2024 NHL Draft Thread

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Yakemchuk is a defensive highlight reel wouldnt be surprised if he was near the top if flames standings

I talked with someone who was very familiar with him as a kid and he likes him a lot.

[Fan69]

Think Yakemchuk might be flying under the radar a bit with all the defencemen in the top of this draft but just look at some if this skill.

https://youtu.be/XxmGOVDIj-U?si=I2WnLMhsDQ2FGhbx

Hope this pastes correctly.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Think Yakemchuk might be flying under the radar a bit with all the defencemen in the top of this draft but just look at some if this skill.

https://youtu.be/XxmGOVDIj-U?si=I2WnLMhsDQ2FGhbx

Hope this pastes correctly.

6'3", RHS and if I'm reading correctly, is the highest scoring draft aged Dman in the W (5th overall).

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Think Yakemchuk might be flying under the radar a bit with all the defencemen in the top of this draft but just look at some if this skill.

https://youtu.be/XxmGOVDIj-U?si=I2WnLMhsDQ2FGhbx

Hope this pastes correctly.

I know, his puck handling is filthy. I heard he is quite an adventure sometimes, but he has a tonne up upside. It just depends I guess how much you want to gamble that he improves where he needs to. It’s kind of the same with Parekh and Buium I think.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

6'3", RHS and if I'm reading correctly, is the highest scoring draft aged Dman in the W (5th overall).

He moves like a small high skill forward in a 6 3 frame with a lethal shot and nasty hands but plays mediocre defence. His biggest problem seems to be reigning in his aggression but that can be coached. The size the skill the hands the shot the will? Oh ya like him a lot. We need game breaking skill this is it.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I know, his puck handling is filthy. I heard he is quite an adventure sometimes, but he has a tonne up upside. It just depends I guess how much you want to gamble that he improves where he needs to. It’s kind of the same with Parekh and Buium I think.

Already a good skater that should improve. From what i have seen most of his defensive miscues seem to come from cheating for offence that can be coached.

Strength should improve he is already physical. Has fourty assists so that isnt by accident on a mediocre team.

Just dont see a lot of flaws. Has thirty goals as a defencemen. Would take him no problem. Did i mention he is 6 3 and a good skater. We all know e = ng but must also accept big = good.

[fotze2]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

6'3", RHS and if I'm reading correctly, is the highest scoring draft aged Dman in the W (5th overall).

On a garbage team.

[Sandman]

Yak is a mean, nasty presence too. He doles out hacks, whacks and crosschecks like they were candy.

[cral12]

From Artamonov to Zetterberg...Upside Hockey (via CP's own Sandman!) has you covered for the 2024 NHL Draft...

134 incomparable profiles completed!

*As always, Sandman's profiles are easily found at Upside Hockey
(along with our exclusive rankings in super-detailed mega spreadsheet format with which I'm sure an update is soon upon us from rankings guru E-Mac - we're now just awaiting NHL Central Scouting update so E-Mac will add that in; he has his updates done for next instalment.)

Alphabetical with a hyperlinked TOC at the top...

Please enjoy...

https://bit.ly/2024nhldraftprofiles

[Royle9]

Watching in depth analysis between Parehk and Buium and I think skill wise I’m leaning towards Parehk even more, and honestly feel like if he’s there we should take him at 8.

His skating already elite and his offensive instincts and shot are by far better than Buium. I think Buium is the better 2 way defenseman but offensively Parehk looks like Makar to me it’s crazy.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Watching in depth analysis between Parehk and Buium and I think skill wise I’m leaning towards Parehk even more, and honestly feel like if he’s there we should take him at 8.

His skating already elite and his offensive instincts and shot are by far better than Buium. I think Buium is the better 2 way defenseman but offensively Parehk looks like Makar to me it’s crazy.

A team set at center would probably take a flyer on him but dont think any of the top ten could boast that. Elite goal scorer maybe but eith so few intangibles if it was iggy and eiserman i take iggy jr as eiserman isnt top ten and iggy is borderline for me

[Royle9]

Idk man, I feel like he’s going to be a 55+ point a year PP QB top 2 dman for a long time.

Makar/Hughes type of offensive threat and those guys make the forward groups so much better it’s crazy.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Idk man, I feel like he’s going to be a 55+ point a year PP QB top 2 dman for a long time.

Makar/Hughes type of offensive threat and those guys make the forward groups so much better it’s crazy.

Plus, centres develop quicker than defencemen, and there are supposed to be more centres at the top of next year's draft anyway.

If you have a chance to grab an offensive #1 D this draft, do it, and get a centre next time.

[Canada 02]

Future Flame, Macklin Celebrini wins the Hobey Baker

[Sandman]

At the end of the day I would trust our scouting staff with whoever they pick, but in my opinion, I would take Buium over Parekh. I think Parekh tries too much to be a one-man army, and his D is sub-standard. Not sure how well his game will translate…

[Tbull8]

If both hit their ceilings they could be Hughes and Fox-like. Both are going to be great imo

[Sandman]

I also think Buium still might grow another inch or two. His father and brothers are all huge.

[Glassplat]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Yak is a mean, nasty presence too. He doles out hacks, whacks and crosschecks like they were candy.

We NEED him….

