Will Mocks the NHL’s 1st Round Picks

Written By Will Scouch

Welcome to Scouching’s Mock Draft of the 1st round of the 2024 NHL Draft! I’m going to be absolutely fascinated with how the chips fall in Vegas, with plenty of teams with interesting strategies and preferences across the spectrum of hockey. We all know who is going first, but beyond that pick things get wide open right away. If Chicago skips over an Ivan Demidov, who knows who actually pulls the trigger on him? The 3-12 range could be absolutely out of control, and as the draft goes on, pre-draft rankings begin to look sillier and sillier. It’s going to be a fun ride and I’m so excited to see it unfold in person. If you’re new here, my mock drafts are a little bit different and I essentially draft for two. One, if I’m in the driver’s seat and doing what I would do, taking into consideration my understanding of what the given team might be looking for. The other takes my own bias a little bit more out of it, factoring in what’s out there and how teams have drafted recently to zero in on names that logically may have their names called in a given slot. There are always surprises on draft day, and I love to try to anticipate who those surprises may be, but I also want to mention that if I have any knowledge of the actual direction a team is going, it’s not part of the logical explanation. If I can connect threads between players and teams, it’s all public information, but nothing in here should lead you to believe I know something you don’t about your team.

With that out of the way, let’s have some fun! I hope you enjoy, and if you’re around in Vegas next week, say hi!

  • What can I say? It's going to be Celebrini, he's going to San Jose, we all know it, they know it, he's a great player, he'll be a pivotal cog in the future of the Sharks and should be a key focal point of the team. Diverse skillset, remarkable smarts, multifaceted scoring ability, and a very good 200-foot impact player. I see zero issues.

  • I am frankly very surprised to see so much debate about the pick here. Demidov carries zero concern about his status in Russia and is on record stating his intention to cross the ocean after next season. Saying no to the opportunity of combining the ruthless playmaking of Ivan Demidov with the ridiculous scoring and playmaking that Connor Bedard carries absolutely baffles me. I get that there are strong, big defensemen who are better stoppers than Demidov, but guys like Demidov also don't come along every season, and his improvement since the calendar switched to 2024 is impossible to ignore. He's come a ways in this season, and my concerns from earlier in the season are alleviated. With further improvement to his quickness on his feet, he'll only get better from here. Elite vision, elite skill, elite creativity, and a growing level of determination and evasion on the rush make this an easy choice from every angle in my mind.

    In reality, it seems more and more likely that Chicago is going with Levshunov. To me, they are getting a longer term project physical defender who has reined in his cowboy hockey tendencies over this season. He’s mobile, a good short-range passer with good vision, and can find passing targets in the offensive zone effectively. He’ll be a player, but it wouldn’t be my choice here.

  • The Ducks have placed a firm emphasis on a physical style of player in the draft with varying levels of skill secondary to resilience and physical pressure. Luckily for them, there is no shortage of options here. In my view, they have drafted quite a few defensemen who are all coming along well, but there is still some work to be done with their high end offensive players. To me, a player like Cayden Lindstrom makes the most sense to me and could be a great Duck under Pat Verbeek. He's fast, skilled, has a great release, and applies himself physically more than almost anyone in the entire class. There's so much to like with Lindstrom that could work off of the other recent draftees to Anaheim that legitimately makes them "tougher to play against" in more ways than what that generally encompasses to many people. They could go many directions here, but the upside with Lindstrom working off the other high end youngsters in Anaheim could fit extremely well.

  • Columbus is a total wild card with new leadership, but Don Waddell oversaw quite the efficient and creative scouting department in Carolina. Columbus has added a ton of talent to the stable at all positions over the years, and in my mind, after adding Adam Fantilli last season, the idea of Berkly Catton filling in the middle of the ice behind him, or on the wings with him is hard to ignore. I am a huge, huge Catton fan, and have far fewer concerns about him relative to the other high skill players Columbus has added in recent years. He's creative, deceptive, sneaky and one of the most ridiculous analytical profiles in my work this year. He has so much talent and should make everyone else's life easier, and the Blue Jackets can take another pick or two later on a defender who could fill their lineup.

    In reality, it seems Catton is sowing enough concern that he'd fall a bit from here, and in his stead, Sam Dickinson comes to mind. He has tons of potential avenues for his career and seems to fit the mld of the defenders that Columbus as had on the roster for some time. The Provorov’s and Werenski’s of the hockey world, essentially. Big, a great forwards skater rushing the puck up the ice with ease and some solid offensive tools to work with. There are certainly some issues with pass decisions and not mapping the ice particularly well, and he takes on quite a lot of risk that backfires at inopportune times. I’m a little bit more skeptical of Dickinson’s game, but with time there could be a good offensive-leaning puck rusher and playmaker that could fill in on a power play.

  • The new regime of the Montreal Canadiens has been a fascinating one that is tough to predict come draft time. There are a ton of directions they could go with this pick, but to me, considering who is on the board here, I would look at Tij Iginla if I were them. There are other names available that I certainly think would be excellent fits for the Canadiens, but that’s the nature of the 2024 NHL Draft. There are a lot of players that could many roles in he NHL, but to me, Iginla seems to fit what Montreal is looking for, as well as what they could use more of. Iginla is a well balanced offensive player with a lightning quick shot that he is often willing to use. He’s an intense, hard-nosed player willing to cause turnovers and get involved at both ends of the ice. He’s an underrated playmaker as well with limited options to make plays with on this year’s Kelowna team as well. He seemed to get more and more comfortable as the year went on, and just seems to check so many boxes for the Habs. They seem to value hard workers with intensity and competitiveness in their game, and Iginla certainly brings it.

