2024 NHL Draft rankings: Macklin Celebrini, Cole Eiserman lead pre-season top 32

Credit: (Photo by Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)

The NHL regular season is still a few weeks away, but the 2024 Draft season has been in full effect for a few weeks now.

It all started with the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August, which, admittedly, can be a deceiving tournament to follow. It’s hard to get a good read on prospects that early when nobody is up to full speed. What it does do is help find talent you might not know much about yet, but it’s still way too early to make any deep reads based off that one-week tournament.

Since then, we’ve seen European leagues open action, and the WHL and QMKHL kicked off the start of the CHL’s regular season. We’ve also seen showcases in the NAHL, USHL and OJHL, with many more on the way throughout the season. The OHL will begin play at the end of September, while the NCAA will go all-out starting in early October – and that’s when the real fun will begin.

In July, I gave an early look at the top 32 prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft. Since then, with many hours of video tape reviewed and some more game action concluded, it’s time to give an updated look at the top talent heading to the draft floor next year.

Probably the most noticeable trend? The influx of high-quality defensemen. Sixteen of the 32 players listed below are blueliners, including five of the top 10.

If you’re looking for more quantity, here’s a list of 350 players to know. If you’re looking for more specifics, let’s look at the 32 best prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft:

1. Macklin Celebrini, C (Boston University, NCAA)

The late start to the college season means we’ll have to wait a little longer to see Celebrini – who also had to deal with a shoulder injury this summer – in action. The 17-year-old is coming off one of the best 16-year-old seasons ever seen in the USHL with 46 goals and 86 points before helping Canada win bronze with 15 points in seven games at the U-18 World Championship. Celebrini was rarely not the best player on the ice in any given scenario, and now he’s set for the college ranks. The smart two-way center can do a bit of everything, and he’s ready to put a beating on some Hockey East clubs this year.

2. Cole Eiserman, LW (USNTDP)

Eiserman had one of the best scoring seasons in USA Hockey National Team Development Program history when he tallied 69 goals and 104 points between the U-17 and U-18 teams. With 12 goals and 20 points at the U-18 World Hockey Challenge, Eiserman had one of the best showings in tournament history, only bested by linemate James Hagens, who had 21. Known for his quick release, Eiserman has drawn comparisons to Auston Matthews and Alex Ovechkin. Many expect Eiserman to break Cole Caufield’s USNTDP record of 72 goals this year, and he’s already off to a great start with five in eight games. He just decommitted from the University of Minnesota for 2024-25, making him a college free agent.

3. Ivan Demidov, RW (SKA St. Petersburg, KHL)

It was surprising to see Matvei Michkov scratched early before getting sent to Sochi, but Demidov managed to stick around with SKA – for now, at least. Player development can be a bit of a tricky road for this group, it seems. But for Demidov, the skill is so apparent, and there’s a reason some believe he has a realistic shot at going No. 1. He’s got the speed, skill and the ability to shoot from just about everywhere. Don’t let his slow KHL start fool you: Demidov has the tools to be a game-changer.

4. Artyom Levshunov, RHD (Michigan State University, NCAA)

Could Levshunov become the highest player drafted out of Belarus ever? It sure looks like it. He had a whopping 13 goals and 42 points in 62 games as a rookie in the USHL last year, and now he’s set to be a big contributor at Michigan State University. The 6-foot-2 defender has size, skill and speed, and there’s no question he’d be able to step into NHL action almost immediately. There’s a ton of upside here.

5. Berkly Catton, C (Spokane, WHL)

Berkly was an unstoppable force at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, leading Canada to gold with eight goals and 10 points. He scored in every game, easily making him the tournament’s top player. After a fantastic rookie season with Spokane, Catton should come close to hitting the 100-point mark on a Chiefs team with something to prove this year.

6. Sam Dickinson, LHD (London, OHL)

The spotlight will be on Dickinson, a defenseman with No. 1 potential in the post-Mailloux era. He has excellent size at 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds and is exceptionally mobile. He had his ups and downs with Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky, but the strong two-way defender has so much going for him as a puck-mover and good reads. Truly, there aren’t a ton of major downsides in his game.

