Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini is the presumptive No. 1 pick entering the NHL draft on Friday following a season in which he became just the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's MVP.
The San Jose Sharks hold the first pick. The intrigue begins when the Chicago Blackhawks make the second pick, and whether they go with Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov or look to Russia to select forward Ivan Demidov or defenseman Anton Silayev.
The top six prospects:
Macklin Celebrini, center, Boston University
Hometown: North Vancouver, British Columbia.
Measurables: 6-feet, 197 pounds. Turned 18 on June 13.
Expected to be selected: No. 1 by San Jose.
Accomplishments/background: College hockey's youngest player finished second in the nation with 32 goals and third with 64 points in 38 games. Swept Hockey East MVP and rookie of the year honors. Led Canada with four goals and eight points in five games at the world junior championships. In 2022-23, led the USHL as a rookie with 46 goals and 86 points in 50 games with Chicago. Spent year in Bay Area playing for Junior Sharks after his father, Rick, relocated the family to become the Golden State Warriors' vice president of player health and performance.
NHL Central Scouting report: "Strong skater with fluid stride, elusive speed and quickness. ... The go-to for one-timers on the power play. Plays a heads-up complete game."
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Artyom Levshunov, defenseman, Michigan State
Hometown: Zhlobin, Belarus.
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. Turns 19 in October.
Expected to be selected: No. 2 by Chicago.
Accomplishments/background: Finished tied for ninth in the nation among defensemen with 35 points (nine goals, 26 assists) in 38 games. Big Ten rookie and defensive player of the year. Spent 2022-23 with USHL Green Bay, where he ranked eighth among rookies with 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) in 62 games. Has the opportunity to become just the fourth player from Belarus to be selected in the first round, and first since Montreal drafted Andrei Kostitsyn with the No. 10 pick in 2003. No Belarussian has been selected higher than defenseman Ruslan Salei, who went No. 9 to Anaheim in 1996.
NHL Central Scouting report: "A smooth-skating defenseman with high-end puck skills. Uses his size, strength and reach as assets to effectively defend in the defensive zone and has a good grasp of positioning and coverage. Quick and agile skater."
Cayden Lindstrom, center, WHL Medicine Hat
Hometown: Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 213 pounds. Turned 18 in February.
Expected to be selected: No. 3 by Anaheim.
Accomplishments/background: Limited to 27 goals and 46 points in 32 games before a season-ending back injury. Is fully healed and told reporters at the combine earlier this month the injury taught him how to better take care of his body. In 2022-23, had 19 goals and 23 assists in 61 games to finish in the top 10 among WHL rookies.
NHL Central Scouting report: "An impressive physical package with high-end skill. Rare combination of size, skill and high-end athleticism. ... Impressive movements and body control -- makes quick cuts and sharp turns in gear to evade and blow past defenders. Prototypical NHL power forward."
Ivan Demidov, right wing, Russia Junior SKA St. Petersburg
Hometown: Sergiyev Posad, Russia.
Measurables: 6-feet, 192 pounds. Turns 19 in December.
Expected to be selected: No. 4 by Columbus Blue Jackets.
Accomplishments/background: Finished second among Russian MHL players with 60 points (23 goals, 37 assists) in 30 games to earn MVP honors for a second straight season. Won junior championship with playoff-leading 11 goals and 28 points in 17 games. Had no points in pro debut (four games with KHL St. Petersburg). In 2022-23, finished third in MHL with 64 points (19 goals, 45 assists) in 44 games. Though ranked second by Central Scouting among international players behind Silayev, Demidov took part in a Russian-player combine held in Florida earlier this month, while Silayev did not.
NHL Central Scouting report: "Demidov might be the most naturally skilled player in this draft class," director Dan Marr told The Associated Press. "He has high hockey IQ that he can make the play through the ice, control to play at speed. ... He has all the tools to become a star."
Zeev Buium, defenseman, Denver University
Hometown: San Diego.
Measurables: 6-feet, 186 pounds. Turns 19 in December.
Expected to be selected: No. 5 by Montreal.
Accomplishments/background: Led college defensemen as a freshman with 50 points (11 goals, 39 assists) in helping Denver win an NCAA title. NCHC rookie and best offensive defenseman of the year. Had three goals and five points in helping U.S. win world junior championship. His older brother Shai was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft by Detroit.
NHL Central Scouting report: "Dynamic, offensively talented defenseman. ... Poise and patience with the puck make him very difficult to contain, especially at the offensive blue line. ... Possesses all the skills to be an early draft pick."
Anton Silayev, defenseman, KHL Nizhny Novgorod
Hometown: Sarov, Russia.
Measurables: 6-foot-7, 211 pounds. Turned 18 in April.
Expected to be selected: Could go higher, but likely target is Utah at No. 6.
Accomplishments/background: He was one of six players 17 or younger to compete in the KHL and finished with three goals and 11 points in 63 games. In 2022-23, had two goals and eight points in 41 regular-season games and two assists in 17 playoff games in helping Novgorod win the Russian junior MHL championship. Central Scouting's top-ranked international prospect.
NHL Central Scouting report: "He has all the puck skills, the attributes and the size intangibles that he can be someone who can help build your team around," Marr told The AP. "He had a consistent level of complete and maturity that was getting results and getting the job done. And that's an important part for clubs to see, because that's the part that will help him transcend to the NHL game."
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