    In the real world, it does seem like Demidov will be available here for Montreal, and it also seems like they’re going to give him a hard look. He’s exactly what the Canadiens need more of in their pipeline. Offensive zing with elite skill, playmaking, and production potential. All Demidov does is set up plays for his linemates and generate scoring chances for himself. The data I’ve tracked on him is off the charts, albeit at a lower level, but the growth and evolution in his game over the season is hard to ignore. I expect a better year in the KHL than we saw this past season and a jump to the NHL relatively soon where Demidov likely makes anyone he plays with more productive.

  • In the last three seasons, the former Arizona Coyotes have drafted 31 times, and of those 31, just 11 stand below 6'2". Two of those 11 are under 6', with one being Logan Cooley and the other going unsigned and playing in Switzerland. All of this is to say that it's relatively clear that this is a team that values raw size more often than not, especially in recent years. To me there are a few options they could head with this pick if that trend continues. In my mind, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard checks a ton of boxes. A player who brings a more NHL-ready style of play than many players in this range with tactical defensive ability, good skill that he applies effectively, and some finishing ability that should project to the NHL well. He's headed to the SHL next season but I don't think he's long for the European world from here. He had a great performance at the World Championships showcasing his physicality but also his moments of evasive skill and a quick wrist shot to top it all off. He would round out a massive prospect cupboard and provide some support for names like Cooley and Geekie down the road. It may be a bit early to take him, but he would be a good fit for what the Coyotes seem to be building.

    To pat myselve on the back a bit, I put on my Bill Armstrong hat last year and nailed the Simashev/But picks at the draft and was not surprised to see them go where they did, and this year I just can't help but think they want to continue building their collection of defensive skyscrapers and going after Anton Silayev. Sure they've drafted a bunch of other huge defenders in the last few seasons, but Silayev brings a ton of potential in a variety of different avenues that could make Utah's defense group a serious issue down the road. He's mobile, uses his reach well, and while he lacks some of the refinements you need out of NHL defenders, he's a player willing to be physical and shows signs of being a solid defensive defenseman that can offset some of the other more offensive leaning big boys they've drafted recently. There are a ton of ways this could go for them, but it seems like having multiple mobile defenders well over 6' is not a bad thing in an NHL lineup and Utah seems to be on their way there. Silayev only helps them get there with even more gusto.

  • New ownership brings changes regardless of circumstances, and Ottawa is in the process of completely overturning things from top to bottom. As of today, it seems that the scouting staff is identical to before, so the only thing that may change philosophy is directive from above. It's impossible to predict how those things might change, but I'm very curious to find out.

    For me, Artyom Levshunov won't be available in the real world, but if things went my way, he would be, and in my opinion make a ton of sense for the Senators. He's a physical righty that bring a strong short-range game and some nice moments of offensive creation that should offset the more skilled players in Ottawa's defensive group. With Levshunov likely gone by now, my attention turns to Zayne Parekh. Ottawa does have some defenders at the NHL level with some offensive punch, but Parekh is a potential power play quarterback with tremendous offensive vision that fills the right side of the ice extremely well for them down the line. There's work to be done with Parekh long term, but there's so much there to start with and the offensive potential is very, very tantalizing in this range. He brings a certain swagger that Ottawa seems to have a bit of here and there in their lineup but also seem to love adding to. Parekh checks a lot of boxes for me if I'm the Senators and I could see a natural fit where fans would really have a time watching this guy in the NHL.

  • To me this just makes a ton of sense both in my world and the real world. Zeev Buium brings so many talents that Seattle seems to be adding over the years, but they lack a premier defense prospect. With Buium, they can afford to be a little bit patient and let him develop his skating ability to get him a bit more explosive than he is. That honestly seems to be the only area that he needs to improve in order for Buium to become a premier offensive defenseman in the NHL. The skill level, creativity, and the willingness to make some risky but rewarding plays are admirable. I've been a huge fan of Buium for two seasons now and while there are questions about his game, the upside is there. He brings high end traits that are hard to find and with some time to nurture and improve his current limitations, the Kraken could find themselves with a tremendous offensive player in time.

  • Calgary is another team with a new management squad and may be in the early stages of a new era. For if things went my way, Sam Dickinson stands out as a solid building block. Calgary could use more of pretty much everything in their pipeline, but especially on defense. Sure, they've added Daniil Miromanov and Hunter Brzustewicz among other youngsters at the position in the last season, but there's definitely room for more, and Dickinson brings a balanced game that could go a number of directions from here. There are a variety of players I could see going here considering what Calgary has in the stable, but Dickinson seems like solid bedrock to move forward with.

    With Dickinson gone when thinking about the actual draft, Beckett Sennecke comes to mind as a good fit for Calgary. I know, I know, everyone there wants Tij Iginla, and who knows, in reality he could go here and everyone feels awesome about it, but I don't really like the logic of drafting a player just because the player's father is a team legend and current employee. It makes for a great story, but you need to draft the best player available, and while I'm a huge fan of Iginla and think he'll be a great complimentary offensive forward with a great forechecking instinct, the potential upside for Sennecke feels like something teams are going to climb all over each other to take a run at. He packs an offensive punch that their cupboard could use more of on the wings. They lack centre depth but it seems as though Sennecke is going to be a high pick in this draft, and the skill and creativity Sennecke brings would benefit any team, especially with a few years to develop further. Again, Calgary is a tough team to get a grasp of with the new management team, but I could see them sticking with stable, capable producers that bring some size at any given position and either Sennecke or Dickinson fit that mold.