7. Anton Silayev, LHD (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, KHL)

There’s so much hype for Silayev, and for good reason. He started the season with four points in his first four games, averaging 19 minutes a night. For a 17-year-old, that’s essentially unheard of. He has since cooled down to six points in 10 games, which is still remarkable, but it’s his own-zone play that you’re keeping an eye on here. It’s a short sample size, and nobody seemed to have anything on him before the start of the season. But suddenly, everyone can’t stop talking about Silayev. Russian scouts are very excited about his toolkit, which includes size (obviously), solid skating and good heads-up decision-making. Silayev could be a top-five pick when all things are said and done – I’m just not ready to put him there yet, especially with Levshunov still waiting to play his first college game.

8. Aron Kiviharju, LHD (HIFK, Liiga)

Kiviharju is coming off an interesting season with some considerable ups and downs. He split the year between TPS’ Liiga and U-20 teams, recording three points against pros and 20 points at the junior level. His hockey IQ allowed him to dominate against his own age group, but his lack of size at 5-foot-10 caused issues against pros. Still, it’s a lot to ask from a 16-year-old to be playing against men consistently. He was excellent at the World Junior Summer Showcase, and, if all goes well, the minute-muncher will continue to keep his name near the top of draft boards this year.

9. Konsta Helenius, RW (Jukurit, Liiga)

Helenius stood out at the U-17 World Challenge last fall, and he didn’t stop there. He played many minutes in the top Finnish league and finished with 11 points in 33 games – that’s quite special for a 16-year-old. His physical play, speed and overall skill make him dominant, even at 5-foot-10. Helenius didn’t shine by any means against older competition at the season-opening World Junior Summer Showcase, but I loved his game, nonetheless. I could see Helenius creeping up into the top five, maybe even challenging for a top-three spot.

10. Adam Jiricek, RHD (Plzen, Czechia)

The younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Jiricek, Adam comes in a similar offensive-minded, high-pace package. Jiricek was tremendous against his own age group and played some significant time against U-18 national team competition, too. He proved he could handle the rigors of pro hockey in the top Czech league with HC Plzen, recording a pair of assists through 12 games. Jiricek will only get better with more experience, and playing against men will help.

11. Henry Mews, RHD (Ottawa, OHL)

Mews is a high-risk, high-reward defender. More often than not, it pays off. Mews is a strong all-around blueliner who will 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 himself back after a rush. Mews is trending toward the type of prospect that excels in heavy minutes.

12. Trevor Connelly, C (Tri-City, USHL)

Connelly tied Catton for the scoring lead at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and he did it with far less help on an American team that finished with bronze. The Providence College commit had 24 goals and 47 points with Tri-City of the USHL last year and could challenge for the scoring title, too. Skilled and crafty with the puck, Connelly is especially dangerous on the power play.

13. Ryder Ritchie, RW (Prince Albert, WHL)

One of Canada’s more dangerous forwards at the Hlinka Gretzky, Ritchie followed that up with a two-point season debut with Prince Albert. He looked undersized last year, but now stands at six-foot – about two inches taller than as a rookie in the WHL. The playmaker definitely looked the part, using his body to win more puck battles during the Hlinka. Ritchie has a penchant for pulling off some incredible moves with some nice creativity and can shoot missiles from throughout the offensive zone. I’m expecting at least 80 points out of him this season.

14. Cole Hutson, LHD (USNTDP)

You’ve heard about his brother, but could Cole be the better prospect? He’s slightly taller at 5-foot-10 and is coming off of a 68-point season – the best total ever from a USNTDP defenseman, regardless of age. There’s a reason why Cole is playing so much so early. He excels against quality competition. And thanks to his brother, scouts might have learned their lesson to not pass on Cole because he’s on the smaller side. But like his brother, Cole struggles in his own zone. The offense is there, but let’s see some defensive improvements.

15. Maxim Massé, RW (Chicoutimi, QMJHL)

Massé just missed out on 30 goals as a 16-year-old in the QMJHL, but with 62 points in 65 games, it was as good of a rookie campaign as you can ask for. He had a strong showing with Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky, showing a bit more speed than previously seen. Massé is a goal-scorer who can do a little bit of everything, and players like him – such as Dawson Mercer – can carve out solid careers.

