NHL Entry Draft 2024 NHL Draft Talk

[RAFI BOMB]

Interesting to see some footage of him. No clue what the guy analyzing his play is saying though.

 

[Alf Silfversson]

I think serious evaluations have to continue to project players .. Do you think Yakemchuk is a better player than Parekh? Go back to Makar's draft where we had a smaller defensive prospect coming out of the AJHL . How would you evaluate him vs Yakemchuk? or in that draft Cal Foote a 6'3 210 lb RD prospect that has pedigree and projected to be a strong more defensive candidate. To be clear what I am saying at this point is that Parekh is showing the kind of talent that he is worth tracking and giving a serious evaluation on . Need is something to consider but if a scouting staff thinks a player jumps off the page with potential ... much like the Colorado staff must have thought wrt Makar in 2017 even though he was playing in a lesser league and had no real best on best evaluation opportunity. If they needed a more shut down type RD and used need to make their pick they likely don't go with Makar and it would be clear that would have been a mistake. It takes good thorough scouting with lots of situations and elements of their game to make the determination. I think Yakemchuk vs Parekh takes evaluation beyond one is bigger and may have it in him to defend better even when that isn't a strength now.

Wrong again. You just go with the bigger player. They're always better at defense. It's just science.

Seriously though, I haven't really watched Parekh but I've seen Yakemchuk several times live. I really like him as a player. But if someone's rationale for picking a player was that you want better defense, then I think they are barking up the wrong tree with Yakemchuk. He has some really nice tools and skills but he is very far from a surefire shutdown guy in the NHL. In fact the one thing I'd say he struggles at is reading defensive plays/situations.

I'd be happy with Yakemchuk if we're picking 8th to 12th or so, but it won't be because he's a polished defensive player.

 

[aragorn]

I think serious evaluations have to continue to project players .. Do you think Yakemchuk is a better player than Parekh? Go back to Makar's draft where we had a smaller defensive prospect coming out of the AJHL . How would you evaluate him vs Yakemchuk? or in that draft Cal Foote a 6'3 210 lb RD prospect that has pedigree and projected to be a strong more defensive candidate. To be clear what I am saying at this point is that Parekh is showing the kind of talent that he is worth tracking and giving a serious evaluation on . Need is something to consider but if a scouting staff thinks a player jumps off the page with potential ... much like the Colorado staff must have thought wrt Makar in 2017 even though he was playing in a lesser league and had no real best on best evaluation opportunity. If they needed a more shut down type RD and used need to make their pick they likely don't go with Makar and it would be clear that would have been a mistake. It takes good thorough scouting with lots of situations and elements of their game to make the determination. I think Yakemchuk vs Parekh takes evaluation beyond one is bigger and may have it in him to defend better even when that isn't a strength now.

I agree with your assessment of Parekh that he could be another Makar, I also think he will likely be a big pt producer. Yakemchuk IMO seems to have more offence to his game but who knows at the NHL level but IMO is a more all around player who can play in all situations, on the PP or PK. On Bob's list they are 3 spots apart with Parekh in 9th spot & Yakemchuk in 12th spot. It's likely if they want an all around RD, if they want a shutdown RD they can get a good one with one of their other picks (Bost 1st or early 2nd rd pick), I think Yakemchuk is more offensive D & a good PMD. I would still take Levshunov RD over both Parekh & Yakemchuk if he falls to us. They could also fool us & instead of picking a RD could go with a forward given Eiserman, Lindstrom, Demidov & Helenius are all in the top 10 too. It will be interesting to see if the Russians fall as they have in the past at times. Ott should come out of this draft with at least 3 or 4 good players & hopefully they get lucky on one of the later picks, they have 3 in the 4th rd or use them to move up.

 

[BondraTime]

Don't see Makar with Parekh, personally, though have only seen his U18 and 17 games + prospect game, which I legit forgot he was in.

He'll be an offensive guy, but I think he's going to have to improve a large amount to not be a liability everywhere else on the ice at the pro level.

I'd be going elsewhere where he's slated to be picked, quite a few D who I think bring a better pro projection, all 5 would have to be taken for me to look Parekh's way, and quite a few forwards

 

[Hale The Villain]

Parekh scares me. He may have a great wrist shot, but when you're not an elite skater it's very difficult to get shots through.

2022/23 Brandon Montour may be his upside if it all comes together, but he could easily end up being an Adam Boqvist.

Assuming no significant change in drafting philosophy from previous years, he won't be someone we consider where we'll pick.

Levshunov and Yakemchuk, on the other hand, look exactly like the type of D our scouting staff salivates over.

