GDT: 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Aaaarrgghh]

If there is anything the HFCBJ hive mind is doing, I would say it is discounting Levshunov. Nobody on this board is talking about him at 4 but a lot of national people have him between 2 and 5. I have seen people wanting Buium, Dickinson, and Silayev at 4, and I have seen people say they are cool taking Yakemchuk at 4, but I don’t recall Levshunov getting any love.

Personally I think he might have gotten too much hype too early and believed his own press which hurt him down the stretch, but I am surprised nobody here has thrown his name out there.

I just assumed it's because, after Celebrini, Levshunov is the single most likely player to be gone by pick #4.

 

[majormajor]

If there is anything the HFCBJ hive mind is doing, I would say it is discounting Levshunov. Nobody on this board is talking about him at 4 but a lot of national people have him between 2 and 5. I have seen people wanting Buium, Dickinson, and Silayev at 4, and I have seen people say they are cool taking Yakemchuk at 4, but I don’t recall Levshunov getting any love.

I've said enough negative about Levshunov so I will try and stay out of it if people want to be positive about Levshunov.

Personally I think he might have gotten too much hype too early and believed his own press which hurt him down the stretch, but I am surprised nobody here has thrown his name out there.

My impression is that Lev supporters were not disappointed about his play down the stretch. I haven't heard anything about it, at least.

 

[majormajor]

He gets to pucks and makes great 1st passes, not his fault Vincents system sucks and doesnt use the strengths of some of the defensemen. Id say that skill is tough for forecheckers

You're right. I might have misread that.

But for the record, the part of Yakemchuk's game that is a nightmare for forecheckers is that he is going to hit them back and throw them into the boards. And the part of Severson's game that is a nightmare for forecheckers is that he'll get there first and escape. Severson isn't physical, and Yakemchuk isn't that quick, at least not yet.

 

[tunnelvision]

I'd probably still have Yakemchuk around #5 on my final list. He's just a much better talent than a lot of these other D that are supposed to go ahead of him. He's got more #1 upside in my opinion.

I also see so much 1RD upside in his toolset that that in itself can justify a relatively high ranking. Not sure if he'd the best option at 4 but I'm certainly not ruling him out. I agree with @koteka that it shouldn't be too shocking if the Ducks picked him at #3.

For the Jackets I will have other players I'm more interested in at #4. An issue is that he's very similar to David Jiricek. We don't have to worry about him filling out, he's further along than Jiricek in his strength. A uniquely strong player. But he has similar concerns to Jiricek in his back skating on the rush. He's much more comfortable getting on his toes and breaking up plays but isn't comfortable backing up on his heels.

Does that contradict with your "just take the BPA" principle a little or am I missing something in your line of reasoning?

Jiricek was actually more pro polished in his game sense in his draft year, Yakemchuk still has to learn to pick his spots. You can see in that video he's still trying to dangle guys with a two goal lead in the third period. That's usually something prospects figure out quickly in the pros though, it's really just the back skating that I'm nervous about. We don't need two RD with that same issue.

In addition to this I have questions about his determination, discipline/composure and endurance so for me he's more complicated player to evaluate.

In some defensive plays he shows how well he can read opponent and take the puck away but in other moments the effort just isn't there, and I wonder why. Not struggling to get his feet moving, he's just puck watching there. Could it be more of a conditioning issue or perhaps a lack of mental maturity? How driven and self-aware is he really to improve his weaknesses?

People often get excited when they see a prospect with a mean streak like Yakemchuk who can intimidate and overpower his opponents. I like that too. But still, is he going over the line with some of post-whistle stuff in the games you've seen? Is it concerning? Because no one wants an easily agitated player who always takes dumb penalties at wrong times.

Because of the potential and all risks he has (and unpredictability of the 1st round after #1 pick), Yakemchuk might be one of the most interviewed players at the combine. If there doesn't appear to be too many red flags, lots of teams could be trying to move up to get him.

 

[majormajor]

I also see so much 1RD upside in his toolset that that in itself can justify a relatively high ranking. Not sure if he'd the best option at 4 but I'm certainly not ruling him out. I agree with @koteka that it shouldn't be too shocking if the Ducks picked him at #3.

I've been saying Yakemchuk to the Ducks at #3 since my first viewing.

