Like last year, we present to you the main candidates who should hear their names first, Friday evening in Las Vegas. Barring a trade, the Montreal Canadiens will likely choose one of these young men fifth overall. Since this is not a mock draft, we have favored alphabetical order. Our selection is based on aggregations from Hockey Pipeline and Elite Prospects, which have compiled dozens of pre-draft rankings made public by scouts or media organizations.
Position: DefenseTeam: University of Denver (NCAA)Date of birth: December 7, 2005Height: 6’Weight: 186 lbs
In a vintage full of defenders, Zeev Buium arrives with a prestigious calling card: he has just achieved, nothing more and nothing less, the best offensive harvest in some 40 years for a first-year defender in the American university ranks . His 50 points placed him first in the country at his position, just beating Lane Hutson, even though he is almost two years younger than the Canadian’s young prodigy. Recruiters praise his extraordinary intelligence for the game. Furthermore, without being a colossus, he is already stronger than Cale Makar, Adam Fox or Quinn Hughes at the same age.
Position: CenterTeam: Spokane Chiefs (WHL)Date of birth: January 14, 2006Height: 5’10″Weight: 175 lbs
Across leagues, no 2024 draft-eligible prospect has amassed more points than Berkly Catton (116) in 2023-24. According to many analysts, he would be one of the best skaters available, if not outright the best. However, we should not be surprised if his small size caused him to lose a few ranks. An NHL team manager quoted anonymously by Athletic summed it up this way: If he were two inches taller, he’d probably be the second pick behind Macklin Celebrini. But we’re not there yet.
Position: CenterTeam: Boston University (NCAA)Date of birth: June 13, 2006Height: 6’Weight: 197 lbs
The consensus of all consensuses. The San Jose Sharks, holders of the top overall pick, aren’t even pretending: their general manager Mike Grier “escaped” during a recent press briefing, confirming that Macklin Celebrini would be their guy. It has long been assumed that the Vancouver native will be the successor to Connor Bedard and Juraj Slafkovsky in the top row. His 64 points in 38 games at Boston University, along with the Hobey-Baker Trophy, only reinforced his favorite status. Since September 2023, mock draft aggregator Hockey Pipeline has not listed any rankings that put Celebrini anywhere other than first overall.
Position: Right wingerTeam: SKA-1946 St-Petersburg (MHL)Date of birth: December 10, 2005Height: 6’Weight: 192 lbs
His skating doesn’t seem to make anyone dream, but he is such a magician with the puck that he could be selected as early as second overall, according to many observers. The fact that he plays in Russia, with all the aura of mystery that surrounds this country, has the double effect of fueling his legend among enthusiastic supporters and chilling recruiters. However, he is not preceded by the same uncertainty as Matvei Michkov at the same date last year. Although he wasn’t at the NHL’s “Combine,” he met with team executives and reporters in Florida on the sidelines of the Stanley Cup Final. His intention is clear: to make the jump to North America as quickly as possible. Number 2 or not, he should hear his name called soon enough.
Position: DefensemanTeam: London Knights (OHL)Date of birth: June 7, 2006Height: 6’3″Weight: 203 lbs
The defenseman tour continues with one of the best offensive contributors of last season in the Ontario Junior League. His 70 points in 68 games are certainly exciting, but analysts wonder if his sense of the game will be enough to translate this production to the NHL. However, he is praised for his defensive qualities, an asset. He is also at the peak of his form: he had the lowest body fat percentage of all the athletes present at the NHL “Combine” at the beginning of June.
Position: Left WingTeam: US National Development TeamDate of Birth: August 29, 2006Height: 6’Weight: 197 lbs
If the draft had taken place six months ago, or even earlier, Eiserman would have possibly been picked in the top 5. On June 28, 2024, if he makes the top 10, it could be a close call. The reluctance about him is (strangely) proportional to the incredible amount of goals he has scored over the past two years, when he has just beaten Cole Caufield’s record of 126 goals in the uniform of the American national team of development. He has the reputation of an attacker who is not passionate about defense, or even about team play at all, if it is not he who sends the puck into the net. However, how many teams will dare turn their noses up at a natural scorer?
Position: Center and Right WingTeam: Jukurit (Liiga)Date of Birth: May 11, 2006Height: 5’11″Weight: 189 lbs
There are not many 17-year-old small forwards who produce regularly in Liiga, Finland’s main championship, and even fewer have managed to translate their offensive success into the NHL over the past 20 years. Konsta Helenius, Europe’s top prospect at mid-season according to NHL Central Scouting, is touted for his intelligence and vision on the ice. Specialist Corey Pronman of The Athletic, however, points out that teams doubt he will truly become a dominant player in the NHL. He could slip out of the top 10.
Position: ForwardTeam: Kelowna Rockets (WHL)Date of birth: August 1, 2006Height: 6’Weight: 191′
It’s necessarily preceded by his last name, which is inevitable when you’re the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla. But this striker has brilliantly managed to make a name for himself over the last year. Fabulous at the U18 World Championship, Iginla spent the season rising in the esteem of recruiters. He also found himself, at 17, among the top scorers in the Western Junior League (47), making him one of the most dangerous scorers of this vintage. He is less strong than his father, but he is not pleasant to face nonetheless.
Position: DefenderTeam: Michigan State (NCAA)Date of Birth: October 28, 2005Height: 6’2″Weight: 205 lbs
Best player in the North American rankings after Macklin Celebrini according to the NHL Central Scouting, the Belarusian is the most anticipated right-hander of this wave of defenders. He’s big and excels at both ends of the ice, and he was just named defensive player of the season in the Big Ten conference, one of the toughest in the NCAA. He looks a lot like a sure bet in the top 5, or even the top 3. Even if the Montreal Canadiens have said they have a preference for a forward, management will seriously scratch their heads if he is available in fifth place.
Position: ForwardTeam: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)Date of birth: February 3, 2006Height: 6’3″Weight: 213 lbs
We mentioned the Canadian above. We can’t talk about Cayden Lindstrom without talking about the Habs. From the moment the NHL lottery gave the CH fifth place, Lindstrom’s name began to be mentioned in public space. The big striker has everything going for him… except health, as he missed more than half of the 2023-2024 season. He says he has provided teams with proof that he is 100% back. If this is the case, his 27 goals in 32 games will make organizations salivate, in a league where power forwards are, even today, among the most sought-after athletes.
Position: DefensemanTeam: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)Date of birth: February 15, 2006Height: 6’Weight: 178 lbs
His 96 points in 66 games speak for him. The Ontario Junior League’s top defender, he racked up points at an astonishing rate for a dominant club. A devastating shot and unwavering confidence in possession are apparently the signatures of this right-hander. However, it seems that the team that chooses him will have to learn to deal with his defensive deficiencies. His 64 penalty minutes also raise eyebrows for a defender who is not known for his physical play. His offensive flair, nevertheless, is irresistible.
Position: DefensemanTeam: Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL)Date of birth: April 11, 2006Height: 6’7″Weight: 207 lbs
Analysts unanimously describe him as a freak of nature. It’s not every day that you come across a 6-foot-7 athlete who is so fluid on skates. Unlike other highly sought-after defensemen, he is not an offensive prodigy. However, he is one of the few, if not the only, prospects of this high rank to have played professionally in 2023-24. His versatility and great defensive responsibility are praised, a rarity at his age.