2024 NHL Draft Thread

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Niemo

Realistically, how much of a gap do you guys see from 3-12? This is how I have my preferred tiers at:

Celebrini
.
.
.
Demidov
.
5Dmen - Levshunov, Dickinson, Silayov, Buium, Parekh & 2 forwards - Lindstrom, Helenius
.
Catton, Eiserman, Iginla, Yaremchuk

Other than winning the lottery, I think we are in a good spot to get someone in that 3rd tier.

Catton > Helenius

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Major Major

I wouldn't trade Pelletier for a late first. He's too valuable to what this team is trying to build. Would I trade him for a 11-16 pick. I guess I probably would, but it would also depend on circumstance. Like, I wouldn't trade Pelletier for this year's 16 OA pick without an unexpected draft day fall.

Anyhow, given the probability of how that pick ends up, I wouldn't trade for it with Pelletier.

If Pelletier is able to play and contribute at the NHL level he has value. He is D+5 and has been unable to do that yet. You could trade him for Lassi Thomson and it would not be a terrible trade (not that the Flames need another dman). If he is not worth a late first than a guy like Nils Hoglander, who was taken in the same draft, is probably worth a top 5 pick because Hoglander has actually produced at the NHL level.

But he is at a value similar to what Hunter Shinkaruk was at either time he was trade (D+3 season or D+5 season). Internally in the org he has been surpassed by Pospisil, Zary and Coronato for players in a similar age group.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I have a different view. I think his value is at best a late first. I like the player but he's had injury problems, and is shaping up to be a bottom 6 forward at best.
So for a mid round 1st (20 or higher) I'd be all over it.

Obviously this has been a tough year for him, but I'm not going to hold his injuries against him. I think he is a bottom 6 forward but the type that contributes offensively while securing an important role down the lineup, like Frolik. I'm not saying Montreal should jump at the chance or anything. There are concerns. But I'm pretty happy to see what Pelletier can turn into.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Pucks and pitchforks had an article suggesting Thompson, Gustavsson and ###melka as options if prices are too high. I've never been a fan of right-catching goalies, so that leaves one and it's questionable if Gustavsson is better than Allen. Thompson is a Band-Aid, ###melka is a huge unknown.

https://pucksandpitchforks.com/posts...-talks-about/3

Fitz won't overpay. That is clear.

Holtz + 1st (unprotected) should be enough for both sides. Some form of sweetener will be needed from NJ if there is retention.

TBH none of the goalie options are particularly appealing.

This is a very reasonable post.

Question for you as a Devils fan: would you rather give up Holtz + 25 1st, or the 24 1st straight-up?

(I know you'd probably rather do neither)

[Canada 02]

Sharks GM and assistant GM are in Maryland Heights now to scout Levshunov as Michigan State play in the Frozen Four regionals

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Obviously this has been a tough year for him, but I'm not going to hold his injuries against him. I think he is a bottom 6 forward but the type that contributes offensively while securing an important role down the lineup, like Frolik. I'm not saying Montreal should jump at the chance or anything. There are concerns. But I'm pretty happy to see what Pelletier can turn into.

His big problem is he’s tiny. Unless hd puts some muscle on my guess is he’s continually going to get hurt.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

This is a very reasonable post.

Question for you as a Devils fan: would you rather give up Holtz + 25 1st, or the 24 1st straight-up?

(I know you'd probably rather do neither)

I have always leaned towards getting the pain over with.

NJ might want to move it to 25, because they did give up a bunch of picks in the Meier deal.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Goriders

His big problem is he’s tiny. Unless hd puts some muscle on my guess is he’s continually going to get hurt.

He is small and fearless, but doesn’t project himself well. He gets hit hard a lot for a guy who doesn’t play a lot. I have my doubts that he has a long term NHL future. Not skilled enough for the top 6, and not big or durable enough for the bottom 6. Might as well stick with him to see how it plays out, but I unconvinced that he will have much of an impact.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Is their 1st this year not equivalent or less than the package you listed? I actually think the '24 first is pretty reasonable compared to other pieces that have speculated on. No sweetener for retention either.

Lol at that swear filter. This site sometimes

It's hard to see Jersey next three picks being worse than this year's. I would assign the highest value to the 2024 pick.

I really think Holtz would benefit from a change in scenery. Very much in the same vein as Zacha, Sharangovich in Jersey and Sam Bennett in Calgary.

He really looked good in his draft year and I was expecting big things from him. The funny thing is, if Holtz actually lived up to the hype, it is doubtful the Devils trade for Toffoli. #FreeHoltz is a thing on r/Devils, they were calling for Lindy's head because he was buried on the 4th line. Travis Greene has played him up the lineup and he's not been good.

I really believe that both Nashville's and Calgary's ask was a Center which is why the goalies didn't move.


I had to go a double take on why Va J melka was picked up by the swear filter. Lol.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Sharks GM and assistant GM are in Maryland Heights now to scout Levshunov as Michigan State play in the Frozen Four regionals

Levshunov had been quiet most of the game, but down by 1, Levshunov leads the rush and sets up an easy tap-in goal to tie the game in the last minute of play.

[SilverKast]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

That pick has too much potential value for Montreal to move it for Pelletier + something. Unless that something is Dustin Wolf.
At worst it's Florida's pick, but the chance it is a pick in the teens makes it very appealing to hold on to. You'd have to give them something really good for them to give that up.

