Welcome to my 2024 final draft rankings, and the first time I am publicly posting my draft rankings.

What you need to know about my rankings.

First these are the rankings I will use for my fantasy drafts.

That means this is not a mock draft, and not a projection of how the actual draft will unfold. These are not a ranking for NHL, but a fantasy ranking.

About my process, I combine live viewings from my region with video to get fist hand impressions as much as possible. I also consider scouting reports and analysis from other scouts and outlets that I know and trust that they put in the work to watch more than I do.

There is a delicate balance between NHL value and fantasy value that I consider. The NHL value can not be ignored as without it, players will not be in the NHL and have no fantasy value (See Josh Ho-Sang). But the emphasis is definitely on Fantasy value. Who projects to be a top six offensive forward, or a top pairing defender. In conjunction with the NHL value, I also put emphasis on players that project to be physical and to produce significant value with hits and blocks or PIM’s.
Positional value comes into play as well as I have a bias towards valuing forwards over defenceman in the leagues I participate in.

Previously I have published a consolidated fantasy rankings and will do so following the draft once we know where the players were selected as that can impact their fantasy value.

That article will be a consensus with contributions from several writers from both Dobber and external outlets.

So, lets get to it!

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

6-0/190

EP Consolidated Rank: 1

PNHLe: 131

Comparable: Jack Eichel

Points Per Game: 1.69

Celebrini will go first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft and should also be a slam dunk first overall pick in your fantasy draft as well if you are lucky enough to own the pick. It is a very strong draft class and to be the undisputed first overall speaks volumes about his potential and upside. Is Celebrini a “Generational player” like Connor McDavid or Connor Bedard? No likely. But he is a franchise player that will be in the NHL no later than the 2025 season and should hit the ground running. As the Sharks improve around him, his value will only increase.

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

6-0/170

EP Consolidated Rank: 2

PNHLe: n/a

Comparable: Jack Hughes

Points Per Game: 2.0

The draft starts here as Chicago could go in several directions, Lidstrom, Levshunov for example. But in a fantasy draft it would be less crazy to take Demidov first than it would be to pass on him at second. The “Russian factor” is not really at play here since last week he was crystal clear about his intentions to play out the last year of his contract. The KHL season ends early around February, so I expect him to finish the year in North America, possibly making his NHL debut. I confess my viewings of him are restricted to highlights, but I have confidence in this ranking and Demidov as a first line point producing player.

 

3. Cayden Lindstrom, C – Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

6-5/205

EP Consolidated Rank: 5

PNHLe: 75

Comparable: Tage Thompson

Points Per Game: 1.28

Lindstrom could become a unicorn with his combination of size and skill. He has the potential to be a multicategory superstar, delivering points, hits, PIM’s and faceoff wins. The red flag here is his health. Lindstrom was limited to 32 games in the WHL with a back injury (herniated disc). Where he is drafted will be very telling as NHL teams no doubt did significant research at the scouting combine to ascertain the extent of the injury and the likelihood of it being a chronic injury that could be career limiting. If he falls, proceed with caution. If he is a top five pick, get him as soon as you can starting at three.

 

 

4. Berkly Catton, C Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

5-11/163

EP Consolidated Rank: 6

PNHLe: 87

Comparable: Logan Cooley

Points Per Game: 1.28

Catton led the entire NHL Draft class in scoring with a whopping 54 goals and 116 points in 68 games. He dominated both the U17 to start the season and the U18 to end it with a combined 16 points in 14 games. To put into context how prolific his season was, the only CHL draft eligible plays that have sored 50+ goals and 115+ points in the 21^st century are Connor Bedard, Patrick Kane and Sidney Crosby. Because of his size he likely is drafted around the top ten but remember Zach Benson and the Value the Sabres got out of that player.

 

5. Tij Iginla, LW/C – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

6-0/183

EP Consolidated Rank: 6

PNHLe: 80

Comparable: Wyatt Johnston

Points Per Game: 1.31

His ascension up the draft rankings since the move from Seattle to Kelowna was like a rocket! Iginla is a tenacious forechecker, he brings a shot and offensive upside that project to the NHL giving him multicategory appeal in fantasy hockey. He may need a year or two more before he is ready for the NHL, but make no mistake, he is a future impact NHL player.

6. Zayne Parekh, LD – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

6-0/181

EP Consolidated Rank: 7

PNHLe: 101

Comparable: Mike Green/Anthony DeAngelo

Points Per Game: 1.45

This is where my run-on defense begins, and it starts with Parekh. His offensive upside is right up there with Quinn Hughes and at 6-0 he is not undersized. His defensive game is still improving and needs to be better to play in the NHL, but I do not have significant concerns there like we did for Ryan Merkley. Parekh could even develop some solid peripheral value as well as he is a chippy and sometimes dirty player, a side of his game I would like to see him explore as it would give his game an edge and more value.

