2024 NHL Draft Thread (CBJ to pick 4th)

[majormajor]

This is what I'm getting at in these conversations with folks where they say "he reminds me of [insert big strong player that people tried to develop into a pf or star scorer]".

Cayden Lindstrom is already an elite junior player. A top scorer and a dominating PF who doesn't need a special push. He's not just some guy people are taking over Catton because he is bigger and stronger - he actually had a higher P/60 than Catton as well.

 

[cslebn]

Can someone who watches these guys explain why Silayev is better than Luke Schenn as a prospect?

 

[majormajor]

Can someone who watches these guys explain why Silayev is better than Luke Schenn as a prospect?

Much bigger, longer reach, closes gaps with his skating very quickly. He really is a great skater, not just compared to Schenn but genuinely well above average.

 

[EspenK]

Why do we have two threads about the draft? I'm thinking of opening two for 2025. One for the lottery and one for the pre & post lottery discussion.

 

[koteka]

Why do we have two threads about the draft? I'm thinking of opening two for 2025. One for the lottery and one for the pre & post lottery discussion.

James Hagens (the guy we’ll pick next year after winning the lottery) isn’t the biggest guy in the world, so I think Lindstrom makes a lot of sense.

 

[EspenK]

James Hagens (the guy we’ll pick next year after winning the lottery) isn’t the biggest guy in the world, so I think Lindstrom makes a lot of sense.

Please refrain from discussing next year until I make the threads. Otherwise what will we talk about?

 

[EspenK]

Ok, I have a serious question/thought.

As I look at the current roster I have trouble seeing a future star player once I get past Fantilli and even then I'm not sure he will be thought of as a MacKinnon, Kucherov, Matthews level superstar. He might reach that level then again he might very well not.

I think we have need for a C and a 1D. But from what I read Demidov is the one guy that a lot of scouts/experts consider to be a guy who could reach superstar level.

What do y'all think? Is he the only one? The best shot to become one?

This probably becomes a non-issue at 4 because he most likely be gone by then but assuming we have the choice between him, Lindstrom and whomever the top D is who do you like and for what reason?

 

[koteka]

Please refrain from discussing next year until I make the threads. Otherwise what will we talk about?

I am trying to get a head start on my more optimistic outlook for the Jackets for next season. We will finish second to last in the East and win the lottery. Yay optimism!

 

[GoJackets1]

After watching some tape, my wants are now:

Demidov- unlikely
Buium- maybe a “reach” from consensus but hard for me to pass on a Dman with excellent hockey sense and above average skating
Lindstrom- he does look like a great power forward that is also good at finding soft spots in the offensive zone. Not a pure goal scorer which I think is good. Almost reminds me of Nash.

—Gap—
Levshunov- positionally would fill a need, didn’t watch his tape but I know I’d take the other 3 above him

—Gap—
Everybody else. Please don’t take Silayev.

 

[CBJx614]

After watching some tape, my wants are now:

Demidov- unlikely
Buium- maybe a “reach” from consensus but hard for me to pass on a Dman with excellent hockey sense and above average skating
Lindstrom- he does look like a great power forward that is also good at finding soft spots in the offensive zone. Not a pure goal scorer which I think is good. Almost reminds me of Nash.

—Gap—
Levshunov- positionally would fill a need, didn’t watch his tape but I know I’d take the other 3 above him

—Gap—
Everybody else. Please don’t take Silayev.

*Excuse the ramblings*


I could argue that Silayev (and Lindstrom) are both what this team needs most. We don't have anyone like them in the system or on the team. We have high skill guys with a extremely high ceiling (KJ) we have two way defenseman who are equally as dangerous in the offensive zone as they are responsible defenseman in their own zone (Werenski and hopefully Mateychuk/Jiricek)


The closest thing we have to Silayev is a 32 yo Gudbranson. And by the time Silayev comes over, Gudbranson will be gone.

