Prospect Info: All-Purpose 2024 Draft Thread & Celebrini discussion (also the 14th pick and whatever else is draft related)

[Zarzh]

Konsta Helenius @14?

He's a winning player with an extremely high ceiling. High compete, extremely high hockey iq and great production.

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

I’m starting to get the sense MG and Co may end up trading back out of 14 for maybe an extra 2nd? So unless someone you REALLY like falls in your lap at 14, trade back and pick from a group of players you like and also get an extra high value asset.

 

[mogambomoroo]

I’m starting to get the sense MG and Co may end up trading back out of 14 for maybe an extra 2nd? So unless someone you REALLY like falls in your lap at 14, trade back and pick from a group of players you like and also get an extra high value asset.

It's not the worst idea, but I would rather trade up to get a better defencemen if top 10 teams start drafting out of the box. Let's say you have Dickinson, Yakemchuk and Buium available for some reason in the end of the top 10, then the phone better start ringing. It's going to be a very exciting draft to say the least.

 

[Patty Ice]

Highlights of some names that might be available at 14 (and other favorites on the board) from the combine:

Stian Solberg received some love from scouts and media alike. Seems like many were impressed with the way he interviewed with NHL teams, which could go a long way for someone trying to cement himself as a first-round pick. His play at the World Championship opened some eyes, and his combine definitely helped.

Sticking with Norway, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard showed really well in most of the physical tests. Whether it be the jumps, windgate machine or the sprinting, he was among the top in most categories to kick off the day. As one scout said, “He’s an animal out there.” For what it’s worth, he’s listed at 207 pounds, nine more than the weight published previously by NHL Central Scouting. You could see the pure muscle.

Speaking of Yakemchuk, he got the most answers of any player for the questions, “Who’s the hardest player to play against?” and “Who’s the most underrated player in this draft class?”

Adam Jiricek also laid low on the drills, with the Czech defender still dealing with a leg injury at the World Juniors. He said the plan is stay patient wit his development and not rush getting back on the ice. He said he’s keeping up with his brother, David, during his AHL playoff push, too.

From the media row, it looked like EJ Emery cleared the board they use for the high jump. He had huge numbers in testing, too. He’s a fitness junky and a natural-born athlete – he’s 6-foot-3, took part in track and field competitively in school, and his dad played in the CFL.

Source: MSN

 

[coooldude]

Highlights of some names that might be available at 14 (and other favorites on the board) from the combine:











Source: MSN

I think Yak is gonna be gone as early as 3 and as late as 12. Philly sounds like they like him and he kind of continues to scream Anaheim. Then you have UTA, OTT, and SEA who all could go for him or Buium or Parekh. Someone has to fall but I just get the sense it won't be Yak.

It's good though that MBN, Solberg, and Emery showed well at the combine. Eiserman, who knows. And if Helenius falls, also who knows. He and Catton still strike me as Smith/Eklund lite types so I just wonder if they'd go MBN for a Leonard/Zetterlund type, or one of the three aforementioned D. Catton may very likely be gone by 13 at latest though, I was super impressed with his public interview and other teams might be more amenable to as C/W that's a bit smaller.

Eiserman is the big wild card but all these anonymous scout sources seem to be saying he's not going before 14.

 

[spintops]

Helenius looks like a possible middle 6 center ? I know we should be going BPA but his profile isn't that exciting (just reading scouting reports). How many third line centers with limited scoring would we need? Rather take a swing on a high upside winger

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

Only concern I have with drafting a center at 14 is there’s a bit of a log jam with center prospects as it in our system. Celebrini,Smith,Bystedt,Edstrom..Now that’s assuming 2 of those 4 guys stay at center. I’m gonna assume Celly and Smith stay at C, also assuming Bystedt and Edstrom win jobs over established veterans who will probably surround Celly and Smith. Hypothetically, those are long odds. I’m wondering if Bystedt and Edstrom can play wing. I think I’d be more comfortable taking MBN but it would be hard to pass up Helenius or Catton if they fell into our laps. Does anyone see Catton and Helenius as better prospects than Bystedt and Edstrom?

 

[Hodge]

Only concern I have with drafting a center at 14 is there’s a bit of a log jam with center prospects as it in our system. Celebrini,Smith,Bystedt,Edstrom..Now that’s assuming 2 of those 4 guys stay at center. I’m gonna assume Celly and Smith stay at C, also assuming Bystedt and Edstrom win jobs over established veterans who will probably surround Celly and Smith. Hypothetically, those are long odds. I’m wondering if Bystedt and Edstrom can play wing. I think I’d be more comfortable taking MBN but it would be hard to pass up Helenius or Catton if they fell into our laps. Does anyone see Catton and Helenius as better prospects than Bystedt and Edstrom?

You're assuming too many things.

 

[WSS11]

Only concern I have with drafting a center at 14 is there’s a bit of a log jam with center prospects as it in our system. Celebrini,Smith,Bystedt,Edstrom..Now that’s assuming 2 of those 4 guys stay at center. I’m gonna assume Celly and Smith stay at C, also assuming Bystedt and Edstrom win jobs over established veterans who will probably surround Celly and Smith. Hypothetically, those are long odds. I’m wondering if Bystedt and Edstrom can play wing. I think I’d be more comfortable taking MBN but it would be hard to pass up Helenius or Catton if they fell into our laps. Does anyone see Catton and Helenius as better prospects than Bystedt and Edstrom?