Does that contradict with your "just take the BPA" principle a little or am I missing something in your line of reasoning?

I think you caught me.

Sort of - I'd have to think it through how committed to BPA I'd be if Yakemchuk was in my top 4. He's just outside that.

In addition to this I have questions about his determination, discipline/composure and endurance so for me he's more complicated player to evaluate.

In some defensive plays he shows how well he can read opponent and take the puck away but in other moments the effort just isn't there, and I wonder why. Not struggling to get his feet moving, he's just puck watching there. Could it be more of a conditioning issue or perhaps a lack of mental maturity? How driven and self-aware is he really to improve his weaknesses?

People often get excited when they see a prospect with a mean streak like Yakemchuk who can intimidate and overpower his opponents. I like that too. But still, is he going over the line with some of post-whistle stuff in the games you've seen? Is it concerning? Because no one wants an easily agitated player who always takes dumb penalties at wrong times.

Because of the potential and all risks he has (and unpredictability of the 1st round after #1 pick), Yakemchuk might be one of the most interviewed players at the combine. If there doesn't appear to be too many red flags, lots of teams could be trying to move up to get him.

There's a lot that I'd love to know more about with Yakemchuk.

With the conditioning - he's a big kid with a noisy stride, that covers a ton of ice at both ends on a team with no other difference makers. I could imagine that his brain oxygen dips from time to time. That or maybe he's thinking about fishing mid shift.

 

[Xoggz22]

Well, the NYR loss resulted in no change to the draft pick for Roslovic. That keeps it a 4th in 2026 in lieu of a 3rd. Still glad to get something for him and after his premium lineup slot on the NYR after the deal, he slid down the lineup and lost ice time as the playoffs moved along. His play wasn't any different with a better team than it was in Columbus. A leopard does not change his spots... Best of luck in his new destination.

 

[LazyCircuits]

Imagine you are in the GM chair at the final draft meeting. What is your personal top four draft board?

1. Celebrini
2. Yakemchuk
3. Silayev
4. Levshunov

I’m putting Levshunov ahead of Lindstom because the injuries frighten me off. I also really like Konsta Helenius but not as much as my top 3.

 

[koteka]

My impression is that Lev supporters were not disappointed about his play down the stretch. I haven't heard anything about it, at least.

I saw a couple of things, maybe you posted one, from late in Michigan State’s season where he looked like he thought he was the best guy on the ice and he made a stupid turnover or got caught out of position and couldn’t get back. The clips were easily correctable mistakes but also kind of stupid mistakes. At least, for his sake, I hope the mistakes were because he thought he was better than everyone else and he will play smarter against tougher competition. But the clips soured me on him a little for our 4 pick.

 

[EspenK]

Imagine you are in the GM chair at the final draft meeting. What is your personal top four draft board?

1. Celebrini
2. Yakemchuk
3. Silayev
4. Levshunov

1. Lindstrom
2. Dickinson
3. Buium
4. Yakemchuk

subject to change if top 3 pickers go brain dead...

 

[koteka]

Personally I've started plotting the "Evan Bouchard career arc" for Jiricek. Forget defense.

So, and I know you are going to hate this, draft Dickinson at 4? Eventually have a pair of Dickinson - Jiricek for 10 years that will be the envy of the league?

My top 3 are Celebrini, Demidov, and Lindstrom, then a big gap, then 7 guys who are really close (Buium Iginla Catton Dickinson Helenius Silayev Yakemchuk Levshunov).

Assuming Celebrini, Demidov, and Lindstrom are gone, I have a huge dilemma if we keep the pick.

On days where I think we can’t mess up this pick, I lean towards Dickinson and Iginla. I don’t think either will be stars, but they have very high floors and look like guys that could eventually be important parts of playoff teams. They also have skills we could use.

On days when I want a guy that could be a true difference maker on his own, I consider Yakemchuk, Silayev, or Catton.

I generally go with the “we cant screw this pick up” line of thinking and lean towards Dickinson or Iginla at 4 if my preferred guys are gone.

Anyway, if you are assuming Jiricek will be a high end offensive guy with no defense, does that make Dickinson more appealing?

 

[GoJackets1]

If there is anything the HFCBJ hive mind is doing, I would say it is discounting Levshunov. Nobody on this board is talking about him at 4 but a lot of national people have him between 2 and 5. I have seen people wanting Buium, Dickinson, and Silayev at 4, and I have seen people say they are cool taking Yakemchuk at 4, but I don’t recall Levshunov getting any love.

