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2024 NHL Draft: WE DID IT, CELEBRINI IS OURS!!!

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coooldude said:
Speaking for myself, there's absolutely no way my being right or wrong is more important than the team succeeding. Two notable examples that are relevant are Pavs (I thought we should let him walk, because at the time it seemed like he was due for falling off a cliff, whoops) and Smith himself (I got convinced that he was the right choice at 4 because of all the uncertainty around Michkov, he still might have been the right choice but he's clearly not a top tier prospect at this point, just a very good one).

Look, you can believe two things at the same time: He's only 18, he's going to turn the corner, and he's got a bright future ahead of him, AND, he's not on the level of Hughes, Fantilli, Carlsson, Michkov, possibly Benson, and others. The top prospects make the NHL or tear it up in the leagues they stay in. There are late bloomers we can point to, and maybe Smith is one of those, which would be amazing... but it's less and less likely. He needs to be tearing up the NCAA as a freshman to be a true top prospect (see: Fantilli), rather than just a very, very good one.
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I also dont think Will Smith is a Hughes/Fantilli level prospect. Personally i think hes a Marner level guy, which is still a tier below, but still an A level prospect, just not an A+.

I also wouldnt call Smith a potential "late bloomer". Hes a guy who dominated competition last year, and it wasnt like he was a 6'4 220lb kid who was able to impose himself at will against competition 50lbs lighter. Late bloomers tend to be guys who never really produced but have some tools and then take off. Or guys who played junior but were burried in the depth chart playing with 20 year olds.

I think theres 2 things. 1. If Smith had a 2 game stretch in the middle of January where he had 1pt, no one would bat an eye about being overdrafted. it would be a slump, whatever. But theres more presure on the first few games so its more noticable.
2. College life can be a big transition, give him a bit of time to adapt. if were having these convos in april, then yeah something might be off.

Also: Smith was always viewed as a step down from Fantilli/Carllson. He was never a serious top 3 pick consideration. He was in a tier with himself, Michkov and depending on who you ask, the D man that Montreal took. it;s not surprising that Macklin is outplaying him, he's expected to be #1 for a reason and more in the Fantilli tier. If guys expected in the 4-6 range for 2024 start outproducing, then its a concern.
 
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Gecklund said:
I watched his first game and most of the second game. People act like it’s literally only these 2 games people are making their decisions on. For me it’s the fact that I was already lower on Smith than others and it doesn’t look like he’s worked on his weaknesses at all in the off-season. Yep again 2 games and everyone is just making observations off of the 2 games. I don’t think this has changed anyone’s opinion of him.
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I only watched Smith's highlight packages from his draft year and what stood out to me was that the quality of competition looked weak, which gave me concern. So to hear that he is not scoring against higher comp definitely increases that concern.

But the reason I asked if anyone watched the games is because it could be the case where he is playing well but just not getting on the scoresheet.
 
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tiburon12 said:
I only watched Smith's highlight packages from his draft year and what stood out to me was that the quality of competition looked weak, which gave me concern. So to hear that he is not scoring against higher comp definitely increases that concern.

But the reason I asked if anyone watched the games is because it could be the case where he is playing well but just not getting on the scoresheet.
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Imo it’s that second paragraph. I didn’t see anything of glaring concern. I actually thought the times I did see him, he had a few breakaways and some solid positioning on D. Look, as he gets acclimated to all the changes in life while in college, that’s one thing, hockey is hockey at the end of the day and we can debate what talent bracket he’s in and this and that, it all boils down to Smith is still clearly one of the more talented players in all of the NCAA, and despite a slow start on the stat sheet, he’ll get the kinks worked out and I’m sure we’ll see a distinct improvement in his overall performance sooner than later. **Note** Complete blind optimism, so take my input with a grain of salt. More food for thought than anything.
 
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Barrie22 said:
Doesn't the NTDP play most of its games against NCAA teams? That's what i remember hearing or reading anyways. So the line about the college players are not going to fall for it, is already disproved if that is correct.
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About half, yes. But those games are viewed by the NCAA teams as exhibitions essentially, because the outcome of the game doesn’t affect the NCAA team in the standings.
 
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Is there anyone here who follows the draft confident enough to have an early top-10 ranking? Mine is:
1. Celebrini
2. Eiserman

3. Dickinson
4. Levshunov
5. Catton
6. Demidov

7. Silayev
8. Mews
9. Helenius
10. Chernyshov

The players in each group can move around. I could see Dickinson or Levshunov going above Eiserman too.
 
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Stewie Griffin said:
Is there anyone here who follows the draft confident enough to have an early top-10 ranking? Mine is:
1. Celebrini
2. Eiserman

3. Dickinson
4. Levshunov
5. Catton
6. Demidov

7. Silayev
8. Mews
9. Helenius
10. Chernyshov

The players in each group can move around. I could see Dickinson or Levshunov going above Eiserman too.
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Why is Demidov so low? According to all the reports I have seen or heard he is supposed to be a better version of Michkov without the contract and attitude issues.
 
