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

[GreatBear]

I am not as pessimistic about dropping one spot as some others on this board. I know what the past has been, but with only two rather than three lottery spots it reduces I see the Ducks as having only two changes to get shafted by the league, not three.

I would prefer a RHD with first pairing potential, but if due to previous selections we have a choice of Dickinson or Linstrom I would go with Dickinson. It is more important for me to strengthen the defense with a potential first pairing defenseman. We can pick the best available RHD with our second first round pick.

I am very wary of Russian picks with our first pick at this level. There is just too much uncertainty with the Russian factor for me to want to spend a #3 or #4 overall pick on a Russian. I am much more willing to take a Russian risk with our other draft picks, but we need to get a very good player out of our first pick.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I am not as pessimistic about dropping one spot as some others on this board. I know what the past has been, but with only two rather than three lottery spots it reduces I see the Ducks as having only two changes to get shafted by the league, not three.

I would prefer a RHD with first pairing potential, but if due to previous selections we have a choice of Dickinson or Linstrom I would go with Dickinson. It is more important for me to strengthen the defense with a potential first pairing defenseman. We can pick the best available RHD with our second first round pick.

I am very wary of Russian picks with our first pick at this level. There is just too much uncertainty with the Russian factor for me to want to spend a #3 or #4 overall pick on a Russian. I am much more willing to take a Russian risk with our other draft picks, but we need to get a very good player out of our first pick.

Ya id like to go 1-2 obviously

Celebrini is by far best talent
Levshunov is imo the best fit for us, and i do think he likely goes 2nd.... but i think a lot depends on how the picks line up (i could see a team jumping on Lindstrom(if they need a center) or a guy like Demidov/Silayev)

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Ya id like to go 1-2 obviously

Celebrini is by far best talent
Levshunov is imo the best fit for us, and i do think he likely goes 2nd.... but i think a lot depends on how the picks line up (i could see a team jumping on Lindstrom(if they need a center) or a guy like Demidov/Silayev)

Chicago has three pieces of their top-4D set in RD Jones, LD Vlasic, and LD Korchinski. Although the Hawks don't have much at RD in their system, their offense at the NHL level is in dire need of help. I can see Chicago have Celebrini, Demidov, and Lindstrom as their top-3 choices.

Sharks have a lot of talent that they're waiting on. They could use any offensive weapon or any high-end D.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

2024 NHL Draft notebook: Gill's improved defense has scouts on notice | NHL.com

Rimouski defenseman also among top 15 in scoring at position in QMJHL

www.nhl.com

 

[Hockey Duckie]

2024 NHL Draft notebook: Gill's improved defense has scouts on notice | NHL.com

Rimouski defenseman also among top 15 in scoring at position in QMJHL

www.nhl.com

CSB (NA) Midterm ranking
38th. RHD Gill 6'3.75, 185 lbs

I wonder how much of a jump Gill will have in the CSB (NA) Final ranking with the CSB scouting talking great improvement for Gill.

Speaking about Central Scouting's ranking, here are the two non-NA d-men ranking I've looked at as RHD in the 2nd round. Just in case we miss out on Elick or Emery.

CSB (EU) Midterm ranking
12th. RHD Badinka 6'3, 183 lbs
17th. RHD Soini 6'2, 182 lbs

 

[WhatTheDuck]

CSB (NA) Midterm ranking
38th. RHD Gill 6'3.75, 185 lbs

I wonder how much of a jump Gill will have in the CSB (NA) Final ranking with the CSB scouting talking great improvement for Gill.

Speaking about Central Scouting's ranking, here are the two non-NA d-men ranking I've looked at as RHD in the 2nd round. Just in case we miss out on Elick or Emery.

CSB (EU) Midterm ranking
12th. RHD Badinka 6'3, 183 lbs
17th. RHD Soini 6'2, 182 lbs

If you go back a page, I posted a link to a blurb Mckeens had on Badinka, he seems like an intriguing second round option. His profile doesn't sound out of place for late first round honestly.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

If you go back a page, I posted a link to a blurb Mckeens had on Badinka, he seems like an intriguing second round option. His profile doesn't sound out of place for late first round honestly.

My post in this tread on page 43, post 1062, had Upside Hockey believing Badinka will be going in the first half of the 2nd round. The highest ranking on his EP page is 25 by Dobber Prospects and low of 50 by THN.