  • Another unanimous one to me that just makes sense. Sure, there may be a level of concern after Alexander Holtz has struggled to find a role with the Devils, but Eiserman brings a physical element and some more playmaking upside than what I remember of Holtz a few years back. Eiserman has some issues with a bit of an underwhelming skill level and some odd decisions with and without the puck but his upside is huge. The shot speaks for itself, the variety with which he's able to score is hard to find, and he's a player willing to throw himself around and knock into bodies. He's going to need time to develop some fundamentals, but he could easily slot in up and down the Devils lineup as a triggerman that can score goals but potential for more with patience and development to his playmaking ability and skill level.

  • If it's up to me, I take the chance on Adam Jiricek here. The Sabres lack strong, two way right handed defensive depth, and while you never draft for need, their prospect pipeline is filled with forwards drafted in the first round, and there is a chance that Jiricek turns out to be the most useful defenseman in this draft in a ton of different ways. He's fluid and mobile on his feet, especially laterally to close gaps and navigate the ice on defensive rushes, which is a pivotal trait for a modern defensive player. He has an underrated skill level that I would love to nurture and develop to make him a bit more assertive, and he has a physical edge that should only improve as he gets stronger. The Sabres have drafted often, and there are a ton of great options here, so to me they can afford to take a risk on a player that could fill a huge gap on their roster. Knee injuries are less of a concern than they were years ago, and I think Jiricek makes a ton of sense here.

    In reality, the RHD that a lot of folks are going to be more focused on in this range is Carter Yakemchuk. I remain much lower on him than others, seeing how far he has to go with both his skating off the puck defensively and consistent puck management, but there certainly is potential here. Yakemchuk also has similar tendencies and a similar style to other high end defensemen the Sabres have in names like Power, Byram and Dahlin. Range-y, aggressive, skilled offensive leaning defenders who have confidence and push play themselves often. Yakemchuk's skill level at low pace is high end, finding pathways through layers of defensive pressure well, with a hard shot from the point that he uses often... Almost too often. Yakemchuk would help round out the prospect pipeline in Buffalo, and in the NHL brings more of what they've already got, but if that's the type of player they value defensively, then this isn't a bad option at all.

  • Zayne Parekh and Matvei Michkov in the same place is a tantalizing option, but those two in Philadelphia would be simply hilarious for Flyers fans. Sure, Parekh isn't the meanest player around and he isn't going to be tossing himself into opponents getting the fans off their bums, but he brings what is essentially the offensive version of that. He's an exciting, skilled offensive player with daring confidence and pass vision that should at the very least quarterback a power play and generate some good 5v5 offense. There's a swagger to his game that Flyers fans likely come to enjoy over time, pushing pucks around, changing lanes, hanging onto possession through thick and thin, desperately trying to create offense on every chance he gets. That said, he's rough around the edges in his own end, and moving the puck with his passing is very hit or miss right now, but the potential for Parekh is huge and I think as a personality, fits with what the Flyers seem to want to be as well as what fans crave there.

    I'm sure I've offended Calgary Flames fans sending Iginla all the way to 12 to Philadelphia, and he's probably gone by now in reality but all it takes is a few teams to prioritize players with more size, or a centre/defenseman to knock Iginla down a little bit. Granted, Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere has said that they're focused on bringing in a centre which may steer them away from Iginla, but he absolutely should not be here at 12 come the actual draft. Iginla brings a lot to the table and does so in a way that the Flyers and their fans would probably adore. He's one of the smartest and most effective forecheckers in the draft, with intelligent skill application in transition to sneak around the ice and find ways to connect on passes with linemates. The analytical case for Iginla is strong, with balanced dual threat offense, efficient transition data and excellent defensive data. My only concern with Iginla lies in the "size" of his game, and the increased physicality of the NHL. I think Iginla is a player you love to have, but may not reach the true offensive ceiling some are portraying him to have. In Philadelphia, he'd be an endearing, intense talent that makes a ton of sense if he's available here and while I'd be surprised if he were available here, I'd be shocked if he got through Philadelphia here.

  • Minnesota seems pretty straightforward to pick through with regards to their strategy. They seem to focus on more physically developed, balanced talents that bring ability in all three zones, and some kind of flashes of upside that could lead to a very effective player at higher levels. For me, Igor Chernyshov checks a ton of boxes at this point in the draft that could work for Minnesota. They've drafted a few times out of Russia in the top few rounds recently, and Chernyshov brings a balanced, intellgent game, reading defensive play much better now than he was in the early parts of the year, a high level of skill, and an un-KHL-like drive to get to scoring areas. He's resilient with the puck, chips in offensively and brings a strong all-around game that could compliment almost anyone. He just makes a ton of sense for the Wild and I wouldn't be surprised to see him go here, even if some consider 13 to be a tad early. Konsta Helenius came to mind here and was my alternate as a great fit here, but Chernyshov brings a bit more projectability that I think Minnesota might be looking for.

    On the flipside, with the players taken in my gut up to this point, Michael Brandsegg-Nygård brings so much to the table in the same vein of Chernyshov, but ratcheted up. His game is easily projectable to the NHL with his resilience, strength and underrated finesse that helps him move pucks up the ice effectively and create offense in ways that elevate linemates. He's a grinder, but he's also a tactical defender who reads play well, anticipates pressure effectively and plays with a ton of NHL-like qualities that are already there. I felt he looked great at the World Championship, throwing his weight around more than I'm used to and showcasing his lethal shot on a few occassions, and for an 18 year old playing at that level, I was impressed. Again, he checks a ton of boxes that Minnesota seems to look for. They may need some more centre depth in their pipeline, but it's hard to ignore the possibility of Brandsegg-Nygård at this point and just how much he'd fit with a big, strong and scary crop of young players in Minnesota.

