PHR’s 2024 NHL Mock Draft
The 2024 NHL Draft is just days away, taking the NHL to the illustrious Vegas Sphere and connecting the hockey world to a highly anticipated 2006 age group. This year’s star talent has been hotly discussed as far back as the 2016 Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament, which paved the way for players like Michael Hage and Cole Eiserman to reach star acclaim.
They’ve since been joined by talent from across the world, building a class that fits nicely among a five-year streak of strong drafts – between 2023 and 2027. This year’s contribution to the zeitgeist comes in the form of a loaded defensive group that could drive a lot of highly skilled offensive talent outside of the top 10. That potential has sparked plenty of trade talk around this year’s top picks, building up to a draft that should have plenty to match the excitement of its host city.
2024 NHL Draft Mock First Round
1. San Jose Sharks – Macklin Celebrini (C) / Boston University (Hockey East, NCAA)
In a year full of debate, the first overall pick is as guaranteed as they come. Celebrini has been the unrivaled top prospect in this draft class for years now, as he’s torn up every stage of USA Hockey. One year after winning both the USHL ‘Rookie of the Year’ and ‘MVP’ awards, Celebrini became the youngest player to both be nominated for and win the NCAA’s Hobey Baker Trophy on the back of a dominant 32 goals and 64 points in just 38 games.
Celebrini is a dynamo in the middle lane. He’s one of the few players whose standout trait is how quickly he processes and responds to play. He’s hard to shut down and has built a career out of elevating the players around him.
After a year of historical performance in college, Celebrini has no stops between him and the NHL. Luckily, he’s plenty prepared for the spotlight – having spent part of his childhood around sports legends, including godfather Steve Nash and Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr. It’s now Celebrini’s turn to chase a legendary career – as the frontman of a resurging San Jose Sharks.
Other Options: N/A
2. Chicago Blackhawks – Artyom Levshunov (RHD) / Michigan State University (Big Ten, NCAA)
It seems the debate has come down to two options – rounding out the defense with Artyom Levshunov or finding Bedard’s partner-in-crime with winger Ivan Demidov. The latter seems to have a camp of supporters in Chicago, but it’s the former who’s won the admiration of seemingly all of USA Hockey after absolutely thriving in an unexpected pre-season move from the USHL to Michigan State’s top defender role.
Levshunov became the choice pick of popular head coach Adam Nightingale, lauded as his pick for the team’s top defender role ahead of the season. That’s exactly what Levshunov achieved in East Lansing, validating a slow start to the year with a standout role in the team’s second half.
Despite a late-summer swap to college, Levshunov was able to carve out more than 25 minutes a night entering the Big Ten playoffs, posting 35 points in 38 games along the way. It was a fantastic performance, with Levshunov showing off a great ability to work off his teammates with powerful skating, smart and aggressive position, and excelling at carrying the puck through the neutral zone with tempo.
He’s a transition specialist at his core, with admitted off-puck flaws that could make a transition to the pros bumpier than some hope for. But even with growing pains looming, Levshunov’s game is certainly strong enough, mature enough, and smart enough to challenge an NHL roster spot next season.
Other Options: Ivan Demidov (RW/C)
3. Anaheim Ducks – Cayden Lindstrom (C) / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
A second-half injury derailed Cayden Lindstrom’s truly incredible draft season. He was among the most potent scorers in the league’s first half, posting 46 points through just 32 games – flexing effortless stickhandling, great heads-up play-creating, and a strong ability to create space off of the boards and in the high slot. Lindstrom also boasts one of the most built-out frames of any forwards in the class.
It seems that the latter point will be what excites Anaheim, who has also been connected to big-frame defenders like Levshunov, Anton Silayev, and Sam Dickinson. Continuing to build out a defense corps rife with star prospects would be a dream for Anaheim but with trade rumors surrounding Trevor Zegras – it’s hard to think the team will pass on a player who possesses very similar traits to what’s made Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish, the star prospects Anaheim is deciding to build around – so prolific.
To boot, the Ducks have a serious knack for drafting out of the CHL. Seriously, only six of their last 25 picks were selected from outside of Canada. While Levshunov falling past second overall could tempt the Ducks, their opting for one of Canada’s most popular forwards feels like the right call.
Other Options: Anton Silayev (LHD), Beckett Sennecke (RW), Tij Iginla (LW)
4. Columbus Blue Jackets – Anton Silayev (LHD) / Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL, Russia)
The Columbus Blue Jackets have quickly become hard to predict, overturning both their general manager and head coach in the last month. That sudden shift could push them in all sorts of directions on draft day, though Columbus has been among the top teams on the proclaimed unicorn of the draft: Russian defenseman Anton Silayev.
It’s certainly clear to see what the Blue Jackets see in the 6’7” defenseman, who boasts skating and stickhandling as smoothly as any of his peers. Silayev is a simply imposing presence, excelling at corralling the puck up his stick and commanding transition up the ice, showing a strong instinct for when and how to dip into the offensive zone.
Silayev’s frame and play-driving abilities make him an exciting prospect, though he’s certainly unrefined. That may be enough to dissuade a Blue Jackets team that already has plenty of left defense. Should it be, they’ll be top candidates for an exciting forward pick – with Don Waddell potentially getting a chance to take his choice of Cayden Lindstrom, Ivan Demidov, Beckett Sennecke, or Tij Iginla.
Other Options: Ivan Demidov (RW/C), Beckett Sennecke (RW), Tij Iginla (LW)
5. Montreal Canadiens – Ivan Demidov (RW/C) / SKA St. Petersburg (MHL, Russia)
The Montreal Canadiens seemed to make a franchise-defining decision in their choice of David Reinbacher over Matvei Michkov with the 2023 fifth-overall selection. Neither player has pulled ahead of the other just yet, though Montreal could have a quick chance to have their cake and eat it too – once again facing the chance to take a star Russian prospect in Ivan Demidov.
Demidov hasn’t accomplished nearly as much as Michkov on the KHL or international stages, but his skill is readily apparent. He attacks defenders head-on, with a mix of great offensive awareness and truly elite puckhandling, making it easy for him to beat defenders and work out of tight spots.
His talents seem cut from a different cloth, though his biggest drawback is his lack of a true test – spending all year in the MHL, Russia’s U21 league. He’s so far played in just six KHL games, failing to score in any of the appearances. Ideal development would have him in a prominent KHL role next season, though it seems there’s no way for NHL teams to guarantee that.
Demidov is among the most talented players in this test, though far from the most proven. In taking him, Montreal would be taking a major swing on the upside, albeit one cushioned by their possession of a second first-round pick. Should Montreal shy away from Demidov, they’ll have no lack of secondary options – with rumored interest in defenders Sam Dickinson and Zeev Buium, as well as power forward Beckett Sennecke.
