Speculation: With the third pick in the 2024 NHL draft the Anaheim Ducks select...(Draft is June 28th @ 4pm PT. ESPN. ESPN+)

[JAHV]

Forget the Hedman/Chara comparisons for Silayev. I bet Columbus or Montreal would have been happy taking Hampus Lindholm in 2012 at pick 2 or 3. If Silayev can become Lindholm (25-35 points, shutdown defense), I think that's a win in a weak draft. And it seems like most of the opinions like him to get to that level.

I'm pretty sanguine about this draft. I'll be happy with whomever we take.

 

[AngelDuck]

I do think Dickinson has a higher potnetial of reaching 50+ points at some point than Silayev

 

[WhatTheDuck]

I do think Dickinson has a higher potnetial of reaching 50+ points at some point than Silayev

His offensive game is very reminiscent of Fowler's for me, very much reliant on using strong A to B skating ability to jump into openings, but doesn't have that savvy or elusiveness of a true elite offensive player. I think Dickinson ends up the better defender though, can be a top pairing guy even if he tops out around 35-40 points, wouldn't be disappointed to pick him at all.

 

[WhatTheDuck]

I seem to remember Sanderson getting more pre draft hype than we're seeing for Dickinson right now, but I see them being fairly similar at the same age personally.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I don’t even like Dickinson much but I’d take him over silayev.

I’d take levshunov, buium, Dickinson before Silayev

 

[AngelDuck]

His offensive game is very reminiscent of Fowler's for me, very much reliant on using strong A to B skating ability to jump into openings, but doesn't have that savvy or elusiveness of a true elite offensive player. I think Dickinson ends up the better defender though, can be a top pairing guy even if he tops out around 35-40 points, wouldn't be disappointed to pick him at all.

Really? He reminds me of Pietrangelo offensively personally. Good decision maker, big shot. PPQB. Not going to stick handle around anyone but doesn’t have to

I don’t even like Dickinson much but I’d take him over silayev.

I’d take levshunov, buium, Dickinson before Silayev

I have them ranked personally

Dickinson
Silayev

Buium


Levshunov

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Really? He reminds me of Pietrangelo offensively personally. Good decision maker, big shot. PPQB. Not going to stick handle around anyone but doesn’t have to


I have them ranked personally

Dickinson
Silayev

Buium


Levshunov

I’d prob go

Levshunov

Dickinson
Buium

Yakemchuk
Saliyev

 

[WhatTheDuck]

Really? He reminds me of Pietrangelo offensively personally. Good decision maker, big shot. PPQB. Not going to stick handle around anyone but doesn’t have to


I have them ranked personally

Dickinson
Silayev

Buium


Levshunov

I recall being more impressed with Petro's offensive game at a young age, just remember him having more of that deceptive edge work and savvy while being less explosive than Dickinson. One point in Dickinson's favor over Cam that I forgot to mention though, better shot at the same age.

I just see Dickinson ultimately becoming more of a minute muncher/game manager type rather than a true offensive weapon. Hanifin, Lindholm or better defensive/much stronger version of Cam with more goal scoring ability - something along those lines. All of those would be really good players for this team

 

[tomd]

 

[HanSolo]

Getting a guy who tops out as a 3D is a massive miss at 3rd overall.

Not if the rest of the defensemen top out as number 4s. Not saying that's likely. Just saying.

For me I like Silayev the most out of the guys not named Macklin. Do I think it's the smartest move to use a third to get a guy like him? Not exactly. But I think if he pans out and all our blueline prospects pan out at or near their potential, I think he'd be exactly what the team needs on the blueline. Do we need another puck mover or triggerman on the blueline? Maybe, maybe not. But a guy with top level size and above average mobility who emphasizes defense first is exactly what you'd look to for a guy to jar pucks away from behind the net or clear screens out of the crease. Then you can get into lane blockages being that much easier by virtue of his huge frame and long reach.