  • Any watcher of the show or follower of the project knows that I love Teddy Stiga. A lot. He's fast, skilled, relentless in his pursuit of the puck, forechecks remarkably well and plays like a player who has been underrated his whole life. Landing Celebrini is the crown jewel of the day, but combining him with an intense, high pace skilled forward with dual threat offense is tantalizing. He's been a remarkable presence doing a huge amount of legwork for players like Cole Eiserman this season. San Jose seems to want more beef in their lineup, but Stiga brings beef of his own, you just have to set aside the numbers on a biographical sheet of information. He plays like a player that will drive results in the NHL with upside to be one of the most undervalued players in the draft when we look back. I was huge on Gavin Brindley last year for similar reasons, and I see a lot of echoes here. I get the feeling Columbus doesn't mind having Brindley in their pocket for next year, and with Stiga and Celebrini, I get the feeling that San Jose won't mind that either. I really don't think Stiga goes this high in reality. I've heard he may go as late as the late second round. Fair enough, to each their own.

    The Sharks drafted big last year outside of Will Smith, and they do lack some defensive depth in their pipeline. Stian Solberg brings a safety net of physical play that could fit with any team, but especially the Sharks. He's decently mobile, relentlessly physical, and has quite the shot from the point that has beaten goaltenders often this season. He's playing pro hockey this season, heading for the SHL next year which may come with an adjustment period, but he plays a style that should work there no problem. In my mind this is a bit early for taking Solberg but I'm a believer in the value of organizational fit, and I feel as though he'd be one heck of a useful player for San Jose. They can afford to be a bit cheeky here with all the players in their stable already, and Solberg could be a great add.

  • This is around the range I start thinking about Beckett Sennecke and I was really torn between him and Michael Hage here. I lean Sennecke for the added length on his frame and the quicker explosive first step that Sennecke has as a bit of an advantage over Hage. There are similar questions off the puck with both players, but the skill level and confidence is undeniable with Sennecke that alleviate some level of that concern. The Red Wings can go many directions here and likely have some great options, and there's a big need for centres in the pipeline, but Sennecke adds another aspect they lack which is pure offensive firepower. Sennecke is a highly talented winger who gets up the ice like a rocket these days and has grown into a larger frame well with potential for more growth in the coming season. For Detroit, he's a great compliment for the balanced two-way players they've drafted lately, and has potential for big upside in the coming years.

    He's gone in my gut pick list though, and I could easily see Sacha Boisvert being a great option here. I've had a tough time with Boisvert this season but the highs I've seen are very, very high. Silky hands to get through traffic and knock pucks loose, a wicked shot release and often found making smart, effective reads around the ice to quarterback a line. The tracked data on him is all positive, but the issue is that he disappears for stretches, leaning into looking for offense and lacking involvement in transition going both ways. These things are fixable I suppose but lower pace players as juniors always give me pause. That said, he has so, so much potential with the natural skillset he has. Mobile, fluid, moments of flash, a great finishing ability, and some great playmaking moments worth exploring further, a few years in college and a longer development curve could land Detroit a diversely talented natural centre that can score while also chipping in here and there defensively.

  • The St. Louis Blues are a team where I'll be very interested in seeing where they go in the draft. Last season with three first round picks they drafted a beefy sniper, a flashy skilled winger, and a stable, mobile defender. A little bit of everything encapsulates that, and here I get the feeling they might take the plunge on Trevor Connelly. On paper, he should be gone by now. In reality, there are many, many reasons why teams may steer clear for personal reasons. For me, this all really hinges on your impression of him as a person that you get through your own research as a team. Everyone else has a vested interest in portraying him a certain way. Being a first round pick is a prestigious accolade for a hockey organization, agent, parent, coach etc., but the NHL team is coming in as (hopefully) a neutral observer. If you're comfortable with your research, if it's me, the moment you draft him is the first day of the rest of his life. Thin ice, short leash, no more nonsense, focus on hockey, play selflessly as a teammate, and respect your surroundings and we'll be all good. If he works out, you've got a huge get in a skilled, aggressive winger with huge playmaking upside, if not, it's a pick in the middle of the first round and you took a swing on talent and it didn't work out. In reality I don't think he goes this high and when everything gets boiled down, the concern may simply outweigh the potential upside.

    Zayne Parekh is a great get at this point, and there may be a shot he slips a bit on draft day. There are some out there who believe that he isn't going top 10 like many project, and if there are concerns about his puck movement outside the offensive zone and close quarters defending, especially on the rush, he could be knocked down one pick at a time until someone thinks they've struck gold. At this point that would certainly be the case. St. Louis had Vince Dunn years ago and lost him to Seattle, and a big part of me thinks they miss having a player of that calibre. Parekh is likely a power play mainstay with very good middle pair upside as an offensive leaning defender that every team needs at least one of. The Blues have drafted a whole bunch of players but none like Parekh have been called. He fills an organizational need and they can afford to be patient, and he could be a huge get in this range if he slips a bit in the draft.

