2024 NHL Draft Thread

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Sandman

You could end up being right- Catton is a gifted player for sure.

He reminds me of Brayden Point with better wheels

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

He reminds me of Brayden Point with better wheels

Sounds like he could be a great target for the flames if he is available. Impressive if true because Brayden Point has some fantastic wheels. If I’m remembering correctly, that was not the case when he was drafted though and it was something he worked hard to improve and turn into a strength. I think there were concerns about his foot speed given his size and that’s why he ended up dropping to the 3rd round of the draft.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Sounds like he could be a great target for the flames if he is available. Impressive if true because Brayden Point has some fantastic wheels. If I’m remembering correctly, that was not the case when he was drafted though and it was something he worked hard to improve and turn into a strength. I think there were concerns about his foot speed given his size and that’s why he ended up dropping to the 3rd round of the draft.

That is correct. Back then the league wanted big center iceman. He was always an elite scorer though, played on a terrible team and was 8th or 9th in league scoring in his draft year. But back then (and now) size was valued much more than scoring ability.

This was the draft profile for Pastrnak in that same draft year

https://thehockeywriters.com/david-p...spect-profile/

David Pastrnak has been ascending draft rankings all season long. The mid-sized winger lacks size and strength, but ultimately possesses some of the flashiest offensive moves from any draft prospect.

The real issue in his game is his toughness and ability to play against stronger players. His offensive potential is through the roof, but speed and skill can only get you so far. Eventually a big player will put a body on Pastrnak and fans will have to see how he adjusts.

Here is Point’s https://thehockeywriters.com/brayden...pect-profiles/

It’s an absolute shame that Point’s stature – 5’9″ and 160 pounds – will reduce him from being an absolute slam-dunk first round selection into being a really smart depth move a team makes in the second or third round. His size will make it tougher to translate his game to the NHL level.

“Undersized at 5-foot-9, Point’s scrappy skilled approach is one that has proven to be successful recently in the NHL, which will help his cause at the 2014 NHL Draft. His defensive awareness is excellent and he is the type of player who can be trusted in every situation. Offensively, Point sees the ice well and displays sneaky playmaking abilities. Size will be the main topic of discussion at drafts table for Brayden Point but outside of that, he’s got smarts, skill set and production to be a top 40 selection.”

Hockey people still like the big players. Suspect that will never change. I also suspect as a general rule they will continue to be disappointed with those picks. But Brayden and Tampa’s other little guy Kucherov have done alright.

[stemit14]

Things could align pretty nicely for the flames to have multiple picks in a decently high range of the draft.

1. I could see their own pick ending up around 6th overall if they continue to struggle after the trades are complete.

2. If they trade with New Jersey (Markstrom and/or Hanifin) and end up with their first round pick, right now that pick would be at 17th overall. Obviously it’s more likely they will move up the standings since they are finally healthy now and would be bringing in an impact player or two to improve their team immediately but that doesn’t always work out. While they would pick 17th right now, they are only 5 points up on picking 10th overall. What a dream scenario that would be if the pick was not top ten protected. Unlikely, I know, but fun to consider.

3. I wonder if the flames could use a combination of Andersson and any other likely late first round picks in the draft (from either the Lindholm, Markstrom, Tanev or Hanifin trades) to get a another pick in the top 15 of the draft this year. You’d have to find the right team of course… one that is looking to take a big step this year and finally start making the playoffs. A team like Buffalo is a good example but I’m not sure if they have any need for a player like Andersson given their defensive core. But Buffalo and Ottawa are two examples of the type of teams that could be a little more desperate to shake things up rather than keep following the patient drafting route they have stuck to for so many years now. Ottawa’s pick might end up being too high and valuable to trade though.

It would be one hell of a coup from Conroy if he ended up with 3 picks in the top 15 of this draft. Imagine coming away from the draft with Lindstrom/Catton, Iginla and Buium.

