. He has enough explosion to make a defense pay in close areas and around the net. He has a very high compete level, and plays a winning brand of hockey no matter the situation that he is in. His strengths are very strong, and that sums up to his shot and ability to get into high danger areas. If he can focus more less on his skating and even get it up to a slightly above average level, he could be a productive NHL player.
#17 Overall Prospect: Nikita Artamonov, F, MHL
Artamonov has been a huge riser in the Draft this season. Starting off as a projected 2nd-3rd round pick, and shooting up all the way to a projected 1st rounder. What I love about Artamonov’s game is his forechecking ability and tenacity. He plays hard on both ends of the ice, and is a very hard worker. Artamonov has sported excellent confidence for an 18 year old playing against the best Russian players not in the NHL. This confidence has helped earn him a very solid 7 goals and 15 assists for 22 points in 50 games. Artamonov’s speed moving downhill, as well as his hands and ability to make quick, skillful plays is a major positive in his game. Artamonov has also shown adaptability in many situations, of course being an 18 year old in the KHL means that opportunities will definitely fluctuate.
#18 Overall Prospect: Ryder Ritchie, F, WHL
Ritchie is a shifty and versatile winger that projects as an almost certain NHL player because of his ability to play in almost any situation, almost anywhere in the lineup. Ritchie is aggressive and has good puck pursuit, and doesn’t stop moving his feet. When the puck is in the offensive zone, Ritchie is excellent at finding a shot, or moving to an area of the ice where he can get his shot off. He’s a decent dual-threat, but will need to add a little more flash and deception if he wants to keep up his playmaking prowess. Ritchie is great at protecting the puck, and is engaged in all three zones of the ice. Again, if you give him some time to go back to the WHL and improve his point production, while adding to and refining his overall offensive game, there’s no reason to assume Ritchie can’t be an impactful NHL player.
#19 Overall Prospect: Emil Hemming, F, Liiga
Hemming is a strong-willed, gritty, two-way player with excellent north-south skating and a desire to work hard to get the puck. On occasion, he will fumble the puck when under pressure but still has shown nifty elements in his game when it comes to making defenders miss. His forecheck is great, and has shown that even when playing against men in the Liiga he can make a notable difference in how a game may go. Hemming has good hockey IQ, especially positionally in the offensive zone. When his teammates move the puck up the ice or are in board battles, he’s great at sneaking in and out of certain areas as the high guy preventing a potential breakout. If I was a general manager or head coach in the NHL, I would be looking at the opportunity to draft Hemming as early as pick ten to twelve.
#20 Overall Prospect: Igor Chernyshov, F, KHL
Chernyshov is an offensive minded winger that has considerable time in both the KHL (33 games) and the MHL (18 games) this season. The 6’2” power forward has a knack for scoring goals and creating offense all over the ice. Similarly to Hemming, he plays a hard two way game and is willing to work to get the puck back on his stick. Whenever the play is moving upwards, he is always moving his feet trying to get open and receive a pass. There, he is by no means a magician with the puck, but he’s able to use his body to and cut into the middle of the ice to get off a good shot. Speaking of his shot, Chernyshov demonstrates a strong and accurate one, snapping off the toe of his blade with accuracy and precision. If you can score a goal in the KHL as a 17 year-old, I see no reason why you can’t go high in the NHL Draft, which is exactly what Chernyshov has proven why he should do this coming June.
#21 Overall Prospect: Andrew Basha, F, WHL
Basha’s fantastic season has been slightly overlooked by the dominance of Cayden Lindstrom, however that shouldn’t discredit what he’s been able to do. Through 50 games he has notched 68 points, and has proven his elite off puck awareness which has consistently been one of the main driving points for his offensive production. Basha’s elite skating helps him shoot through holes in the defense and kickstart breakouts deep in his own end, oftentimes catching opposing defenders off balance and napping on the play. In some sense, he plays a similar game to Stars’ prospect Logan Stankoven, who both went through or have gone through rapid development in their respective draft years. If Basha is to become a standout NHLer (like I think he will), I believe he will take a path similar to Stankoven’s, which may involve him slipping in the draft a little due to biasty against more popular prospects
#22 Overall Prospect: Zayne Parekh, D, OHL
Listen, don’t freak out. I believe that Parekh has many great factors in his game that include his skating, and especially his offensive upside. What I don’t love about his game is that he doesn’t always make the surest decisions with the puck whether it be during the breakout, or simply entering the zone. He doesn’t play the most physical game, nor does he really show much desire to play the biggest physical game. Although he is definitely capable at protecting his own end when it comes to out-thinking his opponent, he will certainly need to work on some aspects. With the negatives being said, I refuse to discredit his exceptional individual skill. Parekh is easily one of the most talented and skillful players in the draft when it comes to skating, stickhandling, shooting and passing the puck. His elite edgework and elusive dekes/moves that he uses to attack the offensive zone are nothing short of works of art. He processes the game at a very high pace, which is a major positive for a player like Parekh when it comes to transitioning his game to the pro-level. Do I think Parekh has a star upside? For sure. End of discussion, but I think he’ll need a few years to hone in on his skills and defensive game to really pop out as the player we all think and know he can be.
