2024 NHL Draft Thread

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

NMC won’t matter once the losing piles up and the team tells him they don’t want him anymore. Kind of like with Markstrom.

I’m sure he would waive.

I am positive he wouldn't. The team is never going to tell him they don't want him and he has decided the organization and the community means more than the outside chance he can win a Cup elsewhere. Actually Steinberg brought up the idea to him at the golf classic about if he had regrets, if you listen to what his response is it is very clear Backlund will retire a Flame.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Steinberg brought up the idea to him at the golf classic about if he had regrets, if you listen to what his response is it is very clear Backlund will retire a Flame.

I would be most appreciative of a link to that, if you've got one.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Mephisto

Is Markstrom owed real $ or has it mostly been paid out?l

His real money salary for the next two seasons is the same as his cap hit ($6 million).

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

The 1st (10th overall) for Markstrom and retaining 2 years of salary.

NJD management be like:




If Markstrom alone @ 50% retained was worth the 10th overall, the deal would be done.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

NJD management be like:

They were doing the same laugh when they thought they could make the playoffs with Jake Allen instead.

Oops.

[The Fonz]

If they’re dangling the 10th overall, they’ll have no problem getting Ullmark out of Boston.

Ullmark has been the better goalie the last 3 years, and is 3yrs younger.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Mr. Hockey Edition):

Whether he's drafted or not, LHC Nolan Roed deserves a ton of credit for the season he had as Captain of White Bear Lake in Minnesota's High School circuit, tying for 15th overall in goals with 33, and leading his team in scoring with 58 points. His output was 29 points more than his next highest-scoring teammate, showing that he didn't have a lot of help- but he was rewarded by being named a finalist for the title of Mr. Hockey, which eventually went to Hagen Burrows. The 5'11", 185lb Roed actually started the 2023-24 season with the USHL's Tri-City Storm, scoring a respectable 13 points in 16 games as their second-line center, before joining White Bear Lake High for their season. In his second stint with Tri-City after the High School season was over, he only managed a paltry 2 points in 9 games for a regular-season total of 15 points in 25 USHL games, but cranked it up in the playoffs with 6 points in 6 games- tied for second on the Storm, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Roed, who is an older draft-eligible with an Oct.25th birthday, comes from a hockey family with his older brother playing his first 5 pro games with the Coachella Firebirds of the AHL late this season after 2 seasons with Bemidji State University, and his father retiring in 2003 after a short pro career in Europe.

It's a bit difficult to project players coming out of the High School league, and while Roed looked dominant at that level, he appeared a bit more ordinary at times in the USHL- a lot of what can be said about his game must come with a disclaimer that his skills and abilities are a bit muted at higher levels. His skating, as an example, looks decidedly better at the HS level, showing speed in all directions on a long, powerful stride, with good agility and a quick change of pace- but he's closer to average in the USHL. His top-notch compete level and motor aren't up for debate however, and serve him well wherever he's playing. He applies endless pressure on opponents, winning battles in greasy areas with sheer will and tenacity, and smothering puck-carriers of time and space on the forecheck, causing turnovers. Though he's hard in trenches, he has soft hands for finishing plays around the net, and a good arsenal of shots to choose from- most of which will require better accuracy and power for higher levels. He will attack the crease to cause havok, and to seek second-chance opportunities to capitalize on- he's very inside-driven, and will explode to the middle to unleash high-danger shots. Roed is strong on the puck, and has a modicum of skill- he's no slouch in the passing department, showing the ability to see the ice and make plays. He's highly physical with a tireless motor that aids him in pushing the pace, but he's remarkably disciplined with only 18 PIM in HS play, and 14 PIM in the USHL.

Roed is a leader who sets an example for teammates with his highly responsible game, and his effort. He's an excellent 200-ft player with high-level awareness in defensive situations, and is as highly disruptive with his body and stick on the backcheck as he is on the forecheck- he excels on faceoffs too. At the High School level, he plays in all situations and White Bear Lake's PP runs through him. He's a clutch player, and is known to score big goals in big games. Roed is committed to St. Cloud State this fall, and the team that drafts him will get a player with a longer runway- which he will need. There's nothing in his numbers that suggest he'll ever be close to elite offensively at any level, but he might just make a fine bottom-6 defensive player that provides energy and physicality, along with a little offense here and there at the NHL level. Look for him in later rounds.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Sandman I was looking at the breakdown for the last few drafts. A lot of the American players are coming out of Minnesota. I know they are a hockey state, but what is different now?

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

If they’re dangling the 10th overall, they’ll have no problem getting Ullmark out of Boston.

Ullmark had been the better goalie the last 3 years, and is 3yrs younger.

True, but their own Martin Brodeur is a huge Markstrom advocate, who says Marky is on an island with 4 other goalies in the league in a category all their own.

