2024 NHL Draft: 10 defensemen you need to know

The NHL Draft is just over three months away, and there’s one major prevailing theme: it’s an incredible year to draft a high-end defenseman.

After the 2023 selection lacked high-end options behind David Reinbacher, the 2024 is full of them. So much so that there’s a very good chance that at least half of the top 10 players taken are blueliners. Forward Macklin Celebrini is the consensus No. 1, but depending on who you talk to, we could see either Anton Silayev or Artyom Levshunov go No. 2.

With high-end offensive defensemen being so valuable these days – with an added bonus if they bring a big frame to the conversation – it’s really an exciting year to dip into the market.

So much can change, but based off Daily Faceoff’s most recent NHL Draft rankings, here’s a look at 10 defensemen you need to know:

Anton Silayev, LHD (Torpedo, KHL)

Some scouts think Silayev is the clear No. 1 defenseman in the draft. Others just think he’s big, and not much else. Silayev has the highest-scoring output by a U-18 skater in KHL history, edging out Vladimir Tarasenko – but it was just 11 points, and he played 25 more games. The reality is that Silayev is unlikely to become an offensive defenseman in the NHL. Instead, it’s all about leveraging his massive frame and good mobility to put opponents in their place. The 6-foot-7 defender averaged just under 20 minutes a night for Torpedo, which is extremely rare at his age. I think the ceiling is high.

Artyom Levshunov, RHD (Michigan State, NCAA)

Levshunov enters the NCAA tournament leading all Michigan State players in points, which is remarkable for a freshman defender. You don’t typically find many players in the college game that project like Levshunov – he’s a great triple threat as a physical, two-way defenseman and, he’s as competitive as it gets. I can see him putting up 50 points a year in the NHL, which, with a 6-foot-2, 209-pound frame, gives him an extra element to his game you don’t always find with his type of profile.

Sam Dickinson, LHD (London, OHL)

Need a defender who can do a little bit of everything? Meet Sam Dickinson. He’s calm with the puck, makes smart, quick decisions, and plays so well in transition. Dickinson finished the OHL regular season with 18 goals and 70 points in 68 games, building upon a year that also saw him help Canada win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. You’ll often find offensive defensemen that surrender the defensive side of things to get the most out of their game with the puck – that’s simply not the case for Dickinson.

Zeev Buium, LHD (University of Denver, NCAA)

Buium enters the NCAA regionals this weekend with 48 points in 38 games. After Lane Hutson got 48 in 39 games last year, Buium could become just the second U-19 NCAA defenseman to break 50. Buium has been putting up tremendous numbers with Denver as coach Matt Carle has shown tremendous confidence in the freshman defender. Buium is a great skater who loves the puck on his stick, and he never seems to get frazzled, no matter the situation. I really, really like Buium.

Zayne Parekh, RHD (Saginaw, OHL)

Could Parekh be a 30-goal, 60-point player in the NHL? Many scouts seem there’s a legitimate chance. Parekh is downright lethal with the disk, especially as a power-play quarterback. The upside is tremendous – you don’t find defenders as elusive as him often. But defensively, it’s still a work of progress. Parekh can get caught trying to do a bit too much too often, which NHL players won’t give him the time and space to make happen. But in terms of raw skill, Parekh is in his own class right now.

Carter Yakemchuk, RHD (Calgary, WHL)

Yakemchuk had an excellent regular season on a bad Hitmen team this year. The 6-foot-3 defenseman is smart, an excellent skater, and has tremendous offensive instincts. With 30 goals, 71 points and 120 penalty minutes, that’s the type of stat line you’d expect from a power forward – instead, it’s a third-year defenseman that exceeded all expectations this year. Defensively, though, I still need to see more improvement. His decision-making under pressure leaves a bit to be desired, but the potential is high here.

Adam Jiricek, RHD (Plzen, Czechia)

Jiricek was injured at the world juniors and is out for the year after suffering a knee injury in Czechia’s opening game. It was a shame, given the first half of his season wasn’t that great, either. Still, many scouts still think very highly of Jiricek, who has shown some shades of what makes his brother – Columbus’ David Jiricek – and intriguing long-term defender. Adam is extremely confident, something that stands out even against older competition. I wonder if the team that drafts him tries to bring him over to North America next year because I feel like he’ll be good on the smaller ice.

Aron Kiviharju, LHD (HIFK, Liiga)

Kiviharju has been out long-term with an injury, so we haven’t seen much of him this year. He started off slowly, but Kiviharju had points in his final two games as his ice time improved. Kiviharju had some bumps in the road a year ago against men, but the potential is bright. He’s a dynamic passer who can skate like the wind and is poised and composed with the puck. There are concerns with his 5-foot-9 frame, but he hasn’t had an issue with the physical side of things thus far.

Cole Hutson, LHD (USNTDP)

Like his older brother, Montreal Canadiens prospect Lane Hutson, Cole has tremendous hockey IQ and can elude attackers as well as anyone. In fact, I’m not sure there’s a defenseman on this list I’d rather have making passes on the power play. But Hutson lacks a hard, powerful shot and plays can die to low-quality opportunities from afar. Defensively, he really needs to get better, but he’s stronger physically than his brother is. From a talent perspective, I hope he doesn’t slide.

EJ Emery, RHD (USNTDP)

The son of former CFL linebacker Eric Emery, EJ has the size and strength to make himself useful in the NHL one day. He skates well for a 6-foot-3 defender and does a tremendous job of cutting off angles, even on the bigger ice in international tournaments. The North Dakota commit hasn’t done much on the scoresheet, but he’s more offensively inclined than his numbers might suggest. I also love Emery on the penalty kill, too.

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