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The 2024 NHL draft is complete. From the first round all the way to pick No. 225 in Round 7, this page is your home for every selection, including scouting notes from Rachel Doerrie, and team fit analysis for the 32 players taken in the first round from Ryan S. Clark and Greg Wyshynski.

More: Round 1 reaction
Profiles: Celebrini
Tij Iginla

Team: Boston University (H-EAST) | Rank: 1
DOB: 06/13/06 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 190 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 38 | G: 32 | A: 32 | P: 64

Scouting notes: There is no area of the game where legitimate concerns exist. Simply put, he does not have a weak point. He excels as a length of the ice player, making significant contributions on both ends.

Offensively, he navigates the middle of the ice, disrupts defensive schemes and finds passing lanes that others cannot. His puck protection skills, willingness to play through contact, spin off defenders and maintain play are qualities that will translate well to the NHL. Even without the puck, he remains a scoring threat due to his ability to find open spaces, keeps his stick away from defenders and releases the puck quickly. — Doerrie

Team fit: Rebuilds require cornerstone players. Celebrini appears to be just that, considering this year’s draft was commonly referred to as “The Celebrini Draft.” Finishing with the NHL’s worst record meant the Sharks had a number of areas that needed to be addressed. Among them: top-six forward help. Enter Celebrini.

While the possibility exists that Celebrini could return to BU for his sophomore year, he could step right in to the Sharks’ lineup. Since 2005, the forwards who were selected with the No. 1 pick played the next season. It’s a list that includes Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid and last year’s No. 1 pick, Connor Bedard. Furthermore, Celebrini now officially becomes the face of a promising rebuild that already had Thomas Bordeleau, William Eklund, Mario Ferraro, Quinten Musty and the team’s 2023 first-round pick in Will Smith, who is leaving Boston College after one season after signing his entry-level contract with the Sharks. — Clark


Team: Michigan State (BIG10) | Rank: 3
DOB: 10/28/05 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 208 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 38 | G: 9 | A: 26 | P: 35

Scouting notes: The Belarusian is widely regarded as the best defender in the draft class, impressing scouts in many areas. A right-shot defenseman, he imposes himself physically and dictates offensive play. His rapid development has led scouts to believe he could quickly become an impactful two-way defenseman in the NHL. He excels at making good first passes, finding shooting lanes and taking control of the game from the blue line.

Though still raw defensively, he has tremendous upside due to his physical attributes, excellent skating ability and high puck battle success rate. Consistently engaged and a play driver at both ends of the ice, he has the potential to shift momentum. Levshunov could become a top-pairing defenseman who dictates play in transition and tilts the ice in his team’s favor. — Doerrie

Team fit: The Blackhawks found their next foundational player atop last year’s draft in forward Connor Bedard, who won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year on Thursday. But they also had to strip down their team to the foundations to get him. The duration of the rebuild around Bedard is entirely contingent on the players with whom they surround him. To that end, Levshunov is a huge addition, literally and figuratively.

The Blackhawks have some intriguing young defenseman in their system, but not enough of them. Kevin Korchinski played 76 games as a rookie last season and has some upside. Wyatt Kaiser split time between the Blackhawks and AHL Rockford. Sam Rinzel, selected 25th overall in 2022, had an outstanding first season with the University of Minnesota. But what they have in Levshunov is, for lack of a better label, “The Guy.” The giant blueliner who could be their Victor Hedman. Those dynastic Lightning teams were built on offensive stars such as Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, but they won Cups thanks to the efforts of Hedman on the back end. This draft could be looked back on as an essential moment of the Bedard era in Chicago. — Wyshynski

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Artyom Levshunov’s NHL draft profile

Check out the plays that helped make Michigan State’s Artyom Levshunov one of the top prospects in the NHL draft.


Team: Oshawa (OHL) | Rank: 13
DOB: 01/28/06 | Ht: 6-2.25 | Wt: 177 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 63 | G: 27 | A: 41 | P: 68

Scouting notes: Offensively, it is difficult to find a weakness. He is a dual-threat menace in the offensive zone and dropped more jaws in one-on-one play than any other draft-eligible player in the OHL this season. His ability to force defenders into bad spots and manipulate his way around them is terrifying. Not only is he a threat in tight situations, but he’s also a threat in transition. The puck follows him around the ice, and he slices defensive coverage with ease through excellent reads, decisive passing and a quality shot.

Off the puck, he uses his awareness to win pucks back. As the season progressed, he became a nightmare on the forecheck, routinely hemming players in and winning pucks back. For lack of a better word, he’s a gamer. If he wants the puck, he’s more than likely going to end up with it. He’s not an elite skater, but he gets to where he needs to go, plays two steps ahead of his peers and makes his teammates better. There are teams that have him in their top five, and while that is a little high for me, it is easy to understand why scouts believe Sennecke could be a top-line player. — Doerrie

Team fit: Once again, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek went in a bit of an unexpected direction by taking Sennecke. The Ducks were in a bit of a tricky situation when it came to adding to their rebuild. Not that they couldn’t have used more forwards, but they already have quite a bit of youth with Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras. The same holds true with defensemen of course, with Jackson LaCombe and Pavel Mintyukov playing as rookies last season and another defenseman, Olen Zellweger, getting nine points in 26 games with the Ducks after spending the majority of the year in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls.

Now that they’ve added Sennecke, the Ducks have another top-six forward with size as the 6-foot-2 Sennecke will be a player who gives the Ducks another option in their attack. — Clark

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Beckett Sennecke has amazing reaction to being drafted No. 3 by the Ducks

Beckett Sennecke is chosen by the Anaheim Ducks with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NHL draft.


Team: Medicine Hat (WHL) | Rank: 4
DOB: 02/03/06 | Ht: 6-3.25 | Wt: 210 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 32 | G: 27 | A: 19 | P: 46

Scouting notes: Lindstrom combines speed, size and skill, making him a dominant force at the junior level. He effectively uses his frame to protect the puck, wins battles and plays through contact in challenging areas of the ice. His physical package and skating ability make him a formidable opponent on the rush and in puck battles. If he continues to develop his ability to play through contact, he has the tools to be an excellent power forward at the NHL level. His speed in transition keeps defensemen on their heels and he changes gears to create space.

Without the puck, he reads off his linemates well and finds open pockets of space. As a versatile offensive player, he knows when to use his physicality to create scoring chances or hold the puck to set up plays in the offensive zone. Although his injury history is a concern, projections indicate that Lindstrom could become a second-line center with the potential to score 70 points over a long period. He may take longer to develop, but a player with his toolbox is intriguing to many teams. — Doerrie

Team fit: This is the first Blue Jackets draft since 2012 that didn’t have Jarmo Kekalainen running the table. He was dismissed as general manager earlier this season, creating an opening for one of the NHL’s most interesting jobs. Columbus is a place where the bar for success is low and the talent in the prospect pool is high.

It just got higher. New GM Don Waddell, who took over the Blue Jackets after leaving the Carolina Hurricanes, had a number of options after the Ducks shocked the draft by taking Beckett Sennecke third overall. They fought some temptation and added Lindstrom. The Medicine Hat center joins center Adam Fantilli, the third overall pick in 2023 who had 27 points in 49 games this season; Kent Johnson, another Michigan alum, who is entering his fourth NHL season; and the big body and booming shot of defenseman David Jiricek as the next generation of the Blue Jackets. With Cole Sillinger also up the middle, the days of the Blue Jackets being the NHL’s donut — nothing in the middle — appear over. — Wyshynski


Team: SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.) | Rank: 2
DOB: 12/10/05 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 181 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 30 | G: 23 | A: 37 | P: 60

Scouting notes: Offensively, he’s the complete package and is projected to be a top-six difference-maker in the NHL. His dynamic ability to create offense combines an outstanding release, elite vision and elite puckhandling skills, perhaps the best in this draft class. He’s bigger and more physically mature than originally thought, which drew attention at the Florida showcase. Capable of driving play offensively, Demidov consistently took over games in the playoffs, earning the MVP award.

He ranks in the top 5% for shooting and passing metrics and is a transition threat. He drives the middle from the outside and consistently gets himself to the dangerous scoring areas. As a versatile offensive player, Demidov has the potential to be a 40-goal, 40-assist producer and is the only player with a ceiling close to Celebrini’s. — Doerrie

Team fit: Prior to the draft, it appeared that getting a forward was going to be the move for the Canadiens. And they fulfilled that in taking Demidov. They were in a position to take a forward last year but passed on Matvei Michkov before taking defenseman David Reinbacher. With Reinbacher being the pick last season, he added to a defensive setup that already included Kaiden Guhle, Logan Mailloux and Jayden Struble.

Concentrating on defensemen the last few years created that opening to take a forward for the second time in three years, having selected Juraj Slafkovsky with the No. 1 pick in 2022. Now the Canadiens have another top-six forward in Demidov, who at some point will make the trek to North America. And when he does, he’ll join Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield as another homegrown player who’s looking to take the Habs back to prominence in the Eastern Conference. — Clark

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Celine Dion announces Canadiens’ No. 5 pick in NHL draft

Celine Dion announces the Montreal Canadiens’ fifth overall pick, Ivan Demidov.


Team: Kelowna (WHL) | Rank: 7
DOB: 08/04/06 | Ht: 5-11.75 | Wt: 182 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 64 | G: 47 | A: 37 | P: 84

Scouting notes: His offensive instincts and lethal wrist shot make him a serious goal-scoring threat with and without the puck. His puck skill steadily improved this season, and he became a serious offensive threat. When he has possession, Iginla displays excellent puckhandling, strong protection and a release that surprises goaltenders. He has a unique understanding of how to blend competitive physicality with elite skill, a dangerous combination.

Without the puck, he finds open spaces, forechecks tenaciously and exhibits the competitiveness his father Jarome was known for. Although he needs to improve defensively, his combination of skating, puck skills, tenacity and shooting ability should enable him to contribute consistently in a top-six role, with a ceiling of a top-line winger. — Doerrie

Team fit: When the Arizona Coyotes were sold to Smith Entertainment Group and relocated to Utah, their history didn’t come with them. So this is the first pick ever made by this franchise.

But their hockey operations staff was imported along with the players. That included GM Bill Armstrong, whose calling card has always been his work in scouting and drafting. That’s enabled Utah to have players such as forward Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther, who made an impact at the NHL level, as well as center Conor Geekie, defenseman Maveric Lamoureux and KHL defensemen Dmitry Simashev and Daniil But.

Armstrong told me that Utah doesn’t feel pressure to add a “poster on the side of the arena” level star for its first season in Salt Lake City, because there might be some in the organization who could fit that role. It might have another in Tij Iginla. He’s got the hockey legacy of his Hall of Fame father and his own high-end talent. Iginla is an ideal selection given the club’s needs on offense, and as someone who can eventually help sell hockey to a new fan base. — Wyshynski

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Tij Iginla’s NHL draft profile

Take a look at the highlights that make Tij Iginla a compelling NHL draft prospect.


