NHL development camps are in full swing this week, following the spectacular draft in Las Vegas at the Sphere.
The draft itself was a spectacle. It’s difficult to put in words the visual effects presented inside Sphere. The rolling images, as well as the Exosphere, were stunning. The draft was the first live televised event at Sphere and what’s supposed to be the last in-person NHL draft is now part of history.
The build up to this year’s draft, outside of consensus first overall selection Macklin Celebrini going to the San Jose Sharks, was expected to present tons of storylines and unpredictable selections. At the end of the first round, five trades involving draft slots occurred. Five other trades were consummated in the weeks leading into the draft.
As the draft goes past the first round, it gets harder and harder to find NHL players, but every year they are there somewhere, even though it will take a few years for them to develop as pros.
With that in mind, here’s a look at my favourite pick from each round of the 2024 NHL Draft:
ROUND 1
Ivan Demidov, Montreal Canadiens, fifth overall
I’m still in a bit of shock that the second-best player in the draft class was still on the board for the Montreal Canadiens at No. 5.
Demidov is unlike any prospect Montreal has had the opportunity to select in, well … forever! He’s a genuinely elite offensive talent with top line scoring upside. In 47 combined regular season and playoff games at the MHL level in Russia, Demidov produced 34G-54A and was a plus-66.
Montreal hasn’t had a point per game forward in their lineup since Alex Kovalev (84 points) in 2008. In time, Demidov will eclipse Kovalev’s total.
Here’s a sample of what Montreal Canadiens fans have to look forward too:
ROUND 2
Teddy Stiga, Nashville Predators, 55th overall
Stiga was a player I targeted as a late first-round candidate, but he ended up falling here to the Predators.
Stiga brings a combination of skill and will. He produced 36G-43A at the USNTDP. He plays the game quick and fast, and is a relentless competitor who creates turnovers and checks back the full 200 feet. When he isn’t producing offence he’s still involved. Stiga seems to be around the play every shift and isn’t someone who a coach has to wind up to get going.
ROUND 3
Maxim Masse, Anaheim Ducks, 66th overall
Masse is a power/finesse forward, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, and a scorer who plays for Chicoutimi in the QMJHL.
Masse produced plenty of offence for Chicoutimi (36G-39A) and Team Canada (7G-4A in 12 combined games at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and U18 World Championship). I love his puck touch. Masse extends plays from the hash marks down in the offensive zone, corals pucks in high danger areas and directs them on net with a quick release. He is especially proficient tipping shots when he sets up in the mid-slot. His skating will need to find another level, but his tangible skill set is very attractive.
ROUND 4
Aron Kiviharju, Minnesota Wild, 122nd overall
Kiviharju fell all the way to the fourth round after several prognosticators had him being selected in the back half of the first-round in some mock drafts. I had him ranked 42nd in my final top 70 list.
Kiviharju couldn’t have had worse luck this past season. The 5-foot-9, 184-pound defenceman suffered a knee injury that kept him out for the majority of the year. He returned for the U18 worlds, but admitted at the combine he wasn’t nearly 100 per cent. At the end of the day, the two-way defender and power play quarterback only dressed for 12 games.
Kiviharju will need to find another gear with his skating, but his hockey sense is excellent. He recognizes where, and when, to distribute pucks and he’s a calculating defender. Kiviharju is also one of the biggest personalities in this draft class. He’s very confident in his own abilities and will undoubtedly put in the work to improve his pace.
In case you missed it, here’s an example of Kiviharju exuding his confidence when he saw Wild GM Bill Guerin after the pick:
ROUND 5
Colton Roberts, San Jose Sharks, 131st overall
Big, rangy, right-shot defencemen are worth their weight in gold when they turn pro. Roberts plays for the Vancouver Giants in the WHL and is a 6-foot-3, 204-pound, two-way defenceman who produced 7G-20A. He was deployed in all situations. His minus-30 rating might have scared some teams, but the fact of the matter is he was even for the second half of the year defensively, and had some terrible puck luck in the first half.
Roberts could end up being a steal in the fifth round. In time he will further define himself and maximize his ability. He skates well and has more offence to provide, but his defensive detail will be closely monitored and gives him the best chance at a pro career as it continues to evolve.
ROUND 6
Jared Woolley, Los Angeles Kings, 164th overall
Woolley is a towering prospect (6-foot-4, 207 pounds) who split time between the London Knights and their Jr. B affiliate, the St. Thomas Stars in the GOJHL.
Woolley is a player who had to be watched closely. He’s a bit green, but he moves well, sees the ice, outlets pucks accurately, and has some bite physically. His size, and length, are assets he uses in the defensive zone to kill plays and keep opponents to the perimeter.
Woolley will take time, but he ticks off three important boxes for me at this stage of the draft: He skates well, thinks the game responsibly, and competes every time his number is called. I believe there’s some underdeveloped offence waiting to go to another level in his game as well.
ROUND 7
Christian Humphreys, Colorado Avalanche, 215th overall
I was very surprised Humphreys, a forward, fell to the seventh round before being selected by the Avs. Every time I viewed the USNTDP, Humphreys was noticeable. He produced 23G-35A this season. Humphreys possesses a fantastic release and plays quick and fast. He’s a threat off the rush with the puck on his stick. I’m monitoring his willingness to take the puck to the middle of the ice and drive to high danger areas in traffic as he matures.
Humphreys is heading to the University of Michigan next season. His year over year scoring has been on the rise and if he continues with that trend he could end up as a third-line NHL prospect in time.
