We’re eight days away from the draft. Are you looking forward to it?
With the off-season in full swing yesterday (I say that in jest because the Stanley Cup is just endless and because it was hectic yesterday), it’s time for the draft to arrive.
With that in mind, here’s the DLC mock draft from colleagues Tony Patoine and Marc-Olivier Beaudoin.
Are we going to blow up the internet with this mock draft? Thanks @MOBeaudoin1 for taking part! https://t.co/v116zuH4cW
– Tony Patoine (@PatoineTony) June 20, 2024
It’s interesting to compare the lists that exist. There are bound to be aspects that are similar, but there are also some that aren’t afraid to think outside the box.
For example? Craig Button has a… different list.
While Macklin Celebrini is ranked first and Ivan Demidov follows, Tij Iginla and Zeev Buium are ranked third and fourth respectively.
That’s higher than we’re used to seeing for the two young men. After all, Cayden Lindstrom, Artyom Levshunov and Anton Silayev are normally ranked higher in their respective positions.
Breaking Down Craig Button’s Final Draft Rankings | The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro June 19 2024 https://t.co/Mycm2PvVzX
– The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) June 20, 2024
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What’s interesting is that Zeev Buium is coming out earlier and earlier when it comes to talking about defenders. His name is popular these days(including with the Habs) and in the eyes of Button, a prospect expert who was once in the game, he’s the best defenseman of his vintage.
He was more offensive than Lane Hutson at 17 in the NCAA without playing with the big Boston machine. He was younger, bigger and can play left or right. He has a very interesting profile.
As for Iginla, let’s just say his expectations are high. Remember that Button drafted his father Jarome 11th overall when he was ranked at the end of the first round at the time.
In his eyes, he could become a kind of Aleksander Barkov if he were ever to play center. Nothing less.
Craig Button: “Could he end up being a player like Sasha Barkov?”@CraigJButton joins @TonyMarinaro to discuss just how good Tij Iginla could be
Full pod👇
Watch: https://t.co/i2jVC1HORA
Listen: https://t.co/mLXZkRWL20#GoHabsGo #thesickpodcast pic.twitter.com/YJV4fwCZ2D– The Sick Podcast with Tony Marinaro (@thesickpodcasts) June 20, 2024
Note that he compares Ivan Demidov (second on his list) to Nikita Kucherov. He also ranks Cole Eiserman fifth on his list, which says a lot about his talent.
Cayden Lindstrom is ninth. Konsta Helenius is another forward ranked ahead of Lindstrom.
Overtime
– Speaking of Lindstrom.
Cayden Lindstrom is a prospect who’s turning heads. Here’s Martin Therriault’s profile of the Medicine Hat Tigers player in the Morning Club⬇️ https://t.co/hVAydtYN6h pic.twitter.com/DqIZrwfTAD
– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) June 20, 2024
– Oilers: a surprise to be expected?[JdeM]
– Laurent Duvernay-Tardif: retiring with a sense of accomplishment. [BPM Sports]
– Still.
#Flames now have 15 picks in the first three rounds over the next three seasons.
1st x 6
2nd x 4
3rd x 5https://t.co/BWnESQa4xX pic.twitter.com/v6c4hFEM0V– CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) June 19, 2024
– Toronto in action?
Furthermore, I heard over the weekend that there’s actually mutual interest between the Leafs & Jake DeBrusk. https://t.co/HU2dqZetgD
– Nick Alberga (@thegoldenmuzzy) June 20, 2024
– Makes sense.
Looks like Martin Lapointe & Nick Bobrov are in Florida for the Gold Star hockey camp. pic.twitter.com/qK08DdHDvw
– /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) June 20, 2024