Prospect Info: 2024 NHL Entry Draft (Ducks pick #3, They didn’t drop! OMG It’s a Miracle!)

[WhatTheDuck]

Someone is going to try to be the smartest person in the room and take him like top 20. Calling it now. I dont think I would use a 1st on a pick that risky.

This draft is probably too strong to take that kind of risk top 15-20. Beyond that they are a roll of the dice, this one just has tremendous or highly unique upside.

Have seen a fair bit of the kid going back to u14, I will say he's definitely more than just a big lug. He has always been a good player even before he had his massive growth spurt.

His teammate from last season Castagna, went 70th overall and has flourished as a college freshmen. Letourneau is just flat out better in his draft year right now, production wise and just in general impact on the game.

I won't pretend I don't see the risk in the profile, but I personally am a believer

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Someone is going to try to be the smartest person in the room and take him like top 20. Calling it now. I dont think I would use a 1st on a pick that risky.

There was a 6'2 and 194lb forward from the AJHL that I thought could be a sleeper pick late in the 2nd or 3rd round in Rieger Lorenz. Lorenz went in the 2nd round, 56th overall in the 2022 NHL draft. In the AJHL for his draft year, Lorenz scored 38g + 47a = 85 pts in 60 games. His impact at the NCAA level with Denver (a teammate of Zeev Buium) hasn't blown up in two years.

For some perspective, the Ducks took a gamble on a US high school prep defenseman in Jackson LaCombe in the 2nd round. LaCombe scored more points in his freshman year than Lorenz with 13 poitns. LaCombe had 21 points in 27 games in his sophomore season; Lorenz has 16 points in 24 games currently in his sophomore season.

Guess there's an even bigger gap between the AJHL and the NCAA. I dunno how big a gap there is from U18 AAA level for Letourneau. On Central Scouting's NA mid-term ranking, Letourneau is ranked 20th. That's a huge gamble to pick Letourneau in the first round.

 

[AngelDuck]

I see absolutely no way we draft Demidov for a multitude of reasons- not even worth looking into

Silayev is possible

 

[airforceones25]

Personally I'd look to move Vatrano. Him and Henrique would potentially garner us 2 extra firsts. With all that ammo I'd take Demidov at 3 and with the extra picks you have the ability to move back up and grab one of the many excellent potential dman if we covet one in particular.

 

[Rasp]

 

[WhatTheDuck]

There was a 6'2 and 194lb forward from the AJHL that I thought could be a sleeper pick late in the 2nd or 3rd round in Rieger Lorenz. Lorenz went in the 2nd round, 56th overall in the 2022 NHL draft. In the AJHL for his draft year, Lorenz scored 38g + 47a = 85 pts in 60 games. His impact at the NCAA level with Denver (a teammate of Zeev Buium) hasn't blown up in two years.

For some perspective, the Ducks took a gamble on a US high school prep defenseman in Jackson LaCombe in the 2nd round. LaCombe scored more points in his freshman year than Lorenz with 13 poitns. LaCombe had 21 points in 27 games in his sophomore season; Lorenz has 16 points in 24 games currently in his sophomore season.

Guess there's an even bigger gap between the AJHL and the NCAA. I dunno how big a gap there is from U18 AAA level for Letourneau. On Central Scouting's NA mid-term ranking, Letourneau is ranked 20th. That's a huge gamble to pick Letourneau in the first round.

The gap between his current level and the NCAA is ultra massive. It's a unique powerhouse program where a large number of his teammates will also be D1 bound, but they'll play a ton of competition who won't ever come close.

Jonathan Castagna - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Jonathan Castagna, 2005-04-20 Etobicoke, ON, CAN Canada. Most recently in the NCAA with Cornell Univ.. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

Comparing guys who recently have come through the same program, might be closest thing we have to finding a good comparable. Castagna was a 3rd rounder last year, who is trending up thanks to a strong freshmen season from what I'm reading. Letourneau nearly matched his production last year despite being a year younger, and now at the same age he's far exceeding it.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

The CHL top prospects game is underway. Liam Greentree just showed his scoring touch to make it 1-0 early second. Good size and seems like a pretty well rounded prospect Liam Greentree at eliteprospects.com

 

[GunnarStahl]

Someone is going to try to be the smartest person in the room and take him like top 20. Calling it now. I dont think I would use a 1st on a pick that risky.

Assuming we had a pick around 20, I would likely look to pick someone else up but with our very early 2nd, I like the bet.

 

[tomd]

Just one game but Yakemchuk is arguably the best defenseman on the ice tonight in the top prospects game.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

 

[Rasp]

He has been on fire since returning from his injury. Easily a top 5 pick and should be playing in KHL

 

[Rasp]

Interesting quote about Dickinson from the CHL top prospects testing.

"Defenseman Sam Dickinson (6-3, 204; No. 7) of London finished second in the on-ice testing, Calgary (WHL) right wing Carson Wetsch (6-0, 187; No. 44) was third, Oshawa (OHL) right wing Beckett Sennecke (6-2, 175; No. 15) was fourth, and Elick was fifth.