 

7. Zeev Buium, LD – University of Denver (NCAA)

5-11/165

EP Consolidated Rank: 4

PNHLe: 122

Comparable: Josh Morrissey

Points Per Game: 1.23

Buium had an incredible freshman season playing top minutes on the National Championship winning Denver. He was also a prominent player for USA helping them win the Gold at both the WJC and again at the U18. On top of all that, he set the all-time NCAA scoring record for draft eligible players with 50 points. His game is so complete, his hockey sense and poise are elite. If he were 6-5, he could be a first overall contender.

8. Artyom Levshunov, LD – Michigan State University (NCAA)

6-2/198

EP Consolidated Rank: 3

PNHLe: 83

Comparable: Zach Werenski

Points Per Game: 1.06

A good bet to be the first defenseman selected in the draft, possibly as high as second to Chicago. Levshunov has the size that Buium lacks, but his consistency has not been the same. Is that a red flag? Not at all, drafting is about projecting where players will be in 5-10 years and Levshunov could be a franchise player. But for fantasy purposes, I favor the offensive upside of Parekh and Buium.

 

9. Beckett Sennecke, RW – Oshawa Generals (OHL)

6-2/181

EP Consolidated Rank: 15

PNHLe: 54

Comparable: Boone Jenner

Points Per Game: 1.08

A late season riser his final ranking was powered by his dominating performance in the OHL playoffs where he scored 22 points in 16 games before injury ended his (and the Generals) season. Sennecke benefitted from a massive growth spurt adding about six inches in the last 18 months (Lane Hutson eat your heart out). Scouts place a significant emphasis and value on players that perform in the post season. Sennecke could develop into a multicategory must own as he grows into his 6-2 and growing frame and his offensive game continues to improve.

10. Carter Yakemchuk, RD – Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

6-3/194

EP Consolidated Rank: 14

PNHLe: 74

Comparable: Brent Burns

Points Per Game: 1.08

Two elements of Yakemchuk’s game that I love are his shot, and the physicality. He hits and shoots hard but is a work in progress as his skating and defensive game develops. His 30 goals was second among defense in the draft class behind Parekh at 33. When we look back at this draft class, we could be scratching our heads and say “how was a defender that scores 30 goals and has 100+ hits and 100+ PIM’s not be in the top five?

 

11. Sam Dickinson, LD – London Knights (OHL)

       6-3/194

EP Consolidated Rank: 8

PNHLe: 79

Comparable: Noah Hanifin

Points Per Game: 0.97

You may think I am crazy to have Sam Dickinson outside my top ten. Remember it’s a fantasy ranking. If I were an NHL GM, I would feel very comfortable picking Sam inside the top five. He is a sure-fire NHL player that brings size, mobility and a very projectable two-way game. His floor is high, and your job would be sae drafting him. In a fantasy draft, his offensive upside is not as promising as the defenders I ranked above him. There is less risk here to be sure, but less reward offensively.

12. Konsta Helenius, C Jukurit (Liiga)

5-11/175

EP Consolidated Rank: 11

PNHLe: 85

Comparable: Elias Lindholm

 

Points Per Game: 1.42

Another player I admittedly have fewer viewings of but my take on Helenius is he is ready the most NHL ready player in the draft behind Celebrini, so if you need immediate help look to Helenius. On the other hand, his floor is very high, but most reports I have read question his offensive upside and ceiling. I’m comfortable ranking him between 10-15

 

13. Cole Eiserman, LW – USNTDP U18 (USHL)

       5-11/175

EP Consolidated Rank: 12

PNHLe: 81

Comparable: Tyler Toffoli

Points Per Game: 1.54

The best goal scorer in this draft class, full stop. One of the best natural goal scorers in the past decade. 83 goals in 78 games for the NTDP in his draft year set the record with nine more at the U18 beating the likes of Phil Kessel and Cole Caufield. So this is a fanasy ranking you say, why is he not ranked inside the top five? Good question! Eiserman is a one-trick poney, now it’s a pretty neat trick to be sure but as I said in the intro, NHL value comes into play here and Eiserman needs to be able to play better without the puck to project into the NHL. His play at the U18 showed some promise there. It comes down to this, if he can play in the NHL he could score 50. If he doesn’t make it he becomes Mr. Irrelvant.

