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

[Darkstar]

I mean I don’t even know.

Probably Levshunov. Just chasing the upside. I like Demidov’s blend of talent and he does work hard. Drives play, drives the middle. MHL and Russia probably drive me away. Similar story on Silayev.

Catton probably starts at 3 or 4 for me. Just really depends on how much risk you’re willing to take.

I think the pick at 2 is either Lindstrom or Silayev, based on their upside.

 

[TLEH]

I think the pick at 2 is either Lindstrom or Silayev, based on their upside.

Yeah I fully understand you need the upside at the upper part of the draft I just think both guys have much wider variety of outcomes than most guys you’d take 2nd.

 

[Chuck Testa]

Hawks in dead last now.

 

[TLEH]

Yeah that would be Catton's ceiling

He’s really close to Cristall’s scoring, plays center and skates way better. He might not as be as dynamic a scorer but he’s a better hockey player. Yet you love Cristall and ranked him over Leo Carlsson but don’t like Catton. It’s odd.

People are always going to miss on guys, I'm not using that example as a reason to rub it in your face, I'm just wondering how you like one guy so much but not the other.

 

[Idionym]

2024 NHL Draft prospects: Corey Pronman's midseason ranking

Corey Pronman ranks the 2024 NHL Draft class at the midseason mark — a class of prospects he continues to warm up to.

theathletic.com

Pronman's top 10:

Celebrini
Silayev
Yakemchuk(!)
Lindstrom
Levshunov
Catton
Dickinson
Demidov
Eiserman
Parekh

 

[WarriorofTime]

I’ve only seen Silyaev play once and it’s tough to see clear with on a hockey stream.

Hopefully some good scouts in Russia. D in the system are good but by drafting none in ‘23, I wouldn’t it’s *not* a need to keep the system refreshed as all the ones now in pro matriculate.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Seeing all the draft lists that oogle at the kids that are like 1.33-1.67 in the WHL for first round value really puts how insane Bedard’s >2.5 PPG last season in that league was. Thank god the Hawks got him.

 

[clydesdale line]

2024 NHL Draft prospects: Corey Pronman's midseason ranking

Corey Pronman ranks the 2024 NHL Draft class at the midseason mark — a class of prospects he continues to warm up to.

theathletic.com

Pronman's top 10:

Celebrini
Silayev
Yakemchuk(!)
Lindstrom
Levshunov
Catton
Dickinson
Demidov
Eiserman
Parekh

Wow he's even higher on Yakemchuk than I am and thats been my favorite defenseman in this draft for months. I wouldn't draft him with our pick no matter if we dropped to 3-4 but I would somehow love to nab him with the Tampa pick (which is looking more and more like a trade up scenario).

I'm going to say this now. I think Connelly is going to be on the Blackhawks "do not draft" list. They have really been no nonsense in their approach as an organization. Can't see them drafting a kid with character concerns at all no matter how long ago it was or the "boys will be boys" stuff.

I also think if they will look really hard at Elick with the Tampa pick if the rest of the D guys are gone (I doubt he'll be there with their second round pick. GMs always get a hard on for big RHD who can skate and will draft immediately).

 

[TLEH]

Remember when we thought we might get Yak with Tampa's pick lmfao. Both went the opposite way. Tampa playing better and Yak moving up boards.

Seeing all the draft lists that oogle at the kids that are like 1.33-1.67 in the WHL for first round value really puts how insane Bedard’s >2.5 PPG last season in that league was. Thank god the Hawks got him.

Nate Danielson put up 1.15 in his draft year and went 9th in a good draft. I'm happy about Bedard too but nothing wrong with scoring 1.5 PPG+ in your draft year.

 

[hawksfan50]

From Hawks point of view obvious we take Celebrini if we pick at #1.

At #2 Choose between Cayden Lindstrom and Ivan Demkdov...

Lots of reasons it will not be Denidov even if you believe he is 2nd best forward after Celebrini...

i) Chicago has never been a Russian shop.

Ii) KD will not risk the extra long wait for Demidov that could keep him in Russia ...Putin has threatened to put in a law preventing young Russians drafted by NHL from leaving till a certain age ..maybe for 4,5, or 6 years after NHL drafts them..it is too risky for KD to takany Russian with an early first rounder...Maybe he risks on a Russian with the 2nd of Hawks' picks in round 1 ..butI do not takesha Russian till round 2 if any...so that means if we draft at #2 he will take Cayden Lindstrom ....

At #3 or#4 or#5 if we draft in one of those spots,IF Lindstrom off the bopards he will grab 1 of the 3 top RD (since we woukd have missed out on the top 2 Ceter targets)..

RIGHT SHOT dmen are more coveted than LD anyway by most NHL teams...Ivdo notcthink Hawks take LD (Sam Dickinson or Zeev Buuim when 3 top RD who are all top 12 talents present themselves up for grabs...
So he will (if not ibsane( takectgevioortubitycto add 1 of Zaybe Parek,Carter Yakenchuk or Artyom Levshunov...In such a scenario I would take then in that order...but would be fine if he chose any of them as ot is a need for the pipeline as we only have Rinzel coming down tgecriad from that side as a potential top 4dman (replacing Murphy(...Not sure Rinzel is 1st pair ceiling byway...but Parekh ,Yakemchuk and Levshunov all have 1RD potential .

