Top 10 ‘small guy’ prospects for the 2024 NHL Draft

Credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff

Raise one for the short kings, ladies and gentlemen.

When it comes to the NHL Draft, size matters – at least most of the time. The league is getting bigger at every position, trying to find bigger players who bring skill and speed to the table. But smaller players have still found ways to remain relevant – 49 NHLers standing 5-foot-9 or lower played at least one game this season, including six with at least 60 points.

Today, we’re looking at 10 of the best “small” players ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft. The concept is simple: the player must be 5-foot-9 or smaller. There’s not a huge contingent of them this year, but we’re still looking at the possibility of two or three getting selected in the first two rounds at the very least.

Here’s a look at 10 players you need to know – including a few that appeared in Daily Faceoff’s latest draft rankings:

1. Aron Kiviharju, LHD, 5’9 (HIFK, Liiga)

*Aron Kiviharju (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

After missing most of the season due to an injury, Kiviharju returned in time for the U-18s and had a fine showing. Once considered one of the top prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft, he fell even before his injury, but I still think there’s top-pairing potential there. The big thing for him is how much he loves having the puck on his stick and how little his lack of size has held him back thus far. Kiviharju had some bumps in the road a year ago against men, but I feel like that wouldn’t have been as big of an issue had he stayed healthy in 2023-24. Seriously, I really believe in Kiviharju, and his upside as a minute-munching, puck-moving defender will have many teams interested.

2. Justin Poirier, RW, 5’8 (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)

Poirier had a nice season with Baie-Comeau, scoring 69 goals between the regular season and playoffs. He’s always been a goal-scorer dating back to his minor hockey days, although he’s becoming a better heads-up passer. NHL Central Scouting had him at 5-foot-7, but reports suggest he’s actually 5-foot-8. He clearly lacks size, but not skill. I think a team will be willing to take a chance on him in the top 50 as one of the guys who breaks through despite his smaller stature.

3. Alexander Zetterberg, C, 5’7 (Orebro, Sweden U-20)

*Alexander Zetterberg (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

I love Zetterberg’s game, even if scouts aren’t as convinced. The good news? There’s definitely a significantly higher chance he’ll get drafted this year than if you asked scouts back in January. Zetterberg loves shooting in open space, and Sweden struggled without him in the lineup after suffering his concussion at the U-18 World Championship. 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.

4. Mac Swanson, C, 5’8 (Fargo, USHL)

*Mac Swanson (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

From a pure skill perspective, Swanson is one of the best options on this list. After scoring 55 points as a rookie with Fargo, he upped the game with 77 assists, highlighted by his 51 assists. He has a good shot, but Swanson is as good of a playmaker as it gets at this level. That was evident at the World Junior A Challenge when he had nine assists in just six games, making himself one of the best players in that tournament. I feel like his play away from the puck has improved, but it’s not a strength, and neither is his shot release. At the very least, he competes hard enough to the point where he could be one of the few small players who can make it work in a support role.

5. Joona Saarelainen, C, 5’9 (Kalpa, Finland U-20)

*Joonas Saarelainen (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Saarelainen was one of my favorite Finnish prospects this year. He worked so hard to win battles, which he had to do often as a 5-foot-9 winger. Saarelainen didn’t put up explosive numbers at the U-18s, but he rarely had an off period and was the one that most often brought the energy on the top line. He’ll be a mid-round pick, but I can see him being one of the smaller guys that carves a role in the NHL.

6. Roope Vesterinen, LW, 5’9 (HPK, Finland U-20)

*Roope Vesterinen (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

It was an up-and-down year for Vesterinen, who played just 31 regular-season games in Finland due to injuries. He then had a quiet U-18s, but I did at least like the way he battled for pucks. He’ll grind you down and bring energy, with his quick top speed and hard compete level being what help him stand out. Unfortunately, at 5-foot-9, he needs to be more than just fast, but you see enough raw skill to think that if he can put it together, he’ll be fine.

7. Diego Buttazzoni, 5’9, C (Portland, WHL)

The cousin of Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson – who was a small prospect himself – Buttazzoni had a nice 29-goal, 55-point sophomore season with the Winterhawks. He’s one of the more well-rounded players on this list – he isn’t going to blow you away with speed or quick hands, but he’s solid in both. Buttazzoni can also be deceptive, and it allows him to draw attention to him before making a solid pass to someone else. Some scouts have mentioned that they feel he showed signs of breaking out but still has a lot more to give – maybe even be a truly great late-round find for a team. We’ll see.

8. Viktor Olofsson, LW, 5’8 (HV71, Sweden U-20)

Not to be confused with the Buffalo Sabres forward, Olofsson did put up good numbers with the Swedish U-18 team to get himself on the map. His offensive numbers won’t let him overcome his lack of size. But, man, can he fly. Olofsson is still learning to use his quick footwork to generate offense, and his shot isn’t great just yet. But as a playmaker? There’s something there. Olofsson has excellent hockey IQ, much better than most late-round prospects. He’ll always have a difficult time due to his frame but the way he thinks the game with the puck gives him a fighting chance.

9. Gavin Hodnett, LW, 5’8 (Edmonton, WHL)

It was a good season for Hodnett, who looks stronger since getting selected at 5-foot-6. He’s still not big, and that doesn’t help with his No. 223 ranking from NHL Central Scouting, but he’s a strong playmaker coming off a 47-assist, 70-point sophomore campaign with the Oil Kings. His speed can kill, and as long as he can hone in on how to use that speed to generate more high-danger scoring chances, Hodnett might turn out to be OK. One of the biggest issues for me is that if he’s not moving, he can be caught standing around not doing a whole lot. We’ll see what happens next because Hodnett clearly needs a growth spurt, but the raw puck talent gives him a chance, at least.

10. Adam Titlbach, C, 5’8 (Vancouver, WHL)

*Adam Titlbach (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Titlbach was excellent at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and kept up the dangerous scoring chances at the U-18s. He had a disappointing first year with the Giants, though, putting up just nine goals and 30 points in 66 games. He’s got good speed and quick hands, but I’m not sure he has the strength or the shot to take him far. At the very least, Titlbach has proven he can play with skilled forwards, using his speed and deception to make plays happen. But will that be enough to get an NHL team to take a chance on him?

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