  • It's a little bit disconcerting how often I've heard people on the other side of the world of hockey question my adoration of Alfons Freij, but I still remain steadfast that if the name of the game is projecting players out a few years, Freij absolutely deserves to be in the realm of conversation of the CHL/NCAA players ranked higher. Freij is an extremely talented skater that only really lacks in lateral mobility on defensive rushes, which is a major flaw, but other defenders in this class have the identical issue that is exposed time and time again. What Freij does have is the instinct and brain necessary to play a modern version of the offensive game in the NHL for defenders. He's shifty, unpredictably, sneaky, tricky on retrievals, quick in a straight line, and in the offensive zone, he isn't generating offense purely through point shots that get deflected or rebounded to open men. He's shaking off defenders, he's exploding into space, working off the half wall, following up on his plays, pushing deep into the offensive zone and creating play often. He's not perfect, but a team like Washington could use a dynamic, high end offensive talent on the backend that they lack somewhat. Freij is a player that over time could be a massive steal when looking back at this year's draft. Tremendous international production and performances, high end offensive instincts, and a talent profile that is difficult to find.

    To some this may be a reach, but there's something in me that thinks he'd be a great fit in the new generation of the Washington Capitals. In reality, I would not be surprised to see a name like Jett Luchanko jump off the board here. It may surprise some, but I would be thrilled to see a team take a chance on him. He's competitive and skilled but above all else, he's a brilliant thinker of the game, selfless with his playmaking with an extremely projectable and highly coachable approach to the game. He goes to the net, finds space, uses skill to sneak pucks around defenses and change lanes on the rush which are all traits you want in a forward, especially a potential centre. He's one of the youngest players in the draft class as well and steadily looked more and more comfortable in a more and more important role for Guelph, and the upside is potentially massive with a player like Luchanko.

  • With Chicago landing Demidov in my world, Silayev is a perfectly reasonable option here that I would be totally fine with. He's a bit of a magic box with upside but also is quite unrefined and I'm still not sure exactly sure what kind of defender he will be, but only because he could go a variety of directions. He was one of the least involved defenders in transition going either direction in my dataset, and I believe it. He defers to linemates in the defensive zone as principle puck carriers and his exit passing is very inconsistent, especially under any kind of pressure. That said, the length and skating combination is very, very rare and if you're cool with leaving him in the KHL for a few years and trying to refine his footwork to make him a more effective defender, I could easily see him being a dependable middle pair defensive leaning player that can drive pucks into the neutral zone well. His offensive game historically hasn't been a hallmark and I think there's a ways to go if it ever will be, but he's an intriguing player that brings a lot to the table, and should offset the acquision of Demidov extremely well.

    I could easily see Adam Jiricek available here, and I would be really pushing for him if I'm on Chicago's staff. I think there's huge upside here with the mobility and high-end positioning insticts he carries. The injury sucks, especially since I felt his season was taking a turn for the better, but with your second pick in the first round and Chicago's first being Artyom Levshunov, you could really set up your defensive group and offset the forwards drafted over the last couple of seasons. I'm a Jiricek believer, and while most teams generally draft a forward and defenseman with two or more first round picks, I could see Chicago again bucking that trend and buying low on Jiricek with potential for a big steal to go along with a player that I personally have ranked lower in Levshunov.

  • Stian Solberg and Las Vegas is a match made in heaven if you ask me. I feel as though he would thrive under the limelight there and would absolutely love it. He's a fascinating individual that plays a game that is just designed for the NHL. Highly physical, intense defensive play, with a bit of a cannon of a shot, Solberg needs refinement moving pucks and calmly seeing the ice to read his options better, but if he comes a ways in that regard while playing in Sweden, look out. It still may be a bit early for me to take him, but the fit is just too good to ignore. The Golden Knights play a heavy, fast game and with time I could easily see Solberg slotting into that system perfectly, taking that brand and running with it. Fans will love him, coaches will probably love him, his teammates will hopefully love him, and he could be another highly valuable player we look back on as having gone too late. If you're looking for an NHL playoff defenseman that still plays the game at a high level, Solberg is a great option.

    You may laugh, but from what's out there it's entirely possible that Catton just slips and slips on draft day. Heck, Zach Benson slipped all the way to the middle of the first round last year, and Catton plays a more cerebral, skilled game while being similarly slight physically. Catton isn't small though, and 5'11" centres in the NHL do exist, and with his style of play, I could easily see how he could project into an NHL role. Sure, he isn't running over opponents and hounding players every chance he gets, but he's so surgically precise, reading play so, so well, with some of the best forechecking results and his supportive defense is impressive. If Catton is available here, sure the Golden Knights seem to draft beefier players, but gosh it would be hard to see a smart team like Vegas say no at this point.

  • Another unanimous one here as Emil Hemming goes to New York. They've drafted out of Turku here and there, and seem to love big, skilled and strong players of which Hemming certainly is. His game is a little up and down and I would absolutely be coaching him to be more assertive and aggressive both on and off the puck, but only because I'm pretty sure he's more than capable of doing so. There's a good frame to start with, he's a determined player with good skill, and a wicked shot that he can put in the net from mid range. If he can develop his game a bit from here and become a more projectable version of the player he already is, the Islanders feel like a good environment in which to do so and could turn out to be a pretty useful middle six/third line power winger with skill and finishing upside.

  • Yeah yeah yeah, I get it, no way that Helenius goes this late. You're probably right! I just think there's a bit more of a limited ceiling with Helenius, but with L.A. I think there's a great fit to be had. He's well rounded, physically intense, and above everything he's smart. On the puck he takes creative routes and fights through pressure, off the puck he times his rushes and chooses lanes effectively, forechecking well and quickly making plays on turnovers. I wonder how much he'll actually move the needle in the NHL considering that everything with him outside of his mind is good, but not great. I see him as an effective, smart and creative middle six forward that could play centre and do well doing so. If the talent profile takes a turn for the better and the pace of his game rises, he could be really something and I'd look awfully foolish, but he's a good player that should play a good NHL role and would be a strong get here for the Kings to work around.