Now...as to our TB pick in roubd 1....probably early 20s but if TB slips a bit in standibgs by finish line maybe it drops to late teens..

The disaster would be if the get to EC Final ...then the pick would be 29-32...

So late teens to early 20s targets?

No way Tij Iginla or Liam Greentree last ygat long...

So possibly ANDREW BASHA LW (Medicibe Hat )
who checks off the great skater box and many other boxes I think KD would like ...

Especialky if we drafted Lindstrom earlier...then you get an already proven chemistry as the duo are on the same line in Medicine Hat...

OR KD might gamble on the most intriguing prospect in the draft on whom scouts are all over the map as to where to rank him =Big 6'7 210 lb C Dean Letourneau ...

Bob Mckenzie ranks him at #32 but says a few scouts he talked to have hin in the 15-20 range and some scouts he talked to have hin more in the mid to katex2bdxroubd intob3rdcorxeven 4th roubd range...It is clear nobody has a handle on where to properly rank him...the main reason is he is just a prep.school (St.Andrews College in Aurora Ontario) level player.
...so it is always a big risk projecting from level...Very few H.S/Prep School stars go as first rounders.. But It happens. RINZELwas a late 1st .. so itvis conceivable.

However. At this mid-term stage there are wide differences of opinion on Letourneau ...Scouts will use his remainder of the season to determine his final l ranking...He could be a riser to mid -first tovesrlyv20s or fall back to mid to latex2nd ir later...

Scouting all agree on his shot and skill level ....I have found differing opinions on his skating...some think onl B level not A level...others say he has a powerful stride that leads to a lot of break-aways (it is true that a Big hulking guy like who takes such long strides may not appear to be going as fast as smaller guys( but sone scouts question whether he gets
as many break-aeays at the next level (he is Boston College commit)....
It does not look like from his stats that he is only a shooter ....he does seem to get asists too ...so it is hard to understand some scouts who question his processing and play creation except if he is set up by others for a shot or a chance created by his own solo break-away efforts..

The the hardest thing to figure out is the vastly differen views on his physical play ...some scouts see him as a him as a physical player pointing out crushing hits and others see him as not very physical (as Bob Mckenzie has stated).

So when Mckenzie stated scoutsxarexalk over the map on him....either it means nobody has had enough views to form the right opinion or that the player maybe can check alk tge boxes but has nit been consistent in application.

There is also theold adage about really Big guys time to catch up with their big frames...

So scouts will have eyes on him the rest of the season...He could rise or r fall or stay where he is at end of round one to early 40s consideration .m

Do not know Hawks scouts views on him ..but he is so intriguing with that size and skill that one must at least consider taking the risk in the likely early 20s...He doninates at Prep School level..but you need to ask if you can risk on that translating to an impact player at the NCAaAthen pro level..

I would take the risk for our 2nd pick of round one...I just think some teams also will take that risk late teens to end of round one ....would love he lasts to our 1st selection of round two ...but I do not think he will still be on the board..


Anyway split opinion on hilm NOW
.but close watch rest of season to determine a final consensus ranking range for him.

 

[Putt Pirate]

If we drop to say 3/4 I would not be surprised if we trade down a few spots. So many Russians and questions after 1 kind of leads me that way.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Remember when we thought we might get Yak with Tampa's pick lmfao. Both went the opposite way. Tampa playing better and Yak moving up boards.


Nate Danielson put up 1.15 in his draft year and went 9th in a good draft. I'm happy about Bedard too but nothing wrong with scoring 1.5 PPG+ in your draft year.

Not saying there’s anything wrong with it. Just that it puts Bedard’s production into context of how insane it was.

 

[bwanajamba]

If we drop to say 3/4 I would not be surprised if we trade down a few spots. So many Russians and questions after 1 kind of leads me that way.

I can't remember, when was the last time a trade-down was actually executed in the top 5? The Blackhawks have such a dearth of high end talent and so many accumulated assets already that I can't see that being worth it. They will almost assuredly have at least five names they'll be happy with going into the draft right?

 

[Kevin Musto]

He’s really close to Cristall’s scoring, plays center and skates way better. He might not as be as dynamic a scorer but he’s a better hockey player. Yet you love Cristall and ranked him over Leo Carlsson but don’t like Catton. It’s odd.

People are always going to miss on guys, I'm not using that example as a reason to rub it in your face, I'm just wondering how you like one guy so much but not the other.

Cristall is more talented.

He thinks the game at a much higher level.

 

[clydesdale line]

San Jose plays Anaheim tonight. One of those teams has to win so the Hawks will separate themselves regardless from either team. Let's hope tonight's game goes to OT.

 

[Castle8130]

It's looking like Silayev is the consensus #2 amongst most lists right now. Mckenzie and Pronman use NHL execs and scouts to make their lists. I really don't think he is a good fit on the Hawks. We have so many players that play his style (the Rangey mobile defenders with limited offensive upside).

