2024 VHL Mock Draft
Jun 30, 2024 14:31:52 GMT -5
Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, and 9 more like this
Post by Florida Panthers on Jun 30, 2024 14:31:52 GMT -5
It's that time of year again, draft season is upon us and you know what that means...IT'S MOCK DRAFT TIME! I want to thank New Jersey Devils for the hard work he put in helping me put this article together. We went back and forth making picks and added some thoughts, while maybe roasting a couple of you beauties in the process! Enjoy and let us know what you think of the article!
1. Columbus Blue Jackets
1. Columbus Blue Jackets
Macklin Celebrini
After making the finals and losing in 2023, Columbus decided to go the rebuild/retool route and it paid off in spades. This is a no brainer pick, Celebrini is one of the best all around prospects in years. He is great at everything, skating, playmaking, scoring, defending, not to mention he's lauded as a great leader and hard worker. The real question here is, does Columbus hold onto it's current aging stars? Or do they fully embrace a rebuild and gather more young talent?
Ivan Demidov
Times are tough for the Jets. Not only losing the lottery, but the assets are slim. While the lottery ruined the chances to snag a dazzling player in Celebrini, the Jets will select the most skilled and flashy player in the class. Demidov’s playmaking and offensive prowess is a great starting point for a rebuild.
3. Chicago Blackhawks
Artyom Levshunov
Levshunov will be an NHL player, he could probably step in the league right now and Chicago desperately needs players to fill out their pathetic roster. Luckily for fans there seems to be a light at the end of the very very long tunnel. The Blackhawks boast one of the best forward cores in the league and should be a long time cup contender once these players are ready.
Anton Silayev
A giant and athletic defenseman like Silayev is really hard to pass up on when available. Silayev has all of the tools to be a premier shutdown defenseman for Chris’ Kings in the future. Reportedly, he might be in Russia until 2026, which might be unappealing. Just remember what everyone was saying about Michkov…
Zeev Buium
Monty can really go any way here (that's what she said) and I have a feeling he's going to go for one of the D available (that's also what she said?). Buium is a little undersized but make no mistake, he could very well end up as the 2nd best player of this draft. He's underrated defensively, has excellent vision, and is a breakout machine. Can he make these moves at the next level? Monty is betting yes.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73414841/1459439104.0.jpg)
Cayden Lindstrom
Lindstrom is a beast. Simple as that. Plays the game of hockey similar to Aleksander Barkov. Great at both ends of the ice, good hands, and a surprisingly quick skater. His large frame helps as well. Don’t be surprised if he makes the jump to pros quickly. For Tommy, getting Lindstrom in the prospect pool feels just as good as a Guiness on a Friday evening.
Lindstrom is a beast. Simple as that. Plays the game of hockey similar to Aleksander Barkov. Great at both ends of the ice, good hands, and a surprisingly quick skater. His large frame helps as well. Don’t be surprised if he makes the jump to pros quickly. For Tommy, getting Lindstrom in the prospect pool feels just as good as a Guiness on a Friday evening.
Sam Dickinson
I'm very curious to see if Pittsburgh is picking here on draft night. This pick could be great trade bait to add another key piece to their core. If they do indeed make the pick I think we see him take Dickinson. A guarantee to be a top 4 d man that does everything well, he has potential to be an anchor on the top pair for years to come in Pittsburgh.
8. Dallas Stars via Buffalo
Konsta Helenius
Helenius’ playstyle is one that is highly favored by not only fans, but VHL GM’s too. His offensive game is artistry, eye candy if you must call it. Smooth stick handling and a third eye for passing. His defense is not to the level that his offense is, but he knows where to be at all times, though he needs to get stronger for board battles. 36 points in 51 games in the Liiga as a 17 year old is not something to look away from.
Berkley Catton
Catton possess's a skill level that is not easy to find. So much skill that Jimmy is probably walking up to the podium with a full on boner to make this pick. A transition machine that can dangle the opposition 1 on 3 anytime he likes, Catton is an offensive wizard. Don't be shocked in Catton goes closer to the top 5, VHL GM's love skill guys and aren't as concerned about size as NHL GM's.