Team: Calgary (WHL) | Rank: 14
DOB: 09/29/05 | Ht: 6-2.75 | Wt: 201 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 66 | G: 30 | A: 41 | P: 71

Scouting notes: Yakemchuk is an offensive difference-maker at the junior level and showed glimpses of excellent puck distribution. He dictates the power play from the point, but he needs to develop the ability to facilitate offense to take advantage of his shot in the NHL. He manipulates defenders with excellent hands, fakes and sheer power. The lack of an explosive skating stride makes him easier to defend than a more elusive skater.

Defensively, he’s a work in progress. His skating mobility needs to improve to be an effective transition defender in the NHL. Scouts and executives love his mean streak, as he hits to leave a mark. He gets caught puck-watching or stepping out of position to be physical. He lacks the skating step to catch opponents when they beat him in those situations, an area he needs to develop before making the jump. — Doerrie

Team fit: Drafting Yakemchuk could prove to be an intriguing move for a few reasons. The first is that this was the first time in two years the Senators used a first-round pick. It’s a bit of a bizarre dynamic for a franchise that’s been trying to shed the title of rebuild and transition into a playoff team, only to miss the postseason for the past seven campaigns.

That said, Yakemchuk gives it a young defenseman who adds to a group that already has Thomas Chabot, Jakob Chychrun, Jake Sanderson and Jacob Bernard-Docker, among others. But that also comes with the understanding that Chychrun’s future with the club is in question. He has a year left on his contract before hitting free agency. He could either sign a new deal or the Sens could trade him. Either way, they’ll have options, and getting Yakemchuk will now play a big role in that dynamic. — Clark


Team: Spokane (WHL) | Rank: 10
DOB: 01/14/06 | Ht: 5-10 | Wt: 170 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 68 | G: 54 | A: 62 | P: 116

Scouting notes: Catton is one of those “get you out of your seats” players. He’s dynamic with the puck, reads defensive structures, slices through coverage and is a nightmare to defend in one-on-one situations. His ability to manipulate defenders with his speed and skill is pure brilliance. He’s one of the most dangerous transition players in the draft, and even at 5-10, he’s shown an ability to execute high-skill plays in traffic.

As is the case with any player of this skill set, he needs to pick his spots a little better to improve his offensive efficiency. The turnovers are not going to fly at the NHL level, and he’ll need to develop his ability to create offense when he’s not in transition. The same manipulation, stick skill and deception he uses on the rush needs to be applied in smaller areas. If he can take pucks off the wall and get to the middle, there is a better chance he hits his ceiling of a top-six, point producer.

He’s already a dual threat with a promising arsenal of releases and shot types. Given that he understands how to put defenders in vulnerable postures, it is not a stretch to believe his offensive game will continue to improve. I’m not sure he’s a center in the NHL, but the dynamic dual threat should be an entertaining player to watch for years. — Doerrie

Team fit: Entering the draft, the narrative surrounding the Kraken was that they needed to draft a defenseman. Namely, a puck mover who could help facilitate possession for a team that’s struggled to score goals in two of their first three seasons. Although the argument could be had that they already have that with Ryker Evans.

It still amounted to the Kraken needing prospects who can score or create goals and it led to them choosing Berkly Catton. He addresses their scoring needs provided he scored 54 goals and 116 points for the Spokane Chiefs last season. If the Kraken opt to keep Catton at center, he will join their spine of the future that includes Matty Beniers and Shane Wright. But there’s a chance he could be moved to the wing, with the expectation that he could someday play alongside Beniers on one of the Kraken’s top two lines and on their power play. — Clark


Team: Saginaw (OHL) | Rank: 5
DOB: 02/15/06 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 179 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 66 | G: 33 | A: 63 | P: 96

Scouting notes: Parekh is the top offensive defenseman in the draft, without question. He has all the makings of a game-breaker on the blue line. His statistics and model projections stand out, surpassing every other defenseman except Levshunov. He is clearly in the top tier, projected as a top-four offensive catalyst with an over 80% chance of playing 200-plus NHL games.

Right-handed offensive dynamos are rare and seldom available via trade. Parekh has all the qualities of a top-notch power-play quarterback and even-strength play driver, capable of scoring upward of 60 points per season in the NHL. He had one of the best draft-eligible seasons in CHL history, which should not be overlooked. His elite four-way mobility allows him to evade opponents and create space effortlessly.

His defensive game improved throughout the OHL season, and while it’s not as robust as some might prefer, his skating and hockey sense equip him to defend effectively at the NHL level. His offensive instincts are innate and form the foundation of his play-driving offense. Combine his offensive instincts with demonstrated ability to move pucks to dangerous areas, create shooting opportunities and get pucks through, and Parekh presents an intriguing package. His ceiling is the highest among defensemen in the draft, confidently projecting him as an impactful top-four defenseman over a lengthy NHL career. — Doerrie

Team fit: The pick wasn’t Tij Iginla and that’s going to be a bummer for a lot of Flames fans. But Zayne Parekh is a solid choice and a player who will certainly help with Calgary’s rebuild … retool … whatever it is that GM Craig Conroy is doing with this franchise, which is content to ship out some veterans (Jacob Markstrom, Andrew Mangiapane), while holding onto others (like reportedly, Nazem Kadri). They have some quality young players up front such as winger Matt Coronato, who played 35 games in the NHL; center Connor Zary, who had a strong rookie season with 34 points in 63 games; and a big forward in Samuel Honzek.

Now they add Parekh, a player who has electrifying offensive upside. Parekh is the first defenseman the Flames selected in the first round since Juuso Valimaki at No. 16 in 2017. They simply didn’t have a player with his skill set in their pipeline, and this pick is a great one for Calgary. — Wyshynski


Team: Nizhny Novgorod (RUSSIA) | Rank: 8
DOB: 04/11/06 | Ht: 6-7 | Wt: 211 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 63 | G: 3 | A: 8 | P: 11

Scouting notes: At 6-7, this hulking defender played significant minutes for one of the KHL’s better teams, a rarity at age 17, and this greatly enhances his projection. While he isn’t expected to be dynamic in the NHL, his developing offensive skills suggest he could become a 35- to 40-point producer.

He skates very well, with good edgework and agility, which is evident in his defensive transitions and his movement along the offensive blue line. If he can add strength without losing mobility, he could become a high-minute defenseman in the NHL, capable of shutting down the opposition’s best players.

His floor is higher than other top defensive prospects due to his proven ability to succeed in the KHL. Scouts are high on his skating ability, physicality and transition defense. There are concerns about his ability to read the play and make good puck decisions. He will need time to enhance his ability to facilitate breakouts, transition offense and read pressure. —Doerrie

Team fit: There was plenty of speculation that the Devils would move this pick — it was certainly in play in the hours leading up to the draft. But New Jersey kept it and added to the deepest part of its prospect pool: the blue line.

Anton Silayev is a 6-7 mountain, a defensive defenseman who has tremendous skating ability and a fantastic reach. They moved 24-year-old Kevin Bahl, who is 6-6, for goalie Jacob Markstrom. Silayev more than fits in as an eventual replacement. He joins Calder Trophy finalist Luke Hughes, Simon Nemec and eventually Seamus Casey as the defensive foundations for years to come. — Wyshynski


Team: London (OHL) | Rank: 11
DOB: 06/07/06 | Ht: 6-2.5 | Wt: 199 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 68 | G: 18 | A: 52 | P: 70

Scouting notes: Dickinson is one of the best all-around skating defensemen in the draft, and it is particularly evident in transition. Offensively, he carries the puck with ease, evades defenders, cuts to the middle and creates scoring chances.

Defensively, he maintains a good gap, matches opponent’s speed and finishes his checks. His shot is above average, but he is unlikely to overpower goalies at the NHL level. His skating and defensive abilities will carry him in the NHL. These are all attributes scouts and coaches love. It is easy to see why the model projects him to be a top-four defender with a puncher’s chance of being a top-pairing guy.

The big question with Dickinson is decision-making on both sides of the puck. At the junior level, he’s so evasive and above his peers in the skating department, that it masks some awareness issues. On the rush, he can skate himself into trouble and make life more complicated when a simpler play exists. In the defensive zone, he gets caught on the wrong side of players and makes questionable decisions with the puck after he wins a battle. He’s a solid athlete who will play in the NHL, but time will tell if he can develop his awareness and reads to take advantage of his skills and become a difference-maker. — Doerrie

Team fit: When the Sharks traded up to No. 11 on Thursday, it came with the expectation that they were going to use that pick to get a defenseman, especially considering they already had Celebrini, in addition to forwards such as Bordeleau, Eklund, Musty and Smith. And that’s not including who they took in 2022, center Filip Bystedt.

That belief only intensified by the time the Sharks picked at 11, as defensemen such as Zeev Buium and Sam Dickinson were still available when it came time for their second pick of the first round. They chose Dickinson, who gives them a sizable defenseman who can not only serve in a top-pairing role but can also be at the controls of a power play. A power play that in the coming years could be led by Celebrini, Smith, Dickinson and Eklund. — Clark


Team: Denver (NCHC) | Rank: 6
DOB: 12/07/05 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 183 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 42 | G: 11 | A: 39 | P: 50

Scouting notes: One of the best defensemen in college hockey this season, Buium is confidently projected as a top-four defenseman in the NHL. He consistently stands out by joining the rush, defending well in transition and excelling in man-to-man defense in his own zone. He’s an elite two-way defenseman at the college level and is likely the most efficient puck mover in this draft class. He shows elite hockey sense and seems to be two to three plays ahead, allowing him to make plays that other players can’t.

Defensively, he maintains a tight gap, adapts to changes in pace and uses excellent edgework to avoid getting beaten in tight situations. His puck skills, combined with various head and shoulder fakes, enable him to create space and passing lanes. If there is a better one-on-one defenseman in this draft, I’ve yet to see him.

Buium elevates his play as games intensify and was one of Team USA’s best players at the World Juniors as an underage player, in addition to being a crucial part of the NCAA champion Denver blue line. With all the qualities of a play-driving, momentum-shifting defenseman, Buium could be ready for the NHL by the end of the 2024-25 college season. — Doerrie

Team fit: GM Bill Guerin got aggressive here to select Zeev Buium, and rightfully so. Buium has a high hockey IQ and can be someone that can run an NHL power play, leading all NCAA defenseman in points last season (50). Denver depended on him big time in winning the national title this season — he played 31 minutes against Boston University in the semifinal and more than 29 minutes against Boston College for the title.