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

lots of D discussion probably because a lack of a good RD has burned this team so badly but might we not need a forward more?

Right now the only elite offensive talent we have is Stutzle, is that enough?

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

I agree with your assessment of Parekh that he could be another Makar, I also think he will likely be a big pt producer. Yakemchuk IMO seems to have more offence to his game but who knows at the NHL level but IMO is a more all around player who can play in all situations, on the PP or PK. On Bob's list they are 3 spots apart with Parekh in 9th spot & Yakemchuk in 12th spot. It's likely if they want an all around RD, if they want a shutdown RD they can get a good one with one of their other picks (Bost 1st or early 2nd rd pick), I think Yakemchuk is more offensive D & a good PMD. I would still take Levshunov RD over both Parekh & Yakemchuk if he falls to us. They could also fool us & instead of picking a RD could go with a forward given Eiserman, Lindstrom, Demidov & Helenius are all in the top 10 too. It will be interesting to see if the Russians fall as they have in the past at times. Ott should come out of this draft with at least 3 or 4 good players & hopefully they get lucky on one of the later picks, they have 3 in the 4th rd or use them to move up.

I am not saying he is another Makar. I used Makar as an example of scouts thinking a prospect jumps off the page. Parekh.. I don't really know what they are thinking on him. He is producing points at a very high rate in the OHL in his draft year and he is being ranked in the top 10 so .. he should get targeted as a prospect to evaluate thoroughly. ( highest scoring rate by a draft-eligible defenseman in the league since Ryan Ellis in 2008-09) Some team likely thinks he's top 10 worthy and takes him there. Bob McKenzie (9) commented that he is an elite skater, shooter and puck mover. HFSens is the 1st place I have seen where someone questions his skating. Back to my original comment. He is worth tracking.

For D Levshunov would be my choice as well. Next would be Silayev for me. Lindstrom and Demidov would both be higher than the rest of the D for me at this point. I think they are top 6 picks along with Dickinson. I would take all of these guys ahead of Helenius, Catton, Eiserman who for me mixed in with Buium , Parekh, Iginla order tbd . Of those forwards I think Helenius deserves the most consideration. I expect the Sens to be picking closer to 10 than 5. Another player I like is Greentree but he is likely outside the top 10 on most lists.

 

[Tuna99]

lots of D discussion probably because a lack of a good RD has burned this team so badly but might we not need a forward more?

Right now the only elite offensive talent we have is Stutzle, is that enough?

St Louis and L.A. won Cups without elite offensive talent so very possible. Could argue Vegas did too last year.

 

[aragorn]

Parekh scares me. He may have a great wrist shot, but when you're not an elite skater it's very difficult to get shots through.

2022/23 Brandon Montour may be his upside if it all comes together, but he could easily end up being an Adam Boqvist.

Assuming no significant change in drafting philosophy from previous years, he won't be someone we consider where we'll pick.

Levshunov and Yakemchuk, on the other hand, look exactly like the type of D our scouting staff salivates over.

Do we know if Staois who will likely have the last word on who gets drafted thinks the same way as the current scouting staff that was put together by Dorion? I would take either of those two RD.

I am not saying he is another Makar. I used Makar as an example of scouts thinking a prospect jumps off the page. Parekh.. I don't really know what they are thinking on him. He is producing points at a very high rate in the OHL in his draft year and he is being ranked in the top 10 so .. he should get targeted as a prospect to evaluate thoroughly. ( highest scoring rate by a draft-eligible defenseman in the league since Ryan Ellis in 2008-09) Some team likely thinks he's top 10 worthy and takes him there. Bob McKenzie (9) commented that he is an elite skater, shooter and puck mover. HFSens is the 1st place I have seen where someone questions his skating. Back to my original comment. He is worth tracking.

For D Levshunov would be my choice as well. Next would be Silayev for me. Lindstrom and Demidov would both be higher than the rest of the D for me at this point. I think they are top 6 picks along with Dickinson. I would take all of these guys ahead of Helenius, Catton, Eiserman who for me mixed in with Buium , Parekh, Iginla order tbd . Of those forwards I think Helenius deserves the most consideration. I expect the Sens to be picking closer to 10 than 5. Another player I like is Greentree but he is likely outside the top 10 on most lists.

Do you have any concern taking a left shot D (Silayev/Dickenson) with Ottawa having four on the roster at the moment & with Kleven & Donovan in the wings? At forward I like Lindstrom & Demidov too & agree on Greentree. Should be interesting.

