NEWSLETTER
Yes, I know. We’re still getting used to seeing Connor Bedard in a Blackhawks sweater. And everyone was specifically circling the 2023 NHL Draft for tanking purposes for a couple years. But it’s already that time of year when we start thinking ahead to the 2024 NHL Draft class. This week, NHL Central Scouting released their preliminary watch list for next year’s selections.
In total 28 players received an A grade from Central Scouting, which indicates they’re a first-round player grade in these early rankings. The grades do not come in any ranked order; they’re all alphabetical.
However, the top two names on the list have been there for some time. Forwards Macklin Celebrini and Cole Eiserman have long been considered the top two picks in the Class of ’24. Celebrini is skating at Boston University, where he’s a teammate of Blackhawks prospect Ryan Greene. Eiserman is committed to play for the Terriers next year; he’s skating with the US National Development Program this season.
One name that might be worth circling for Blackhawks fans is right-handed defenseman Artyom Levshunov of Michigan State University. He’s sprinting up draft boards. He’s listed at 6-2 and 208 pounds already and has three goals and three assists in six games for the Spartans thus far.
“Maybe this isn’t a two-horse race at the top (with Celebrini and Eiserman) with the kind of year Levshunov may end up having,” NHL Central Scouting director David Gregory told NHL.com.
A few other names I’m circling as a Blackhawks fan to keep an eye on in the coming months:
A Grade
Anton Silayev, LHD, Russia (6-7, 211)
Carter Yakemchuk, RHD, Calgary – WHL (6-3, 190)
Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat – WHL (6-5, 205)
Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor – OHL (6-2, 211)
B Grade
Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel – USHL (6-0, 190) — Michigan commit
Kristian Epperson, LW, USNTDP (5-11, 182) — Michigan commit
Kamil Bednarik, C, USNTDP (6-0, 185) — Boston U. commit
Christian Humphreys, C, USNTDP (5-11, 170) — Michigan commit
