Pre-Game Talk: 2024 Draft Thread

[Bye Bye Blueston]

1- Short answer; Yes, this Draft is extremely deep in D men well into the 2nd/3rd round(probably even see a few good ones drop into the 4th round).
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2- Having said that; personally, I'd be extremely hesitant to use our top 3 picks on D men. I know it's a current need, but IMO it's reckless to isolate on one position like that. You never know what you're going to need three years down the road. Anything can happen(look at the Cardinals with Oscar Tavares).

More than that, there are some really good forwards projected in the 2nd this year. Zetterberg(tiny but highly skilled), Zether(good size, extremely high IQ), Basha(Kyrou Jr.), Letourneau(big boy with really interesting skill package), Battaglia(PF type with a really heavy shot) to name a few.

the need for d is an organizational need- looking 3+ years down the road. 6 of the 7 recent 1sts in our system are forwards. lindstein is only d we have that seems to have realistic shot at being legit top 4 guy. so you never draft for current nhl need, but organizations do need to be able to project down the road and keep the system appropriately stocked. not at the expense of taking bpa, but if you are drafting wingers with your top picks everywhere maybe you're not defining bpa properly because positional value matters when we are looking to fill out roster as well as in trades where everyone wants c and d.

that said, we currently have 5 picks in first 3 rounds so in an ideal world i think we would come away with 3 d, a center, and then whomever slips into 3rd that represents value like with pekarcik last year.

 

[kimzey59]

the need for d is an organizational need- looking 3+ years down the road. 6 of the 7 recent 1sts in our system are forwards. lindstein is only d we have that seems to have realistic shot at being legit top 4 guy. so you never draft for current nhl need, but organizations do need to be able to project down the road and keep the system appropriately stocked. not at the expense of taking bpa, but if you are drafting wingers with your top picks everywhere maybe you're not defining bpa properly because positional value matters when we are looking to fill out roster as well as in trades where everyone wants c and d.

that said, we currently have 5 picks in first 3 rounds so in an ideal world i think we would come away with 3 d, a center, and then whomever slips into 3rd that represents value like with pekarcik last year.

We've drafted 7 D men in the last 2 years.
Is the "future need" really at D?
Or are we at the stage where position isn't as relevant as upside?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

We've drafted 7 D men in the last 2 years.
Is the "future need" really at D?
Or are we at the stage where position isn't as relevant as upside?

only 1 of them were in first 2 rounds. we don't have any d beyond lindstein that look to have that much upside. we need to stop shopping for forwards at nordstrom and d at kohl's. we need more high end d in system. i'm sorry if you can't see it.

 

[kimzey59]

only 1 of them were in first 2 rounds. we don't have any d beyond lindstein that look to have that much upside. we need to stop shopping for forwards at nordstrom and d at kohl's. we need more high end d in system. i'm sorry if you can't see it.

Exactly the point I'm trying to make.
We need high end D. Top pairing/top 4 guys.
We don't need quantity.

The first round and maybe the upper half of the 2nd round(you can probably find a Dunn or Mikkola in that area) are where the high end D are located. But once you get past that point you're looking at guys similar to Loof, Buchinger and Burns. There's obvious upside in those kinds of players, but they aren't considered high end.

To put it in perspective for this year; Skahan, Fischer and Elick are probably the last three D men I'd consider "high end". And they project to go in the top 45-50(which probably takes them out of range of the Toronto pick which looks like it will land in the 55-60 range). Once you get past that point, you throw organizational need out the window and focus on straight BPA.

If you're going to put any kind of emphasis on need past that point, the biggest organization need at this point is goaltending. The last goalie we drafted was Will Cranley and he was 6th round pick three years ago and doesn't look to be amounting to anything. Personally, I think there's better value using a 3rd rounder on the position; but I can definitely see the argument for using our late 2nd to get the best goalie on our list.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Finally had time to compile my player notes on USHL top prospects game from earlier this week. I primarily focused on the D, so forwards only mentioned if they did something that stood out. Some general thoughts- the 2025 guys that were in the game (hagens and hensler) are both studs. Remember their names for next year. Fwiw, crowd is so small, other than friends and family of players, i wonder if there are more scouts in attendance than fans.