He’s an impact player and the highest defenseman the Wild have taken since Matt Dumba at seventh overall in 2012. — Wyshynski


Team: Guelph (OHL) | Rank: 26
DOB: 08/21/06 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 180 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 68 | G: 20 | A: 54 | P: 74

Scouting notes: Luchanko has all the makings of a dream bottom-six role. Given the offensive instincts and abilities he has shown this season, Luchanko has a better ability to drive play than many believe. He’s an excellent two-way player, a rare feat for a very young player in a draft class. The combination of production, development and a later birthday give Luchanko a projection closer to middle six than bottom six.

Luchanko was the main beneficiary of Matthew Poitras‘ move to the Bruins, allowing him to become the primary driver on both sides of the puck. His skating takes the pace of the game to another level, forcing his opponents to play at speeds in which they are uncomfortable. His ability to dictate the play is eye-opening, beating defenders clean with his speed while being a royal pain to deal with on the forecheck and backcheck. He is in the middle of everything that happens, showing off a detail-oriented game that includes awareness, shiftiness and skill that scouts love. — Doerrie

Team fit: Trading down to No. 13 earned some extra draft capital. But they also landed a center in Jett Luchanko that adds to a future that already includes Noah Cates, Joel Farabee, Tyson Foerster and Matvei Michkov. Even with that many forwards, the Flyers were still in need of a center. That made Luchanko or Konsta Helenius an option.

The last time they drafted a center in the first round was in 2018 when they took Jay O’Brien, who they did not sign (and earned a compensatory pick this year for it). Prior to that, It was 2017 when they took Nolan Patrick with the second pick and Morgan Frost at 27. Patrick was traded, while Frost remains with the club. Luchanko gives the Flyers someone who projects as a two-way option who could be anchoring one of the lines of a rebuild that took a significant step forward in 2023-24. — Clark

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Legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer calls 13th pick for Flyers

Philadelphia native Michael Buffer announces that Jett Luchanko is headed to the Flyers.


Team: Jukurit (FINLAND) | Rank: 12
DOB: 05/11/06 | Ht: 5-10.75 | Wt: 180 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 51 | G: 14 | A: 22 | P: 36

Scouting notes: Helenius is excellent defensively, and his play is immediately projectable to the NHL. Offensively, he is effective, not flashy. He retrieves pucks, enters the zone with possession, creates space with effective body positioning and relies on his elite hockey sense to make sound decisions offensively. The combination of his competitiveness, hockey sense and puck management make him a highly effective and reliable player in all three zones.

He lacks dynamic attributes that other players in the draft class possess, but he makes up for that his in his ability to be the engine of his line. He consistently drives play and showed flashes of offensive creativity, but Helenius does not have a standout offensive attribute. He’s a well-rounded, length-of-the-ice player who will be impactful on both sides of the puck at the NHL level. Scouts see some Mikael Backlund in him, which is high praise for the young Finn.

A second-line center/top penalty killer who can drive play at even strength is something every contender needs. That is Helenius. If his offense develops, there’s a chance he fits the mold of a Joel Eriksson Ek or Elias Lindholm type of player. — Doerrie

Team fit: The Sabres traded down this week, acquiring the Devils’ No. 42 overall pick in their flip-flop with the Sharks. Helenius is a solid two-way center who joins a depth chart that includes Tage Thompson, Dylan Cozens, Peyton Krebs, Matthew Savoie, Jiri Kulich and Noah Ostlund.

Obviously, some of them could shift to the wing, but the bottom line is that the Sabres have a ton of talent on the way up front, to go along with the foundational defensemen in Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power. — Wyshynski


Team: Mora (SWEDEN-2) | Rank: 19
DOB: 10/05/05 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 198 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 41 | G: 8 | A: 10 | P: 18

Scouting notes: The Norwegian forward is one of the most well-rounded players in the draft. The blend of grit, skill and in-tight scoring ability has scouts believing he is a Swiss Army knife at the NHL level. There is belief that he could be the best two-way forward in the draft not named Celebrini.

Defensively, he may be the best forward in the draft. He is consistently in the right positions, makes excellent reads in defensive transition and reads off his teammates well to support the puck. His ability to retrieve pucks, win puck battles and position his body in ways that make it nearly impossible to knock him off the puck will only improve has he physically matures and adds strength. He’s unafraid to deliver a board-shaking body check to shift momentum, but does not put himself out of position to do so. He separates opponents from the puck, drives forward and uses his powerful frame to cut to the middle or the net. If there is a weakness in his defensive game, I have yet to find it.

The drawback with Brandsegg-Nygard is that he isn’t dynamic. His ceiling isn’t as high as other players, but his floor is higher than nearly every forward outside of the top five. There is little doubt he will be a middle-six power forward who will be deployed to shut down opponent’s best players and finish offensive opportunities in tight. As one scout put it, “He isn’t the guy you build around, but certainly the type of player that every contender wants in the middle of their lineup.” — Doerrie

Team fit: What’s this? The Red Wings went into Europe and drafted a player?

In all seriousness, Brandsegg-Nygard was thought to be a player who could have gone in this range, so it wasn’t like the Red Wings reached.

Detroit has used two of its most recent first-round picks to get centers. It’s just that Brandsegg-Nygard gives it another potential top-six winger. And given how the Wings are currently set up with their forward depth, Brandsegg-Nygard has a good chance to break onto the scene in the near future. — Clark


Team: Plzen (CZECHIA) | Rank: 17
DOB: 06/28/06 | Ht: 6-2.5 | Wt: 182 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 19 | G: 0 | A: 1 | P: 1

Scouting notes: The 6-2, right-handed defenseman has been on scouting radars for years, allowing for his game to be put under the microscope. He’s competitive, makes good puck decisions and activates in the play.

Losing nearly a full season of development during the most crucial years makes for a more difficult evaluation and model projection. Jiricek’s numbers are very volatile, and the draft year sample is not large enough for a confident projection. The tools to be an impactful defenseman are there, with good reads, aggressive defensive posture, strong puck retrieval skills and physicality. He needs the skating, which obviously took a developmental hit when he tore an ACL, to improve by a step and half or two to take advantage of his other skills. His stride lacks the explosive and aggressive attributes to complement the rest of his game and will hinder his ability to utilize other skills if he can’t keep pace.

He has a longer runway to develop because he’s inexperienced and lost nearly a year of development to his injury. There is a real chance he becomes a second-pairing defenseman and an outside shot at the top pair. — Doerrie

Team fit: The Blues really needed to add some talent to their defense prospects — they hadn’t drafted a defenseman in the first round since Jordan Schmaltz in 2012 — and Jiricek is a terrific choice. He gained great experience playing in the Czech league, and as a right-shot defenseman he’s a valuable commodity.

Jiricek might not have the ceiling of his brother, David, who went sixth overall to the Blue Jackets in 2022, but he’s certainly got some upside. — Wyshynski


Team: Prince George (WHL) | Rank: 30
DOB: 05/28/06 | Ht: 5-11.5 | Wt: 173 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 68 | G: 43 | A: 62 | P: 105

Scouting notes: His production is reminiscent of a player who should be selected in top half of the first round. His skating, like Jason Robertson‘s in 2017, worries scouts. He doesn’t have the physical package of Robertson, but his production is much better. Parascak has all the capabilities to be a dual threat at the NHL level if his skating improves.

Parascak’s instincts on and off the puck are high-end. He understands defensive schemes and how to penetrate them, but his skating holds him back from driving play. This is evident in transition, where he lacks the pace to attack the middle and relies on his instincts to find open space and arrive at the perfect time. When he gets the puck in space, he’s terrifying. His catch and release shot, one-timer and ability to shoot opposite his momentum make him challenging for goalies to stop.

A team taking Parascak is getting a player with an elite hockey sense and many shots in his arsenal. If he can add strength and more power to his skating, there is a real chance he’s a top-six, difference-maker in the NHL. He’s unlikely to be a true play driver, but a complementary player who can ignite a power play. — Doerrie

Team fit: Using their first-round picks to select top-six forwards they believe can provide a sense of offensive consistency going forward has been the plan for the Caps the past few years. The decision to take Parascak fits within that dynamic. Parascak was one of a few forwards who could have been picked at this spot.

When the time comes, he’ll be the latest prospect to come through a farm system that has watched its AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, win Calder Cups while continuing to send the organization’s homegrown talents to the NHL. — Clark


Team: Muskegon (USHL) | Rank: 24
DOB: 03/17/06 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 176 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 61 | G: 36 | A: 32 | P: 68

Scouting notes: Boisvert can really shoot the puck, and regardless of where he receives it, he is a threat. He gets pucks through layers with accuracy and has excellent hands to finish plays at the net front. There is reason to believe his deceptive release will transfer to the NHL level, but if it does not, his ability to finish plays in tight will surely make him worthy of attention.

Without the puck, Boisvert is still impactful. He tracks back well, disrupts transition play and delivers hard hits to separate players from the puck. There’s a noticeable edge to his game that will only improve as he gets stronger. His skating posture is off balance, and he lacks the explosiveness required to create more space offensively. An improved skating stride with more power and better ability to read defensive coverage will allow Boisvert to take advantage of his NHL-ready shot and two-way game. — Doerrie

Team fit: The assumption was that the Blackhawks would go with a forward here after taking Levshunov at second overall. Boisvert offers a great contrast to the way Connor Bedard plays at center — a two-way game with some physicality. He aspires to be an Evgeni Malkin-like player in the NHL. Not a bad gamble for the Blackhawks to take, considering they already have their Sidney Crosby. — Wyshynski


Team: Tri-City (USHL) | Rank: 15
DOB: 02/28/06 | Ht: 6-0.25 | Wt: 156 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 52 | G: 31 | A: 47 | P: 78

Scouting notes: On talent and talent alone, the model projects him to be a top-six forward with a fair chance at a top-line role. There are only a few players with better offensive attributes than Connelly, and they will go in the top 10. He leaves a lot to be desired defensively but should get a healthy dose of development at Providence College. He is unlikely to be a two-way player, and that’s not his style. His style is flash, dash and pizzazz — a player with a true wow factor.

Connelly has a lot of maturing to do on and off the ice. The selfish major and misconduct at the under-18 championship kick-started the collapse against Canada in the gold medal game. Quite a few teams have designated him as “do not draft” due the information revealed in a story from The Athletic. As one NHL head scout put it, “top-10 talent, bottom-10 character. Can’t do it.”

The definition of high-risk, high-reward for all the wrong reasons. — Doerrie

Team fit: There’s a possibility that the Golden Knights have reached the point that they could start to incorporate prospects as they continue to challenge for the Stanley Cup. It’s possible that drafting Connolly could work out one of two ways for the Golden Knights. He could be a player who works his way into the lineup as a productive winger on a team-friendly deal to help offset some of their salary cap issues. Or he could be used in a potential trade to help the Golden Knights get a player they covet.