Dickinson finished first in 30-meter forward skate with puck and 30-meter backwards skate with puck, and second in transition ability"

Fast skating forward with the puck, back with the puck and transition ability. This guy is going to be a beast in the NHL.

5 things learned from 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game | NHL.com

Regina forward Howe, Mississauga goalie Leenders, Guelph center Luchanko among standouts

www.nhl.com

Top 5 stats:

Dickinson, Luchanko and Sennecke lead the way in Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects on-ice testing - Ontario Hockey League

OHL players Sam Dickinson, Jett Luchanko and Beckett Sennecke led the way in on-ice testing ahead of the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, NB.

chl.ca

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Interesting quote about Dickinson from the CHL top prospects testing.

"Defenseman Sam Dickinson (6-3, 204; No. 7) of London finished second in the on-ice testing, Calgary (WHL) right wing Carson Wetsch (6-0, 187; No. 44) was third, Oshawa (OHL) right wing Beckett Sennecke (6-2, 175; No. 15) was fourth, and Elick was fifth.

Dickinson finished first in 30-meter forward skate with puck and 30-meter backwards skate with puck, and second in transition ability"

Fast skating forward with the puck, back with the puck and transition ability. This guy is going to be a beast in the NHL.

5 things learned from 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game | NHL.com

Regina forward Howe, Mississauga goalie Leenders, Guelph center Luchanko among standouts

www.nhl.com

Dickinson at 6'3 and with his skating, looks like an NHL player amongst juniors. But to be honest I don't know that I'm seeing the cerebral offensive qualities of a guy I'd expect to put up 50+ points per year from the back end. Dare I say that Fowler might not be a bad stylistic comparison. Dickinson hopefully (if we draft him) grows into more bite as he matures

 

[Gliff]

Just one game but Yakemchuk is arguably the best defenseman on the ice tonight in the top prospects game.

He is the last guy in the top group for me.

Interesting quote about Dickinson from the CHL top prospects testing.

"Defenseman Sam Dickinson (6-3, 204; No. 7) of London finished second in the on-ice testing, Calgary (WHL) right wing Carson Wetsch (6-0, 187; No. 44) was third, Oshawa (OHL) right wing Beckett Sennecke (6-2, 175; No. 15) was fourth, and Elick was fifth.

Dickinson finished first in 30-meter forward skate with puck and 30-meter backwards skate with puck, and second in transition ability"

Fast skating forward with the puck, back with the puck and transition ability. This guy is going to be a beast in the NHL.

5 things learned from 2024 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game | NHL.com

Regina forward Howe, Mississauga goalie Leenders, Guelph center Luchanko among standouts

www.nhl.com

Top 5 stats:

Dickinson, Luchanko and Sennecke lead the way in Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects on-ice testing - Ontario Hockey League

OHL players Sam Dickinson, Jett Luchanko and Beckett Sennecke led the way in on-ice testing ahead of the Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Moncton, NB.

chl.ca

If this were the Bob days he would be a Duck already lol.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Just one game but Yakemchuk is arguably the best defenseman on the ice tonight in the top prospects game.

I like yakemchuk…. Kinda shocked he doesn’t get more top 10 love

 

[Anaheim4ever]

I like yakemchuk…. Kinda shocked he doesn’t get more top 10 love

I like him more than Buium as far as his game translating to NHL. Buium is listed 5'11 165 pounds while RD Yakemechuck is listed 6'3 194 pounds. With Zellweger making the team next year most likely, can't draft another smurf in the Dcore unless they plan on trading Zellweger.

Chuk has 18 goals and 24 assists, that suggests his shot is a big weapon.
To pick him, I guess if the Ducks finish with the 5th worst record somehow (Ottawa/Columbus implode) and drop to #7 in the lottery he might be one of the best players available or they swap spots with team at #8 and gain another asset.

 

[tomd]

He is the last guy in the top group for me.


If this were the Bob days he would be a Duck already lol.

I like yakemchuk…. Kinda shocked he doesn’t get more top 10 love

Yeah, depending on which teams are picking top 10 I could see Yakemchuk going there. Really a stretch for top 5 though which is where the Ducks are likely picking. It doesn't help that he is one of the oldest players in the draft.

Dickinson is the real deal even if he doesn't become a true #1. And he's still only 17 so I expect he is going to just get better. Easy to see him playing 20-25 minutes per game and anchor a blueline for a decade.

Parekh did not have a particularly impressive game. He is a real wildcard in the draft. I could see a team reaching for him in the 8-12 range or he could slide towards the bottom of the 1st. The ultimate boom/bust type of pick.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Yeah, depending on which teams are picking top 10 I could see Yakemchuk going there. Really a stretch for top 5 though which is where the Ducks are likely picking. It doesn't help that he is one of the oldest players in the draft.