10. Utah Hockey Club
Beckett Sennecke
Sennecke is a hard worker. Gritty plays on both ends of the ice. His hands are very quick, and he is good at protecting the puck. His production level isn’t the best, but he does the little things on every shift very well.
11. Utah Hockey Club via San Jose
Zayne Parekh
Like Jimmy, Doog is probably populating Bonerville right now walking away with both Sennecke and Parekh. Parekh is a world class offensive defenceman that showed improvements to his defensive game as the season went on. This is a guy with point per game potential in the NHL and to get talent like this at 11 is great but it comes with some risk, Doog is ready to gamble though.
12. Calgary Flames
Tij Iginla
A player that rose through the draft ranks very quickly, Iginla broke out in a big way this year. He’s not the rugged and tough Jarome, but that’s not to say he can’t get in the dirty areas and play a hard game. He’s got great hands and a wicked shot. Initially projected to fall out of the first round, here we are talking about him at number twelve. But I mean come on are we really going to let Will get an Iginla on the Flames??
13. Boston Bruins
Carter Yakemchuk
With a last name that sounds like a sneeze, Yakemchuk is a monster defenseman that plays like a complete prick. Not only is he tough to play against but he has some incredible skills specifically with stickhandling. Some scouts in the NHL have compared him to a young Shea Weber, if he can be half of Shea Weber there are no complaints with this pick. Boston has been looking for scoring for a couple years now...does this pick get moved for a legit top 6 forward? Probably not.
14. Winnipeg Jets via Edmonton
Cole Eiserman
The once claimed competition to Celebrini, Eiserman fell down the ranks a bit while he did not seem to progress to the level expected. The upside is unbelievably high though. Eiserman is an extremely gifted shooter, with a bomb of a one-timer and a snapshot that you’ll miss if you blink. He gets physical and is willing to score dirty goals, as long as the puck ends up in the net, he’s happy. Eiserman and Demidov as the future top wingers in Winnipeg sounds pretty good.
15. Ottawa Senators
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
I would bet my life savings that if MBN is available, Mika will not pass on him unless Helenius is somehow still available. MBN is a bulldog, he might not have the top end potential that some other players have that are still on the board but, he is going to be one hell of a middle six player that coaches love.
16. Tampa Bay Lightning via Detroit
Trevor Connelly
With an already ungodly amount of prospects and young studs, Tony takes the fast dangler that tore up the USHL, Trevor Connelly. Ridiculously crafty hands, and can move extremely well across the ice, shifting through defenders with grace. He struggles to be effective in his own zone, but that’s to be expected with players of his type. There’s high upside with Connelly, he will be joining Providence College in the NCAA, which should be great for his development. Maybe he’s the missing piece to get Tony through the first round!
17. Carolina Hurricanes via St. Louis
Liam Greentree
Greentree absolutely torched the OHL this past year, he went 9 picks later in the NHL draft but he is well worth a 20 top pick. He has tons of skill and size to go with it. Pair him with Catton and suddenly Jimmy has another raging boner, someone get this guy a cold shower.
18. Utah Hockey Club via Minnesota
Adam Jiricek
Adam continues to add to the defense with Jiricek, we have him taking Parekh at 11th overall, but while right handed defensemen are hard to come by, might as well get two while you’re at it! Jiricek plays a simple game, he’s very focused on providing at both ends of the ice. He doesn’t rush the puck too much, nor does he pinch too much, he plays a neutral, steady game.
19. New York Rangers
Michael Hage
With his 1st ever VHL Draft pick, new Rangers GM John Alusik decides to go with one of the best stories of the 2024 draft. Michael Hage lost his father around this time last year and was drafted by his fathers favourite team (Montreal Canadiens) in the NHL draft. An all around solid player, Hage is going to do everything he can to make an impact on the ice for his fathers favourite team.
20. New Jersey Devils via Toronto
Sacha Boisvert
Boisvert has good size and strength, and it definitely shows in his shot. He likes to get in front of the net, screen the goalie, and get rebounds. He is effective at both ends of the ice too. Can make just about any pass if he needs to. He had production similar to Connelly in the USHL, good upside.