Whatever path the Golden Knights take, it’ll come with the win-at-all costs mentality that’s continued to define them. — Clark


Team: USA U-18 (NTDP) | Rank: 9
DOB: 08/29/06 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 195 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 49 | G: 49 | A: 27 | P: 76

Scouting notes: Eiserman is considered the best pure scorer in the draft, though opinions about him vary widely.

His impressive goal totals with the national team development program are hard to ignore, yet he often leaves scouts wanting more. With the best shot in the draft, his projection suggests he could score 35 to 40 goals per season if he reaches his ceiling. As a young player in the draft, he has more runway to improve his decision-making and develop a well-rounded offensive game. While habits can be fixed and skating will continue to improve, scoring instincts and the ability to catch and release the puck from awkward positions are innate, and Eiserman excels in both areas.

There are times he tries to do too much with the puck, leading to turnovers and forced shots — habits that can frustrate scouts and coaches. Despite this, his potential as a 40-goal scorer is undeniable if developed with patience. The model is confident he will produce at the NHL level in a top-six role. Eiserman has the talent to be an even-strength scorer, power-play asset and most importantly, a difference-maker. — Doerrie

Team fit: Leave it to Lou Lamoriello to punch consensus in the face. Cole Eiserman is one of the best goal-scorers in the draft, whose stock had fallen due to criticisms of his defensive game. The Islanders certainly needed an infusion of high-end offensive talent in their prospect pool. Eiserman is the embodiment of the “you can’t teach offense” mindset. — Wyshynski


Team: Chicago (USHL) | Rank: 18
DOB: 04/14/06 | Ht: 6-0.5 | Wt: 187 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 54 | G: 33 | A: 42 | P: 75

Scouting notes: A big, right-handed center who is a dual threat in the offensive zone and showed one of the most promising development curves of the season? Check. Check. Check. A dynamic transitioner of the puck, Hage is a cerebral player who picks apart defensive schemes in transition with ease. He gets the puck off the wall to the dangerous areas of the ice better than most players in the draft.

The deceptiveness of his shot and the array of shots in his arsenal makes him equally dangerous with and without the puck. He can pull the puck and fire it through defenders as easily as he receives the puck and releases in a single motion. A heady player, Hage understands how to manipulate defenders and open up shooting lanes. If he can add a step to his pace, he will be able to take advantage of the compromising positions he puts defenders in.

There are many parts of Hage’s game that scouts love outside of his physical gifts. He wins puck battles, gets to the net front and makes his teammates better. He will develop hard skill by improving his ability to take contact and use it to his advantage. The details of his game are a strong point. He supports the puck well, and his ability to impact the game will only improve as his skating takes a step. The model sees him as a middle-six player with an outside chance at hitting his second-line ceiling. — Doerrie

Team fit: After taking Demidov at No. 5, the Canadiens used their second first-round pick to take another forward in Hage. The expectation with Hage is that he could give them a two-way center for the future.

Hypothetically speaking, the Canadiens might not be in any rush, as they’re set up with Nick Suzuki and Alex Newhook down the middle for at least three more years. Hage will spend next season playing at the University of Michigan which has recently developed a number of centers such as Matty Beniers, Thomas Bordeleau and Brendan Brisson, among others. — Clark


Team: Yaroslavl Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.) | Rank: 44
DOB: 08/01/06 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 192 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 43 | G: 23 | A: 30 | P: 53

Team fit: Barry Trotz goes forward first again, after selecting Matthew Wood at No. 15 last season. Yegor Surin’s stock reportedly shot up after participating in agent Dan Milstein’s camp in Fort Lauderdale during the Stanley Cup Final.

He certainly fits the Predators’ identity under Trotz and head coach Andrew Brunette of compete level up front. — Wyshynski


Team: Valerenga (NORWAY) | Rank: 36
DOB: 12/29/05 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 194 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 42 | G: 5 | A: 10 | P: 15

Team fit: Solberg gives the Ducks another defensemen for the future in a farm system in which blueliners are in excess. They already have Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger, plus Tristan Luneau. But they also have a pair of defenseman older than 32 in Cam Fowler and Radko Gudas.

In short order, the Ducks could potentially have five homegrown defensemen, or they could look to move one of them in the future if it can help them swing a deal to address another area of the roster. — Clark


Team: Barrie (OHL) | Rank: 32
DOB: 04/24/06 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 209 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 67 | G: 28 | A: 34 | P: 62

Scouting notes: Combine an elite motor, good two-way play and a healthy dose of compete, Cole Beaudoin is simply a gamer. If I were giving each draft-eligible a superlative or vibe, Beaudoin’s would be “gamer.” The model is lower on him than this ranking, but the belief that he should become a bottom-six player that checks well, kills penalties and bring energy to the lineup.

A big, strong player who may be most effective on the wing at the NHL level, Beaudoin reads the play well, gets into traffic, wins nearly every puck battle and grinds opponents down. There is no OHL player who enjoys going into the corner with him — and more than a few came out worse for wear. He’s got the strength and desire to be an impactful physical player in the NHL. If his skating continues to improve, there is reason to believe he has a higher ceiling than current projections indicate. Utah will need a more patient approach with him, but added pace could see him jump into a third-line role as a player coaches trust implicitly. — Doerrie

Team fit: GM Bill Armstrong had a treasure trove of draft picks and decided to dip into them swap with Colorado, sending the 38th, 71st and the Rangers’ 2025 second-rounder to the Avalanche. That’s because it was widely expected that the Bruins were going to select Beaudoin with the next selection.

Utah gets a strong center who plays with physical tenacity, a puck-swarming forward that fits in well on the UHC depth chart. — Wyshynski


Team: St. Andrews College (HIGH-ON) | Rank: 34
DOB: 02/21/06 | Ht: 6-6 | Wt: 210 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 56 | G: 61 | A: 66 | P: 127

Team fit: Letourneau gives the Bruins extreme size down the middle. The fact he scored more than 60 goals and 127 points proves there is offensive upside, too.

He’ll attend Boston College starting in 2025, so the Bruins can keep a close eye on his development. Perhaps the most fascinating part is that the Bruins are hoping to strike it rich with Letourneau given they’ve only had four draft picks since 2018 who have reached the NHL. — Clark


Team: Windsor (OHL) | Rank: 16
DOB: 01/01/06 | Ht: 6-2.25 | Wt: 207 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 64 | G: 36 | A: 54 | P: 90

Scouting notes: Greentree has many attributes that scouts love — he plays in the middle of the ice, sees the ice very well, is an adept playmaker and a throwback build in the style of a power forward. He ranks highly across the board from his physical game to his hockey sense to his high-end playmaking. He lacks in the most important, yet most easily improvable, area: skating. Were Greentree an average or slightly above average skater, he likely would’ve been a top-10 pick because he’s that good in the other areas of his game.

Greentree was effectively a one-man show on a rebuilding Windsor team. His production is likely 20% better on a team that doesn’t finish near the bottom of the OHL standings. Not only is he a quality offensive driver, but he is also reliable defensively. He gets himself in good positions, wins puck battles and routinely outmuscles opponents all over the ice. He’s fun to watch because you wonder how he is as effective as he is with his skating deficiencies.

Scouts and executives have expressed an admiration for his game. His puckhandling, vision and shot make him a problem to deal with in the offensive zone. There are a lot of tools to work with and wouldn’t be the first prospect to improve his skating after being drafted. The problem with Greentree’s skating is that it is enough of a concern in today’s league that if it doesn’t improve, he may not be able to keep up. Functionally big and skilled power wingers are hard to find nowadays, and Greentree is exactly that. If he does add a step or two to his game, there’s a good chance he’s a top-six point producer at the NHL level. — Doerrie

Team fit: The Kings picked up this pick when Montreal traded up to No. 21 to select center Michael Hage. Greentree was captain of the Windsor Spitfires, and has a big body and a smart offensive game.

He joins a group of young forwards with the Kings that includes burgeoning star Quinton Byfield, Alex Laferriere and hopefully Alex Turcotte, who hasn’t developed as quickly as the others. Most importantly, Liam Greentree wore No. 66 in the OHL and would automatically become our favorite player if he had the audacity of wearing Mario Lemieux’s sacred digits in the NHL. — Wyshynski


Team: Brantford (OHL) | Rank: HM
DOB: 04/12/06 | Ht: 6-0.5 | Wt: 174 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 68 | G: 36 | A: 46 | P: 82

Team fit: It simply wasn’t enough to draft Levshunov and Boisvert in the first round. Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson traded up to get the 27th pick to take Mark Vanacker, a decision that adds to what they believe is a bright future.

Vanacker gives the Blackhawks a winger they could potentially see at the NHL level in a few years. While their rebuild starts and ends with Bedard, getting Vanacker means the Blackhawks have used seven first-round picks to draft forwards since 2020. — Clark


Team: Muskegon (USHL) | Rank: HM
DOB: 03/01/06 | Ht: 6-1.25 | Wt: 182 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 60 | G: 38 | A: 45 | P: 83

Team fit: The Flames acquired this pick in the Elias Lindholm trade with the Canucks. Lose a forward, gain a forward. Gridin led the USHL in points with 83 in 60 games, giving the rebuilding-and-or-retooling Flames another strong offensive winger.

Another Russian player who was spotlighted at the Dan Milstein camp during the Stanley Cup Final, he has a big frame for an agile skater. He’s University of Michigan-bound, and the Flames will gladly wait for his skills to sharpen in the NCAA. — Wyshynski


Team: TPS (FINLAND) | Rank: 25
DOB: 06/27/06 | Ht: 6-0.75 | Wt: 201 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 40 | G: 7 | A: 4 | P: 11

Scouting notes: Hemming is a fun topic of discussion among scouts. He’s considered to have a very high floor and lower offensive ceiling. The model sees him fitting in quite well as a third-line forward who can contribute offensively. Hemming is one of the few players who the model predicts he has more than an 80% chance of playing 200 NHL games with less than a 10% chance of becoming a star — true “safe” vibes.

He’s a strong two-way player with a quality release that borders on being a separating skill. He can shoot off both legs, off balance and in many catch-and-release positions. He’s a threat to score from distance, gets pucks through defenders and can score when he drives the net. He understands how to use contact to his advantage, wins puck battles, is in excellent spots off the puck and never cheats defensively. Those hard skills should easily translate into a bottom-six role, and he’s likely ready for the AHL next season.

Offensively, there have been flashes of good puck distribution and hockey sense. However, he is reliant on his shooting ability and two-way play. If he can add a step to his skating, there is legitimate upside as a power forward who contributes 40 to 50 points per season, playing on a top penalty-killing unit and secondary power-play unit. The ceiling isn’t as high as that of other players, but he is far more likely to play meaningful games. — Doerrie

Team fit: No matter who the Stars selected at No. 29, the pick was going to be met with the expectation that they would be the latest success story in Dallas’ prospect pipeline. So the fact they took Emil Hemming only adds to the belief that he could be the next prospect who might be able to contribute quickly.

