2024 NHL Draft rankings: Mid-November top 40

It’s been a while.

Hockey moves quickly. So much can change in an instant. One game, one weekend, one month. For top prospects, there’s no room for off days. That’s putting a ton of pressure on teenagers who are still busy trying to focus on the daily grind of high school, too.

So while Daily Faceoff’s last draft ranking came 43 days ago, it might as well have been six months. We’ve seen so many singificant movers in the early going, such as Tij Iginla, Terik Parascak and Ryerson Leenders, among others. Some who looked destined to go in the top 10 are now teetering on being first-round picks at all at this point.

Everyone’s opinions on prospects are subjective. You can talk to scouts from NHL, Europe, college, major junior, you name it, and get completely wildly different opinions on the same players. And that’s part of what makes following the game’s future so much fun.

With some showcase tournaments out of the way, here’s a look at Daily Faceoff’s 40 rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft for November:

1. Macklin Celebrini, C (Boston University, NCAA)

After dealing with shoulder surgery over the offseason, it would have made sense if Celebrini had a slow start to his freshman college season as a 17-year-old. Instead, he’s the NCAA’s leading scorer and on pace to crush Jonathan Toews for the most goals scored by a U-18 NCAA player since 2000 when he potted 22. At this point, 50 points is a given, but could he top Adam Fantilli’s output of 65 a year ago? Seriously, Celebrini deserves all the hype he’s getting.

2. Cole Eiserman, LW (USNTDP)

Sorry, Cole Caufield. Eiserman’s coming for your scoring record. Featuring a release a la Phil Kessel and Auston Matthews, Eiserman should have no issue blasting past the USA Hockey National Team Development Program’s record of 72 goals in a season set by Caufield in 2018-19. Whether it be against USHL or NCAA competition, Eiserman’s tremendous shot has been one of the top highlights of the season. The Boston University commit can be caught watching a little too often, but there’s no question he’s a 50-goal threat in the NHL.

3. Ivan Demidov, RW (SKA St. Petersburg, MHL)

The best word a scout used to describe Demidov’s game is “hero.” The 17-year-old winger can take over a shift and try to do whatever it takes to put the puck in the net. He was one of the most dominant players in the Russian junior league last year and looked solid during the KHL preseason. But he immediately saw his ice time drop at the start of the KHL season and bounced between the VHL and MHL before suffering a knee injury in early October. He’s out for a few months, which is a shame because he was showing some good promise in his final few games. Despite limited KHL ice time, nobody is as creative as Demidov, who features a good mix of high hockey IQ, strong skating and tremendous vision. You can build a core around Demidov.

4. Artyom Levshunov, RHD, 18 (Michigan State University, NCAA)

Levshunov has a big 6-foot-2 frame, he’s mobile and loves to join in on the rush to help create offense. He’s been so successful with MSU as a college freshman, and there’s a good chance he’s the first defenseman taken next June. Levshunov started the year off playing against some mid-pack competition, but he still was one of the team’s top players in a two-game set with Boston College in late October. There’s still some question about his decision-making, both with and without the puck (similar to David Reinbacher last year), but the raw talent is evident. “He’d be the first defenseman taken last year,” a scout told me recently.

5. Sam Dickinson, LHD (London, OHL)

Another mobile defenseman with size, Dickinson is the best CHL defender this year. He’s been hovering close to a point-per-game mark, but he’s more than just offense. At 6-foot-3, Dickinson has good speed, a great first stride and makes smart decisions with the puck. There aren’t many players with his frame that move like he does. He has an NHL-caliber shot, but his bread and butter is being a dominant shutdown threat every single shift.

6. Konsta Helenius, C/RW (Jukurit, Liiga)

Helenius got off to one of the best starts in October, recording four points over a four-game stretch. He’s been a top-six player with Jukurit’s Liiga squad, putting up tremendous numbers against men while showing a relentless compete level. Helenius’ ability to force turnovers is notable, and his hockey sense is among the draft’s best. From watching him a few times this year, I feel like he deserves more than the 0.50 points per game he’s been hovering at for a while.

7. Cayden Lindstrom, C (Medicine Hat, WHL)

At 6-foot-5, Lindstrom’s getting significant attention in the scouting community these days. The Medicine Hat Tigers forward seems to get better with every game, and he has tremendous speed for his frame. From talking to a few WHL defenders, Lindstrom might be the most feared player in a 1-on-1 situation due to his combination of speed, skill and pure mass. The upside here is enormous – literally.