Gudbranson was drafted at 6'3 195. He's now 6'5 220

Silayev is 6'7 207 at 18 yo. Even if he doesn't grow another inch he'll probably top out in the 230-240 range (depending on his genetics and workout regimen)

Imagine a bigger, stronger, better skating Gavrikov. He may not be the sexy pick, but when you look around what the rest of the east is doing and in our division, I don't think we should necessarily try to emulate it, but I think we should try to turn ourselves into a physical, defensive powerhouse of the east.

Anchor his ass next to Jiricek to let him play more aggressively and I would imagine Silayev would start to produce by simply being on a pair with Jiricek.

Werenski - Boqvist
Mateychuk - Severson
Silayev - Jiricek


You could truly roll those pairings however all game.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but when I was looking through the Silayev thread people were saying he was actually seeing PP time at the beginning of the season (where a chunk of his points came from)and that his minutes and usage (across the board) went down throughout the season. Something similar to what we were doing with Jiricek.


@majormajor I know you've said you've watched him and don't think he's got the greatest offensive sense. Do you think that's something that's happening because of how he's being coached (make the safe plays, don't do too much) or it's just how he plays?

 

[majormajor]

Do you think that's something that's happening because of how he's being coached (make the safe plays, don't do too much) or it's just how he plays?

I think it's how he plays.

 

[Ice9]

New GM dials up Igor Larionov and has a nice, open discussion. Larionov knows a tad about hockey and good players I suspect.

 

[majormajor]

Ok, I have a serious question/thought.

As I look at the current roster I have trouble seeing a future star player once I get past Fantilli and even then I'm not sure he will be thought of as a MacKinnon, Kucherov, Matthews level superstar. He might reach that level then again he might very well not.

I think we have need for a C and a 1D. But from what I read Demidov is the one guy that a lot of scouts/experts consider to be a guy who could reach superstar level.

What do y'all think? Is he the only one? The best shot to become one?

This probably becomes a non-issue at 4 because he most likely be gone by then but assuming we have the choice between him, Lindstrom and whomever the top D is who do you like and for what reason?

I have Demidov, Buium, and Lindstrom 2-4, and I think all of them can become star players.* Superstars? That's pushing it for all of them I think. It's easier for me to imagine Demidov making a Kaprizov type impact, but I don't see him scoring 50 pts on the PP like Kucherov does. He's not that type of mastermind.

*For today's purposes, I'll define star here as a top 2 player on a good team (someone who will play in the All-Star game), and superstar as a top 5 player in hockey.

Beyond that I'd say Berkly Catton has star upside, much like Barzal, but he might be just as likely to get tossed around and have a short career. Beckett Sennecke has star upside because of his hands, but that projection involves a lot of guesswork about how he'll fill out and move after his growth spurt. He's very wonky now.

For me Carter Yakemchuk has star upside for sure. Massive potential at both ends. Brent Burns 2.0



I deferred to other lists because I didn't see video of Yakemchuk from the second half, but based on this report I think I should move Yakemchuk back into my top 5.

 

[GoJackets1]

*Excuse the ramblings*


I could argue that Silayev (and Lindstrom) are both what this team needs most. We don't have anyone like them in the system or on the team. We have high skill guys with a extremely high ceiling (KJ) we have two way defenseman who are equally as dangerous in the offensive zone as they are responsible defenseman in their own zone (Werenski and hopefully Mateychuk/Jiricek)


The closest thing we have to Silayev is a 32 yo Gudbranson. And by the time Silayev comes over, Gudbranson will be gone.

Gudbranson was drafted at 6'3 195. He's now 6'5 220

Silayev is 6'7 207 at 18 yo. Even if he doesn't grow another inch he'll probably top out in the 230-240 range (depending on his genetics and workout regimen)

Imagine a bigger, stronger, better skating Gavrikov. He may not be the sexy pick, but when you look around what the rest of the east is doing and in our division, I don't think we should necessarily try to emulate it, but I think we should try to turn ourselves into a physical, defensive powerhouse of the east.