Well hopefully we suck and pick top ten and Florida finishes first overall, that'll show them Habs.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Vlieter Edition):

I have to admit, I haven't been paying attention to C/LW Lucas Van Vliet, as he hasn't played in any of the tournaments I usually watch and his stats are quite pedestrian, but the more I read and watch on this kid the more I like him. VV is a member of the NTDP, and he has earned 12 goals and 21 points in 41 games this season. In the most recent 5 Nations, he only managed 1 assist, despite being amongst the top chance-generators on Team USA, and a constant offensive threat. In the 2024 All-American Prospects Game (their version of the CHL Top Prospects Game, which used to be called the BioSteel All-Americans Game), he was one of the better players with a jaw-dropping goal from the faceoff circle, and an assist. From what I've read, he started the season slow due to injuries early on, then had to make his way back up the roster upon his return.

Van Vliet has every tool you could want in a prospect- he's got size (6'1",181lbs), skating, shooting, handling, and intelligence, but his production doesn't come close to matching his talent. VV is a combination of power and finesse, and plays a solid two-way game with physicality. The first pillar of his game is his amazing stickhandling- he's cool and confident with the puck on his blade, and his quick hands are up there with the best in the draft, as he can dangle and deke through layers of traffic, as well as opposing goalies. He simply wows with his small-area game, showing off impressive moves, deception, and footwork. The second pillar of his game is his standout ability as a transition specialist. He can carry the puck from the defensive zone, through the neutral zone for clean entries with control, finding clear lanes to travel in, and gliding in to open space. He can take the puck for a long walk, while barely getting touched, due to his agility and edgework, combined with the aforementioned stickhandling. The third pillar of his game is his fantastic shot, with a deceptive, lightning-quick release. He can pick corners from a distance, and changes the angle of his blade to disguise his intent. He attacks the middle to unleash, but will go to the net to cash in on rebounds.

Vlieter is an excellent skater, who is strong on his edges and able to complete tight turns. He has strong lateral quickness to give him an extra layer of elusiveness, as well. He has high IQ and vision as a playmaker, and is quite skilled- he often looks like an elite forward, and has the guts to try out some high-end complicated plays, even if they don't work out. He's not afraid of the greasy areas, and wins puck battles. He plays a physical game, and is said to be one of the best forecheckers in the NTDP- he's adept at causing turnovers all over the ice with his speed and stickwork, and turning them in to offensive opportunities. He is also said to be one of the hardest workers on the ice- he doesn't cut corners, or cheat the game. He's a responsible, two-way player who displays solid hockey sense and awareness on the backcheck, and knows where to be to disrupt plays, intercept passes, and cause fumbles.

So why the mediocre numbers? For starters, he began the year with 2 points in his first game, then dipped into a 9-game slump where he experienced injury and demotion- then he went on a 17-game heater, with 16 points in that span. While it's true that VV is a remarkably hard-working player, his game is wildly inconsistent- even shift-to-shift. Sometimes, he looks like a world-beater, and other times he's invisible. Throughout the season, he has had a revolving door of different linemates, but has mostly played with some combination of bottom-6 players, so I imagine it's been hard to gain any traction offensively, and it's made harder by the fact that he gets very little powerplay time. The NTDP has many upper-echelon young stars on their roster, so it's easy to see how a player like Van Vliet gets pushed down the lineup. At any rate, Vlieter has first-round tools, and is oozing top-6 NHL potential, but still has a high floor as a bottom-6 defensive player who can chip in some offense, and I'm betting scouts will see that. Can't wait to see how he does at Michigan State next year. Third round steal, in my opinion.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

I also hit the button 25 times to make the Flames win the lotto.

Here it is for anyone that wants to play.

https://www.tankathon.com/nhl/mock_draft

My first attempt:

1. Seattle moves up to 1st
2. Calgary moves up to 2nd and selected Ivan Demidov

[Tkachukwagon]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Draft Thoughts (Vlieter Edition):

I have to admit, I haven't been paying attention to C/LW Lucas Van Vliet

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by keenan87

My first attempt:

1. Seattle moves up to 1st
2. Calgary moves up to 2nd and selected Ivan Demidov

I don't know about anybody else but if the Flames move up to #2 I think trading down would be my choice. You could get some serious nice assets and still stay in the top 10. I like Demidov but not 2nd overall.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I don't know about anybody else but if the Flames move up to #2 I think trading down would be my choice. You could get some serious nice assets and still stay in the top 10. I like Demidov but not 2nd overall.

The only way I wouldn’t mind it is if they don’t think any of the defence prospects have #1 upside and could get good value to drop to another top 5 pick.

[Tbull8]

If the flames had 2 and let’s say 28 from the Canucks.

I would trade those to San Jose to get 4/5 and 12 from them. No sure if that gets it done from San Jose’s perspective

[Kipper_3434]

Did the sim, got Calgary drafting 2nd and Montreal 1st. Would be quite serendipitous if they drafted Demidov after just recently showing an interest in Russian players.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by keenan87

My first attempt:

1. Seattle moves up to 1st
2. Calgary moves up to 2nd and selected Ivan Demidov

It took five tries to get the Flames picking 1st overall. Not bad I guess.

[The Fonz]

Some WHL players of interest, after game 1:

Catton 0g 1a
Parascak 3g 0a
Iginla 3g 0a
Lipinski 0g 3a
Honzek 1g 0a