Anton Silayev – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #23 New Jersey Devils – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:04:10 +0000

NEWARK, NJ - JULY 03: Anton Silayev (52) skates during New Jersey Devils Development Camp on July 3, 2024 at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House in Newark, New Jersey.
(Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 23rd (Last Year - 22nd)
GM: Tom Fitzgerald Hired: July 2020
COACH: Sheldon Keefe Hired: May 2024

Following a positive 2024–25 campaign that saw the New Jersey Devils reach the postseason for just the fourth time in 15 years, the organization has taken another slight step back. Even with a talented core that includes Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Luke Hughes, and Jesper Bratt, it remains difficult to get a clear read on where the team truly stands within the competitive landscape. Their quiet approach leading up to the NHL trade deadline may reflect a similar uncertainty within the front office. The good news for New Jersey is that the club has largely resisted leveraging its long-term assets. The Devils retain all of their first- and second-round selections in the coming drafts, preserving valuable flexibility as they continue to evaluate the direction of the roster.

On the blue line, the organizational depth remains particularly encouraging. With young NHL contributors such as Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec, and Seamus Casey (91st) already establishing themselves, the Devils possess a strong foundation on the back end. That group could soon be reinforced by Anton Silayev (41st), who is expected to make the transition to North America in the near future. Meanwhile, Ethan Edwards and Daniil Orlov hold high regard within our rankings. In goal, 2024 second-round selection Mikhail Yegorov continues to trend upward at Boston University and is widely viewed as a potential long-term solution in the Devils’ crease.

By maintaining its draft capital and avoiding major futures-based trades, New Jersey has positioned itself to continue adding young talent in the coming years. Whether that ultimately supports a quick step forward or signals a more patient retool remains to be seen, but the organization has preserved the flexibility to shape its path.

NHL	RNK	PLAYER	POS	AGE	HT/WT	2024-25 TM	GP	G(W)	A(L)	PTS(GAA)	PIM(SPCT)
NJ	1	Anton Silayev	D	20	6-7/210	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	61	1	2	3	10
NJ	2	Seamus Casey	D	22	5-10/165	Utica (AHL)	29	1	18	19	13
NJ	2	Seamus Casey	D	22	5-10/165	New Jersey (NHL)	2	0	0	0	0
NJ	3	Mikhail Yegorov	G	20	6-5/190	Boston University (NCAA)	35	16	15	2.73	0.904
NJ	4	Lenni Hameenaho	RW	21	6-0/175	Utica (AHL)	37	10	16	26	12
NJ	4	Lenni Hameenaho	RW	21	6-0/175	New Jersey (NHL)	33	2	6	8	14
NJ	5	Ethan Edwards	D	23	5-10/175	Utica (AHL)	69	10	13	23	69
NJ	6	Daniil Orlov	D	22	6-2/180	Spartak Moskva (KHL)	66	10	18	28	27
NJ	7	Conrad Fondrk	C	18	6-0/200	Boston University (NCAA)	25	3	5	8	0
NJ	8	Ben Kevan	RW	19	6-1/180	Arizona State (NCAA)	34	4	6	10	4
NJ	9	Shane Lachance	LW	22	6-4/195	Utica (AHL)	62	10	15	25	18
NJ	9	Shane Lachance	LW	22	6-4/195	New Jersey (NHL)	1	0	0	0	0
NJ	10	Jakub Malek	G	24	6-4/190	Utica (AHL)	31	13	14	2.75	0.895
NJ	11	Mason Moe	C	19	6-2/190	Minnesota (NCAA)	33	6	6	12	4
NJ	12	Topias Vilen	D	23	6-1/195	Utica (AHL)	61	4	23	27	24
NJ	12	Topias Vilen	D	23	6-1/195	New Jersey (NHL)	2	0	0	0	0
NJ	13	Cam Squires	RW	21	5-11/165	Utica (AHL)	47	5	11	16	15
NJ	13	Cam Squires	RW	21	5-11/165	Adirondack (ECHL)	8	2	1	3	2
NJ	14	Kasper Pikkarainen	RW	19	6-3/195	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	45	2	4	6	18
NJ	15	Matyas Melovsky	C	22	6-2/190	Utica (AHL)	55	10	16	26	31

1. Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

Tall skaters and defencemen in general usually take the longest to find their game and reach the lofty projections put on them in their draft years. Silayev happens to be both, and that slow development seems to be taking its course as his production dips and his ice time year-over-year isn’t increasing. He is still the exceptional skater and large defender that he has been, and he has added a physical edge to his game as well, laying massive hits and dominating the net front and corners. The combination of mobility and reach helps him shut down rushes and his angles when defending has improved as well, making life difficult for opposing forwards crossing the blue line. There are moments where he can be slow to anticipate play and lack the effort to get to his spots quickly, habits that should grow out of his game as he matures. He won’t be an offensive threat or involved in transition at the next level, but he keeps things simple when called upon. A bottom pair, minute eating, penalty killing specialist is a good expectation at this time, but if he continues to clean up his play and be more involved and consistent, there could be a top four shut down defender in Silayev.

2. Seamus Casey, D, Utica Comets (AHL)

After a pretty fantastic debut season of pro play, including an unexpected debut with the Devils to kick off the 24-25 season, Casey is one of the most highly anticipated prospects in the Devils’ system. Of slightly below average size, Casey has strong mobility and knows how to move the puck. Displaying a solid hockey IQ and a good read of the ice, his distribution skills have raised eyebrows while his playmaking has fans wondering if he may have it in him to become another Brian Rafalski of sorts. As incredibly promising as the Miami, Florida native’s rookie season of pro play was, even collecting eight points in 14 NHL contests, his sophomore year has been one of new challenges. He kicked things off on the IR and, in general, his Utica Comets team has struggled all season long, seeing him bear the brunt of that as not only the top scoring defenceman on the team, but also one of its major minute-munchers. Unfortunately, an early February injury has led to more time off while also costing him a spot at the AHL All-Star game. The organization continues to view him as a future piece of the puzzle and had him up again for two games when Brett Pesce went out with a minor injury.

3. Mikhail Yegorov, G, Boston University (NCAA)

For a goaltender who has been left out to dry in the majority of his starts since January, Mikhail Yegorov is doing quite well. After a spectacular season, where he joined BU mid-season and looked dominant, he has been getting almost no help from the defence in front of him this season. His athleticism and quickness have still been high notes in his game, but this has been a challenging season for a reason. Yegorov has let in some iffy goals as of late, gaining a habit of getting out of position after one quick movement to block a shot. His aggression is amazing, and he is very fluid in his motions, but he needs time to develop and will find his game again, hopefully next season as a junior. Because of his athleticism, he remains a goaltender with a very high NHL ceiling. The Devils may just have to be a little more patient with him than initially believed after the consistency issues shown this year as a sophomore.

4. Lenni Hämeenaho, RW, Utica Comets (AHL)

Pretty much the Devils’ pride and joy among forward prospects, we were very curious to see how Hämeenaho’s first season in North America would go. Drafted by New Jersey 58th overall in 2023, the righty shot winger has spent the past three seasons going from establishing himself as a regular Liiga forward to being a top scorer. His 51 points in 58 games last year even got him nominated to Finland’s World Championship squad, where he went on to collect an admirable four points in eight games. To date, he has not only spent this season showing that his hockey sense, pacing abilities, off puck reads, and full ice timing could continue rounding off his offensive package as a top six winger in the AHL, but earned him a call up to Newark where he hasn’t skipped a beat. Four points in nine games heading into the Olympic break showed he would not need any more seasoning in the AHL, finishing the season with the Devils. We believe he needs to improve his overall mobility to date, but he continues to impress as an achiever and is looking like a middle six NHL winger over the long haul.

5. Ethan Edwards, D, Utica Comets (AHL)

After spending the final season of his career at Michigan as a minute-munching defenceman with an offensive slant, the 2020 fourth rounder began his pro career on a PTO last spring and has already found himself in a role as a full-time AHL defenceman this season, suiting up for more games on the than any other blueliner thus. Entering the season, it was unsure whether he can be seen as an offensive defenceman. He pumped in ten goals and added 12 assists of the season in 58 games after having scored just five in 36 games as a senior. In fact, he was tied for the team lead in scoring among defencemen with Caled Addison as of this writing, albeit for a Utica team that has done more losing than winning this season. Being of decent, but average size, the hope is that 2-3 years of minor league experience will mold Edwards into an NHL option in the not-so-distant future. He just needs to see to it that his mild success as a rookie is but a positive step in an upwards trajectory.

6. Daniil Orlov, D, Spartak Moscow (KHL)

Year over year Orlov continues to improve. The smooth skating defencemen is blossoming into a well-rounded two-way player, with increasing production and steady defensive play. His defensive game is sound, utilizing his mobility to be aggressive in the neutral zone, maintain gaps, and angle forwards to the wall on the rush. The positioning is solid and he is a tough competitor when defending the crease. Orlov is also very effective on breakouts, again, using the skating to push the puck up ice and has a knack for joining the rush at opportune times to contribute offensively. The skill isn’t tremendous, but his ability to read play allows him to slip past defenders and create scoring chances. There is some concern over the lack of physicality along the boards, as well as inconsistencies with decision making when the puck is on his stick. Orlov plays a very projectable style for a middle to bottom pairing role as a puck mover who can defend well.

7. Conrad Fondrk, C, Boston University (NCAA)

In a rough season for all of Boston University's forwards, there has been a lot to build on in the game of Conrad Fondrk. Like with the USNTDP last season, he is showing flashes of being a very skilled two-way forward with some highlights in his shot, passing ability, and physicality. However, it would be remiss if there was no mention that these flashes can disappear for long stretches of time. Fondrk can look lost in the offensive zone at times and will occasionally fly the defensive zone before his team has possession of the puck. However, some of these immature habits can likely be attributed to the fact that Fondrk has been a Swiss Army knife, playing literally up and down the lineup with a ton of changes to his linemates. The potential that Fondrk displayed has been great, but he will definitely need at least two more years of college to reach it.

8. Ben Kevan, RW, Arizona State University (NCAA)

Kevan’s season with Des Moines in the USHL was somewhat disappointing overall, though he showed a more diversified skillset that has come alive slowly but surely for Arizona State this year. He flashes a dangerous shooting ability from time to time and could eventually become a 20-goal scorer in the NCAA at some point, if not next season. Kevan’s stickhandling and creativity with the puck also give him a ton of room to create plays in the offensive and neutral zones. Though his skating is not anything more than average, his motor has taken big steps to improving his 200-foot game. Kevan is just waiting for more ice-time and development for next season with the Sun Devils as he will be taking over for seniors, Bennett Schimek and Cruz Lucius. Additionally, he’s had a recent coming out party, too, scoring six points in the last five games. His projection will be completely tied to his ability to improve his skating further so that he can be a quality middle six piece at the NHL level.

9. Shane Lachance, LW, Utica Comets (AHL)

A 2021 late round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers, the Devils liked Lachance so much that they ate up 50% of Trent Fredric’s contract and moved prospect Petr Hauser as part of a three-way deal last March to acquire him, wasting no time in signing him to an ELC this past summer after just two seasons of college play at BU. A physical specimen at 6-foot-5, 218 pounds, Shane has come to outsize his father Scott, a former NHLer and first round draft pick, and has gone from being a rough ‘n tumble customer to a player who not only patrols the slot for deflections and rebounds but can also easily complement skilled players. In the midst of his rookie pro season, his stats have been on par with expectations, but his ability to play a pro game and handle himself in the rough stuff department even earned him a debut in the NHL (7 minutes of playing time). There’s little doubt that his snarl and multifaceted game have the Devils hoping he answers some future questions on their lines, with the timeline maybe being shorter than originally thought.

10. Jakub Malek, G, Utica Comets (AHL)

A 2021 fourth rounder, the 6-foot-4 goaltender is in the midst of his first full season in North America after three seasons of an increasing workload in the Finnish Liiga, going from back-up to starter in the course of two seasons. Despite an iffy start in his new surroundings, including losses in his first five outings, what we’ve come to see is that when his positioning is up to par, he is terribly difficult to beat with any regularity. Malek can be both explosive in the crease and display exceptional control over his movements, often able to cover up for himself, even when he may misread a play along the way. Prior difficulties with tracking the puck and glove side errors seem to be fading into the past, and his adjustments have helped him with a much improved second half. A short two-game stint in the ECHL, in which both games went to overtime, seems to have done just the trick as his ascent through midseason play has come on the coattails of that assignment. The Devils continue to have every reason to believe Malek will be turning into an NHL topic, but he will need to be re-upped this summer.

11. Mason Moe, C, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

A traditional power pivot who excels in getting to the net, Moe has had an up and down freshman year at the University of Minnesota. There’s still a need to upgrade his skating, and he remains a long-term project.

12. Topias Vilen, D, Utica Comets (AHL)

Vilen looked extremely promising after his first two pro seasons with Utica, but he’s taken a step backward this year and may be running out of time in the New Jersey organization.

13. Cam Squires, RW, Utica Comets (AHL

Squires’ lack of consistency in his first pro season has led to him spending some time in the ECHL. He needs to find a way to transfer his scoring prowess at the pro level. That may take some time.

14. Kasper Pikkarainen, RW, TPS (Liiga)

Even though Pikkarainen’s offensive production has been limited this year, it’s been great to see him establish himself as a Liiga regular after last year’s injury plagued year. The big, physical winger projects as a bottom six forward.

15. Matyas Melovsky, C, Utica Comets (AHL)

After three great seasons with Baie-Comeau of the QMJHL, Melovsky turned pro this year and has had a limited impact in the AHL. The talented playmaker may just need time to adjust.

NHL: Victor Nuño – DYNASTY STOCK WATCH – New Jersey Devils Edition

Victor Nuño — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:17:42 +0000

McKeen’s Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch

New Jersey Devils Edition

Team Outlook

The New Jersey Devils remain one of the most exciting young cores in the NHL. With Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Luke Hughes, and Simon Nemec at the center of their identity, the foundation for long-term contention is already in place. Their roster is built on speed, puck movement, and offensive creativity, and when healthy, they can outscore anyone. Injuries and thin depth have held them back at key moments, which only underscores how important continued internal development will be.

New Jersey is firmly in its contention window, and the organizational needs have shifted. The Devils no longer need bodies, they need impact. Young players must either bring high-end skill or fill defined roles with efficiency. As the roster becomes more competitive, prospects who can complement the core and contribute quickly will be the ones who rise. For dynasty managers, the takeaway is clear, prioritize players with realistic paths to meaningful NHL roles rather than those valued purely on pedigree, because opportunity still exists in New Jersey, but the margin for error is shrinking.

Buy Candidates

Mikhail Yegorov (G, 19)

Why Buy?
The Devils have been searching for long-term stability in net for years, and Mikhail Yegorov may finally be the prospect who changes that trajectory. His combination of size, poise, and technical control gives him a foundation that already looks near professional ready. He tracks pucks through layers, moves efficiently in his crease, and rarely gets rattled.