Soini could be a sneaky pick due to a number of reasons.
1) he's a Jun birthday compared to Badinka, who has a Nov birthday.
2) his defense is so good that he's often promoted to older leagues
... At age 15, he was playing in U18's and U20's.
... At age 16, he was playing U18's, U20's, and Mestis (Finland's men 2nd tier hockey)
... At age 17, he's played in U20's, Mestis, and Liiga (Finland's men 1st tier hockey)
3) he's shown offense against his peers, but because he gets promoted to older leagues, that offense doesn't get to shine as much.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

In the midst of our second mock of the season, here's how the early picks played out.


1. Columbus Blue Jackets: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA)
2. Arizona Coyotes: Artyom Levshunov, RHD, Michigan State (NCAA)
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL)
4. San Jose Sharks: Sam Dickinson, LHD, London (OHL)
5. Anaheim Ducks: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat (WHL)
6. Ottawa Senators: Cole Eiserman, LW, US NTDP (USHL)
7. Montreal Canadiens: Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL)
8. Calgary Flames (from Buffalo Sabres): Carter Yakemchuk, RHD, Calgary (WHL)
9. Minnesota Wild (from Pittsburgh Penguins): Anton Silayev, LHD, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
10. New Jersey Devils: Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna (WHL)
11. Pittsburgh Penguins (from Minnesota Wild): Zayne Parekh, RHD, Saginaw (OHL)
12. St. Louis Blues: Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit (Liiga)
13. Seattle Kraken: Zeev Buium, LHD, Denver (NCAA)
14. Vegas Golden Knights (from Calgary Flames via Buffalo): Liam Greentree, LW, Windsor (OHL)
15. Washington Capitals: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (Allsvenskan)

Despite organizational need, I had to go with BPA and that was Lindstrom for me. I then spent far too much time unsuccessfully trying to acquire another early pick to grab Silayev or Yak.

1-5- LC Cayden Lindstrom
1-24- LC Sacha Boisvert
2-35- RD Dominik Badinka
2-61- RD Spencer Gill
3-67- LD Colin Ralph
3-68- RD Colton Roberts

Those have been my picks for the Ducks so far. Again with the Oilers first I was sort of hoping that a D would make sense, but found Boisvert to be the most intriguing prospect on the board.

Then went on a run of four Dmen who all have good size (two 6'3 and two 6'4). Badinka the most refined overall and already showing well with meaningful minutes in a top men's league. Gill touted as a smooth puck mover with an improving defensive game. Ralph perhaps the most physically gifted at 6'4 225 and noted as a great skater, but also raw and inexperienced coming out of prep hockey. Roberts a big rugged but mobile right shot defender who will have to continue building on his puck skills.

Made a couple deals, sent Gibson to Detroit for Husso (1 year 4.75M) and their 2025 1st (top five) protected. Also floated out one of our many third rounders looking for some solid rugged bottom six help. Was offered Cole Smith by Nashville and ended up acquiring him for pick #74 and Gage Alexander. Smith is a big body RW who forechecks hard and finishes checks, solid defensive numbers and can PK. Two years at 1M, better 4th liner than what we have IMO.

 

[SmokeyDuck]

I'd personally take Yamechuk or Silayev. Though I trust whoever our scouts choose.

 

[Rasp]

In the midst of our second mock of the season, here's how the early picks played out.


1. Columbus Blue Jackets: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA)
2. Arizona Coyotes: Artyom Levshunov, RHD, Michigan State (NCAA)
3. Chicago Blackhawks: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL)
4. San Jose Sharks: Sam Dickinson, LHD, London (OHL)
5. Anaheim Ducks: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat (WHL)
6. Ottawa Senators: Cole Eiserman, LW, US NTDP (USHL)
7. Montreal Canadiens: Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL)
8. Calgary Flames (from Buffalo Sabres): Carter Yakemchuk, RHD, Calgary (WHL)
9. Minnesota Wild (from Pittsburgh Penguins): Anton Silayev, LHD, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
10. New Jersey Devils: Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna (WHL)
11. Pittsburgh Penguins (from Minnesota Wild): Zayne Parekh, RHD, Saginaw (OHL)
12. St. Louis Blues: Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit (Liiga)
13. Seattle Kraken: Zeev Buium, LHD, Denver (NCAA)
14. Vegas Golden Knights (from Calgary Flames via Buffalo): Liam Greentree, LW, Windsor (OHL)
15. Washington Capitals: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (Allsvenskan)

Despite organizational need, I had to go with BPA and that was Lindstrom for me. I then spent far too much time unsuccessfully trying to acquire another early pick to grab Silayev or Yak.