[Tkachukwagon]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1759434278000037927

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (M&M Edition):

Remember this kid. LW Miguel Marques is the main straw stirring the drink for the Lethbride Hurricanes, with 23 goals and 60 points, in 53 games to date- which aren't small numbers when you consider that the 'Canes sit 14th overall in the WHL, and 19th overall in goals-for. Marques was drafted 10th overall by Lethbridge in the 2021 WHL Draft, and actually played 10 games (with 6 points) for that franchise as a 15-year-old, which was followed by a rather disappointing draft-minus-one season, with 20 points in 59 games. They've been patient with this young man, and it's paid off this season.

Marques is a 5'11",170 lb high-end playmaker with a power-forward mentality, who flashes glimpes of being a special player. He drives play, and controls the pace of the game like few can- he will transport the puck quickly into the offensive zone, but then slows the play down while he patiently and methodically picks the opposing defense apart. There's never a wasted play, as he doesn't throw the puck away or waste time on a low-percentage pass, and instead slows up to either regroup, hit the trailer, or play keep-away until a higher danger opportunity becomes available, or a teammate in scoring position becomes open. In the same vein, he will pass up an easy shot on net in favor of waiting for a more dangerous play to develop, unless he sees a teammate with a possible rebound opportunity. He will simply hold on to the puck to wait for the best play to unfold. Marques is supremely skilled, confident and composed, and is one most talented players in this draft in terms of vision and IQ- he's that good. He could stickhandle in a broom closet, with his ability to deke through defenders and their sticks, and is gifted in the art of deception and spatial manipulation- he has every fake-out in his arsenal to make room for himself, from using false angles in his body, stick, and head, to toe-drags, look-offs, and dekes.

Creativity and playmaking is where he makes his biggest mark, and he can pass over and under sticks, between legs, through layers of traffic, and into the smallest holes. He's very inside-driven, and gets the puck to the slot for high-danger opportunities with great success- he's top-5 in the league for assists on slot shots. Marques will also cut inside to the middle to shoot from the slot, or to create rebound and tip opportunities for his teammates- another layer to his playmaking. His shot isn't elite as far as it's velocity, but he's an expert in using defenders as screens, and he has a lightning-quick release that can stun goalies, even from a distance. He has soft, slick hands in-tight, and can find the smallest holes in coverage around the net. Marques' skating is above-average, but he uses his edges well in moving around quickly in small areas, and is hard to knock off the puck with his balance. He's a highly effective transporter through the transition, and causes havok on the forecheck, putting defenders on their heels, while dislodging pucks. Marques is a mean, edgy player, as his 47 penalty-minutes would attest, and he plays with a swagger- he's quite physical, battles for possession in the hard areas, and dishes out some big hits to wear down opponents.

Marques has many translatable skills when the puck is moving north, but his effort and effectiveness in the defensive zone is lacklustre. His awareness is there, as he demonstrates an ability to identify his man, and then stick to that player, but he's often spotted coasting back into the zone without much urgency. He sometimes cheats for offense, and can leave the zone early- but I find it hard to blame him much for this, as I imagine there's a lot of pressure on him to create offense on a team that's starved for goals. There has to be a lot more effort and compete in winning pucks and preventing offense in this area of the ice. Marques can play all 3 forward positions, and is a righty, but he looks to be a candidate for top-6 LW duty in the NHL someday, if he can iron out his deficiencies in the defensive zone, get faster, and work on his shot. He's been climbing the rankings lately, and I'm seeing him in the first round more often, so I'm thinking late first/early second.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hard Hat Edition):

LHC Linus Eriksson is showing up lately as a potential first-rounder on some lists, and it's not really because of his offensive play, like most prospects. Sure, offense is an important component of his resume, but I think scouts love him for his uncompromising defensive game, his character, and his leadership capabilities. Eriksson has had stops this season in Djurgardens' J20 team (a rather pedestrian 21 points in 24 games), and has aquitted himself well in the Allsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier men's league, with 6 points in 22 games- which makes him the highest U-18 scorer in that league. He's been heating up there recently, with 5 points in his last 10 games. In International play, it seems that Eriksson and Lucas Pettersen are always the ones in their age group wearing the letters for Team Sweden, with Eriksson wearing the "C" at the Hlinka, and the World Junior A Challenge- tournaments that saw him get rave reviews for his play, and it was more of the same at the Five Nations Cup.