While his raw numbers at Boston University this season have dipped, he continues to outperform his expected goal metrics, which suggests this may be a buy-low opportunity for dynasty managers. The long-term path is wide open. The Devils have cycled through short-term options for years, and none have secured the crease during the team’s contention window. If Yegorov continues on his current trajectory, he has future starter upside and could be the goalie who finally stabilizes the position in the post-Brodeur era. This is a profile worth acquiring now before the price rises.

Simon Nemec (D, 21)

Why Buy?
Nemec has already shown why he was selected second overall. His composure, mobility, and high-end puck-moving ability make him an ideal fit for New Jersey’s aggressive, pace-driven style. Offensively, he reads the ice well, jumps into the rush with confidence, and has added more deception to his playmaking this season. While Dougie Hamilton and Luke Hughes currently share time quarterbacking the top power play, Nemec looks fully capable of producing on a second unit and could earn top-unit looks if the Devils ever want to give him that role.

His early NHL stint was uneven, and his first 90 games revealed some struggles keeping up with the pace and making quick decisions. This season, however, he looks like a different player. The confidence is unmistakable, and he is leaning into his elite skating far more consistently. His Evolving Hockey player card highlights how dramatically his offensive impacts have improved, even though he still needs support defensively. If that part of his game trends upward at a similar pace, the Devils may finally get the player they envisioned when they drafted him second overall in 2022. For dynasty managers, right-shot defensemen with this combination of skill, opportunity, and long-term upside are rare, and Nemec remains a premium asset with room to grow.

Arseni Gritsyuk (LW/RW, 24)

Why Buy?
Gritsyuk quietly developed into one of the more NHL-ready wingers to arrive from the KHL pipeline, and now that he has transitioned to North America, his game still shows the same blend of pace, skill, and competitiveness that made him stand out overseas. His surface numbers have not fully popped yet, but the underlying metrics tell a different story. His combined on-ice shooting percentage and save percentage (PDO) sits at a very low 948, a number that almost always regresses toward 1,000, suggesting better results are coming. Per HockeyViz, the Devils generate more offense with Gritsyuk in the lineup, reinforcing that the process is strong even if the finishing has lagged.

His usage has also been encouraging. Gritsyuk is getting shifts with Timo Meier and Nico Hischier, and he plays a heavy, north-south style that produces more than a hit per game in just under 15 minutes of ice time. His power play opportunities have been limited, but even a small increase in deployment could unlock meaningful scoring. For dynasty managers, he remains an ideal buy-low candidate, because the underlying play driving, the supportive metrics, and the quality of his linemates all point to a player whose production should climb as the season settles.

Sell Candidates

Seamus Casey (D, 21)

Why Sell?
Casey remains one of the most skilled offensive defensemen in the Devils’ system, with elite mobility, high end puck skills, and the creativity to quarterback play from the blue line. His NCAA production was excellent and showcased everything that made him a coveted prospect. The issue is not talent but fit. With Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec solidly ahead of him on the depth chart as New Jersey’s long term power play drivers, Casey’s path to meaningful minutes is extremely narrow. Unless he drastically adapts his game or the depth chart shifts, he is likely battling for a third pair role without the deployment that fuels fantasy upside.

The early returns at the NHL level reflect these concerns. Casey has struggled to carve out a stable spot, and his defensive impacts remain well below average, which makes it difficult for coaches to trust him in anything beyond sheltered usage. The offensive instincts are still there, and his Hockey Prospecting star potential suggests that the upside is likely still there, but the reality is that fantasy value depends on opportunity. His name value and pedigree will still attract interest in many leagues, making this the ideal moment to sell. Move him while another manager still believes in the top four outcome, before the organizational logjam and defensive limitations cap his long-term ceiling.

Anton Silayev (D, 19)

Why Sell?
Silayev’s draft year hype exploded thanks to his rare blend of size, reach, and smooth mobility. At 6-foot-7, he covers ice effortlessly and has the kind of physical profile teams dream of in a shutdown defenseman. His skating stride is fluid, he closes quickly in space, and he already looks like someone who can neutralize top competition at the NHL level. The problem for fantasy managers is that, despite all of these tools, Silayev does not naturally drive offense. He is not someone who creates scoring chances, directs play through transition, or activates meaningfully in the offensive zone. His impact is far more functional than dynamic.

While the real-life value is obvious, the fantasy translation is a different story. Silayev does post strong blocks, shots, and hits, giving him solid BASH peripherals, but those contributions are easy to find on the waiver wire. What differentiates fantasy assets is scoring, and so far, that has not been part of Silayev’s game. Across one hundred fifty-six KHL games, he has only twenty-four points. His pNHLe has cratered to five, which reflects the extremely limited offensive projection. He will almost certainly be an important piece for the Devils and play heavy minutes, but if he is not producing points, his fantasy ceiling remains low. Given the name recognition, draft pedigree, and how excited the Devils are about his role, now is the ideal moment to sell high and acquire a more impactful long-term asset.

Lenni Hämeenaho (RW, 21)

Hämeenaho is a smart and reliable winger whose mature two-way game made him an appealing draft prospect. He reads play well, supports possession, and owns a solid, NHL-level shot. Coaches trust his positioning and decision making, and he still projects as someone who can settle into a middle six role once he fully adjusts to the North American game. The challenge for fantasy managers is that his tools do not necessarily point toward strong offensive upside. He does not drive play with standout speed or high-end creativity, and his profile leans more toward steady than dynamic.

His transition to the AHL has underscored those concerns. After posting 51 points in 58 games for Ässät in Liiga last season, he has just four points in 14 games with Utica. His Fantasy Hockey Life card paints the same picture: his Fenwick looks decent, but his Corsi is low, his net expected goals impact is underwater, and he is not consistently winning puck battles or recovering loose pucks. His BASH can provide a modest peripheral floor, but if the scoring does not translate, his fantasy ceiling remains limited. Hämeenaho still carries name value and the perception of untapped upside, which makes this an ideal sell window. Move him now, before he settles into the type of depth role that delivers real world value but falls short in fantasy.

Summary

Player	Role	Key Insight
Mikhail Yegorov	Buy	Rising goalie prospect with a clear path to future NHL starts
Simon Nemec	Buy	Elite right-shot defenseman with top-four floor and PP upside
Arseni Gritsyuk	Buy	Skilled KHL winger ready to seize a top-six NHL opportunity
Seamus Casey	Sell	Offensive defenseman blocked by Hughes and Nemec
Anton Silayev	Sell	Defensive toolsy blueliner with limited fantasy ceiling
Lenni Hämeenaho	Sell	Safe middle-six projection, low fantasy upside

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #22

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 15:45:15 +0000

NEWARK, NJ - JULY 14: New Jersey Devils defenseman Seamus Casey (72) skates during New Jersey Devils Development Camp on July 14, 2023, at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)

Prospect System Ranking – 22nd (May 2025 - 15th)
GM: Tom Fitzgerald Hired: July 2020
COACH: Sheldon Keefe Hired: May 2024

After years of turbulence, the New Jersey Devils returned to the playoffs in 2024-25 for just the fourth time in 15 years. A clear sign the rebuild is firmly on track. Jack Hughes has blossomed into a bona fide star, supported by Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier. On the back end, Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec have secured full-time roles, giving the Devils one of the league’s most promising young defensive tandems.

More help is already knocking at the door. Seamus Casey split time between the NHL and AHL last season, showcasing the puck-moving flair and offensive instincts that make him one of the most exciting defense prospects in the league. The question is whether there will be enough room for both Casey and Nemec to thrive in similar roles. A bit further out, 2024 10th overall pick Anton Silayev continues his development in the KHL, honing his shutdown game while offering significant long-term upside.

Goaltender Mikhail Yegorov, a 2024 second rounder, turned heads after joining Boston University midseason from the USHL. In just a few weeks, he became the backbone of the Terriers, posting an 11-6-1 record with a .927 save percentage and helping lead them to the NCAA Championship game.

The Devils didn’t have a first-round pick in 2025 but still added two notable prospects in Conrad Fondrk and Ben Kevan, both of whom immediately slot into the organization’s top 10.

With a young NHL core already producing and another wave of promising players on the way, New Jersey appears to be transitioning from a team hoping to make the playoffs to one capable of sustained postseason success. If their prospect development continues to align with the growth of their established stars, the Devils could become one of the league’s most consistent threats over the next decade.

New Jersey Devils Top-15 Prospects

1 - Anton Silayev

6-foot-7 giant Anton Silayev continued to make steady progress this season. Given an increased role on a weaker Torpedo roster, he stepped up and made an impact on a nightly basis. Defensively, he looked much more composed than the year prior, using his size better to angle off opponents and disrupt plays with his long reach. Offensively, he made slight improvements to his play, but I would lower expectations for him to be a point producer in the NHL. He scored a few nice goals by joining the rush at the right moments, but many of his points came from secondary passes and deflections off point shots. While his game still needs polish, Silayev projects as a future shutdown defenceman for the Devils. He’ll need more time to round out his weaker areas, but with another year left on his KHL contract, he has the runway to continue growing before making the jump to North America.

2 - Mikhail Yegorov

Mikhail Yegorov is a massive 6-foot-5 goalie that plays a simple, technical game. He prefers to move as little as possible, and he accomplishes this by having a wide stance and using his long legs to grab ice in short movements, moving smartly through the crease with good routes. He’s a no-nonsense goalie and is in full control, rarely scrambling. His best attribute is his tracking. He quickly follows any passes, anticipates play, and reads releases very well, tracking the puck all the way into his quick hands. He does a lot well and already has a polished game for a guy who only made the jump to the NCAA midseason as an 18-year-old proving to be elite already. His biggest concern is his rebound control. He tends to let the puck bounce off his chest a lot, and doesn’t control his stick much, giving up bad rebounds in tight that end in goals. Yegorov projects well to the NHL and has separating talents, making him a strong candidate to be a quality starting goaltender.

3 - Seamus Casey

Seamus Casey had an interesting first professional season: he started the season with the New Jersey Devils and played well, then he went down to AHL Utica and was on fire offensively to start the year, and then he battled through injuries and spent time at both the NHL and AHL levels, and even got a glimpse of action in an NHL playoff game. The hallmark of Casey’s game is his offensive ability; he’s a creative defenceman that excels at distributing the puck and making plays. He’s also a very capable skater, which complements his offensive ability and adds deception that he can use to manipulate opposing players. Casey has even worked quite hard on his own game away from the puck and does a good job engaging opposing forwards in his own zone. Casey won’t ever become the world’s best shutdown player, but he can play effectively in the defensive zone, and it won’t limit his NHL deployment. Casey should feature well this year as a full-time defenceman for the Devils.

4 - Arseni Gritsyuk

Devils fifth-round pick from 2019, Arseni Gritsyuk set career highs in assists and points this season with SKA St. Petersburg. He brings many tools to the table which make him a very dangerous threat when play is in the offensive zone. His IQ and playmaking have come a long way since his draft year, allowing him to consistently make the right reads and generate scoring chances. While his defensive game still needs work, he’s improved his physicality and compete level, addressing many of the concerns that scouts shared during his draft year. Rumors suggest Gritsyuk could be headed to North America after this season, where he may challenge for a roster spot in New Jersey. If he makes the jump, he projects as a middle six winger and a strong one-time threat on the second power-play unit.

5 - Lenni Hameenaho

Hämeenaho has shown consistent production in Finland’s Liiga since being drafted 5eighth overall by New Jersey in 2023. In 202023-24, he posted 31 points in 46 games for Ässät and added six points at the World Juniors. He elevated his game in 2024-25, notching 51 points (20 goals, 31 assists) in 58 games, while also earning a spot on Finland’s men’s national team for the World Championship, where he contributed four points in eight games. Hämeenaho’s strengths lie in his hockey sense. His off puck reads, timing into soft areas, and ability to vary pace make him a constant scoring threat. His playmaking has improved, and he’s shown more commitment defensively. However, skating remains his biggest obstacle; mechanical inefficiencies limit his mobility, puck control in motion, and ability to handle physical pressure. Without improvement in this area, his NHL projection leans toward a depth or AHL role, but with strides in mobility, he could grow into a bottom six checking winger.

6 - Conrad Fondrk

Fondrk was the third USNTDP forward taken off the board in the 2025 draft, and New Jersey believes there is a lot to love in the St. Paul native. Fondrk passes the eye-test in every sense of the word. He is an above-average skater, a creative stick handler, and a solid distributor, especially in the offensive zone. In addition to his prowess in the face-off circle and consistent backchecking, Fondrk is a valuable two-way center in the Devils’ future. This past season for the NTDP, Fondrk was a solid center who was seeing a surge in points right before he got injured for the rest of the year in late February. If healthy, he would probably have had a similar jump in points to his teammate Cole McKinney had. Fondrk will now enter a loaded Boston University lineup next season, and, on the surface, will have limited opportunity to make a large mark for the Terriers. Don’t be surprised if Fondrk defies expectations and shows up in moments for BU.

7 - Ben Kevan

After exploding for 57 points as a 16-year-old, Ben Kevan saw a significant drop in points for a Des Moines team that did not perform great this past season. Kevan is now heading to sunny Tempe, Arizona to play with the Sun Devils, so the question becomes; What is ASU, and also New Jersey, getting in a player like Kevan? He is a speedy north-south skater and has the ability to create space for himself and his teammates. Kevan creates offence with those aspects, along with his hard shot, though he could do with a more mature shot selection. He has his moments defensively, tilting the ice in his favor, but overall, his compete is average. Kevan should find every opportunity to succeed at Arizona State and find the scoring form that he had just two years ago.

8 - Jakub Malek

For a 6-foot-4 goaltender, Jakub Malek has exceptional control over his body and significant explosiveness. Sometimes, he can make a poor read and either be in a bad position or behind the play, but with a single big push, he can get right back to where he needs to be. He does so with precision as well, not throwing his limbs around. Outside of these physical attributes, he possesses good positioning, deepening when necessary, and has a very good stance, looking like an imposing figure taking up a lot of net. Alongside poor reads though, he can struggle tracking the puck but not majorly. There has been a noticeable weakness with his glove side, where he often will get beat without having it moved, something that could be exploited in higher levels. Malek has a solid outlook to the NHL, potentially as a good backup, after three very respectable seasons in the Liiga, which he should be able to translate to the AHL seamlessly.