Other Options: Sam Dickinson (LHD), Zeev Buium (LHD), Beckett Sennecke (RW/C)
6. Utah Hockey Club – Zeev Buium (LHD) / University of Denver (NCDC, NCAA)
While J.J. Moser has settled into a routine NHL role, and Sean Durzi certainly vindicated his summer acquisition, the ‘Hockey Club’ is still lacking a truly elite defenseman to go with the many star prospects they’ve gathered on offense. Utah seems fully prepared to rectify that issue with pick six, expressing interest in each of the top defensemen in the draft class.
But of the list, there’s none closer than Zeev Buium. Literally – Buium spent the season pursuing a National Championship with the University of Denver, even closer to Salt Lake City than the Hockey Club’s old stomping grounds in Phoenix.
That will no doubt support his case for an early selection, as will his fantastic 11 goals and 50 points in 42 games this season. Buium thrives at moving the puck through the neutral zone, establishing possessions in the offensive end with confidence, and excels at creating openings while walking the blue line.
His game blossomed with David Carle’s Pioneers, giving Buium plenty of momentum heading into the draft. That should be enough to convince Utah, though Silayev, Zayne Parekh, and Sam Dickinson could each fill important roles.
Other Options: Zayne Parekh (RHD), Anton Silayev (LHD), Sam Dickinson (LHD)
7. Ottawa Senators – Zayne Parekh (RHD) / Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
The Ottawa Senators are in a very similar spot to Utah, stuck looking for a final piece on their blue line after not finding a perfect match with trade acquisition Jakob Chychrun. But unlike Utah, the Senators will have to draft with handedness in mind – with Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot filling the meaningful minutes on the left side.
That all sets them up as the perfect contender for Saginaw’s Zayne Parekh, the reigning OHL ‘Defenseman of the Year’ after scoring 33 goals and 96 points in 66 games, most of any OHL defender.
Parekh’s skill is quickly apparent. He possesses some of the best stickhandling in the class and blends it with very agile skating in all directions.
Those traits give Parekh the tools to beat any of his peers one-on-one, and his quick processing helps him find teammates with sharp passing, but his overall off-puck energy can certainly seem lacking at times. Parekh represents one of many top prospects with boundless upside this year, with Scott Wheeler of The Athletic speaking to the mindset that could make Parekh special.
Even with a golden toolset, Parekh’s game still needs refining, though the sky will be the limit and then some if he’s as determined as he’s claimed.
Other Options: Tij Iginla (LW), Carter Yakemchuk (RHD), Beckett Sennecke (RW)
8. Seattle Kraken – Sam Dickinson (LHD) / London Knights (OHL)
Sam Dickinson was a close runner-up to Zayne Parekh’s OHL ‘D of the Year’ crown, emerging as a star prospect for the London Knights even despite playing second fiddle to a top pair of Isaiah George and Oliver Bonk. Dickinson fought his way into top-line minutes and consistent power-play ice time over the year, playing upwards of 40 minutes a night as London paved through the Memorial Cup.
He continuously rose to the bell, recording a dazzling 70 points in 68 games – a mark that led the London defense, even ahead of Bonk, last year’s 22nd-overall selection. He excels at using his frame and physicality to shut down plays and gain possession quickly, seeing lanes clearly and not hesitating to take chances for his own.
More importantly, Dickinson is popular. He’s been a top prospect for much of his teen years, largely thanks to how quickly he adjusted to his hefty frame.
Seattle has found a way to always land the popular players, boasting a loaded prospect featuring Shane Wright, Jagger Firkus, Carson Rehkopf, Caden Price, and Ty Nelson… and that’s just their CHL names. That trait has helped them quickly build a well-rounded depth chart, though Dickinson’s spot of left defense would give them a star prospect in their shallowest position.
It’s hard to think the Kraken could turn down a chance at adding more CHL acclaim – though they may be more allured by the legendary Iginla family.
Other Options: Tij Iginla (LW), Konsta Helenius (C), Ivan Demidov (RW/C)
9. Calgary Flames – Tij Iginla (LW) / Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
The potential of an Iginla returning to Calgary is undoubtedly romantic. But there’s merit to the pick.
Iginla made his mark as one of the WHL’s most effective scorers this season, potting 47 goals and 84 points in 64 games with Kelowna. He simply couldn’t be left alone in the slot, showing clear control over the high slot and tops of the circles, and showed his prowess lower in the zone with his international play.
And while his style is certainly a bit more immature than his peers, his August 1st birthday lucks him with a bit more time to develop. That, combined with how ready he seems for the next step, should set Tij up for an exciting professional career.
The Flames have the flexibility in their prospect pool to go in any direction and can’t pass up a feel-good story for the fans.
Other Options: Zayne Parekh (RHD), Beckett Sennecke (RW), Konsta Helenius (C)
10. New Jersey Devils – Beckett Sennecke (RW) / Oshawa Generals (OHL)
The New Jersey Devils have been incredibly vocal about shopping this pick around in the name of adding more impactful lineup pieces. But that eagerness could be dwindling after the team spent a 2025 first-round pick to acquire former Vezina Trophy runner-up Jacob Markstrom.
This selection is, hopefully, the last time New Jersey will pick in the top 10 for quite a while, and it’d be a shame to squander the chance at adding one more top prospect to their future Stanley Cup charge. In the name of finding impact, the Devils land Beckett Sennecke here.
Sennecke is the year’s notable late-bloomer, breaking into top-of-the-draft conversation on the back of a powerful drive through the OHL playoffs. He’s always down-and-ready, reacting to play quickly and possessing the skating and hands needed to work out of tight spots.
The Devils have plenty of undersized star power but are in desperate need of more grit and size near the top of the lineup. They’ll hope to get that with the skilled and strong Sennecke.
Other Options: Konsta Helenius (C), Berkly Catton (LW), Carter Yakemchuk (RHD)
11. Buffalo Sabres – Konsta Helenius (C) / Tappara (Liiga, Finland)
Konsta Helenius has been a standout prospect since he was young, earning North American attention with Finland’s U16 team in 2022 and vindicating it with strong performances on every stage. Helenius is among the most potent forwards in this class, coming off 36 points in 51 games in Finland’s Liiga, though he’s been admittedly looked over as NHL teams favor big-frame defensemen over sub-6’0” forwards.
Helenius earns his dues on the back of smart, patient, and abundantly effective playmaking and thus earns a spot with a Sabres team full of creative offensive styles. Like the Devils, Buffalo has been vocal about shopping around their first-round pick. That could move them away from this spot, though Helenius – and dangler Berkly Catton – offer exciting reasons to go to the podium.
Other Options: Berkly Catton (LW), Carter Yakemchuk (RHD), Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (LW/C)
12. Philadelphia Flyers – Carter Yakemchuk (RHD) / Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
The Philadelphia Flyers will be a team to watch on draft day after placing plenty of irons in the fire during and after general manager Daniel Briere’s recent press conference on the draft. In the clearing of smoke around Briere’s comments and other rumors around the Flyers came three notable takeaways: the Flyers could be set for a trade with the Senators, that trade could involve the seventh-overall pick, and Philadelphia is a fan of the year’s top right-defensemen, Parekh and Yakemchuk.
