2024 NHL Draft Thread

[devo22]

seeing lists with Lindstrom at 8 - which is IMO as high as we can get without winning the lottery - is breaking my brain. I'm sure he'll go top 5 at least, but still.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by devo22

seeing lists with Lindstrom at 8 - which is IMO as high as we can get without winning the lottery - is breaking my brain. I'm sure he'll go top 5 at least, but still.

Couple things need to playout for that to happen:
- A team needs to really like Demidov
- You need a run on D

And someone probably needs like Catton over Lindstrom.

I don't know that all 3 happen. I think Lindstrom probably goes now lower than 6ish. But there could be a longer run on D once the first couple are off the board. Again - there are 6 really good ones, 7 if you include Jiricek, and then a big drop. So if a team wants one of them, once the first 3 are gone, the next 3-4 could all go right away.

That's the scenario where Lindstrom drops to where the Flames could end up.

[The Fonz]

I'm hoping Catton drops a few spots simply due to being "too small" (5'10") for a Center.

[prizefighterinferno]

Lindstrom would be fantastic. Catton looks excellent as well and if he somehow dropped into Flames range I'd be running to the podium.

Still think the mostly scenario is they end up with a stud D falling into their laps but as Jiri said, could see a huge run on D (especially considering the teams that are likely to be picking in the top 10) that results in one of the Cs being available.

[The Fonz]

Only team drafting inside the top 8, as far as I can tell, that is weaker on top young Centers than top young Dmen, is Montreal.

The rest of that group - Chicago, San Jose, Anaheim, Columbus, Ottawa, & Arizona - they've all got multiple young stud Centers drafted over the last 5yrs.

So perhaps the stars do align for a run on Dmen ahead of our pick.

[sureLoss]

Pronman's newest rankings are out:

https://theathletic.com/5307808/2024...024-celebrini/

Like his rankings because he also breaks down the tiers of players as he sees them.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (The Professor Edition):

This year's recipient of the Mr. Hockey Award, given out annually to the most outstanding male senior high school player in the state of Minnesota, is first year draft-eligible LW Hagen Burrows, who posted 19 goals, and 59 points in only 28 games, for the Minnetonka High Skippers. He is the 40th player to have received this award. Burrows is a bit older than most of his contemporaries in this year's draft, having been born in October, and missing being eligible for last year's draft by a month. Burrows actually started the year with Sioux City of the USHL, where he put up 16 points in 16 games, and it's much easier to make a projection on a player from that league, than it is to do so from the High School circuit, where the competition is inferior. For the last 2 years, Burrows has been the best player on a deep and talented Minnetonka team, and led them to the State Championship in 2023. He has earned the nickname,"The Professor", not only for his smarts on the ice, but also because he sports a 4.3 GPA.

Burrows measures 6'2", but is thinly built, at 165lbs; despite this, he plays much heavier than his weight, employing a physical, power-forward style. He's a smooth, fluid skater with a long stride, but could use work on his edges, top speed, and acceleration- a lot of this will work itself out as he gets stronger. He can still dart into open space, and find seams to pick defenses apart, using his high-end vision and playmaking. He's confident and decisive, with a lightning-quick processing speed- he uses his teammates well, and makes them better. He can often be spotted around the net, where he likes to create chances with passes to the slot, and across the crease. There's plenty of deception in his distribution game in order to mask his true intentions, such as look-offs and fakes, and he can pull off difficult passes that few others can. He's unafraid to attack the net or to park himself in front of it to set up a screen, or establish a net-front presence in order to shovel in rebounds. He has an excellent shot with a stunning release that he doesn't use nearly enough, and he has dazzling moves to beat goalies with, but he defers mostly to his passing. He's calm and composed with the puck, having solid puck-skill, smooth handling, slick 1-on-1 moves, and he protects well.

Burrows is a positive presence in the neutral, and defensive zone, contributing to a high number of both exits and entries in transition. He causes turnovers with his anticipation, and uses his long reach and a well-timed stick to dislodge pucks in both zones. He plays with energy, and high motor, but his intensity and compete can wane- particularly in the defensive zone. The level of his engagement in the zone fluctuates, and results in him losing his man, and doing a little too much puck-watching, and playing too passively. When he fills out, he will be monster with a robust physical game. Hagens is committed to the University of Denver for the 2025-26 season, which is considered to be an excellent program, and will play in the USHL next season, so the team that selects him will have his rights for the long haul- which is good news, as he needs a while to marinate. Look for him in the 3rd round.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Latvia Edition):

