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

[Gliff]

I wonder if they have Connelly on their don’t draft list or not. Might be the most talented guy available with the oilers pick.

Someone will take a shot. I hope it isnt the Ducks. Im most concerned with the way he left teams after a couple weeks. That along with his other past are huge red flags.

I think he would have to get to the 2nd round for me to feel comfortable taking him.

 

[Static]

 

[tomd]

This is a pretty good ranking. Just feels like Dickinson is going to be a Duck. Makes me care even less where the Edmonton pick lands...there just isn't much talent difference after the first 15 or so picks. I actually like Brunicke for that pick but it is just so wide open that unless the Ducks go way off the board it really isn't worth worrying about.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

I guess Iginla is as good a bet for the top 5, because he is this year's late riser, and GMs love players who show huge steps forward in their draft year. Other than that I'd say it really is very open all-around.

I can see him going top 5 but doesn't seem like a lock either. Most years it seems there are at least two or three locks for the top five (especially any year with competition for #1), I don't see any beyond Celebrini at the moment. Its not that the top of the draft is short on talent, just not seeing the separation of tiers.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I want us to draft him. He could be anything and with our ability to find defender he will end up a beast.

Meet Carter Yakemchuk, the 2024 NHL Draft's mean, high-scoring top 'D' prospect

Yakemchuk is a 6-foot-3, 201-pound right-shot defenseman who racked up 120 penalty minutes with the Calgary Hitmen this year.

theathletic.com

To me, he's just too risky in a top-5. Defense and discipline are two huge factors Yakemchuk needs to work on. There is potential in him b/c the article cites he may not be done growing b/c his older brothers also grew late. Once Yakemchuk stops growing, then he might be able to improve his skating technique. The wait might be longer on Yakemchuk to be a polished product.

Anaheim already possesses several offensive d-men in Minty, Zell, Luneau, and, to an extent, LaCombe. We're missing defense in the top-4. No defensive-D is popping off in the Ducks system right now. The Ducks can expedite that with a top-5 pick.

There are other options at defense before Yakemchuk in the top-5. RD Lev and LD Dickinson look good defensively, we'll have to have a LD play RD if we draft Dickinson.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

To me, he's just too risky in a top-5. Defense and discipline are two huge factors Yakemchuk needs to work on. There is potential in him b/c the article cites he may not be done growing b/c his older brothers also grew late. Once Yakemchuk stops growing, then he might be able to improve his skating technique. The wait might be longer on Yakemchuk to be a polished product.

Anaheim already possesses several offensive d-men in Minty, Zell, Luneau, and, to an extent, LaCombe. We're missing defense in the top-4. No defensive-D is popping off in the Ducks system right now. The Ducks can expedite that with a top-5 pick.

There are other options at defense before Yakemchuk in the top-5. RD Lev and LD Dickinson look good defensively, we'll have to have a LD play RD if we draft Dickinson.

In the hypothetical event that the Celebrini, Lev and Dickinson go ahead of our pick, do you have any favourite(s) at that point?

 

[tomd]

In the hypothetical event that the Celebrini, Lev and Dickinson go ahead of our pick, do you have any favourite(s) at that point?

Run to the podium and take Demidov

 

[lwvs84]

To me, he's just too risky in a top-5. Defense and discipline are two huge factors Yakemchuk needs to work on. There is potential in him b/c the article cites he may not be done growing b/c his older brothers also grew late. Once Yakemchuk stops growing, then he might be able to improve his skating technique. The wait might be longer on Yakemchuk to be a polished product.

Anaheim already possesses several offensive d-men in Minty, Zell, Luneau, and, to an extent, LaCombe. We're missing defense in the top-4. No defensive-D is popping off in the Ducks system right now. The Ducks can expedite that with a top-5 pick.

There are other options at defense before Yakemchuk in the top-5. RD Lev and LD Dickinson look good defensively, we'll have to have a LD play RD if we draft Dickinson.