9 - Thomas Bordeleau

Thomas Bordeleau was a highly rated prospect just a couple of seasons ago, but he has been unable to carve out a full-time role for himself at the NHL level. Bordeleau’s speed and offensive creativity are undeniable; he’s a great playmaker, can beat opposing defenders one-on-one with his speed, and can utilize an underrated shot to beat goalies clean in-tight. It has been surprising that Bordeleau was unable to find a consistent role with San Jose given his skill, but there are also holes in his game that make his NHL deployment quite limited. Bordeleau’s not the biggest player in the world, and while he competes, there are times when he’s too easy to knock off the puck. This makes it quite difficult for a coach to trust Bordeleau with bottom six minutes at the NHL level. Bordeleau is getting a fresh start with the New Jersey Devils’ organization, but his time as a prospect is coming to an end; it appears to be now or never for the former University of Michigan standout.

10 - Cam Squires

Cam Squires was drafted 122nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2023 after producing near a point-per-game pace with Cape Breton. While he showed no glaring weaknesses aside from explosiveness, his game also lacked standout qualities, which limited his draft stock. The next season, he maintained a similar pace in the regular season but broke out in the playoffs with 20 points in 14 games, ranking sixth in overall scoring and fifth in points per game. Following this impressive run, Squires signed his entry-level contract in July with the Devils. Squires carried that momentum into the following season, leading Cape Breton with 75 points in 58 games. After another early playoff exit, he joined the AHL and impressed with four points in three games while logging north of 13 minutes every night. His style hasn’t changed much since his draft year: he finds success by playing simple, smart hockey. Squires paces around the ice, finds openings for a passing option, and with the puck, never overcomplicates the play. Though he lacks high-end creativity or skill to raise his ceiling, his intelligence and consistency give him a real chance to carve out a bottom six role with the Devils.

11 - Topias Vilen

Vilen’s value comes from being a defenceman you can plug-and-play in any role and not have to worry. He’s defensively reliable and yet is averaging almost 0.50 point-per-game in the AHL. At this point, Vilen is not going to be much more than a third-pairing guy or that seventh defenceman. If Vilen can develop into more of a shooting threat, his offence will open up and give him greater opportunities of being in the top six.

12 - Ethan Edwards

What’s a New Jersey Devils prospect pool without another offensive defenceman out of Michigan? Edwards was the Wolverines' go-to guy last season, playing over 24 minutes a night, earning 21 points in 36 games. Edwards' defence is not ready for the NHL yet because he isn’t physical enough. In Utica, he’ll need to work heavily on this area if he wants to be a regular at the pro level, let alone the NHL.

13 - Shane Lachance

Lachance is a behemoth at 6-foot-5 and is willing to plant himself in front of the net to get deflections or use his long stick to clean up rebounds. At the NCAA level with BU, he’s shown he can complement skilled guys, and there’s more to his game than just his size. He’ll be in Utica next season, where his versatility will get him used up and down the lineup and probably on the power play.

14 - Samu Salminen

Salminen has always had the smarts, but his stick skills didn’t quite match. He is a threat on the ice because he reads the game quickly and beats defenders to the most dangerous spots on the ice. Transferring from UConn to Denver last season, Salminen’s stickhandling improved and he jumped from 17 to 28 points, albeit in nine more games. If he continues to improve on the puck, he should have another good year as a middle six center.

15 - Gustav Hillstrom

Constantly scanning the ice, Hillstrom becomes a threat with his awareness and decision-making. He has a knack for putting himself in the right spot to either defuse an opponent's rush or find a soft spot in the offensive zone. He doesn’t have the flashy on-the-puck skill to be much more than a bottom six two-way center who kills penalties. He already got in games with Brynäs last season at the SHL, and for a defensively responsible center, his role will likely expand this year.

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #15 New Jersey Devils – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

Mon, 26 May 2025 14:32:08 +0000

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New Jersey 25 Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #20

Introduction - Dave Hall, Profiles - Josh Bell — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 13:00:49 +0000

_{NEWARK, NJ - JULY 14: New Jersey Devils defenseman Seamus Casey (72) skates during New Jersey Devils Development Camp on July 14, 2023, at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)}

Prospect System Ranking – 20th (Previous Rank - 26th)
GM: Tom Fitzgerald Hired: July 2020
COACH: Sheldon Keefe Hired: May 2024

The New Jersey Devils missed the postseason for the 11th time in 14 years, and yet, they remain one of the more intriguing teams in the league on the cusp of a breakout. With a young core headlined by Jack Hughes (23 years old), Jesper Bratt (26), Nico Hischier (25), Luke Hughes (20), Simon Nemec (20), and Timo Meier (27), it feels like this is just the beginning of a fruitful window for this east coast franchise.

While their current prospect system hovers around the midrange, the Devils still carry some intriguing young talent, particularly on the backend. Seamus Casey (ranked 81st) has signed and is expected to report to Utica for the 2024-25 season, while recently drafted Anton Silayev (24th), adds further promise to their defensive pipeline. With these additions, combined with the already graduated pieces, the future of the Devils' blue line looks secure for the next decade. Don’t overlook fifth-round defender Topias Vilén (184th), who is developing nicely as a low-key option after posting 29 points in 54 games during his rookie campaign in the AHL.

A little further from home, the Devils’ remaining top 200 prospects include Arseny Gritsyuk (127th), now 23, who continues to produce in Russia, and Lenni Hämeenaho (151st), who has consistently upped his game each year in Liiga.

Between the pipes, GM Tom Fitzgerald made moves to shore up their immediate goaltending needs, signing veterans Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen. Additionally, they used their 2024 second-round pick to select one of the more intriguing goaltending prospects in this year’s draft, Mikhail Yegorov. Ranked 253rd in our McKeen’s rankings, Yegorov will bring his skills to Boston University in 2024-25. While the Devils boast a lot of depth with six goaltenders under contract, the overall quality still lags behind other teams.

Exciting times are on the horizon for New Jersey, with or without a top-rated prospect system.

New Jersey Devils Top-15 Prospects

1. Anton Silayev

Gone are the days when giant defencemen with limited skating and stickhandling were prized for their physicality. Today’s ideal defenceman excels in mobility, transition, and puck-handling, and Russian prospect Anton Silayev exemplifies this new breed. At just 17, Silayev achieved unprecedented success in the KHL, setting records for points by a U18 defenceman and showing off impressive offensive skills despite a modest start. Silayev's physical presence is matched by his exceptional coordination and skating ability. Unlike most players of his size, he moves fluidly, protects the puck effectively, and displays deceptive footwork. His ability to join the rush, find gaps, and shoot from the point is notable, and his lateral movement and strength make him effective in shutting down attackers. Though he experienced some inconsistency and reduced ice time later in the season, Silayev’s unique combination of size, skill, and athleticism suggests he could become an exceptional NHL defenceman.

2. Seamus Casey

Drafted 46th overall by the Devils in 2022, Seamus Casey didn't grab headlines in his sophomore year at Michigan, but quietly put together a strong season. The undersized defenceman (5-foot-9, 161 pounds) chipped in offensively with seven goals and 38 assists for 45 points in 40 games. His skating and puck-moving ability remain his biggest strengths, allowing him to contribute in transition and spark the offence. However, questions linger about his defensive play. While he boasts good positioning, his size can be a disadvantage in board battles and against bigger forwards. Improving his physicality will be crucial as he progresses to the pro game. Overall, his sophomore season was a step in the right direction. He showcased his offensive potential while continuing to develop defensively. Casey could develop into a reliable two-way defenceman at the NHL level.

3. Arseny Gritsyuk

Arseni Gritsyuk's 2023-24 campaign was a coming-of-age party in the KHL. The young winger carved out a niche on SKA St. Petersburg's roster, notching 38 points (19 goals, 19 assists) in 50 regular-season games. While the scoring totals are respectable, it was his playoff performance that truly turned heads. He emerged as a postseason difference-maker, tallying six points in 10 games and helping SKA reach the Gagarin Cup quarterfinals. The knock on his game used to be his inconsistency. Flashes of brilliance were often overshadowed by stretches of disappearing acts. However, this past season showcased a newfound maturity in his game. He remained a threat offensively, but his defensive awareness and overall work ethic took a noticeable leap. Gritsyuk's stock is undoubtedly on the rise. While another year in the KHL could be beneficial, whispers of a potential NHL jump are starting to surface. His blend of offensive skill and improving two-way play makes him an intriguing prospect for NHL teams searching for young wingers with high ceilings.

4. Lenni Hameenaho

Drafted 58th overall by the Devils in 2023, Lenni Hämeenaho's Liiga season started with a bang. The Finnish winger led Porin Ässät in scoring early on, showcasing the offensive flair that led to the Devils drafting him. He finished the year with a respectable 14 goals and 31 points in 46 games, but whispers of a potential breakout faded as the season progressed. While displaying flashes of brilliance – slick dekes, pinpoint passes – consistency remained a concern. There were stretches where he disappeared offensively, raising questions about his overall impact. However, at 19 years old, there's plenty of time to refine his game. The Devils have a decision to make. He could benefit from another year in Liiga to solidify his production. But a taste of North American hockey in the AHL could also be an option. One thing is clear: Hämeenaho's development is worth watching. He has the tools to be a future contributor for the Devils, but consistency will be key.

5. Topias Vilen

Topias Vilen's first taste of pro hockey was a mixed bag. Splitting time between the AHL's Utica Comets (54 games) and the ECHL's Adirondack Thunder (six games), Vilen showcased his physical tools (6-foot-1, 194 pounds) and strong skating. He chipped in offensively with 39 points (five goals, 34 assists) across both leagues. However, consistency, once again, remains a sticking point. Vilen would impress by delivering a pinpoint breakout pass or orchestrating a shutdown defensive play – but these moments were interspersed with stretches of invisibility. Decision-making can be suspect at times, leading to turnovers and missed opportunities. The Devils’ prospect remains a boom-or-bust proposition. Refining his decision-making and maintaining a higher level of engagement will be crucial. If he can do so, his future as a reliable two-way defenceman with offensive upside remains tantalizing. Devils’ fans should be keeping a close eye on this prospect.

6. Mikhail Yegorov

It’s intriguing to consider how Mikhail Yegorov’s draft stock might have been even higher if his situation last season had been different. Ranked first among North American goalies by NHL Central Scouting, his potential is evident, but his stock could have risen further if Russia had participated in international tournaments and if Omaha had made a USHL playoff run. Despite some subpar statistics, Yegorov is one of the most balanced and well-rounded goalies from the 2024 class. He has ideal NHL size, athleticism, refined technique, and impressive focus, demonstrated by his ability to handle a high volume of shots behind a weak team. His lower ranking compared to Carter George and Pavel Moysevich was due to his limited high-level experience and lack of performance in critical moments, but he does have the tools to outperform them in the long run. He should have another season in the USHL prior to making the jump to the NCAA’s Boston University.

7. Nolan Foote

Nolan Foote's 2023-24 season was a masterclass in "what could have been." Drafted 27th overall in 2019, the winger battled injuries all year. He appeared in a mere four games for New Jersey, registering a single point. A conditioning stint with their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, showed flashes of his potential (three goals, one assist in four games), but ultimately wasn't enough of a sample size to crack the NHL lineup consistently. This stop-start development is a recurring theme for Foote. His blend of size (6-foot-3) and skill is undeniable, but staying healthy remains a major obstacle. The question for Devils fans – and fantasy hockey enthusiasts alike – is whether Foote can overcome his injury woes and finally translate his potential into NHL production. The 2024-25 season will be a critical year for the young forward’s development.

8. Chase Stillman

Chase Stillman's first pro season in the AHL wasn't a headline grabber, but it offered valuable development minutes for the Devils' 2021 first rounder. He notched 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists) in 54 games for the Utica Comets, a decent showing for a rookie. The knock on him coming out of juniors was inconsistency. While flashes of his hard-nosed play and scoring touch were evident, there were stretches where he could not find the scoresheet. This pattern continued in the AHL, raising questions about his offensive consistency at the pro level. However, there were bright spots. There was a willingness to play a physical game, racking up 72 penalty minutes. His skating remains a strength, allowing him to create space and pressure defenders. The team will likely want to see more consistent offensive production this season, but Stillman's rookie campaign offered a glimpse of his potential as a future bottom six forward who can contribute on both ends of the ice.

9. Jakub Malek

Fourth-round pick Jakub Malek turned heads in Finland's Liiga last season. The 6-foot-4 netminder posted a respectable 0.914 save percentage across 27 games with Ilves, solidifying his reputation as a strong prospect. He showcased good positioning and a calm demeanour in the crease. While not overly athletic, his size allows him to cover a lot of net. However, consistency remains a question mark. There were stretches where he looked like a future NHL starter, followed by games where rebound control became an issue. Development in puck handling and communication could also benefit his future. Overall, 2023-24 was a positive step and one that New Jersey hopes continues moving forward. The Devils might be tempted to bring him to North America this season, likely starting in the AHL. A strong showing there could put him on the fast track to the NHL.

10. Josh Filmon

Josh Filmon enjoyed a productive season statistically, but questions linger about his overall development. The 6-foot-3 winger notched a respectable 27 goals and 67 points in 64 WHL games for the Swift Current Broncos. However, that production came after a scorching 47-goal campaign the year prior. While Filmon continues to show a knack for finding the net, there are concerns about his consistency and playmaking ability. The Devils would like to see him elevate his game beyond pure goal-scoring and become a more well-rounded offensive threat. There's also a desire for him to demonstrate a stronger understanding of the defensive side of the puck. Despite these concerns, the scoring prowess remains intriguing. The team might be content to see him return to the WHL for another year to develop his overall game. However, a pro debut in the AHL isn't entirely out of the question, especially if he can rediscover his scoring touch from the previous season.

11. Adam Beckman

Adam Beckman is an offensive dynamo with excellent puck skills and a sharp hockey sense. His ability to create scoring opportunities and finish plays with precision stands out. While his defensive game could use refinement, Beckman’s impressive vision, quick release, and scoring touch make him a high-upside prospect with significant NHL potential.

12. Samu Salminen

Samu Salminen's journey from the U20 SM-sarja to the NCAA's University of Connecticut has been steady. He posted 17 points in each of his first two seasons, showing a well-rounded skill set and strong hockey IQ, especially on the power play. However, his skating remains a concern, not matching his offensive creativity. His continued development in Connecticut will be key in determining if he can refine his skating and become a consistent top six forward in the NHL.

13. Herman Traff

Herman Träff might not have flashy point totals, but he excels in his play style. A big, physical winger with explosive skating and a wicked wrist shot, Träff plays with intensity and is not afraid to challenge defenders. His confidence can lead to risky plays, but it's part of his learning process. While his game reading and decision-making were tested in the SHL and HockeyAllsvenskan, he used his size and skating effectively as a forechecker. Träff could develop into a well-rounded winger with goal-scoring potential.

14. Ethan Edwards

Ethan Edwards is a skilled defenceman with impressive offensive instincts and a strong skating stride. His ability to transition the puck and contribute to the power play stands out. While his defensive zone positioning requires refinement, Edwards’ dynamic offensive game and agility make him a promising prospect with significant NHL potential.