Eriksson is a solid, two-way center, who is pehaps one of those "good at everything, but not elite at anything" types, but he does all the little things that a team needs to win, that often go unappreciated. If there's an elite quality in his repertoire, it may be his work-ethic, as he's always the hardest working player on the ice. He plays a mature, pro-style game, with good habits, and will not cheat the game. He's a leader, and can often be seen directing traffic on the ice in the defensive zone, and when defending the rush. Defense may be his defining trait, and he's a play-killer, covering huge swaths of ice in the neutral-and defensive zone on his own, and making those areas impossible to cross. It seems like he's everywhere because of his proactive awareness, and always in the right place at the right time to make stops by smothering his opponents, and robbing them of all time and space. He intercepts passes, blocks shots, snuffs rushes, wins faceoffs, and strips pucks, and does so with energy and a high motor. There's a physical component to his game, and he will battle all over the ice for possession, and will throw hits to separate man from puck. He can be put up against the best players on a nightly basis, and he will shut them down.

Eriksson wouldn't be a first-round candidate if he was just a shut-down player. On the other side of the puck, Eriksson employs the same work-ethic to be a consistent offensive threat- he has sublime IQ and vision, and has shown flashes of being a high-end playmaker, but also has a wicked shot with a potent release, that he can pick corners with. He employs the same principles of taking away time and space from opponents that he uses in the defensive zone, when on the forecheck- he smothers his prey, and dislodges the puck. Eriksson is an excellent skater, perhaps not a burner, and he plays with pace, making smart decisions on-and-off the puck to maximize his effectiveness. In transition, his speed helps him get through open ice, and he can make clean, crisp passes in full flight.

While Eriksson is not really a play-driver, or an elite offensive weapon, he's the kind of player that teams need to win. If the stars align, he could end up being a David Kreijci-lite, or he could settle in as a reliable middle-6 two-way player, like a Mikael Backlund. I think he gets picked in the 2nd round.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Take a Heikki Edition):

LHC Heikki Ruohonen is a name I keep seeing this Draft season, but I have to confess- I don't know too much about him, and there's not a lot of info out there to digest on him. I have watched a couple of games that he participated in, at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, but I didn't take note of him. It would seem I'm not the only one, as this young man has only really started to make waves this season, with some stellar numbers. In international competition for Team Finland, Ruohonen has been used as a defensive C, but even then, he showed flashes of high offensive skill. At this time, he has so far amassed 19 goals and 45 points in 36 games for Kiekko-Espoo of Finland's U-20 league, and wears the "A" for that club. He's the main offensive play-driver for a low-scoring squad, and doesn't have the deepest supporting cast to help him out- he's 7 points ahead of the next highest scorer on his team, 20 points ahead of the player in third place, and leads the team by 7 goals. In January, he was the most productive player in the U-20, with 14 points in 6 games. What is disappointing, and concerning, is that he hasn't yet had a call-up to one of the higher men's leagues, as most prospects in Europe get at his age. He's quite young for a draft-eligible player, with a June 19th birthday, and he stands 6'1",196lbs.

Ruohonen's has some stirling fancy stats that show him to be an elite two-way player, with excellent tracking data defensively. According to what little I've read, he has vision and IQ, and can spot teammates in the slot with high-end passes. He can power through the neutral zone for nice entries, and is inside-driven with the puck. He shows manipulation skills through his handling and body orientation. Ruohonen is "relatively quick", and leans into opponents on the rush to beat them to the inside lane. Sounds to me like he needs to improve his skating. At any rate, keep an eye on this player...

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Things could align pretty nicely for the flames to have multiple picks in a decently high range of the draft.

1. I could see their own pick ending up around 6th overall if they continue to struggle after the trades are complete.

2. If they trade with New Jersey (Markstrom and/or Hanifin) and end up with their first round pick, right now that pick would be at 17th overall. Obviously it’s more likely they will move up the standings since they are finally healthy now and would be bringing in an impact player or two to improve their team immediately but that doesn’t always work out. While they would pick 17th right now, they are only 5 points up on picking 10th overall. What a dream scenario that would be if the pick was not top ten protected. Unlikely, I know, but fun to consider.