My worry is if the draft team feels the same way but feel like they can move down to get him to get extra value, they run the risk of a team ahead of them taking him first. Trading for another top 6 pick to get him would probably be too expensive.

Ordinarily I'm all about picking BPA over organizational need (hence why I don't give Levshunov as much deference with his optimal right handed shot) but in a class like this, with so many question marks between the players in the pool the idea of getting a strong skating and massive defensive specialist who is praised for his defensive play in the KHL at 18 is the most appealing option to me personally. I don't think this team really needs more offensive specialists unless they have clear potential to eclipse Mintyukov and Zellweger (and Luneau but jury is still out there)

 

[Static]

Herniated disc at 17 is not good!

I have a bias though, I also had a herniated disc at 17 from sports and that injury did not age well.

 

[HanSolo]

Really? He reminds me of Pietrangelo offensively personally. Good decision maker, big shot. PPQB. Not going to stick handle around anyone but doesn’t have to


I have them ranked personally

Dickinson
Silayev

Buium


Levshunov

Probably where I'm at too. I'd be content but slightly annoyed if Levshunov is the pick but as long as it's not Parekh or Yakemchuk that'd be fine to me. I've just never been less confused why a single defenseman is getting heaped with so much praise and rated so highly. At least not since Griffin Reinhart. From the material I've consumed, I don't see anything special. I see a second pairing jack of all trades/master of none type. I mean I could be dead wrong but that's just my feeling.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Not if the rest of the defensemen top out as number 4s. Not saying that's likely. Just saying.

For me I like Silayev the most out of the guys not named Macklin. Do I think it's the smartest move to use a third to get a guy like him? Not exactly. But I think if he pans out and all our blueline prospects pan out at or near their potential, I think he'd be exactly what the team needs on the blueline. Do we need another puck mover or triggerman on the blueline? Maybe, maybe not. But a guy with top level size and above average mobility who emphasizes defense first is exactly what you'd look to for a guy to jar pucks away from behind the net or clear screens out of the crease. Then you can get into lane blockages being that much easier by virtue of his huge frame and long reach.

My worry is if the draft team feels the same way but feel like they can move down to get him to get extra value, they run the risk of a team ahead of them taking him first. Trading for another top 6 pick to get him would probably be too expensive.

Ordinarily I'm all about picking BPA over organizational need (hence why I don't give Levshunov as much deference with his optimal right handed shot) but in a class like this, with so many question marks between the players in the pool the idea of getting a strong skating and massive defensive specialist who is praised for his defensive play in the KHL at 18 is the most appealing option to me personally. I don't think this team really needs more offensive specialists unless they have clear potential to eclipse Mintyukov and Zellweger (and Luneau but jury is still out there)

For me I’d 100% trade down…. If we have 0 interest in Demidov or he gets taken at 2. Maybe to the 5-7, assuming the trade value is there.

The next group is tons of ?
-Lindstrom back injury is pretty rough to use a 3 on
- saliyev seems pretty vanilla for a top 3 pick
- levshunov has questionmarks, but also has a sky high ceiling

A guy like Dickinson/Iginla are prob the safest picks in the top 10(I’d say safer but I think Demidov and levshunov have higher potential/ceiling)

Idk that I see high ceiling on Dickinson, but his floor should be amongst the highest, and he plays a pretty complete game. Iginla seems to do everything good…. And if culture is important, I think he’s a direct fit there, I think he’s a good compliment top line talent.



Buium imo is a pretty safe bet, smart player, good skater, good in both ends… biggest question with him is prob physicality/size.

 

[tomd]

Herniated disc at 17 is not good!

I have a bias though, I also had a herniated disc at 17 from sports and that injury did not age well.

Especially when the player is a power forward.

 

[Ducks DVM]

Not if the rest of the defensemen top out as number 4s. Not saying that's likely. Just saying.