15. Cam Squires

Cam Squires is an energetic forward with a high work rate and solid offensive instincts. His speed and tenacity make him effective on the forecheck, while his sharp vision and playmaking ability create scoring chances. Though his defensive game requires refinement, Squires’ skill and work ethic offer significant NHL potential as a dynamic, high-energy player.

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2024 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: TWO-ROUND MOCK DRAFT

Brock Otten — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 15:03:17 +0000

#1. San Jose Sharks - Macklin Celebrini - C - Boston University (HE)

At this point, San Jose might as well announce this now. The entire hockey world knows that Celebrini is going to be its guy. This is a pivot without any true weaknesses who projects as a franchise leader for the Sharks moving forward. Think of the impact that Jonathan Toews had on turning the Blackhawks rebuild around.

#2. Chicago Blackhawks - Artyom Levshunov – D - Michigan State (B1G)

Part of me believes that Chicago might really like Sam Dickinson because of how much value they have been placing on skating in recent drafts, but another part believes that Levshunov will be the Hawks guy. We prefer Dickinson, but there’s no doubting that Levshunov has among the highest two-way upside of any defender in this draft. With his high-end skill and offensive aggressiveness, he’ll be able to give the Hawks a dynamic puck mover on both of their first two pairings (with Korchinski).

#3. Anaheim Ducks - Anton Silayev – D - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

On one hand, the Ducks haven’t used a Top 50 pick on a Russian based player (as in playing in the KHL, MHL, etc) since Stanislav Chistov in 2001. It’s obvious that they have preferences for other regions. However, what’s also obvious is the fit here. The Ducks have so many terrific puck moving defenders. The system is loaded. However, the team’s high end defensively oriented prospects have had their development stall like Noah Warren and Drew Helleson. Anaheim could see Silayev as an amazing fit beside guys like Mintyukov and Zellweger, allowing them to play freely and aggressively.

#4. Columbus Blue Jackets - Ivan Demidov – RW - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

The Jackets have had great success with young Russian players recently, even forming a great Russian kid line involving Chinakhov, Voronkov, and Marchenko. Not only is Demidov clearly the best player available at this point, but he also helps add significant skill to the wing for the organization that needs it. This is an offensive play driver solely needed.

#5. Montreal Canadiens - Cayden Lindstrom – C - Medicine Hat (WHL)

This is one of the best-case scenarios for Montreal. Is Lindstrom’s injury history a concern? Likely for some teams. However, the upside here is too large for Montreal to pass up. Not only is Lindstrom a fantastic young player, but he also helps the Canadiens get bigger and heavier up front, which was a reason for preferring Slafkovsky at first overall two years ago.

#6. Utah Hockey Club - Zeev Buium – D - Denver (NCHC)

Seems likely that Utah could lean towards taking one of the high-end offensive defenders available with this pick. In the last five drafts, the Coyotes have not taken a single player out of the OHL. This leads me to believe that Buium is a guy that the team could find really attractive at #6. He’s such an intelligent playmaker from the backend and he would really help Utah improve their transitional game and powerplay production.

#7. Ottawa Senators - Sam Dickinson – D - London (OHL)

Dickinson is the perfect defender for the modern era thanks to his high-end skating ability. He’s the kind of blueliner who projects as an all situations, minute eater. Given how terrific he has been in this year’s OHL playoffs (and the Memorial Cup), Ottawa likely sees him as a terrific fit as a “winner” who can help them get over the hump in the coming years. The Sens really need to hit on this pick and Dickinson is as safe as safe can be to be an impact player.

#8. Seattle Kraken - Beckett Sennecke – RW - Oshawa (OHL)

There is a ton of traction for Sennecke to be a high pick and Seattle strikes us as a likely landing spot. They’ve targeted the OHL pretty heavily and, playing in the Pacific, they want to load up their lineup with heavier players who can withstand the punishing style in the division. Sennecke oozes upside as an athletic winger still growing into his frame. He is skilled, physical, and intelligent. A great combination. Logic says Seattle finally uses their first on a defender, but something about this spot screams Sennecke.

#9. Calgary Flames - Tij Iginla – C - Kelowna (WHL)

Maybe this is far-fetched. But maybe it’s not. Teams don’t use top ten selections for the sole purpose of nostalgia. But how can you pass up the opportunity to draft an iconic name, who also happens to be worthy in this spot. Iginla was terrific in the second half of the year, and this gives Calgary an injection of skill and tenacity. He could have a similar impact to his father in Calgary.

#10. New Jersey Devils - Konsta Helenius – C - Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)

The Devils are a team that definitely don’t want to be picking in this range. The organization has been trying to escape the rebuilding phase, so would it not make sense for them to target a player who has great upside, but who can also make an impact pretty quickly? Helenius fits in well with the players already in New Jersey and the Devils have liked the region in recent drafts.

#11. Buffalo Sabres - Zayne Parekh – D - Saginaw (OHL)

Yeah, we know that the Sabres already have Dahlin and Power on the back end. That powerplay unit is already loaded. However, at some point, you have to say that Parekh is too good to let slide further. One of the draft’s most creative and intelligent defenders, Parekh is the ultimate wild card. He could go as high as the top five or fall out of the lottery all together. This would be great value for the Sabres.

#12. Philadelphia Flyers - Cole Eiserman – LW - U. S. NTDP U18

Often tagged as being the draft’s purest goal scorer, Eiserman had an up and down year with the NTDP. However, he still managed to break the program’s scoring record and that is impressive. Big wingers who can put the puck in the net do not grow on trees. While the Flyers could go defense here, having just dealt top prospect Cutter Gauthier for defender Jamie Drysdale, it seems unlikely that they will go that route.

#13. Minnesota Wild - Carter Yakemchuk – D - Calgary (WHL)

This seems low for Yakemchuk. But someone is going to need to fall a bit considering the talent available in the lottery. While Yakemchuk’s upside is significant, we think teams may have concerns over his puck management and skating combination. That said, he’s a great fit in Minnesota as a potential puck mover and triggerman who can help their powerplay and move quickly through the system.

#14. San Jose Sharks (via Pittsburgh Penguins) - Stian Solberg – D - Valerenga (Norway)

The draft is bound to get pretty wild around this point given the wild fluctuation among rankings. Solberg has had a ton of momentum the last month and we really like this fit. Solberg was tremendous at the World Championships, showing that he can impact the game in a lot of different ways. This is someone who can come in and be a defensive stalwart for the Sharks in the future.

#15. Detroit Red Wings - Berkly Catton – C - Spokane (WHL)

This is much lower than our ranking for Catton, but we realize that we may be more aggressive on him compared to the NHL community. He is the kind of play driver who can elevate Detroit’s first two lines in the future. He’s more skilled than Danielson and Kasper, but he has that same kind of high-end work ethic. If Catton is still available at fifteen, this should one hundred percent be his landing spot.

#16. St. Louis Blues - Trevor Connelly – LW - Tri-City (USHL)

Where does Connelly go? That’s one of the draft’s biggest questions considering the noise around his off-ice “issues.” However, we do think that someone bites considering Connelly has among the highest offensive upsides of any forward in this draft. The Blues need more firepower. They need more play drivers. Connelly is someone who can make this St. Louis team better down the line if he progresses well.

#17. Washington Capitals - Adam Jiricek – D - Plzen (Czechia)

It was a pretty tough draft year for Jiricek, after he missed the majority of the year with injury. However, he came into the year as a potential top ten selection for a reason. He’s talented and a potential two-way stalwart like his brother David. So many options here but could see the Caps lean defense if Jiricek is still on the board.

#18. Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Islanders) - Michael Brandsegg Nygard – RW - Mora (Allsvenskan)

The Hawks have really been focusing on selecting strong skaters in recent years, so there’s a chance that they team will jump on a guy like Jett Luchanko here. However, we like Brandsegg Nygard here for a few reasons. One, he’s one of the best players available. Two, he’s an excellent fit alongside some of the high-end skill that Chicago has brought in. His hard work and attention to detail could make him the kind of high-end role player that Chicago had during their Cup runs.

#19. Vegas Golden Knights - EJ Emery – D - U. S. NTDP U18

Did you know that Vegas has never drafted a player out of the U.S. NTDP? Seems wild, but this could be the year. Vegas has used their first selection on a center every year of existence. That kind of commitment is impressive. However, we believe that this is the year that the streak breaks. We love Emery’s physical tools and upside as a defensive stalwart, and he fits the exact mold of the kind of defender Vegas seems to love. The team’s defensive core is getting older, and he could be a great fit there in a few years.

#20. New York Islanders (via Tampa Bay Lightning) - Michael Hage – C - Chicago (USHL)

We like this potential landing spot for Hage. He was, perhaps, the best player in the USHL in the second half of the year. This was the real Michael Hage, after he put some personal turmoil behind him. He has upside as a top six, power center and his skill is badly needed in a prospect pool that is currently lacking it.

#21. Los Angeles Kings - Jett Luchanko – C - Guelph (OHL)

We know the Kings love the OHL. Luchanko would be a great pick here. The tenacious and intelligent pivot brings speed and playmaking ability to the table and looks like a future fixture as a second line center. There aren’t a ton of natural pivots in the system right now, so it also makes sense for Los Angeles to target that position, if a good one is available.

#22. Nashville Predators - Leo Sahlin Wallenius – D - Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)

A strong skating, potential two-way defender, Sahlin Wallenius proved to be a bit of a chameleon in his draft year. What’s his real future role? Regardless, the physical tools are going to be intriguing to a team like Nashville.

#23. Toronto Maple Leafs - Harrison Brunicke – D - Kamloops (WHL)

This would be the first time since 2018 that Toronto uses its first-round selection on a defender. We’d say it’s needed. Brunicke is a strong skating rearguard with upside at both ends. He excelled defensively at the U18’s and he’s the kind of modern-day defender that Toronto sorely lacks. The organization would have also seen a fair amount of Brunicke while scouting Fraser Minten in Kamloops.

#24. Colorado Avalanche - Igor Chernyshov – LW - Dynamo Moskva (KHL)

We could see Colorado moving this pick at the draft for some immediate help after their disappointing playoff performance. However, if they keep this selection, a guy like Chernyshov could make a ton of sense. He can attack with speed and power, playing a North/South game that fits their system.

#25. Ottawa Senators (via Boston Bruins) - Liam Greentree – RW - Windsor (OHL)

Back-to-back OHL players for Ottawa in our mock, this time the team selects Windsor winger Greentree, who has the potential to be a Jason Robertson kind of player in the future. He is creative and skilled but needs to improve his skating. We believe improving the team’s skill and finishing ability on the wing should be a focus.

#26. Montreal Canadiens (via Winnipeg Jets) - Sam O’Reilly – RW - London (OHL)

With a strong OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup performance, O’Reilly has surged up draft rankings to close out the year. The physical, two-way center has more offensive upside than he has shown thus far playing in a secondary scoring role. Worst case scenario could see him developing into a Scott Laughton type, which would still be terrific value at this point of the first.

#27. Carolina Hurricanes - Alfons Freij – D - Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)

The Hurricanes always seem to love the same kind of players that the amateur scouting community love. Freij is one of those amateur scouting darlings this year that we (as a community) seem to love more than the NHL community (as a whole). The skating ability and skill are evident. He was a standout at nearly every international event for Sweden and projects as a skilled top four defende

#28. Calgary Flames (via Vancouver Canucks) - Cole Beaudoin – C - Barrie (OHL)

After drafting Iginla early, the Flames opt for a different kind of forward late in the first. Beaudoin projects as the kind of guy you win in the playoffs with. He brings versatility. He brings leadership. He brings consistency. He is an intelligent playmaker and can excel as a middle six complementary piece. Just seems very likely that at least one NHL team likes his intangibles enough to draft him in the first.

#29. Dallas Stars - Emil Hemming – RW - TPS (Fin-Liiga)

The Stars haven’t drafted a player out of Finland since Miro Heiskanen in 2017, but we’d say that has worked out pretty well. At this point, Hemming fills a need and represents the best player available. He brings tenaciousness and he is one of the draft’s best goal scorers from the wing.

#30. New York Rangers - Charlie Elick - D - Brandon (WHL)

Elick has a similar profile to Braden Schneider when the Rangers drafted him and that worked out pretty well. The size, skating, and physicality combination make Elick a potential shutdown defender for a decade. His decision making needs to improve, but New York has actually improved this component in several of their defensive prospects.

#31. Anaheim Ducks (via Edmonton Oilers) - Julius Miettinen – C - Everett (WHL)

Miettinen improved by leaps and bounds over the course of the year and represents a big body with skill. His skating took a big leap from the beginning of the year to the end, and it has really improved his projection as a top six forward. Anaheim really seems to favor forwards with a well-rounded profile and that’s Miettinen.

#32. Philadelphia Flyers (via Florida Panthers) - Ben Danford – D - Oshawa (OHL)

This pick might surprise some people, but Danford is a player who rocketed up rankings in the second half as part of an Oshawa team that went to the OHL finals. He’s one of the better defensive players in the draft; a shot blocking expert who has terrific defensive instincts. He’s also a strong skater who has shown flashes of more offensively. Shades of Oliver Bonk here and that worked out really well so far.

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#33. San Jose Sharks - Dean Letourneau – C - St. Andrew's (CHS-Ontario)

There’s definitely a chance that Letourneau goes in the first, but we feel that teams may be more comfortable using a second on a prep player given that many of those chosen in the first have not developed well. The Sharks can take a chance on Letourneau, given the team’s window is a ways away. The big man oozes upside because of his athleticism.

#34. Chicago Blackhawks - Henry Mews – D - Ottawa (OHL)

With the Hawks focusing so much on strong skating ability, Mews makes sense here. He’s a terrific four-way mover who possesses excellent upside as an offensive defender. He’s a creative rush attacker and his defense did improve over the course of the season.

#35. Anaheim Ducks - Terik Parascak – RW - Prince George (WHL)

A highly intelligent playmaker, Parascak makes up for only average skating by being a step ahead of others mentally. He’s skilled. He’s tenacious. He projects as a quality complementary piece in the top six and he would fit in perfectly with what Anaheim already has in the system.

#36. Philadelphia Flyers (via Columbus Blue Jackets) - Sacha Boisvert – C - Muskegon (USHL)

Why not double down on a top goal scorer? After drafting the draft’s best in Cole Eiserman, the Flyers now take one of the other best options in power center Sasha Boivert. His skating needs to continue to improve, but he can really fire it.

#37. Winnipeg Jets (via Montreal Canadiens) - Cole Hutson – D - U. S. NTDP U18

Wouldn’t it be fitting if the Jets used the Montreal pick to select Lane’s brother Cole? Cole battled some injuries this year, but he closed out the year on a high note by returning for the U18’s. He can control the tempo with his handling ability and mobility. His defensive game is also probably more advanced compared to Lane’s at the same age.