#23 Overall Prospect: Sacha Boisvert, F, USHL
Boisvert is exciting to watch with the puck on his stick, as the North Dakota commit is excellent when it comes to attacking the net of the rush and getting himself into great scoring areas. It has shown at the stat sheet, having recorded an impressive 27 goals in 42 games so far this season, for a total of 46 points. Not only is it his goal scoring and great hands that stand out for spectators, but his frame standing at lengthy 6’2” is a massive plus to have in a player like Boisvert. Not only can he play a skillful and consistently flashy game, but he can win draws, play physical and still has room to fill out at only around 179 pounds according to Elite Prospects.
One of the best displays of his skills came early this season during a preseason showdown between Boisvert’s Muskegon Lumberjacks, and the well known Chicago Steel. During this game, Boisvert would pot a hat trick in three different ways, with the first coming off of a slick play to deke past a defender after getting in open space at the top of the circle to receive a pass before finishing in tight. The second goal came off of a nice offensive zone faceoff win, where Boisvert would then set a nice screen before being rewarded with an easy tap-in after a good pass from Hunter Anderson. The third, - and probably most impressive goal - came off of a rush that started up on the far side of the ice. From then on, Boisvert would receive a pass streaking down the right side of the ice that was left wide open. He would come down on a Steel defender on a partial two on one, look off his teammate drawing in the defender and create more time for himself; before quickly firing home a toe-drag release-type of shot in stride popping the water bottle (see all that and more at FloHockey on YouTube!). His upcoming season at North Dakota will tell a lot about his future and overall talent level, and I’m willing to bet he won’t disappoint in the slightest.
#24 Overall Prospect: Carter Yakemchuk, D, WHL
In my opinion, one of the more overall intriguing draft prospects, Yakemchuk is a big defensemen that is by all means happy with joining the rush for a potential scoring chance. He is aggressive in his gap control and loves to play a physical game, but doesn’t let pressure rattle him too much when he has the puck; usually starting up a good breakout or regroup by moving his feet and catching a teammate in stride. Sometimes he can get caught sleeping, either not being aware of the play around him or puck watching, allowing for an odd man opportunity the other way. This will also occur sometimes in his own end, not paying attention to his surroundings and allowing for an open forward to slip past him even if he length should’ve easily been able to cut off the passing lane. On other occasions he’ll back off from the blue line a little too soon, and give the opposition more time and a bigger cushion coming into the zone. However, considering his typically aggressive and strong nature when defending on rush plays, the problem will be fixed when Yakemchuk continues to work on his special awareness and timing.
Despite this, one of my favorite parts of his game is his skating and boy can he fly. He’s an exceptional north-south skater, moving at very high speeds when he gets going from end to end. He has an explosive stride, and can really pop out coming out of pivots and turns. A sequence that best shows this was when Calgary played Red Deer on November 28th, and when Calgary got a power play early in the game, Yakemchuk had multiple times when he wheeled the puck up into the neutral zone, imitating a strong breakout maintaining possession. Soon after, a drop pass was given to him alongside the left half wall where he would quickly make a spin-o-rama move off a high forward, creating time and space for his teammates and causing the two forwards to collapse inwards on the penalty kill.