1-5- LC Cayden Lindstrom
1-24- LC Sacha Boisvert
2-35- RD Dominik Badinka
2-61- RD Spencer Gill
3-67- LD Colin Ralph
3-68- RD Colton Roberts

Those have been my picks for the Ducks so far. Again with the Oilers first I was sort of hoping that a D would make sense, but found Boisvert to be the most intriguing prospect on the board.

Then went on a run of four Dmen who all have good size (two 6'3 and two 6'4). Badinka the most refined overall and already showing well with meaningful minutes in a top men's league. Gill touted as a smooth puck mover with an improving defensive game. Ralph perhaps the most physically gifted at 6'4 225 and noted as a great skater, but also raw and inexperienced coming out of prep hockey. Roberts a big rugged but mobile right shot defender who will have to continue building on his puck skills.

Made a couple deals, sent Gibson to Detroit for Husso (1 year 4.75M) and their 2025 1st (top five) protected. Also floated out one of our many third rounders looking for some solid rugged bottom six help. Was offered Cole Smith by Nashville and ended up acquiring him for pick #74 and Gage Alexander. Smith is a big body RW who forechecks hard and finishes checks, solid defensive numbers and can PK. Two years at 1M, better 4th liner than what we have IMO.

You got a first for Gibson? Fleeced Detroit!

Lindstrom is a good pick. Locks up our top 6 with some more size and physicality. You would think if we went this route we would be able to find some D gems later on.

I bet Badinka ends up going late first just feels like these big RD guys are going earlier than they are currently predicted.

Not a bad haul

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Subscribe

Brock Otten's report on Dickinson is currently free to read on McKeens, and you won't find a more thorough analysis.

You got a first for Gibson? Fleeced Detroit!

Lindstrom is a good pick. Locks up our top 6 with some more size and physicality. You would think if we went this route we would be able to find some D gems later on.

I bet Badinka ends up going late first just feels like these big RD guys are going earlier than they are currently predicted.

Not a bad haul

Did also have to take back Husso, who at 4.75M probably has negative value based on his play the last two seasons. But yeah I was definitely prepared to settle for just a B prospect and was happy to get a first.

 

[George Binks]

Anyone planning on going to the draft or know when/where to get tixs? Getting that second 1st round pretty much sealed the deal of for sure going

 

[Rasp]

Pretty much going to need a lottery pick to take him.

 

[GunnarStahl]

My top 5

Celebrini
Levshunov
Lindstrom
Silayev
Dickinson

The first two are pretty set for me 3-5 can go in any order, there are plenty of other solid players available in the range of even the later end of what our pick will be.

Hopefully this pick is the cherry on top of the rebuild and the team becomes at least somewhat competitive next year. Outside of the bottom 10 would be nice.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

My top 5

Celebrini
Levshunov
Lindstrom
Silayev
Dickinson

The first two are pretty set for me 3-5 can go in any order, there are plenty of other solid players available in the range of even the later end of what our pick will be.

Hopefully this pick is the cherry on top of the rebuild and the team becomes at least somewhat competitive next year. Outside of the bottom 10 would be nice.

Is that top 5 for anaheim, or more of general?

 

[Beckett]

I'm fully expecting them to take two d-men in the 1st rd.

 

[Beckett]

Dominik Badinka - Stats, Contract, Salary & More

Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Dominik Badinka, 2005-11-27 Chomutov, CZE Czechia. Most recently in the SHL with Malmö Redhawks. Complete player biography and stats.

www.eliteprospects.com

It's hard to find much in the way of video on Badinka but he seems to be an intriguing big RHD who is getting late first round ranks from multiple publications. He's one of just a small handful of u19 skaters playing full time in the SHL this year, really the only draft eligible Dman. Very good u20 numbers when down at that level.

2024 NHL DRAFT: EARLY SEASON FAVOURITES - European Video Scout - Veeti Väisänen, Sebastian Soini, Dominik Badinka, Ondrej Kos

McKeen's European Video Scout, Steven Graves, provides detailed reports on four 2024 NHL Draft prospects.

www.mckeenshockey.com

Mckeens had a pretty glowing writeup (with some video) earlier on the season. Sounds like an intriguing target for the late first/early 2nd range

His clips are rare but from what i've seen he has some high end offensive ability with his feet and hands, which is cool to see when the scouting says his main pull is how smart he is all over the ice and with his decision making. Only thing I can see holding him back is if he doesnt improve his skating a bit, which seems doable. These kind of guys rise typically, I could see them going for him with the late 1st.