Well, in a mock with no trades, they’ll have to settle for the latter – getting the powerful, abrasive, and surprisingly nifty skillset of Carter Yakemchuk, who championed the Calgary Hitmen’s offense from the dropback role, posting 30 goals, 71 points, and 120 penalty minutes along the way.
Other Options: Cole Eiserman (LW), Berkly Catton (LW), Trevor Connelly (LW/C)
13. Minnesota Wild – Cole Eiserman (LW) / USA U-18 (NTDP)
Cole Eiserman may hold the chip for the most interesting
prospect of the year. He’s been a superstar in the hockey world since he was young, setting ablaze every league he’s in and holding the goal-scoring record for both Shattuck St. Mary’s and the USNTDP.
And yet, Eiserman isn’t earning the unrelinquished praise his accolades would suggest. Scouts are instead worried that goal scoring may be all he’s good at, showing major lapses off of the puck or when play isn’t moving through him.
Those concerns certainly don’t diminish what Eiserman has accomplished – though whoever drafts him will need to be prepared for his development. Through rumors and fan optimism, it’s been Minnesota that’s emerged as a favorite to hone Eiserman’s craft.
The Wild could use an offensive boost in whatever way they can find it and certainly had success with the last NTDP left-winger they picked. Right-shot defender Carter Yakemchuk would also serve as a nice fit with the Wild – though with him off the board and Minnesota amid a sea of forwards, they’ll be tied to Eiserman.
Other Options: Carter Yakemchuk (RHD), Berkly Catton (LW)
14. San Jose Sharks (via PIT) – Berkly Catton (LW) / Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
In a year with plenty of players to be excited about, there are always the inevitable forgotten few. Berkly Catton takes on the trope of ‘undersized but overskilled winger’ this year – though he wears it as good as any prospect.
Catton is the real deal, becoming just the third U18 skater since 2000 to break 110 points in the WHL, alongside Connor Bedard and (interestingly) Nic Petan. He is a dazzling puck handler and sees a path to scoring chances from any position. The Sharks have shown no hesitation in drafting smaller-frame players as long as the skill holds true.
In a year where they have plenty of picks to go around, it’d be hard for San Jose to pass up a chance to flank star Celebrini with like company.
Other Options: Carter Yakemchuk (RHD), Igor Chernyshov (LW), Liam Greentree (LW)
15. Detroit Red Wings – Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (LW/C) / Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden)
The Detroit Red Wings have shown no hesitation in drafting top talents from hockey’s smaller countries, setting them up as a great candidate to end the slide of Norwegian forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. He emerged as a top prospect on the back of an ability to infuse offense into the relatively slow HockeyAllsvenskan.
Brandsegg-Nygard scored the most of any draft-year player in the league since 2018 while showing a base of intelligence and fundamentals that make him impactful in all three zones. The Red Wings could use an influx of reliable middle-six talent – the exact role Brandsegg-Nygard seems destined to thrive.
Other Options: Liam Greentree (LW), Trevor Connelly (LW/C), Stian Solberg (LHD)
16. St. Louis Blues – Liam Greentree (LW) / Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
The St. Louis Blues are entering a second straight draft with nine selections – and will want to replicate the hot start they got with the 10th-overall pick last year, selecting Dalibor Dvorsky, who has since scored 45 goals and 88 points in the OHL. Watching Dvorsky would’ve provided plenty of viewings of Liam Greentree, who actually scored more of the pair with 90 points.
He plays a swift, power-forward style with a knack for controlling possession through the neutral zone in a style St. Louis enjoys. The Blues are looking to strike while the iron is hot once again – and Greentree’s stout frame and cerebral scoring is a fine way to start.
Other Options: Trevor Connelly (LW), Stian Solberg (LHD), Adam Jiricek (RHD)
17. Washington Capitals – Trevor Connelly (LW/C) / Tri-City Storm (USHL)
The Washington Capitals have been lacking a certain energy as franchise legends Alexander Ovechkin and Nikita Backstrom have begun slowing down. And while they could go in many different directions with this pick, they’re getting the best energy available in Trevor Connelly, who dominated the USHL with his ability to make plays at full speed.
He’s a burly, gritty forward who sees the ice well and leans into aggression, though that same energy leaves him prone to being burned. Honing his aggression and adjusting to pro pace will be the focus of Connelly’s development, and his upside is sky-high should he find an extra gear.
That could be exciting enough for the Capitals to bite on with a mid-first, though Igor Chernyshov and Liam Greentree – if available – offer more robust projectability should the Capitals want to hedge their bets.
Other Options: Igor Chernyshov (LW), Liam Greentree (LW), Adam Jiricek (RHD)
18. Chicago Blackhawks (via NYI)- Igor Chernyshov (LW) / Dynamo Moskva (KHL, Russia)
The Chicago Blackhawks made a confusingly early swap of first-round picks with the Islanders nearly a month ago, moving their second pick of day one up two spots. That could suggest they have their sights trained on someone specific – potentially a player they don’t want to be stolen by Vegas or New York – though it’s hard to think who that could be, especially with so much speculation surrounding second-overall.
While they could go in many directions, it’s hard to think the Hawks won’t want to leave the first round with a strong option on forward and defense. To that spirit, they land the incredibly projectable Igor Chernyshov – who’s sacrificed flashy upside for hardened fundamentals and already expressed interest in playing in the AHL next season.
For a team full of high-upside prospects, Chernyshov offers a chance to hedge your bets, playing an all-three-zones style that should garner a solid middle-six role.
Other Options: Sacha Boisvert (C), EJ Emery (RHD), Emil Hemming (LW)
19. Vegas Golden Knights – Michael Hage (C) / Chicago Steel (USHL)
The Vegas Golden Knights have become a bit unfamiliar with first-round picks, making just four in the last six years and since trading away three. The only top pick Vegas has clung onto is the highly-skilled Brendan Brisson, who earns his keep with shifty puckhandling through the neutral zone and creative drives to the net.
Well, those are the exact traits that made Hage one of Canada’s premier prospects in this draft class – before serious injury and personal loss derailed his junior career last season. Hage showed incredible resilience through it all and once again emerged as a top prospect in the year’s second half.
He’s an upside buy, to be sure, but he boasts all the skills needed to thrive with Bruce Cassidy’s Golden Knights.
Other Options: Emil Hemming (LW), Cole Beaudoin (LW), EJ Emery (RHD)
20. New York Islanders (via TBL) – Emil Hemming (LW) / TPS (Liiga, Finland)
Emil Hemming stamped his spot as one of the draft’s most projectable and impactful talents this season – showing a great ability to play in his hefty frame, with great physicality and a killer shot. The build has earned him a lot of NHL popularity and now earns him a spot with the New York Islanders built around similar styles.
The Islanders have shown no hesitation in drafting top European prospects who they think will translate – and Hemming appears much more ready for the spotlight than players like Aatu Raty or Ruslan Iskhakov. Though the Islanders’ prospect pool is in need of help at every position, leaving the team plenty of directions they could go with their top-20 pick.
