Why the 2024 Draft is way better than you think
Introduction
Over the past few years one thing has been apparent in the NHL: the growing need in a strong, young and potentially Stanley Cup winning prospect pool is essential if your team wants future success. Although quite early, today I will be diving deep into the 2024 NHL Draft class, why it’s already showing the makings of one of the greatest draft classes ever, and who’ll be mentioned first on the podium upon that night in June, 2024.
With the World getting glimpses of the first signs of stardom to headline draft boards for the next year and half at this year’s U18 Worlds - I thought it’d be a good idea to dive into who those headliners are and what makes them so great. From a stacked U.S. Development Team, to what has started to become a recent trend in junior hockey, let’s figure out what’s up with this hyped-up assortment of 17-year-olds.
The Headlining Names
During the U18 World Junior Championships, so far we have seen an extraordinary level of talent showcased by some of the world’s best 2005, 2007 and most importantly 2006-born players who have seemingly stolen the show.
U.S. Born Players
In what has become the coming out party for the 2006-born players of the 2024 draft, the U18’s have really started to open my eyes to how good this draft may be. With the play of U.S.-born Cole Eiserman of the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP) leading the way of eye-openers. During a record-breaking season at only 17 years of age, Eiserman has already become the Program’s second leading scorer in a season with 65 goals and counting (only behind Cole Caufield, 72). Through 3 games (WJC-U18) with the Americans, Eiserman has posted 6 goals and 7 points on a unit of a U.S. team. A style of play only comparable to that of Caufield, Eiserman has the game-tape to back it up, boasting a stellar release and a nasty nose for the net. Headlining a stacked defense class, Cole Hutson, younger brother of Canadiens prospect and BU Terrier Lane Hutson, has opened eyes with elite skating and high end offensive instincts. Also a part of a great USNTDP team filled with depth, Hutson has posted 8 goals for a total of 42 points in a total of 42 games, (5 assists in 3 games at the WJC-U18). (Other notable players include Zeev Buium, Will Skahan, Ryan Fine, Christian Humphreys, John Whipple and Kristian Epperson).
Canadian Born Players
A class of players that may be slightly overlooked (I know, “Canadians” and “overlooked” should never be put into the same sentence when it comes to hockey), due to the fantastic American class, the Canadians certainly will not lack in talent - owning the citizenship of the only player in the past five years or next five years that may come close to Connor Bedard - Macklin Celebrini.
I was lucky enough to have watched a fantastic Shattuck-St. Mary team in January of 2022 that featured himself, Eiserman and William Whitelaw (2023 eligible). An autograph and tournament MVP later not much has changed for the Chicago Steel center. Still an electrifying talent that I wished with every bone in my body was American, Celebrini is a NHL player in a 17-year-old’s body. He has a terrific shot with unbelievable hands and a mind that thinks well beyond his years when he steps onto the ice. He’s a player that teams will game plan around because there’s simply no way to stop him. Be prepared for not Bedard-level hype, but close to it for the entire 2023-24 season building up to draft night 2024.
Other players that I think are really intriguing are Zayne Parkh of the Windsor Spitfires (OHL), and Tanner Howe of the Regina Pats (WHL). Parekh is an undersized, yet highly gifted offensive defensemen that loves to be aggressive in the offensive zone and jump up in transition. He’s not afraid to discard his defensive standby and play as a “4th forward” which I both love and hate about him. A good NHL comparable is Tony DeAngelo. I also love Howe, who has become the perfect Robin to Connor Bedard’s Batman. He plays a great complementary offensive game, finishing around the net and using his sharp skills and shot to put the puck in the net. However, don’t be fooled by his ability to play into an offense, as he can take over a game offensively and has a very high ceiling as a prospect. I’m interested to see where his draft stock goes after a full season of junior hockey without a player of Bedard’s caliber.
European Born Players
Obviously the best player in this category has to be Ivan Demidov - the 5’11” Russian demigod when he has the puck on his stick. Perhaps a better overall prospect than Matvei Michkov (2023 NHL Draft), Demidov has an unbelievable touch with the puck on his stick, and his game is second to none in the offensive zone. He possesses elite edgework as well as great vision. As an elusive, smooth skating forward, Demidov can do everything at an extremely high-level when it comes to creating offense.
Currently drawing many eyes has been Belarus native Artyom Levshunov of the USHL’s Green-Bay Gamblers. A physically gifted two-way defender, Levshunov is looking like one of the few gems to come out of a country that has sat in the depths of world hockey-mediocrity. The NHL-ready frame (6 '2'' 198 lbs. according to Eliteprospects.com) he has, combined with his surprisingly smooth skating for someone of his stature has been both impressive and upping his draft stock. Luckily for Levshunov, a late 2005 birthday gives him even more time to develop ahead of his peers, while also gaining even more and more traction with his already unique offensive game.
I have also been very impressed with Finnish defensemen Veeti Väisänen, who quietly and consistently held his own against an amazing U.S. team during their matchup earlier in the U18-W.J. Championship’s. He was smart with the puck, and tried his best to initiate any offensive he could through the breakout. A no-quit attitude that was posted against as good of a team as the U.S. has fielded will be important to have if he wants to play a peak top-4 role in the NHL.
Early 2024 Draft Rankings
Macklin Celebrini, F, USHL - 5’11'' 181 lbs. (BU Commit)
An exceptionally talented player in all facets, Celebrini has been waiting to play on the big stage and has finally been able to do that with the Chicago Steel of the USHL - posting 46 goals and 86 points in 50 games. Celebrini has been a major bright stop of Team Canada’s U18 team, and has been competing on the international level with no visible faults in his game.
Cole Eiserman, F, USNTDP - 5’11'' 192 lbs. (Minnesota Commit)
Eiserman has taken the U18’s by storm but this seems to be only the reminder to the world of hockey how much he’s dominated as just a 17-year old playing against competition in both the USHL, NCAA and international levels. Esierman’s goal scoring mentality is played in a similar fashion to Maple Leafs’ center Auston Matthews.
Ivan Demidov, F, MHL - 5’11” 168 lbs.
Maybe the most shifty and overall skilled prospect in this draft, Demidov is not only a better prospect than countrymen Matvei Michkov, but could be the best since Alexander Ovechkin. With 43 assists for a total of 62 points in 41 games for the best hockey organization in Russia (SKA-St. Petersburg), the future is bright.
Berkly Catton, F, WHL - 5’11” 163 lbs.
A skilled forward whose success has flown under the radar due to the recent success that the previous three guys named, Catton is a slippery and decisive player with the puck. He can make quick decisions in an instant and create high-level scoring opportunities for himself and linemates.
Aron Kiviharju, D, Liiga - 5’10” 165lbs.
Kiviharju’s draft stock has slipped since the original hype of him being the possible 1st overall picked start began, however his frame shouldn’t be taken into account when remembering how skilled and smooth he is with the puck. He has some of the smoothest edges I’ve ever seen, and if given time and training will be one of the league’s (NHL’s) best young defensemen, no question.
Review
An overall stacked draft class from head-to-toe, I’m very excited to see which draft class out of 2023 and 2024 produces players with better overall careers. The overall depth of the draft (2024) which features the likes of Adam Jecho, Ryan Fine, Emil Hemming and Eemil Vinni is what sells the pitch for me. The sky-high potential each player possesses in their own unique facets, if not all facets of their respective games. That is what has my mouth drooling to watch what will go down on the night of June, 2024 where we hear the 1st selection.
Hope y’all enjoyed,
And as always,
until next time.
