With most regular seasons just hitting their stride, the 2024 NHL Entry Draft is still a long way away. However, it’s never too early to get a look at some upcoming names for the draft next June.
After getting some live looks at certain players and scouting through video, I’ve come to a point where I feel comfortable releasing my early Top 10 prospects for the draft.
It’s important to note this list will likely change throughout the season, but I highly recommend keeping an eye on the following ten names. So, with that, let’s get started!
FULL 2023 NHL DRAFT TOP 100 PROSPECTS
10. Zayne Parekh / Defenseman / Saginaw Spirit
Saginaw Spirit’s Zayne Parekh is arguably the most offensively gifted defenseman in the draft. The six-foot right-handed defenseman has elite stickhandling and skating ability to pair with a quick release from the backend. Zayne does need to round out his game overall, but as an offensive defenseman, Zayne is as good as they come. The 17-year-old oozes offensive skill and has tons of upside.
9. Cayden Lindstrom / Center / Medicine Hat Tigers
Cayden Lindstrom has been one of my favorite prospects to follow early on this season. The 6’5″ forward is so good at driving play in the offensive zone using his elite puck protection, speed, and offensive awareness. The 17-year-old center is more known for his goal scoring ability with his quick and accurate release, but he isn’t afraid to create for his linemates either. Cayden has sixteen goals and twelve assists for twenty-eight points in twenty-two games for the Medicine Hat Tigers.
8. Anton Silayev / Defenseman / Torpedo
Anton Silayev is arguably the most intriguing prospect in the entire draft. The 6’7″ Russian defenseman possesses a unique blend of size and mobility. The left-handed defenseman also has an underrated offensive skill set, which he’s shown off early this season in the KHL. It’s hard to find Anton Silayev’s true value at the moment, but for now, he’s looking like a top-ten selection next June.
7. Konsta Helenius / Center / Jukurit
Konsta Helenius has quickly emerged as one of the most highly skilled forwards in the draft. Using his speed and creativity with the puck, Helenius is able to create dangerous opportunities at a high rate for himself and his linemates. Through twenty games with Jukurit, Konsta Helenius had five goals with six assists for eleven points. The 5’11” center is dynamic on the powerplay and isn’t afraid to shake off defenders using his impressive edgework.
6. Artyom Levshunov / Defenseman / Michigan State
Artyom Levshunov put scouts on notice last season after an impressive showing in the USHL with the Green Bay Gamblers. This season with Michigan State, the 6’2″ right-handed defenseman has four goals and ten assists for fourteen points through fourteen games. Artyom Levshunov is more known for his offensive abilities, but his overall game is quite impressive. Using his large frame and impressive mobility, Artyom Levshunov is able to separate the opposition from the puck with ease in the defensive zone.
5. Sam Dickinson / Defenseman / London Knights
After what Sam Dickinson accomplished in his rookie season with the London Knights last year, it’s no surprise the 17-year-old defenseman has gotten off to a strong start this year. The 6’3″ left-handed defenseman is an extremely good skater with so much poise with the puck. I like to think of Sam Dickinson as an overall solid defenseman with extreme offensive upside. This season, quarterbacking the London Knights top powerplay unit, Sam Dickinson has four goals and thirteen assists for seventeen points.
4. Berkly Catton / Center / Spokane Chiefs
I can’t lie, Berkly Catton really impressed me with his performance at the Hlinka-Gretzky last summer. The 5’11” forward isn’t the biggest player, but his offensive ability is off the charts. Using his speed, stickhandling ability, and vision Berkly Catton is able to produce offense at a ridiculous rate. The 17-year-old forward has eleven goals and fifteen assists for twenty-six points in eighteen games.
3. Ivan Demidov / Right-Wing / SKA-1946 St.Petersburg
Ivan Demidov’s elite skating ability is off the charts, and certainly the key component to his offense. The ability Ivan Demidov has to cut inside and outside with ease on the opposition creates so many lanes for himself and his linemates. Adding his elite edgework with his quick release and outstanding vision, Ivan Demidov certainly has the potential to be an elite player in the National Hockey League.
2. Cole Eiserman / Left-Wing / USNTDP
Cole Eiserman is without a doubt the best goalscorer in this year’s draft class. The 17-year-old forward has a wicked release with impeccable accuracy. Although some may question his overall game, Cole Eiserman has scored goals at every level he’s played at and certainly has impressed early on this season. With the United States National Team Development Junior Program this season, Cole Eiserman has ten goals and three assists for thirteen points in seven games.
1. Macklin Celebrini / Center / Boston College
Macklin Celebrini is my undisputed number one overall player in this year’s draft class so far. Given the 17-year-old forwards ability to beat you in so many ways, the Boston College forward is already a pain to handle in the NCAA. This season with Boston College, Celebrini has nine goals and thirteen assists for twenty-two points in eleven games. Honestly just ridiculous stats for a 17-year-old forward playing in his first year at the NCAA level. My favorite aspect of Macklin Celebrini’s game isn’t that he’s just a playmaker, the 6’0″ forward also has a deadly shot, elite vision, and top-notch skating ability. Every viewing of the Boston College forward I’ve had this season, I’ve been blown away by his commitment in the defensive zone as well, and his ability to get into the dirty areas.
That concludes my first list of draft eligibles this season! Hope you enjoyed my work and if so make sure to stay tuned as more draft content will be on the way!
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