Anchor his ass next to Jiricek to let him play more aggressively and I would imagine Silayev would start to produce by simply being on a pair with Jiricek.

Werenski - Boqvist
Mateychuk - Severson
Silayev - Jiricek


You could truly roll those pairings however all game.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but when I was looking through the Silayev thread people were saying he was actually seeing PP time at the beginning of the season (where a chunk of his points came from)and that his minutes and usage (across the board) went down throughout the season. Something similar to what we were doing with Jiricek.


@majormajor I know you've said you've watched him and don't think he's got the greatest offensive sense. Do you think that's something that's happening because of how he's being coached (make the safe plays, don't do too much) or it's just how he plays?

While I understand the need and upside, who was the last purely defensive defenseman taken in the top 5 that actually met expectations of a top 5 draft pick? I’m having a hard time thinking of one at the moment. Moreover, who are the purely defensive defenseman currently in the league who you would say would be worthy of a top 5 pick? Are there any defenseman who put up 25 points or less that you would trade our #4 pick for?

 

[Viqsi]

I'm just letting my obsessive yearning desperation for a defensive defenseman that I can learn to love again color my everything, so don't pay any attention to any assessments I offer. I can't be trusted.


last sentence to be taken wildly out of context in 3... 2...

 

[CBJx614]

I think it's how he plays.

While I understand the need and upside, who was the last purely defensive defenseman taken in the top 5 that actually met expectations of a top 5 draft pick? I’m having a hard time thinking of one at the moment. Moreover, who are the purely defensive defenseman currently in the league who you would say would be worthy of a top 5 pick? Are there any defenseman who put up 25 points or less that you would trade our #4 pick for?

Oh I get that completely, but I think the appeal to him is that if you can unlock just a little bit of offensive ability in him you have a one of kind player around the league. Granted he's never gonna be a Hedman type, but if you can get him close to average 30pts/season..with complete lockdown abilities (minute muncher, shutdown pker) not THAT far behind a guy like Chara.


Obviously that is a HUGE if.


Another factor we have to consider is what kind of system and vision will the GM have for this team. If he wants a mobile back end similar to how other teams and how Jarmo was trying to construct the roster it makes absolutely 0 sense for us to grab Silayev.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

I'm just letting my obsessive yearning desperation for a defensive defenseman that I can learn to love again color my everything, so don't pay any attention to any assessments I offer. I can't be trusted.


last sentence to be taken wildly out of context in 3... 2...

i'm hoping they can get someone like ej emery in the second round (or trade up back into the first, or get a first for provorov) rather than burning a top five pick on someone like silayev, personally

 

[Ice9]

Montreal looks like they like Lindstrom alot. Wonder what you can get swapping picks if we're not sold on him.

 

[CBJx614]

Montreal looks like they like Lindstrom alot. Wonder what you can get swapping picks if we're not sold on him.

Personally I think we're gonna end up taking Lindstrom, even though id like Silayev

A Fantilli/Lindstrom duo over the next decade is a lethal core to build the offense around.

 

[koteka]

While I understand the need and upside, who was the last purely defensive defenseman taken in the top 5 that actually met expectations of a top 5 draft pick? I’m having a hard time thinking of one at the moment. Moreover, who are the purely defensive defenseman currently in the league who you would say would be worthy of a top 5 pick? Are there any defenseman who put up 25 points or less that you would trade our #4 pick for?

If I could get the best 6 or 7 years of Ryan Pulock or Brett Pesce on a reasonable contract, that would be worth a 4OA. But I wouldn’t trade 4OA for current Pulock or Pesce. They both have scored more than 25 points in seasons in their careers, but they are what I think of when I think of a defensive defenseman. And I doubt we can identify a 22 year old version of Pulock or Pesce if there is one out there.

 

[majormajor]

If I could get the best 6 or 7 years of Ryan Pulock or Brett Pesce on a reasonable contract, that would be worth a 4OA. But I wouldn’t trade 4OA for current Pulock or Pesce. They both have scored more than 25 points in seasons in their careers, but they are what I think of when I think of a defensive defenseman. And I doubt we can identify a 22 year old version of Pulock or Pesce if there is one out there.