#38. Utah Hockey Club - Teddy Stiga – C - U. S. NTDP U18

Back-to-back NTDP members are chosen here as Stiga ends up being Utah’s pick. He is a terrific complementary piece who was one of the NTDP’s most improved players this year. He plays at a feverish pace, and he is skilled and intelligent enough to play with high end, creative playmakers. Could be the perfect future linemate for Logan Cooley.

#39. Ottawa Senators - Linus Eriksson – C - Djurgardens (Allsvenskan)

Erikson is a strong skating, two-way center with a strong chance of developing into an excellent and versatile middle six piece. He was solid for Sweden internationally this year and adds great depth to Ottawa’s center position down the line.

#40. Seattle Kraken - Will Skahan – D - U. S. NTDP U18

One of the draft’s most physical defenders, Skahan is big, reasonably mobile, and projects as a top four shutdown blueliner. Seattle has never really drafted a player like Skahan, and we would argue that in order for them to take that next step, they’ll need players like him in the Pacific.

#41. Calgary Flames - Dominik Badinka – D - Malmo (SHL)

Strong, two-way defender who played a ton at the SHL level. His true offensive upside was hidden by playing sheltered minutes against men. The Flames opt for defense here and have had some luck taking Swedish based defenders in recent years (Badinka is Czech but played out of Sweden).

#42. San Jose Sharks (via New Jersey Devils) - Andrew Basha – LW - Medicine Hat (WHL)

The Sharks opt for a bit of a safer selection at this spot after really rolling the dice with the previous two picks. Basha is an excellent complementary piece who projects as someone who can elevate the play of a creative and skilled pivot. He could be the perfect linemate for the likes of Celebrini, Smith, or Eklund because he is skilled and does the dirty work to open up ice.

#43. Buffalo Sabres - Maxim Masse – RW - Chicoutimi (QMJHL)

Buffalo makes Masse the first QMJHL player off the board. He’s one of the better pure goal scorers in the draft and he plays a mature, pro style game that sees him get to the middle of the ice. The skating needs to keep improving, but this is a player who could fit in well with some of the others in Buffalo’s system.

#44. Pittsburgh Penguins (via Philadelphia Flyers) - Lucas Pettersson – C - MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)

With their first pick in the draft, the Penguins opt for Swedish center Lucas Pettersson. He’s a strong skating, two-way pivot who projects as a solid middle six piece who can play in a variety of different situations. Building up prospect depth needs to be a focus of Kyle Dubas, after the system was bled dry for the last half a decade.

#45. Minnesota Wild - Brodie Ziemer – RW - U. S. NTDP U18

A Minnesota native heading to the University of Minnesota, the Wild get the captain of this year’s NTDP. He projects as a terrific complementary piece in the top nine who can help bring out the best in more skilled players. He plays a heavier game, which fits in with the theme that Minnesota seems to be focusing on at the draft in recent years.

#46. Pittsburgh Penguins - Aron Kiviharju – D - HIFK (Fin-Liiga)

If there is a team that is going to take a chance on Kiviharju bringing everything together, the Penguins make a ton of sense. With a couple of seconds, they should be focusing on bringing in high upside players and Kiviharju is just that. Is there concern that he has plateaued? Absolutely. However, there’s also a chance that injuries this year really prevented him from being at his best.

#47. Detroit Red Wings - Leon Muggli – D - Zug (Sui-NL)

The Red Wings opt for Leon Muggli, a Swiss defender who really emerged as a top-notch NHL prospect this year. He showed well playing against men in the NL. He’s intelligent and mobile and should have a solid floor as an NHL rearguard in some capacity.

#48. St. Louis Blues - Matvei Shuravin – C - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)

Long and lean Russian defender with intriguing two-way upside. He was a player who was hard to get a read on this year with his limited minutes in the KHL, however he has an intriguing combination of size and mobility. It’s possible that he reminds the Blues of drafting Colton Parayko back in the day.

#49. Utah Hockey Club (via Washington Capitals) - Yegor Surin – C - Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Utah and their scouts have not been shy about selecting Russian players in recent drafts. Surin is better than the 49th player selected. He is a competitive, but skilled pivot who could end up developing into a versatile player for Utah down the line. Maybe the perfect linemate for fellow Russian Daniil But?

#50. Chicago Blackhawks (via New York Islanders) - John Mustard – C - Waterloo (USHL)

One of the best names in the draft, but also one of the best skaters. Mustard had a breakout campaign in the USHL this year. He’s an explosive player and a talented goal scorer. However, he is also an intense competitor, something that should make Mustard an NHL player in some capacity if the offensive game doesn’t translate.

#51. Philadelphia Flyers (Compensation Pick for Jay O’Brien) - Ryder Ritchie – RW - Prince Albert (WHL)

Ranked as a first rounder by us, there is thought that we are higher on him than NHL scouts after a bit of a disappointing second half mired by injuries. Ritchie is a competitive winger who plays bigger than his size (excuse the cliche). He has solid upside as a complementary piece on a scoring line. This is a nice swing for Philadelphia with their compensation pick.

#52. Washington Capitals (via Vegas Golden Knights) - Marek Vanacker – LW - Brantford (OHL)

The Capitals opt for speedy Hamilton winger Marek Vanacker, the last of our first round graded players. He was extremely consistent all year long and has intriguing offensive upside because of the pace he can play at. Washington would be very familiar with him thanks to their scouting of Patrick Thomas.

#53. Nashville Predators (via Tampa Bay Lightning) - Heikki Ruohonen – C - Kiekko-Espoo (Fin-U20)

The Preds have long loved Finnish players, with a strong presence in that market. Ruohonen was one of the biggest risers in the second half of the year; he was excellent at the U18’s for the Finns. He is a competitive, two-way, power center eventually heading to Harvard.

#54. New York Islanders (via Los Angeles Kings) - Adam Kleber – D - Lincoln (USHL)

Kleber is a massive defender whose game really improved over the second half of the year. His mobility, in particular, really took a positive step forward. The USHL rearguard projects as a physical stay at home type, but he does flash some intriguing offensive tools too.

#55. Nashville Predators - Mikhail Yegorov – G - Omaha (USHL)

There has been a ton of talk about Nashville moving on from Juuse Saros, handing over the keys to Askarov. However, there isn’t much of a back-up plan behind Askarov if he doesn't pan out. Taking a goalie makes sense for the Preds in round two and Yegorov is an excellent athlete who their goaltending development coaches can really work with.

#56. St. Louis Blues (via Toronto Maple Leafs) - Luke Misa – C - Mississauga (OHL)

Misa is a speedy, two-way forward who projects as a solid middle six option for St. Louis down the line. He had a solid year for Mississauga in the OHL and is the type of player who could move quickly through the system as a later birthday.

#57. Montreal Canadiens (via Colorado Avalanche) - Tory Pitner - Youngstown (USHL)

Montreal has done well by selecting heady defenders in recent years and Pitner is definitely that. He’s one of the draft's most intelligent blueliners, especially in the defensive end. He competes hard and projects as a solid two-way, second pairing type.

#58. Anaheim Ducks (via Boston Bruins) - Tarin Smith – D - Everett (WHL)

A team with an already loaded defensive talent pool can afford to take chances on high upside defenders like Smith. He’s very raw, but his physical tools are excellent. He skates well. He can create offense. How it all comes together remains to be seen, but Anaheim can afford to be patient.

#59. Nashville Predators (via Winnipeg Jets) - Adam Jecho – C - Edmonton (WHL)

An enigma to the highest degree, Jecho is one of the draft’s ultimate boom or bust prospects. At times, he dominates in the offensive end with his size and skill. Other times, he looks lumbering, lazy, and disengaged. Which Jecho will emerge as the real one? Nashville has always loved wingers like this with high end physical tools.

#60. Carolina Hurricanes - Nikita Artamonov – LW - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

This just seems like an amazing fit. The Canes have loved players like Artamanov. High end processor. Not the quickest or most physical, but efficient. They’ve also been one of the most aggressive NHL franchises in drafting Russian talent recently.

#61. New York Islanders (via Vancouver Canucks) - AJ Spellacy – RW - Windsor (OHL)

Spellacy was outstanding in the second half of the OHL season after he fully recovered from a knee injury. He has great length and speed and projects as a high end third line player who can be an elite penalty killer and defensive forward. The last Windsor forward NYI took worked out well.

#62. Calgary Flames (via Dallas Stars) - Raoul Boilard – C - Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

What’s the finished product going to look like with Boilard? This is completely unknown due to some consistency issues. However, the Flames need to improve their center depth in the organization and Boilard is a rangy pivot who could end up being a solid middle six piece.

#63. Seattle Kraken (via New York Rangers) - Jesse Pulkkinen – D - JYP (Fin-Liiga)

The first re-entry to go in this mock draft, Seattle has not shied away from selecting players outside of their first year of eligibility. Pulkkinen is a big offensive defender who plays an aggressive style. He needs major refinement, but the tools are there.

#64. Edmonton Oilers - Pavel Moysevich – G - SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Have to think the Oilers go with a goalie here if there is one on the board that they really like. Moysevich is a re-entry who was fantastic in the KHL this past season. He is one of the draft’s best athletes and he could move quickly through the system.

#65. Utah Hockey Club (via Florida Panthers) - Jack Pridham – RW - West Kelowna (BCHL)

There is a connection between Utah (previously Arizona) and the St. Andrew’s College program of late. Pridham is a graduate of that program who had a solid year in the BCHL. He is a big winger with great skating ability. The upside is a bit of a mystery, but the tools are legitimate.

MCKEEN’S 2024 NHL DRAFT GUIDE – TOP 32 FINAL RANKINGS

Brock Otten — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 16:00:27 +0000

It’s that time! The McKeen’s scouting staff has finalized our final rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft ahead of the release of our draft guide releasing soon. This year, the McKeen’s team has made the executive decision to rank 300 players outright, rather than include honorable mentions. This is a change in our previous methodology.

As has been the case all season long, Macklin Celebrini remains our top ranked prospect and we expect him to be the first overall selection by the San Jose Sharks. Rounding out the top five are Russian winger Ivan Demidov, London defenseman Sam Dickinson, power center Cayden Lindstrom, and the fast-rising Tij Iginla. Iginla was ranked 12th on our midseason list, but his strong finish to the WHL season, coupled with his excellent U18 performance, has elevated him into our top five.

Filling out our top ten are Michigan State defender Artyom Levshunov, spark plug center Berkly Catton, towering defender Anton Silayev, Denver defender Zeev Buium, and Western defender Carter Yakemchuk. Buium moves up from 15th at midseason thanks to his remarkable consistency all year long, in addition to a great Frozen Four performance for Denver. While Russian blueliner Silayev moves out of our top five after a lukewarm second half that saw his offensive production drop off.

Other players who have elevated their stock significantly include Norwegian defender Stian Solberg, Oshawa winger Beckett Sennecke, NTDP defender EJ Emery, Finnish power forward Julius Miettinen, offensive blueliner Cole Hutson, gritty Barrie forward Cole Beaudoin, Oshawa defender Ben Danford, and speedy Brantford winger Marek Vanacker. Solberg jumps up over 30 spots, springboarding into our first round after a terrific second half in the Norwegian men’s league, followed by an eye-opening performance at the men’s World Championships. The athletic and projectable Sennecke also makes a huge jump, from the late first to the earlier first after an outstanding second half and playoff performance for Oshawa, helping the team make the OHL finals.

Other players who have seen their stock drop include Henry Mews, Adam Jecho, Maxim Masse, Raoul Boilard, Jesse Pulkkinen, Aron Kiviharju, and Simon Zether. Ottawa defender Henry Mews has fallen out of our first round due to consistency and defensive engagement concerns. We still value his upside but believe other players have had stronger second half pushes. The same can be said about Finnish defender Aron Kiviharju. Injuries derailed his development this year and his performance at the U18’s (albeit coming off a long layoff) was uninspiring.

As far as goaltenders go, none cracked our top 50. We love the depth for the position this year, and as such, we would feel more comfortable waiting longer to select our first netminder in 2024. Owen Sound’s Carter George, and Russian netminders Pavel Moysevich and Mikhail Yegorov are our top netminders.

Overall, the strength of this draft crop has really grown on us as a scouting team. Early on in the season, we weren’t enamored with the quality of top end players available, nor the depth. The defenseman group available has always been deemed as strong, but what has really elevated this crop is the fact that so many forwards finished the year well, altering their projection and draft standing. We feel that those drafting inside the top 20 have a great chance of grabbing a high impact player.

Look for the release of our 2024 Draft Guide soon (Week of June 10^th). It will include all of our rankings and reports, a mock draft, a preview of the 2025 NHL Draft, and much more.

Subscribers can see the full Top 300 Ranking here.

If you are interested in a subscription, you can learn more here.