#25 Overall Prospect: Cole Hutson, D, USNTDP
A slightly downgraded Lane Hutson? Yeah, he’s still a first rounder. Give me all the Huston love, Cole is one of my favorite prospects in this year’s draft simply because of his play style, and the blood he shares with Hobey Baker candidate Lane Hutson. Of course, we have to mention that Hutson is only 5’10” 159 pounds according to elite prospects, which does hinder him to an extent in the defensive zone. However, he combats this with a certain “zap” in his game, that allows him to play sticky defense when in man to man, and pester opposing forwards when they try to make moves around him. Now, the offensive side of the puck is where he really shines just like his brother. He doesn’t possess the same amount of raw talent like Lane, but he still has the skating and stickhandling ability. He can create space in an instant, and is extremely elusive and dynamic with the puck on his stick. Hutson is a strong passer as well, using his lateral movements to open passing lanes and put his teammates in better positions to catch and receive passes. Now, who has the betting odds set up for how likely it is that Lane Hutson stays another year at Boston University to play with his brother?
#26 Overall Prospect: Terik Parascak, F, WHL
Parascak looks like that one tall kid in PeeWee hockey who grew before everyone, and is just too talented so he decides he’s going to do some of the most outrageous things ever just for fun. That’s Parascak, except his growth didn’t come in height, as he’s a solid 5 '11 " 179. No, except his growth spurt came in his rapid development from ‘AAA’ and Prep hockey player at 17 years old, only playing in 4 WHL games, to now being on pace for almost 40 goals and 96 points and taking the hockey world by storm (learn more at FWFarenholtz). But what aspects in his game have catapulted him to this sudden level of stardom? To start, his goal scoring is second to none. He has a heavy, heavy shot on his hands which he can net a goal from anywhere on the ice. His hands are also nothing to overlook as well, which are often to credit for the space in which he can get his shot off in. Parascak has a very high IQ, and almost always knows where his teammates are, especially in the offensive zone. Even including that 5 '11 " frame, he plays bigger than his size and is willing to go anywhere on the ice to get the puck and make plays. With how much he has been progressing, and the steep trajectory he has been developing on, there’s no reason he shouldn’t earn a top 32 selection. Progress at this rate is a scout’s dream - imagine him at this rate in four to five seasons from now.
#27 Overall Prospect: Tanner Howe, F, WHL
A former teammate of Connor Bedard, and a player that I had my eye on coming into this season, Howe’s biggest knack was whether or not he could prove his impressive production wasn’t simply a product of his prodigious linemate. The short answer? Yes, his production certainly had something to do with Bedard. But when you take into consideration that Howe isn’t anything different than any other player that would’ve been placed in that situation, you start to look at him in a new light. Offense is something that he clearly excels at, and it’s easy to his skillset which reflects Bedard’s in many ways (of course at much lower degree). Coincidence? I think not. His skill, especially in small areas, is extremely high, which he showed off in the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Gold Medal game against Sweden (here at 0:52). His skating is strong in those areas too, making quick cuts and shifts with his edges to evade defenders and create space. The base he creates with his legs while shooting is very reminiscent of Bedard, and allows not only for him to change angles quickly when shooting, but it also allows for a much quicker and stronger release. "I learned so much from him," he stated in a 2023 article published on nhl.com. Pairing with his shot, Howe is a hard worker, and a good work ethic. He isn’t wearing the “C” on his chest for nothing in Regina, and you can see that he’s more than a hockey player when he gets into a locker room.
#28 Overall Prospect: Aron Kiviharju, D, Liiga
The readings on Kiviharju - really ever since the end of last season - have started to become extremely mixed. On one hand, you have the fact he’s been consistently injured throughout this entire season, not having the time to grow and develop his game against men in the Finnish Liiga. That means, not only are we stuck with an iffy stat line of 2 assists in 7 games, but the last memory we have of watching Kiviharju play is a skittish, unconfident version of a player that we all know is extremely talented. But those 7 games have us questioning the reliability of the version of Kiviharju we have been fed ever since he was 12, dominating the U16 competition in Finland.
But what I’m going to make known right now, (and what you’ll hear a lot of) is that I'm a big believer in Kiviharju’s games. There’s no doubt in mind that if he’s given the proper time, in a few years we will be questioning why we let him fall so far in the Draft.