I hope we don't draft Connelly. From the off-ice concerns and the temper tantrums he has in games have been giving me some major red flags. I don't want to deal with a PLD type of scenario.


With the Tampa pick we can do just about anything. We could go small forward again or shoot for some size up front like Emil Hemming or Chernyshov. For defensemen we can grab a Lukas Fischer or Jiricek (depending where we pick). That pick has some range to it.

Also, our 33rd-35th oa pick is basically another 1st because it's so early. We can get ourselves an EJ Emery or Lucas Pettersson. Both players with some upside

 

[kmwtrucks]

If we drop to say 3/4 I would not be surprised if we trade down a few spots. So many Russians and questions after 1 kind of leads me that wa

If we drop to say 3/4 I would not be surprised if we trade down a few spots. So many Russians and questions after 1 kind of leads me that way.

I dont see us trading down at 3 or 4. KD seems to have a certain type of player he likes. Arytom, Silayev, Lindstrom I would guess he would take one of those. size and skating.

 

[CallMeShaft]

It's looking like Silayev is the consensus #2 amongst most lists right now. Mckenzie and Pronman use NHL execs and scouts to make their lists. I really don't think he is a good fit on the Hawks. We have so many players that play his style (the Rangey mobile defenders with limited offensive upside).

I hope we don't draft Connelly. From the off-ice concerns and the temper tantrums he has in games have been giving me some major red flags. I don't want to deal with a PLD type of scenario.


With the Tampa pick we can do just about anything. We could go small forward again or shoot for some size up front like Emil Hemming or Chernyshov. For defensemen we can grab a Lukas Fischer or Jiricek (depending where we pick). That pick has some range to it.

Also, our 33rd-35th oa pick is basically another 1st because it's so early. We can get ourselves an EJ Emery or Lucas Pettersson. Both players with some upside

I wouldn't hate Silayev. He plays a lot on the right side at least. Not my first choice at that spot, but I would be fine with that pick.

A pair of Vlasic and him would cover a lot of ice.

 

[TLEH]

It's looking like Silayev is the consensus #2 amongst most lists right now. Mckenzie and Pronman use NHL execs and scouts to make their lists. I really don't think he is a good fit on the Hawks. We have so many players that play his style (the Rangey mobile defenders with limited offensive upside).

I hope we don't draft Connelly. From the off-ice concerns and the temper tantrums he has in games have been giving me some major red flags. I don't want to deal with a PLD type of scenario.


With the Tampa pick we can do just about anything. We could go small forward again or shoot for some size up front like Emil Hemming or Chernyshov. For defensemen we can grab a Lukas Fischer or Jiricek (depending where we pick). That pick has some range to it.

Also, our 33rd-35th oa pick is basically another 1st because it's so early. We can get ourselves an EJ Emery or Lucas Pettersson. Both players with some upside

Like Emery. Rangy guy and can skate. Not a lot of offensive upside but athletic right shot PK guys go high too.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Emery would be a wonderful top of the second pick. If he has a good U18s I wouldn’t be surprised if he fell out of range as a late first type.

 

[TheFridge]

He’s really close to Cristall’s scoring, plays center and skates way better. He might not as be as dynamic a scorer but he’s a better hockey player. Yet you love Cristall and ranked him over Leo Carlsson but don’t like Catton. It’s odd.

People are always going to miss on guys, I'm not using that example as a reason to rub it in your face, I'm just wondering how you like one guy so much but not the other.

Catton is the far more dynamic scorer. Cristall beats you with his hands and brain. Catton beats you in different ways.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I wouldn't hate Silayev. He plays a lot on the right side at least. Not my first choice at that spot, but I would be fine with that pick.

A pair of Vlasic and him would cover a lot of ice.

That would suffocate most lines in the NHL

 

[TLEH]

Catton is the far more dynamic scorer. Cristall beats you with his hands and brain. Catton beats you in different ways.

Dynamic in a sense that he’s more of a head fake and shoulder fake quick hands guy than Catton. I think Catton can be that guy, but it isn’t his go to.

That would suffocate most lines in the NHL

A big LD with questionable puck skills going Top 5 just tells me what I already knew. This draft is still ass and it’s Celebrini or hope you get lucky

 

[Larmer83]

A big LD with questionable puck skills going Top 5 just tells me what I already knew. This draft is still ass and it’s Celebrini or hope you get lucky

At this point, with limited viewing of most of the 2024 draft class, I have a difficult time seeing Silayev as a top pairing defensemen. Those "questionable" puck skills that you mentioned becomes apparent to me when he's being pressured on short passes to his wingers.

I get the size and skating combo being intriguing while playing against men. But seeing him rated #2 or #3 on some boards leaves me puzzled.

 

[Kevin Musto]

At this point, with limited viewing of most of the 2024 draft class, I have a difficult time seeing Silayev as a top pairing defensemen. Those "questionable" puck skills that you mentioned becomes apparent to me when he's being pressured on short passes to his wingers.

I get the size and skating combo being intriguing while playing against men. But seeing him rated #2 or #3 on some boards leaves me puzzled.

It's because you're not projecting.

Nobody is placing Silayev at #2 because of what he is now.