RANK	PLAYER	POS	HT/WT	DOB	TEAM	GP	G/GAA	A/SV%	PTS	PIM
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	6-0/190	13-Jun-06	Boston University (HE)	38	32	32	64	18
2	Ivan Demidov	RW	5-11/180	10-Dec-05	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	30	23	37	60	20
3	Sam Dickinson	D	6-3/200	7-Jun-06	London (OHL)	68	18	52	70	30
4	Cayden Lindstrom	C	6-3/210	3-Feb-06	Medicine Hat (WHL)	32	27	19	46	66
5	Tij Iginla	C	6-0/185	1-Aug-06	Kelowna (WHL)	64	47	37	84	35
6	Artyom Levshunov	D	6-2/205	28-Oct-05	Michigan State (B1G)	38	9	26	35	44
7	Berkly Catton	C	5-10/170	14-Jan-06	Spokane (WHL)	68	54	62	116	41
8	Anton Silayev	D	6-7/210	11-Apr-06	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	63	3	8	11	10
9	Zeev Buium	D	6-0/185	7-Dec-05	Denver (NCHC)	42	11	39	50	20
10	Carter Yakemchuk	D	6-3/200	29-Sep-05	Calgary (WHL)	66	30	41	71	120
11	Zayne Parekh	D	6-0/180	15-Feb-06	Saginaw (OHL)	66	33	63	96	64
12	Michael Hage	C	6-0/190	14-Apr-06	Chicago (USHL)	54	33	42	75	53
13	Konsta Helenius	C	5-11/180	11-May-06	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	51	14	22	36	10
14	Beckett Sennecke	RW	6-2/175	28-Jan-06	Oshawa (OHL)	63	27	41	68	67
15	Cole Eiserman	LW	6-0/195	29-Aug-06	USN U18 (USDP)	57	58	31	89	34
16	Michael Brandsegg-Nygard	RW	6-1/195	5-Oct-05	Mora (Allsvenskan)	41	8	10	18	19
17	Liam Greentree	RW	6-2/210	1-Jan-06	Windsor (OHL)	64	36	54	90	33
18	Trevor Connelly	LW	6-0/160	28-Feb-06	Tri-City (USHL)	52	31	47	78	88
19	Alfons Freij	D	6-0/185	12-Feb-06	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	40	14	19	33	14
20	EJ Emery	D	6-3/185	30-Mar-06	USN U18 (USDP)	61	0	16	16	61
21	Jett Luchanko	C	5-11/185	21-Aug-06	Guelph (OHL)	68	20	54	74	36
22	Harrison Brunicke	D	6-2/185	8-May-06	Kamloops (WHL)	49	10	11	21	47
23	Stian Solberg	D	6-2/195	29-Dec-05	Valerenga (Norway)	42	5	10	15	47
24	Adam Jiricek	D	6-2/180	28-Jun-06	Plzen (Czechia)	19	0	1	1	2
25	Emil Hemming	RW	6-1/200	27-Jun-06	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	40	7	4	11	0
26	Ryder Ritchie	RW	6-0/175	3-Aug-06	Prince Albert (WHL)	47	19	25	44	24
27	Dominik Badinka	D	6-3/185	27-Nov-05	Malmo (SHL)	33	1	3	4	6
28	Sacha Boisvert	C	6-2/180	17-Mar-06	Muskegon (USHL)	61	36	32	68	86
29	Julius Miettinen	C	6-2/205	20-Jan-06	Everett (WHL)	66	31	36	67	32
30	Yegor Surin	C	6-1/190	1-Aug-06	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	42	22	30	52	108
31	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	5-11/175	10-Apr-06	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	43	11	31	42	38
32	Marek Vanacker	LW	6-0/175	12-Apr-06	Brantford (OHL)	68	36	46	82	55

2024 NHL DRAFT: FULL FIRST ROUND MOCK DRAFT – 32 PICKS

Steven Graves — Fri, 10 May 2024 16:09:44 +0000

NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 1: NCAA men's hockey at Lawler Rink on December 1, 2023 in North Andover, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon)

With the Draft Lottery now concluded - we now know definitively where all the lottery selections are situated. Mind you, nothing changed from before the draft, but I digress. This draft really opens up at #2 after Macklin Celebrini. There are a ton of great defenders that offer high end potential, a few high-octane offensive forwards, and a couple of raw toolsy players that scream the word “upside”. There is no consensus after #1 so it’ll be fascinating to see how this class goes. Here’s my shot at it:

#1: San Jose Sharks - C - Macklin Celebrini

After a horrid season that saw the Sharks finish as the worst team in the NHL, the organization will be rewarded with a potential franchise altering talent in Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini will return to the Bay Area where he spent some of his formative years growing up, as his father - Rick Celebrini works with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, so Macklin is quite familiar already. He will step right into the NHL next season and projects as a #1 center. For a franchise that has been in a rough patch the past few seasons, getting a talent like Celebrini will really help the team going forward.

#2: Chicago Blackhawks - RW - Ivan Demidov

The Chicago Blackhawks are a team that is difficult to pinpoint who they’ll select, they’re a team that are in need of everything. Because of this I have them selecting the second most talented player in this class in Ivan Demidov. He might just be the most skilled player in the draft class. If he had played in North America this season, there is a chance he could have challenged Celebrini for #1. Demidov is an offensive weapon that can leave your jaw on the floor watching him play - Pairing him next to Connor Bedard could see both players putting up gaudy offensive totals playing off of each other and could set up Chicago’s offense for years to come.

#3: Anaheim Ducks - C/RW - Konsta Helenius

Anaheim is a weird team for this draft, they’re a team that needs time more than anything because they have a lot of talent already in their system, it’s just a few years too soon before we start to see that translate in the NHL. Looking throughout their roster they’re set up well for the future up the middle and on the back end. They have Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson at center and on defence you have promising players in Olen Zellweger, Pavel Mintyukov and Tristian Luneau. There is improvement to be had on the wing, however as Cutter Gauthier and Troy Terry are really the only two names of note. Because of this at this spot I have them selecting Konsta Helenius, a player who can play both center and wing, however I have him as more of a winger in the NHL. He is a very mature player that can be a fantastic complementary piece to more skilled linemates. He is a great 200’ player and a kid that will complement bigger guys like Gauthier, McTavish and Carlsson well.

#4: Columbus Blue Jackets - LD - Anton Silayev

Columbus’ biggest need right now is probably on defense and a shutdown defender at that. Anton Silayev is one of the most polarizing players in this class, he is massive at 6’7” and just finished the season playing full time in the KHL, something that never happens for 17-year-old defenders. However, after having a red-hot start in the KHL, he really cooled down in the last 40 or so games. Silayev provides some of the most intriguing upside in the draft - it’s not often a 6’7” defender that can skate, move the puck well and be imposing physically come through the NHL draft. Columbus would be betting on that upside coming to fruition as the NHL returns to valuing big defenders as it has shown to be successful come playoff time.

#5: Montreal Canadiens - C - Cayden Lindstrom

Montreal definitely won’t be scared away from drafting a big, fast, toolsy forward this year after seeing how well Juraj Slafkovsky played in his sophomore campaign in the NHL. Lindstrom would be a massive get for Montreal as they’ll finally get that big center that the franchise has been yearning for in what seems like forever. Lindstrom has some of the most fascinating upside in this draft class, and Montreal would be ecstatic to get him into their organization.

#6: Utah - RD - Artyom Levshunov

The former Arizona Coyotes could go many directions at this spot, they have many great prospects in their system and there isn’t an obvious position of need. I have them going for the best player I believe will be available in this spot in Artyom Levshunov. Levshunov is one of the most NHL ready players in this draft and would be a massive get for the new Utah franchise. He would shore up the right side of the defense on this Utah team moving forward and should give the team a very good top four defender, moving forward with potential of being more than that.

#7: Ottawa Senators - RW - Tij Iginla

Two years in a row the Ottawa Senators have traded out of the draft lottery. They will make their selection this year following a very disappointing season in which they had playoff aspirations. At this spot I have them taking one of the most improved players in the class in Tij Iginla. Tij, the son of former Calgary Flames captain and Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla saw a massive spike in production this year after getting moved to Kelowna from Seattle. He went from .38 points per game last year to 1.31 points per game this year. A fantastic progression from last year. Ottawa will hope Iginla becomes a great offensive player that is able to contribute physically to help them as they seek the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

#8: Seattle Kraken - LD - Sam Dickinson

With the 8th overall selection, I have the Seattle Kraken picking London Knights defender Sam Dickinson. The 6’ 3” left shot Dickinson would be a godsend for Seattle as there are scouts who think he could end up being the best defenseman in the draft. He is a strong skating two-way defender that can impact the game in all three zones, there are question marks about his decision-making ability but there is just too much to like about Dickinson for Seattle to not pick him if he falls to this spot. In a few years, you can conceivably see him becoming Seattle’s #1 defender, and getting that value at #8 overall would make their fans very happy.

#9: Calgary Flames - RW - Beckett Sennecke

This is a tough pick to nail down, Calgary could go many different directions here, but I have them taking one of the most interesting prospects in the second half of the season in Oshawa Generals forward Beckett Sennecke. Sennecke who stood at just 5’ 10” just two seasons ago now stands at 6’ 3”. Through his growth spurt he has kept his strong offensive skill set and clearly is still adjusting to the change. The name of the game for him is “potential” because he hasn’t learned to use his newfound size yet and still needs to fill out to put him in a position to better utilize that size, If Sennecke’s playoffs are anything to go off of, it shows that he is just scratching the surface on what he could become, and Calgary would be a great franchise to help him harness his potential.

#10: New Jersey Devils - LD - Zeev Buium

The New Jersey Devils already have a great group of defenders but if they’re lucky enough to have a talent like Zeev Buium fall to them at #10, they’re going to jump at that opportunity. He gives the Devils one of the most exciting young defensive cores in the NHL with Simon Nemec and Luke Hughes already in the fold. Buium just had one of the best freshman campaigns in NCAA history and is fresh off a national championship with Denver. He would solidify a Devil’s defense that is already seen as promising.

#11: Buffalo Sabres - C - Berkly Catton

With the 11th overall selection in the 2024 draft, I have the Buffalo Sabres going for one of the most talented offensive players in the draft in Berkly Catton. Catton, a former first overall selection in the WHL draft had a massive year for Spokane in the WHL where he had 54 goals and 114 points in 68 games - good for 4th in league scoring. Catton is a couple years away from being a full time NHL player but with Buffalo on the upswing, they can afford to wait a couple years. Simply put, Buffalo would be getting the best player available at this spot.

#12: Philadelphia Flyers - RD - Carter Yakemchuk

At number twelve, the Philadelphia Flyers select Carter Yakemchuk. Yakemchuk would be heading into a really good situation in Philadelphia since other than Oliver Bonk, their defensive prospects are looking rather thin. He is a big defender that loves to push pace with the puck on his stick, he is able to take over in the offensive zone at times and loves to activate from the blueline. While a dangerous offensive defender, he will need to focus on his play in his own zone to really reach his potential.

#13: Minnesota Wild - RD- Zayne Parekh

Minnesota would be jumping for joy if a talent like Parekh falls to them at this point. They would get one of the best offensive defenders to come through the NHL Draft in a long time. He delivered one of the best seasons as a draft eligible defender in nearly 35 years, tallying 33 goals and 96 points for Saginaw in the OHL. Parekh is deadly in the offensive zone. He is able to manipulate defenders and open shooting lanes like very few defenders can. As a result, he is able to get great shot opportunities that more often than not beat the goalie or create rebound chances. He has star potential written all over him - unfortunately there are some red flags with his game and his defensive engagement is a work in progress. Because of those concerns can see him falling in the draft.

#14: San Jose Sharks (Via Pittsburgh) - LW - Cole Eiserman

With the selection acquired via the Erik Karlsson trade, the Sharks will select a player who was once thought to be Celebrini’s biggest challenger for #1. Eiserman is a deadly goal scorer and is the best one in the draft class. He just surpassed Cole Caufield’s USNTDP record for goals for the program with 127. Unfortunately, he didn’t see much improvement in his game from last year and it allows San Jose an opportunity to snag him here and potentially pair him with Celebrini as a potential trigger man for that could see the two set themselves up for success for many years.

#15; Detroit Red Wings - RW - Liam Greentree

After a fantastic season that saw them miss out on the last playoff spot by an empty net goal, the Detroit Red Wings are in win now mode. They have a ton of promising prospects that have yet to graduate to the NHL, however they don’t have a player that can dominate as a net front presence. That’s why I have them selecting the Windsor Spitfires captain here. Greentree had a fantastic year for the OHL’s second worst team, scoring 90 points when the second leading scorer on his team had 66. Greentree is a very intelligent big, bodied forward that puts himself in great positions to score and is great around the net. Detroit could use a kid like him as they start to make the playoffs consistently in the future.

#16: St.Louis Blues - LW - Trevor Connelly

St.Louis was the last team to miss the playoffs after catching fire following the trade deadline. At one point this season, they were looking like they would be a player in the lottery for first overall. While the results were encouraging for next season, it landed them at 16^th, and will land on Trevor Connelly, one of the highest scoring players in the USHL this season. He is a big, bodied forward that is able to skate well and create plays for himself, he isn’t afraid to use his size to his advantage and can produce in many different ways. There are questions teams will have to answer here, and he could fall further, but probably the most talented option left on the board.

#17: Washington Capitals - C - Michael Hage

With the 17th pick the Washington Capitals select Chicago Steel centerman Michael Hage. After missing nearly his entire 16-year-old season to injury, Hage came into the year on a mission. He had a fantastic offensive campaign that showcased his ability to affect the game in both the offensive and defensive zones. With both Nicklas Backstrom and Evgeny Kuznetsov leaving the franchise in the past 12 months, they’re going to be in need of centermen going forward and Hage is the best one at this spot in the draft.

#18: New York Islanders - LW - Teddy Stiga

The New York Islanders are a team that always seems to like to go for fast, pesky forwards that can really change the tempo of the game when they’re on the ice. Guys like J. G. Pageau, Casey Cizkas and Cal Clutterbuck are just a few examples of this. Teddy Stiga of the USNTDP is yet another example of this, he is a kid who has seen incredible progression since last year. He went from being a bottom six energy forward to showcasing a previously unknown offensive skill set that could make him a great complementary piece in the NHL one day. One of this year’s biggest risers and a player that just seems like an Islander pick.

#19: Vegas Golden Knights - LD - Alfons Freij

With an aging Vegas blueline and the lack of quality defensive prospects in their system - I suspect the franchise will be targeting a defender with this selection. One of the best ones at this spot is Alfons Freij, a great skating two-way defender that has shown great improvement in his offensive game as the year has progressed. Freij would be in a great position to succeed in Vegas if given the proper time to develop. He could be a key piece to building this blueline in the future.

#20: Chicago Blackhawks (Via Tampa Bay) - RW - Michael Brandsegg-Nygard

With the pick that Chicago received in the Brandon Hagel trade, the Blackhawks go with Michael Brandsegg Nygard, poised to be the highest drafted Norwegian player in the history of the NHL Draft. Nygård is a kid that may not be able to create offense for himself, but he is going to put himself in positions to score and to get the puck. Having a center as smart as Bedard could really elevate a big, bodied winger like Nygard, since he doesn’t need the puck on his stick to be effective. He is excellent at moving his feet, keeping up with the pace of play, and has some of the best off-puck positioning in the class. Truly a player that is destined to succeed next to a Bedard level talent.

#21: Los Angeles Kings - RD - Adam Jiricek

It was a nightmare season for Adam Jiricek who started the season off poorly in Czechia’s top men’s league then was injured at the World Juniors and missed the rest of the season. Los Angeles could be a team that takes a gamble on the talent of Jiricek. Before he was injured, he was seen as a potential top-10 selection for the draft. He has a lot of what you want as a defender, good size, skating, defensive play along with good offensive instincts. It’s impossible to know how he has progressed since the injury and it would be a risky selection, but one absolutely worth making if you’re LA.

#22: Nashville Predators - LD - Matvei Shuravin

Nashville has been a defensive factory since their inception into the NHL. They have churned out quality defenders one after another. I have them going with the big Russian rearguard with the 22nd spot here. Shuravin is a 6’ 4” Russian defender that possesses strong skating and great defensive abilities. He’s still rather raw and needs to continue to improve his offensive game as well as learn to harness his size more effectively, but he is a project defender that could really explode into the NHL in a few seasons if given the right development time. I think Nashville is the perfect spot for that to come to fruition.

#23: Toronto Maple Leafs - RD - Ben Danford

Toronto addresses their biggest need with their first-round selection this year, as Ben Danford of the Oshawa Generals is a right-shot, top pairing defender that enjoyed a great season for the OHL’s Eastern Conference champions. It’s so difficult to get defenders like Danford via trade in the NHL, so your best bet is to draft them. It will take a few years for him to play in the NHL, but if he develops as intended, he could be a nightmare to play against in the NHL. The Maple Leafs sorely need a player like him.