LHD Darels Uljanskis seems to be flying under the radar, but he was given a "B" rating by Central Scouting earlier this season- denoting a possible 2nd, or 3rd round pick. The 6'2"187lb Latvian is currently 4th in scoring on a poor AIK team in Sweden's J20 league, and 17 points ahead of the club's next highest-scoring defenseman, with 29 points in 43 games. He is 6th overall for scoring by defense in that league, and 4th for U-18 defensemen. Uljanskis has made a bit of name for himself at a few international tournaments; at the U-18's, he had no points, but played a solid defensive style, even being named Latvia's Player of the Game in the opening 7-1 loss to the Americans. It was more of the same at the World Juniors, with only 1 point in 5 games, but supplying a solid defensive presence in each contest. He is one of the younger players in this year's draft, missing the cut-off for next year by only a few weeks, with an August 25th birthday.

Uljanskis plays a rather simple, but smart and efficient game. I'm hesitant to call him a true offensive defenseman, as he depends heavily on the PP for points, with 60% of his production coming via the man-advantage- so perhaps we'll call him a two-way D. Even still, he's solid puck-mover, with smarts and creativity, and an aggressive mindset in the offensive zone. He joins the rush, and can make skillful plays, good reads, and sound decisions- he knows when to pinch to the net for a scoring chance. He owns a rocket of a shot, and can get it on net through layers of traffic- even when the puck doesn't hit the back of the net, it facilitates chances for teammates in the form of tips and rebounds, and causes havok in the crease. Uljanskis is a powerful skater, with a solid base that makes him hard to knock off the puck, but he could use upgrades to his acceleration and explosiveness, as well as his top speed. His stickhandling looks a bit stiff and unspectacular, but he can still dangle or toe-drag around opponents, and it's hard to strip him of the puck with his tight control and protection skills. He handles with head up to scan for danger, and map out opportunities.

Uljanskis is a physical player, and is hard to play against, particularly in front of his net, and down low in the defensive zone. He's fully capable of winning puck battles against bigger players, and uses his stick and long reach effectively. He's a reliable player in his own end, but can be pressured into making mistakes with the puck, particularly when it comes to his outlets- which can be all over the map. Sometimes he's hesitant, other times he's impatient with the puck, and can commit some dangerous turnovers. He's still quite young and raw, and will need time to grow his game. I'm thinking 3rd/4th round.

[Flames1217]

I absolutely hate cheering for losses but the flames are in striking distance of netting a very good prospect.

If somehow Lindstrom drops a little and the flames continue to nose dive, we may be able pick him with our first.

You could then swing the Markstrom trade (maybe for an additional first) and or move up a few spots to grab him. Finish the first round with a defender with the Vancouver pick.

Coming out of the first round with Lindstrom, Iginla and Yakemchuk or Pulkkinen could really set us up going forward.

[SuperMatt18]

They should 100% be able to get into the top 8-10 IMO

I feel like BUF, NJ, and PIT will all be better than them down the stretch here.

And if they can get to 8th then I think you're pretty much guaranteed a shot at either a top C or dman.

Center: Celebrini, Lindstrom, Demidov, Helenius

Defense: Silayev, Levshunov, Dickinson, Parekh

One of those 8 would be guaranteed to be there if you can get a top 8 pick, if you are top 10 then add Iginla, Catton, or Yakemchuk to the list.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

They should 100% be able to get into the top 8-10 IMO

I feel like BUF, NJ, and PIT will all be better than them down the stretch here.

And if they can get to 8th then I think you're pretty much guaranteed a shot at either a top C or dman.

Center: Celebrini, Lindstrom, Demidov, Helenius

Defense: Silayev, Levshunov, Dickinson, Parekh

One of those 8 would be guaranteed to be there if you can get a top 8 pick, if you are top 10 then add Iginla, Catton, or Yakemchuk to the list.

To me the top fifteen or so have a pretty good chance of being top of the line up players. More of a half and half draft

[Ashes]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

They should 100% be able to get into the top 8-10 IMO

I feel like BUF, NJ, and PIT will all be better than them down the stretch here.

And if they can get to 8th then I think you're pretty much guaranteed a shot at either a top C or dman.

Center: Celebrini, Lindstrom, Demidov, Helenius

Defense: Silayev, Levshunov, Dickinson, Parekh

One of those 8 would be guaranteed to be there if you can get a top 8 pick, if you are top 10 then add Iginla, Catton, or Yakemchuk to the list.

Totally agree, I think #8 overall is the "best" we could hope for, and would guarantee the Flames either a top C or D prospect added to the cupboards. I can't see the Flames out-sucking Arizona or any other team below them in the standings so I think picking #7 or higher would be a pipe dream IMO.