Let’s go over forwards first, since there are less comments on them. please note that i am listing them roughly by consensus ranking order, not by order i prefer them.

hagens looked great early. Took dumb penalty and was fairly quiet during stretches, but it’s clear he is a player. he is an early favorite to be top pick in '25 draft.

eiserman is obviously talented. I’ve heard phil kessel comparisons and that may not be far off on his upside. At one point he tried to beat 3 defenders at once; could learn that he has teammates. Overall, he just doesn’t do it for me. i expect he goes top 10, maybe top 5, but I don’t want him. If he is best player on board when we pick I want us to trade back.

connelly looks like top 20 pick every time i see him, including this game. maybe top 10 but feels more like 11-20 at this moment but could see him going higher if teams think he has learned and grown from his off ice mistakes (which on surface it seems he has).

bednarik was a disappointment. I was hoping for more from him, but only time I noticed him was when he took a really dumb with 73 seconds left.

boisvert looked fantastic. Seems to be consensus 1st rounder and I see why. Really stood out. I had more positive notes on him than the rest of forwards combined. And not just skill or offense. He made a nice play to break up scoring chance. Later he was hard on forecheck, then backchecks to break up play. boisvert was a real standout to me all game.interestingly he is from Quebec, plays for Muskegon in ushl, and will apparently be first quebecois to suit up for und next year. I’m not ready to rank guys yet, but as a 2-way center with size and skill, I could see him potentially cracking top 20. Really liked his game.

van vleet had a nice game. I wasn’t super familiar with him. he is center on ntdp, seems to skate and handle well for fairly big guy. scored goal on nice shot, walked laurila. Could be interesting option in late 2nd or 3rd.

none of the other forwards stood out to me, which isn't specifically an indictment of them but considering where our needs are it's probably a good sign that none of the rest are fits for us at least in first couple rounds.

Defensemen to follow.

Great post and I agree on Eiserman. Someone will want to trade up if he’s sitting there. Not sure I really want him though. Trade bait. I keep hoping Boisvert may fall to the 2nd but I agree. He’s crept into the first. Wouldn’t mind if we traded down if his name was called.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Exactly the point I'm trying to make.
We need high end D. Top pairing/top 4 guys.
We don't need quantity.

The first round and maybe the upper half of the 2nd round(you can probably find a Dunn or Mikkola in that area) are where the high end D are located. But once you get past that point you're looking at guys similar to Loof, Buchinger and Burns. There's obvious upside in those kinds of players, but they aren't considered high end.

To put it in perspective for this year; Skahan, Fischer and Elick are probably the last three D men I'd consider "high end". And they project to go in the top 45-50(which probably takes them out of range of the Toronto pick which looks like it will land in the 55-60 range). Once you get past that point, you throw organizational need out the window and focus on straight BPA.

If you're going to put any kind of emphasis on need past that point, the biggest organization need at this point is goaltending. The last goalie we drafted was Will Cranley and he was 6th round pick three years ago and doesn't look to be amounting to anything. Personally, I think there's better value using a 3rd rounder on the position; but I can definitely see the argument for using our late 2nd to get the best goalie on our list.

I would throw a few more names in that mix for top 2 to 3 rounds that look like top 4 guys. I agree on drafting a goalie or signing one as a free agent out of the NCAA

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

defensemen thoughts from ushl top prospect game:

hensler is among top d prospects for 2025 draft and it’s easy to see why. He looked like best d by far early (until emery settled in). hensler just has look about him, he always seems under control out there. his poise with puck and skating both stood out, his defense is a bit more up and down. hensler made great play then got caught flatfooted gets walked by eiserman. Later hensler did nice job battling and coming away with puck on pk. I would draft him with our first this year (he would be in top tier so I would take any of them anytime 2 or later) if he was eligible but he was born about a month too late.

hutson is younger brother of candian’s prospect. I don’t think he is as small as his brother, but he is still too small for my tastes. Admittedly I’d like him much more if I hadn’t watched torrey krug every game last few years, but I’m not spending premium pick on small d. he was most noticeable getting caught below offensive blue line leading to a goal scored the other way. I hope one of our divisional rivals drafts him.

emery struggled a bit early with puck skills, needed more calm, but still far better than skahan. But he kept getting better and better as game went on. showed strong defensive tools, skating and hands both look good. And then he settled in. made nice pass out of d zone, jumped up, and scored. another good breakout by emery. got stick on eiserman shot for 2nd time. made really good play to elude connelly on forecheck. nice step up in neutral zone, broke up play. kept getting better as game went along. shows nice feet to elude forward and get shot off. strong defensive play to break up rush, elude forechecker. he got sent off for boarding/crosschecking, but kinda semed like it was mostly just for being too strong for the guy he hit. Emery reminds me a bit of willander, who I loved in last year’s draft.someone described emery as kind of guy every contender desperately wants to find at trade deadline. I have him in 2nd tier at this point (Dickinson, silyaev, and levshunov are the only ones in first tier right now). We may be bad enough that he would be reach at our pick, but he sure would be nice fit next to lindstein.

