THW NHL Prospects & Draft Substack - Oct. 31, 2023
Welcome to the THW NHL Prospects & Draft Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our great team of writers.
In today’s edition, we have a look at my top-32 ranked prospects for the 2024 Draft, some Flyers prospects off to hot starts, Luca Cagnoni’s torrid pace to start the season, and much more!
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Now on to the good stuff…
2024 NHL Draft Rankings – Horn’s Top 32 for October
October 26, 2023 by Logan Horn
Now that the 2023-24 season is well underway in many leagues around the world I think it’s time to establish my first top-32 rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft. This year’s group is headlined by Macklin Celebrini, a Canadian center who has just about every tool and skill you could ask for.
Celebrini is set to join Boston University next season, along with his brother Aiden (drafted by the Canucks in 2023), where he will be 17 years old for his entire freshman season. Celebrini is followed closely by Cole Eiserman, an American sniper who has been scoring goals at will to start the year.
Flyers Prospects Report: Michkov, Gauthier, Foerster & More
October 29, 2023 by Matthew Ward
The Philadelphia Flyers are undoubtedly a team that has high hopes for its future. With an abundance of young talent on the horizon, the Flyers hope to build a winning foundation with the help of their top prospects. The organization’s top six prospects include four forwards and two defensemen. They range in age from 18 to 22, and represent the nations of Russia, the United States, Canada, and Sweden.
Numerous NHL ranking authorities consider the Flyers to have a top 20 farm system, with several talented players who are expected to reach the NHL over the course of the next three seasons. Corey Pronman of The Athletic recently ranked the Flyers at number 11 in NHL pipeline rankings this year (from “Philadelphia Flyers rank No. 11 in NHL Pipeline Rankings for 2023”, The Athletic, Aug. 23, 2023).
Sharks Prospect Luca Cagnoni Off to Amazing Start This Season
October 28, 2023 by Andrew Stille
The San Jose Sharks have yet to win a game in the 2023-24 season. In seven games, they have gone 0-6-1, and the majority of games have not even been close. However, if there is one thing to have at least a little bit of hope for this year, it’s the Sharks’ prospect pool.
Of the many prospects the Sharks have, there are a decent number of them who are taking the next step in their development. William Eklund and Thomas Bordeleau have both found spots on the NHL roster, Will Smith is beginning his collegiate career with Boston College, and other various prospects are joining the San Jose Baracuda in the American Hockey League (AHL). However, one prospect in particular has stood out in this season’s limited sample size. That prospect is none other than Luca Cagnoni.
Rangers’ Third Line Benefitting From Will Cuylle’s Climb
October 26, 2023 by Tom Castro
The New York Rangers’ encouraging 4-2-0 start to the 2023-24 season has been authored in large part by quick bursts out of the gate by some of their top players. Artemi Panarin is rolling along as always, with three goals and five assists. Chris Kreider’s five goals lead the team. An engaged and effective Alexis Lafreniere has responded perfectly to his promotion to the Rangers’ dynamic second line with three goals. Star goaltender Igor Shesterkin has picked right up where he left off last season.
Less visible but perhaps just as positive, however, has been the play of rookie left wing Will Cuylle, who along with Vincent Trocheck has brought an added dimension to the club’s third line, providing a lift for a bottom-six forward group that has been in need of just that for some time now.
Last Edition’s Poll Results
Last time I asked you to predict who you think will go 1st overall in the 2024 Draft and the vast majority of you agreed that Macklin Celebrini is a near shoe-in for the top spot in this year’s draft. 63% of votes were for Celebrini with Cole Eiserman coming in second with 25%.
Celebrini has had such a phenomenal start to his NCAA career this season that it can be easy to forget that he is just 17 years old and won’t turn 18 until June. He isn’t just going to tear up college hockey, he’s doing it as one of the youngest players in all of the NCAA. This is just the beginning for Celebrini and he’s beginning to feel a bit inevitable as the first overall pick unless someone else takes a big step or two forward in the near future.
New Poll!
NHL Draft - NHL Central Scouting Preliminary 2024 Draft Rankings
NHL Awards - NHL 2023-24 Calder Trophy Predictions
Draft Coverage - 2024 NHL Draft: Horn’s Top 32 for October
- 2024 NHL Draft: Baracchini’s Preseason Top 32