#24: Anaheim Ducks (Via Edmonton) - LW - Nikita Artamonov

With the puck acquired via the Adam Henrique trade, I have the Anaheim Ducks going with Nikita Artamonov. Artamonov quietly had one of the most impressive statistical outputs ever for a 17-year-old in the KHL. Artamonov is a few years away from the NHL, however the Ducks are a great place for him since they’re loaded with great prospects already, and can be patient with as he further develops his game in Russia. Hopefully by the time he comes overseas, the Ducks will already be competing for a playoff spot,

#25: Colorado Avalanche - RD - E. J. Emery

In this spot I have the Avs going with one of the rawest prospects in the draft class in American E. J. Emery. He is no sure thing. He has a lot that he needs to work on with his game, but he also has some very intriguing upside. He is a defense-first defender that is intimidating to play against. He can shut down opponents by using his skating and long stick to keep opponents at bay. There are decision making concerns here, and there is limited offensive potential, but he could be a perfect complementary piece for a more offensive minded partner. Colorado would love to have someone like Emery in their system down the road.

#26: Ottawa Senators (Via Boston) - RD - Dominik Badinka

Ottawa’s second selection of the first round, a selection they received in the Alex DeBrincat trade. With this pick I have them going for a right-handed defender in Dominik Badinka. Badinka is a late born ‘05 born and played a majority of the past season in the SHL. He is 6’ 3” and isn’t afraid to lay the body. His skating is great and has some offensive skill as well. The right side of Ottawa’s defense needs a lot of help, getting Badinka here would be a step in the right direction for the Sens.

#27: Montreal Canadiens (Via Winnipeg) - LW - Igor Chernyshov

Montreal will go for the best player still on the board with this selection, and that is Russian power forward Igor Chernyshov. He is a strong skating big body who really showcased a lot of potential playing in Russia this year. He could be scratching the surface of what he could be offensively. There is still a lot of growth to be done with his game. Montreal would love to take that bet here with the selection they received in the Sean Monahan trade.

#28: Carolina Hurricanes - C - Cole Beaudoin

Carolina’s drafting in the past five or so years has been clinical. They constantly find talent in every round of the draft and have one of the league's best prospect pools despite being one of the league's best teams year in, year out. In this spot they go with Cole Beaudoin out of Barrie in the OHL. Cole doesn’t have the best upside to be a top six player in the NHL but looks to be a sure bet to be a very good bottom sixer going forward. He has a fantastic motor and is relentless on the forecheck. He really has a game suited for the NHL.

#29: Calgary Flames (Via Vancouver) - C - Jett Luchenko

With the pick Calgary acquired in the Elias Lindholm deal they go with Guelph Storm pest Jett Luchenko. Luchenko is just a honey badger. He always has his feet going and always wants to do something on the ice. The Flames will bet on Luchenko being a bottom six energy guy going forward and a key piece to when they start to compete for a playoff spot again.

#30: Philadelphia Flyers (Via Florida) - RW - Sam O’Reilly

At #30, I gave the Flyers going with a player that has seen steady progression as the year has gone on with Sam O’Reilly. O’Reilly is a teammate of last year’s first round pick, Oliver Bonk, and Denver Barkey, so you know the Flyers are very familiar with him. O’Reilly has really showcased an excellent two-way game all season long. He has been a consistent contributor in all three zones and has potential to hit another level offensively next season.

#31: Dallas Stars - RW - Emil Hemming

Hemming is one of the better goal scorers in the draft, I have Dallas going here to help replenish their prospect pool after seeing a good number of graduations as of late. The Finnish winger is a goal scoring power forward that can really rip the puck. He showcased this ability at the U18’s. He has flaws, but at this point in the draft I don’t know how you can go wrong betting on a player like Hemming.

#32: New York Rangers - C - Sacha Boisvert

With the last pick in the first round, I have the Rangers going for centreman Sacha Boisvert. Boisvert had a great year in the USHL for Muskegon and plans to go to the University of North Dakota next year. He is an offensive centreman that can be really dangerous in front of the net. He can finish off plays to great effect and isn’t afraid to stand his ground. The Rangers would be very happy to add a player like Boisvert to their pipeline.

2024 NHL DRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON TOP 32 – Celebrini sits comfortably on top – Demidov and Parekh among risers in ranking – Strong defense group defines this draft class

Brock Otten — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 16:00:23 +0000

It’s time to update and expand our 2024 NHL Draft rankings. Since our preliminary ranking in December, we’ve passed some major events on the scouting calendar, like the World Juniors, CHL Top Prospect’s Game, World Junior A Challenge, and the USA Hockey All American Game.

Macklin Celebrini still sits comfortably at the top of our rankings. Not only has he continued to be a difference maker for Boston University, but he was also a solid contributor at the World Juniors for an underwhelming Canadian team, an impressive feat for a double underager. In our opinion, he is unquestionably the top prospect available this year and is the one player we view as a near surefire high impact player at the NHL level.

One player moving up our ranking inside the top ten is Ivan Demidov. While ice time issues have limited his impact at the KHL level, he has been an absolute monster at the MHL level and in a draft that we feel lacks high end upside, he stands out as a potential difference maker. One player falling inside of our top ten is Cole Eiserman. While the goal scoring ability is unquestionably impressive, we’ve been left wanting more from the rest of his game and feel that his development is showing signs of plateauing.

Saginaw defenseman Zayne Parekh is another big-time mover and shaker for us as he pushes his way inside the top ten. At this point, his production and offensive upside is too vast to ignore. Yes, there are questions regarding his defensive game. Yes, there are questions about how he fits into an NHL system given Saginaw’s unique modern approach. However, the skill and sense are so high end that we believe the reward outweighs the risk.

Other movers and shakers include Jett Luchanko (40th to 18th), Alfons Freij (32nd to 21st), Harrison Brunicke (HM to 25th), and Dom Badinka (58th to 28th). Luchanko is a speedy, playmaking pivot who brings consistent effort in all three zones. As he bulks up, he should be able to become a more consistent point producer. Freij has been terrific internationally this year for the Swedish U18 team and is starting to remind us of Tom Willander in regard to his steady presence on the ice at both ends. Brunicke is a very mobile, right-handed shot defender with size who remains a work in progress. He flashes high end skill and upside in the defensive end, and we believe that he is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of. Dom Badinka has a similar profile to Freij in the sense that he has a very projectable frame and skill set. He has been steadily improving in the SHL this year with Malmo and the Czech blueliner projects as an all situations top four, right shot blueliner.

Overall, 2024 is still holding strong as a quality draft for defenders. In fact, 14 of our first round graded players are defenseman. On the other hand, the strength of this goaltending crop remains to be seen. OHL netminders Carter George and Ryerson Leenders remain our top ranked goalies and the only ones inside of our Top 70. There are others pushing up the list (like NTDP netminder Nick Kempf and WHL re-entry Lukas Matecha), but it’s not looking like the ideal year to use a high pick on a stopper.

In the coming weeks, expect to see a podcast on our new YT channel (here), where Director of Scouting, Brock Otten, Associate Director of Scouting, Derek Neumeier, and Director of Video Scouting, Josh Bell, debate the midseason list and provide some insight into why certain players are ranked where they are.

RK	Name	POS	TEAM	GP	G/GAA	A/SV%	TP	PIM	HT/WT	DOB
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	Boston University (HE)	25	22	19	41	10	6-0/190	13-Jun-06
2	Sam Dickinson	D	London (OHL)	52	14	39	53	24	6-3/195	7-Jun-06
3	Ivan Demidov	RW	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	23	20	25	45	16	5-11/170	10-Dec-05
4	Anton Silayev	D	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	57	3	8	11	8	6-7/210	11-Apr-06
5	Cayden Lindstrom	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	32	27	19	46	66	6-4/215	3-Feb-06
6	Berkly Catton	C	Spokane (WHL)	49	38	44	82	37	5-11/170	14-Jan-06
7	Artyom Levshunov	D	Michigan State (B1G)	30	8	20	28	40	6-2/200	28-Oct-05
8	Konsta Helenius	C	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	40	12	19	31	6	5-11/180	11-May-06
9	Cole Eiserman	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	37	38	22	60	28	6-0/195	29-Aug-06
10	Zayne Parekh	D	Saginaw (OHL)	49	25	49	74	40	6-0/180	15-Feb-06
11	Carter Yakemchuk	D	Calgary (WHL)	48	24	29	53	95	6-3/190	29-Sep-05
12	Tij Iginla	C	Kelowna (WHL)	48	35	28	63	25	6-0/185	1-Aug-06
13	Liam Greentree	RW	Windsor (OHL)	46	28	41	69	25	6-2/200	1-Jan-06
14	Trevor Connelly	LW	Tri-City (USHL)	34	17	31	48	40	6-1/160	28-Feb-06
15	Zeev Buium	D	Denver (NCHC)	26	7	27	34	16	6-0/185	7-Dec-05
16	Michael Brandsegg Nygard	RW	Mora (Allsvenskan)	32	6	7	13	14	6-1/195	5-Oct-05
17	Adam Jiříček	D	HC Plzen (Czechia)	19	0	1	1	2	6-2/175	28-Jun-06
18	Jett Luchanko	C	Guelph (OHL)	50	17	37	54	32	5-11/185	21-Aug-06
19	Matvei Shuravin	D	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	22	0	7	7	26	6-2/170	22-Mar-06
20	Michael Hage	C	Chicago (USHL)	37	21	23	44	35	6-1/190	14-Apr-06
21	Alfons Freij	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	33	11	15	26	12	6-1/190	12-Feb-06
22	Emil Hemming	RW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	35	7	4	11	0	6-1/200	27-Jun-06
23	Ryder Ritchie	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	34	13	18	31	16	6-0/175	3-Aug-06
24	Sacha Boisvert	C	Muskegon (USHL)	41	27	18	45	42	6-2/180	17-Mar-06
25	Harrison Brunicke	D	Kamloops (WHL)	46	10	11	21	45	6-3/185	8-May-06
26	Andrew Basha	LW	Medicine Hat (WHL)	47	23	44	67	32	6-0/185	8-Nov-05
27	Henry Mews	D	Ottawa (OHL)	46	8	34	42	46	6-0/185	9-Mar-06
28	Dom Badinka	D	Malmo (Swe J20)	15	2	10	12	39	6-3/185	27-Nov-05
29	Beckett Sennecke	RW	Oshawa (OHL)	46	19	26	45	53	6-2/180	28-Jan-06
30	Igor Chernyshov	LW	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	18	10	14	24	8	6-2/190	30-Nov-05
31	E.J. Emery	D	USN U18 (USDP)	41	0	10	10	51	6-3/185	30-Mar-06
32	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	34	7	23	30	30	6-0/180	10-Apr-06

2024 NHL DRAFT: MCKEEN’S MID-SEASON TOP 100 – Celebrini sits comfortably on top – Demidov and Parekh among risers in ranking – Strong defense group defines this draft class

Brock Otten — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 15:58:41 +0000