Luckily, Zell, LaCombe, and Hinds (if he makes it) can all play on the right. Plus we have Luneau on right. At least 3 of them should be NHL caliber D (not necessarily top pairing). If we get Dickinson and if he ends up top pair/ strong #3 and Minty gets where we think he'll be, we can probably get away with a couple of the D current D prospects playing in the top 4 with them.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

In the hypothetical event that the Celebrini, Lev and Dickinson go ahead of our pick, do you have any favourite(s) at that point?

Lindstrom. After Lindstrom, it's just a jumble. I'm leery of drafting Russians with our top-5 pick if I was the GM.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Luckily, Zell, LaCombe, and Hinds (if he makes it) can all play on the right. Plus we have Luneau on right. At least 3 of them should be NHL caliber D (not necessarily top pairing). If we get Dickinson and if he ends up top pair/ strong #3 and Minty gets where we think he'll be, we can probably get away with a couple of the D current D prospects playing in the top 4 with them.

Maybe we could get away with it if a couple of our defensemen start showing high end shutdown capabilities.

Minty-LaCombe
Dickinson-Luneau
Hinds-Zell

I'd want someone stronger defensively than LaCombe with Minty. But Minty-Lacombe have looked okay as a 2nd pairing before Minty got injured.

PK unit
MInty-LaCombe
Dickinson-Hinds

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Lindstrom. After Lindstrom, it's just a jumble. I'm leery of drafting Russians with our top-5 pick if I was the GM.

Yeah I think that's where it would come down to Lindstrom, Yak or gambling on a Russian for me. I see tremendous upside in both Demidov and Silayev but have my reservations about taking them that early in the current climate. Though the announcement about the CHL allowing Russians again, somewhat encouraging news on that front maybe?

Ultimately I would agree that I go with Lindstrom in that event, as long as there is full confidence in his medical situation.

 

[tomd]

Yeah I think that's where it would come down to Lindstrom, Yak or gambling on a Russian for me. I see tremendous upside in both Demidov and Silayev but have my reservations about taking them that early in the current climate. Though the announcement about the CHL allowing Russians again, somewhat encouraging news on that front maybe?

Ultimately I would agree that I go with Lindstrom in that event, as long as there is full confidence in his medical situation.

The funny thing is that Russians are signing and coming over here now. The canes just signed one a couple of days ago. I think the risk is acceptable especially since he would be by far the best talent on the board at that point IMO.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Biuim lookin really good

 

[Rasp]

To me, he's just too risky in a top-5. Defense and discipline are two huge factors Yakemchuk needs to work on. There is potential in him b/c the article cites he may not be done growing b/c his older brothers also grew late. Once Yakemchuk stops growing, then he might be able to improve his skating technique. The wait might be longer on Yakemchuk to be a polished product.

Anaheim already possesses several offensive d-men in Minty, Zell, Luneau, and, to an extent, LaCombe. We're missing defense in the top-4. No defensive-D is popping off in the Ducks system right now. The Ducks can expedite that with a top-5 pick.

There are other options at defense before Yakemchuk in the top-5. RD Lev and LD Dickinson look good defensively, we'll have to have a LD play RD if we draft Dickinson.

There is risk but I see it as justified. His strengths are translatable to NHL and his deficiencies are coachable. That to me is a player that is going to succeed at the highest level. Aggressive & mean 6'3 RD that can dangle and score goals at will is the type of player we need on the blue line.

Dickinson, Levshunov & Yakemchuk are the 3 I want at our pick so at least one of them should be available.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

There is risk but I see it as justified. His strengths are translatable to NHL and his deficiencies are coachable. That to me is a player that is going to succeed at the highest level. Aggressive & mean 6'3 RD that can dangle and score goals at will is the type of player we need on the blue line.

Dickinson, Levshunov & Yakemchuk are the 3 I want at our pick so at least one of them should be available.

Buium imo should be in the conversation at the very least.