There’s also a chance we could be in position for #1 overall next year which would probably be another C in Hagens which would be a great problem to have.

I think Helenius is a better prospect than both Bystedt and Edstrom and that Catton might project better to wing in the NHL. We just need to go BPA no matter what.

 

[Cas]

Only concern I have with drafting a center at 14 is there’s a bit of a log jam with center prospects as it in our system. Celebrini,Smith,Bystedt,Edstrom..Now that’s assuming 2 of those 4 guys stay at center. I’m gonna assume Celly and Smith stay at C, also assuming Bystedt and Edstrom win jobs over established veterans who will probably surround Celly and Smith. Hypothetically, those are long odds. I’m wondering if Bystedt and Edstrom can play wing. I think I’d be more comfortable taking MBN but it would be hard to pass up Helenius or Catton if they fell into our laps. Does anyone see Catton and Helenius as better prospects than Bystedt and Edstrom?

If a center is worth worrying about, odds are they can play wing. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Jargon]

Only concern I have with drafting a center at 14 is there’s a bit of a log jam with center prospects as it in our system. Celebrini,Smith,Bystedt,Edstrom..Now that’s assuming 2 of those 4 guys stay at center. I’m gonna assume Celly and Smith stay at C, also assuming Bystedt and Edstrom win jobs over established veterans who will probably surround Celly and Smith. Hypothetically, those are long odds. I’m wondering if Bystedt and Edstrom can play wing. I think I’d be more comfortable taking MBN but it would be hard to pass up Helenius or Catton if they fell into our laps. Does anyone see Catton and Helenius as better prospects than Bystedt and Edstrom?

There’s a chance Bystedt and Edstrom are at best 4Cs. There’s a chance they don’t make the NHL at all. And even if they do and hit their ceiling, great - you have trade chips for a high end defenseman. What I’m saying is, you take BPA always and use them as trade chips or to hedge your bets on your other prospects.

 

[Juxtaposer]

If Helenius is there at 14, I think you just have to take him. He’d be ridiculously good value at 14 and worst case scenario you use him as a trade chip for a defenseman in the future.

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

You're assuming too many things.

On HF? Impossible.

 

[LadyStanley]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1799848934594027886

 

[ISharkted]

It's very important to understand players' mindsets.

If I was there I would ask each of them what their favorite dinosaur was and if they didn't say stegosaurus (the only objectively correct choice) I would put them on a do-not-draft list because they're clearly deranged sociopaths who will be unable to act properly in a structured team environment.

Right now I can see some of you saying "but my favorite dinosaur is actually <insert something that isn't a stegosaurus>" and I'll thank you for proving my point

If they said Snarl are they immediately draftable regardless of rankings and pick projection?

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

1.Celebrini
2.Levshunov
3.Lindstrom
4.Buium

So, last year and I’d even say the year before, there were some clues of who was locked into the top 4-5 picks just based on the guys who were featured together. Just my opinion but I think those guys being invited to the finals game 2 is somewhat of a tip. Maybe not. It’s not like they can throw Demidov into this pre draft media whirlwind.

 

[Shark Finn]

Helenius at #14 is a no-brainer. Keep stacking those center prospects, that's an awesome position to have options at.

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

Helenius at 14 fits the roster now and in the future imo

 

[Jargon]

Helenius at 14 fits the roster now and in the future imo

Is he actually NHL ready? Or are you just saying in skill/style?

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

Is he actually NHL ready? Or are you just saying in skill/style?

Skill, style. I think he’s closer to NHL ready than some others guys in our system who were drafted before him.

 

[Star Platinum]

I’m starting to get the sense MG and Co may end up trading back out of 14 for maybe an extra 2nd? So unless someone you REALLY like falls in your lap at 14, trade back and pick from a group of players you like and also get an extra high value asset.

Only problem with that scenario is will there be a player at 14 that excites another team enough to want to trade up? And if there's a player there that clearly stands out among the crowd at that pick, shouldn't the Sharks be taking him?

But I could definitely see this as a scenario they've discussed if they don't have the right guys available at 14.

 

[Barrie22]

Having 12 centers in the lineup isn't a bad thing if they are good players.

 

[Jargon]

Having 12 centers in the lineup isn't a bad thing if they are good players.

Can Helenius be the #1 defenseman we’ve been looking for?!

 

[matt trick]

At 14 there are (naturally) 13 guys I really like- the 6 d-men, and 7 forwards: Celebrini- (yay!), Demidov, Lindstrom, Iginla, Sennecke, Helenius, and Catton. If any of those guys fall to us I'd be thrilled. Beyond that, I'd be open to Nygard, Jiricek (provided our team clears the knee), Eiserman, Hage, Chernyshov or Solberg. My preference is Nygard, but I'd be fine -albeit not thrilled- with any of those six.

I'd also love to see us grab one of Emery, Elick, Wallenius, Mews, Freij, Danford in the second. That said, I'd still rather use one of our seconds to trade up. Getting into the top 10 means two of the top 6 d-men, Iginla or Sennecke will be available (Celebrini, Demidov, Lindstrom will be off the board).

Sennecke, iginla, and the top d-men fill major gaps in our prospect pool, while being very good players who will challenge Muk and Musty for third best prospect.

Big, fast RW
Goal scoring winger
Top 2-4 d-man

 

[PacificOceanPotion]

I’ll admit, I may not have the best takes, I hope my ideas create more of a thoughtful discussion instead of being fact driven and precise.