skahan was probably biggest disappointment among d for me. He was really fighting puck all night. I know he is big and shows potential defensively, but there are basic puck skills a modern nhl defenseman needs and I just lack confidence he will develop them. He was a real adventure with the puck almost every time he had it. thinking I would rather let another team pick him (in 2nd?) and not us unless he slips to 4th or later.

kleber looks really raw, a big kid who was maybe a bit out of his league. But unlike some of the others who struggled, I think his issues are ones that tend to resolve. he made nice play to hold blue line, but later skates himself into trouble.he moves pretty good for big guy, long way away, but definitely see promise. Going to umd so will have time to marinate. A guy to keep an eye on. Curious to see how he looks in a few months at u18s. Big rhd who can move tend to be in demand and this guy seems worth a shot. I could see taking him with a late 2nd.

whipple had struggled when I had seen him previously, so my expectations for him in this game were not high. He was worse than I expected. Like he is not good. When he entered ntdp program he was maybe most hyped of the 2006 born d and I keep trying to see it and just don’t. epperson blew by him to set up goal. whipple turns it over for no real reason. My notes say “don't draft him,” and I stand by that. i should add that as game was winding down, whipple had a nice blocked shot, so his first good play i noticed by him. only took about 59:55. Another guy I hope someone else drafts, but I don’t care as long as it isn’t us.

groenewald has about a 3rd round rating, but I can’t figure out why. Good size but his ushl numbers are not encouraging. Although if I only looked at his stats I would like him more than I do after watching him play. He looked overmatched all night, culminating when he almost tripped over his own stick

laurila doesn’t seem to have much offense. Made nice play on rush d, but i don't buy he is 6'. I don’t see him as someone of interest either.

felicio made several nice plays. small though. got beat too. like his stick but not someone i would draft given our experience with small d. maybe you hope he grows and is playable? He is going to Denver u, which is a top program so they obviously think there is something there. Certainly wasn’t worst d here.

Net net is that among draft eligible d, emery was by far most appealing and kleber looks like intriguing 2nd or 3rd round prospect.

Another good post. I like Emery as well and think he will be drafted higher than ranked as Lindstein was. Rather pick him than an undersized puck mover.

 

[kimzey59]

I would throw a few more names in that mix for top 2 to 3 rounds that look like top 4 guys. I agree on drafting a goalie or signing one as a free agent out of the NCAA

Right now I have it at 17 D men that I consider "high end" in this Draft(meaning clear top 4 potential).

1-Dickinson
2-Levshunov
3-Silayev
4-Buium
5-Jiricek
6- Parekh
7- Kiviharju
8-Yakemchuk
9- Mews
10- Solberg
11- Wallenius
12- Badinka
13- Hutson
14- Lavoie
15- Fischer
16- Elick
17- Skahan
(haven't seen enough of Ustinkov to make a full judgement on him but the joke possibility alone is enough to make me stay clear of him; I can only handle so much cheese)

We should be able to easily snag 2 of them. But the position is too highly valued for me to see them lasting too far past the 40's(which likely takes them out of range of the Toronto pick).

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Right now I have it at 17 D men that I consider "high end" in this Draft(meaning clear top 4 potential).

1-Dickinson
2-Levshunov
3-Silayev
4-Buium
5-Jiricek
6- Parekh
7- Kiviharju
8-Yakemchuk
9- Mews
10- Solberg
11- Wallenius
12- Badinka
13- Hutson
14- Lavoie
15- Fischer
16- Elick
17- Skahan
(haven't seen enough of Ustinkov to make a full judgement on him but the joke possibility alone is enough to make me stay clear of him; I can only handle so much cheese)

We should be able to easily snag 2 of them. But the position is too highly valued for me to see them lasting too far past the 40's(which likely takes them out of range of the Toronto pick).

I am hesitant to put Swiss or Norwegians at the top of my list. I do like Solberg more than Ustinkov but I hesitate to pick them with our first 2 picks along with Uljanskis.

Roberts I have over many on your list
Shuravin
Pulkkainen
Muhonen will move up here
Spencer Gill
Freij

If a Catton Helenius or Lindstrom falls….