For me I like Silayev the most out of the guys not named Macklin. Do I think it's the smartest move to use a third to get a guy like him? Not exactly. But I think if he pans out and all our blueline prospects pan out at or near their potential, I think he'd be exactly what the team needs on the blueline. Do we need another puck mover or triggerman on the blueline? Maybe, maybe not. But a guy with top level size and above average mobility who emphasizes defense first is exactly what you'd look to for a guy to jar pucks away from behind the net or clear screens out of the crease. Then you can get into lane blockages being that much easier by virtue of his huge frame and long reach.

My worry is if the draft team feels the same way but feel like they can move down to get him to get extra value, they run the risk of a team ahead of them taking him first. Trading for another top 6 pick to get him would probably be too expensive.

Ordinarily I'm all about picking BPA over organizational need (hence why I don't give Levshunov as much deference with his optimal right handed shot) but in a class like this, with so many question marks between the players in the pool the idea of getting a strong skating and massive defensive specialist who is praised for his defensive play in the KHL at 18 is the most appealing option to me personally. I don't think this team really needs more offensive specialists unless they have clear potential to eclipse Mintyukov and Zellweger (and Luneau but jury is still out there)

This would also require that none of the forwards pan out to be top line players. BPA Includes forwards.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Especially when the player is a power forward.

Ya I think that completely takes him off my list

 

[Beckett]

Wouldnt mind Solberg if he makes it to #31

 

[Gliff]

v

Wouldnt mind Solberg if he makes it to #31

I think he is the 7th D off the board. I bet he goes top 20.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

I really think Silayev

I think he is the 7th D off the board. I bet he goes top 20.

He was a guy I was interested in…. But idk that I’d like him at the spot he’ll go. I do love my Norwegian players tho

 

[Terry Yake]

yeah, herniated disc at that age is bad and it wouldn't be smart to draft him so high. sucks because i really like his game and think he'll be a stud if he can stay healthy. but this team just isn't in a position to be taking such major risks right now

give me silayev or dickinson

 

[WhatTheDuck]

I really think Silayev

I think he is the 7th D off the board. I bet he goes top 20.

Yeah I think his play against men in the WC, has cemented him in the top 20 and probably top half of the first round. A playoff (contending) team will be thrilled to get a young D who screams pro ready. There is higher upside available but he seems like one of the most bankable.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Yeah I think his play against men in the WC, has cemented him in the top 20 and probably top half of the first round. A playoff (contending) team will be thrilled to get a young D who screams pro ready. There is higher upside available but he seems like one of the most bankable.

How far can we move up with
Oilers 1st + bruins 2nd or our 3rd

Granted idk that we have much room for another lhd…. Specially if we go Silayev buium or Dickinson

 

[WhatTheDuck]

How far can we move up with
Oilers 1st + bruins 2nd or our 3rd

Granted idk that we have much room for another lhd…. Specially if we go Silayev buium or Dickinson

I don't think that combination moves us more than three or four slots (#27/28) to be honest. The Oilers making WCF really hurt the ability to get into that mid first range, it likely requires doing something with the Oilers 1st + our 2nd to even have a chance. Of course then you really run the risk of Gibson + Rakell for Biggs, have to really like who you are moving up for.

There's been a couple different versions of this over the years, but this study attempts to provide numerical trade value to each pick for a bit of a reference point. Examining the value of NHL Draft picks - Sound Of Hockey

By his data, picks #31+35 are roughly equal in value to #18.

 

[Static]

I don't think that combination moves us more than three or four slots (#27/28) to be honest. The Oilers making WCF really hurt the ability to get into that mid first range, it likely requires doing something with the Oilers 1st + our 2nd to even have a chance. Of course then you really run the risk of Gibson + Rakell for Biggs, have to really like who you are moving up for.

There's been a couple different versions of this over the years, but this study attempts to provide numerical trade value to each pick for a bit of a reference point. Examining the value of NHL Draft picks - Sound Of Hockey

By his data, picks #31+35 are roughly equal in value to #18.