    Michael Hage is a showtime player though, and L.A. could use some thrilling skill in their lineup these days if you ask me. High energy, high skill, high creativity and the audacity to try difficult plays, Hage is a fascinating offensive player that, while carrying some flaws, is one of the most exciting players available in this range. He's evasive, deceptive, his passes are often pinpoint accurate, especially in tough scenarios on the rush, and the determination he has to get to scoring areas to continuously look for offensive chances is admirable. This is an upside pick for a team that has played it a little bit safe with the limited drafting they've done in recent years. I'm a fan of what Hage brings and he could be a needed jolt of offense for L.A. that I could see them aiming for here.

  • Barry Trotz said that his Predators would be looking for high upside skill in the draft, and if that trend holds for this year, Jett Luchanko would be a great option. I mentioned before just how positive I see his game, and how I could easily see him just getting better and better over the next few years as his skating, skill and strength all improve. The way he sees the game and utilizes linemates is so high end, and it's easy to see how a player like Luchanko could work off of some of the more finishing-heavy players they've drafted in recent years and elevate their games. Matt Wood may not be the biggest transition threat in the NHL for example, but he wouldn't have to worry about puck management as much with Luchanko on his line, and he will certainly get his share of scoring chances working off a player like that.

    In reality, it feels like a player like Liam Greentree fits the bill. His game is so well-rounded save for one key area, driving play and escaping pressure with his feet. He can be a lower pace player that struggles unless he has support and time to think, but even with players on him, he finds ways to make plays and adapt to the pressure around him. It isn't NHL level right now, but if he gets there, he could be a real force that's hard to stop regardless of the position he's in or the time of the year. Greentree was a little bit up and down this year capping his year off with a less than ideal U18 performance, but the highs are so high with him, and if things break right he could be a player we look back on as having gone way too late when he's absorbing pressure and making plays with the best of them in the heavy and tough Stanley Cup Playoffs one day.

  • Trying to predict where the Toronto Maple Leafs are going is like predicting who is going to win a season of Survivor after episode one. It's always someone you don't expect, and just when you think you've found out the secret formula, they pull another rabbit out of their hat. I liked Easton Cowan last year and had him higher than average, but I was surprised to see him in the first round. Look at him now. Fraser Minten top 40 was something I never considered, and he played NHL minutes this year. They clearly value intelligence, and I know for a fact that they value off-ice testing and how players study and see the game quite a bit. Those are factors that are impossible to predict from an outsider perspective, but I can easily see a player like Michael Hage performing well for them. The way he sees the ice, chooses his routes, and attacks players one-on-one is impressive, and the evasiveness and no-nonsense dual-threat offense is always going to be there. The Leafs also seem to be a team that really digs into trajectory and such, drafting Matthew Knies after an injury and sickness-riddled draft year that left me personally unimpressed, but clearly they knew something we didn't, and he looks like an absolute steal a few years out. Michael Hage spend much of last year injured and took time to hit his stride this year, but when he hit, he hit hard. For me, this is the direction I'd go if I were in the director's chair with the names remaining.

    Come draft day, I could easily see Igor Chernyshov being the option. The Leafs may want to start to trend in a more physical, resilient direction, and Chernyshov not only fits the bill, but fits it in such a way that I think would perform well in their off-ice testing. He's intelligent with his positioning and timing, getting into potential passing lanes at a high level of hockey and able to get play moving in the offensive direction quickly. He adapts to play around him, he's a strong puck protector, he pushes into scoring areas unlike many pro hockey players out there this year, and has a quicker trajectory than many prospects this season. A KHL mainstay and playing solid minutes, I feel as though his production can only increase as he gains more experience and improves on his already good skill level, even under pressure. He may not be a first line steal of a pick here, but he can easily be a solid, diversely talented winger that drives good results overall, especially with his defensive involvement and positioning improvements I've seen over the year.

  • The Avalanche have one of the thinnest cupboards in the league, but they have more Stanley Cup rings plugging their ears these days so I don't think anyone minds. With their two first rounders last year being absolutely nailed in Mikhail Gulyayev and Calum Ritchie, clearly the scouting team there knows how to pick through the litter for some high upside names that could make a strong impact. At this point in the draft there are a few options I would go if I'm them, but Liam Greentree stands out. He brings a ton of projectable NHL qualities, and with a highly mobile and quick team around him, he may be able to slot in as a perfect compliment, even if his skating doesn't come as far as it could in order for him to be a true gamebreaking talent on his own. The physical tools and thinking under pressure are unique and could be an interesting fit in the middle of the lineup for the Avalanche in the future.

    There is a part of me though, that thinks that Colorado is a team that will jump the market and take the plunge on Jesse Pulkkinen. I've come a long way on him, even if I still think he's a bit insane on the ice. Reckless with his passing and carrying routes, confident to a fault, but a remarkably patient defensive player, timing stick checks well, delaying passes on breakouts as necessary, and getting physical when necessary. He's a 2004- born player and as such a bit further in his development, and I don't think he projects to be a huge offensive producer, but the skill and creativity is there to potentially chip in. At his age he can do it quicker than many players in the draft as well, and Colorado is in a win-now window with names like Gulyayev and Ritchie likely on the way in the next season or two or three. He's a weird player, but an interesting one with extreme habits on both ends, and in this range if you get any kind of everyday player, you've won your pick, and I could see Pulkkinen slotting in down the lineup effectively, even if I have him a bit lower than this pick.