3. I wonder if the flames could use a combination of Andersson and any other likely late first round picks in the draft (from either the Lindholm, Markstrom, Tanev or Hanifin trades) to get a another pick in the top 15 of the draft this year. You’d have to find the right team of course… one that is looking to take a big step this year and finally start making the playoffs. A team like Buffalo is a good example but I’m not sure if they have any need for a player like Andersson given their defensive core. But Buffalo and Ottawa are two examples of the type of teams that could be a little more desperate to shake things up rather than keep following the patient drafting route they have stuck to for so many years now. Ottawa’s pick might end up being too high and valuable to trade though.

It would be one hell of a coup from Conroy if he ended up with 3 picks in the top 15 of this draft. Imagine coming away from the draft with Lindstrom/Catton, Iginla and Buium.

I would be pleasantly surprised if you could land buium without two top tens.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Smurf Edition):

When discussing LHD Cole Hutson, it's natural to want to compare him to his older brother Lane, a second-round pick of the Montreal Canadiens in 2022, so I'll just say this: Cole plays a similar style to his brother, but is bigger than Lane was in his Draft year (5'10" to 5'9"), and he's faster, more dynamic, more aggressive, better defensively, more physical and aggressive, and has a higher ceiling. In 2022-23, Cole set a record for points by a defenseman in one season in the NTDP, with 68- and he has 37 in 41 games this season. In the most recent 5 Nations Tournament, Cole was the highest-scoring D in the tournament, with 8 points in 4 games. He is a younger player, with a June 28th birthday.

Obviously, Hutson is an uber-aggressive offensive defenseman, with an attack mentality. He's a high-end puck-mover who can create offense off the rush like few can. He is highly skilled, smart, and exhibits exceptional vision, and elite creativity. He models his game after Adam Fox, and is the ideal PP quarterback. Playmaking is the main pillar of his game, and he can complete passes that many can't- over and under sticks, through traffic, and from both sides of his stick blade, and uses every bit of deception imaginable to open seams, make room, fool defenders, and stay unpredictable. Hutson is an elite manipulator, maybe the best in this draft, and it helps him get out of trouble, and break coverage in all zones. In the offensive zone, he runs the point and walks the line with poise and confidence, opening and exploiting seams, dodging defenders, and punching it on net to facilitate rebounds and tips for his teammates. When shooting from distance, it is his lethal release and accuracy that brings him scoring success, as his shot is a bit on the weak side- but he has good hands in tight, and is never afraid to pinch into the play, with or without the puck to create opportunities for himself or teammates, or to make himself available for a pass. Skating-wise, he has outstanding speed in every direction, his movements are smooth and fluid, and he has supreme shiftiness to throw off checkers. His straight-ahead speed can put defenders on their heels, and he can skate backwards almost as fast as he can going forward. Hutson is incredibly light on his feet, with the edges to turn or change direction on a dime.

Hutson is a top puck-mover, and turns defense into offense through the transition, either by skating the puck out with his quick feet and smooth handling, or with his expert first-pass. He's a valuable facilitator of clean entries with control for himself, or teammates. If he sees a streaking teammate, he can hook up with them using difficult, but well-timed stretch passes to pressure opponents. In retrievals, he scans with his head up for an outlet, with poise under pressure. Despite his rather diminutive stature, he isn't the least bit afraid to engage physically, or to throw his weight around. He plays bigger than his size, or at least tries to, and his low center of gravity makes him hard to knock off the puck, and makes his hits more effective. He tries to be disruptive, and hard to play against, and will not back down in puck contests. He's got good motor, and a high compete level, but will still lose battles due to his lack of size and strength.