21. New York Islanders via Anaheim
Tarek Parascak
The Islanders have four 1st round picks in this draft, FOUR! They can afford to take a few big swings and they do right here with Parascak. He's an uber talented forward that put up 105 points in the WHL this past year. If this hits you're looking at a top line winger that maybe doesn't drive play but can put up impressive numbers.
22. New York Islanders via Philadelphia
Jett Luchanko
After taking Parascak at 21st overall, Tommy snags another speedster in Luchanko. Luchanko is a true two-way forward, with a little bit of flare in his offense. There are some physical concerns, but he’ll make his opponents look silly with his ankle-breaking speed. At 22nd, this is another pick that could feel as good as a Friday evening Guinness.
23. Minnesota Wild via New Jersey
Igor Chernyshov
Like Tommy before him, Duncan takes a big swing here. Chernyshov is a big, physical winger that can score, if he can put it all together and play the way he does now as a pro...he will be a menace in the league.
24. Vancouver Canucks via New York Islanders
Cole Beaudoin
The epitome of a grinder. He takes puck races, board battles, and bodychecking very seriously. Great hustle and a good knack for getting pucks and bodies to the front of the net. He is more of a two-way, hard-nosed forward, his offense could use some work. That being said, he earns his points.
25. Buffalo Sabres via Nashville
Dean Letourneau
A loud bang erupts at the back of the draft floor from behind a dumpster....the sound of a pile of beer cans falling over can be heard....a large dark shape emerges from the darkness....VHL Gm's try to make out what this "thing" is trying to say but all they can hear is a drunken mumbling... "the....the...the guy the Bruins took....I want that big fucking guy...Will said he is good." It's Scott Davidson, he's shirtless, reeks like beer and I'm pretty sure he doesn't know Dean Letourneaus name but that's who he picks because...Boston.
26. Pittsburgh Penguins via Vegas
Emil Hemming
Hemming is a player that would fit Swack’s system well. Really good size, and doesn’t lose the puck much. Efficient in transition, Hemming is dangerous on the rush once he gets open for a shot. There’s not many forwards around nowadays that put in as much effort as he does on the defensive side.
27. Chicago Blackhawks via Dallas
Stian Solberg
Sully keeps stock piling d men here, Solberg hits like a mack truck and still has a bit of offensive potential. It's not the flashiest pick but this is a guy that's going to help you come playoff time...if Chicago ever makes it there.
Ryder Ritchie
Big focus on offense for Tampa, even though he really needs more young, star studded defensemen. Bowen Byram, Luke Hughes, and Brock Faber just aren't going to cut it Tony. We predict he goes for another flashy forward. Ritchie has all of the tools to be a lethal offensive weapon. He just needs to grow into his frame a bit more, and get stronger. If he accomplishes that, there’s no reason he can’t be another piece of Tampa’s highly skilled offense.
EJ Emery
After a surprise run to the cup finals, Travis and co are happy to take a big defensive beast in EJ Emery. This is a low key pick that I could see being moved to either gain more draft capital or help the Capitals make another playoff run.
30. Chicago Blackhawks via Colorado
Yegor Surin
Another first rounder for Chicago…you think three is a lot? Wait till you see who has the 31st pick. Sully takes the Russian forward Yegor Surin. He’s got the grit, size, and the shot. His defense might be a little lackluster, but that’s always something to be worked on with scoring forwards. He’s already played a few KHL games, which is a good sign for his development.
31. Chicago Blackhawks via Florida
Andrew Basha
Sully is just looking to add as much talent as possible at this point and that's exactly what he does with Basha. A bit of a riskier pick but if it pays off Sully will be laughing.
32. New York Islanders via Seattle
Ben Danford
Okay, okay, okay, we don’t think Tommy will take four forwards, that would be overkill. So he goes for Ben Danford. Danford plays a very strong and steady defensive game, he makes it very hard for forwards to break around him. He’s a great guy to have on the ice, especially against another team’s top forward lines.
And that is it for this years mock draft! Hope everyone enjoyed the article and is as fired up for the draft as we are!
