2024 NHL Draft: 25 top prospects scout each other

Credit: Artyom Levshunov and Zeev Buium (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

By the time the NHL Draft Combine rolls around each June, players finally get a chance to relax.

The combine itself is a physical and mental gauntlet, but once they’ve finished their final tests and done talking with teams, the pressure starts to die off and players get to look forward to the festivities. Not all of them will end up getting taken in Vegas later this month, but most will, and they start coming to grips with the fact that they’ve done everything in their power to show teams why they deserve to get drafted.

At the combine, and at other events throughout the year, I asked some of the top prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft to give scouting reports on their peers. Some talked about teammates, friends or the guys they felt were the toughest to play against over the past few years. So, today, get to know what some of the best young players have to say about each other:

Kamil Bednarik, C (USNTDP)

From Teddy Stiga, LW (USNTDP): “I think he’s one of the hardest-working guys I know. He’s a great two-way player and also has a lot of offensive upside. He’s one of those underrated-type guys.”

Jack Berglund, C (Farjestad, Sweden U-20)

From Leo Sahlin Wallenius, LHD (Vaxjo, Sweden U-20): “He’s a big forward who likes to have the puck on his stick. He’s really smart.

From Linus Eriksson, C (Djurgardens, Allsvenskan): “He’s just super smart. He’s got a big, big body that he uses well on the ice.”

Sacha Boisvert, C (Muskegon, USHL)

From Matvei Gridin, LW (Muskegon, USHL): “He’s a great player with a great shot and a great fighter. We were pushing each other the whole year. We didn’t really compete against each other; we were trying to help each other to be higher and higher in the draft.”

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW (Mora, Allsvenskan)

From Stian Solberg, LHD (Valerenga, Norway): “He’s a hard guy that you want on your team. I would want to play with him instead of against him. He’s likes to shoot the puck, a great skater, passes really well. Plays hard with his body and he’s a great teammate that makes a lot of energy.”

Zeev Buium, LHD (University of Denver, NCAA)

From Macklin Celebrini, C (Boston University, NCAA): “We kind of grew up a little bit (at Shattuck’s prep school), so it’s been great to see how he’s been able to progress over the last couple years and to see the player he is today. I was blown away when I saw him at the Frozen Four. I felt like he was the best player on the ice… but don’t let don’t let him know I said that.”

Macklin Celebrini, C (Boston University, NCAA)

From Michael Hage, C (Chicago, USHL): “You got to know when to flip the switch. But he’s an easy-going guy and someone who’s easy to talk to and just fun to be around, honestly.”

From Zeev Buium, LHD (University of Denver, NCAA): “He’s an unbelievable kid. He’s super outgoing and has a great personality. He’s super talented, super smart, and if he’s going scoring, he’s going to run you over, as well. He’s one of the hardest-working guys I’ve ever seen. He’s a hell of a player and a really good guy. He’s been at the top of his game for a while.”

Sam Dickinson, LHD (London, OHL)

From Adam Jecho, C (Edmonton, WHL): “He’s really tough to play against. He’s got good size, he’s a good skater, he plays well on both ends of the ice.”

Cole Eiserman, LW (USNTDP)

From Macklin Celebrini, C (Boston University, NCAA): “He’s one of my best buddies, I cheer for him all the time. It’s going to be awesome getting drafted together.”

From Christian Humphreys, C (USNTDP): “He cares so much about the guys. His playmaking ability, I think that just everything he does is super special. If he keeps it up, he’s going to have a long career.”

Charlie Elick, RHD (Brandon, WHL)

From Spencer Gill, RHD (Rimouski, QMJHL): “He’s a very physical defenseman, he’s very physically mature, he’s just an all-around good defender.”

EJ Emery, RHD (USNTDP)

From Christian Humpreys, C (USNTDP): “I think he’s one of the most underrated players of this draft. He’s so tall, athletic, has a great shot. If you have a step on him, you better be faster because he’s going to be catching you.”

Konsta Helenius, C (Jukurit, Liiga)

From Aron Kiviharju, LHD (HIFK, Liiga): “He’s an amazing hockey player, a great guy. He’s able to make great things happen on the ice, with and without the puck.”