He had 11 goals and 18 points in 13 games while playing against under-20 competition in Finland, while scoring seven goals and 11 points in 40 points against older competition in Liiga, the highest level of hockey in the nation. — Clark


Team: USA U-18 (NTDP) | Rank: 28
DOB: 03/30/06 | Ht: 6-3 | Wt: 185 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 53 | G: 0 | A: 11 | P: 11

Scouting notes: Emery has the makings of an impactful defenseman who can anchor a second pairing. Emery is a perfect complementary piece to an elite offensive defenseman who needs a reliable partner to augment their game.

Emery is a top transition defenseman, whose one-on-one defensive play stands out. He maintains excellent posture, effectively uses his stick to guide opponents, takes away passes and pokes pucks off opponent’s sticks. In transition, he maintains good gap control, doesn’t allow attackers to beat him to the outside and forces them to relinquish the puck. When the game needs a calming presence, the opponent’s best players kept off the scoresheet and a quality defensive play, Emery is that player. From that perspective, he is a coach’s dream. His defensive development this season has me believing he will continue to improve and likely become one of the best defenders in the draft class.

Offensively, there is not a lot there. That isn’t Emery’s calling card. That is likely why the model doesn’t project him to be more than a second-pairing defenseman. He makes simple breakout passes and doesn’t get caught up ice. While that is generally concerning, as a lack of offense at the junior level leads to a less confident statistical projection, his ability to defend in all three zones, skate well and win physical battles should make him a top-four defenseman in the NHL. — Doerrie

Team fit: There was a sense ahead of the draft that if the Rangers kept this pick, they were going defense. They selected a solid one here.

Emery is a right-handed shot who skates well and has a strong physical game without chasing hits. He projects to be a top-four defenseman. It’s not difficult to see Emery as a protégé for Rangers standout K’Andre Miller at the NHL level, and a part of that blue line with younger Rangers like Miller and Braden Schneider. — Wyshynski


Team: Oshawa (OHL) | Rank: HM
DOB: 02/06/06 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 188 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 64 | G: 1 | A: 32 | P: 33

Team fit: Trading down created questions about what the Leafs would do with the second-to-last pick of the first round. They answered by drafting defenseman Danford.

He provides them with a player who could help strengthen the blue line in the Leafs’ farm system. As a team pushing for titles, the Leafs are up against the salary cap each year, so having a player who can help in the near future on an entry-level deal is a boost. — Clark


Team: London (OHL) | Rank: HM
DOB: 03/30/06 | Ht: 6-1 | Wt: 178 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 68 | G: 20 | A: 36 | P: 56

Team fit: The Oilers acquired this pick from the Flyers, who acquired it from the Panthers in the Claude Giroux trade, so it’s good to see Edmonton finally take something that belonged to Florida.

Edmonton was willing to mortgage a first-rounder in either 2025 or 2026 for O’Reilly, who earned his stripes as a tremendous defender but had 56 points in 68 games for the London Knights last season. And that’s really the key here: O’Reilly went through the Hunter brothers system in London, meaning he’s prepped to be an NHL player.

Edmonton CEO Jeff Jackson, running the hockey operations show now that Ken Holland parted ways, has always been a fan of London GM Mark Hunter. Suppose we’ll find out how big that fandom is now that the Oilers need a general manager. Stay tuned. — Wyshynski


Round 2

33. San Jose Sharks: Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow (RUSSIA)
34. Carolina Hurricanes: Dominik Badinka, D, Malmo (SWEDEN)
35. Anaheim Ducks: Lucas Pettersson, C, Modo Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
36. Columbus Blue Jackets: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
37. Winnipeg Jets: Alfons Freij, D, Vaxjo Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
38. Colorado Avalanche: Ilya Nabokov, G, Magnitogorsk (RUSSIA)
39. Ottawa Senators: Gabriel Eliasson, D, HV71 Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
40. Seattle Kraken: Julius Miettinen, C, Everett (WHL)
41. Calgary Flames: Andrew Basha, LW, Medicine Hat (WHL)
42. Buffalo Sabres: Adam Kleber, D, Lincoln (USHL)
43. Washington Capitals: Cole Hutson, D, USNTDP (USHL)
44. Pittsburgh Penguins: Harrison Brunicke, D, Kamloops (WHL)
45. Minnesota Wild: Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert (WHL)
46. Pittsburgh Penguins: Tanner Howe, LW, Regina (WHL)
47. Detroit Red Wings: Max Plante, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
48. St. Louis Blues: Colin Ralph, D, Shattuck-St. Mary’s (HIGH-MN)
49. New Jersey Devils: Mikhail Yegorov, G, Omaha (USHL)
50. Carolina Hurricanes: Nikita Artamonov, LW, Nizhny Novgorod (RUSSIA)
51. Philadelphia Flyers: Jack Berglund, C, Farjestad Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
52. Washington Capitals: Leon Muggli, D, Zug (SWISS)
53. San Jose Sharks: Leon Sahlin Wellenius, D, Vaxjo Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
54. New York Islanders: Jesse Pulkkinen, D, JYP (FINLAND)
55. Nashville Predators: Teddy Stiga, C, USNTDP (USHL)
56. St. Louis Blues: Lukas Fischer, D, Sarnia (OHL)
57. Los Angeles Kings: Carter George, G, Owen Sound (OHL)
58. Florida Panthers: Linus Eriksson, C, Djurgarden (SWEDEN)
59. Philadelphia Flyers: Spencer Gill, D, Rimouski (QMJHL)
60. Columbus Blue Jackets: Evan Gardner, G, Saskatoon (WHL)
61. New York Islanders: Kamil Bednarik, C, USNTDP (USHL)
62. Calgary Flames: Jacob Battaglia, RW, Kingston (OHL)
63. Seattle Kraken: Nathan Villeneuve, C, Sudbury (OHL)
64. Edmonton Oilers: Eemil Vinni, G, Jokipojat (FINLAND-2)
65. Utah Hockey Club: Will Skahan, D, USNTDP (USHL)


Round 3

66. Anaheim Ducks: Maxim Masse, RW, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
67. Chicago Blackhawks: John Mustard, C, Waterloo (USHL)
68. Anaheim Ducks: Ethan Procyszyn, C, North Bay (OHL)
69. Carolina Hurricanes: Noel Fransen, D, Farjestad Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
70. Montreal Canadiens: Aatos Koivu, C, TPS Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
71. Buffalo Sabres: Brodie Ziemer, RW, USNTDP (USHL)
72. Chicago Blackhawks: AJ Spellacy, RW, Windsor (OHL)
73. Seattle Kraken: Alexis Bernier, D, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
74. Calgary Flames: Henry Mews, D, Ottawa (OHL)
75. Washington Capitals: Ilya Protas, LW, Des Moines (USHL)
76. Colorado Avalanche: William Zellers, LW, Shattuck-St. Mary’s (HIGH-MN)
77. Nashville Predators: Viggo Gustafsson, D, HV71 Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
78. Montreal Canadiens: Logan Sawyer, C, Brooks (BCHL)
79. Anaheim Ducks: Tarin Smith, D, Everett (WHL)
80. Detroit Red Wings: Ondrej Becher, C, Prince George (WHL)
81. St. Louis Blues: Ondrej Kos, LW, Ilves Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
82. San Jose Sharks: Carson Wetsch, RW, Calgary (WHL)
83. Vegas Golden Knights: Pavel Moysevich, G, SKA St. Petersburg (RUSSIA)
84. Calgary Flames: Kirill Zarubin, G, AKM Tula Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
85. New Jersey Devils: Kasper Pikkarainen, RW, TPS Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
86. Columbus Blue Jackets: Luca Marrelli, D, Oshawa (OHL)
87. Nashville Predators: Miguel Marques, RW, Lethbridge (WHL)
88. Seattle Kraken: Kim Saarinen, G, HPK Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
89. Utah Hockey Club: Tomas Lavoie, D, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
90. Washington Capitals: Eriks Mateiko, LW, Saint John (QMJHL)
91. New Jersey Devils: Herman Traff, RW, HV71 Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
92. Chicago Blackhawks: Jack Pridham, RW, West Kelowna (BCHL)
93. Vancouver Canucks: Melvin Fernstrom, RW, Orebro Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
94. Nashville Predators: Hiroki Gojsic, RW, Kelowna (WHL)
95. St. Louis Blues: Adam Jecho, C, Edmonton (WHL)
96. Utah Hockey Club: Veeti Vaisanen, D, Kookoo (FINLAND)
97. Florida Panthers: Matvei Shuravin, D, CSKA Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)


Round 4

98. Utah Hockey Club: Gregor Biber, D, Rogel Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
99. Nashville Predators: Jakub Milota, G, Cape Breton (QMJHL)
100. Anaheim Ducks: Alexandre Blais, C, Rimouski (QMJHL)
101. Columbus Blue Jackets: Tanner Henricks, D, Lincoln (USHL)
102. Montreal Canadiens: Owen Protz, D, Brantford (OHL)
103. Utah Hockey Club: Gabe Smith, C, Moncton (QMJHL)
104. Ottawa Senators: Lucas Ellinas, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
105. Seattle Kraken: Oliver Josephson, C, Red Deer (WHL)
106. Calgary Flames: Trevor Hoskin, RW, Cobourg (OJHL)
107. Philadelphia Flyers: Heikki Ruohonen, C, K-Espoo Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
108. Buffalo Sabres: Luke Osborn, D, Youngstown (USHL)
109. Winnipeg Jets: Kevin He, LW, Niagara (OHL)
110. Boston Bruins: Elliott Groenewold, D, Cedar Rapids (USHL)
111. Pittsburgh Penguins: Chase Pietila, D, Michigan Tech (CCHA)
112. Ottawa Senators: Javon Moore, LW, Minnetonka (HIGH-MN)
113. St. Louis Blues: Tomas Mrsic, C, Medicine Hat (WHL)
114. Washington Capitals: Nicholas Kempf, G, USNTDP (USHL)
115. New York Islanders: Dmitry Gamzin, G, Zvezda Moscow (RUSSIA-2)
116. San Jose Sharks: Christian Kirsch, G, Zug Jr. (SWISS-JR.)
117. Ottawa Senators: Blake Montgomery, LW, Lincoln (USHL)
118. Tampa Bay Lightning: Jan Golicic, D, Gatineau (QMJHL)
119. New York Rangers: Raoul Boilard, C, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
120. Toronto Maple Leafs: Victor Johansson, D, Leksand Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
121. Colorado Avalanche: Jake Fisher, C, Fargo (USHL)
122. Minnesota Wild: Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (FINLAND)
123. Buffalo Sabres: Simon-Pier Brunet, D, Drummondville (QMJHL)
124. Carolina Hurricanes: Alexander Siyatsky, D, Magnitogorsk Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
125. Vancouver Canucks: Riley Patterson, C, Barrie (OHL)
126. Detroit Red Wings: Landon Miller, G, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
127. Nashville Predators: Viktor Norringer, LW, Frolunda Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
128. Tampa Bay Lightning: Hagen Burrows, RW, Minnetonka (HIGH-MN)
129. Florida Panthers: Simon Zether, C, Rogle (SWEDEN)


