Ranking the top 32 prospects for the 2024 NHL draft

The NHL common season is sort of carried out, which means many groups and their fan bases have began to observe the top prospects in the 2024 draft class extra rigorously. The San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets are at the backside of the league standings, and their followers have been getting enthusiastic about Macklin Celebrini for months.

But there may be greater than Macklin Celebrini on this draft class, and whereas it won’t have the depth of earlier years, there may be loads of expertise out there — and fairly a number of gamers anticipated to have impactful NHL careers.

One space the place this draft stands out behind Celebrini is on protection. According to my mannequin, which is defined under, that is the deepest draft on protection since 2012. That draft produced Morgan Rielly, Hampus Lindholm, Matt Dumba and Jacob Trouba in the top 10, and middle-round gems like Jaccob Slavin, Adam Pelech, Colton Parayko and Shayne Gostisbehere.

A draft doesn’t have to have a set of superstars to be a deep draft. While the 2024 class might lack potential firepower like the 2015 group that includes Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, there are many potential impression gamers on the again finish to be enthusiastic about.