 

[Wallet Inspector]

With Norris being somewhat of a question mark, I'd want to lean towards getting a forward with our 1st. I still feel like we need another game-breaking forward.

 

[Cosmix]

I think we need a playmaking center and a top 4 RD. BPA would be my choice as our first pick in the draft, and hopefully that would address either one of the two above needs. Perhaps we could fill the other via UFA or trade.

 

[Tuna99]

I think we need a playmaking center and a top 4 RD. BPA would be my choice as our first pick in the draft, and hopefully that would address either one of the two above needs. Perhaps we could fill the other via UFA or trade.

Don’t think we need centers. Aren’t we like 22-2 with Stu, Norris and pinto in the lineup and we also have Greig

 

[Agent Zuuuub]

St Louis and L.A. won Cups without elite offensive talent so very possible. Could argue Vegas did too last year.

All three teams had incredibly deep forward cores though, is ours deep enough especially when Giroux is aging and Tarasenko might be leaving? That is two big blows especially since we also have no real forward prospects in the system we can rely on to be top 6.

We are decently deep, but so are the Sabres and the Devils and the Habs will be too. And we have to think in terms of winning a Stanley cup.

 

[Stutzlaaaa]

Indeed all those winners teams had good depth across the line up but let not pretend they didbt have elite offensive talent with the likes of , Stone, Eichel ect for Vegas, Tarensenko, O'Rielly, Pieterangelo ect. same thing for LA wining team which was stacked.

The more obvious reason for those win , is build from the net and out all those teams had above average goaltending in regular season and exceptionnel plays in playoff too by their goaltending and defense. All those line up had big and well balanced D with a lot of experience .On top of that commitement from a player to support defensive/transition play.

Unfortunatly , the Sens still after 6 years of Rebuild have no legit starter on pipeline , some of it is due for lack of picking goalie high the other reason is a Stupid GM who traded/ lost his good goalie prospects for almost nothing and betting on downhill pro goaltender that team were looking to dump.

In this league you cant compete for shit even with the best roster if your tenders can't stop beach ball or make save at critical moments.
Heck even a team like Tampa who dominated in their prime time with stacked rosters needed Vaselvsky to play out of his mind to get those cups.

Boston is top 3 team this year in the league with an average roster leaded by aging star wingers. but probably the best duo of goaltender in the Nhl.

Am not saying here draft high a goaltender cause I see no point on doing so at this time , obviously we will have to trade for one it might be the best draft to do so.

 

[UglyPuckling]

I'm hoping that the BPA is a talented RD this year. Maybe the stars can align? It's time for something good to happen.

 

[DJB]

Draft BPA don’t get silly like Boucher or enamoured with need for a RD like we did with Lee.

Draft the best player and trade for need. So what if it’s another LD or C we need an infusion of talent

 

[UglyPuckling]

Draft BPA don’t get silly like Boucher or enamoured with need for a RD like we did with Lee.

Draft the best player and trade for need. So what if it’s another LD or C we need an infusion of talent

Sure, BPA. But, there does seem to be a lot of good RD in the draft this year around where we will likely pick (in the top 10). It seems like both BPA & RD align this year and that the BPA would be a RD. That's all that I'm saying.

I'd prefer going the free agent route to address filling a hole this year. We are trying to add and make the team better versus subtracting. The asset cost will be high in a trade for a good RD.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Do we know if Staois who will likely have the last word on who gets drafted thinks the same way as the current scouting staff that was put together by Dorion? I would take either of those two RD.

Do you have any concern taking a left shot D (Silayev/Dickenson) with Ottawa having four on the roster at the moment & with Kleven & Donovan in the wings? At forward I like Lindstrom & Demidov too & agree on Greentree. Should be interesting.

I think Silayev and Dickinson are sufficiently higher level prospects than the RDs after Levshunov. Levshunov fits a need but he fits/ranks right in with those 2 as well and I think both are very strong prospects in their own right and I would rank them in the top 6 at this point. I would take either one vs the RD field after Levshunov . If Silayev or Dickinson some how fall to the Sens .. which I think is unlikely I would not worry about Kleven or Donovan or a log jam in taking one of them. That can get sorted as the younger players are ready to take over bigger roles.

