2024 NHL Draft Thread - Upd: Draft Lottery is May 7th

[MTU34]

How bad is Eiserman outside of his goal scoring abilites? Good size, skates well, great hands and elite shot/production and on paper seems like a great running mate for Bedard. Ive never watched him play, is it hockey IQ? Low motor?

also if we pick Parekh high in the first because of his mobility i am going to lose faith forever in this regime

Eiserman really isn’t all that great outside of the shot/goal scoring. Now obviously that’s the most valuable thing you can do in hockey, but he’s just so one dimensional. Normally not a guy I’d be thrilled about taking in the top 3/5 but I really don’t love this class outside of Celebrini

 

[TLEH]

Didn’t even make camp as a DE because of his lack of all around game. There are definitely problems with it.

 

[Sinbad]

I agree with the sentiment. I want size. I love Bedard and Nazar, but we need to put some bigger bodies around them.

Some more D would be nice too.

I think you have to stick with BPA, you can always move pieces after the fact for size.

 

[Sinbad]

Catton with a SH goal and then a great pass with the goalie pulled. 3 Point night for him, SH Goal and two primary assists. Spokane does nothing without him.

Lindstrom for a big guy, is soft. I watch him and Basha does all the work.

Catton was outstanding at the Hlinka-Gretzky and is backing it up with a strong season, even though he is another smallish forward I would easily take him if he was the BPA. To pass him over for someone just because of size would be a mistake in my opinion.

 

[TLEH]

Catton was outstanding at the Hlinka-Gretzky and is backing it up with a strong season, even though he is another smallish forward I would easily take him if he was the BPA. To pass him over for someone just because of size would be a mistake in my opinion.

I've watched no less than 7 of his games so far this year and he makes that team go. (They still suck). He's in on over 43% of their goals.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I've watched no less than 7 of his games so far this year and he makes that team go. (They still suck). He's in on over 43% of their goals.

Spokane sucks. Been trying to watch Catton, but they never have control of the puck lol.

 

[TLEH]

Spokane sucks. Been trying to watch Catton, but they never have control of the puck lol.

They are terrible. Even his linemates are terrible.

 

[crazyhawk]

They are terrible. Even his linemates are terrible.

Well he and Bedard will have some bonding common ground once Catton is a Hawk!
They will then very much appreciate each other along with Nazar and company as they move into the category of contenders.

 

[Castle8130]

Catton is like the Zach Benson of this draft, except he has good skating

 

[hawksfan50]

2 new December rankings fronDobber and Recruits.com(Grant McCagg):

Dobber:

1.Macklim Celebrini c
2.Ivan Demidov C
3.Sam Dickinson LD
4.Zayne Parekh RD
5..Cole Eiserman RW
6.Konsta Helenius C
7.Berkly Catton C/LW
8.M.Brandsegg-Nygaard
9.Anton Sillayev LD
10.Cayden Lindstrom C
They say 6-11 coukd be of similar value.. I am notcsure but I think they have Luke Misa C at #11

Grant McCagg (Recruits.com):

1.Macklin Celebrini C
2.Anton Silayev LD
3.Cayden Lindstrom C
4.Artyom Levshunov RD
5.Konsta Helenius C
6.Ivan Demidov C
7.Cole Eiserman RW
8.Zayne Parekh RD
9.Trevor Connelly LW
10.Tij Iginla LW/C
11 Sam Dickinson LD
12. Jiricek RD


McCagg says not a lot of separation between 2 and 8 ...and 9-12 coukd move up by year end.


So O think we get an idea of top 12-14 from these 2 lists...only consensus is Celenrini going #1.

My own ranking would now be:

1. Macklin Celebrini C
2.Cayden Lindstrom C
3.Zane Parek RD
4.Artyom Levshunov RD
5. Konsta Helenius C
6.Ivan Demidov C
7..Cole Eiserman RW
8.Tij Iginla LW/C
9.Carter Yakemchuk RD
10.iAnton Silayev LD
11.Sam Dickinson LD

My list is considering both Hawks position needs and BPA where there may not be much differing value in projecting impact and success to make a difference (after Celebrini who is consensus BPA).