Like his brother, Cole's defensive game needs plenty of work. He has to rely on his smarts, anticipation, and an active stick to defend, as he comes up short in most physical battles. His awareness in the defensive zone has come into question, and his decision-making is deficient- he can make bad passes that turn into dangerous turnovers, and can be pressured into coughing up the puck. With his skating, you would think gap-control would come easy, but he still gives attackers too much room to operate. In the offensive zone, he needs to learn to manage his game when pinching into the play, as he can do so at inopportune times, leaving him out of position, and behind the play coming back. Is he a bottom-pairing PP specialist, or can he take a regular role on a second pairing, like Samuel Girard in Colorado? Like most D of his stature, there is also a boom-bust factor, but most scouts will look to his brother at Boston U, who's overall game is progressing nicely, and will see the merits in taking a chance on Cole- who will be playing with his brother on the Terriers next season. I would say mid-second round.

[stemit14]

Will be interesting in the next few drafts of this rebuild/retool to see if the flames shift much in their approach to drafting Americans - especially those committed to playing in the NCAA. I’m sure it’s just fans like us that are paranoid about it after the experiences with Fox, Gaudreau, Tkachuk and now (somewhat) Hanifin. But these were all skilled young Americans who the flames wanted to make part of their core that all wanted to play for teams in the states.

I’m not saying the flames will never draft Americans because of this. I’m sure they will draft the BPA - especially if their rankings are very clear and the player they like at their draft spot is better than anyone else on their list. But if the scouts tell management it’s pretty close between two guys at their pick and one guy is from Medicine Hat while the other is from upstate New York, will the flames lean more to the former even if the latter is slightly better according to the scouts? We have seen teams hesitant to draft Russian players committed to playing in KHL because of concerns they will not want to come to North America. Obviously we are a long way off from that with American players but the flames have been burned by this trend of American players wanting to play in America more than any other NHL team in recent memory. Frustrating because it seems the flames have a good scouting department and they have found some great players out of the states over the years.

I’m hoping it does not keep the flames from drafting skilled young players like Hutson, for example. At the same time, I’m sure I (along with other fans) will be a little nervous about American players drafted out of the USHL that are committed to playing in the NCAA… at least until they sign.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Sandman

The 2025 Draft features a player I really like in 6’5”Center, Roger McQueen. Can you imagine if we ended up with Lindstrom and McQueen as our top 2 centers?

McQueen is a ppg player with the Wheat Kings this season, and was dynamite at the Hlinka.

And he's Western Canadian. I'd love for this team to get back to being stocked full of Western Canadian players & prospects - Zary, Lindstrom/Catton, McQueen. Should have taken Heidt in the 2nd round last year.

I am 100% biased towards Western Canadian players, and even moreso when they're from the prairies.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

And he's Western Canadian. I'd love for this team to get back to being stocked full of Western Canadian players & prospects - Zary, Lindstrom/Catton, McQueen. Should have taken Heidt in the 2nd round last year.

I am 100% biased towards Western Canadian players, and even moreso when they're from the prairies.

Is that you Burkey?

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Smurf Edition, Part II):

5'10",165lb LHD Aron Kiviharju has been heavily discussed in the last few years, but I fell in love with him as a player watching him at both the U-18's, and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. I'm usually quite bullish about small defensemen, but I wouldn't blame a team for taking this kid with a first-rounder- he's that good. Kiviharju played in Finland's U20 League at the tender age of 15- and dominated, putting in the best season ever for a player his age in that league, with 30 points in 35 games, which are good totals for a draft-eligible forward, nevermind a 15 year-old, diminutive defenseman. The following season, in 2022-23, he had 20 points in 22 U20 games, but was given time in the Liiga, Finland's top men's league, with 3 points in 21 games- paltry numbers, but he still got good reviews for his play. Last year's U-18 tournament was his second appearance for team Finland, and he wore an "A", finishing 4th in D scoring overall, by putting up 7 assists in 5 games, with 6 of those being primary. He was the second-highest scoring D in the Hlinka, with 6 points in 5 games. His season back home in Finland's Liiga has been limited to 7 games with HIFK, with 2 points, as he's missed most of the year with a knee injury that required surgery.

