Ranking the top-32 hockey prospects ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft (2024)

Mary Clarke

June 27, 2024 8:01 am ET

The 2024 NHL Draft will give hockey fans their first look at the next class of talent to hit the ice.

The Stanley Cup has officially been awarded, which means the NHL offseason is about to kick off in a big way. Not only is the NHL Draft coming up on Friday and Saturday — at the Vegas Sphere, no less! — the start of free agency is on Monday, July 1. It’s a busy time of year for hockey fans, that’s for sure.

While the 2024 NHL Draft doesn’t have the generational talent last year’s provided, this stretch of the offseason is about hope for all 32 fanbases. The decisions made over the course of the draft will shape a franchise’s future and the prospect of getting top-end talent or a diamond in the rough is an enticing one for fans.

With that being said, you may be wondering who the top prospects are ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft. After all, if your favorite team has a high draft pick this year, you might be curious as to which players are on their radar.

If so, you’re in luck! Ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, let’s take a look at the top 32 prospects to keep an eye on during the event.

F Macklin Celebrini

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Position: Center
Team: Boston University (NCAA)

The consensus No. 1 overall pick, Macklin Celebrini will be tasked with helming the San Jose Sharks rebuild as their cornerstone piece. While Celebrini isn’t a generational talent, he’s a complete 200-foot player that excels at all ends of the ice and is by far the best hockey player in this draft. For the 2024 draft class, Celebrini is in a tier of his own.

F Ivan Demidov

Position: Right wing
Team: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Ivan Demidov could very well be in a Matvei Michkov kind of situation. As a Russian player with a KHL contract, Demidov wouldn’t be able to step on NHL ice unless his contract finishes or is terminated. While that may turn some teams away, Demidov has emerged as the next best talent in this draft. An offensive force on the ice, Demidov is a dynamic player who projects to be an absolute terror for opponents with his goalscoring skills.

D Artyom Levshunov

Michigan State’s Artyom Levshunov moves the puck in practice during hockey media day on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at Munn Arena in East Lansing.

Position: Defense
Team: Michigan State University (NCAA)

There are a lot of high-quality defensem*n to choose from in this draft, but Artyom Levshunov currently stands as the best of the best. Levshunov is a beefy defender, is offensively skilled and shoots right, making him a NHL GM’s dream come true on the blue line.

D Zayne Parekh

Dale Preston/Getty Images

Position: Defense
Team: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Given his recent performance in the OHL over the last season, many believe Zayne Parekh to be the best fully offensive defenseman in this draft. With 33 goals and 96 points over the last season, Parekh was a force to be reckoned with as an offensive juggernaut and it’s clear he has the stuff to dominate the NHL should be awaken to his full potential.

F Cayden Lindstrom

Position: Center
Team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Cayden Lindstrom moves quite well for a player his size. At 6-foot-3, Lindstrom has incredible control of his frame while having a stellar shot to boot. With his bulk and natural scoring ability, Lindstrom has the makings of a top-line power forward should everything come to fruition.