  • The Bruins got their own pick back and their prospect cupboard is largely empty. With that luxury they can afford to swing on potential, and at this point not many players have as high a ceiling as Sacha Boisvert. He brings such silky skill to the game, with confidence in the offensive zone that generated plenty of offense for the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The Bruins can afford to be patient, and I believe patience is necessary with Boisvert. He's got skill, finishing ability, and a pretty good set of feet for his size, but finding a level of intensity and consistency will be key to unlocking his full potential.

    Come draft time in my gut I could see Boston taking the plunge on Cole Beaudoin. He just screams Boston Bruin to me. He's aggressive, physical, relentless and determined, but there's a simplistic offensive approach that drives results in key areas of the ice. There isn't a tremendous amount of depth to his game, but what he does bring is right up Boston's alley. He can get tough, he can power through pressure with the puck, and he can be a good offset for skilled players who specialize more in open ice while being an offensive threat on his own.

  • Montreal is always a tricky one these days, but if things go the way I'd set them in motion, Linus Eriksson comes to mind as a nice fit here. It's a bit higher than most people have him, but I think the Habs recognize smart players with potential who have had growth in their game, and Eriksson checks every box there. I wasn't seeing much of him early in the year but once he got comfortable with playing centre in HockeyAllsvenskan, he looked like a serious rock in the middle of the ice. His feel for positioning and the flow of the game jumps out at you, finding space constantly, making quick give and go passes, thinking selflessly and driving play up the ice efficiently. There's a nice hard wrist shot at the end of it all that started beating pro goaltending as the year wore on. He needs to develop some more playmaking instincts in the offensive zone to be more of a lethal offensive threat, but he's a strong two-way player that could solidify a line at the bottom end of Montreal's lineup with some pop off his stick here and there. I've been a big fan of him, Djurgarden seems to agree, and I think he could be a good option for what Montreal is looking for. It's possible but unlikely he's available at 57 and the potential is hard to ignore.

    On the other hand, the Habs seem to also want beef in their lineup. Hard, resilient beef. Who can blame them? That's how the NHL works a lot of the time. It seems as though EJ Emery might be gone before this point but if he isn't, I can't help but think Montreal looks at him here. He's big and has very good range in his skating, but to me the rest is a big work in progress. My tracking data is not super favorable to his passing game in general, especially outside of defensive zone breakouts, he loses more rush battles than you'd think, loses more physical battles than you'd think, and doesn't have much of an offensive zone game to speak of right now, but as with other mystery boxes, the possibilities are tantalizing. He performed well at the U18s and showcased his skating ability and the odd puck rush that really impressed me and was a side of his game I hadn't seen a ton of leading up to this point, but he was still a bit of a shaky possession player and settling pucks in the defensive zone was a bit sketchy. He's an interesting case, and one I've gone back and forth on all year, and while this perhaps a bit early for me to take him, I can easily see why an NHL team would make this pick and leave him in college for a few years at North Dakota. There's a nice defensive player here one day probably, and one that could round out Montreal's defense group quite well considering who is already there.

  • Carolina simultaneously surprises and doesn't surprise me every single season. With a new general manager promoted internally, I expect the strategy to stay the same, if not lean more into the unique direction they go. One thing is true though, they value skill, and pace in players, just like yours truly. If that holds this year, there are a number of options they could go with at this pick. I doubt I'm incorrect in saying that Carolina has drafted more Russians in the last few years than anyone else, and good on them. It seems to be a competitive advantage these days if you ask me. They haven't dipped their toes into the Russian pool in the first round, but I think that trend could change with Nikita Artamonov. I know some in the league are far less favorable to him, wondering how much more development you're going to get out of him, but if you ask me, I think there's a great pathway for him, and you're starting with a great baseline. Sure, I don't think you're looking at a first line steal late in the first round, but you cannot fault Artamonov's competitiveness, intelligence and how quickly he can move pucks in ways that simply march the puck up the ice effectively. I think he needs to learn how to play with a bit more dynamic pace in his game, knowing how to create gaps and diversify his offensive zone play. He's just all-out, all the time, and while that's certainly fun, it's not nearly as impactful as it could be. He can create space for himself on breakouts with ease, and he's relentless with pressure application that causes turnovers at both ends of the ice. I'm not sure there's anything more than a 200-foot impact third line guy here, but that's not a bad thing at all, and I think he'd look pretty good doing it. There are plenty of aspects that Carolina is looking for and considering the options, I think he'd be a good option here.

    Knowing what I know about NHL team's feelings about Artamonov however, it seems he's more of a 2nd rounder, and I could easily see Ryder Ritchie being an alternate here. He's quite skilled himself, but a very, very smart positional player as well, navigating the ice with ease, making space for himself and making himself a target in the offensive zone. I'm a bit lower on Ritchie, but I also see the potential and believe that his surroundings weren't really the most synergistic partners to finish what he started on the ice. Another player where his tracked data is "good" across the board, Ritchie brings a balance of skill and smarts that has echoes of what I remember of Seth Jarvis, and Carolina may be barking up a similar tree here, just maybe a bit further down the depth chart at the end of the day.