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (PVR Edition):

Parker Von Richter may sound like a Marvel Comics villain, but he's actually a 6'1",183lb righty defenseman playing in an effective pairing with Jakub Fibigr for the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL. This season, the Steelheads are one of the younger teams in the league, yet they finished 8th overall- with Von Richter producing 25 points in 65 games, to go with 35 penalty-minutes.

Von Richter projects as a puck-moving, defensive defenseman, though he flashes playmaking skill. Most of the time, he relies on quick touches, and safe, simple passes, but his confidence and decision-making, like most aspects of his game, are always improving. Throughout the season, he was showing more and more that he can make plays, while showing increasing poise on the point, and a developing ability to create from the boards. Like his frequent partner, Jakub Fibigr, he will activate into the play if he sees a safe opportunity- which is another improvement he has made since the start of the season, as he was too timid early on to jump into the action. Nowadays, he will punch his way into the middle for shooting chances, and venture down low to win battles. He can sneak around in open pockets of space without the puck to make himself available for passes. Von Richter is quite physical, and throws hits to separate man from puck, but also because he's a little mean. He's tough too, and will drop the gloves when necessary- he wins physical battles in the hard areas, and fights through checks. Mobility-wise, he's above average with a solid top speed, but his explosiveness and acceleration could use some work.

PVR plays both special teams for the Steelheads, and is a go-to shutdown D with tenaciousness and compete. He is committed to his defensive duties, and his IQ on this side of the puck is high- he has good anticipation, and exemplary positioning. He's details-oriented, and there are many subtle things he does that go unnoticed by fans, but are appreciated by coaches. Down low, he plays suffocating defense, disrupting the cycle with hits and well-timed poke checks, and plays hard in front of the net. He clogs up the neutral zone, and kills rushes with proficiency, getting frequent stops with his active stick and smart positioning. He's adept at preventing entries with his reach and his physicality, and his tight gap control creates turnovers that he then turns into offense going back the other way. PVR can be hard to play against, and he frustrates opponents. His breakouts have improved since the start of the year, and he's not as mistake-prone, although he still needs work in this area as he can be pressured into mistakes. His puck skill needs improvement, and he has to keep developing his skating, his offensive play, and his shot- which needs plenty more velocity and accuracy. His decision-making is much improved, but he still needs work in eliminating errors with the puck. There's tons of potential here, but he looks to be a future bottom-three D with some PK duty. Look for him in the 5th, or 6th round.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (All the Vowels Edition):

LHC Thomas Desruisseaux might a player who's flying way under the radar for the 2024 NHL Draft. He was selected 11th overall in 2022 by Cape Breton of the QMJHL, but was traded part-way through the 2022-23 season to Chicoutimi, where he has since piled up 90 points in the last 100 regular-season games for the Sageneens. This season, the 5'11",154lb pivot was tied for 13th in the league for assists with 44 ( 2nd for first-time draft-eligibles in the Q), and registered 60 points in 68 games, but is currently tied for points in the playoffs with 8 in just 4 games. Desruisseaux was playing Adam Oates to Maxim Masse' for most of the season, but the duo was split up in late January, and after the split, Desruisseaux went on to produce 26 points in the next 24 games, with better defensive results. He was even named the Q's Player of the Week on March 17th, with 7 points in 2 games.

It's plain to see that Desruisseaux leans heavily towards playmaking, and he is indeed a superb distibutor. He plays at a high pace, and stays active at all times, with a brain that can match the speed of his feet and hands- he reads and reacts quickly, and solves problems on the fly. He has a nice fine touch on his passes- they connect tape-to-tape, with just the right amount of velocity, right to his teammates' wheelhouse. He can connect through traffic, through opponents feet, and over their sticks. He possesses high IQ and vision, is highly creative, and generates high-danger opportunities by identifying passing lanes that others can't see. He's poised and patient, and will hold on to the puck while evading checkers in order to wait for the best option to unfold. Though he isn't quite a burner, he's an effortless skater with a good short-burst, and a separation gear. He wins races to loose pucks, and is shifty and agile on his edges. His hands are rather quick too, and he's an excellent stickhandler, with the ability to protect the puck by angling his body and skates away from checkers, and by carrying close to his feet. Those hands serve him well around the net, as he can score from in-close, and has the 1-on-1 moves to beat goalies- though he needs to better develop and utilize his finishing skills as an extra offensive dimension. He has shown play-driving capabilities in the way he carries the puck through the transition from the defensive zone, through to the offensive zone with clean entries. He can create off the rush, and he can dish in full flight without missing a beat.

Desruisseaux has anticipation and awareness in the defensive zone, but his game in this area has warts. He helps his D down low to win pucks, and has an active stick to disrupt plays, cut into passing lanes, and cause turnovers, but he runs into problems because of his lack of size and strength. He doesn't have much of a physical game to speak of in the first place, but he's overpowered in board battles rather easily, so bulking up and getting stronger is an absolute must. With such a robust passing game, there are plenty of bad passes in the bunch that need to be eliminated, and developing a stronger shooting game will better diversify his offense, and make him less predictable. There are instances where he holds on to the puck for too long and runs out of real estate, which leads to turnovers, throwaways, and bad passes- so getting quicker with his decision-making and playing with more urgency would help. He's not very good in the faceoff circle, and many have suggested that he will need to be switched to the wing when he turns pro. Desruisseaux has plenty of potential, but it's likely long-term potential in his case. I'm thinking 4th or 5th round.