Other Options: Sacha Boisvert (C), Adam Jiricek (RHD), Cole Beaudoin (LW)
21. Los Angeles Kings – Sacha Boisvert (C) / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
Sacha Boisvert is among the draft’s most physical presences, standing at an imposing 6’2” and 180lbs while using every bit of it to power to drive the net hard and fight for space in the low slot. He’s as close to a prototypical power forward as this class offers – a trait that will certainly entice a Kings team who just learned their lesson by leaning too far into skill-over-heft.
Boisvert has been a popular draft name all year long and now finds a SoCal home that should welcome his heavy-hitting style.
Other Options: Adam Jiricek (RHD), Emil Hemming (LW), Cole Beaudoin (LW)
22. Nashville Predators – Adam Jiricek (RHD) / HC Plzeň (Czechia Extraliga)
Adam Jiricek has maintained plenty of draft excitement, even despite missing the entire second half of the season with a lower-body injury that he’s still not cleared from and a slow start to the year. But teams can’t ignore the lure Jiricek threw with his fantastic Hlinka Gretzky Cup last season, followed by a strong U17 season, leading some NHL scouts to tell The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler that Jiricek is still challenging the year’s top five defensemen.
The Predators are looking for their next home run swing in the draft and could feel they’re buying cheap on a defender whose family already has NHL precedent.
Other Options: EJ Emery (RHD), Ryder Ritchie (LW), Julius Miettinen (LW)
23. Toronto Maple Leafs – EJ Emery (RHD) / USA U-18 (NTDP)
EJ Emery is a physical specimen. He’s gained notoriety at the NTDP for how hard he works in the gym – a mindset he
inherited from his pro-football veteran father, Eric – and vindicated his off-ice work with a record-setting performance at this year’s NHL Combine.
Some scouts worry about how Emery’s athleticism translates to the ice. He has yet to find his offensive touch, though his long reach and strength make him a fantastic shut-down defender.
The Emery family has been connected to Toronto for many years and should be set for an easy move from Michigan as the Leafs look to bolster their defense, with a specific priority on adding size.
Other Options: Cole Beaudoin (LW), Jett Luchanko (LW/C), Stian Solberg (LHD)
24. Colorado Avalanche – Jesse Pulkkinen (LHD) / JYP (Liiga, Finland)
Jesse Pulkkinen is this year’s top re-entry prospect, having been looked over in last year’s draft but reigniting interest with strong international play this year. Pulkkinen is a heavy, well-rounded defenseman with strong puckhandling and plenty of aggression.
He filled a consistent role in the Liiga for most of the season, intercut by appearances in Finland’s U20 league and the Mestis. And while he never found too strong of a scoring touch – surpassing 10 points in just the U20 league, where he tallied 28 in 18 games – Pulkkinen showed a strong ability to keep opponents outside of the slots and shutdown transition at the blue line.
He’s seemingly pro-made and could be bound for the NHL in just a few years. For an Avalanche team that may soon need to replace Josh Manson, Pulkkinen’s projectability is enough to overlook his age.
Other Options: Julius Miettinen (LW), Cole Beaudoin (LW), Stian Solberg (LHD)
25. Boston Bruins (via OTT) – Cole Beaudoin (LW/C) / Barrie Colts (OHL)
The Boston Bruins acquired this pick from the Ottawa Senators on the same day that this mock released, though the swap doesn’t change our 25th selection, with the Bruins likely also looking for brute and projectability after not making a first-round pick in either of the last two drafts.
That’s what they’ll get in the rough-and-tumble Cole Beaudoin, a combine standout who’s shown an impressive ability to shut down opponents and take quick advantage of scoring opportunities all season long.
He’s already physically built out and projects as a special teams x-factor, though his ultimate ceiling might not be too high. Still, that floor-buy could be exactly what Ottawa is looking for.
Other Options: Ryder Ritchie (LW), Stian Solberg (LHD), Julius Miettinen (LW/C)
26. Montreal Canadiens (via WPG) – Ryder Ritchie (LW) / Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
Ryder Ritchie is this year’s ‘Swiss Army Knife’ prospect, showing the lateral agility, heads-up skating, and quick instincts needed to make an impact in any play. That drive can leave him subject to making the first play instead of the right play a bit too often, but his ability to shut down play and work with his teammates could make Ritchie a great utility tool down the lineup.
Montreal already has plenty of top-end talent – and even added to it with Demidov at fifth overall – giving them plenty of room to take the safe option with their second pick.
Other Options: Cole Beaudoin (LW), Jett Luchanko (LW/C), Adam Jiricek (RHD)
27. Carolina Hurricanes – Jett Luchanko (LW/C) / Guelph Storm (OHL)
The Carolina Hurricanes will be entering the draft under new management, with rookie general manager Eric Tulsky replacing Don Waddell after a five-year tenure in the GM chair. That shouldn’t remove Carolina’s patented drafting, though, with the team still being connected to some of the class’ most unique and hard-working prospects.
That includes Jett Luchanko, whose work ethic on the ice drove him to NHL attention. He knows how to make a play in any situation and doesn’t struggle much with physicality, thanks to a built-out frame.
Luchanko doesn’t project as a dynamo scorer but should offer down-the-lineup value that’ll prove invaluable as Carolina tries to build a franchise.
Other Options: Dominik Badinka (RHD), Stian Solberg (LHD), Adam Jiricek (RHD)
28. Calgary Flames (via VAN) – Stian Solberg (LHD) / Vålerenga (EliteHockey Ligaen, Norway)
Stian Solberg has stood as Europe’s biggest riser this season, breaking out with an incredibly high-energy and heavy-hitting season in Norway’s top league. He vindicates the strong play with great international performances, including three points in seven World Championship games.
Solberg has handled a pro role all year long and is set for an even tougher test with the SHL’s Färjestad BK next season. That should be an exciting test of his development – and could help the Flames patch the hole left by Noah Hanifin.
Other Options: Julius Miettinen (LW/C), Nikita Artamonov (LW/C), Ryder Ritchie (LW)
29. Dallas Stars – Julius Miettinen (LW/C) / Everett Silvertips (WHL)
There has been talk of NHL interest in Julius Miettinen all season long, with teams enticed by how effortlessly he’s taken to playmaking in his 6’3”, 201lbs frame. Miettinen moves through the neutral zone well and knows how to play the puck off his teammates, though he can fail to inspire much when attacking defenders head-on.
Dallas is among the first teams that come to mind when discussing powerful Finnish prospects and confident CHL selections – making Miettinen a perfect fit.
Other Options: Ben Danford (LHD), Ryder Ritchie (LW), Jett Luchanko (LW/C)
30. New York Rangers – Dean Letourneau (C) / St. Andrew’s College (CAHS, Canada)
Many have described Dean Letourneau as this year’s unicorn prospect, though the sentiment seems more rooted in his 6’7” height than his on-ice skills. Letourneau spent the season in Canada’s U18 league, thriving to the tune of 61 goals and 127 points in 56 games – dominating the high slot with great puck protection and a killer shot.
