As soon as the Connor Bedard Draft concluded last week in Nashville, pen was being put to paper and a new list of draft eligible prospects started taking shape. The 2024 draft class has a chance to challenge the depth of the 2023 group.
Here, in no particular order is a look at some names you will be hearing plenty about in the coming months:
Scouting Report: Elite offensive talent who plays a quick and fast game. He’s a threat off the rush and makes plays in tight space. He’s a creative thinker who has an elusive release. A difference maker who’s a massive threat on the power play. Celebrini leans top line forward at the NHL level and he is the early front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick next season. He’s heading to Boston University in the fall. Celebrini was outstanding for Team Canada at the U18 Worlds and he’s taking the same path as recent third overall draft pick Adam Fantilli (CBJ).
Scouting Report: Another high-end talent who has been developing at the USNTDP. He’s the next torch bearer for the program. Eiserman wants the puck on his stick every shift. He drives the play of whatever line he is on. He’s a goal scorer. Like any offensive talent at this stage of his development he needs to evolve to the point he can be trusted more defensively, but he’s immensely gifted offensively and will challenge Celebrini for first overall next summer.
Scouting Report: Dickinson played a huge role for the London Knights during their march to the OHL Championship series. Dickinson leans two-way defenceman, but his skating and hockey IQ are elite. He will be used in all situations again next year in London. I expect his offensive numbers to increase substantially.
Scouting Report: Kiviharju is a slightly undersized transitional defenceman who quarterbacks the power play. He’s an excellent skater, elusive on the offensive blue line, and jumps to space effectively on defence. Kiviharju has the look of an “offenceman” — a combination forward/defender. In time he will need to add more strength to assist with coverage when having to stand up physically to bigger opponents in the trenches.
Scouting Report: Montreal selected David Reinbacher fifth overall in Nashville last week and Levshunov has the potential to provide the same kind of value in the 2024 draft class. He’s a big, strong, right-shot defenceman who has significant upside offensively. He shoots the puck hard and accurately and finds ways to get them on goal, through traffic, from range. His spatial awareness ranges defensively at times, though, so that’s an area he will need to pay more attention to next season.
Scouting Report: Catton is an elusive, offensive talent who’s difficult to defend in tight quarters. When he gets a step in transition, he’s a massive threat to create and score. Catton’s element is clear. He has the potential to be a top line scorer as a pro someday. His off the puck detail and ability to elevate defensively on occasion will be monitored closely.
Scouting Report: Parekh’s upside is easy to identity. He’s a transitional/two-way defenceman who has the skill, and vision, to quarterback the power play on projection. He’s plenty smart enough in all three zones and could be used in a variety of roles. His skating is sound, but he could use a bit more knee bend, which will lead to more power out of the gate.
Scouting Report: Helenius is a darting forward who played at the U17, U18, and pro level (Liiga) in Finland this pasts season. He’s enjoyable to watch. Helenius is tenacious as F1 on the forecheck. He has fantastic vision and playmaking upside. He attracts defenders then slides pucks to his open teammates. The conversation will ultimately come down to his stature, but he doesn’t shy away and his skating allows him to arrive ahead of contact.
Scouting Report: Demidov represents another wave of highly skilled forwards from the Russian program SKA St. Petersburg. His puck skill is undeniable. He beats opponents off the half-wall with ease and walks to the middle of the net or to the crease. He’s also quick and fast in open ice and in transition. Demidov’s element is offence. The rest of his game will need to evolve before he arrives in the NHL.
Scouting Report: Cole’s brother, Lane, fell to the Montreal Canadiens at the 2022 draft, going 62nd overall, but there’s no chance Cole will see the second round in 2024. Cole is similar to his brother. He quarterbacks the power play, and he arguably has the best vision, offensively, in the entire draft class. He’s a difference maker who is also a competitive defender despite his size.