Post by Nashville Predators on Jun 15, 2024 9:39:53 GMT -6
Welcome to the first 2024 PFHL Mock Draft. Big thank to Chris of the Future for putting this together. Of the 32 picks in the first round, 19 picks have new owners and I am sure there are more to come so there will be a V2 after the lottery is announced. This mock was based on the final standings. Let's start with a brief profile of the top 5 picks in this mock draft.
1. Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA), Six-foot, 197 pounds
Ever since the start of the season, Macklin Celebrini has been the top prospect in this cycle. He dominated the NCAA this season, putting up 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games. Although his Boston University team couldn’t capture the national title, Celebrini was recognized as the top player in NCAA hockey with the Hobey Baker Award, becoming the youngest player to capture it.
Celebrini is a dual-threat offensive player who plays strong hockey in his own end. He has arguably the best shot in the draft class, is an excellent play-maker and can consistently attack the middle of the ice. He is one of the very few players in the class that truly elevates his teammates. He chains plays together so consistently by knowing what options A, B and C are before he even gets the puck on his stick. He is a tactician who plays with a cerebral edge.
Ever since the start of the season, Macklin Celebrini has been the top prospect in this cycle. He dominated the NCAA this season, putting up 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games. Although his Boston University team couldn’t capture the national title, Celebrini was recognized as the top player in NCAA hockey with the Hobey Baker Award, becoming the youngest player to capture it.
Celebrini is a dual-threat offensive player who plays strong hockey in his own end. He has arguably the best shot in the draft class, is an excellent play-maker and can consistently attack the middle of the ice. He is one of the very few players in the class that truly elevates his teammates. He chains plays together so consistently by knowing what options A, B and C are before he even gets the puck on his stick. He is a tactician who plays with a cerebral edge.
2. Artyom Levshunov, RHD, Michigan State (NCAA), 6-foot-2, 205 pounds
Some think he’s the best defenseman in the class, and some think he is a massive gamble because of his playing style. I fall into the camp between the two. I see the intrigue of a defenseman who is willing to punish his opponent with as many cross-checks and extra shots along the boards as the referees will allow him to get away with. Levshunov is one of the most physical players in the class. He also added 35 points in 38 games as a freshman with a strong Michigan State squad.
As for the other side of things, the offensive game seemed to drop off a bit in the second half of the season. He began to rein in some of his wild stallion habits, such as trying to be the first fore-checker as a D-man or attacking downhill off the blue-line every chance he had. While pulling back on being the ultimate freelancer took away from his offensive production, it also allowed him to be in a better defensive position and make more plays when defending in transition.
Some think he’s the best defenseman in the class, and some think he is a massive gamble because of his playing style. I fall into the camp between the two. I see the intrigue of a defenseman who is willing to punish his opponent with as many cross-checks and extra shots along the boards as the referees will allow him to get away with. Levshunov is one of the most physical players in the class. He also added 35 points in 38 games as a freshman with a strong Michigan State squad.
As for the other side of things, the offensive game seemed to drop off a bit in the second half of the season. He began to rein in some of his wild stallion habits, such as trying to be the first fore-checker as a D-man or attacking downhill off the blue-line every chance he had. While pulling back on being the ultimate freelancer took away from his offensive production, it also allowed him to be in a better defensive position and make more plays when defending in transition.
3. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat (WHL), 6-foot-3, 213 pounds
The tantalizing package Lindstrom brings to the table has NHL teams drooling at the possibility of adding him to their team. He brings the size, speed and skill combination that teams crave at centre, and his game has a power element that is sorely missing in most of the draft class. He also brings a mean streak to the game when necessary, which will only excite NHL clubs even more.
Lindstrom is a handful for defenders, attacking downhill like an NFL running back looking to truck his opponent while cutting and shimmying if they commit to the contact. The Medicine Hat centre is excellent along the boards, using his size and strength to establish position on the puck and come out of the mess with it. His play-making is often at its best when he is emerging from a puck battle and finding a teammate out front. He uses his reach to pass around opponents.
The tantalizing package Lindstrom brings to the table has NHL teams drooling at the possibility of adding him to their team. He brings the size, speed and skill combination that teams crave at centre, and his game has a power element that is sorely missing in most of the draft class. He also brings a mean streak to the game when necessary, which will only excite NHL clubs even more.
Lindstrom is a handful for defenders, attacking downhill like an NFL running back looking to truck his opponent while cutting and shimmying if they commit to the contact. The Medicine Hat centre is excellent along the boards, using his size and strength to establish position on the puck and come out of the mess with it. His play-making is often at its best when he is emerging from a puck battle and finding a teammate out front. He uses his reach to pass around opponents.
4. Zeev Buium, LHD, University of Denver (NCAA), Six-foot, 186 pounds
Over the last 15 months, all Zeev Buium has done is win. He was a pivotal member of the American World Men's Under-18 team that won gold at the end of last season. He led all defensemen in goals at the World Junior Championship this past January en route to a gold medal. He capped his freshman season at the University of Denver a couple of months ago with an NCAA national championship.
All of that team success was made possible by his incredible play on the blue-line. He led all NCAA blue-liners in scoring with 50 points in 42 games (ahead of Lane Hutson and Seamus Casey). Buium was named a nominee for the Hobey Baker, was named to a number of end-of-season all-star teams in college and collected just about every award possible in the NCHC.
Over the last 15 months, all Zeev Buium has done is win. He was a pivotal member of the American World Men's Under-18 team that won gold at the end of last season. He led all defensemen in goals at the World Junior Championship this past January en route to a gold medal. He capped his freshman season at the University of Denver a couple of months ago with an NCAA national championship.
All of that team success was made possible by his incredible play on the blue-line. He led all NCAA blue-liners in scoring with 50 points in 42 games (ahead of Lane Hutson and Seamus Casey). Buium was named a nominee for the Hobey Baker, was named to a number of end-of-season all-star teams in college and collected just about every award possible in the NCHC.
5. Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (Rus.), 5-foot-11, 181 pounds
There may not be a player in the 2024 NHL draft who plays a more electric brand of hockey than Demidov. The young Russian aims to play hockey in spectacular fashion. He sees the ice differently than most players. Whereas most players see passing lanes when they are there, Demidov manipulates them into existence and threads the puck into traffic as they open. It’s incredible to watch.
Demidov started the season playing absolutely unhinged and comical hockey, toying with junior opponents with pure skill. While it was almost video game-like stylistically, it wasn’t projectable to pro hockey. As the year wore on and a promotion to the KHL team seemed less and less likely, Demidov began to refine his game and take out some of the insane – albeit entertaining – habits that caused some doubts about translatability.
There may not be a player in the 2024 NHL draft who plays a more electric brand of hockey than Demidov. The young Russian aims to play hockey in spectacular fashion. He sees the ice differently than most players. Whereas most players see passing lanes when they are there, Demidov manipulates them into existence and threads the puck into traffic as they open. It’s incredible to watch.
Demidov started the season playing absolutely unhinged and comical hockey, toying with junior opponents with pure skill. While it was almost video game-like stylistically, it wasn’t projectable to pro hockey. As the year wore on and a promotion to the KHL team seemed less and less likely, Demidov began to refine his game and take out some of the insane – albeit entertaining – habits that caused some doubts about translatability.
Now let's take a look at the mock draft board.