8. Anton Silyaev, LHD (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, KHL)

A lot of the early season shine surrounding the massive 6-foot-7 defender has quieted down, but he’s still on pace to smash the KHL’s U-18 scoring record – beating out the likes of Vladimir Tarasenko and Kirill Kaprizov, among others. Very few players Silyaev’s age get full-time pro hockey action, let alone top-four playing time. The big draw is his mobility, which allows him to move more like someone five inches shorter. He can be a bit slow to move the puck at points and game-to-game consistency needs improvement, but the potential for Silayev to become much more than just a skating skyscraper is tantalizing.

9. Berkly Catton, C (Spokane, WHL)

Berkly was an unstoppable force at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, leading Canada to gold with eight goals and 10 points. He scored in every game, easily making him the tournament’s top player. After a fantastic rookie season with Spokane, Catton – one of the best playmakers in the draft – is on pace to break the 100-point barrier this year. He fell a bit in these rankings, but it’s a competitive top 10.

10. Adam Jiricek, RHD (HC Plzen, Czechia)

Jiricek has nothing to show for on the scoresheet, and he’d probably benefit from more time against U-20 competition. But the younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets prospect David Jiricek is still getting the chance to play against pros, where his decision-making with the puck has looked solid. Jiricek is aggressive and can shoot with power, but his skating needs work – just like David at the same age.

11. Ryder Ritchie, LW (Prince Albert, WHL)

Ritchie showcased his deceptive offensive stylings at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and hasn’t slowed down with some solid numbers with Prince Albert. He’s a good small-area player and moves well enough everywhere to put himself in a scoring position. There’s potential for Ritchie to be a top-six threat in the NHL, especially as a finisher.

12. Zayne Parekh, RHD (Saginaw, OHL)

From talking to scouts, it’s hard not to love Parekh’s game. He’s playing at more than a point-per-game pace with the Saginaw Spirit while helping to run the team’s power play from the point. He scored 21 goals as a rookie last year which was bonkers. This year, it’s more about making smart moves with the puck and leading the breakout. He’ll be one of the key players to watch at the Memorial Cup this spring.

13. Aron Kiviharju, LHD (HIFK, Liiga)

Kiviharju is out long-term with an injury, so we haven’t been able to see much of him this year. He started off slow, but Kiviharju had points in his final two games as his ice time started to improve. Kiviharju had some bumps in the road a year ago against men, but he’s such a dynamic passer and can skate like the wind. I’m not willing to drop him due to all the missed time, but he’ll need to have quite the return if he’s going to go high in the draft.

14. Trevor Connelly, LW (Tri-City, USHL)

As expected, Trevor Connelly has been one of the USHL’s top players, showcasing his high-end playmaking abilities. While goals haven’t seemed to be his strong suit with Tri-City, he did show what happens when you give him too much space at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Connelly is prone to trying to do too much with the puck on occasion, but he’s a fun player to watch with loads of skill. We’ll have to see how teams handle Connelly’s handling of the swastika incident, though.

15. Carter Yakemchuk, RHD (Calgary, WHL)

There’s no shortage of scouts falling in love with Yakemchuk’s game this year. He’s producing at more than a point per game, he makes himself difficult to play against and he moves well, too. Yakemchuk is skilled with the puck and makes smart decisions with the puck, but his defensive game can be a struggle sometimes. But at 6-foot-3 with his strong footwork, NHL teams will be excited.

16. Tij Iginla, LW (Kelowna, WHL)

Iginla can’t stop scoring. He has hovered around the goal-a-game mark for most of the season, needing just 10 games to match his 48-game run with the WHL champions Seattle last year. Iginla has struggled for consistency as of late, but when he’s hot, his shot can be so difficult to handle. Beyond the scoresheet, Iginla is flashy, defensively reliable and can land a big hit, too. Sounds a little like someone we might remember.

17. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW (Mora IK, Allsvenskan)

“He would be a full-time NHLer on some teams already,” one scout told me recently. As an October 2005 birthdate, the Norweigan forward has already been playing against pros in the second-tier Swedish league, showcasing a relentless forecheck every single game. The offense hasn’t shown up yet, but it’s not due to a lack of effort. He’s a modern-day forward in nearly every aspect, and a team looking to add a hard-working, hard-hitting forward could do much worse this year.