With this pick, Letourneau would not only become the first Canadian high schooler since 1989 to be drafted straight into the NHL but the highest selected of any of the seven players to achieve the feat. Those facts make him a hesitant selection, though the Rangers are among the best candidates to overlook it on the back of just how much recent success they’ve had with their giant prospects.
Other Options: Julius Miettinen (LW), Dominik Badinka (RHD)
31/32. Anaheim Ducks (via EDM) – Sam O’Reilly (C/RW) / London Knights (OHL)
The Ducks have had their sights fully trained on the CHL for the last three drafts and will be happy to learn how many Canadians are available on the fringe of this year’s first round. That includes rangy defender Ben Danford and hefty winger Maxim Massé, though the Ducks seem more cut out for true two-way centerman Sam O’Reilly.
O’Reilly has added more and more speed to his game as the year has gone on, blending well with a great hockey IQ to make him as stout of a defensive forward as anyone in this class. The Ducks will hope to round out the top of their offensive depth chart with this year’s first round, with the reliable O’Reilly matching the flashy Lindstrom well.
Other Options: Ben Danford (LHD), Maxim Massé (RW), Linus Eriksson (LW)
31/32. Philadelphia Flyers (via FLA) – Nikita Artamonov (LW/C) / Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL, Russia)
As mentioned, the Flyers are a wildcard team this year. They could go in many different directions and have been tied to many different names, though after landing a defenseman with their first pick of the day, they’ll have a bit more room to take Russian winger Nikita Artamonov, who’s shown great fundamentals in all three zones and a finishing ability among the best in the class – though he’s struggled to use his top traits on the back of a relatively low-energy game.
The Flyers will hope they can rejuvenate that energy by pulling Artamonov to North America quickly.
Other Options: Charlie Elick (RHD), Maxim Massé (RW), Andrew Basha (LW/C)
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Network.
Maple Leafs Hire Marc Savard As Assistant Coach
The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Marc Savard as an assistant coach (Twitter link). This news vindicates rumors about Savard’s connection with the team and reunites him with head coach Craig Berube, who Savard supported with the St. Louis Blues in 2019-20. The two will rekindle in Toronto, with Savard expected to assume his usual role as power-play coach.
Savard has become a popular coaching candidate despite just two years as an NHL assistant. But he proved plenty successful in both opportunities, leading the Blues to a 24.2 percent success rate on the power-play in 2019-20, good for third-best in the league. Savard stepped away from St. Louis after one season, moving to a head coaching role with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires. Savard would spend two years in Windsor, leading the team to 44 wins in both seasons, and a run to the OHL championship in 2022. He kept his tenure brief, though, taking his talent behind the Calgary Flames bench in the 2023-24 season, where he found significantly less success than in St. Louis. Savard led the Flames power-play to a a 17.9 percent success rate, the seventh-worst in the league.
But for all of his coaching prowess, Savard is still remembered most fondly as a player. Originally selected in the fourth round of the 1995 NHL Draft, Savard won an OHL championship before making the jump to the AHL, and then NHL in the three years following his draft – finding a way to emerge as a top scorer at every step. Savard would move through appearances with the Calgary Flames and Atlanta Thrashers, consistently showcasing plenty of promising scoring and plenty tenacity, though he wasn’t able to play every game of a season until 2005-06. He performed well when fully healthy, recording 28 goals and 97 points and vindicating it with 96 points in 82 more games the next year. The pair of high-scoring seasons, which overlapped Savard’s move to the Boston Bruins, established him as one of the league’s top wingers. He’d carry that title through five years with the Bruins, though repeated injuries eventually caught up to Savard. He famously retired in 2011, citing concussions-related symptoms. He totaled 807 career games across 13 seasons in the league and retired just ahead of Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup win, which would have been the first of his career. He’ll now look to chase that title as a coach, taking over a power-play unit featuring Auston Matthews and William Nylander, among plenty of other star offensive talent.
Derick Brassard Announces Retirement
NHL journeyman forward Derick Brassard has retired from the NHL, he tells Mathias Brunet of Canada’s La Presse. This news will keep Brassard from making a return after suffering a torn ligament in his ankle during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on March 30th, 2023. It was the same injury that kept Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev out of the start of this season, with Brassard sharing that the two were in touch to discuss recovery. Brassard added that he feels he could have pushed to play in the latter half of this season, though changes in coaching and lineup makeup weren’t worth pushing his health. He told Brunet, “I was starting to find [playing] heavy. I was often on the therapist’s table playing as many matches as possible. It’s frustrating when you’re not 100% for your match. I still scored 13 goals [in 63 games] my final year. I could have pushed, but with the ankle, it was enough. I didn’t want to risk another operation.”
Brassard is calling quits to a very fruitful career in the hockey world, kicking off with his sixth-overall selection in the 2006 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brassard played one more year of juniors hockey before turning pro in the 2007-08 season. He’d receive 17 NHL games in his first pro year, though most of his time was spent in the minors, where Brassard scored 64 points in 55 games through the regular season and playoffs. That hot year would go down as the only AHL season of Brassard’s career, as he quickly vindicated a role in Columbus’ middle-six in 2008. That’s where he’d stick for the next five seasons, before being traded to the New York Rangers in 2013 in a deal that sent Marian Gaborik the other way. Brassard would see his best years in New York, scoring a career-high 60 points in the 2014-15 season and totaling 44 points in 59 postseason games across his four years with the club.
Brassard left New York in 2016, kicking off a tour across the NHL. He’d go on to play in seven more seasons, though never spending as long as two years with the same club. His tour involved tenures with the Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche, and Edmonton Oilers – though Brassard was never able to recreate the personal or team success that he found in New York. His career now ends with 215 goals, 545 points, and 465 penalty minutes across 1,013 games.
Free Agent Focus: Detroit Red Wings
Free agency is now just a bit more than a month away and teams are looking ahead to when it opens. There will be several impact players set to hit the open market in July while many teams have key restricted free agents to re-sign as well. We continue our look around the NHL with an overview of the free agent situation for the Red Wings.
Key Restricted Free Agents
F Lucas Raymond – The Red Wings have the never-exciting privilege of putting a price to their leading scorer this summer, with Raymond set for a substantial pay raise after posting 31 goals and 72 points in 82 games this season. He was incredibly productive on his entry-level contract, totaling 71 goals and 174 points in 238 games and quickly vindicating his top-five selection in the 2020 NHL Draft. The Red Wings intend to take their time in negotiating with both Raymond and Seider, which could drag negotiations through the summer, though it seems inevitable that Detroit will soon be locking up a their top winger for the foreseeable future.
F Joe Veleno – Joe Veleno hasn’t yet vindicated his first-round selection in the 2018 NHL Draft, though he did seem much more comfortable handling a daily NHL role this season – his third full-time year in the league. Veleno scored a career-high 12 goals and 28 points in 80 games this season, while serving a quaint role on the team’s third line. He hasn’t done much to warrant a particularly expensive new deal but he filled a role worth re-signing. At 24, a mid-term deal would take Veleno through his remaining RFA years and give him a chance to solidify his role with the team amidst his prime.