On the other hand, that same player that we have been watching ever since he was 12 still possesses the same talent and we all know it. He has shown consistent flashes of amazing lateral movement while walking the blue line, and quick feet to match along with his strong stick handling abilities. When the game gets into close, and in-tight areas, Kiviharju has shown that he can use his hands to make crafty plays and get out of tough situations. His passing is an element in his game that everyone that has watched him can collectively agree on that he is elite at; maybe the best in the Draft. He makes hard, end-to-end breakout passes look routine. Hard bounce passes from the side of the ice another while in mid-stride is light work for the Finn. Kiviharju also has the mental aspect of the game down. He’s smart, and aware of his surroundings, which helps him when determining puck placement on passes given throughout the area of the ice. Is he undersized? Yes. Has that hindered him? Yes. Is his defensive game a work in progress, even if he still has a lot of development left to do? Again, yes. But Kiviharju has in his game what you can’t teach. An extremely good head on his shoulders. Which allows him to play one of the most free and entertaining games offensively, while still covering up his defensive holes from time to time with very active stick work.
#29 Overall Prospect: Henry Mews, D, Ottawa 67’s
Mews’ game is just about as reliable as it can get, but at the same time carries the same amount of potential. Craig Button of TSN said it best during an OHL interview, “”Ah yeah, he didn’t really wow you,” a defensemen’s job isn’t to wow you… Cale Makar wows you because that’s his game,” Button continued on, “but defenseman are there to make the right plays, in the right situations, at the right times, that’s what Henry Mews does. So, don’t overlook the brilliance, and the hockey sense, and the processing ability of Henry Mews and defenders like him. Because they’re incredibly valuable.” Mews just seems to make strong plays all over the ice, and while some may complain about his physicality, wishing that he would embrace his 6’0” frame a little more, Mews still has room to fill out. He’s always looking for times to join in the rush, and will once in a while have that offensive burst that will leave you speechless. It’s not that Mews isn’t able, it’s that he doesn’t force anything upon himself and his game. He lets the game come to him, and is great at making strong plays under a lot of pressure. At the end of the day, the sure-minded Ottawa D-man could surprise a lot of people with a solid NHL career if he stays on the current upward trajectory that he is on.
#30 Overall Prospect: Michael Hage, F, USHL
Hage’s game is by no means unique in any way, but his skill level cannot be denied. Like his USHL counterpart in Sacha Boisvert, Hage has similar size (6’1” 190lbs.) that scouts continually gush over year-to-year, and plays a natural position of need at center. A complaint about his overall game may be the fact that he sometimes will cheat for offense - flying the zone as a center is a big no, no - or sometimes parking in front of the net even if there is no apparent shot really anywhere near close to coming. Hage will at times be too cute which will cost his team a quality scoring chance. On the contrary, Hage’s offensive game is centered around smooth zone transitions, usually making one or two opposing players miss in the process with his silky smooth hands. He usually follows those plays up by either making a solid pass to an outlet, or making a nice finish close and around the net. Hage’ combination of size and skill is certainly intriguing, but he’ll definitely need to learn how to use his size more effectively before he gets anywhere near NHL ice.
#31 Overall Prospect: John Mustard, F, USHL
Mustard is the type of player to wow you with his speed and overall skating, while shocking you with the suddenness of his elusive shot. One of Mustard’s best attributes and presumably one of his most translatable, is his ability to get off a quick wrist shot from the top of the dot and more often than not score on them. He has a willingness to hunt for goals and loose pucks in the dirty areas of the ice, which is yet another very important attribute to have if you want to be a goal scoring NHL forward. Standing and weighing in at 6’0'' 185 pounds, he’s a very thick and well built player. To add to his offensive skill set, Mustard also has an above average set of mits that he uses to his advantage with his speed when approaching defenders off the rush. When you can attack the zone with as much speed as Mustard can and does regularly, you usually don’t have to do much with your stickhandling to get past the first layer of the defense. However, his skill is displayed when he stumbles upon the second and sometimes third layers of a defense where he quickly weaves in and out of traffic. With this much skill in transition, he’s a very positive play driver which in hindsight, might end up being the most important part of his game with where the pace and speed the NHL game is played at is heading.
#32 Overall Prospect: Teddy Stiga, F, USNTDP
Not too many people are as high on Stiga as I am, with the closest well known ranking website being Dobber Prospects who has him debuting at the number forty overall spot on their list. Despite this, whenever I watch Stiga I’m never left disappointed. Stiga has stood out on the international stage this season, potting 9 points in 4 games in the Four Nations Tournament in early February. Throughout his draft year he has improved a lot, showing much skill and high end skating ability in his game. Versatility is the name of the game for Stiga, sporting a solid shot with high hockey IQ, and the capability to get the puck where it needs to be. Stiga, a Boston College commit, has overall decent upside and is much better player than the rankings make him out to be.
