Playoffs are underway around the prospect world, and with the 2024 NHL Draft just 12 weeks away, the debates are only intensifying. 

Here at Elite Prospects, we're accumulating viewings, filing reports on prospects at every end of the draft spectrum, and now is the time to share some of that work in the form of our third ranking for this year's draft.

The top-four remains the same: Macklin Celebrini, Ivan Demidov, Cayden Lindstrom, and Artyom Levshunov. The very top end of that ranking has shifted dramatically, though, as a handful of prospects have taken significant steps forward in the second half of their seasons.

The record-breaking, point-producing defenceman Zayne Parekh rounds out the top-five. Parekh always played a highly translatable offensive game, but his second half has been defined by significant growth as a defender and physical player. 

Tij Iginla is the most significant riser, going from No. 13 in January’s ranking to No. 6 this go around, usurping Berkly Catton in the process. While the decision to move Iginla over Catton wasn’t unanimous, the team overwhelmingly voted for Iginla in a top-eight spot. He’s filling the net, but his improving skill level and playmaking, along with a high-end puck protection and retrieval game beat out Catton’s higher point-producing upside this time. 

The smooth-skating, 6-foot-7 Anton Silayev moves up one spot to No. 9 as our team warms up to his potential. Meanwhile, Zeev Buium cracks the top-10 for the first time after a boom in scoring chance generation down the stretch. 

Cole Eiserman (No. 11) and Konsta Helenius (No. 12) are the two prospects who accommodated their ascent, each sliding a couple of spots. While questions around the diversity in Eiserman’s game and Helenius’ dynamism linger, their slides were more the consequence of others gaining a slight edge rather than a drop-off in play. Those prospects could rise back up significantly with strong performances in the last month of the season. 

As we see it currently, the prospects ranked fourth to fourteen form one large tier. They all have similar value and could become high-end players for their team, top-six forwards and top-four defencemen. 

Outside the top-15, Andrew Basha rises from No. 24 to No. 16, while Teddy Stiga rockets up the list from No. 50 to No. 23. Both prospects have flashed high-level play-driving skills to go with their robust, high-pace supporting game and checking skills. They have lots of upside, but both could impact an NHL lineup if gaudy point totals never materialize. 

Sacha Boisvert and Michael Hage moved up, too. The former’s a power forward prospect with tons of finesse, while the latter’s a high-pace, manipulative forward with an improving physical game. Hage has been particularly hot, with 46 points in 26 games in 2024.

The other first-round debutants are Charlie Elick, Terik Parascak, and Cole Beaudoin. Elick’s overpowering physical game, stifling defence, and flashes of high-end breakouts make him a potential top-four defenceman. While neither Parascak nor Beaudoin are the most dynamic talents, both solidly project to the NHL thanks to advanced supporting games and impressive work rates. 

The first round is light on European talent, but the second round has a plethora of players in first-round discussions. The non-stop activator Alfons Freij took the No. 33 rank, while Dominik Badinka, Emil Hemming, and Jesse Pulkkinen all earned first-round votes. Adam Jiříček (No. 30) and Aron Kiviharju (No. 49) remain two of the draft’s biggest wild cards with injuries limiting their seasons, but tantalizing upside.  

The Elite Prospects team will convene again in May to produce the final ranking for the draft guide. This season again, the guide will include over 350 players, featuring in-depth analysis, tool grades, tracking data, game reports, and more. The release of the Elite Prospects 2024 NHL Draft Guide is set for early June.

In the meantime, it’s time to enjoy the playoffs and watch months' worth of tape.