I know we all wanted to see a Markstrom/Mercer deal this season, but if NJ is adamant that they don't want to trade him, what do we think the chances are that we can snag the NJ 2024 1st round pick? If NJ continue the way they're going that could end up being around 10-13. Getting that pick and having the chance at Catton/Iginla/Yakemchuk/Eiserman or a surprise faller in the draft in addition to whoever we take with our own pick would be incredible for the re-tool.

High first round picks aren't often traded, but it's likely outside the top-10, and NJ is in their window right now and other than injuries this season, it's goaltending they desperately need to solve. If NJ can swing a trade for Markstrom without having to subtract from their roster maybe that's ideal for both parties? Having two picks inside the first ledge of this draft would be fantastic.

[8sPOT]

Once the draft lottery happens then everyone knows exactly where they stand. I could see NJ trading that pick for a goalie once they know its not top 3.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

Once the draft lottery happens then everyone knows exactly where they stand. I could see NJ trading that pick for a goalie once they know its not top 3.

Everyone said the devils could’ve protected the 2024 first but then that may have left the 2025 unprotected. So I could definitely see the trade revisited once they know where the 2024 first and not complicate the deal with protection etc

[stemit14]

Originally Posted by Ashes

Totally agree, I think #8 overall is the "best" we could hope for, and would guarantee the Flames either a top C or D prospect added to the cupboards. I can't see the Flames out-sucking Arizona or any other team below them in the standings so I think picking #7 or higher would be a pipe dream IMO.

I know we all wanted to see a Markstrom/Mercer deal this season, but if NJ is adamant that they don't want to trade him, what do we think the chances are that we can snag the NJ 2024 1st round pick? If NJ continue the way they're going that could end up being around 10-13. Getting that pick and having the chance at Catton/Iginla/Yakemchuk/Eiserman or a surprise faller in the draft in addition to whoever we take with our own pick would be incredible for the re-tool.

High first round picks aren't often traded, but it's likely outside the top-10, and NJ is in their window right now and other than injuries this season, it's goaltending they desperately need to solve. If NJ can swing a trade for Markstrom without having to subtract from their roster maybe that's ideal for both parties? Having two picks inside the first ledge of this draft would be fantastic.

This would be fantastic if the Devils were willing to go for it IMO. Problem is, the draft is not really a pressure point for them unless the flames suggested they would only trade for that draft pick and, if that pick was not on the table, they would not be getting Markstrom without giving up Mercer. Otherwise, the devils could choose to negotiate with the flames after the draft and make the discussions about potential picks in 2025 or 2026.

[HitterD]

Two things are becoming clearer to me post-deadline.

1. The Flames are likely going to be bad enough to get into the top 8-9 in this draft, which should guarantee a top Center or Dman with the first pick, and that should be the priority

2. I’m personally going to be really disappointed if the Flames don’t draft Iginla, even if it’s to take a top C or D.

Seems to me with the Flames having a hopeful top 9 pick, or better yet win the lottery, we should be pretty excited about this start to the rebuild, but I’m selfish and I want it all in this 2024 draft. I want to be more excited than I have been in years for this Flames team, and I think a lot of Flames fans would pay to watch another Iginla with a flaming C on his chest.

Conroy needs to do the right thing here and find another top 15 pick to draft Iginla with, it’s the only way to make this 2024 draft a complete home run for me. Trade Markstrom at the draft for a top 15 pick if you can, or if you can’t, trade him for some pieces that will help the Flames trade up from Vancouvers
Pick to grab Iginla. I don’t care how it happens, just make it happen Craig

[The Fonz]

Is Demidov playing Center in the MHL? I thought he was a Winger.

[Bonded]

Seems like getting into the top 8 will get the Flames a chance at a good player and then it drops off hard. Hopefully they get themselves into a 5-8 pick. New defense looks like it will get them there.

[NewFan]

Looks like another russian is coming.
I hope the coaches will use our current younger guys for their future role in the last games.
Like Zary in the Centre, Pelletier and Coronato as top 2 line wingers, play new D guys more minutes than waiver claimed guys and call few guys as emergency our regular call ups for motivation.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by HitterD

Conroy needs to do the right thing here and find another top 15 pick to draft Iginla with, it’s the only way to make this 2024 draft a complete home run for me. Trade Markstrom at the draft for a top 15 pick if you can, or if you can’t, trade him for some pieces that will help the Flames trade up from Vancouvers
Pick to grab Iginla. I don’t care how it happens, just make it happen Craig

Have Conny call Tortorella and keep ribbing him about goaltending until he snaps and goes on a rant to Briere to go trade for Markstrom to fix the long time goalie issues, or he's retiring from coaching.