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Stewie Griffin said:
Is there anyone here who follows the draft confident enough to have an early top-10 ranking? Mine is:
1. Celebrini
2. Eiserman

3. Dickinson
4. Levshunov
5. Catton
6. Demidov

7. Silayev
8. Mews
9. Helenius
10. Chernyshov

The players in each group can move around. I could see Dickinson or Levshunov going above Eiserman too.
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I agree with Top 4 as stated...Let's keep the tank going.

Would love to hear from @Juxtaposer or other experts. Dickinson is playing with Kasper Halttunen on London Knights, so I assume Sharks will see him a ton.
 
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The only player here I’ve seen a ton of is Eiserman. Levshunov is my early favorite, other than Celebrini.

It’s very jarring to watch a team with that true dominant minute-eating two-way D and see the type of impact that player can have on the whole game. I’m talking your Charlie McAvoy (whom everyone here probably knows is just about my ideal #1), Mo Seider, even Rasmus Dahlin in flashes. I honestly think that a true two-way #1D (not the Karlsson flavor of #1D) is the single most important piece of a contending team.

If anyone has that potential in this draft, I think it’s Levshunov. I plan to watch him extensively this season to see if he keeps developing that way.
 
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Juxtaposer said:
The only player here I’ve seen a ton of is Eiserman. Levshunov is my early favorite, other than Celebrini.

It’s very jarring to watch a team with that true dominant minute-eating two-way D and see the type of impact that player can have on the whole game. I’m talking your Charlie McAvoy (whom everyone here probably knows is just about my ideal #1), Mo Seider, even Rasmus Dahlin in flashes. I honestly think that a true two-way #1D (not the Karlsson flavor of #1D) is the single most important piece of a contending team.

If anyone has that potential in this draft, I think it’s Levshunov. I plan to watch him extensively this season to see if he keeps developing that way.
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I think I’d argue it’s Dickinson. Levshunov is definitely interesting though. I think I’d say Dickinson is closer to McAvoy/Seider playstyle while Levshunov is closer to Dahlin playstyle. (I said playstyle not player!)
 
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Wheeler @ The Athletic's top 10:
Tier 1
1. Celebrini

Tier 2
2. Eiserman
3. Levshunov
4. Demidov

Tier 3
5. Kiviharju
6. Helenius
7. Catton

Tier 4
8. Mews
9. Dickinson
10. Masse

I don't know anything about anyone other than what everyone has read about Celebrini, Eiserman, and Levshunov.

Edit: Wheeler also did a profile here (paywall) on Silayev who is super intriguing and *will* be in Wheeler's next top 5. 6'7" smooth skating D. Mukh on steroids.
 
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coooldude said:
Wheeler @ The Athletic's top 10:
Tier 1
1. Celebrini

Tier 2
2. Eiserman
3. Levshunov
4. Demidov

Tier 3
5. Kiviharju
6. Helenius
7. Catton

Tier 4
8. Mews
9. Dickinson
10. Masse

I don't know anything about anyone other than what everyone has read about Celebrini, Eiserman, and Levshunov.

Edit: Wheeler also did a profile here (paywall) on Silayev who is super intriguing and *will* be in Wheeler's next top 5. 6'7" smooth skating D. Mukh on steroids.
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The amount of high end D available this draft could really benefit the Sharks. If they get Celebrini they still might have a D prospect better than Muk fall to the teens for the Pens pick.
 
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Juxtaposer said:
The only player here I’ve seen a ton of is Eiserman. Levshunov is my early favorite, other than Celebrini.

It’s very jarring to watch a team with that true dominant minute-eating two-way D and see the type of impact that player can have on the whole game. I’m talking your Charlie McAvoy (whom everyone here probably knows is just about my ideal #1), Mo Seider, even Rasmus Dahlin in flashes. I honestly think that a true two-way #1D (not the Karlsson flavor of #1D) is the single most important piece of a contending team.

If anyone has that potential in this draft, I think it’s Levshunov. I plan to watch him extensively this season to see if he keeps developing that way.
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Thank you so much, look forward to hearing more on Levshunov! What are your thoughts on Eiserman? It feels like top 2 seem set, but what do I know :-).
 
Hodge said:
www.eliteprospects.com

Terik Parascak - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Terik Parascak, 2006-05-28 Lethbridge, AB, CAN Canada. Most recently in the WHL with Prince George Cougars. Complete player biography and stats.
www.eliteprospects.com www.eliteprospects.com

Who is this kid? 15 goals and 25 points in his first 12 games. Doesn't turn 18 until May.
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Don't know much about him, but that entire Prince George team seems to be going off. 6 of his points have come in the last 2 games where the Cougars have blown out their opponents. He is a rookie in the WHL which makes it impressive though.
 
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Hodge said:
www.eliteprospects.com

Terik Parascak - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Terik Parascak, 2006-05-28 Lethbridge, AB, CAN Canada. Most recently in the WHL with Prince George Cougars. Complete player biography and stats.
www.eliteprospects.com www.eliteprospects.com

Who is this kid? 15 goals and 25 points in his first 12 games. Doesn't turn 18 until May.
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I haven’t had a chance to see him play much this year or at least enough to form an opinion. Seems like he was projected to be a late round pick before this year (possibly not even drafted). Could be a guy to look out for and if he continues this pace could see him being a huge riser.
 
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