The Best Team Fits for 5 2024 NHL Draft Prospects

The Best Team Fits for 5 2024 NHL Draft Prospects0 of 5

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Looking at which prospect goes where ahead of the NHL draft is like putting together a puzzle. Sure, Player X is the best player available in Team Y’s draft slot. But does that player fit with where that team is headed?

This isn’t a ranking, nor is it a mock draft in any way. Some players here may be paired with teams picking higher or lower than their current consensus rankings. This is, however, a fun thought exercise. So let’s go.

Cole Eiserman, LW, USNTDP Juniors (USHL)
— San Jose Sharks1 of 5

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Cole Eiserman is the best pure goal-scorer in this year’s draft class.

Who doesn’t want to add an elite goal scorer to their prospect pool? Eiserman has, however, faced fair criticisms for being somewhat one-dimensional, causing him to slip down draft boards. He’s had momentary flashes of playmaking ability, but thus far they’ve been only that: momentary.

In a recent interview with NHL.com’s Mike Morreale, Eiserman made it clear that he knows his deficiencies and is devoted to improving them. This season has obviously been a reality check for him, and he’s headed to Boston University to become a 200-foot player who can be trusted in any game situation. Whether that intention turns into improvement is yet to be seen, but college hockey is a good environment for that development.

If Eiserman drops far enough and is available at 14, the San Jose Sharks should pick him without hesitating. He’s the type of player who will need a high-level play driver as a linemate, and who better than Eiserman’s former Shattuck St. Mary’s teammate Macklin Celebrini to fill that role? Eiserman won’t be ready for the NHL for a while; he’s got significant development ahead of him. But if he puts in the work, that pairing could be magic waiting to happen.

Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit (OHL) — Seattle Kraken2 of 5

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What the Seattle Kraken’s prospect pool needs is a dynamic defender.

Zayne Parekh needs a team where there aren’t too many other defense prospects blocking his path to the NHL. When he steps into the league, he’s going to shine.

Whether he’s still around when the Kraken selects at eight overall is another question entirely, but if he is this pick should be a no-brainer. He fills a team need while still being one of the top players on the board.

His hockey sense allows him to tilt the ice in his favor, manipulating play and scoring at a rate unseen in the modern OHL by a defenseman, ending the regular season with 96 points in 66 games. For some, a defenseman scoring at this rate raises two questions: will this translate to the NHL? And does he neglect his defensive responsibilities? For Parekh, the simplified answers to those questions are yes and no, respectively.

The Canadian’s skill set is extremely well-suited to the current NHL game, and that begins with his skating—particularly his mobility—is high-end enough to allow his feet to keep up with his brain. He’s also begun to address any potential defensive concerns, as he has shown steady improvement in his own zone across this season.

Parekh still has work to do, ideally on his play in the neutral zone and has a tendency to overcomplicate plays. Still, when those wrinkles are ironed out, he’ll be a powerful addition to any NHL defense corps and power play.

Artyom Levshunov, RD, Michigan State (NCAA) — Chicago Blackhawks3 of 5

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This one is pretty much a gimme.

Levshunov, an agile defender who is useful anywhere on the ice, is the easy pick when Chicago drafts at second overall. With last year’s selection of Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks have their elite forward of the future and have several others waiting in the wings. Levshunov gives them that boost on the defensive side of their prospects’ cupboard.

It’s the right choice for Levshunov as well. He needs to work on the consistency with which he uses his elite-level skillset, but he is already the most complete defenseman available in this year’s draft crop. By the time he’s ready to step into the NHL—which likely won’t be long—hopefully, Chicago will have sorted their situation out, and he’ll be a key addition to a team built around Bedard.

At best, he’s a physical player with a high-octane motor who can help his team in any area of the ice. He’s a nimble skater, even at 6-foot-2, and his mobility isn’t limited in any direction. This provides the foundation for his game.

Levshunov is equally as capable of killing an opponent’s chance in the neutral zone or his own end as he is jumping into the rush and faking out an opposing player so that he can use his shot to add to his team’s scoring. Whether he can be this player night in and night out remains to be seen, but if he can put the pieces together the Blackhawks will have found the anchor of their future defense corps.

Cayden Lindstrom C, Medicine Hat Tigers — Anaheim Ducks4 of 5

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Building down the middle is never a bad idea. Building down the middle is an especially good idea if you’re listening to trade offers on a player of Trevor Zegras’ caliber. Cayden Lindstrom has the tools to become a long-lasting power forward at the NHL level. He’s a dynamic, tenacious puck carrier who isn’t afraid to use his size to make plays—or to take away opportunities from his opponents.

Lindstrom lost some time with injury this season, and there are some concerns about his hockey IQ. Not in the sense that it’s bad—just that it isn’t clear yet whether that hockey IQ is high-end enough to support Lindstrom making the kind of plays in the NHL that he’s been making in junior.

Only time will tell on that one, and whether he sticks as a center. He’s such a strong player, however, that even if he ends up a wing at the NHL level he’ll be a stellar addition to his team’s offense—and one that is pretty much ready to jump into the NHL, status of his injuries allowing.

Tij Iginla, LW, Kelowna Rockets — Calgary Flames5 of 5

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Important disclaimer: NHL teams shouldn’t draft a former player’s kid just for nostalgia purposes. But Tij Iginla is the rare case of drafting a player that provides warm and fuzzy nostalgia feelings and is in the best interest of your franchise. When you have the chance to get both narrative and talent, why not grab it with both hands?

There’s every chance that Iginla will be gone when the Flames draft at ninth overall. If he isn’t, and they choose him, they’ll be getting a player who is a dynamic threat. He came into the year looking like a highly skilled playmaker, and ended it adding goal scorer to his list of attributes—and did so without sacrificing the other parts of his game that make him such a skilled forward.

Having high-end hockey sense doesn’t always matter if you don’t have the tools to use it at high speeds, but this season, Iginla proved that his hands can keep up with his vision. He’s a deceptive playmaker, able to fool opponents, and his release is stellar.