RK	Name	POS	TEAM	GP	G/GAA	A/SV%	TP	PIM	HT/WT	DOB
1	Macklin Celebrini	C	Boston University (HE)	25	22	19	41	10	6-0/190	13-Jun-06
2	Sam Dickinson	D	London (OHL)	52	14	39	53	24	6-3/195	7-Jun-06
3	Ivan Demidov	RW	SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)	23	20	25	45	16	5-11/170	10-Dec-05
4	Anton Silayev	D	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	57	3	8	11	8	6-7/210	11-Apr-06
5	Cayden Lindstrom	C	Medicine Hat (WHL)	32	27	19	46	66	6-4/215	3-Feb-06
6	Berkly Catton	C	Spokane (WHL)	49	38	44	82	37	5-11/170	14-Jan-06
7	Artyom Levshunov	D	Michigan State (B1G)	30	8	20	28	40	6-2/200	28-Oct-05
8	Konsta Helenius	C	Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)	40	12	19	31	6	5-11/180	11-May-06
9	Cole Eiserman	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	37	38	22	60	28	6-0/195	29-Aug-06
10	Zayne Parekh	D	Saginaw (OHL)	49	25	49	74	40	6-0/180	15-Feb-06
11	Carter Yakemchuk	D	Calgary (WHL)	48	24	29	53	95	6-3/190	29-Sep-05
12	Tij Iginla	C	Kelowna (WHL)	48	35	28	63	25	6-0/185	1-Aug-06
13	Liam Greentree	RW	Windsor (OHL)	46	28	41	69	25	6-2/200	1-Jan-06
14	Trevor Connelly	LW	Tri-City (USHL)	34	17	31	48	40	6-1/160	28-Feb-06
15	Zeev Buium	D	Denver (NCHC)	26	7	27	34	16	6-0/185	7-Dec-05
16	Michael Brandsegg Nygard	RW	Mora (Allsvenskan)	32	6	7	13	14	6-1/195	5-Oct-05
17	Adam Jiříček	D	HC Plzen (Czechia)	19	0	1	1	2	6-2/175	28-Jun-06
18	Jett Luchanko	C	Guelph (OHL)	50	17	37	54	32	5-11/185	21-Aug-06
19	Matvei Shuravin	D	CSKA Moskva (KHL)	22	0	7	7	26	6-2/170	22-Mar-06
20	Michael Hage	C	Chicago (USHL)	37	21	23	44	35	6-1/190	14-Apr-06
21	Alfons Freij	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	33	11	15	26	12	6-1/190	12-Feb-06
22	Emil Hemming	RW	TPS (Fin-Liiga)	35	7	4	11	0	6-1/200	27-Jun-06
23	Ryder Ritchie	RW	Prince Albert (WHL)	34	13	18	31	16	6-0/175	3-Aug-06
24	Sacha Boisvert	C	Muskegon (USHL)	41	27	18	45	42	6-2/180	17-Mar-06
25	Harrison Brunicke	D	Kamloops (WHL)	46	10	11	21	45	6-3/185	8-May-06
26	Andrew Basha	LW	Medicine Hat (WHL)	47	23	44	67	32	6-0/185	8-Nov-05
27	Henry Mews	D	Ottawa (OHL)	46	8	34	42	46	6-0/185	9-Mar-06
28	Dom Badinka	D	Malmo (Swe J20)	15	2	10	12	39	6-3/185	27-Nov-05
29	Beckett Sennecke	RW	Oshawa (OHL)	46	19	26	45	53	6-2/180	28-Jan-06
30	Igor Chernyshov	LW	MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL)	18	10	14	24	8	6-2/190	30-Nov-05
31	E.J. Emery	D	USN U18 (USDP)	41	0	10	10	51	6-3/185	30-Mar-06
32	Leo Sahlin Wallenius	D	Vaxjo Lakers (Swe J20)	34	7	23	30	30	6-0/180	10-Apr-06
33	Dean Letourneau	C	St. Andrew's (CHS-O)	14	14	11	25	6	6-7/210	21-Feb-06
34	Yegor Surin	C	Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)	37	19	27	46	104	6-1/190	1-Aug-06
35	Adam Jecho	C	Edmonton (WHL)	38	15	17	32	18	6-5/200	24-Mar-06
36	Maxim Massé	RW	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	51	26	26	52	16	6-2/190	7-Apr-06
37	Lucas Pettersson	C	MoDo Hockey (Swe J20)	36	20	23	43	38	5-11/170	17-Apr-06
38	Charlie Elick	D	Brandon (WHL)	51	4	19	23	47	6-3/200	17-Jan-06
39	Raoul Boilard	C	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	52	21	31	52	32	6-2/190	7-Jan-06
40	Matvei Gridin	RW	Muskegon (USHL)	41	20	30	50	28	6-1/185	1-Mar-06
41	Nikita Artamonov	LW	Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)	48	7	15	22	12	5-11/185	17-Nov-05
42	Jesse Pulkkinen	D	JYP (Fin-U20)	18	11	17	28	47	6-6/215	27-Dec-04
43	Leon Muggli	D	Zug (Sui-NL)	4	0	2	2	4	6-0/165	9-Jul-06
44	Teddy Stiga	LW	USN U18 (USDP)	41	24	25	49	26	5-10/155	5-Apr-06
45	Aron Kiviharju	D	HIFK (Fin-Liiga)	7	1	1	2	0	5-10/165	25-Jan-06
46	Miguel Marques	RW	Lethbridge (WHL)	50	22	37	59	47	5-11/170	8-Mar-06
47	John Mustard	C	Waterloo (USHL)	39	22	18	40	22	6-0/185	16-Aug-06
48	Lukas Fischer	D	Sarnia (OHL)	52	4	22	26	50	6-4/180	6-Sep-06
49	Simon Zether	C	Rogle (Swe J20)	17	11	16	27	25	6-3/185	18-Oct-05
50	Luke Misa	C	Mississauga (OHL)	51	21	46	67	8	5-10/175	25-Nov-05
51	Sebastian Soini	D	Ilves (Fin-U20)	8	0	0	0	8	6-2/195	10-Jun-06
52	Carson Wetsch	RW	Calgary (WHL)	49	19	20	39	53	6-2/185	4-May-06
53	Terik Parascak	RW	Prince George (WHL)	52	31	42	73	37	5-11/180	28-May-06
54	Christian Humphreys	C	USN U18 (USDP)	35	15	25	40	14	5-11/170	4-Feb-06
55	Cole Hutson	D	USN U18 (USDP)	41	11	26	37	44	5-10/160	28-Jun-06
56	Cole Beaudoin	C	Barrie (OHL)	48	23	25	48	23	6-2/200	24-Apr-06
57	Marek Vanacker	LW	Brantford (OHL)	51	27	34	61	41	6-0/165	12-Apr-06
58	Stian Solberg	D	Vålerenga (Nor)	34	3	9	12	12	6-2/200	29-Dec-06
59	Herman Traff	RW	HV71 (Swe J20)	22	11	7	18	69	6-3/195	31-Dec-05
60	Kamil Bednarik	C	USN U18 (USDP)	41	18	25	43	40	6-0/185	26-May-06
61	Tomáš Galvas	D	Bili Tygri Liberec (Czechia)	26	2	4	6	6	5-10/150	11-Feb-06
62	Carter George	G	Owen Sound (OHL)	41	3.09	0.914	-	-	6-0/160	20-May-06
63	Ryerson Leenders	G	Mississauga (OHL)	38	3.19	0.909	-	-	6-1/175	1-Jun-06
64	Tanner Howe	LW	Regina (WHL)	52	24	38	62	48	5-11/180	28-Nov-05
65	Colton Roberts	D	Vancouver (WHL)	50	7	17	24	45	6-4/195	8-Jun-06
66	Ben Danford	D	Oshawa (OHL)	51	1	30	31	21	6-0/175	6-Feb-06
67	Eriks Mateiko	LW	Saint John (QMJHL)	40	19	19	38	18	6-4/210	18-Nov-05
68	Daniil Ustinkov	D	ZSC (Sui-NL)	18	0	1	1	0	6-0/200	26-Aug-06
69	Veeti Vaisanen	D	KooKoo (Fin-Liiga)	40	2	7	9	12	6-0/175	15-Feb-06
70	Clarke Caswell	C	Swift Current (WHL)	51	16	37	53	14	5-11/170	2-Feb-06
71	Jakub Fibigr	D	Mississauga (OHL)	44	6	20	26	33	6-0/170	22-Jul-06
72	Ondrej Kos	LW	KOOVEE (Fin-Liiga)	14	3	2	5	8	6-1/150	7-Mar-06
73	Sam O'Reilly	RW	London (OHL)	52	15	30	45	24	6-1/175	30-Mar-06
74	Jack Berglund	C	Färjestad BK (Swe J20)	37	14	18	32	18	6-3/210	10-Apr-06
75	Linus Eriksson	C	Djurgardens IF (Swe J20)	24	5	16	21	8	6-0/185	23-Mar-06
76	Tarin Smith	D	Everett (WHL)	54	7	30	37	45	6-1/175	24-Mar-06
77	Nick Kempf	G	USN U18 (USDP)	22	3.02	0.901			6-2/190	1-Mar-06
78	Melvin Fernstrom	RW	Örebro HK (Swe J20)	38	26	28	54	26	6-1/185	28-Feb-06
79	Alexander Zetterberg	C	Örebro HK J20	35	19	27	46	10	5-9/160	27-Apr-06
80	Spencer Gill	D	Rimouski (QMJHL)	50	9	23	32	50	6-3/180	17-Aug-06
81	Kevin He	LW	Niagara (OHL)	51	26	18	44	47	5-11/185	30-Apr-06
82	Aatos Koivu	C	TPS (Fin-U20)	23	15	14	29	28	6-0/165	22-Jun-06
83	Will Skahan	D	USN U18 (USDP)	40	2	7	9	63	6-4/210	14-May-06
84	Justin Poirier	RW	Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)	52	40	20	60	58	5-8/185	4-Sep-06
85	Maxmilian Curran	C	Tri-City (WHL)	40	5	27	32	25	6-3/190	27-Aug-06
86	Tory Pitner	D	Youngstown (USHL)	33	7	14	21	34	6-1/185	6-Mar-06
87	Lukas Matecha	G	Tri-City (WHL)	29	3.14	0.910			6-3/195	21-Mar-05
88	Brodie Ziemer	RW	USN U18 (USDP)	41	20	22	42	14	5-10/190	22-Feb-06
89	Niilopekka Muhonen	D	KalPa (Fin U20)	25	4	6	10		6-4/185	28-Feb-06
90	Anthony Romani	D	North Bay (OHL)	51	44	40	84	16	6-0/180	12-Jul-05
91	Julius Miettinen	RW	Everett (WHL)	53	22	24	46	30	6-3/205	20-Jan-06
92	Luca Marrelli	D	Oshawa (OHL)	50	2	38	40	14	6-1/185	4-Oct-05
93	Filip Sitar	C	Malmo (Swe J20)	33	12	31	43	10	5-11/175	29-Jun-05
94	Noel Fransen	D	Färjestad BK (Swe J20)	36	17	21	38	16	6-0/185	7-Dec-05
95	William Zellers	LW	Shattuck St. Marys (USHS-Prep)	43	41	43	84	20	5-10/165	4-Apr-06
96	Gabriel Eliasson	D	HV71 J20	27	0	3	3	81	6-6/205	9-Sep-06
97	Kim Saarinen	G	HPK (Fin-U20)	22	2.34	0.918			6-4/180	22-Jul-06
98	Max Vilen	D	Malmo (Swe J20)	39	1	12	13	8	6-2/200	29-Jun-06
99	Gabriel Frasca	C	Kingston (OHL)	26	9	9	18	10	6-0/170	18-Feb-06
100	Harrison Meneghin	G	Lethbridge (WHL)	41	2.46	0.922			6-3/165	13-Sep-06
HM	Tanner Adams	RW	Providence (NCAA)	27	5	12	17	2	5-11/185	2-Sep
HM	Alexandre Blais	C	Rimouski (QMJHL)	53	18	48	66	30	5-10/155	14-Nov-05
HM	Viggo Gustavsson	D	HV71 (Swe J20)	33	1	10	11	38	6-2/195	11-Sep-06
HM	Andrei Krutov	LW	Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)	35	15	24	39	10	5-11/175	25-Apr-06
HM	Darels Uljanskis	D	AIK (Swe J20)	35	7	16	23	14	6-1/185	25-Aug-06
HM	Pavel Moysevich	G	SKA St. Petersburg (VHL)	19	2.31	0.927			6-5/175	29-Sep-04
HM	Ondrej Becher	C	Prince George (WHL)	42	19	40	59	32	6-1/175	22-Feb-04
HM	Veit Oswald	RW	EHC Munchen (DEL)	32	8	4	12	0	6-1/165	31-Aug-04
HM	Nathan Villeneuve	C	Sudbury (OHL)	47	18	21	39	52	6-0/185	13-Apr-06
HM	Petr Sikora	C	HC Ocelari Trinec (Cze U20)	27	12	21	33	26	5-11/170	2-Jan-06
HM	Oskar Vuollet	C	Skelleftea AIK (Swe J20)	32	17	24	41	6	5-10/170	3-Dec-05
HM	Kenta Isogai	F	Wenatchee (WHL)	49	25	48	73	22	5-11/155	28-Aug-04
HM	Marcus Kearsey	D	Charlottetown (QMJHL)	51	5	32	37	14	5-11/170	17-03-06
HM	Nate Misskey	D	Victoria (WHL	40	6	26	32	52	6-3/210	1-Dec-05
HM	Thomas Desruisseaux	C	Chicoutimi (QMJHL)	52	10	34	44	16	5-11/160	10-Mar-06
HM	Jonathan Morello	C	St. Michaels (OJHL)	44	23	27	50	20	6-1/175	31-Jul-06
HM	Kieron Walton	LW	Sudbury (OHL)	47	15	19	34	12	6-5/205	22-Apr-06
HM	Adam Kleber	D	Lincoln (USHL)	33	5	13	18	20	6-5/205	24-Mar-06
HM	Riley Patterson	C	Barrie (OHL)	49	18	27	45	4	6-0/175	22-Mar-06
HM	Eemil Vinni	G	JoKP (Fin-Liiga)	27	2.5	0.9	-	-	6-2/285	18-Dec-06

Anton Silayev – McKeen's Hockey

MCKEEN’S 2026 NHL PROSPECT REPORT – #23 New Jersey Devils – Organization Overview – Top 15 Prospects

Prospect System Ranking – 23rd (Last Year - 22nd) GM: Tom Fitzgerald Hired: July 2020 COACH: Sheldon Keefe Hired: May 2024

1. Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

2. Seamus Casey, D, Utica Comets (AHL)

3. Mikhail Yegorov, G, Boston University (NCAA)

4. Lenni Hämeenaho, RW, Utica Comets (AHL)

5. Ethan Edwards, D, Utica Comets (AHL)

6. Daniil Orlov, D, Spartak Moscow (KHL)

7. Conrad Fondrk, C, Boston University (NCAA)

8. Ben Kevan, RW, Arizona State University (NCAA)

9. Shane Lachance, LW, Utica Comets (AHL)

10. Jakub Malek, G, Utica Comets (AHL)

11. Mason Moe, C, University of Minnesota (NCAA)

12. Topias Vilen, D, Utica Comets (AHL)

13. Cam Squires, RW, Utica Comets (AHL

14. Kasper Pikkarainen, RW, TPS (Liiga)

15. Matyas Melovsky, C, Utica Comets (AHL)

NHL: Victor Nuño – DYNASTY STOCK WATCH – New Jersey Devils Edition

McKeen’s Hockey: Dynasty Stock Watch

New Jersey Devils Edition

Team Outlook

Buy Candidates

Mikhail Yegorov (G, 19)

Simon Nemec (D, 21)

Arseni Gritsyuk (LW/RW, 24)

Sell Candidates

Seamus Casey (D, 21)

Anton Silayev (D, 19)

Lenni Hämeenaho (RW, 21)

Summary

MCKEEN’S 2025-26 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #22

New Jersey Devils Top-15 Prospects

1 - Anton Silayev

2 - Mikhail Yegorov

3 - Seamus Casey

4 - Arseni Gritsyuk

5 - Lenni Hameenaho

6 - Conrad Fondrk

7 - Ben Kevan

8 - Jakub Malek

9 - Thomas Bordeleau

10 - Cam Squires

11 - Topias Vilen

12 - Ethan Edwards

13 - Shane Lachance

14 - Samu Salminen

15 - Gustav Hillstrom

2025 NHL PROSPECTS REPORT: #15 New Jersey Devils – Top 15 NHL Affiliated Prospects

MCKEEN’S 2024-25 NHL YEARBOOK – NEW JERSEY DEVILS – Top 15 Prospect Profiles – Organizational Rank #20

New Jersey Devils Top-15 Prospects

1. Anton Silayev

2. Seamus Casey

3. Arseny Gritsyuk

4. Lenni Hameenaho

5. Topias Vilen

6. Mikhail Yegorov

7. Nolan Foote

8. Chase Stillman

9. Jakub Malek

10. Josh Filmon

11. Adam Beckman

12. Samu Salminen

13. Herman Traff

14. Ethan Edwards

15. Cam Squires

MCKEEN’S HOCKEY 2024 NHL DRAFT GUIDE: TWO-ROUND MOCK DRAFT

#1. San Jose Sharks - Macklin Celebrini - C - Boston University (HE)

#2. Chicago Blackhawks - Artyom Levshunov – D - Michigan State (B1G)

#3. Anaheim Ducks - Anton Silayev – D - Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

#4. Columbus Blue Jackets - Ivan Demidov – RW - SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

#5. Montreal Canadiens - Cayden Lindstrom – C - Medicine Hat (WHL)

#6. Utah Hockey Club - Zeev Buium – D - Denver (NCHC)

#7. Ottawa Senators - Sam Dickinson – D - London (OHL)

#8. Seattle Kraken - Beckett Sennecke – RW - Oshawa (OHL)

#9. Calgary Flames - Tij Iginla – C - Kelowna (WHL)

#10. New Jersey Devils - Konsta Helenius – C - Jukurit (Fin-Liiga)

#11. Buffalo Sabres - Zayne Parekh – D - Saginaw (OHL)

#12. Philadelphia Flyers - Cole Eiserman – LW - U. S. NTDP U18

#13. Minnesota Wild - Carter Yakemchuk – D - Calgary (WHL)

Prospect System Ranking – 23rd (Last Year - 22nd)
GM: Tom Fitzgerald Hired: July 2020
COACH: Sheldon Keefe Hired: May 2024