D Moritz Seider – Detroit’s summer will be co-headlined by Moritz Seider, after he spent all three seasons of his entry-level contract as the team’s top defenseman. He’s averaged nearly 23 minutes of ice time through the first 246 games of his career – not missing a single game, scoring 134 points, and earning one Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 2022 along the way. That’s a dazzling way to spend the first contract of a career, and Seider will be due for a confident raise as a result. While he’s yet to reach the heights of his 50-point rookie year – scoring 42 in each of the last two seasons – Seider has accomplished enough before his 23rd birthday to place himself among the league’s highest paid defenders.
Other RFAs: F Jonatan Berggren, D Jared McIsaac
Key Unrestricted Free Agents
F Patrick Kane – Future Hall of Fame winger Patrick Kane joined the Red Wings in December after a dramatic return from hip resurfacing surgery this
season. His return from injury was bumpy, with Kane in and out of the lineup with day-to-day issues as he beefed up his conditioning. But Kane returned to his usual self soon after, ultimately scoring 20 goals and 47 points in 50 games with the Red Wings – though plagued by ineffectiveness on defense. The 35-year-old legend has an unclear future ahead, with Detroit saying they’ll keep in touch ahead of July 1st and Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson confirming they aren’t looking for a reunion. His scoring is still encouraging – and his precedence is no doubt impressive – but too high of an asking price could make Kane hard for many teams to budget for.
F Daniel Sprong – Daniel Sprong vindicated a one-year, $2MM contract with the Red Wings with 18 goals and 43 points in 76 games this season. The performance was plenty of an encore to Sprong’s 21 goals and 46 points in 66 games with the Seattle Kraken last year, and seems to have finally solidified Sprong as an impactful middle-six winger years after his highly-discussed second-round selection in 2015. Sprong is due a raise from his $2MM salary this summer but he’ll likely not be able to demand much, with still little to show for his 344 games in the league. He seems set for a hardy extension this summer, and a return to an impactful role on Detroit’s second line next season.
D Shayne Gostisbehere – Shayne Gostisbehere joined Sprong in vindicating his signing this season, posting 10 goals and 56 points in 81 games while serving out a one-year, $4.125MM contract. Gostisbehere returned to his 50-point form after a runaround season last year that saw Gostisbehere traded from the Arizona Coyotes to the Carolina Hurricanes mid-year. But through all of the moves, Gostisbehere has continued his run as a stout second-pair defenseman, playing well enough to earn added salary and term this summer. Locking him up will go a long way towards solidifying Detroit’s depth throughout their defense.
Other UFAs: F David Perron, F Christian Fischer, F Zach Aston-Reese, F Austin Czarnik, F Taro Hirose, F Matt Luff, D Wyatt Newpower, G James Reimer, G Michael Hutchinson
Projected Cap Space
The Red Wings are entering the summer with plenty to do – but they’ll thankfully also have plenty to spend, with $29.367MM in projected cap space. There’s a very good chance that Raymond and Seider could eat into the majority of that space, though even $10MM should be enough to let Detroit sure up their depth pieces. Detroit could also choose to prioritize a few flashier free agency additions, with the promise of top prospects like Nate Danielson and Simon Edvinsson sure to help round out the offense soon.
Sharks Acquire Egor Afanasyev From Predators
The San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators have swapped young forwards, with San Jose receiving Egor Afanasyev while Nashville has received Ozzy Wiesblatt (Twitter link). Afanasyev moves west as a pending restricted free agent, while Wiesblatt still has one year remaining on his entry-level contract.
Rather than try and find a new deal with the Predators, Afanasyev will now prepare for new challenge – joining a Sharks team rife with opportunity. Formerly a second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, Afanasyev has spent the last two seasons flirting with NHL ice time, though he’s only managed one goal across 19 games in the NHL. He’s proven much more impactful in the minors, posting 54 points, split evenly, in 57 games this season. The year marked a notable step forward for Afanasyev, taking the leap into strong AHL scoring after just 26 points last season. He’s a burly power forward, who’s taken noticeable strides towards adding agility and finesse since his draft day. Afanasyev also addresses a lack of depth at left-wing for the Sharks, something that could earn him a quick track to the lineup.
The Predators upgrade on their draft capital with this swap, taking in the 31st pick in the 2020 NHL Draft in Wiesblatt. But despite his higher standing than Afanasyev, Wiesblatt hasn’t found nearly the same success since turning pro. He totaled just 17 points in 50 AHL games this season – two points higher than his 15 points last year but still below expectations. Wiesblatt rekindled his scoring a bit during a midseason loan to Nashville’s AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, where Wiesblatt scored six points in 16 games. Nashville must have liked what they’ve seen, and will now have full control over Wiesblatt’s development as he looks to vindicate his first-round status.
Snapshots: Bobrovsky, Ekblad, Nugent-Hopkins, Smith
Florida Panthers fans are breathing a big sigh of relief this morning, with both star defender Aaron Ekblad and Vezina-finalist goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky good to go after missing the team’s Sunday morning practice, per Colby Guy of Florida Hockey Now (Twitter link). Neither player were limited in the team’s Game 6 loss – with Bobrovsky facing 19 shots and Ekblad playing 21:37 in ice time – suggesting that their absences were merely for maintenance. Still, every update matters as the Panthers look to skid three straight losses in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Edmonton Oilers have outscored Florida 18-t0-5 over that stretch, with Bobrovsky posting a collective 0.793 save percentage. The Panthers will now return home for a winner-takes-all Game 7, seemingly still at full strength.
Other quick notes from around the league:
- In the name of fairness, the Oilers are facing an injury scare of their own, with former-100 point forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins missing the team’s Sunday practice with illness, per Jim Matheson of NHL.com (Twitter link). Nugent-Hopkins has been one of Edmonton’s top contributors this postseason, recording 22 points in 24 playoff games. That includes two points in Edmonton’s three-game win-streak – so far his only scoring in the Stanley Cup Finals. Nugent-Hopkins would leave a major role vacant should he be unavailable for Game 7, though there’s been no indication that Edmonton is expecting him to sit.
- Pittsburgh Penguins winger Reilly Smith has changed agencies ahead of the final year of his contract, now represented by CAA Hockey, per PuckPedia (Twitter link). CAA is the choice agency of many NHL stars, including Sidney Crosby, Matthew Beniers, Mathew Barzal, and Cole Caufield. It’s also the agency most akin to changing scenery – representing the recently-traded Pierre-Luc Dubois, rumored trade chip Rutger McGroarty, and hardened trade rumor veteran Jack Eichel. Smith takes on the new representation while looking to vindicate his final year at a $5MM price tag, though his 13 goals and 40 points last season fell short of expecations.