16. Igor Chernyshov, LW (Dynamo Moscow, MHL)

A point-per-game player in the MHL last year, Chernyshov is already producing at a similar rate early again this year. Moscow has been crushing opponents so far, and if Chernyshov sticks there instead of the KHL, he’ll factor among the leaders in scoring by 18-year-olds. He has good size at 6-foot-2 with nice top-end speed, and he’s capable of playing at a high pace, too. From a skill perspective, there’s a lot Chernyshov brings to the table.

17. Zayne Parekh, RHD (Saginaw, OHL)

Parekh had an excellent rookie season with Saginaw but he really showed how dominant he was with the puck at the 2022 U-17 World Hockey Challenge. Parekh can control the pace of play from the point with a good shot, great speed and excellent hockey IQ. It seems like he never has an issue putting pucks through traffic and generating chances – and it helps that he has Michael Misa to pick up the rebounds in Saginaw.

18. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW (Mora, Allsvenskan)

A Norweigan-born player has never been taken in the first round of the NHL Draft, and Mats Zuccarello wasn’t even selected. Brandsegg-Nygård has an excellent chance of going in the first round, and potentially early. The 17-year-old underwent knee surgery in March, which kept him out of some key late-season action, but his numbers with Mora’s U-20 team left little to worry about. He was a big reason why Norway will play in the 2024 world juniors, and, assuming he’s healthy, he’ll be tasked with doing whatever it takes to avoid relegation.

19. Sacha Boisvert, C (Muskegon, USHL)

Big centers are coveted in the NHL, so it helps that Boisvert stands 6-foot-2. He’s a good skater who can play at a high speed while putting some serious mustard behind his wrister. With good hands and a physical edge to his game, Boisvert could easily sneak his way closer to the top 10 as more of a “safe” pick, thanks to his well-rounded nature. I hope he explodes offensively this year because he has translatable skills that can take him far.

20. Carter Yakemchuk, RHD (Calgary, WHL)

A Central Division all-star last year, Yakemchuk had a big season with a Hitmen squad that didn’t do much in the standings. Yakemchuk put up 19 goals and 47 points in his second WHL campaign, and already has had a solid two-way impact with Calgary early in a difficult start for the squad this year. He has a pro-level size, skates well and is good in his own zone, although he’ll get caught trying to do too much too often.

21. Michael Hage, C (Chicago, USHL)

After a truly dominant U-16 season with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in 2021-22, expectations were high for the Michigan commit heading into his debut USHL season. But an injury limited him to just 13 regular season games, where he recorded 10 points during the stretch run. So there’s doubting his scoring ability, but he’s still playing catchup after missing so much time. Many scouts believe the University of Michigan commit has the potential to become an NHL star, but we need to see an entire season of work first.

22. Zeev Buium, LHD (University of Denver, NCAA)

A late 2005-born defender, Buium was the best offensive defenseman on the U-18 USNTDP team last year. The quick-skating two-way defender was never shy to rush the puck down the ice and contributed in all situations. His own-zone play can vary from shift to shift, but his skating and competitive level are above average for this age group. For now, he seems far more confident on the offensive side of the game than the defensive, but he’ll have some excellent coaches guiding him along at Denver.

23. Charlie Elick, RHD (Brandon, WHL)

Who doesn’t love a big defenseman out of the WHL? Elick is off to a hot start with Brandon, registering three points in his first two games while still showing his trademark physical edge. He didn’t put up many points last year, but he always seemed engaged in the attack. Elick moves well for his size, and, unlike some other smaller, more skilled defenders on this list, he’s quite solid in his own zone. Elick has the makings of a shutdown blueliner who can have a nice, long career in the NHL.

24. Veeti Väisänen, LHD (KooKoo, Liiga)

Väisänen has spent much of his young career already playing up an age group, and he shined against U-20 competition last year. Add in a solid U-18 World Championship showing (with some hiccups) and some playoff Liiga action and he looks mature for his age. Väisänen has spent his entire season to date with KooKoo’s Liiga team, but his ice time has dropped a bit over the past few games. Could he head down to the U-20 level for more playing time? It wouldn’t hurt, but you can at least count on the competitive defender putting in an effort every time he hits the ice.