Obviously Dobber loves Zayne Parekh's potential...he may set a record for points by anOHL dman that has not ben seemsobce tge days of Ryan Ellis...Parekh is a terrific skater who controls the attack at high speed and agility.. We are talking supreme talent on offense and ability to control pucks around checkers to create scoring plays ...we are talking of a talent to impact attack scoring like Quinn Hughes and Cale Makarov.. He is that talented to control tge play offensively....there were concerns about his defensive game last season... and at the beginning of this season when he was onnice for 24 goals Gains in his first 10 games played...but since he has vastly improved both hisxfefensiveceffort and his attention to detail such that in last 10GP only force 9 goals against...if he lkeepsvon improving on that trend the rest of this season he should be the #1dman taken this draft. YES he isconlyv6'0 but nobody is complaining today about Quinn Hughes or Cale Makar who are small offensive superstars but who play some good defense now after concerns about that aspect when drafted..
McCagg says Parekh (who he has 8th but says could rise as high as #3 if this improved defending version persists to season end) and whom Dobber already has put at #4 given the talent projection,is so sku high upholds my own viewxtgat Parekh coukd be something very special in driving a team's scoring and running a successful Pp.


HOWEVER..Hawks still requiren my view a Big Center for the 2nd line who checks all the boxes..

Skating check..Big physical play check ..Goal scoring check...transition scoring check...3 zone play check...Hec is a complete package...passing maybe just good but not exceptional ..but tgevoiwrrxand skating and shot are all there...It is so hard to find Big Centers who bring all these qualities so that if we do not land Celebrini I think we need to target Lindstrom next.

I f we do not getcactip 2 pick,I do not think KD will go Russian or to anotger smaller center ...so I think no to Demidiv or Helenius despite their talent...
So if we only get the #3 or #4pick...I think then we must add a RD ...Levshunov brings size and hoodcoffebse and a great shot (which he shoukd be using more)..His defense at the NCAA level has removed some fears this might be a concern...
He has made a good transition to the NCAA from tgecUSHL level...
He can be a #1 RD with sone good size at 6'2 ...

But I think Parekh could be an even bigger difference-naker to impacting tge Hawks offensive ouput...

So if we miss out on Celebrini or Lindstrom with the top 2 picks ,then I woukd take Parekh or Levshunov at #3 and#4?respectively..

It is so hard imagining the Hawks getting bumped down beliw #4 but from #5on it is a questionn that I do not know who KD will take ...maybe he trades down and we take Tij Iginla and get an extra 2nd for moving down.?

I think we Need a Big scoribg threat but all zone C for our 2C and we need a RD to impact our offense and run a successful PP.

These should be priorities..
We could move down if sonehow we fragted below #4 and still get Yakemchuk (RD) or power forward Iginla later in top ten and get an extrax2nd if a team is desperate at #5or#6or#7 to land Demidov Helenius s or or a big LD in Silayev or Dickinson..

 

[Kevin Musto]

Catton is like the Zach Benson of this draft, except he has good skating

Benson was more of a buzzsaw. More versatile in his projection imo.

 

[TLEH]

I think Benson and Catton are similar though. Catton battles along the way and strips pucks in a similar fashion. Not quite as dogged as Benson, but has a bit better size.

Personally just don't see it at all with Parekh. Reminds me of Boqvist and another guy said Ryan Murphy and that checks for me too.

Something I do agree on is Eiserman.

 

[ello]

I think Benson and Catton are similar though. Catton battles along the way and strips pucks in a similar fashion. Not quite as dogged as Benson, but has a bit better size.

Personally just don't see it at all with Parekh. Reminds me of Boqvist and another guy said Ryan Murphy and that checks for me too.