Alex Vlasic is 22 and is already considered one of the top few best shutdown D in the league. So if trading a 4th OA for a pure shutdown D is a realistic thing, it would be him.

 

[DoingItCoolKiwi]

I truly dont believe in drafting low scoring shutdown Dmen on early on 1st round. I'd even be hesitant on late 1st tbh. It's a waste when these are the exact type of guys who are mostly found on later rounds. Being good or even elite defensively is great, but you have to have at least some offensive skills. And having only the classic 'big shot' doesnt count as offensive skill, because it will never be open on NHL level if you dont have anything else to give.

Hjallmarsson, A. Vlasic, E. Vlasic, Gavrikov, Lindell, Chara, Tanev... None of them 1st rounders. Right now I can't even think of a good low scoring shutdown Dman that was drafted on 1st round.

Then we have 1st round picks like Logan Stanley who arent even good defensively, even though they were drafted for the shutdown role.

 

[GoJackets1]

Exactly. We found Gavrikov in the 6th. Prout as well but obviously he wasn’t as good. At the top of the draft, if there is a potentially high end forward available, that is who you should take every day of the week vs a big defenseman. High end forwards are way harder to find in the later rounds than decently high quality defensive D-men.

 

[CBJx614]

Exactly. We found Gavrikov in the 6th. Prout as well but obviously he wasn’t as good. At the top of the draft, if there is a potentially high end forward available, that is who you should take every day of the week vs a big defenseman. High end forwards are way harder to find in the later rounds than decently high quality defensive D-men.

The thing that separates Silayev from Dmen like Gavrikov and Prout is he's not just a big 6'7 pylon that can hit people and in Gavrikovs case, play positionally sound hockey.

He's a good skater and he's agile. Period, not just for a 6'7 guy but as a defenseman he can keep up and hang with smaller, quicker guys. To me he looks to be more comfortable on his skates than someone like Jiricek. He reminds me of how Jones used to be able to almost essentially lock down an entire zone because of his ability to skate and his long ass reach.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see his offensive game pick up over the next two years. Remember, this was a 17 year old KID playing 14-18 minutes/night IN THE KHL. The same KHL that Marchenko was getting like 6 minutes/night(yes I know Marchenko played on a better team) but the point I'm trying to make is I'm sure he's only going to become more and more confident of himself as he settles in and realizes what he's capable of. I think if a team is drafting him in the top 5, they are hopeful they can unlock some more offense in his game, which I really don't think is completely unreasonable, the tools are there, the IQ is there, but can he settle down and make the smart play 9 times out of 10 and not try to do to much.





Rachel Doerrie - ESPN - April 2nd: "He skates very well and shows quality agility in the way he defends in transition and moves around the offensive zone. Silayev seems to be scratching the surface of his potential with his talents and physical gifts."

Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - March 25th: "He’s got more steps to take in his decision-making on the puck (I find he's a little too trigger-happy - he actually shows good poise and comfort when he doesn't rush), his shot (which he gets off in volume and does a good job putting on target, but will definitely add power as he gets stronger and works on it), and his ability to really impose himself with his size (which he really learned to do this year, leading Torpedo in hits)."

Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet - March 13th: "He isn't likely going to be the power play specialist he was at the start of the season, but he skates extremely well and handles the puck without issue. Reminds me of Nikita Zadorov."

Corey Pronman - The Athletic - March 12th: "His offensive play won't blow you away, but it's good enough to move pucks in the NHL. He can provide enough with the puck to go with elite defensive play to be a potential No. 1 defenseman one day."



Peter Baracchini - The Hockey Writers - March 7th: "He’s a very fluid skater with a physical presence on the backend and he’s extremely dangerous in transition when he hits his stride. He’s confident with his decision-making offensively, not being too aggressive and is still quick with his outlet passes and puck-moving abilities."