Round 5

130. Montreal Canadiens: Tyler Thorpe, RW, Vancouver (WHL)
131. San Jose Sharks: Colton Roberts, D, Vancouver (WHL)
132. Colorado Avalanche: Louka Cloutier, G, Chicago (USHL)
133. Carolina Hurricanes: Oskar Vuollet, LW, Skelleftea Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
134. Montreal Canadiens: Mius Vecvanags, G, HS Riga (LATVIA)
135. Utah Hockey Club: Owen Allard, C, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
136. Ottawa Senators: Eerik Wallenius, HPK Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
137. Colorado Avalanche: Ivan Yunin, G, Omsk Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
138. Chicago Blackhawks: Joel Svensson, C, Vaxjo Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
139. New Jersey Devils: Max Graham, C, Kelowna (WHL)
140. Minnesota Wild: Sebastian Soini, D, Ilves Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
141. Seattle Kraken: Clarke Caswell, LW, Swift Current (WHL)
142. Minnesota Wild: Chase Wutzke, G, Red Deer (WHL)
143. San Jose Sharks: Nate Misskey, D, Victoria (WHL)
144. Detroit Red Wings: John Whipple, D, USNTDP (USHL)
145. St. Louis Blues: William McIsaac, D, Spokane (WHL)
146. New Jersey Devils: Veeti Louhivaara, G, JYP Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
147. New York Islanders: Marcus Gidlof, G, Leksand Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
148. Philadelphia Flyers: Noah Powell, RW, Dubuque (USHL)
149. Tampa Bay Lightning: Joona Saarelainen, C, Kalpa Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
150. Calgary Flames: Luke Misa, C, Mississauga (OHL)
151. Toronto Maple Leafs: Miroslav Holinka, C, Trinec Jr. (CZECHIA-JR.)
152. Toronto Maple Leafs: Alexander Plesovskikh, LW, Khanty-Mansiysk Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
153. Utah Hockey Club: Ales Cech, D, Mlada Boleslav (CZECHIA)
154. Boston Bruins: Jonathan Morello, C, St. Michaels (OJHL)
155. Winnipeg Jets: Markus Loponen, C, Karpat Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
156. Carolina Hurricanes: Justin Poirier, RW, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
157. Toronto Maple Leafs: Timofei Obvintsev, G, CSKA Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
158. Dallas Stars: Niilopekka Muhonen, D, Kalpa Jr. (FINLAND-JR.)
159. New York Rangers: Nathan Aspinall, LW, Flint (OHL)
160. Edmonton Oilers: Connor Clattenburg, LW, Flint (OHL)
161. Colorado Avalanche: Maxmilian Curran, C, Tri-City (WHL)


Round 6

162. Vancouver Canucks: Anthony Romani, RW, North Bay (OHL)
163. Chicago Blackhawks: Ty Henry, D, Erie (OHL)
164. Los Angeles Kings: Jared Woolley, D, London (OHL)
165. Columbus Blue Jackets: Luke Ashton, D, Langley (BCHL)
166. Montreal Canadiens: Ben Merrill, C, St. Sebastian’s School (HIGH-MA)
167. Utah Hockey Club: Vojtech Hradec, C, Mlada Boleslav (CZECHIA)
168. Carolina Hurricanes: Timur Kol, D, Omsk Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
169. Florida Panthers: Stepan Gorbunov, C, Chelyabinsk Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
170. Calgary Flames: Hunter Laing, C, Prince George (WHL)
171. New Jersey Devils: Matyas Melovsky, C, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
172. Buffalo Sabres: Patrick Geary, D, Michigan State (BIG10)
173. Philadelphia Flyers: Ilya Pautov, RW, CSKA Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
174. Minnesota Wild: Stevie Leskovar, D, Mississauga (OHL)
175. Pittsburgh Penguins: Joona Vaisanen, D, Dubuque (USHL)
176. Detroit Red Wings: Charlie Forslund, LW, Falu IF (SWEDEN-3)
177. Calgary Flames: Eric Jamieson, D, Everett (WHL)
178. Washington Capitals: Petr Sikora, C, Trinec Jr. (CZECHIA-JR.)
179. New York Islanders: Xavier Veilleux, D, Muskegon (USHL)
180. Vegas Golden Knights: Trent Swick, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
181. Tampa Bay Lightning: Kaden Pitre, C, Flint (OHL)
182. Anaheim Ducks: Austin Burnevik, RW, Madison (USHL)
183. Edmonton Oilers: Albin Sundin, D, Frolunda Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
184. Carolina Hurricanes: Roman Shokhrin, D, Loko-76 Yaroslavl (RUSSIA-JR.)
185. Colorado Avalanche: Tory Pitner, D, Youngstown (USHL)
186. Boston Bruins: Loke Johansson, D, AIK Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
187. Winnipeg Jets: Kieron Walton, C, Sudbury (OHL)
188. Carolina Hurricanes: Fyodor Avramov, LW, Stupino Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
189. Vancouver Canucks: Parker Alcos, D, Edmonton (WHL)
190. Utah Hockey Club: Ludvig Lafton, D, Farjestad Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
191. New York Rangers: Rico Gredig, LW, Davos (SWISS)
192. Edmonton Oilers: Dalyn Wakely, C, North Bay (OHL)
193. Florida Panthers: Hunter St. Martin, LW, Medicine Hat (WHL)


Round 7

194. San Jose Sharks: Yaroslav Korostelyov, G, SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
195. Tampa Bay Lightning: Joe Connor, LW, Muskegon (USHL)
196. Edmonton Oilers: William Nicholl, C, London (OHL)
197. Vegas Golden Knights: Lucas Van Vliet, C, USNTDP (USHL)
198. Los Angeles Kings: James Reeder, RW, Dubuque (USHL)
199. Tampa Bay Lightning: Noah Steen, LW, Mora (SWEDEN-2)
200. Toronto Maple Leafs: Matt Lahey, D, Nanaimo (BCHL)
201. Florida Panthers: Denis Gabdrakhmanov, G, Tyumen Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
202. Seattle Kraken: Jakub Fibigr, D, Mississauga (OHL)
203. Detroit Red Wings: Austin Baker, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
204. Buffalo Sabres: Vasily Zelenov, RW, RB Hockey Juniors (AUSTRIA-2)
205. Philadelphia Flyers: Austin Moline, D, Shattuck-St. Mary’s (HIGH-MN)
206. Tampa Bay Lightning: Harrison Meneghin, G, Lethbridge (WHL)
207. Pittsburgh Penguins: Mac Swanson, C, Fargo (USHL)
208. Detroit Red Wings: Fisher Scott, D, Dubuque (USHL)
209. St. Louis Blues: Antoine Dorion, C, Quebec (QMJHL)
210. Montreal Canadiens: Makar Khanin, RW, Dynamo St. Petersburg Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
211. St. Louis Blues: Matvei Korotky, C, SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
212. Washington Capitals: Miroslav Satan, C, Bratislava Jr. (SLOVAKIA-JR.)
213. Nashville Predators: Erik Pahlsson, C, Dubuque (USHL)
214. Anaheim Ducks: Darels Uljanskis, D, AIK Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
215. Colorado Avalanche: Christian Humphreys, C, USNTDP (USHL)
216. Toronto Maple Leafs: Sam McCue, LW, Owen Sound (OHL)
217. Colorado Avalanche: Nikita Prishchepov, C, Victoriaville (QMJHL)
218. Edmonton Oilers: Bauer Berry, D, Muskegon (USHL)
219. Buffalo Sabres: Ryerson Leenders, G, Mississauga (OHL)
220. Carolina Hurricanes: Andrey Krutov, LW, Nizhny Novgorod Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
221. Vancouver Canucks: Basile Sansonnens, D, Fribourg Jr. (SWISS-JR.)
222. Dallas Stars: William Samuelsson, C, Sodertalje Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
223. Pittsburgh Penguins: Finn Harding, D, Mississauga (OHL)
224. Montreal Canadiens: Rasmus Bergqvist, D, Skelleftea Jr. (SWEDEN-JR.)
225. Toronto Maple Leafs: Nathan Mayes, D, Spokane (WHL)

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SEC’s Sankey: Not settled on preferred CFP format

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SEC's Sankey: Not settled on preferred CFP format

DESTIN, Fla. — SEC commissioner Greg Sankey opened the league’s annual meetings Monday by saying he’s open-minded about the format of the College Football Playoff, while leaving some breadcrumbs about what he thinks are priorities in the conference’s decision-making.

With SEC athletic directors, presidents and coaches converging in Destin this week, the future of the College Football Playoff in 2026 and beyond is one of the central issues facing the league.

That’s in part because the playoff format decision is kinetic, as it impacts the SEC’s football schedule going to nine games and some type of down-the-road scheduling partnership with the Big Ten.

“We’re not committed to any particular format,” Sankey said.

With conversations among CFP leaders about format having appeared to splinter off to just the four power conference commissioners, a 16-team model looms as the most likely for the future of the sport. Sankey remains noncommittal on how the SEC thinks that should work, as college football enters the final year of its current postseason format.

The most discussed model has been one where the Big Ten and SEC would get four automatic bids each, and the ACC and Big 12 two each.

But Sankey stressed that the so-called 4-4-2-2-1-3 model, which distributes one automatic bid to the non-power leagues and three available at-large bids — one potentially for Notre Dame if it falls within the seeding threshold — has not been decided on in his room.

“We’ll see how that conversation manifests itself this week and we’ll look a little bit more deeply at different ideas,” he said, “which will put me at some point in a better position to answer those questions.”

Sankey did dive into some traits in the CFP system that he’d like to see, including a prioritization of the regular season — and games like Nebraska‘s recently cancelled series with Tennessee — while keeping postseason hopes alive for a swath of teams deep into the season.

“I think the word ‘hope’ is at the center, too,” Sankey said. “How do you bring people into the conversation late in the season in a changing environment, and so the idea of, ‘Could you have play-in-type games?’ continues to populate itself before you’re in the CFP selection. That’s about building interest and giving hope.

“Whether that’s the ultimate destination, we’ll see.”

The Big Ten and commissioner Tony Petitti have been more bullish on the four automatic bids, according to sources. Sankey has spoken about them but remains more guarded in his support.

Last week at the Big Ten meetings in California, the league came away still in support of the 4-4-2-2-1-3 model for the playoff, sources said. The Big Ten remains open to other ideas, but that model is at the forefront.