Ullmark has been helped along by playing on an elite team though, too. Marky hasn't had that luxury the last two years.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Sandman I was looking at the breakdown for the last few drafts. A lot of the American players are coming out of Minnesota. I know they are a hockey state, but what is different now?

I think that if you look at a list of current players who were born in Minny, a lot of them would have birthdays from the 80's and early 90's. I would hazzard a guess that the ratio of Minnesota-born players to American players in recent drafts hasn't changed much- there's just more and more elite American kids coming out of the Development program down there, and the ever-improving USHL. Just my opinion, and a shot in the dark.

The game seems to have grown by leaps and bounds in the USA the last few decades.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I would be most appreciative of a link to that, if you've got one.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1W2...TQ6lnCoL8P-u1g

Starts about 37.46 on Backlund.

[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Mr. Hockey Edition, Vol. 2):

RW Carson Pilgrim was a finalist for the 2024 Mr. Hockey award, given out to the best player from the Minnesota High School league, with past winners like Casey Mittelstadt, Nick Leddy, Nick Bjugstad, and Ryan McDonagh. Unfortunately for Pilgrim, this year's award went to Hagen Burrows of Minnetonka High, but he still was named to the First Team All State, and was given the rank of "C" by Central Scouting on their preliminary list- meaning they have pledged him to be a 4th or 5th-round pick in the draft. The 5'11",167lb Pilgrim was the Captain of Warroad High this season, and was tied for 13th in league scoring with 70 points in 31 games, with 32 goals- which was tied for 17th. He was selected in the second-round, 18th overall, in the 2023 USHL Phase 2 Draft by the Tri-City Storm, and he got 4 games with that club this season, scoring no points. On the human side of his story, Pilgrim's Stepfather died in the summer of 2023, before the start of the season, and he just happened to be an assistant coach at Warroad High.

High School players are hard to project, but at that level Pilgrim is both a natural goal-scorer and creative playmaker. CP is a strong forechecker, very disruptive with his tenacity and an active stick. He has smooth hands for finishing around the net, but dazzles with his lethal array of shots- he's highly deceptive, using feints, look-offs, dekes, and fakes to manipulate defenders into giving up space, and fool goalies. His shot has good velocity and accuracy, and his release is lightning quick- I think both will hold up in higher leagues. He shows no fear in attacking the crease for loose pucks and second-chance opportunities, or in finding pockets of space in the zone to fire. As a playmaker, he's dangerous with high awareness and IQ, and he possesses distribution skills that allow him to connect to teammates with difficult passes through tight spaces. He is able to push pace, and creates a lot of his offense off the rush. With confidence in his abilities, he will play keep-away to wait for the right play to unfold, rather than forcing an ill-advised pass or throwing the puck away- he's strong on the puck, with poise while in possession. Mobility-wise, he has above-average speed, but he's far from being a burner, though he possesses strong edges and agilty for extra elusiveness. He can change direction on a dime to shake off checkers, and spin off of hits.

In transition, CP is quite useful with his passing skills and his ability to dish in full flight when traversing the neutral zone, but he can also carry through clean exits and entries with full control- at least at the High School level. He's a fine 200-ft player, and works hard to disrupt plays, but his engagement in his own zone has it's ebbs and flows- he can sometimes be caught standing still, or puck-watching. When he's on, he hounds puck-carriers with an active stick, and is fearless in blocking shots. There's a perception that he doesn't use enough deception in his offensive game, and that he doesn't play well in contact- his puck-protection is deficient, because he avoids contact and would rather take the long way around traffic, than try and go through it. He needs to cut to the middle more, and go to the low slot to get more high-quality chances, with less time on the perimeter. Pilgrim is quite raw, and is more potential than finished product right now, but he's committed to one of the best programs at the University of North Dakota for 2025-26, and will play next year in the USHL with Tri-City- so he has an extra long runway to develop. If he rounds out his skill and his skating, there's a chance he could make a good middle-six winger in the NHL, but he's more likely a future bottom-6 contributor. Look for him in the 5th or 6th round.

[mrdonkey]

Again, take with an Orange Julius sized grain of salt, but I heard from a guy who knows a guy that Iginla has met with Ottawa, Columbus, Calgary, and Montreal for interviews, with Montreal giving him a red carpet treatment.

My personal opinion, based on the info I've been given from people peripheral to Flames PR and event scheduling (not people intimate with Flames internal operations, to be clear) is that the Flames are aware that Montreal is heavily in on Iginla, and the Flames are focusing their attention on Defensemen for their selections and interview processes, but Iggy is definitely on their radar.

UPD: "They like Buium a lot, who some teams had borderline top 10 before interviews. They have met with him twice." Seems like the Flames are targeting D heavily.

