2024 NHL Draft: The Top 15 centers

Credit: Zachary Peters/WHL

The 2024 NHL Draft is the year of the defenseman. But if you’re looking for a center, you’re not lacking options.

Macklin Celebrini is the biggest draw, with the San Jose Sharks already saying they’re going to take him first overall next month in Vegas. He’ll be the backbone of the franchise while becoming the sixth center since 2014 to be selected first overall.

Then we’ll likely see a few defensemen and winger Ivan Demidov taken before we get the next center. But the depth after that is solid, with a handful of future top-six forwards expected to be sprinkled throughout the top 10.

Here’s a breakdown of 15 of the top centers available this year, using positional designations from the NHL’s Central Scouting Service:

1. Macklin Celebrini, Boston University (NCAA)

This is an easy one. The undisputed No. 1 prospect is as complete for a center as it gets, putting up great numbers while still backchecking like his life depends on it. Celebrini is good in the draw, with his pure strength allowing him to win so many faceoffs even against older competition. He’ll be San Jose’s No. 1 for a while, finding ways to make himself valuable even if he isn’t producing much on the scoresheet. As a middleman, he’s better than Connor Bedard.

2. Cayden Lindstrom, Medicine Hat (WHL)

Teams love his size, and it’s hard not to when he moves so well at 6-foot-5. A back injury took him out of action for about three months, but I still think we’re looking at someone who can dominate enough physically in the NHL. He’s an absolute monster out there, and scouts love the potential for him to be a high-scoring wrecking ball. He’ll have a realistic shot at being a No. 1 center down the line, but even if he falls at No. 2, that’s one heck of a matchup advantage for whoever takes Lindstrom.

3. Konsta Helenius, Jukurit (Liiga)

While Helenius did play a bit of wing this year, I feel like he’s got a good shot at being a center in the NHL. He’s a reliable, two-way forward coming off one of the most productive seasons ever by a U-18 player in the top Finnish league. He had a bit of a disappointing end to the season at the U-18s and World Championship, but the fact he looked so good against men for the better part of the year shows he can physically and mentally handle stronger competition.

4. Berkly Catton, Spokane (WHL)

Catton isn’t built physically strong, and that could cause him issues as a center. But you can’t deny the pure talent, scoring 54 goals and 116 points in 68 games in his second full year in the WHL. The Chiefs’ alternate captain is so good with the puck, often taking control of the game when Spokane is down and out. Few draft eligibles are as good at producing high-quality chances as Catton, and he works hard enough in both ends to earn the benefit of the doubt as a future NHL center. But we’ll see.

5. Michael Hage, Chicago (USHL)

Hage had a huge first full season with the Steel, scoring 33 goals and 75 points in 54 games. It’s exactly what we expected from him after his great U-16 season with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, and it helped him solidify his status as a first-round pick. Hage was one of the NHL’s best pure forwards with a combination of size, great skating, and tremendous puckhandling. As far as pure centers go, Hage is one of the best available this year. I’d like to see him add more muscle mass, but I think he’s going to end up being one of the best prospects taken in the second half of the first round.

6. Sacha Boisvert, C (Muskegon, USHL)

Boisvert is relied on heavily to do a bit of everything in Muskegon. So it’s impressive that he managed to put up 36 goals and 68 points in 61 games while still being the team’s best two-way forward with great defensive awareness. Boisvert has good skill, competitiveness and reads plays as well as any center in the draft. I don’t think he’ll be a high-end scorer in the NHL, but 50 points would be an attainable goal.

7. Dean Letourneau, St. Andrew’s (PHC)

It’s hard to not notice the Boston College commit – he’s 6-foot-7. Letourneau had a great year with St. Andrew’s College, registering 61 goals and 127 points to push himself into first-round territory. Putting up points in prep school is one thing, but the USHL-bound forward is just so physically dominant while still skating and moving the puck like a smaller center. When he gets in front of the net, things happen. I have full belief he’ll be able to adjust to the college game once he gets there, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a one-and-done in 2025-26 given how physically mature he is.

8. Cole Beaudoin, Barrie (OHL)

Beaudoin was excellent at the U-18 World Championship, looking great as a bottom-six threat that did just about everything. Built like a tank, Beaudoin projects to be more of a third-line center in the NHL, but someone who’ll bring results. He scores, hits, block shots and defends – everything you’re hoping for out of a reliable two-way center. Beaudoin lacks the upside of many others in this draft class, but he does enough things well to earn a long NHL career.

9. Jett Luchanko, Guelph (OHL)

I was initially concerned about his size – 5-foot-11, 170 pounds. I would like to see more muscle on him. However, after he put up more than 50 assists this year, I’m really impressed with his vision and hockey IQ. Luchanko excels in creating opportunities on the power play, primarily as a playmaker. He also has a great shot, although I wish he would use it more often. I don’t think he has first-round upside but some think he’s good enough just as a pure center.

10. Lucas Pettersson, Modo (Sweden U-20)

As a centerman, Pettersson plays a stout two-way game and has really shown more confidence as the season has worn on. The U-18 World Championship was an excellent opportunity for Pettersson to step up for Sweden, helping them win bronze after putting in some great performances in the playoff round. Pettersson can fly around the ice and has gotten better at using that to steal pucks in tight. He’s also a solid penalty killer, too.

11. John Mustard, Waterloo (USHL)

A high-flying skater, Mustard went from playing AAA a year ago to becoming one of the USHL’s best freshmen. He led Waterloo in scoring while being a hard-working, two-way threat that seemed to play better whenever he was granted extra responsibilities out there. Mustard isn’t flashy, but I could see his work ethic allowing him to get the job done in a team’s bottom six. Once projected as a seventh-round pick to start the year, I think Mustard will go early on Day 2.

12. Kamil Bednarik, USNTDP

Bednarik may not be the flashiest player, but he is consistent. He puts in a strong effort every single night, can play with anyone, and does a lot of small things well. Whether he’s playing with a goal-scorer like Cole Eiserman or someone who’s more energy-focused, Bednarik’s ability to learn and adapt makes him intriguing. Although his skating isn’t great, he compensates with hard work at both ends of the ice and actively tries to regain control of the puck. I can see Bednarik being one of the guys who really excels in college and adds extra scoring punch.

13. Adam Jecho, Edmonton (WHL)

Jecho is big at 6-foot-5 and 201 pounds, making him difficult to move off the puck. He skates well, too, which makes him a bit scarier to opponents having to deal with along the boards. Jecho has been a mainstay in international competition for quite some time, but his play at the U-18 World Championship was by far his best. He played all situations, managed the point on the power play and rarely lost battles in the middle.

14. Simon Zether, Rogle (SHL)

Zether caught my eye as a late 2005-born player last year, especially internationally. He’s got significant SHL experience, and he didn’t lack confidence against the tougher competition. Zether stands at 6-foot-2 and seems to play bigger than his size. He’s a good play-reader, moves the puck well and is great in small-area situations. A few scouts think he’s better than his numbers suggest and that he could become a great pickup.

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

All he does is score. You could see how less dynamic the Swedes were at the U-18 World Championship once Zetterberg suffered his concussion. At 5-foot-8, there are legitimate concerns about his small frame. And producing against U-20 kids is different than playing against men, something he hasn’t done yet. But playing in his own age group, few players can produce offense at both 5-on-5 and with the man advantage like Zetterberg.

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