 

[TheGoodShepard1]

Biuim lookin really good

He’s my guy. Probably #2 behind Dickinson, and it’s very close at this point.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

He’s my guy. Probably #2 behind Dickinson, and it’s very close at this point.

If we’re going lhd I’d prefer going buium, I think he’s best defensive dmen in draft

 

[airforceones25]

Lindstrom. After Lindstrom, it's just a jumble. I'm leery of drafting Russians with our top-5 pick if I was the GM.

I guess it's a good thing every organization is safe you're not a GM.. Heaven forbid a generational talent ever emerges from there.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I’d trade our 1st round pick for Leonard (post lottery)…. Pretty comfortably. I like him much more than anyone in this draft not named celebrini.

Doubt Washington would but I can dream

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Buium imo should be in the conversation at the very least.

If we're talking about OFD's, then yeah, Buium should be in the convo. Read his defense isn't getting bandied about, but he's solid for a an OFD.

 

[Beckett]

I’d trade our 1st round pick for Leonard (post lottery)…. Pretty comfortably. I like him much more than anyone in this draft not named celebrini.

Doubt Washington would but I can dream

I wouldnt be surprised if they move the top pick. If so i'd imagine it being ammo for a young established guy that may become available... Brady Tkachuk type.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

There is risk but I see it as justified. His strengths are translatable to NHL and his deficiencies are coachable. That to me is a player that is going to succeed at the highest level. Aggressive & mean 6'3 RD that can dangle and score goals at will is the type of player we need on the blue line.

Dickinson, Levshunov & Yakemchuk are the 3 I want at our pick so at least one of them should be available.

We have defensemen that are aggressive, can dangle, and score goals. I didn't even mention "Hot Rod" Dionicio with that group. Our problem is we need some that can shutdown or be better defensively so that Gudas isn't our best DFD. Yakemchuk has a high ceiling due to his offense, but a very low defensive floor. He isn't running roughshod in the WHL as a 6'3, mean defenseman with a -6 rating (team high is +29 and D-man high is +18).

There's a good chance Yakemchuk could sneak into the top-10 due to his size and offense just like how Korchinski jumped into the bottom of the top-10 due to his size and offense. If we were in that range, then I'd consider Yakemchuk with a possibility. Yakemchuk is a big gamble in the top-5 due to the fact he probably isn't done growing (means it's gonna take a while to get accustomed to his body including skating) and needs to develop the same vigor for offense towards the defensive side. I think it'll be a longer wait for Yakemchuk if he isn't done growing.

If we want scoring in the top-5, then I'd prefer it to be a forward.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

If we're talking about OFD's, then yeah, Buium should be in the convo. Read his defense isn't getting bandied about, but he's solid for a an OFD.

I think he’s better defensively than any other dmen in top 15

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I guess it's a good thing every organization is safe you're not a GM.. Heaven forbid a generational talent ever emerges from there.

There's a generational talent in this draft? Huh. Not even Celebrini was given that label.

Although Demidov is getting love for his MHL in his D+0, Michkov was looking good in the KHL with Sochi. That means Michkov is better than Demidov. And Michkov was still projected a tier below Bedard, the only generational talent in years. How many teams passed up on Michkov? Did the Ducks pass up on Michkov? And Michkov wasn't even the first Russian drafted in his draft year.
Guess there are some GM's that think like me.

 

[airforceones25]

There's a generational talent in this draft? Huh. Not even Celebrini was given that label.

Although Demidov is getting love for his MHL in his D+0, Michkov was looking good in the KHL with Sochi. That means Michkov is better than Demidov. And Michkov was still projected a tier below Bedard, the only generational talent in years. How many teams passed up on Michkov? Did the Ducks pass up on Michkov? And Michkov wasn't even the first Russian drafted in his draft year.
Guess there are some GM's that think like me.

Nothing in my post says anything about there being a generational talent in this draft. It strictly pertains to your assertion of being leery of drafting Russians in the top 5... hence the "heaven forbid a generational talent EVER emerges from there"