Free Agent Focus: Edmonton Oilers
Free agency is now just a bit more than a month away and teams are looking ahead to when it opens. There will be several impact players set to hit the open market in July while many teams have key restricted free agents to re-sign as well. We continue our look around the NHL with an overview of the free agent situation for the Oilers.
Key Restricted Free Agents
F Dylan Holloway – Dylan Holloway has spent most of the last three seasons posting high scoring in the minor leagues but failing to follow up in NHL call-ups. That seemed to come to a peak this year, with Holloway netting 10 goals and 16 points in 18 AHL games but then totaling just nine points in 38 NHL regular-season games. It was looking like another disappointing year until Holloway stepped up in the postseason – tallying a handful of timely goals and putting in the work to make an impact even if his name isn’t on the scoresheet. Still, he has just seven points in 23 playoff games, not doing too much to warrant a prime contract next season. There are reasons for Edmonton to hold onto faith with the 2020 14th-overall pick, though he’s likely set for a short-term ‘prove it’ deal before anything substantial.
D Philip Broberg – Broberg’s career has followed a very similar track record to Holloway’s, featuring strong minor league scoring followed by weak performances at the top level. That has equated to 13 points in 81 NHL games for Broberg – though, like Holloway, he’s earned some stake back with strong appearances in the postseason, though he’s only played in eight games. The Oilers have been publicly shopping Broberg around for some time now, and seem destined for a breakup this summer – with a looming change of scenery hopefully sparking some offense in the former eighth-overall pick.
Other RFAs: F James Hamblin, F Raphael Lavoie, F Carter Savoie, D Noel Hoefenmayer, G Ryan Fanti
Key Unrestricted Free Agents
F Warren Foegele – The Oilers are facing a massive outflux of depth forwards this summer, headlined by Warren Foegele, who posted a career-high 20 goals and 41 points this season. Foegele has always found a way to be impactful but he seemed to find an added gear this year, fighting his way to confident third-line minutes and strong scoring amidst an Oilers bottom-six that was otherwise fairly tame. Foegele chose to have a career year at the right time, and will likely vie for a respectable price tag this summer with teams looking to prioritize depth scoring. But there’s no question that his strength shined best in the Oilers lineup, and he should be a popular candidate to re-sign.
F Connor Brown – Connor Brown was signed to replace Klim Kostin’s role of rough-and-tumble bruiser lined up next to Connor McDavid. But Brown couldn’t fill the role, managing just 12 points in 71 games this season and seeing his role dwindle from top-line minutes to healthy scratches. Brown has earned some merit back with six points in 17 postseason games, though he’s still filling a role much less than originally designed. That fact could make him expendable come the summer, among a long list of depth options hitting the open market.
F Adam Henrique – The Oilers must make judgment calls on multiple veteran forwards, including Henrique, Corey Perry, Sam Gagner, and Mattias Janmark. Of the bunch, it appears Henrique would have the best case to return. He posted a measly nine points in 22 games – and six points in 15 playoff games – after joining the Oilers at the Trade Deadline, but has still found a way to offer prominent depth at both wing and center. Flexibility and leadership are Henrique’s defining traits and it could prove invaluable as the Oilers look to turn a one-season run to the Stanley Cup Finals into a routine spot among the NHL’s top teams. At 34, it’s likely Henrique has a few years left in the tank without being able to command too pricey of a cap hit.
D Vincent Desharnais – Desharnais has filled the important role of team-bruiser for the Oilers, leading him to 78 appearances during the regular season, even though he potted just 11 points. He’s a hefty 6-foot-7, 226lbs, and knows how to throw around his weight without racking up the penalty minutes – totaling just 85 across his first 114 NHL games. Desharnais has distinctly shown what kind of player he is and will likely be due a cheap contract as a result, but his ability to serve as the brawn behind the skilled Oilers lineup sets him up to become a consistent of the team’s bottom lines.
Other UFAs: F Sam Carrick, F Sam Gagner, F Mattias Janmark, F Corey Perry, F Adam Erne, F Greg McKegg, D Troy Stecher, D Cam Dineen, D Markus Niemelainen, G Calvin Pickard
Projected Cap Space
The Oilers are entering the summer with just $10.03MM in projected cap space. That’s likely enough to bring back a few depth pieces – and both of their notable RFAs – but it won’t be enough for the team to make any notable improvements after making a run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. They’ll have to hope their current makeup can find similar success next season – and will soon need to lean on young depth pieces like Xavier Bourgault and Beau Akey as they continue to be priced out of consistency down the lineup.
Free Agent Focus: Florida Panthers
Free agency is now just a bit more than a month away and teams are looking ahead to when it opens. There will be several impact players set to hit the open market in July while many teams have key restricted free agents to re-sign as well. We continue our look around the NHL with an overview of the free agent situation for the Panthers.
Key Restricted Free Agents
F Anton Lundell – This summer marks the first chance for Anton Lundell to negotiate a raise, after paving his way into a strong role on the team’s middle-six after making his NHL debut in 2021-22, at the age of 19. Lundell scored 18 goals and 44 points in 65 games in his rookie years, both tallies that remain career-highs, though he’s since combined for 112 points through his first 216 career games and shown plenty of value off of the puck. To boot, Lundell has found an extra scoring touch this postseason, so far posting 16 points in 22 playoff games as the Panthers look to win the first Stanley Cup in club history. That renewed scoring will surely necessitate a bump in Lundell’s looming pay raise, though his impressive two-way ability and role on both special teams already warrant a hefty contract. At 22, a long-term deal would take Lundell through the bulk of his prime years – likely exactly what the Panthers will hope to guarantee this summer.
D Josh Mahura – Florida claimed Mahura off of waivers from the Anaheim Ducks ahead of the 2022-23 season, and quickly awarded him a routine role on the third pairing. Mahura played in all 82 games of Florida’s last season, posting 16 points in what was the first full year of his career. The performance was enough to earn him a one-year, $925K contract extension last summer, though Mahura didn’t get much of a chance for an encore, with a lower-body injury limiting him to just 30 games and nine points this season. He’s been replaced by a rotation of Dmitry Kulikov, Tobias Bjornfot, and Uvis Balinskis – with Kulikov nabbing the day-to-day role. Luckily, Kulikov is also facing free agency, which could give Mahura a chance to reclaim his role on a cheap contract next season.
Other RFAs: F Rasmus Asplund, F Patrick Giles, D Santtu Kinnunen, G Evan Cormier, G Mack Guzda
Key Unrestricted Free Agents
F Sam Reinhart – Adding to the headache of extending their hopeful second-line center of the future, Florida will also need to find a price for Sam Reinhart after an explosive season. Reinhart scored 57 goals and 94 points this season – the most goals any Panther has managed any Panther since Pavel Bure in the 2000-01 season. The performance will warrant a significant reward this summer, though it’s hard to price Reinhart after a near-30-point jump in scoring between last year and this year. But while he may not always rival 60 goals a season, Reinhart has found goal-scoring consistency over his three seasons with Florida and should garner the price tag of a top-line scorer as a result.