[sch19lks]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Again, take with an Orange Julius sized grain of salt, but I heard from a guy who knows a guy that Iginla has met with Ottawa, Columbus, Calgary, and Montreal for interviews, with Montreal giving him a red carpet treatment.

My personal opinion, based on the info I've been given from people peripheral to Flames PR and event scheduling (not people intimate with Flames internal operations, to be clear) is that the Flames are aware that Montreal is heavily in on Iginla, and the Flames are focusing their attention on Defensemen for their selections and interview processes, but Iggy is definitely on their radar.

UPD: "They like Buium a lot, who some teams had borderline top 10 before interviews. They have met with him twice." Seems like the Flames are targeting D heavily.

I’d love Buium at 9. Him or Catton

[jg13]

Yep both Buium / Iginla are home runs at 9 imo.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

If they’re dangling the 10th overall, they’ll have no problem getting Ullmark out of Boston.

Ullmark has been the better goalie the last 3 years, and is 3yrs younger.

Let’s say we retain 3m for 2 seasons for 10th OA:

Markstrom 3m x 2 > Ullmark 5m x 1 (and likely a 50-60% raise in 2025).

Even Palat and 10th for Markstrom is a better deal than just Markstrom. Yes, Ullmark can fetch 10th on his own, but the Devils desperately need space for other players in future years.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Markstrom 3m x 2 > Ullmark 5m x 1 (and likely a 50-60% raise in 2025).

I disagree

If I'm NJD management, I'm paying the extra $2m for the younger, better goaltender. If he commands a 50% raise after 1yr, that'd be a great problem cause it would mean he played at a Vezina level.

You can't avoid the best players because they are more expensive.

[Bingo]

Added another ranking (FloHockey). That's 20 rankings now.

Current top of draft

1	M Celebrini	C	1.00
2	Ivan Demidov	RW	2.75
3	A Levshunov	D	4.50
4	Sam Dickinson	D	6.70
5	C Lindstrom	C	7.10
6	Zeev Buium	D	7.15
7	Berkly Catton	C	7.25
8	Anton Silayev	D	8.30
9	Zayne Parekh	D	8.80
10	Konsta Helenius	C	10.30
11	Cole Eiserman	LW	10.65
12	Tij Iginla	C	10.90
13	C Yakemchuk	D	12.55

Flames 9th pick

7	Berkly Catton	C
8	Anton Silayev	D
9	Zayne Parekh	D
10	Konsta Helenius	C
11	Cole Eiserman	LW

Flames 28th pick

26	Terik Parascak	RW
27	E.J. Emery	D
28	Aron Kiviharju	D
29	Jett Luchanko	C
30	Henry Mews	D

Flames 41st pick

39	Tanner Howe	F
40	Stian Solberg	D
41	Matvei Gridin	F
42	Cole Hutson	
43	Marek Vanacker

Flames 64th pick

Ben Danford	D
Tomas Galvas	D
Leon Muggli	D
Spencer Gill	D
Simon Zether	F

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I disagree

If I'm NJD management, I'm paying the extra $2m for the younger, better goaltender. If he commands a 50% raise after 1yr, that'd be a great problem cause it would mean he played at a Vezina level.

You can't avoid the best players because they are more expensive.

It depends on what NJ is looking for. Ullmark has been great in a 1A/1B rotation, but a career-high GP of 48 games played as a 30-year-old goaltender doesn't scream the bell-cow number 1 that, to me, a top 10 pick would be dealt for.

Markstrom is, IMO, the better goaltender. We haven't seen Ullmark handle the workload that Markstrom does, without the benefit of a very competent 'backup' in Swayman.

The only way I'm moving a top 10 pick if I'm NJ is to get 1) a proven number one, or 2) a young goaltender that has pedigree and the tools to be a number one if given the opportunity.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Flames 9th pick

7	Berkly Catton	C
8	Anton Silayev	D
9	Zayne Parekh	D
10	Konsta Helenius	C
11	Cole Eiserman	LW

Flames 28th pick

26	Terik Parascak	RW
27	E.J. Emery	D
28	Aron Kiviharju	D
29	Jett Luchanko	C
30	Henry Mews	D

Flames 41st pick

39	Tanner Howe	F
40	Stian Solberg	D
41	Matvei Gridin	F
42	Cole Hutson	
43	Marek Vanacker

Flames 64th pick

Ben Danford	D
Tomas Galvas	D
Leon Muggli	D
Spencer Gill	D
Simon Zether	F

Assuming the draft rolls like that ... pick one player from each of the groups, but only from player 3 to 5 (1 and 2 are gone)

9 Iginla (he would be one spot off the list)
28 Mews
41 Hutson
64 Muggli