 

[GunnarStahl]

Is that top 5 for anaheim, or more of general?

For anaheim specifically, I would shift the positions around a bit differently if I’m just ranking them in general Demidov would definitely enter the mix.

I just don’t really expect ANA to pursue Demidov, wouldn’t mind being wrong on that.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I'm fully expecting them to take two d-men in the 1st rd.

For me, it varies on where we pick and who's available. If all goes well Rd 1, top pick = D (Lev), Rd 1 bottom pick = F (Hemming), and Rd 2 top pick = D (Elick or Emery).

I'm more confident in finding d-man talent beyond the first round than I am of forward talent beyond the first round.

My preference with the Rd 1 top pick:
- C Celebrini
- RD Lev
- C Lindstrom
- RD Dickinson

Preference for the Rd 1 bottom pick, 24-28 range:
There's a few right-hand shot forwards that I'm hoping might drop into the mid-20s in 6'2 RW Hemming, 6'2 RW Sennecke, and 6'1 C Hage.

Preference for the Rd 1 bottom pick, 29-32 range:
If those RW talents are gone and we're picking closer towards the 2nd round, then I'll go after a RD with the later first round pick in Elick or Emery, if they're still available.

Preference for the Rd 2 top pick:
RD's: Elick (shutdown), Emery (shutdown), Badinka (two-way)
F: Matvei Gridin (haven't done much research on forwards in the 2nd round yet)

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I'm fully expecting them to take two d-men in the 1st rd.

I think that is the smart move unless we win lottery . When healthy our forwards don’t need anymore young guys they need established players to fill out the line up.


Defense I think has a lot more question marks long term.

I’d be happy with
First pick: Levshunov celebrini or Dickinson


I’d be curious to cost to move up from our 2nd or oilers pick.

Our 2nd + Boston 2nd + sharks 3rd
Get us to the islanders pick? Does it have to be oilers pick to get there?

I’d love to target
Greentree MBN or hemming

I want PV to be aggressive either via trade or moving up the draft to grab someone we really want

 

[HanSolo]

Anyone planning on going to the draft or know when/where to get tixs? Getting that second 1st round pretty much sealed the deal of for sure going

I'm going. I only see tickets on Vivid Seats so far. Bout 250 a person.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I'm going. I only see tickets on Vivid Seats so far. Bout 250 a person.

Well for that price I’ll meet up with friend at the draft and let my wife stay at hotel or go to a day spa.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

I'm going. I only see tickets on Vivid Seats so far. Bout 250 a person.

Crazy, it was free when I attended in 2008

 

[Beckett]

I think that is the smart move unless we win lottery . When healthy our forwards don’t need anymore young guys they need established players to fill out the line up.


Defense I think has a lot more question marks long term.

I’d be happy with
First pick: Levshunov celebrini or Dickinson


I’d be curious to cost to move up from our 2nd or oilers pick.

Our 2nd + Boston 2nd + sharks 3rd
Get us to the islanders pick? Does it have to be oilers pick to get there?

I’d love to target
Greentree MBN or hemming

I want PV to be aggressive either via trade or moving up the draft to grab someone we really want

How I see it is Minty and Luneau are fairly tough for their size but theyre not going to dominate players physically. As smart as he is Zell is always going to be out weighed and outreached.

I think the priority will be trying to get that large/physical top-4 guy you can put out there and make the other team uncomfortable physically and also atleast support some how offensively... Of course everyone wants a Pronger, Weber, Chara, Hedman etc...

I don't think they should count on Warren, Hinds, Moore. Dionicio has some of that potential but he's going to take awhile to get there and still a long shot. I think they'll stay away from guys like Parekh, Buium, Mews, small offensive leaning etc... Luckily this draft has a ton of large d-men with top-line skills. I can totally see them taking Yakemchuk, Levshunov could fit that bill as well. Then you have other guys that they might love like Silayev, Jiricek, Badinka, Emery, Skahan is a guy I could see them going for higher than he's ranked. There's a ton more on the top prospect list between 6' 3"- 6' 6" I dont know about but I'm excited to see which ones the Ducks staff like.

 

[Trojans86]

If we get Lev id love to try to move up our late first and 2nd round pick and get another winger. If we get Celebrini I’d love to try to move up and get one of the good looking RHDs. At this point Id lose trade value to get quality over quantity.