Christian Humphreys, C (USNTDP)

From Teddy Stiga, LW (USNTDP): “I think he’s underrated. I think he’s got some of the most talent in this draft. I think he didn’t get the best role this year on the team, but I think with a little more puck on his stick, a little more minutes, he’ll be able to show a lot of people.”

Cole Hutson, LHD (USNTDP)

From EJ Emery, RHD (USNTDP): “He’s such a skilled player, he’s a great offensive player and I’m just there to make sure he feels comfortable going up the play and doing his job. He makes my job easier by getting me the puck, getting me open and getting me in places where I’m able to make plays.”

From Cole Eiserman, LW (USNTDP): “You watch him out there, and he’s a magician with the puck. He’s going to try to look for you out there. He’s pretty special.”

Tij Iginla, LW, Kelowna (WHL)

From Berkly Catton, C (Spokane, WHL): “From last year to this year, the growth in his game is pretty phenomenal honestly. I give him lots of credit to have an awesome year and he will keep it brewing.”

Artyom Levshunov, RHD (Michigan State, NCAA)

From Macklin Celebrini, C (Boston University, NCAA): “I always remember, before we’d play Green Bay all the guys were talking about him. Then we got on the ice, he would just take over the game. He’s a smooth skater and a wizard with the puck.”

Cayden Lindstrom, C (Medicine Hat, WHL)

From Carter Yakemchuk, RHD (Calgary, WHL): “He’s really big and powerful. He’s really explosive in corners and it’s tough to contain him.”

From Andrew Basha, LW (Medicine Hat, WHL): “He’s a beast physically. He powers his way through a lot. He’s a physical specimen. He works hard and is really tough to play against, so it’s nice to have him on my side.”

Zayne Parekh, RHD (Saginaw, OHL)

From Liam Greentree, LW (Windsor, OHL): “He set some records this year, he’s a guy I grew up with. I’ve seen him improve so much, and he’s got got a lot of skill and a lot of finesse to his game. He’s obviously really smart.”

Max Plante, RW (USNTDP)

From Cole Eiserman, LW (USNTDP): “He’s super smart. He’s been the same kind of player for (the USNTDP) for a while now, and he just makes some great passes. He’s a super smart player.”

Henry Mews, RHD (Ottawa, OHL)

From Spencer Gill, RHD (Rimouski, QMJHL): “He’s really talented offensively. He’s able to run the power play and contribute all over the ice.”

From Charlie Elick, RHD (Brandon, WHL): He’s a great guy to be around. A really good teammate for us (at the U-18s), and I thought he played his role really well.

Lucas Pettersson, C (Modo, Sweden U-20)

From Jack Berglund, C (Farjestad, Sweden U-20): “He’s a leader, a really good skater and always makes plays. He makes all his linemates better as well.”

Teddy Stiga, LW (USNTDP)

From Christian Humphreys, C (USNTDP): “For me, knowing him for so long, I think he’s just one of the most gifted hockey players I’ve ever met. He’s just one of the best guys off the ice, too. He’s someone that whenever you’re on an off day, you just want to look out to.”

Carter Yakemchuk, RHD (Calgary, WHL)

From Berkly Catton, C (Spokane, WHL): “He’s the silkiest guy I’ve seen. He almost plays like a smaller guy, but he is a big guy. He’s always a threat, especially in the offensive zone.”

Daniil Ustinkov, LHD (Zurich, NL)

From Leon Muggli, LHD (Zug, NL): “He’s a great player with the puck. He has great hands, great vision. Skates the puck really well, good body, too. He’s not afraid to jump into the offensive zone and create offense.”

Alex Zetterberg, C (Orebro, Sweden U-20)

From Jack Berglund, C (Farjestad, Sweden U-20): “He’s an amazing player, he’s a real scorer and can make plays, as well. I don’t think his size is an issue because he’s so smart. I always see him with his shot and his scoring ability, but he also has his playmaking ability as well. He has everything you need in a forward.”

Brodie Ziemer, C (USNTDP)

From Teddy Stiga, LW (USNTDP): “He always so vocal, he just leads by example and does all the little things right. I think he’s the perfect leader.”

From Cole Hutson, LHD (USNTDP): “He’s one of those guys that you’re gonna love no matter what. He’s just got that personality on him. And if you watch him, he’s a hell of a player, too.”

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