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Sett your DVRs for Saginaw versus Ottawa tonight on NHL Network. Saginaw has potential top 10-15 pick Zayne Parekh (and Misa, a top prospect for '25 draft). Ottawa has potential mid-late 1st rounder Mews and Marelli who is maybe 3rd or 4th rounder (they are both D), along with Mayich who was our 6th last year. Other good drafted players in game too.

 

[bleedblue1223]

Parekh's numbers are insane. It would be intriguing if we didn't go with a prototypical top pair guy and had someone that is closer to a Makar/Fox style or even Hughes. I'll be curious who I end up preferring once I focus more on them.

 

[Mike Liut]

Parekh's numbers are insane. It would be intriguing if we didn't go with a prototypical top pair guy and had someone that is closer to a Makar/Fox style or even Hughes. I'll be curious who I end up preferring once I focus more on them.

hes definitely intriguing. I wouldn’t cry if we took him.

 

[MissouriMook]

One thing that has me curious about Parekh is his shooting percentage. His percentage is more like that of a forward - is that because he is consistently shooting from closer in than a typical defenseman, or is his shot that much more dangerous from distance?

 

[bleedblue1223]

One thing that has me curious about Parekh is his shooting percentage. His percentage is more like that of a forward - is that because he is consistently shooting from closer in than a typical defenseman, or is his shot that much more dangerous from distance?

From some scouting reports, all of the above. A good point shot, but also gets involved all over the offensive zone. If we drafted someone like him, it would definitely be high upside, but also a bit of a shift stylistically, which could be a good thing.

 

[Mike Liut]

He doesn’t like to play D, so he’ll fit right in

 

[MissouriMook]

So far, I’m seeing a lot of Erik Karlsson in his game, good and bad. The way he moves in the O zone, kind of like a rover, but also the way he moves the puck to his forwards and how he shoots, but he also seems to often be late getting back. Probably a little more physical than Karlsson, but I haven’t yet seen much of him in his own zone.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

So far, I’m seeing a lot of Erik Karlsson in his game, good and bad. The way he moves in the O zone, kind of like a rover, but also the way he moves the puck to his forwards and how he shoots, but he also seems to often be late getting back. Probably a little more physical than Karlsson, but I haven’t yet seen much of him in his own zone.

Not near as good of a skater but pivots well which is either deceptive or gets his jaw broken too. Just….keep your head up….

I would really like to see how he operates with less time and space. Seems he is never tightly covered.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

Not near as good of a skater but pivots well which is either deceptive or gets his jaw broken too. Just….keep your head up….

I would really like to see how he operates with less time and space. Seems he is never tightly covered.

that is a skill. he is slithery.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

that is a skill. he is slithery.

If ever there was a guy you wish you could get a month for free no hassle returns, then it is him. He can get open space at that level. He’s quick enough there. Will it work against a team that gives a crap defensively? Can he be passable defensively at the next level? He is making strides Rather have such a Home run swing in the second round.

 

[Blueswin]

If it came down to these two options which one would you draft? Parekh or Yakemchuk?

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

If it came down to these two options which one would you draft? Parekh or Yakemchuk?

leaning parekh. he scares me, but passing on him outside of the top 8-10 picks scares me i think more. so still not clear where i will ultimately shake out on him. but lots of season left to see how they continue to evolve.

 

[simon IC]

If it came down to these two options which one would you draft? Parekh or Yakemchuk?

Not really big on either. I want someone who can defend.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Not really big on either. I want someone who can defend.

I agree here. I favor Yakemchuk with size and being on a bad team (no other drafted player on his team other than Tyson Galloway and Carson Wetsch is 3nd best draftable where Parekh’s team has call it 6 drafted players and Michael Misa), but I can’t pass on the forward that may still be there should 4-5 defenders be off the board. May even consider trading down.

Parekh Reminds me of Phil Housely, but not nearly as good of skater (but who is that good?). Watch lots of video yesterday and no question the offense is there elite. He’s not physical and looks very small out there. (His team may just be big smallest guy in all the goal celebrations). Maybe like Housely he could play some forward? I think he would also be a top 3-5 center in this draft. Top 6 center who runs your power play?

 

[kimzey59]

If it came down to these two options which one would you draft? Parekh or Yakemchuk?

Parekh by a country mile.
At worst, he projects as a Torey Krug type PPQB. And there's potential for him to be a lot more.

With Yakemchuk, you're hoping he can shore up his defensive game enough to be a Jacob Trouba type. But I don't see any signs of his defensive game ever getting to that level.

 

[LGB]

Parekh or Buium? Buium seems like the safer option considering the size and higher level of competition faced.