Jason Bukala - Sportsnet - February 27th: "It’s very rare to see a prospect with the kind of skating and agility Silayev possesses in relation to his stature. Silayev has a chance to be a top pairing two-way/shutdown defender at the NHL level."

Mike Morreale - NHL.com - March 1st: "The left-handed shot plays an active role while averaging 14:54 in ice time in 63 games as a 17-year-old in the Kontinental Hockey League, and at 6-7, 211 pounds, has excellent strength and a long reach that he uses to his advantage."

Anton Silayev | Anton Silayev Profile | Anton Silayev Scouting Report 2024

Anton Silayev scouting report for NHL Draft. Profile contains Anton Silayev stats, videos and written bios

www.mynhldraft.com

 

[GoJackets1]

The thing that separates Silayev from Dmen like Gavrikov and Prout is he's not just a big 6'7 pylon that can hit people and in Gavrikovs case, play positionally sound hockey.

He's a good skater and he's agile. Period, not just for a 6'7 guy but as a defenseman he can keep up and hang with smaller, quicker guys. To me he looks to be more comfortable on his skates than someone like Jiricek. He reminds me of how Jones used to be able to almost essentially lock down an entire zone because of his ability to skate and his long ass reach.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see his offensive game pick up over the next two years. Remember, this was a 17 year old KID playing 14-18 minutes/night IN THE KHL. The same KHL that Marchenko was getting like 6 minutes/night(yes I know Marchenko played on a better team) but the point I'm trying to make is I'm sure he's only going to become more and more confident of himself as he settles in and realizes what he's capable of. I think if a team is drafting him in the top 5, they are hopeful they can unlock some more offense in his game, which I really don't think is completely unreasonable, the tools are there, the IQ is there, but can he settle down and make the smart play 9 times out of 10 and not try to do to much.





Rachel Doerrie - ESPN - April 2nd: "He skates very well and shows quality agility in the way he defends in transition and moves around the offensive zone. Silayev seems to be scratching the surface of his potential with his talents and physical gifts."

Scott Wheeler - The Athletic - March 25th: "He’s got more steps to take in his decision-making on the puck (I find he's a little too trigger-happy - he actually shows good poise and comfort when he doesn't rush), his shot (which he gets off in volume and does a good job putting on target, but will definitely add power as he gets stronger and works on it), and his ability to really impose himself with his size (which he really learned to do this year, leading Torpedo in hits)."

Sam Cosentino - Sportsnet - March 13th: "He isn't likely going to be the power play specialist he was at the start of the season, but he skates extremely well and handles the puck without issue. Reminds me of Nikita Zadorov."

Corey Pronman - The Athletic - March 12th: "His offensive play won't blow you away, but it's good enough to move pucks in the NHL. He can provide enough with the puck to go with elite defensive play to be a potential No. 1 defenseman one day."



Peter Baracchini - The Hockey Writers - March 7th: "He’s a very fluid skater with a physical presence on the backend and he’s extremely dangerous in transition when he hits his stride. He’s confident with his decision-making offensively, not being too aggressive and is still quick with his outlet passes and puck-moving abilities."


Jason Bukala - Sportsnet - February 27th: "It’s very rare to see a prospect with the kind of skating and agility Silayev possesses in relation to his stature. Silayev has a chance to be a top pairing two-way/shutdown defender at the NHL level."

Mike Morreale - NHL.com - March 1st: "The left-handed shot plays an active role while averaging 14:54 in ice time in 63 games as a 17-year-old in the Kontinental Hockey League, and at 6-7, 211 pounds, has excellent strength and a long reach that he uses to his advantage."

Anton Silayev | Anton Silayev Profile | Anton Silayev Scouting Report 2024

Anton Silayev scouting report for NHL Draft. Profile contains Anton Silayev stats, videos and written bios

www.mynhldraft.com

I have to admit, the upside is very intriguing. It sounds like a LOT of ifs for a guy being talked about as a 4th overall pick though.