Kiviharju is an exceptional talent, with dynamic puck-skill, and is elite in most areas of the game. He is highly creative, with IQ and vision that are immeasurable, and he produces hightlight reel play after highlight reel play. Few players can process the game the way AK can- he has hockey sense through the roof, and is always a few steps ahead of everyone else on the ice. He's an amazing playmaker, with uncanny timing, and can see open lanes that nobody else can, and can complete passes most can't see- nevermind connect on. Even when flying at top speed, he can dish accurate, hard passes to teammates through the smallest of holes, and pass over and under sticks, between the feet of attackers, and through layers of traffic. He can hit teammates with saucer passes who are in full flight. Deception and manipulation are near the top of his list of considerable abilities, and help facilitate his playmaking, making him unpredictable and opening space, with fakes in his head and hands, look-offs, toe-drags, and misdirection in the angle of his stick and feet. He can dangle like a forward, and moves through checkers like a ghost.

Kiviharju is a top-tier puck mover, with elite puckhandling and control, and doesn't often get touched when moving through transition. He drives play, and plays with pace. His breakout passes are hard and accurate, and he evades pressure in retrievals, as most forecheckers can't catch him. He doesn't just throw the puck away- he is extremely patient, and he will wait for his teammates to get in position to recieve his pass. He advances the puck under pressure, while side-stepping forecheckers and skating with his head up to survey his surroundings. Kiviharju is calm and composed at all times, poised and mature beyond his years, and confident when carrying the puck. He consistently makes smart decisions with, and without the puck, and knows when to jump into the play, be it off the rush, or off the point. He walks the line like an NHL vet, manipulating lanes and exploiting them, and is the ideal PP quarterback, who can find teammates in high-danger consistently. Patience is one of his virtues, and he will wait for a better play to develop, rather than just dumping it in. His shot is a bit lacklustre, and could use more power, but he uses it as another playmaking tool, punching it on net to create rebound and tip opportunities for teammates. Skating-wise, he has been called elite, but I think there is a percentage of players who could beat him in a straight-line- still, he has high-end mobility, with masterful edges and agility that make him highly elusive. With his low center of gravity, he's actually deceptively hard to knock off the puck.

Defensively, Kiviharju is actually quite competent in his own zone, unlike other diminutive defensemen- there's very few goals scored when he's on the ice, partially because the puck is usually in the other end of the ice, but also because of his anticipatory defensive awareness. He defends well with his stick, using poke checks, blocking shots, clogging lanes, and regularly cutting off plays. He thinks proactively to be in the right place, at the right time to limit the time and space that opponents have to operate in- he's quite good against the rush, and is defensively responsible. With his size deficiencies, he won't win many physical battles, and his stature will always be scrutinized, but it's less of a concern with this player, because he dominates in spite of his size, and has already proven that he can play against men. Only 10 U-16 players have played more than 20 games in the U20 league in a season, and only 4 have played more than 30- Kiviharju being one of them. 30 points in 35 games as a 16 year-old trails only Patrik Laine, and is better than those of Sasha Barkov, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Kasperi Kotkaniemi. Kiviharju needs to get stronger, work on his shot, and perhaps be a bit more selfish, but this is a player who I believe could be a star. I'll be watching to see how his season goes when he's back playing again, but some team might just take this kid in the first.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Hulk Edition):

LHD Will Skahan is a 6'4",212lb bruiser, who is trending to become a shut-down defender, without producing much offense, and yet- he has had the grade of "B" bestowed upon him by Central Scouting, meaning they believe he's a possible 2nd, or 3rd-round pick. Skahan has so far produced 9 points in 40 NTDP games (with 63 PIM), including 4 points in 14 games (with 45 PIM) in the USHL for the US Development Program. Will's Father was the strength coach for Anaheim and Minnesota in the NHL, and the BU Terriers in the NCAA, which might be the reason that Will is such a good skater for a player his size, with long, powerful strides, and smooth lateral agility. He was drafted by the Hitmen in the WHL US Prospect Draft, in round #2, 26th overall.