14. Trevor Connelly, LW – Tri-City Storm (USHL)

6-1/175

EP Consolidated Rank: 17

PNHLe: 77

Comparable: Jordan Kyrou

Points Per Game: 1.5

The off-ice concerns are well documented. NHL teams will be (or should be) weary of the perception of the court of public opinion in selecting a controversial player in the first round. Montreal received considerable backlash in selecting Logan Mailloux. This is fantasy so we do not have a season ticket fan base to answer to. Another way to look at this is he is a top ten value player based on talent, and the mistakes he made as a young man may be a thing of the past. I know I have learned, changed and improved as I matured. There is the potential for extreme fantasy value with this player. Along with Lindstrom, the take aways from the Scouting Combine interviews will be so important and on draft da we will see if teams were satisfied, or not.

15. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard

6-0/194

EP Consolidated Rank: 13

PNHLe: 43

Comparable: Artturi Lehkonen

Points Per Game: 0.44

A versatile power forward with middle six upside. You can make a strong case that his NHL value is higher than his fantasy value and I would agree, but in multicategory leagues he gets a bump. Another positive about him is his timeline to the NHL could be relatively short.

16. Cole Hutson, LD – USNTDP U18 (USHL)

5-10159

EP Consolidated Rank: 39

PNHLe: 56

Comparable: Lane Hutson

Points Per Game: 0.88

In Lane Hutson’s draft year I had him as a draft target and after he was selected in late in the second round, I was confident I could snag him with a second-round pick in my fantasy drafts. Fool me once, he was a first-round pick in every league I participate in. I am not convinced NHL teams have learned anything from Lanes draft, but Lane is looking every bit a high octane point producing NHL player and I will spend any md-first round picks on Cole all day long.

17. Teddy Stiga, LW – USNTDP U18 (USHL)

5-10/176

EP Consolidated Rank: 31

PNHLe: 73

Comparable: J.J. Peterka

Points Per Game: 1.23

Stiga may lack size and elite skill sets, but his hockey sense and compete level will be enough to force his way into a NHL roster as a role player. He is a versatile player that can move up and down the roster, he makes other players better with his puck retrievals and support. Stiga will provide you with some offensive production and some peripheral stats as well.

18. Andrew Basha, LW/RW – Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

6-0/183

EP Consolidated Rank: 11

PNHLe: 66

Comparable: Blake Coleman

Points Per Game: 1.35

Basha is a late birthday, so his draft year was his third year in the WHL, and he is fortunate enough to play with Gavin McKenna and Cayden Lindstrom. So, it’s no wonder he produced over a point per game. Basha has good vision and playmaking ability and has shown he has the hockey sense to hang with elite talent. He also brings a motor and good checking game that at the least gives him a projectable floor at the NHL level.

 

19. Igor Chernyshov, LW – Dynamow Moskva (KHL)

6-2/192

EP Consolidated Rank: 18

PNHLe: 25

Comparable: Jamie Benn

Points Per Game: 0.12

Don’t be dissuaded by the lowly point totals as the Russian power forward played limited minutes in the KHL. He showed his skill in his D-1 year in the MHL and played his draft year against men in the KHL. He has one more year on his contract and when he comes to the NHL, he could be a darling in multicategory leagues.

20. Anton Silayev, LD – Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

6-7/207

EP Consolidated Rank: 10

PNHLe: 52

Comparable: Jakub Zboril

Points Per Game: 0.17

Silayev will be a top ten pick at the NHL Draft. You can’t teach tall, and man can this monster skate. NHL teams will love him as he uses his size to his advantage to defend with is skating, his range is incredible. Offensively however, there isn’t much there that screams top ten fantasy draft. Make no mistake, he will play big minutes in the NHL and therefore will produce some hits and blocks at least, but more than a 30-point season for him would be a “tall order”.

21. Liam Greentree, RW – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

6-2/198

EP Consolidated Rank: 16

PNHLe: 69

Comparable: Jason Robertson

Points Per Game: 1.41

Greentree is a big and skilled winger. His puck skills, playmaking and goal scoring ability are all very good. He played on poor team in Windsor, so he was on an island as far as support goes, yet still produced 90 points. I was excited for his opportunity with Team Canada at the U18 to see how he played with talent, but his skating liability held him back and he struggled with the pace. It was a big red flag for me.

22. Stian Solberg, LD – Valerenga (Norway)

6-2/201

EP Consolidated Rank: 26

PNHLe: na

Comparable: Jacob Trouba

Points Per Game: 0.33

The most violent player in the draft. Solberg was well under the radar early in the season but after two standout performances at the WJC and WC with Norway his physicality and strong defensive play captured our attention. Solberg will take his game to the SHL in his D+1 season and if he can develop his offensive upside, he could be a really intriguing player.

