Official 2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Captain Dave Poulin]

We won’t be picking high enough anymore

I know. I'm going to punch someone, Toe.

 

[FromOyVey2Matvei]

Love seeing Kiviharju outside the top 32 on multiple pundits’ boards. Hopefully it continues and the Flyers can steal another top prospect way below where he should’ve been drafted.

 

[Kelmitchell2]

I personally don't think that this is a bad draft year like some do, I love a good number of players, there's no Bedard in this draft imo, but I do think there's a ton of players who will be pretty good nhl regulars

 

[FromOyVey2Matvei]

I personally don't think that this is a bad draft year like some do, I love a good number of players, there's no Bedard in this draft imo, but I do think there's a ton of players who will be pretty good nhl regulars

Agreed… i think it’s a pretty good draft to have two firsts the way the Flyers do. I think there’s a large group of players who will be good NHL regulars that are on a similar tier talent wise. Outside of having your pick of those names, not sure there’s really a huge benefit this draft to picking 12 vs picking 25

 

[scumpup]

Would be a great draft to have more firsts in. Can definitely hit on some D players even in the 2nd half of the 1st!!!

 

[Appleyard]

 

[Appleyard]

With last year... and now this year...

it is probably the best little era for ex-Soviet Dmen since, sheesh... the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The 1988-1993 draft classes were stacked with guys from behind the Iron Curtain. They were the last generation to have the benefit of doing all their development in the Soviet sports system.

1988: Zubov, Karpovtsev, Ulanov
1989:
1990: Ozolins, Mironov, Yushkevich, Khavanov
1991: Zhitnik, Kaspairitis
1992: Gonchar, Skrastins
1993: Salei

12x top 4 Dmen in 6 drafts.

So it is pretty impressive that this little mini era is spawning a ~similar amount as then potential wise. Though ofc they have a long way to go for them to live up to that group.

 

[Appleyard]

 

[BigToe]

I've tried my hardest to get into Kiviharju. Maybe i'm off but I don't see it at all with him.

 

[Appleyard]

I've tried my hardest to get into Kiviharju. Maybe i'm off but I don't see it at all with him.

He is small. His skating is average.

But the IQ and the skills? Up there with any Dman.

He has played vs men for 18 months, so yeh... very little recent tape of him vs own age group.

But the last time he played vs peers?

Hlinka: 6pts in 5 games
WJC 18: 7pts in 5 games

2022-23 U20 SM (and tbf he was 16 vs guys 2-3 years older!):

He has the best two seasons in history for a u-17 Dman in Finnish u-20 league.
If he played there this year? He would for sure blow the best u-18 season (Esa Lindell 2011-12) out of the water.

Even with his "stagnation" he is a similar level player to Heiskanen at the same age.

I just believe in his IQ. Regardless of size and just "meh" skating.

There is a risk to him... but if he is there at ~#20? Well, very rare going to ever see a Dman with the puck-skills, IQ and defensive awareness he has after pick 10.

 

[Appleyard]

What we are probably looking at right now by the way.

 

[Psuhockey]

What we are probably looking at right now by the way.

Keith Jones has said he wants a big blue line. Every defenseman drafted last year was 6’2 or taller. With York and Andrae in the mix, I don’t see any chance of the Flyers taking Kiviharju or Hutson. Even Mews at 6 ft might be too short for him.

 

[Appleyard]

Keith Jones has said he wants a big blue line. Every defenseman drafted last year was 6’2 or taller. With York and Andrae in the mix, I don’t see any chance of the Flyers taking Kiviharju or Hutson. Even Mews at 6 ft might be too short for him.

Yeh, that is one great way to miss on a potential #1 Dman.

Considering that ~half the top Dmen in the NHL are ~6'0 or smaller right now!

 

[tnfrs]

What we are probably looking at right now by the way.

yakemchuk and connelly/artamonov would be my choices in this scenario. a potential yakemchuk/bonk pairing sounds like a nightmare tbh

 

[FLYguy3911]

Two RHD on the same pairing. Sounds like a nightmare alright.

 

[BigToe]

Two RHD on the same pairing. Sounds like a nightmare alright.

Have you seen Yakemchuk yet?

 

[tnfrs]

Two RHD on the same pairing. Sounds like a nightmare alright.

how are sanheim and york doing this year both being lefties?

 

[tnfrs]

 

[Wangstar]

If Jones likes size for D, Yakemchuk fits that bill. when he fills out, he will be large.
i watch the Hitman more, to see him.He’s like Brent burns. He has forward skill, he goes up and passes, shoots. His shot is impressive. If he is on the board, take him. Grab a forward, second pick.

 

[FLYguy3911]

Have you seen Yakemchuk yet?

I barely watch the Flyers. Give me until June.

One of the oldest players in the class though. He better be good.

how are sanheim and york doing this year both being lefties?

So...not righties?. There are more LHD than RHD. Unless your name is Ivan Provorov, most every lefty has some experience on their off-side at some level. Only RHD-RHD pair I can remember in the last decade is when Florida had Weegar, Ekblad, Montour, Gudas.

 

[tnfrs]

team sweden did it against the USA the other day lol their top pair is both righties and its probably happened more than you think but you dont watch so youre just gonna google and argue

 

[FLYguy3911]

team sweden did it against the USA the other day lol their top pair is both righties and its probably happened more than you think but you dont watch so youre just gonna google and argue

So...not in the NHL?

Ok bud. Merry Christmas.

 

[tnfrs]

So...not in the NHL?

Ok bud. Merry Christmas.

happy kwanzaa, dont forget to watch the games

 

[Appleyard]

Preliminary 2024 NHL Draft Rankings - Smaht Scouting

Check out Smaht Scouting's preliminary rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft. The team ranked their top 32 and listed honorable mentions.

smahtscouting.com

Smahts prelim rankings.

My input was here both in rankings call and some of the write-ups... though naturally some disagreement between specific slots/ranges for some players!

 

[CutOnDime97]