2024 NHL Draft early look: Macklin Celebrini, Cole Eiserman among ones to watch

Credit: Rena Laverty/USA Hockey

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No, it’s not too early to look ahead.

The 2023 NHL Draft is still a few months away, but there’s been some recent hype surrounding the 2024 class. While it’s too early to really judge this group yet, there seems to be some solid depth to work with. While the 2023 selection will definitely be more forward-centric, the 2024 class should also feature some defensemen in the equation, making it a bit more well-rounded.

We’ve had plenty of showcase events to work with this year – the U-17 World Hockey Challenge and a couple of Four and Five Nations tournaments, including one happening in Switzerland right now.

Let’s take a look at some of the top names for the 2024 NHL Draft, with European playoffs taking shape quite soon:

Cole Eiserman, LW (USNTDP)

Cole Eiserman, a top three prospect for the 2024 #NHLDraft, scored four goals in a big 8-3 win for USA's U-17 team at the Five Nations in Switzerland today.

Here they are. pic.twitter.com/baMoWlSYMN

— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) February 8, 2023

Pure goal scorers don’t come around as often as Eiserman does. In fact, after scoring his 38th goal in his 37th game this season, Eiserman could become the first player other than Cole Caufield to score over a goal per game with the U-17 team, which is downright bonkers. His release is quick, dangerous and he rarely misses when you give him time and space. Eiserman is known more for his wrist shot, but he has taken more slappers over the year and the accuracy is deadly. He and James Hagens – one of the top prospects for 2025 – have been so dominant together, but it’s Eiserman’s goal-scoring ability that gets people talking. Pure scoring talent like this doesn’t come around often.

Macklin Celebrini, C (Chicago Steel, USHL)

The Steel have quickly become the destination team for top prospects. Owen Power and Adam Fantilli were recent grads there. And now, Celebrini is making everyone look like absolute goofballs with his 40-goal, 80-point pace. His 1.47 points-per-game pace is the most of any player with at least 30 games played, which is remarkable given he’s only 16 – that’s something typically reserved for older players ready for college. The Boston University commit has quick hands, a high top speed and is incredibly well-rounded as a shooter and a playmaker. He’s the guy teams build a top line around and someone that can attract attention and still come out ahead.

Ivan Demidov, RW (SKA St. Petersburg, MHL)

Yet another product of the powerhouse SKA, Demidov is a late 2005-born forward, so he’ll be one of the older prospects available. He’s up to 50 points in 36 games in the Russian junior league, good for first among U-18 scorers by 14 points despite playing fewer games than the rest of the pack. Demidov even has some KHL experience, too. Demidov’s game can be deceiving, especially when entering a zone with pressure at a slow speed. He’ll then go flat out to create a scoring chance, and his numbers in the MHL don’t lie.

Berkly Catton, C (Spokane, WHL)

After putting up some truly dominant numbers at a young age, Catton hit the ice at full attack as a rookie with Spokane this year. He’s on pace for around 50 points and was among the best players at the U-17 World Hockey Challenge in November, too. He’s a hard worker with a solid payoff often due to his skill around the net. He might be one of the smartest, if not the smartest prospect in the draft class.

Artyom Levshunov, D (Green Bay, USHL)

Levshunov has been a blast to watch with Green Bay this season, playing at a 40-point pace as a rookie defenseman. He turned heads with some incredible numbers with Belarus’ U-18 team last year and even got into a few men’s national team games. Levshunov is viewed as the future of Belarusian hockey, a nation that hasn’t had a first-round pick since Andrei Kostitsyn in 2003. Levshunov has good size, excellent defensive zone awareness and the numbers are there, too. Keep an eye on him next season.

Aron Kiviharju, D (TPS, Liiga)

Heading into the season, Kiviharju’s name was the one on top of everyone’s mind. But some growing pains have dropped him in some scouts’ opinions, and being a defenseman always makes it harder to go No. 1. But it’s incredible that he has spent nearly half the season in the top Finnish pro league. He’s not playing insignificant ice time either, with a season-high 21:24 late last month. He’s been ridiculously good against U-20 competition, and he just turned 17. Kiviharju still projects to be a high-end prospect that should go early, and would be the top defenseman available this year, for what it’s worth.

Sam Dickinson, D (London, OHL)

At 6-foot-3, Dickinson is as big as they get among top-flight, mobile defenders. He’s a strong skater, smart puck-mover, can shoot the disk accurately and his defensive game is consistent and reliable. Dickinson doesn’t give you much room to work with, which makes him so effective. He hasn’t put up much offensively this season, but if he can find that step in his game, Dickinson will be incredibly well-rounded. He’s a cant-miss defensive prospect.

Henry Mews, D (Ottawa, OHL)

Keeping the defensive train alive, Mews is a strong all-around defender that’ll give you 100 percent effort every night. He knows when to push on the attack without getting himself out of position, and he’s got enough speed to get him back after a rush. Mews is trending toward the type of prospect that excels in heavy minutes.

Konsta Helenius, LW (Jukurit, Liiga)

Helenius stood out at the U-17 World Challenge a few months back, recording nine assists and 11 points. But his physical play, speed and overall skill made him dominant. He’s only 5-foot-10, but he plays with an edge and has the brains to make some truly extraordinary plays. Helenius’ experience in Liiga is a nice touch, as well.

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

First off, yes, he’s related to Henrik – he just isn’t sure how. Zetterberg has double the points of any other U-17 player in the Swedish U-20 league, and he’s been tremendous internationally, too. He’s a good dual threat as a shooter and a passer and has decent speed to make up for his 5-foot-8 frame. His lack of size doesn’t help, but the skill base is there.

Other notables: Will Skahan, D (USNTDP), Charlie Elick, D (Brandon, WHL), Adam Jiricek, D (HC Plzen, Czechia) Tanner Howe, LW (Regina, WHL), Eemil Vinni, G (HIFK, FIN U-20)