 

23. Jett Luchanko, C – Guelph Storm (OHL)

5-11/183

EP Consolidated Rank: 22

PNHLe: 65

Comparable: Phillip Danault

Points Per Game: 1.09

Luchanko is a speedy center that despite being slightly undersized plays a good physical game. His offensive upside showed promise as the season wore on. As one of the younger players in the draft, that could continue to improve. His playmaking is his best offensive weapon but his speed and compete should see him an NHL opportunity, even if he peaks as a middle six player.

24. Dean Letourneau, C – St. Andrews College (PHC)

6-7/209

EP Consolidated Rank: 44

PNHLe: na

Comparable: Tage Thompson

Points Per Game: 2.27

Again, you can’t teach tall, and Letourneau is 6-7. While you take low KHL scoring totals with a grain of salt, you do the same thing Letourneau’s gaudy 127 points in 56 games in prep school. Committed to Boston College for his D+1 season we will see in better focus what his true offensive upside is. Big players can take time to mature, like his comparable Tage Thompson, so patience will be required but the payoff could be tremendous.

25. Cole Beaudin, C – Barrie Colts (OHL)

6-2/201

EP Consolidated Rank: 32

PNHLe: 50

Comparable: Charlie Coyle

Points Per Game: 0.93

Beaudin is an impactful player, he has an influence in just about every aspect of the game, offense, defense, board battles, physicality, leadership. His NHL certainty is very high making him a nice reliable pick later in the first round. The offensive upside my see him peak as a third line pivot.

26. Nikita Artamonov, LW/RW – Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

5-11/175

EP Consolidated Rank: 25

PNHLe: 87

Comparable: Michael Bunting

Points Per Game: 0.43

Scoring 23 points in the KHL as a draft eligible player is impressive. No doubt he has some skill, and despite being on the wrong side of six feet tall, he plays with some physicality. He has two years remaining on his contract in the KH so it will a few years before we see him in North America.

 

27. Adam Jiricek, RD – HC Plzn (Czechia)

6-2/168

EP Consolidated Rank: 19

PNHLe: na

Comparable: David Jiricek

Points Per Game: 0.05

David Jiriceks younger brother plays a similar two-way game. He brings size and mobility to the table, but a serious knee injury cut his year short. Had he played more it would be easy to see him ranked much higher than I have him, which could mean he has sneaky good value. Let’s see where he goes in the draft.

28. Michael Hage, C – Chicago Steel (USHL)

6-1/190

EP Consolidated Rank: 20

PNHLe: 73

Comparable: Morgan Frost

Points Per Game: 1.39

The Chicago Steel had a down year and Hage had little to work with but as the year worn on his play increased. He is a skilled player with size but his compete level has been criticized. He will play in the NCAA at Michigan in his D+1 year and as a freshman should be a top six player for them.

29. Sacha Boisvert, C – Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

6-2/179

EP Consolidated Rank: 21

PNHLe: 57

Comparable: Brayden Schenn

Points Per Game: 1.10

Another safe pick in the late first round, Boisvert brings a projectable frame, two-way game and good compete level. His offensive upside keeps him outside the top 20 for me, but his floor is nice and safe with some peripheral bonus stats.

30. Emil Hemming, RW – TPL (Liiga)

6-2/194

EP Consolidated Rank: 27

PNHLe: 36

Comparable: Nick Paul

Points Per Game: 0.28

Hemming is a big power forward with a great shot. He is a late June birthday and won’t turn 18 until the day before the draft. Despite his young age, he played 40 Liiga games against men. Don’t worry about his low Liiga point totals, he scored well at the U20 level and at the U18 with Finland.

31. Terik Parascak, RW – Prince George Cougars (WHL)

5-11/175

EP Consolidated Rank: 30

PNHLe: 88

Comparable: Tyler Toffoli

Points Per Game: 1.54

Parascak came out of nowhere to score 43 goals and 105 points in 68 games with the Cougars. His hockey sense is what facilitated his breakout season as a rookie but what is holding him back in the rankings is his skating. He is a gamble to make it to the NHL, but if he does it will be in a top six offensive role. He is worth a shot at the end of the first round.

32. Ryder Ritchie, RW – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

6-0/175

EP Consolidated Rank: 24

PNHLe: 57

Comparable: Alex Galchenyuk

Points Per Game: 0.94

Ritchie had a fantastic WHL rookie season with 55 points in 61 games and followed it up with a good season of 44 points in 47 games. While the point totals are good, you want to see more progression. More to the point he shows flashes of high-end skill, and other times mishandles pucks. Consistency eludes young players and Ritchie only turns 18 in August. I would bet a late first round pick on him to figure it out and put it all together.

 

Thanks for reading and good luck in your fantasy draft.