Hockeyprospect.com a good source has Dickinson(3) and Silayev(5) as the highest ranked D. They also rank Buium(10) and Jiricek(11) ahead of Levshunov (12). They have Parekh at 14, Yakemchuk 16

Bob has Silayev(2), Levshunov(3), Dickinson (7), Parekh(9), Yakemchuk(12), Buium (13), Jiricek(14)

Recrutes who I follow a bit as well has Silayev(2), Dickinson (5), Levshunov(6) , Buium (10) ... only shows top 10

Button has Silayev(3), Levshunov(4), Dickinson(7), Parekh (8), Jiricek (9), Buium (11), Yakemchuk (12)

These are all mid term so we should expect some changes. Buium is in or pretty close to the top 10 on these lists

Interesting rank by Hockey Prospect.com on Levshunov. But to me those 3 D are a tier above the others.

 

[Qward]

I would be thrilled with Luvshunov or Helenius

 

[Cosmix]

I'm hoping that the BPA is a talented RD this year. Maybe the stars can align? It's time for something good to happen.

Winning the lottery draw for the first or second pick overall would be sweet!

Don’t think we need centers. Aren’t we like 22-2 with Stu, Norris and pinto in the lineup and we also have Greig

I don't see Norris and Pinto as being top playmaking centres. I would move one of them to the wing, probably Norris if we were to get a top playmaking center.

 

[GCK]

Winning the lottery draw for the first or second pick overall would be sweet!


I don't see Norris and Pinto as being top playmaking centres. I would move one of them to the wing, probably Norris if we were to get a top playmaking center.

I want guys they can play against anyone. The league has changed, you can have wingers that are the playmakers.

 

[Cosmix]

I want guys they can play against anyone. The league has changed, you can have wingers that are the playmakers.

I agree. I want players who can play against anyone; however, 3rd and 4th liners tend to be less skilled and not able to handle the top lines and players of other teams. Yes wingers can be playmakers too. Better playmaking players usually play the center position. I would be ecstatic if we could draft Celebrini and have him play center. I think he and other playmaking players would excel there better than on the wing.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Watched the 1st half of the game Michigan vs Michigan State to check out Levshunov and now watching the 2nd half of the Saginaw - Owen Sound game to check out Parekh.

Small sample and will watch more
Levshunov.. size stands out. Moves well. I questioned a couple of his decisions, They didn't get him into trouble but they ended up as nothing plays. One more risky pass in his end . Had a good read to close the gap . Nothing really stood out.

Parekh was really good. He is slight and is not hard on pucks but he has a good quick stick. He is quick on his feet and joins the rush well. He has the puck a lot. Has slick hands. He can really pass the puck in all 3 zones. Defensively he was fine .. used his stick to create turnovers; was only pressured once in the corner and he got the puck up to his team mate. One high risk play at the Owen sound blue line he tried to beat 2 guys , he beat the 1st lost it to the 2nd and had to chase to the net .. no goal but not a good decision. It OT 3 on3 Parekh had to defend .. a couple times and he stuck right with his man . Once 1 on 1 vs Colby Barlow he stuck with him, kept him to the outside . He ended up with 2 goals and an assist including the game winner in OT. Fun game . The Owen Sound goalie was fantastic. Recommend watching some Saginaw games to check him out.
Parekh still 17, now has 25g and 72 pts in 47 games. He leads his team, one of the top teams in the OHL in scoring , 16 pts over the next highest and is in 5th place in the OHL.

 

[BoardsofCanada]

When looking at Parekh, I immediately thought of another OHL undersized prolific point producer.

Ryan Murphy (b.1993) Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Ryan Murphy, a hockey player from Aurora, ONT born Mar 31 1993 who was active from 2008 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Look at Murphy's draft year. The difference between them however, Murphy had Landeskog. As far as I can tell, Parekh is doing the damage by himself.

It's just so hard to know who's going to adjust to the NHL game and who won't. Parekh is definitely intriguing.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

When looking at Parekh, I immediately thought of another OHL undersized prolific point producer.

Ryan Murphy (b.1993) Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com

Statistics of Ryan Murphy, a hockey player from Aurora, ONT born Mar 31 1993 who was active from 2008 to 2025.

www.hockeydb.com

Look at Murphy's draft year. The difference between them however, Murphy had Landeskog. As far as I can tell, Parekh is doing the damage by himself.

It's just so hard to know who's going to adjust to the NHL game and who won't. Parekh is definitely intriguing.

Murphy finished with 79 pts ; Parekh already has 72 and is projected at 101. Saginaw has a very good team ; Although Parekh leads them in scoring , he isn't doing it alone. Can't really judge by pts. He is among the top U18 OHL D by pts/game in history. Not all of the players on that top 20 list made it. most did; but they are not all created equal.

Its definitely hard to know how they end up. . I am not making any predictions or pounding the table. He is intriguing as you say just the same. I am gong to try to watch him and a couple other D more. It takes a few viewings to see more situations and/or patterns.