We would need a GM willing to do what grier did two years ago.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Not if the rest of the defensemen top out as number 4s. Not saying that's likely. Just saying.

For me I like Silayev the most out of the guys not named Macklin. Do I think it's the smartest move to use a third to get a guy like him? Not exactly. But I think if he pans out and all our blueline prospects pan out at or near their potential, I think he'd be exactly what the team needs on the blueline. Do we need another puck mover or triggerman on the blueline? Maybe, maybe not. But a guy with top level size and above average mobility who emphasizes defense first is exactly what you'd look to for a guy to jar pucks away from behind the net or clear screens out of the crease. Then you can get into lane blockages being that much easier by virtue of his huge frame and long reach.

My worry is if the draft team feels the same way but feel like they can move down to get him to get extra value, they run the risk of a team ahead of them taking him first. Trading for another top 6 pick to get him would probably be too expensive.

Ordinarily I'm all about picking BPA over organizational need (hence why I don't give Levshunov as much deference with his optimal right handed shot) but in a class like this, with so many question marks between the players in the pool the idea of getting a strong skating and massive defensive specialist who is praised for his defensive play in the KHL at 18 is the most appealing option to me personally. I don't think this team really needs more offensive specialists unless they have clear potential to eclipse Mintyukov and Zellweger (and Luneau but jury is still out there)

Silayev isn't the only shutdown d-man in the top-10. Sam Dickinson is the other shutdown d-man. At the combine, he was listed at 6'3 (6'2.75) and 203 lbs. Dickinson can skate like the wind. His skating prowess was on display at the 2024 Kubota Top Prospects on-ice testing results as Dickinson finished 2nd overall. But Dickinson did show significant signs of improved offense between his D-1 and D+0 seasons, from 9g and 23 points to 18g and 70 points. Not only did Dickinson improve his offense, but his defensive play too, going from +5 to +56 rating. That +56 was best on the team and 2nd best in the OHL, with the top player having a +58 rating.

Yakemchuk has been in the WHL for three seasons and here's his +/- rating for those seasons: -19, -8, and -6. Team high in those respective seasons: +11, +19, and +29. Sure, Yakemchuk's offense has exploded each of the three seasons, but that defense is atrocious - especially when you realize he's 6'3 and 194 lbs in his D+0 season.

Dickinson gets overlooked in with this group of defenseman. He's a shutdown d-man who transformed into a 2-way D that drastically improved his offensive and defensive play. Granted, it's in major juniors, but that track record is there along with his build and speed. Then again, some defensemen cannot improve both sides of the play.

I don't have to say "if" on Dickinson's offense because he's shown he can produce as a shutdown d-man, which makes him a 2-way D-man instead of just a shutdown guy.

As for Lev, I don't think he gets enough credit not only for his jump from Belarussian hockey to USHL to NCAA, but for being a freshman and carrying his NCAA team in scoring and defense. Similar to Dickinson, Lev went from being an OFD to a 2-way D. He owned the worst +/- on his USHL team to team best on his NCAA team and 13th best in the whole of the NCAA. Offensively, Lev actually lead his team in scoring during the regular season for a bit and finished 2nd best by one point on the team. Lev's NCAA team ranked 16th (as well as missing the NCAA tourney) two seasons ago and finished 4th this past season. That reveals how much of an impact Lev had on the team and its success this past year.

I'm opposed to moving down if you're in the top-10. If you have your guy, then grab your guy. Otherwise, there better be a mass overpayment, which usually isn't offered. Former GM Murray often received calls for his top-10 picks in 2021 #3 OA and 2020 #6 OA. He kept the #3 and drafted McTavish, who many disliked and thought was a reach; also kept #6 and drafted Drysdale. This was the same GM who drafted Lindholm 6th OA when some mocks had Lindholm in the teens (MyNHLdraft).