2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Sandman

This is my rankings that I posted last month, but my opinions change on a weekly basis:

Hope I didn't forget anyone:

1) C Mack Celebrini
2) C Cayden Lindstrom
3) D Artyom Levshunov
4) D Anton Silayev
5) LW Ivan Demidov
6) D Sam Dickinson
7) C Berkly Catton
8) C Konsta Helenius
9) LW Cole Eiserman
10) D Carter Yakemchuk
11) LW Tij Iginla
12) D Adam Jiricek
13) D Zeev Buium
14) RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
15) D Zayne Parekh
16) LW Trevor Connelly
17) RW Beckett Sennecke
18) RW Liam Greentree
19) C Ryder Ritchie
20) LW Igor Chernyshov
21) RW Emil Hemming
22) C Sacha Boisvert
23) LW Tanner Howe
24) LW Andrew Basha
25) D Henry Mews
26) D Charlie Elick
27) C Michael Hage
28) LW Matvei Gridin
29) D Leo Salin Wallenius
30) RW Tarik Parascak
31) C Cole Beaudoin
32) C Sam O'Reilly

Honorable mention to C Lucas Petterson.

NOTE: I would maybe move Dickinson up ahead of Silayev, and perhaps move Iginla up a spot or two. Not sure Sam O'Reilly should be in the first anymore, as his production has slowed down since I wrote his profile.

Nice list overall but I'm interested in why you have Parekh as your 7th ranked D? he's #2 for me behind Levshunov

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Nice list overall but I'm interested in why you have Parekh as your 7th ranked D? he's #2 for me behind Levshunov

He will most likely go higher, but I think he’s too one-dimensional, and his offense might not translate as well as people think. Much like Ryan Murphy. That’s just my opinion.

You are right though, I probably would put him somewhere ahead of Yak and Jiricek.

[Sandman]

I would love to see your first round list, Snuffy!

[devo22]

don't remember where I read it, but one snippet about Parekh was basically "you have to wonder whether he's Ryan Murray or Evan Bouchard at the next level". With all those other defenseman available in the top half of the first round, that's not a bet I'd be comfortable making.

[Tbull8]

I’ve got a very similar list Sandman, but have Iginla, Yakemchuk, Buium, then Eiserman

[sureLoss]

The Athletic has a huge article on Connelly and why some NHL teams are hesitant to pick him

https://theathletic.com/5290107/2024...shared_article

Osei-Tutu, who began advising the Connelly family around the time Trevor left Bishop Kearney, has been lobbying NHL teams on Connelly’s behalf. In defense of his client, he tends to push back on or deny all but the swastika incident. The other allegations are untrue, misconstrued or lack context, he said. He considers Connelly to be mostly “a victim of the game of telephone.”

This runs contrary to how some NHL teams view Connelly. “We’re willing to forgive and take a chance on a kid who just makes one mistake, the issue for teams comes when there is a pattern and you’re worried it is representative of a real issue with the player and not just immaturity,” said a scout.

In September, Osei-Tutu sent a flurry of direct messages defending Connelly to a prospects writer after that writer posted on social media a quote about Connelly from an unnamed scout: “He’s got top 10 skill, but bottom 10 character.” Osei-Tutu repeatedly expressed concern that The Athletic was trying to “destroy” or “cancel” Connelly. He also offered in an interview the name of another prospect who was previously disciplined for using racist language and suggested The Athletic look into that player. On multiple occasions he attempted to draw a distinction between Connelly and Mitchell Miller, saying only his client showed accountability.

After the Connelly family became aware The Athletic was working on this story, they engaged an attorney who previously was involved in a lawsuit against The Athletic. (That lawsuit has since been dropped.) That attorney sent an eight-page letter that, among other assertions over more than 3,500 words, attacked the journalistic integrity of one of the writers working on this story. The family also engaged a Los Angeles-based public relations person who includes “reputation management” among her areas of expertise in her company bio.

Connelly recently began meeting with NHL teams, and evaluators have asked him direct questions about the swastika incident and his stop at Bishop Kearney and other issues, parsing his responses. One evaluator described Connelly as upfront and transparent in his meeting with him, another said Connelly was eager to deflect blame onto others and showed little accountability. But even that parsing is unlikely to bring true clarity for teams debating whether they should select Connelly at the June 28 draft in Las Vegas. When a prospect’s misconduct falls into a different category than, say, Mitchell Miller, when the wrongdoing takes place during a prospect’s teenage years (or younger), when teams are trying to decipher whether wrongdoing is a sign of a real behavioral problem, a clean evaluation of Connelly and players like him in the future may not be possible. Especially as teams factor in what adding a player of his talent can mean for a franchise.

“I believe in a path to redemption but it’s not my job to provide it,” said one scouting director. But another evaluator predicted Connelly will be chosen, just not as early as the rankings portend. “At one point the difference between him and the next guy will be too big,” said the scout. “All it takes is one team.”

It is a very deep dive article where they actually went and talked to parents and people involved in his former teams. Besides the Swastika picture and racial slur allegation, there are allegations of bullying and urinating on teammates equipment. Although the explanation for these actions are that he was a victim of bullying and hazing himself. He has a history of not sticking with teams very long.