F Vladimir Tarasenko – The Panthers acquired Tarasenko at the Trade Deadline, with Florida sending one conditional pick, either a third or fourth rounder, and a 2025 third round pick back to the Ottawa Senators. And despite some cold streaks, Tarasenko ultimately vindicated the acquisition with 14 points in 19 regular season games and nine aptly timed points in 22 postseason games. He’s been a strong addition to the team’s middle-six, though looking much more slowed than in his prime years. Tarasenko has offered great depth scoring in his veteran years, though he could be a casuality of Florida’s limited cap space, with two much more notable free agents higher on the team’s priority list. He’ll be hotly coveted should he enter the open market, offering 119 career playoff games and Stanley Cup-winning precedent.
D Brandon Montour – Keeping up the important role-players facing the market, Florida will
need to find a way to price out their defensive group, with Brandon Montour due for a new deal this summer and Aaron Ekblad entering free agency next summer. The duo have combined with Gustav Forsling to create a defensive corps that’s served as Florida’s unrelenting consistent as the year has gone on. One of the three defenders is able to step up no matter what situation the team is facing, playing a major role in the team’s drive to a second Stanley Cup Finals. Montour even managed a career-year last season, posting 16 goals, 73 points, and 107 penalty minutes in 80 games. He quieted down quite a bit this year, returning to just 33 points in 66 games. Montour’s impactful role will make him hard to let go, though a precedent of high scoring and plenty of outside interest could be enough to price Montour out of Florida’s budget.
D Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Among the stars needing new deals, Florida also has seven depth skaters set to enter unrestricted free agency. The list includes important pieces of Florida’s postseason run, including Nick Cousins, Ryan Lomberg, and Kyle Okposo. But among the punch, it’s Ekman-Larsson who seems to have made the biggest case for a new deal. The veteran defender saw a small return to form this season, recording 32 points in 80 games, the most he’s managed since the 2018-19 season. He looked more confident in the process, better filling a smaller role than what he had in Vancouver. Florida will have to comb through their depth for viable NHL talent with so many depth pieces entering the market, and the existence of Mahura and Balinskis could be enough to push Ekman-Larsson out of a role. But with a strong performance following his move, and likely just a few years left in his career, it’s hard to think Ekman-Larsson would ask a hefty price to stay with a playoff team.
G Anthony Stolarz – Stolarz filled Florida’s backup role all season long, stepping up while Spencer Knight spent time in the AHL and NHL Player’s Assistance Program. Knight is expected to be back at full force next season, though Stolarz has certainly done enough to show his NHL value – posting 16 wins and a .925 save percentage in 27 appearances this season. The Panthers have $4.5MM committed to Knight in each of the next two seasons and will want to reap some kind of return for that price tag soon. But Stolarz’s strong performance behind Sergei Bobrovsky should be enough to warrant attention in a year with plenty of teams looking for goaltending support.
Other UFAs: F Nick Cousins, F Ryan Lomberg, F Steven Lorentz, F Kyle Okposo, F Kevin Stenlund, F Gerald Mayhew, F Alex True, D Dmitry Kulikov, D Lucas Carlsson, D Casey Fitzgerald, D Matt Kiersted, G Magnus Hellberg
Projected Cap Space
The Panthers are set to enter the summer with just $20.02MM in projected cap space. That should be plenty to renew Lundell and one other top-line player, whether it be Reinhart or Montour, though the need to fill so many depth positions will likely quickly run up Florida’s budget. They’ll need one of their top names to take a miracle discount if they want to get through the summer without any major losses – though the heft of pending free agents could provide great opportunity for young players like Mackie Samoskevich, Justin Sourdif, and Balinskis to earn daily roles.
Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Network. Cap details via CapFriendly.
Kings Sign Alex Turcotte To Three-Year Extension
The Los Angeles Kings have signed 2019 fifth-overall pick Alex Turcotte to a three-year, league-minimum extension. The deal will be two-way in year one and one-way in years two and three, per Zach Dooley of LA Kings Insider (Twitter link).
Turcotte was set for restricted free agency this summer after finishing out his three-year, $7.4MM entry-level contract this season. He spent much of the deal in the minor leagues, totaling 85 points in 126 AHL games over the last four seasons. The high-scoring was enough to routinely earn Turcotte NHL call-ups, though he went without a point through 12 NHL games over the last two seasons, and only posted four points in the 20 he played in this year.
Turcotte hasn’t yet fought his way above the NHL’s fourth line but the Kings aren’t giving up on him yet, with the structure of his new deal suggesting they’re setting him up for one more strong development year in the minors, then awarding him two years to carve out a daily role. There’s certainly talent worth the price of admission in Turcotte, who formed a fantastic duo with wingers Matt Boldy and Trevor Zegras during his two years with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Despite Boldy’s powerful drive and Zegras’ flashy hands, it seemed like it was Turcotte’s quick playreading and crisp passing that made the most consistent impact. Los Angeles bit on his upside, taking him in the spot immediately ahead of Moritz Seider, Dylan Cozens, Philip Broberg, and Zegras. That’s a choice L.A. is likely kicking themselves for now, though Turcotte will at least have another chance to work towards NHL impact.
Phoenix Land Sale Cancelled Until Coyotes Receive Zoning Permit
The Arizona Coyotes have, for now, lost their last bit of hope for a new arena, with the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) canceling the Phoenix land auction that was scheduled for June 27th, shares Craig Morgan of Go PHNX (Twitter link). The Coyotes, now reduced to a short team behind ex-owner Alex Meruelo, were hoping that this land auction would provide the ground for their new arena – one fans have been waiting for since the Coyotes were booted from Gila River Arena in 2022.
But once again, the Coyotes seem to be missing logistical steps, with the ASLD sharing that the Coyotes’ arena proposal would require a Special Use Permit that the team hasn’t yet filed for. Morgan adds that the Coyotes were under the impression that the land had already been zoned, though reports from the Spring emphasize that wasn’t the case (Twitter link). It won’t be until the Coyotes have received that zoning permit that the ASLD will move forward with the land auction. This will include going through a formal process with the City of Phoenix’s Planning and Development Department, including a vote from the city’s Board of Adjustment.
In other words, the Coyotes seem a long way out from even considering buying more land in their old namesake city. The permit application process can take upwards of two or three months, depending on Board activity, effectively sidelining the Coyotes while the succeeding Utah Hockey Club settles into the league. No representatives from the prevailing Coyotes organization have yet commented on this matter, leaving it unclear as to whether the team intends to move forward with the land purchase at all now.
More importantly, the NHL hasn’t commented on this setback. The team previously shared that Meruelo was grandfathered into NHL ownership should he compile the pieces necessary to build an arena. But he’s now moving backward in that quest, with no indication of the next steps. That uncertainty won’t be able to stick around for much longer if Meruelo really does want to bring hockey back to the desert – with plenty of other cities – like Houston, Quebec City, and Atlanta – vying for NHL expansion of their own.