  • The Flames double dipping on defensemen feels like something they might do. They've added a ton of young defenders in the early days of their retool, just recently adding Kevin Bahl, but for me, Dominik Badinka is a tantalizing option that could be a great fit for them here. He's tall, lanky, fast, and a smart puck manager more often than not, slowly earning a bigger and bigger role with Malmo in the SHL. That trend likely continues as he becomes a more refined and stronger defender in the truest sense of the word. He can get outmuscled in transition and along the boards a bit, but he's much of the way there already in terms of instinct, intent and timing that are desirable. There's a pretty solid shot from the point as well, but he's much more of a two zone player that can get the puck up the ice efficiently, with good results passing the puck, and a carrying ability that rarely came out but is clearly evident. I think he's only scratching the surface of his potential, and he's got a great development trajectory and I can only imagine the kind of player we're looking at with three more years of SHL experience under his belt.

    In my gut, they got Sennecke high, and typically teams split their first round picks positionally, and it really seems like Leo Sahlin Wallenius is highly regarded, even after what I felt was an up and down U18. He's got range with his skating, but he's got a physical edge to him that NHL teams crave. He's likes to put play on his own stick and quarterback rushes himself and does quite well doing so, but I just feel as though the finer details of his game are a question mark. The footwork in defensive rushes is a little spotty, and is a bit of an unreliable player with defensive zone coverages, leading to poor shot differentials in scoring areas, but he's got some good offensive zone vision that works in his favor and generated shot assists at a strong rate. Personally I don't have him ranked, but others disagree, and I could see Calgary going for the solid defender with some interesting NHL-like traits to exploit.

  • The Dallas Stars and I generally get along pretty well. At this point in my mind, a player like Andrew Basha fits the type of player they often look for. Lian Bichsel was a departure from the usual, but a welcome one considering his physical defensive style with bits of skill here and there. Basha brings pure pace, skill and energy that every team could use an infusion of. Dallas was a team that leads with balanced skill up and down their lineup and has a bit more tolerance for skill down their lineup than most teams. They've added names like Stankoven and Bourque in the past, and Basha could be a great add on the wings with his dynamic and energetic style of offense that will excite Stars fans, even if it's more in a middle six role one day. If he can gain a bit more of an off-puck intensity level, he could unlock a lot more opportunities to play offensively, but as-is, he's a big talent with big upside and is well worth the bet at this point in the draft.

    In reality I could see them taking a big look at Alfons Freij. They've drafted skilled defensemen in the past few years but not quite as skilled or creative as Freij. I've heard comparisons to Nils Lundkvist, who granted hasn't quite lived up to his draft status, but I still believe that Lundkvist has performed better in the NHL than his numbers might indicate. Skilled, creative, evasive and plays a style of offense that I think works in the modern NHL, Freij is a bet for the future, and Dallas can afford to be patient with a player like this.

  • The Rangers clearly like beef, and I am well aware that Carter Yakemchuk is gone well before here in the real world, but this is around the range I would consider taking him. He's still unrefined defensively and his mobility outside of barreling up the ice in a straight line is questionable, and his vision of the ice with the puck on his stick is extremely questionable in my experience with him. Still, the skill to adapt and navigate through pressure, especially in the offensive zone on pass receptions is very impressive and unlike many in this draft. He's got a cannon from the point as well and is willing to use it, almost to a fault. There's something there with Yakemchuk but for me he mixes more into the background of the high end of this class than he does at the top. A late first round pick to a team that likes their defenders big, physical and range-y could do much worse than Yakemchuk at this point if by some crazy chance he slips this far.

    In reality I could easily see the Rangers being the team to take the plunge on Connelly. They don't strike me as a team willing to tolerate nonsense, and there are some interesting characters that may be able to put Connelly on a good path, and if it works, the Rangers might end up with a premier talent in the draft. He's got so much talent with the skill, pace and playmaking instincts he brings naturally, and brings an infusion of offense to a prospect pipeline that could probably use more of it.

  • This is another unanimous one for me. I could so easily see the Ducks go this direction and I wouldn't be against it at this point. O'Reilly brings plenty of projectable tools to the game with resilience under pressure, creative ways of getting out of jams, strong playmaking around the net area, and a physical edge that will only be more apparent as his skating and raw pace of play improves. I have doubts about how high a ceiling he has, but with the Ducks he adds another physical dimension that they seem to crave, and does it in an effective way that could be a great stopping threat and grinding offensive presence in the coming years.

  • The Flyers are a team that drafted plenty of skill last year among other talents, and to me, I always think about the style of player that seems to suit the culture of the team. For me here, Herman Träff stands out. He's a bit of a reach here to many, but he's so physical, intense and has a strong skill floor that he can use one on one to project pretty easily to the NHL with time. There are some highlight-reel moments of his, but he brings so much more to the table and looked more than comfortable at the professional levels in Sweden. He can handle the physical intensity, and if he can make plays quicker with some better vision on the puck, there could be a nice bottom six pickup here. I've been a Herman guy for two years and I think he'd be a player Flyers fans come to love with his rambunctious, skilled and powerful game.

    In reality, it's becoming harder to see Charlie Elick staying off the board past the first round, and while I'm not nearly as much of a fan of Elick, that's only because if I'm running an NHL team, his brand isn't really my priority, but if you pursue physicality and straight line speed over everything else, Elick is a good option here. He's a pain to handle, and rough around the edges, but if his development goes well in a few areas, he could fill in roles down Philadelphia's lineup with a hard-nosed puck rushing game. With the Flyers adding Iginla, Elick is a nice offset from the same region that brings a level of insulation for others that could be valuable down the road.

Will Scouch https://scouching.ca
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