Seems like a very troubled kid.

[Heavy Jack]

[SuperMatt18]

It's an interesting scenario. What is just a kid being an immature kid, vs what is a bigger signal of a character problem.

I would bet almost every hockey player has a story where they were bullied / victim of a hazing, and a story where they were the ones doing the bullying/ hazing.

It's embarrassing that hazing culture still is prevalent in hockey (and other sports, police departments, fire departments, etc) but the issue is it's still prevalent across many male dominated activities and not exclusive to Connelly.

The swastika thing to me just feels like something stupid that kids do...I remember having a friend that drew a swastika on a locker once...just being a stupid 13 year old that didn't understand WW2 and what it meant yet.

And it's a bit of an excuse but I look at the time period he was growing up in with Trump as president in the U.S. and the president has done worse things and said racist stuff all the time, but expect a young kid to know better.

IMO it feels like he's a kid who did some stupid things, but honestly nothing seems more malicious than that. If he was there with one of the picks the Flames will likely have from 20-32 then I'd have no issue with them taking that risk.

[Monahammer]

I am still of the opinion that IF Eiserman indeed tumbles down to pick 10 you have to pick him. His goal scoring ability is truly insane. Even if you think he's Dany Heatley, we're talking 10 years of ~50 goals. Hard to say no.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I am still of the opinion that IF Eiserman indeed tumbles down to pick 10 you have to pick him. His goal scoring ability is truly insane. Even if you think he's Dany Heatley, we're talking 10 years of ~50 goals. Hard to say no.

#50in27

[bax]

Been starting to follow the 2024 prospects more lately (still far from an expert) but, Lindstrom, Buium, Eiserman, Catton, Parekh and Iginla all seem like really intriguing picks in the first round.

Wouldn’t mind a little lottery luck and snagging Celebrini either.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by devo22

Kiviharju is one of those boom-or-bust prospects that I would love to take a flyer on if we have a spare late 1st or so lying around. In a way, he reminds me a bit of Kylington and his pre-draft trajectory ... projected as a top 5 pick a year or two before the actual draft, but drops a bit in his draft year. Still love his upside as a puck-moving defenseman.

Him and Brandsegg-Nygard are probably my two favourite (non-Iginla) players in this draft as they scream undervalued if you look at the stat line alone.

- For Kiviharju, it's the fact that he has been under the microscope for so long and hasn't had a seamless transition. Despite all that, his talent is 100% clear and I wouldn't hesitate for a second to take him late 1st (probably 20+) or early 2nd. Especially if we keep Huska as coach: Kiviharju has a hockey IQ that is nearly unmatched and Huska's system allows players to deviate if they see fit (provided they clean up their own messes). Having 18 players who see the game as well as Kiviharji would probably dominate the league.
- For Brandsegg-Nygard, it's just not showing up on the scoresheet. His World Juniors showing highlights just how bad his line has been during his Allsvenskan season. I can't name a forward prospect with such great defensive instincts or a GAF factor. With an offensive upside which is much better than his points total shows, I feel like he could easily be a top 10 pick had he had an average season.

[Bingo]

Would love to know the Flames / Iginla's view on drafting either of his kids.

Leaning to do it ...
Hard no for the pressure the kid would be under.

[Wastedyouth]

The Iginlas don't strike me as a family that shies away from pressure or spotlight.

[dammage79]

Pressure is one thing. Coming to a city where your family is idolized to demi-god like status is another.

Plus how long would it take for the fanbase to to cry Nepotism at the first sign of controversy.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Pressure is one thing. Coming to a city where your family is idolized to demi-god like status is another.

Plus how long would it take for the fanbase to to cry Nepotism at the first sign of controversy.

I think all it takes is Conroy and Huska raving about Tij's work ethic, commitment to becoming a pro, etc and fans will get over the name. This isn't a Bronny James situation, Tij is a legit top 10 prospect and looks like the real deal

[Bourque's Twin]

Sounds like Trevor Connelly is going to be drafted by the Oilers.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

I think all it takes is Conroy and Huska raving about Tij's work ethic, commitment to becoming a pro, etc and fans will get over the name. This isn't a Bronny James situation, Tij is a legit top 10 prospect and looks like the real deal

I have zero doubt about Tij and his talent and skillset.
Zero. He's gonna be a player.

I have my doubts that he would thrive in CGY under the intense scrutiny (unfairly given but a natural effect) of being Iggy 2.0 in cowtown.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I have zero doubt about Tij and his talent and skillset.
Zero. He's gonna be a player.

I have my doubts that he would thrive in CGY under the intense scrutiny (unfairly given but a natural effect) of being Iggy 2.0 in cowtown.

I think the fans in Calgary would be fair with him. If anything, his name will buy him a lot of free goodwill.

If he is available at a point in the draft where the Flames pick and it isn't an unreasonable leap, I think you take him. If it appears that the pressure is too much, then you can always trade him.

[Sandman]

Too bad about Connelly, he’s one of the top forwards available, and one of my favourites on the ice.