Something I do agree on is Eiserman.

Deangelo, Boqvist, Gostisbhere, etc. Parekh is literally as bad as you can get defensively. There’s no spots for dmen like that on contenders. Maybe draft and convert him to a winger lol

 

[Kevin Musto]

I think Benson and Catton are similar though. Catton battles along the way and strips pucks in a similar fashion. Not quite as dogged as Benson, but has a bit better size.

Personally just don't see it at all with Parekh. Reminds me of Boqvist and another guy said Ryan Murphy and that checks for me too.

Something I do agree on is Eiserman.

Parekh is a specific kind of player. You kind of have to build a system around him instead of the other way around.

So depending on which team drafts him, it could work, or it ends up disastrous.

Personally I'm not keen on drafting guys that are limited to hyper specific roles or situations.

 

[TLEH]

Parekh is a specific kind of player. You kind of have to build a system around him instead of the other way around.

So depending on which team drafts him, it could work, or it ends up disastrous.

Personally I'm not keen on drafting guys that are limited to hyper specific roles or situations.

Also his dad tried to buy Windsor to get his brother to play with him. Not exactly sold on that type of upbringing lol

 

[Kevin Musto]

Also his dad tried to buy Windsor to get his brother to play with him. Not exactly sold on that type of upbringing lol

lol I had no idea

Definite potential for character issues there

 

[Castle8130]

I think Benson and Catton are similar though. Catton battles along the way and strips pucks in a similar fashion. Not quite as dogged as Benson, but has a bit better size.

Personally just don't see it at all with Parekh. Reminds me of Boqvist and another guy said Ryan Murphy and that checks for me too.

Something I do agree on is Eiserman.

To be honest I kind of like Parekh lol. Reminds me of Zach Werenski. Real natural dynamic skater, offensively gifted, and great shot. He is a little undersized, but I've seen some 1st step explosiveness form him that I think could develop nicely. Usually 1st step explosiveness helps undersized players a ton. On the defensive side of the puck he isn't amazing, but I don't think it's that bad. He has a good general understanding of the game on both sides of the ice

 

[Sinbad]

Parekh is a specific kind of player. You kind of have to build a system around him instead of the other way around.

So depending on which team drafts him, it could work, or it ends up disastrous.

Personally I'm not keen on drafting guys that are limited to hyper specific roles or situations.

I haven’t really watched Patel all that much, is his skill set similar to Karlsson?

 

[hawksfan50]

Look...Hawks PpPstinks because of no real pp qb...nobody realky can control the puck and puck possession to enable giidcscoring chances
..

Parekh solves that...both on the zone entry and the puck possession to get it to bettercshoitingblanesx..not by mere passing as Kk tries...but by actual puck carrying toil the defensive checkersget thrown off their structure nd get out of position.. You arectakokng Makar or Quinn Hughes anility to ocontrol the puck and the play..He is an elite offensive.weapon both on the Pp and in transition on5x5..

Defense was a concern..Hexwas not good defending last season norxat tgexstart of thisxseason ..but in tge kastx10 games hisxteam has pkayed he is pkaying much much better defensively..So you can see a recognition that he had to improve on that area and you can see he has been working hard to improve ...Part of tge problem with smaller dmen at a young age is sheer lack of strength nutcase they mature tgeirvbodiesxadd sone weight and muscle and if they have tgexwill tgey can get better in defending ...Anyway Parekh has the skating ability not just to beca puck mover and directorvofvthevokay..but tobckosecon attackersx.andxstymiecatracks. He just needed to put in the hard work and effort abd ficus that defending requires.. An imorivenentvovervlastx19ngamescisxa small sample but it signals greater willingness to engage defensively..

The reason so many scouts now moved him up into the top ten orceven too 5 now is that they believe he now has shown the willingness to try improving his defensive game..IIF that keeps up the rest of this season tgen he easily isxa very worthy top 3-8 pick...