Personally I think he might have gotten too much hype too early and believed his own press which hurt him down the stretch, but I am surprised nobody here has thrown his name out there.

I’ve heard bad things about Levshunov’s decision making and positioning. Those are the most egregious issues I don’t want to see when I am taking a defenseman in the top 5. Those are hard things to fix, much harder than any physical trait at least. I’d have to think about it a bit more but frankly, I don’t know if I’d have him in my top 8/10.

 

[koteka]

I’ve heard bad things about Levshunov’s decision making and positioning. Those are the most egregious issues I don’t want to see when I am taking a defenseman in the top 5. Those are hard things to fix, much harder than any physical trait at least. I’d have to think about it a bit more but frankly, I don’t know if I’d have him in my top 8/10.

What is really hard to tell with some of these guys on limited viewing is whether they make a play and get caught out of position because they don’t understand hockey or whether they do understand hockey and they think they are good enough to take a risk and do something that doesn’t work that gets them caught out of position. The first one is hard to fix. The second was is easy to fix.

I have seen a couple of clips of Levshunov where he did something that was not the right move. I tend to think it is because he has read his own press clippings and wanted to make a big play. A lot of high level sports is not making mistakes and capitalizing on the other team’s mistakes. I think he can learn that. Dropping a couple of spots in the draft might be a little humbling and help him learn that.

 

[majormajor]

So, and I know you are going to hate this, draft Dickinson at 4? Eventually have a pair of Dickinson - Jiricek for 10 years that will be the envy of the league?

My top 3 are Celebrini, Demidov, and Lindstrom, then a big gap, then 7 guys who are really close (Buium Iginla Catton Dickinson Helenius Silayev Yakemchuk Levshunov).

Assuming Celebrini, Demidov, and Lindstrom are gone, I have a huge dilemma if we keep the pick.

On days where I think we can’t mess up this pick, I lean towards Dickinson and Iginla. I don’t think either will be stars, but they have very high floors and look like guys that could eventually be important parts of playoff teams. They also have skills we could use.

On days when I want a guy that could be a true difference maker on his own, I consider Yakemchuk, Silayev, or Catton.

I generally go with the “we cant screw this pick up” line of thinking and lean towards Dickinson or Iginla at 4 if my preferred guys are gone.

Anyway, if you are assuming Jiricek will be a high end offensive guy with no defense, does that make Dickinson more appealing?

I tend to think about drafting as mostly about trying to find guys that are better than you can get with a little UFA overpay. We want elite players.

If the guy you draft is about as good as Damon Severson, then that is screwing it up. The game is not just about avoiding busts it's about avoiding average players.

I'm drawn to Dickinson when I think he can be a #2D, and less interested in hearing about him safely being a second pair D.

 

[koteka]

I tend to think about drafting as mostly about trying to find guys that are better than you can get with a little UFA overpay. We want elite players.

If the guy you draft is about as good as Damon Severson, then that is screwing it up. The game is not just about avoiding busts it's about avoiding average players.

I'm drawn to Dickinson when I think he can be a #2D, and less interested in hearing about him safely being a second pair D.

I get that. I want elite players. But is Zeev Buium going to be elite or is he going to be Jack Johnson or Kevin Shattenkirk? Is Catton a low end 1c / high end 2c or is he a 3rd line wing?

One question I have is whether we have the right guys that can make the determination now, especially in a period of transition. There is also the whole development thing, which we both agree hasn’t been good, but hopefully will improve. Anywho, today I am in a high floor Dickinson/Iginla mood. (But I really hope Demidov or Lindstrom falls to us, as I am far more sure they can be elite.)

 

[majormajor]

I get that. I want elite players. But is Zeev Buium going to be elite or is he going to be Jack Johnson or Kevin Shattenkirk? Is Catton a low end 1c / high end 2c or is he a 3rd line wing?

One question I have is whether we have the right guys that can make the determination now, especially in a period of transition. There is also the whole development thing, which we both agree hasn’t been good, but hopefully will improve. Anywho, today I am in a high floor Dickinson/Iginla mood. (But I really hope Demidov or Lindstrom falls to us, as I am far more sure they can be elite.)