Few players illicit the kind of intimidation that Skahan does, with the size and snarl that he brings. He makes life quite miserable for opponents- he's highly physical, and punishes his victims. He's tough, plays very aggressively, and dominates along the walls, in the corners, and in front of the net. Skahan is a defensive stalwart, and a shutdown artist, who plays with an edge, and munches minutes against other teams' best players- hence the "B" grade. Against the rush, he steps up with big hits at the blueline, and keeps a smart, well-timed stick to make stops. He will angle opponents to the boards, and finish them with crushing hits. He skates backwards well, and keeps tight gap control which, when paired with his long reach, spells trouble for forecheckers. He exhibits solid positioning to apply pressure to attackers, and rob them of time and space, and is good at keeping them to the outside, thereby shutting down the middle of the ice. There's healthy defensive IQ in his game to proactively read plays, anticipate, and react. Skahan is hard-working, competitive, and wants to kill each and every play that comes his way. He's a regular on the penalty-kill, as well.

Skahan is not without skill, and shows signs of being puck-capable. With his head up to scan, he can connect on his outlets, and has shown success in moving the puck through transition with his breakout passes. He's a fairly reliable passer when keeping it simple, and staying away from unnecessary risks- when manning the point, he just keeps the puck in the zone, gets pucks to the net, and lets the forwards do their thing. If there's one standout offensive skill that Skahan has, it's his hard, heavy shot. Though Skahan has modest puck-skill, he's still quite raw, and is capable of cleaning up this part of his game, as his play with the puck is quite inconsistent. His decision-making is also deficient, and he lacks offensive instincts. He will never be a big points-producer in the NHL, but he must become more reliable with the puck on his stick. He was originally committed to the U of Wisconsin, but changed over to Boston College. Look for him in round 2.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Stinky Edition):

LHD Daniil Ustinkov may be one of the younger players in this Draft, with an Aug.26th birthday, he plays with poise and maturity beyond his years. Most of his hockey this year is being played against men in Switzerland's top-2 leagues- the Swiss League (or SL), Switzerland's 2nd-tier men's league, and the National League (or NL), which is the top league in the country. In the SL, he's the 3rd highest-scoring U-20 player, with 8 points in 18 games, and gets much more ice-time than he does in the NL, where he has put up 1 point in 18 games. He helped lead the Swiss to their best-ever Hlinka Gretzky performance, with 3 points in 4 games, and had an equally impressive U-18 tournament, with 4 points in 5 games. The World Juniors were more difficult for him, and he only put up 2 points in 5 games. As one can tell by his name, he was born in Russia, but raised in Switzerland.

Ustinkov is a reliable two-way workhorse with pro-style habits, a quality puck-mover, and a steadying presence from the backend. Skating-wise, he has above-average speed, with even better edges- he can pivot on a dime, and turn quickly, or shift laterally to elude checks. His mechanics are smooth, and he will no doubt get faster in time, as he gets stronger. Ustinkov thinks the game well, and owns plus-passing skills, as he moves the puck with precision, and a high percentage of his passes are completed crisply and accurately. He avoids throwing the puck away, or forcing the pass, and instead will play keep-away until the right play becomes available. He's adept at drawing defenders to him, then taking advantage of the open space. He mans the line with smoothness and confidence, quarterbacking the play and delivering dangerous passes to the slot. Ustinkov will pinch into the play with smart, well-timed pinches if he has support, as he won't sacrifice his defensive coverage for offense- most of his pinches are to keep the puck in. Deception helps facilitate his playmaking, with feints in his footwork and stick, and head fakes to manipulate opponents, with delays to give him the extra second to make his intended move. He has a wicked shot with a potent release, that he doesn't use enough. He handles well, and exhibits good puck control- it's hard to take the puck from him, and conversely- he always seems to come out of puck-battles with possession.

Defensively, he is highly efficient, with strong awareness. He denies entries with his tight gap control, and strips opponents of the puck after closing on them, by angling them out to the boards, and away from high-danger. He attacks forecheckers at the blueline with a smart, well-timed stick, and will throw a hit to separate man from puck- he plays a rugged, physical game. He protects the inside well, and uses poke-checks, and stick-lifts to gain possession. He makes stop after stop, and also keeps attackers boxed out from the net. Ustinkov stays calm and composed under pressure on retrievals, and when making outlets, and excels in transition with both his feet, and his hands.