Sankey’s guarded stance stayed true Monday evening: “We’re trying to find a format to determine, whatever number it is, the best teams in college football, and I think where we are right now is we have used a political process inside a room to come to decisions about football. We should be using football information to come to football decisions.”

Sankey did make clear his disappointment in the reactions of the ACC and Big 12 commissioners to the move to a straight seeding model announced last week. Both commissioners referenced the macro good of the game in responses, with the ACC’s Jim Phillips saying that’s a “responsibility I take very seriously” and the Big 12’s Brett Yormark saying he hopes what’s best for college football is “the priority” in discussions moving forward.

Sankey felt those separate responses from the leagues were coordinated — although they were not formally, as neither released a statement — and remarked: “I don’t need lectures from others about ‘good of the game.’ I don’t lecture others about good of the game and coordinating press releases about good of the game. OK, you can issue your press statement, but I’m actually looking for ideas to move us forward.”

A Big 12 spokesman, Clark Williams, said on social media that there was not even a release, never mind a coordinated one, from the league.

He did add that the Big 12 and ACC did eventually bring some CFP ideas, but they don’t appear to have gained traction as they involved more bids — or bids with thresholds — for the ACC and Big 12.

Sankey said displacement of SEC teams would loom as such a big issue if those models were accepted that he’d likely lose his job.

“That’s tough” he said, walking through a series of potential displacement scenarios for his members. “I don’t think it’d be me at the podium in the future if some of those ideas [came to fruition].”

The other issue looming over meetings is the potential for the settlement of the House case this week. He remains hopeful a decision comes.

“We have a responsibility for implementation,” he said, “so does it pivot what we say this week? Yep. Does it mean we’re going to keep preparing? We’re going to keep preparing.”

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ESPN Junior 300: Comparisons for top 2027 prospects

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ESPN Junior 300: Comparisons for top 2027 prospects

The ESPN Junior 300 rankings are here, setting the stage for a pivotal next several months for the top rising juniors across the country.

This class already has several five-stars who grab attention right away, including a quarterback commit who reminds us of one of the top quarterback prospects in the country, as well as yet another elite Ohio State wide receiver commit.

Here’s how the top players at each position stack up, with a focus on five-stars who could continue to impress in the months ahead.

ESPN Junior 300 rank: 53

Reminds us of: Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

When it comes to pure passing acumen, Houston has everything evaluators look for. He has one of the smoothest, cleanest releases in recent classes with extremely consistent mechanics. Houston throws with power and velocity, and the ball jumps off his hand. Defenses have a hard time rushing him because he gets the ball out of his hand so quickly. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder might not have elite size, but he makes every throw and looks pretty good doing it.


ESPN Junior 300 rank: 42

Reminds us of: Austin Simmons, Ole Miss

Haven has been an incredible two-sport athlete and, after playing several positions in high school, his best football might still be ahead of him once he settles in at quarterback. He’s big, athletic and raw with physical tools that can’t be coached. Although he’s a very good runner for his size, he is not necessarily a dynamic dual threat. At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Haven is similar to Joe Milton coming out of high school. Like Milton, Hazen should iron out some technical quirks to maximize his arm strength and accuracy over time.


ESPN Junior 300 rank: 10

Committed to: Penn State Nittany Lions

Reminds us of: Makhi Hughes, Oregon

Spell is a bit short at 5-foot-10, but he’s not small. He’s built similarly to former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, even if he doesn’t weigh as much yet. Spell is a low-to-the-ground scatback who plays in a single wing/wing-T offense as both a tailback and wing back. He gets lost behind the line of scrimmage, then fits through tiny creases and is into the second level, winning foot races in no time. Spell has the burst to make defenders miss in the hole, which makes up for his lack of stature or power. He’s a really good perimeter runner because he can get to the edge and turn the corner.


ESPN Junior 300 rank: 2

Committed to: Ohio State Buckeyes

Reminds us of: Eric Singleton Jr., Auburn

Brown is a handful. The Ohio State commit has Ja’Marr Chase-like burst, acceleration and the ability to take the top off the defense. Even though Brown has the physical tools to overwhelm high school defenders, his polished route-running shows he already understands some of the nuances of the position. He ran a 4.49-second laser-timed 40-yard dash in April 2025, a 10.5-second 100-meter dash in 2024 and has a Max Speed on film of 21.3 mph.


ESPN Junior 300 rank: 16

Reminds us of: Antonio Williams, Clemson

Sabb could project at safety but will likely begin his career at wide receiver. His impact and value as a special teams returner should get him on the field quickly. Sabb is extremely difficult to tackle in the open field, and despite a slim 6-1, 185-pound frame, he breaks tackles routinely and extends plays. Sabb is a home run threat as a return specialist who can flip field position and provide points. His ball skills are as good as any receiver in this class, and he consistently makes difficult catches look routine.


ESPN Junior 300 rank: 25

Reminds us of: Colston Loveland, Michigan

Hudson headlines several big-play weapons at tight end in the 2027 class. Historically, there’s a strong correlation between basketball background and tight end success. Hudson fits the bill. The 6-foot-6 standout has offers in both sports and a desirable combination of height, length and catch radius. He does a great job high-pointing the ball as a dangerous red zone threat. Hudson is a matchup problem who can work from both the in-line position and flexed out. He needs to put more blocking on tape, but he’s proving to be a versatile player.


ESPN Junior 300 rank: 1

Reminds us of: Armand Membou, Missouri

Brown has the tools to become a coveted elite college tackle. Based on his film and an excellent April performance at the Houston Under Armour camp, stamping five-star status on him was an easy decision. Brown doesn’t have eye-popping height at 6-foot-4, but he has an unbelievable wingspan and big hands. He’s also likely not done growing, which would address his need to add more mass. Brown’s athleticism stands out at this stage. He’s light on his feet with good body quickness, natural bend and, at times, effortless pass protection. His areas of growth are correctable and will come with more physical maturation.


ESPN Junior 300 rank: 13

Remind us of: Daylen Everette, Georgia

Gilbert’s 22.2 mph Max Speed on tape is elite, and he has also posted a 10.57-second 100-meter dash. He needs to get stronger and fill out his lean 6-foot, 170-pound frame, but that hasn’t affected his willingness to be a stout run supporter. Gilbert plays bigger than his listed measurables, is highly competitive, likes to mix it up and can really run.


ESPN Junior 300 rank: 3

Reminds us of: Jermaine Mathews Jr., Ohio State

Meredith’s best football is ahead of him as he settles into a full-time cornerback role. He has played all over the field and is a dynamic athlete with instincts and a great feel for the game. At 6-foot-2, Meredith has great length and height for the position, and he ran a blazing 4.42-second laser-timed 40-yard dash. He has also posted a 21.2 mph Max Speed on tape. His high ceiling is exciting considering he’s just getting started as a defender.


ESPN Junior 300 rank: 7

Reminds us of: Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

Brewster is 6-3, 305 pounds, but he’s a versatile athlete who carries his weight well and moves like a much smaller man. He posted strong testing numbers, and his versatility showed up on film, where he has played running back, wildcat quarterback and also as a stand-up edge on defense. Defensive line is the long-term focus and he has the tools to develop into a disruptive 3-technique matchup problem. Brewster regularly won 1-on-1 reps in camp settings this spring, using his quickness to gain leverage along with his active hands. He’s a defensive tackle who makes plays against the run and as an interior pass rusher, but his versatility will allow a college program to deploy him along its front to exploit matchups and get the best defensive linemen on the field at the same time.


ESPN Junior 300 rank: 4

Reminds us of: T.J. Parker, Clemson

This is a strong class for defensive line and edge prospects. Forstall is a big reason why. He needs to continue developing his 6-4 frame, which is important, but he already looks like a much older player. Forstall tests well, explodes off the ball with good bend and pad level, and he redirects well. His effort allows him to factor into pursuit. Beyond his excellent tools, Forstall has the acumen of a player who could make the jump now. He uses his hands well, shows good awareness and quickly locates the ball. Forstall is always in the right position, and with continued development could become a three-down impact defender. With an offensive tackle ranked No. 1 on our board, it’s only fitting a defensive end could push him hardest for that top ranking.


ESPN Junior 300 rank: 5

Reminds us of: David Bailey, Texas Tech

While he’s listed as an outside linebacker, Guyton fits more as an edge and can be a handful getting up the field. His strong and quick hands are among the first traits that jump out on film. He’s an active presence who delivers a quick jolt with good power. Guyton isn’t a pass rusher who tries to get to the corner and simply run around tackles. Instead, he wants to punish them on his path to the quarterback. The explosive athlete reportedly notched 16 sacks during his first two high school seasons and should develop into a physical, relentless edge presence.

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Can anyone unseat Judge and Ohtani? Latest on all of MLB’s award races

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Can anyone unseat Judge and Ohtani? Latest on all of MLB's award races

With Memorial Day weekend behind us, the 2025 MLB season has taken shape. The exact outlines will change, but we’re past the point where teams and observers can dismiss anything with the “it’s early” wave of the hand.

That is true for the 30 teams at this first major traditional checkpoint of a baseball season, but it’s also true for players, many of whom have seen enough action that from a statistical standpoint, their rates have stabilized. That makes this a perfect time to take our first glimpse at how the awards races are shaping up.

So as we check in with our initial Awards Watch rankings of the season, we see much that looks similar to where we left off in 2024. In fact, the AXE ratings that feed these rankings see dual repeats in the respective MVP races.

That’s no surprise, as the first weeks of the 2025 season have done little to change the lofty appraisals of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, who continue to do historical things in mesmerizing fashion.

Yet there are new faces here, too, and those are perhaps even more fun because it’s these kinds of emergent stories that add flavor to every new campaign. Can any of these new upstarts challenge the Judge/Ohtani dual dominance?

Maybe not, but it’ll be fun to watch them try, and the jockeying for position in the awards derby is already well underway.

Most Valuable Player

American League

Front-runner: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (157 AXE)

Next nine: 2. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners (137); 3. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals (133); 4. Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox (129); 5. Jacob Wilson, Athletics (128); 6. Isaac Paredes, Houston Astros (126); 7. Rafael Devers, Red Sox (124); 8. (tie) Jeremy Pena, Astros (123); Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians (123); 10. Jose Ramirez, Guardians (122)

Leader trend: At this point, Judge is competing against himself. Last season, Judge’s 218 wRC+ ranked as the seventh best of the modern era by an AL or NL hitter. In other words, he put up one of the greatest offensive seasons in history. In 2025, he is on track to do even better and has a chance to top Barry Bonds’ 2002 record of a 244. He is leading the AL in all three slash categories (homers, RBIs and hits) and runs. He might soon start spurring an onslaught of “Can Judge really hit .400?” articles. The only thing that could derail Judge from unanimous support in MVP balloting is injury.