18. Igor Chernyshov, LW (Dynamo Moskva, MHL)

We’re still waiting to see if Chernyshov can hit the offensive potential most pegged him to have. He’s had some difficult showings in the KHL but looks good against junior kids. He’s big and isn’t afraid to land hits. For a nearly 200-pound winger, Chernyshov moves well, with and without the puck. Few European pro players Chernyshov’s age can beat defenders in 1-on-1 situations like he can.

19. Nikita Artamonov, LW (Nizhny Novgorod, KHL)

Russian scouts love Artamonov, and for good reason. He’s averaging more than half a point per game already, which is difficult to do in the KHL for a 17-year-old. Artamonov is already playing a big role, partly thanks to the way he attacks the puck and forces mistakes. He’s a high-end playmaker with a never-ending motor, and if he can improve his skating – both top speed and edgework – he’ll find himself moving farther up the rankings.

20. Zeev Buium, LHD (University of Denver, NCAA)

I loved Buium’s game with the program, and he’s starting to really come into his own with the University of Denver. He has a solid mentor in Colorado Avalanche prospect Sean Behrens, helping him to understand the pressure of playing big minutes against quality competition. There were a few times last year when Buium looked like the best player on the ice – other times, he can be invisible.

21. Cole Hutson, LHD (USNTDP)

Surprise! He looks just like his brother, in both good and bad ways. Hutson has great offensive instincts, with his U-17 season being one of the best we’ve seen out of a USNTDP product. A high-end puck-mover, Hutson can electrify with some of his moves to get himself out of trouble on the attack. But just like Lane, Cole’s defensive game leaves a lot to be desired, and that hasn’t changed over the past year, either. At 5-foot-10, he’s at least a bit bigger.

22. Charlie Elick, RHD (Brandon, WHL)

At 6-foot-3, Elick’s speed makes him fun to watch. He brings a competitive spirit to every game and he leaves nothing on the table when going for a hit. At his core, Elick has the makings of a shutdown defenseman that, as long as he keeps his offensive game simple, should have no issue adjusting to the pro game. Elick’s decision-making with the puck needs work, but he’s not far off.

23. Sacha Boisvert, C (Muskegon, USHL)

Scouts seem mixed on Boisvert’s first-round potential, but they can’t ignore his goal production. He’s closing in on a 45-goal pace with Muskegon while overpowering players at points with his 6-foot-2 frame. He’s got great hands, skates well and can beat defenders at speed. He sometimes relies a bit too much on his creativity, which could hurt him in the pro ranks. But right now, there’s a lot to like.

24. EJ Emery, RHD (USNTDP)

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, the 6-foot-3 Emery skated well for his size. While Hutson is more of the point-producer, Emery helps get the play started by retrieving the puck and then playing a more passive game. And he does it quickly, with one scout comparing him to the Road Runner in how he gets where he needs to be so swiftly. A lot of Emery’s value doesn’t tend to get rewarded on the scoresheet.

25. Beckett Sennecke, RW (Oshawa, OHL)

I feel like Sennecke has sleeper potential here. He’s putting around at a point-per-game pace on a Generals team that’s missing star forward Calum Ritchie due to injury. Sennecke is leading the charge and is coming off a handful of three-point performance. Adding Connor Lockhart should help Sennecke unlock his production further, but he’s a dynamic forward that only gets better with each week.

26. Maxim Masse, RW (Chicoutimi, QMJHL)

I don’t think Masse will be a high-impact NHLer, especially in a scoring sense. But what he will be is a nice support player who sets up his teammates, grinds plays out, lands some hits and brings a solid work ethic to a team’s bottom six. He’s best when he’s given time to pick and unleash his shot, something that should translate decently well to the NHL.

27. Henry Mews, RHD (Ottawa, OHL)

Once considered a top-10 prospect, but concerns about Mews’ game started to creep up during the Hlinka Gretzky. He put up good numbers but was prone to make some crazy miscues while dishing the puck out. His offensive game hasn’t exploded like many hoped it would, either. But when Mews is on his game, he commands attention like very few across the OHL. I’d just like to see him play at a faster pace, because quicker decision-making could be what pushes him forward.

28. Leo Sahlin Wallenius, LHD (Vaxjo, Sweden U-20)

Sahlin Wallenius is an outstanding skater – maybe the best among defenders in the class. That helps make up for the fact that he’s just 5-foot-11, something that does get exploited at points. Still, he looked great at the Hlinka Gretzky, showing solid two-way ability and quick hands. There’s some modern-day qualities that’ll make him an interesting option at the draft table.