Dickinson is the real deal even if he doesn't become a true #1. And he's still only 17 so I expect he is going to just get better. Easy to see him playing 20-25 minutes per game and anchor a blueline for a decade.

Parekh did not have a particularly impressive game. He is a real wildcard in the draft. I could see a team reaching for him in the 8-12 range or he could slide towards the bottom of the 1st. The ultimate boom/bust type of pick.

Agree with everything here…. Parekh is way too boom/bust for my liking.

Dickinson/levshunov and biuim imo are the top 3 dmen in draft…. I see saliyev and parekh as wild cards personally

 

[tomd]

Agree with everything here…. Parekh is way too boom/bust for my liking.

Dickinson/levshunov and biuim imo are the top 3 dmen in draft…. I see saliyev and parekh as wild cards personally

Buium is interesting and I think his stock will rise or fall base upon his measurements at the combine. Is he 6'2" or 6'0"? Huge difference. Will he play at 200lbs or 180lbs? Huge difference. Could be reminiscent of how Kemell fell after he was measured at 5'9" at the combine.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

If this were the Bob days he (Dickinson) would be a Duck already lol.

Looking at those two articles, I think RD Charlie Elick screams like a Bob's special. Elick finished 5th overall in testing at the same CHL Prospect event. Skating is probably one of the better determinants for defensemen panning out and Elick has that, which surprised me. Read these three Nov 8th scouting reports on Elick:

Charlie Elick | Charlie Elick Profile | Charlie Elick Scouting Report 2024

Charlie Elick scouting report for NHL Draft. Profile contains Charlie Elick stats, videos and written bios

www.mynhldraft.com

Elick might be available at the bottom of the 2nd round or early 3rd, kinda like LD Tyson Hinds. Both are shutdown D who's offense is in slow development.

Anaheim might have two 6'3, shutdown RD's to choose from. They're projected to be late in the 1st or in the 2nd round in this year's draft. Central Scouting's mid-term ranking for both: Elick at 28th and Emery at 39th. Both have low offensive output. Emery's MyNHLdraft player profile says he's at least competent at transitions. The CHL testing shows Elick is top-5 in fast in transition with and without the puck.

 

[Rasp]

Hockey Prospect new ranking is out. Very interesting how its dropped Levshunov down to 12. Some people seem to question his decision making while others say he is fine. For a 6.2 RD playing at PPG pace in NCAA they are very low on him.

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

14. Parekh
16. Yakemchuk

2024 NHL Draft Ranking Top 32 – January 22, 2024 - HockeyProspect.com

Today we provide another update to our 2024 NHL Draft list in our usual late January calendar slot, which is timed with CHL Top Prospects Game week.

hockeyprospect.com

 

[WhatTheDuck]

That's a rather bizarre way to handle this IMO. They are sanctioning the five teams who are defecting next year, by only allowing them to play their remaining scheduled games against each other, with the eleven other teams doing the same.

I don't see who that benefits. Every player on each of the sixteen rosters loses a percentage of their development opportunity (ie games) this season and the owners lose that gate revenue. If the thought process was that it could help their remaining teams block recruitment efforts from the defecting clubs, that seems entirely futile in this agent/advisor driven world. This is not stopping anyone from leaving for the BCHL, I could see some of them starting to bolt there immediately.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Agree with everything here…. Parekh is way too boom/bust for my liking.

Dickinson/levshunov and biuim imo are the top 3 dmen in draft…. I see saliyev and parekh as wild cards personally

Parekh I don't think will ever come by much grit naturally, just doesn't seem to have the personality. Comes from huge money, I know that always draws questions over how desperate of a player you're getting as well.

His dad was well down the road to buying the OHL Windsor Spitfires a few years ago, the team actually drafted his two older brothers and the sale ended up falling through with the backlash that followed the claims of nepotism.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Hockey Prospect new ranking is out. Very interesting how its dropped Levshunov down to 12. Some people seem to question his decision making while others say he is fine. For a 6.2 RD playing at PPG pace in NCAA they are very low on him.

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

14. Parekh
16. Yakemchuk

2024 NHL Draft Ranking Top 32 – January 22, 2024 - HockeyProspect.com

Today we provide another update to our 2024 NHL Draft list in our usual late January calendar slot, which is timed with CHL Top Prospects Game week.

hockeyprospect.com

Interesting ranking. Here's Elite Prospects (EP) gathered list on Lev's ranking among some of the scouting media as of Jan 26, 2024:

Being ranked/mocked 12th overall is the lowest rating for Lev I've seen so far this season.

 

[Gliff]

I really cant see the Ducks interested in Parekh, and to a lesser extent Buium. If Buium was a RHD then I could see it being more likely. But if they are going to take a LHD you have to assume its either Dickinson or Silayev, and then there are such good options at RHD in Levshunov and Yakemchuk that fit the Ducks need and the identity PV is trying to build.

I hate saying a player "isn't PV's style" but Parekh is probably the most likely to fit that category.