Draft questions: How deep is this year's prospect class?

The last in-person NHL Draft is around the corner, taking place at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The first round goes Friday night, with Rounds 2-7 running on Saturday. Of course, you can watch it all on Sportsnet.

But before we get there, our draft gurus Sam Cosentino and Jason Bukala field a few questions on what they're looking forward to most from this year's class.

We know Macklin Celebrini will go first overall to the San Jose Sharks, but after that the draft could unfold in all sorts of ways. The order of player selection is unpredictable, and we know a few teams are open for business and could possibly trade their picks.

Without further ado, Sam and Jason share what they think will happen, and what they're looking forward to.

1. The draft may really start at the second overall pick, where it's uncertain who may follow Macklin Celebrini. But who is the prospect you're most curious to see where they land?

Jason Bukala: It feels to me like Ivan Demidov and Artyom Levshunov are interchangeable to go either No. 2 or No. 3 at the draft. There's always room for surprises, but that's my gut feel at this stage. 

Having said that, I'm interested to see what Columbus does with the fourth pick. Do they trade it, or do they make the selection? Either way, I think it's likely we will hear either Cayden Lindstrom or Anton Silayev called at fourth overall. 

Which brings me to the Montreal Canadiens at five. I think they are the wild card team. I believe the Habs will be selecting a forward and value Lindstrom, Tij Iginla, Beckett Sennecke and perhaps Berkly Catton. I'm bracing for Montreal to trade back. They likely have at least four names they are interested in and value similarly, so they can afford to take the risk and pick up an extra draft pick elsewhere.

Sam Cosentino: I’m most curious about Zayne Parekh. I have him as the second-best defenceman available in this draft class. I think his offensive upside is through the roof. He’s done things in the CHL that I’ve never seen a defenceman do before. Sitting on this side of the fence, it’s an easy call to make. Having said that, he is slight of frame and there are some defensive liabilities. If he doesn’t hit as an elite, point-producing defenceman, where does he fit in your three pairings?

A warning to GMs who have multiple first round picks: don’t pass this guy by. For those reasons, he creates the most intrigue for me inside the top 10 picks.

2. Who do you think will be the first goalie off the board and in what range do you think they'll get picked?

JB: NHL teams love size and athleticism in goalies. Mikhail Yegorov from Omaha in the USHL fits the description. He has a solid foundation to build upon. Having identified him as the potential first goalie off the board, I don't see a goalie being selected in the second round unless a team has multiple picks. Carter George, from Owen Sound, is another name to keep an eye on.  

SC: I think the first goalie off the board will be Mikhail Yegorov. Although last week, I thought it would be Carter George, but at 6-foot-1, George will be overlooked at that position by at least half the clubs.  

Interview/personality-wise, Yegorov was as impressive as anyone but Aron Kiviharju at the combine. Aside from being 6-foot-5, 188 pounds he’s hardly played, leaving plenty of room for growth. Going the college route will give the team that drafts Yegorov plenty of time to develop him without having to make a quick decision on a contract. I think he'll go inside the top 50 because the goalie market is not great in this draft. In fact, it wouldn’t shock me to see him go within the top eight picks in the second round. As it stands, the first nine teams up in that round could all use a goalie down the road, especially San Jose.  The Sharks pick at 33 and again at 42 if things don’t change between now and the draft. I'd be shocked if he gets by the Sharks at 42. 

3. The 2024 Draft has generally been considered as a lighter one in terms of depth in high-end talent. How true is that today and at what pick do you think the big "tier break" truly happens?

JB: My feeling is that there isn't a lot of difference between the 18th-ranked prospect on my list (Igor Chernyshov) and the 34th-ranked prospect (Alfons Freij). 

The player just ahead of that tier break to me is Liam Greentree from the Windsor Spitfires. He's a big, strong, power style, goal scoring forward. He's a player who could fall out of the top 17 for some teams, but I have him as the tipping point prospect on my list. 

Everyone else in my top 16 have separated themselves from the pack. 

SC: I believe this to be true. We’re still seeing the impact of the pandemic in this group, as a number of them would’ve been affected in the later stages of their minor hockey years. This rings especially true for those who suffered long-term injuries, Hage, Kiviharju, Jiricek, etc.  

I’d say there is a tier of one (Celebrini) and then a tier that goes from 2-13. Another tier around 18, and then all bets are off. Keep in mind, there are a number of high-end Russian players who have been largely scouted on video or lightly scouted in-person. How confident are teams going to be picking those players with a lack of in-person viewings, contractual obligations/pressure, and the ongoing geo-political situation?

4. New Jersey, Ottawa, and Buffalo have communicated an openness to trading their first-round picks. Do you think we could see more first-rounders swapped on the floor this year and, if you had to boldly predict, how many firsts will be traded this week? Which teams are you watching closest?

JB: The fact that New Jersey didn't have to include their first round pick (10th) in the Jacob Markstrom trade with Calgary tells me they might be open for business with it, but that it's going to cost a team more than I expected. The Devils are pretty well set in all positions with their prospects. Perhaps they hold out for an NHL roster player instead of swapping out draft capital. 

If I was running Ottawa's draft table I wouldn't be trading away the seventh pick in the draft. Trading back in this draft could bring quantity, but not high quality in return. There's going to be a very good player staring at the Senators at seven. It's my opinion they would be best served to make the pick and take the best player on their list. 

The Buffalo Sabres are clearly in a bit of scramble mode. The team has been inching towards being a playoff team in recent years, only to fall back and miss for yet another season. Their situation is unique. The Sabres have attempted pretty much everything to reach their team goal. Buffalo selecting 11th isn't ideal, but if Jett Luchanko, Beckett Sennecke, or perhaps Cole Eiserman are still available the Sabres should make the pick. 

My bold prediction is there could be three first-round picks swapped at the draft. 

I'm curious to see if Calgary trades up if Tij Iginla is on the board past pick four.  Could we see the Flames move No. 9 and No. 28 (VAN) to Montreal for picks five and 57 (COL) ?

SC: With New Jersey’s goaltending situation having been addressed with Markstrom, I think they'll keep the pick. Size up front would be a welcomed addition, but because they’re young, they can afford to be a little more risky in their selection. If they feel they’re reaching for forward size, they can explore a trade-back or take a shot on someone others may have a little lower on their list. With Kevin Bahl gone, that may allow them to lean towards the blue line and address size on the back end with someone like Carter Yakemchuk.  

Ottawa should be open to all discussions, but at seven, they will get an impact player and the organization could surely use that in their short-term pipeline.

Buffalo could use some veteran help after the departures of Kyle Okposo, Erik Johnson, and Casey Mittlestadt. Does that mean moving pick No. 11? With a tier break right in that neighbourhood, the Sabres may very well be willing to move that pick for more immediate, experienced help.  

With no trades in the first round of last year’s draft, we’re due. I can see as many as three more of them being moved between now and the Sphere floor Friday night, after the Sens already traded one out for Linus Ullmark.