29. Tanner Howe, LW (Regina, WHL)

Consistency has been an issue for Howe lately as he and the Regina Pats navigate a world without Connor Bedard. Howe started off spectacularly with six points in his first three games but has quieted down to a pace closer to his 85-point output last year. Beyond the scoresheet, he’s a respected leader, and there’s a reason why he’s already wearing the “C.”

30. Liam Greentree, RW (Windsor, OHL)

Greentree has remained a bright spot for a struggling Spitfires team, sitting on pace for around 90 points as a second-year OHLer. He made a splash with 45 points last year, displaying his powerful release against unsuspecting goalies. At 6-foot-2 and 198 pounds, he has size, and he skates well enough for his frame, too. If Windsor is in your area, I recommend checking Greentree’s game out – he’s fascinating.

31. Terik Parascak, RW (Prince George, WHL)

Nobody saw Parascak exploding offensively like he did. Sure, he has some solid linemates to lean on, but he’s humming around at more than a goal per game and nearly two points per game. Given he was playing prep hockey last year, it’s quite incredible. He’ll have to prove he’s more than a finisher, though, but the progress has been staggering. A few scouts think he’s even a potential top-10 pick.

32. Emil Hemming, RW (TPS, Liiga)

Hemming has bounced around between the junior and pro ranks the past few weeks, but his explosive start in Liiga action with TPS turned heads. After some excellent showings against junior kids, he scored goals in his first two pro games with TPS, something that’s hard to come by for a kid playing around 10 minutes or fewer a night. His ice time dwindled as time went on, but his play against U-20 players has been impressive.

33. Matvei Gridin, RW (Muskegon, USHL)

The USHL’s top scorer for most of the season thus far, Gridin is on the verge of tying his rookie season output of 21 points in about 25 fewer games. He couldn’t stop scoring early on, and his chemistry with Boisvert showed early. Gridin’s skating stands out, and it’s good to see him become such a finisher. He can tend to follow the game too often, so he needs to get out of his comfort zone and attack more.

34. Simon Zether, C (Rogle, Sweden U-20)

Zether is a 6-foot-3 forward who can put significant power behind his shot while being quite impressive in tight to the net. He’s credited with nine games played for Rogle’s SHL team, but he didn’t see the ice in six of those. But in a recent viewing of him against U-20 competition on Friday, Zether had two goals, three points and seven shots in a 5-1 win – the fifth time he had three or more points this year. With 25 points in 16 games with Rogle in Sweden’s top junior league, he’s turning heads.

35. Ryerson Leenders, G (Mississauga, OHL)

Besides a recent snafu that has seen the Steelheads struggle a bit, Leenders has been outstanding this year. He routinely faces 35-plus shots a game and seems to perform better the busier he is. He was riding a 7-1-0 record with two shutouts not too long ago, so you’ll have to look past the recent drubbings to get a good read on him. Still, Leenders looks like the best goalie in a draft for any team looking for depth in the crease.

36. Michael Hage, C (Chicago, USHL)

Hage missed most of last season with an injury, but he still put up good numbers to close out the season with the USHL’s Chicago Steel. He’s scoring at just below a point-per-game as he continues to adjust to heavy responsibility in the NCAA, but the raw talent – the playmaking, the shot, the skating – is all there.

37. Will Skahan, LHD (USNTDP)

The big 6-foot-4 defenseman reminds me of watching Tyler Kleven with the USNTDP all those years ago. Imposing, long reach, deceptive skater. Skahan doesn’t shoot enough for my liking and won’t offer NHL teams much in terms of scoring, but if you need a hard-working defender with pro-level tools to give you extra depth, Skahan’s your guy.

38. Adam Jecho, C (Edmonton, WHL)

Jecho has been on draft radars for a few years now, having played in a whopping three Hlinka Gretzky Cups, mixing speed and size together to form an interesting package. Some scouts think he’s a lock for the first round. At 6-foot-5, there’s a lot to like.

39. Justin Poirier, RW (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL)

One of the youngest players in the draft, Poirier has been a point producer at every level. He just missed the 50-point mark as a rookie with the Drakkar, and could very well crack 50 goals this year. A shoot-first winger, he could serve to use his teammates a bit more, but he has top-six scoring upside.

40. Will Felicio, LHD (Madison, USHL)

Size-wise, Felicio is definitely lacking at 5-foot-10. But the University of Denver commit makes up for it in slick playmaking and smart decision-making, something he showed in spades as a 16-year-old rookie in the USHL. He came into his own as a two-way stalwart with USA at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, quarterbacking the team’s power play.