Biggest mover: For this first edition of Awards Watch, the “biggest mover” measure is based on 2024’s end-of-season numbers. With that in mind, even though Detroit’s Spencer Torkelson (118 AXE) didn’t quite crack the top 10, he deserves mention for bouncing back from a dreadful campaign. Despite being selected first overall by Detroit in 2020, Torkelson entered this season just below replacement for his career. He’s turned that around, posting 1.4 bWAR already, topping his 2024 homer and RBI numbers before Memorial Day and upped his OPS+ from 89 to 146. This is what the Tigers had in mind when they picked Tork.

Keep an eye on: Raleigh has staked claim to the title of baseball’s best all-around catcher. Coming off his first Gold Glove, Raleigh has also been one of the game’s best hitters so far. A pure three true outcomes batsman, Raleigh has been even better in those columns, upping his isolated power by homering at a near-Judgian pace, cutting strikeouts (a little) and pushing his walk rate to elite levels. He’s also improved his on-contact numbers by replacing some of his ground balls with line drives, resulting in — for him — a batting average breakout (.254).


National League

Front-runner: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs (138)

Next nine: 2. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (136); 3. Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres (134); 4. (tie) Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks (130); Kyle Tucker, Cubs (130); 6. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (129); 7. Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (127); 8. Will Smith, Dodgers (125); 9. James Wood, Washington Nationals (125); 10. Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies (124)

Leader trend: Crow-Armstrong’s emergence has made him one of baseball’s best stories this season. Entering the season, we knew that PCA, as he’s affectionately called, could post elite defense and baserunning metrics. If only he could hit! Would a leap from an 88 to a 149 OPS+ work? How about a pace that could see Crow-Armstrong post a 40/40 season? The strike zone numbers suggest a coming regression — more than five whiffs for every walk — but so far, so great.

Biggest mover: Perdomo has transformed himself at the plate, making him the NL’s top shortstop during the opening months of the season. Always a high-contact hitter, Perdomo has sliced the whiffs even more while adding walks, a tough dual feat to pull off, but it’s allowed him to push his OBP above the vaunted . 400 line. On top of that, Perdomo has featured more power by matching his career high with six early homers. Match those upgrades with his usual plus defense and an 11-for-11 showing on the base paths, and the Diamondbacks find themselves with an elite shortstop.

Keep an eye on: Ho hum. Doesn’t it seem like Ohtani is ever so slightly off from last season’s unprecedented level? Well, his percentages are on target to match or exceed those numbers. He’s on pace for 55 homers and 165(!) runs. Only his steal numbers are down from last season, but, lest we forget, his metrics might be bolstered by pitching categories in the near future. Meanwhile, even though Ohtani doesn’t lead NL hitters in either of the major versions of WAR, AXE likes his sizable lead in WPA among all NL batsmen.

Cy Young

American League

Front-runner: Kris Bubic, Royals (134)

Next nine: 2. (tie) Max Fried, Yankees (130); Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Rangers (130); 4. Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers (129); 5. Garrett Crochet, Red Sox (127); 6. Hunter Brown, Astros (125); 7. Andres Munoz, Mariners (123); 8. (tie) Tyler Mahle, Rangers (121); Bryan Woo, Mariners (121); 10. Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins (119)

Leader trend: Bubic’s emergence hasn’t exactly come out of nowhere, but he’s validated anyone who pegged him as a breakout player for 2025. Bubic is a cerebral lefty who has shaped and reshaped his arsenal during his career, which was interrupted by elbow surgery and rehab. Bubic has sparkled by being aggressive in the zone and has succeeded doing that without top-shelf velocity. It’s not a fluke, though he probably won’t finish with the 1.45 ERA he’s posted through 11 outings. Still, this race is just getting started, and the leaderboard is likely to change every time one of these hurlers take the mound.

Biggest mover: Brown has flashed brilliance before, but in 2025 he has reached another level in blending dominance with consistency. He has put up eight quality starts in 10 outings, leading the AL in that category. His average game score (64.4) ranks just behind Eovaldi, Fried and Skubal atop the circuit.

Keep an eye on: Skubal won it last year going away and has to be considered the favorite to repeat, even if he hasn’t quite returned to the top of the statistical leaderboards. While Skubal’s ERA is up a tiny bit (2.39 to 2.49), his FIP is better (2.49 and 1.98). The latter portends a continuation of the dominance we’ve seen from the Tigers’ ace since last season. Indeed, Skubal’s last start — a complete-game, two-hit, 13-strikeout shutout against Cleveland — was the best outing of his sparkling career.


National League

Front-runner: Jesus Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies (133)

Next nine: 2. Zack Wheeler, Phillies (131); 3. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates (125); 4. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers (122); 5. Kodai Senga, New York Mets (122); 6. (tie) Robbie Ray, San Francisco Giants (119); Nick Pivetta, Padres (119); Logan Webb, Giants (119); Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds (119); 10. MacKenzie Gore, Nationals (118)

Leader trend: Luzardo was a top-10 prospect when he reached the majors with the A’s in 2019. While Luzardo has had some solid moments in the bigs as he’s moved from the A’s to the Marlins to the Phillies, this is the pitcher the prospect wonks envisioned. Everything is better: more strikeouts, fewer walks and a home run rate so low it barely registers. Luzardo’s rise has more than compensated for the early struggles of rotation mate Aaron Nola.

Biggest mover: It’s actually Luzardo, so let’s spotlight Senga, who has bounced back spectacularly after his injury-plagued 2024 season. His ERA through 10 starts (1.46, tops in the NL) almost certainly can’t last, but Senga has emerged as the ace the Mets needed. Through those 10 outings, Senga has faced 228 batters and allowed two — two — home runs. Not bad for a pitcher who pitched in one regular-season game a year ago, then gave up seven runs over five postseason innings.

Keep an eye on: After finishing as runner-up in NL Cy Young balloting last year for the second time in his Phillies career, Wheeler might be even better. His ERA and FIP categories are on target with 2024, but he’s been even more dominant in the strikeout and walk categories. According to FanGraphs, only Gore has a better strikeouts-minus-walks percentage, an excellent measure of dominance and sustainability.

Rookie of the Year

American League

Front-runner: Jacob Wilson, Athletics (128)

Next nine: 2. Carlos Narvaez, Red Sox (120); 3. Shane Smith, Chicago White Sox (113); 4. Chase Meidroth, White Sox (111); 5. Cam Smith, Astros (110); 6. (tie) Justin Sterner, Athletics (107); Noah Cameron, Royals (107); Will Warren, Yankees (107); Tomoyuki Sugano, Baltimore Orioles (107); 10. Kameron Misner, Tampa Bay Rays (106)

Leader trend: Wilson might be the most interesting player in the majors. Considering all the things teams hold dear in player development and evaluation these days, how do you account for a player like this? Some of his percentile rankings at Statcast: bat speed (1st, or lowest), hard-hit rate (5th), walk rate (16th) and expected batting average (95th). What?! Wilson has struck out in barely 5% of his plate appearances this season. He swings at everything, contacts everything and everything seems to find a hole. Can it last? Let’s hope so because baseball needs hitters like this to flourish.

Biggest mover: Well, they’re rookies, so we’ll skip this one for this first edition. But rookie rankings change a lot as the season progresses, especially as some of those who will turn out to be among this year’s top first-timers are still in the minors. Possible example: Kansas City’s Jac Caglianone, who has already mashed his way from Double-A to Triple-A and, after homering five times over the weekend, seems intent on slugging all the way to the majors. Check back next month.

Keep an eye on: Kristian Campbell (92 AXE) has risen quickly and become a lineup fixture in Boston. The Red Sox have already rewarded him with an eight-year extension. The future is undoubtedly bright. Though, strictly speaking, his numbers haven’t been anything special. The results should get better, at least at the plate, and as an everyday player on a contending team, Campbell has every chance at being a key part of the Rookie of the Year conversation. But he will need to manifest that improvement.


National League

Front-runner: Chad Patrick, Brewers (113)

Next nine: 2. Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves (111); 3. Ben Casparius, Dodgers (110); 4. Logan Henderson, Brewers (107); 5. Liam Hicks, Miami Marlins (106); 6. Tim Tawa, Diamondbacks (104); 7. Max Kranick, Mets (103); 8. Jack Dreyer, Dodgers (103); 9. AJ Smith-Shawver, Braves (102); 10. Isaac Collins, Brewers (101)

Leader trend: The Brewers always seem to come up with one or two (or more) unsung pitchers who excel. This year, Patrick certainly fits that bill, posting a 3.23 ERA over 11 outings, including 10 starts. A lack of swing-and-miss stuff kept Patrick off the prospect radar, but so far, he’s made it work with command and a lot of soft contact. Patrick has already been traded twice in his career, going from Arizona to Oakland at the 2023 deadline for Jace Peterson, then moving from the A’s to Milwaukee after that season for Abraham Toro. This is what the Brewers do.

Biggest mover: While Wilson has emerged as a clear early-season front runner for AL Rookie of the Year honors, no one has achieved that status in the NL. Baldwin has been dynamite but hasn’t played everyday. Casparius has been effective but not in the kind of role that typically attracts awards support. Chances are, this leaderboard will look a whole lot different a month from now. That stated, expected Baldwin to stay somewhere on it, as he’s been a real force at the plate when he’s played. Increasingly lately, Baldwin has been usurping playing time behind the plate from veteran Sean Murphy.

Keep an eye on: Henderson has only made four starts, but what a beginning it’s been. Henderson won his first three outings and, overall, has allowed four runs over 21 innings with 29 strikeouts and six walks. He’s the first-ever Brewers pitcher to win each of his first three career appearances.

Manager of the Year

Front-runner: A.J. Hinch, Tigers (109.8 EARL)

Next four: 2. Stephen Vogt, Guardians (108.6); 3. Ron Washington, Los Angeles Angels (105.5); 4. Dan Wilson, Mariners (105.3); 5. Matt Quatraro, Royals (104.7)

Overview: The Tigers’ breakout might have begun late last season, but it’s only accelerated in 2025 as Detroit has become the story in the American League. The Tigers’ over/under for wins at ESPN BET has gone from 83.5 at the start of the season to 94.5. That 11-win increase is four more than any other team. Hinch has never won Manager of the Year honors.


National League

Front-runner: Rob Thomson, Phillies (107.7)

Next four: 2. Oliver Marmol, St. Louis Cardinals (106.7); 3. Bob Melvin, Giants (104.9); 4. Craig Counsell, Cubs (104.3); 5. Dave Martinez, Nationals (104.2)

Overview: This is a tightly packed race, with Thomson emerging as a fairly surprising early leader. The Phillies were expected to contend, to be sure, but have outperformed their run differential by three wins to date and are a sparkling 10-4 in one-run games. This system likes those things. Marmol has been rising fast as the Cardinals surge into surprising contention. He, Counsell and Melvin are more conventional candidates than Thomson.

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