I think that Ustinkov's defensive game may be his ticket to the NHL, along with his puck-movement skills, as I don't know how much his offense will translate. At this time, he's too conservative, and doesn't get involved in the offense enough, although he puts up numbers at lower levels when he's counted on to produce. At times in the WJC, he looked a bit overmatched, and was beaten by some of the better players. Ustinkov was selected by London, 46th overall, in the 2023 CHL Import Draft, but I think he'll be selected in the 3rd round of the NHL Entry Draft. I think, at worst, he might be a bit like a Brett Kulak, if he makes it.

[sch19lks]

Sandman, where do you rank Catton? I personally have him ahead of Lindstrom. But I have very limited knowledge on the two highly ranked D. I’d take him ahead of Dickinson, but I don’t know enough about Levshunov and Silayev

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Great Googly-Muggli Edition):

This is a player I like a lot. LHD Leon Muggli bucks the stereotype of the Swiss being neutral, as he's quite physical and competitive, and does a bit of everything to help his team win. Muggli is on the young side for this draft, with a July 9th birthday, but he plays in Switzerland's top-tier men's league for EV Zug, with 11 points in 37 games- tied in points with David Reinbacher, albeit in 7 more games. That number makes him 3rd in the league for U-20 players, and first overall for U-18 players. Muggli also made stops at the World Juniors, the Hlinka Gretzky, and the U-18's, putting up 1 point in each. In the WJC, his coaches bestowed a ton of trust on him, using him heavily in all situations, and on both special teams, and he played 26:58 in the quarterfinal against Sweden. Some say he might be bigger than his listed height of 6'0", and his listed weight of 165lbs. Central Scouting gave him a "B" rating, which projects him as a 2nd, or 3rd-round pick.

Muggli plays a well-rounded, mature game, and is a two-way performer who competes against men, regularly winning battles in a league full of former NHLers. He doesn't have many true weaknesses, and makes few mistakes defensively- which may be the main strength of his game. He has strong positional awareness, and stops rushes with regularity using his smothering gap control, an active stick, and his unrelenting physicality. In this side of the game, he takes few risks, and keeps things simple, using his superior speed to take away time and space from attackers, and keeping them to the outside, and out of danger. He's highly competitive, and doesn't ever want to be beat, which motivates him to kill plays over and over. He's usually calm and composed in retrievals, making shoulder checks to be aware of oncoming attacks, and to plan his next move. He can kick off the transition with his feet or hands, but he can also make smooth, accurate outlet passes- he's a good puck-mover. Muggli is an effortless skater, who can match speed with anyone, and is agile with smooth edges, and quickness in every direction.

Muggli likes to join the rush, and is ambitious and confident in doing so, pressuring defenders on the cycle, and opening lanes with his fantastic mobility. He has become an effective offensive contributor, with solid playmaking skills, and an ability to quarterback the offense from the point. He can stickhandle through, or around checkers, and never seems to overhandle. He's got a quick wrister with accuracy and a blinding release, that could perhaps use more velocity- and he's got soft hands around the net. Muggli gets time on both sides of special teams, with plenty of touches on the PP. He's very physical along the walls, in the corners, and in front of the net- he has some jam. He dishes out hits to dislodge pucks, and will engage in possession battles- where he establishes body position early. If there's a weakness, it may be that he can pressured into making mistakes with the puck in the defensive zone, or it could be the question of how his offense will translate to North American rinks, never mind the NHL. Some see him as a #4 D, or a bottom-pairing guy with PK duties. His profile reminds me a bit of Ryan Lindgren from the NYR- that of a physical, defensive D, who can move the puck a bit. Late second, early third.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by sch19lks

Sandman, where do you rank Catton? I personally have him ahead of Lindstrom. But I have very limited knowledge on the two highly ranked D. I’d take him ahead of Dickinson, but I don’t know enough about Levshunov and Silayev

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.

[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.