25. Tanner Howe, LW (Regina, WHL)

Without Connor Bedard, Howe won’t have a safety net to work with this season. So it’s fair to wonder just how good he can be without No. 98 by his side. But with four points in his first two games, the new team captain is already off to a wild start as one of the top forwards in the WHL. He’s not big at 5-foot-10, but he’s strong, plays with an edge and has high-end skill. So far, so good.

26. Anthony Cristoforo, RHD (Windsor, OHL)

The Spitfires will be one of the CHL’s top teams in terms of quality draft prospects, and Cristoforo is a big reason why. Cristoforo, a stout offensive defenseman, put up solid numbers with a 41-point rookie campaign last year. Recent comparables to that type of production include Jamie Drysdale and Brandt Clarke, doing so as a slick, modern-day defenseman. Cristoforo’s top speed can improve, but the Vaughan, Ontario native won’t need to wait too long to hear his name called on draft day.

27. Beckett Sennecke, RW (Oshawa, OHL)

Sennecke didn’t get enough love for his standout season in Oshawa last year. He felt too small in early viewings, almost like he hadn’t grown since his U-15 days. But he added some muscle throughout the year, which showed in both his shot release and physical play. Sennecke is a confident puck-rusher with quick hands, making him a nice complement on Oshawa’s top line alongside Colorado prospect Cal Ritchie. He has good size at 6-foot-2, knows how to score, and is an excellent setup man – big things are ahead for him this year.

28. Daniil Ustinkov, LHD (ZSC Lions, NL)

There are a lot of people who think Ustinkov is the future of Switzerland’s blueline. He was a standout at the U-18 World Championship and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and was the most prominent defender in the junior national team system for the Swiss all year long. There’s a similar trajectory between Ustinkov and David Reinbacher, which could include a draft-year stay in the top Swiss league. The way Ustinkov thinks the game with the puck and while dealing a defensive rush is top-notch for this age group.

29. Emil Hemming, RW (TPS, Liiga)

Heming already looks like a man at 6-foot-2, and he produced some solid numbers against much older competition in the Finnish U-20 league last year. He started the U-20 season with 13 points in six games, earning a promotion to the pro team. With two goals in his first two games, Hemming is already off to an excellent start. After a great run with Finland’s Hlinka Gretzky team, Hemming has had one of the best seasons of any European-born player at this point.

30. Will Felicio, LHD (Madison, USHL)

It’s difficult for 16-year-olds to play heavy minutes in the USHL, but that’s exactly what Felicio did last year with Madison. One of the top defensemen at the Hlinka Gretzky, the University of Denver commit loves to rush the puck and can shoot from anywhere. He’s on the smaller side at 5-foot-10, but his puck smarts make him one of the more intriguing USHL defenders this year. He’s fearless.

31. Will Skahan, LHD (USNTDP)

At 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds, good luck trying to speed your way past Shakan. He’s a strong blueliner with good offensive awareness and a heavy slapper. Shakan projects to be a mobile, stay-at-home defenseman, but he’s got a decent offensive toolkit that makes you think there’s more he can unlock this year. Given Shakan’s father, Sean, has experience working as an NHL strength and conditioning coach, it’s understandable why Shakan is so fit and agile for his size.

32. Alexander Zetterberg, C (Orebro, SHL)

Zetterberg is incredibly skilled with the puck, is a good skater, and is as competitive as they come. Against junior-aged players, production has never really been an issue. What is, however, is his 5-foot-8 frame. That’s an issue for next June. That hasn’t stopped him from producing against his own age group, and he was a standout almost every night at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in August.

Other notables: Adam Jecho, RW (Edmonton, WHL), E.J. Emery, RHD (USNTDP), Maximilian Curran, C (Tri-City, USHL), Liam Greentree, RW (Windsor, OHL), Cole Beaudoin, C (Barrie, OHL), Simon Zether, C (Rogle, Sweden U-20), Adam Titlbach, C (Vancouver, WHL), Justin Poirier, RW (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL), Caleb Heil, G (Sioux Falls, USHL), Cayden Lindstrom, C (Medicine Hat)

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