Yes I think Buium has substantially more elite upside than Dickinson. Not very close really.

 

[KJ Dangler]

Imagine you are in the GM chair at the final draft meeting. What is your personal top four draft board?

1. Celebrini
2. Yakemchuk
3. Silayev
4. Levshunov

I’m putting Levshunov ahead of Lindstom because the injuries frighten me off. I also really like Konsta Helenius but not as much as my top 3.

Silayev will be a faller come draft day , unless a team just gets hoodwinked on his measurables… I did find it interesting Waddell said in his interview with Marek, if we keep the pick ..

 

[Doggy]

I actually trust the guys in the room to make a great pick based on who is available (not that we have any say). Look at the draft options a different way...

Assuming Celebrini and Levshunov are gone before #4, which player (or two) would you be most disappointed the team does not have an opportunity to consider because they were grabbed in the top three.

IOW, I don't know who the CBJ should pick but I think I would be most disappointed if the scouts and GM don't even get the opportunity to consider Demidov.

 

[Frostybrew]

Imagine you are in the GM chair at the final draft meeting. What is your personal top four draft board?

1. Celebrini
2. Yakemchuk
3. Silayev
4. Levshunov

I’m putting Levshunov ahead of Lindstom because the injuries frighten me off. I also really like Konsta Helenius but not as much as my top 3.

1. Celebrini
2. Demidov
3. Yakemchuk
4. Buium

I jumped Yakemchuk from 12 to 3 on my list. I gotta say I wouldn’t mind Mateychuk and Yakemchuk playing together in the near future.

 

[GoJackets1]

1. Celebrini
2. Demidov
3. Buium
4. Helenius
5. Lindstrom
6. Yakemchuk
7. Parekh
8. Catton
9. Levshunov
10. Dickinson
11. Iginla
12. Silayev

6-10 are pretty much all interchangeable here. As are Helenius and Lindstrom. Today is the first time I looked into Parekh and his numbers are certainly very intriguing. But I don’t think that kind of player is the right fit for us at the moment.

My main comment is that it’s hard for me to understand why Helenius isn’t talked about in a more similar manner to Leo Carlsson last year. I know Liiga is considered a slightly easier league, and Helenius is smaller, but is that really it? He’s elite defensively and had one of the best ever draft eligible seasons in that league offensively as well. When you combine that with his hockey sense being his best trait, it’s baffling to me that he’s being ranked closer to the 10-12 range than the 3-6 range. Is it just his size lowering his ranking?

 

[CBJWerenski8]

 

[CBJx614]

I wonder if there's serious concerns about Lindstroms ability to stay healthy?

I'm fine with Buium at 4.

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

My top four right now is:
1. Celebrini
2. Demidov
3. Lindstrom/Buium

Obviously, if Lindstrom's injuries are too much of a concern, he's out. It'll be interesting to see what is said following the combine.

I'd be ecstatic with either one of those (one of them is less likely than the others) at #4. I'd be perfectly fine with Levshunov and Catton too. I can probably learn to like Dickinson, Silayev, Helenius or Yakemchuk as well.

In summary, I can probably convince myself to like whoever they pick.

 

[Doggy]

I wonder if there's serious concerns about Lindstroms ability to stay healthy?

I'm fine with Buium at 4.

I know I am concerned about his back issues. I don't want another Ryan Murray...especially with a #4OA pick. I am also fine with Buium at #4 but wonder if we could be getting too much redundancy on the back end.

Scott has been higher on Eiserman than other prospect experts. He makes me nervous as well and am glad he's not really adoption in the top five.

 

[Xoggz22]

Don't get the Eiserman love. He's a one trick pony with, to me, a lot of warts. He's got bust written all over him at that point - for me.

 

[CBJx614]

I know I am concerned about his back issues. I don't want another Ryan Murray...especially with a #4OA pick. I am also fine with Buium at #4 but wonder if we could be getting too much redundancy on the back end.

No such thing. Provorov will be gone, by the time Buium makes the NHL, Werenski could be on the back half of his deal and while Svozil and Mateychuk look good, there's no guarantee they ever make the NHL let alone solidify themselves in the top 4.. and if they have well we'll be in a good position to package someone for a need.

Not to mention look how bad things can get with one or two injuries on the backend...