 

[Castle8130]

A couple things I noticed about this draft class;

- A lot of well-rounded players, but very few elite playmakers. The only high-level playmakers in the 1st round are Demidov, Basha, Catton, and maybe Parascak. Usually there are at least 8 players that are borderline 1st rounders with high-level playmaking skills.

- The forwards in this draft class don't have too many flaws. There are a few that stick out to me, but usually a majority of them have pretty obvious flaws. This group seems to be less flawed.

- There is a ton of potential for 1st round defensemen, but they all have obvious flaws. Basically the opposite of the forward crop in this draft, the defensemen are similar to 2023's forward group. There is a lot of potential, but they have glaring issues that teams will have to gamble on.

 

[Chuck Testa]

I'll be all teeth if the Hawks come out of this 2024 draft with Celebrini and a stud defenseman with the Tampa pick

 

[Kevin Musto]

- A lot of well-rounded players, but very few elite playmakers. The only high-level playmakers in the 1st round are Demidov, Basha, Catton, and maybe Parascak. Usually there are at least 8 players that are borderline 1st rounders with high-level playmaking skills.

I haven't watched all of the projected 1st rounders yet, but the best playmaker I've seen so far is Nikita Artamonov

 

[Castle8130]

I haven't watched all of the projected 1st rounders yet, but the best playmaker I've seen so far is Nikita Artamonov

Pretty big fan of Artamonov. My top 14 players looks something like this;

1. Celebrini
2. Lindstrom
3. Levshunov
4. Demidov
5. Artamonov
6. Helenius
7. Catton
8. Parekh
9. Eiserman (haven't seen him as much)
10. Silayev
11. Hemming
12. Basha
13. Brandsegg-nygard
14. Iginla
-----------

A top my honorable mentions would be Dickinson
15. Dickinson

2-10 to me is really up in the air. Silayev could easily be my #2 oa player. 11-14 can climb pretty high too, but I felt they are a little behind the top 10. From 15-25ish there is a ton of promise as well. I think the depth of the draft is pretty solid.

 

[Kevin Musto]

Pretty big fan of Artamonov. My top 14 players looks something like this;

1. Celebrini
2. Lindstrom
3. Levshunov
4. Demidov
5. Artamonov
6. Helenius
7. Catton
8. Parekh
9. Eiserman (haven't seen him as much)
10. Silayev
11. Hemming
12. Basha
13. Brandsegg-nygard
14. Iginla
-----------

A top my honorable mentions would be Dickinson
15. Dickinson

2-10 to me is really up in the air. Silayev could easily be my #2 oa player. 11-14 can climb pretty high too, but I felt they are a little behind the top 10. From 15-25ish there is a ton of promise as well. I think the depth of the draft is pretty solid.

We actually have similar lists so far. I just haven't gotten around to watching Eiserman and Basha (outside of focusing on Lindstrom play) yet so I don't have them ranked.

Although I'm not as high on Parekh. And I actually do have Silayev as my #2 right now just for the "what if" factor.

EDIT: I don't see Jiricek on your list. Don't like him, or haven't watched him yet?

 

[Castle8130]

We actually have similar lists so far. I just haven't gotten around to watching Eiserman and Basha (outside of focusing on Lindstrom play) yet so I don't have them ranked.

Although I'm not as high on Parekh. And I actually do have Silayev as my #2 right now just for the "what if" factor.

EDIT: I don't see Jiricek on your list. Don't like him, or haven't watched him yet?

Two guys that gave me a bad first impression were Chernyshov and Jiricek. More-so Chernyshov

Jiricek is a guy I have in the tier starting with Dickinson. He's got a nice frame, but I was unimpressed with his acceleration and strength. I know he plays in a mens league at a young age, but I expected to see more from him. He is a smooth skater that has a nice offensive touch, but I'm not certain his competitive drive is as good as some of the other players I have listed.