The Hive Sports

By Alma Bean

Feature Image by John Buccigross via X @Buccigross

Now with the NHL Draft Lottery over and done with, fans know where the Utah NHL team will pick in this year’s draft. The first year in the NHL and Utah now owns the sixth overall pick. With there being a unanimous first overall pick in Macklin Celebrini from Boston University, new NHL fans might be wondering who will be available at the sixth pick. Here’s a few names that you should keep in mind leading up to the first round in Las Vegan on June 28.

Zeev Buium

Stats with Denver University 2023-24: GP – 42, G – 11, A – 39, PTS – 50

Buium being one of four freshmen for Denver to play in at least 40 games this season, he has been able to turn the heads of scouts with his offensive contributions as a defenseman. Leading the team in assists (39) and second on the team in points (50), Buium along with his older brother, Shai Buium, were able to use their brotherly chemistry to hold things down being two of four players with a plus/minus rating of +30 or higher. As a high-volume shooter, anyone that is able to draft Buium will be getting a steal in with a top-10 pick. His talents, given the right coach, could be considered other worldly as he currently an elite defenseman in the NCAA while being an offensive threat.

Berkly Catton

Stats with Spokane Chiefs (WHL) in 2023-24: GP – 68, G – 54, A – 62, PTS – 116

The number one pick in the 2021 WHL Draft has found his footing in the league and is showing that he’s ready to make the jump to the NHL. The talented center has impressed the league with his ability to get the team started with getting the first goal (9) and being able to score while short-handed (7). Being top-five in the WHL in points (116) and goals (54) Catton has done plenty offensively to have a promising role in the NHL. Even with his talent being only match by guys like Celebrini in this draft class, Catton has one glaring mark on his resume, his size. Of the current 271 centers on a roster in the NHL, 66 of them are either the same height or shorter (5’11). Even though a quarter of the league has the same height as Catton, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s something that teams won’t consider in the draft process.

Ivan Demidov

Stats with SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL) in 2023-24: GP – 30, G – 23, A – 37, PTS – 60

The top-three right wing managed to show his talents being 17th on the team in games played by leading the team in assists (37) and points (60) while being top-three in goals (23) and plus/minus (+47). Though looking at these stats may be skewed with the MHL being Russia’s junior league to the KHL, but from his performance, the demotion seemed to kick things into gear for Demidov. With Demidov being dominant on the offensive end, his ability to wait for the play to develop is uncanny. Having defenses apply double and even triple teams on him to apply an impenetrable trap almost comforts Demidov as he’s able to make quick, crisp passes with the extra applied pressure. Demidov at 18 years old manages to make tight window passes look effortless which will work to his benefit as he progresses to a much faster paced game. As long as Demidov continues to show the progression he has made in the MHL as he transitions to the NHL, Demidov could be considered one of the elite players of this draft class.

Sam Dickinson

Stats with the London Knights (OHL) in 2023-24: GP – 68, G – 18, A – 52, PTS – 70

The 17-year-old defenseman made a huge leap from year one to year two in the OHL. Going from 23 points to 70 points is going to have scouts eager to see what else this prospect can do and eyeing his potential. Though Dickinson has a very high IQ for the puck on both sides of the rink, but that IQ can sometimes get in his own way. He tends to be a little patient allowing plays to develop on offense and allowing the defense to get set before making a decision. Dickinson’s patience allows for some great puck movement, but being a hair too late at times leads to unnecessary giveaways. Even with this minor flaw, Dickinson will hear his name as a top-10 pick on June 28th and as long as he can keep his intense precision on defense and improve his puck movement, he may be considered one of the best developing prospects of this draft class.

Cole Eiserman

Stats with the U.S. National Team Development Program in 2023-24: GP – 57, G – 58, A – 31, PTS – 89

The talented center that’s committed to Boston University has made a major impact for the U-18 USA Team. Eiserman came into the program with a major emphasis on a fast-paced offensive mindset almost guaranteeing a goal per game. Averaging 1.6 points per game, any team would love to have the offensive fire power that Eiserman will bring to the ice. Some scouts have even mentioned that Eiserman’s game is similar to last year’s first overall selection, Connor Bedard for the Chicago Blackhawks. Bedard played 68 games this season while earning 22 goals, 39 assists and 61 points in his rookie season. If this is the case, expect Eiserman to make an impact in the NHL immediately for whoever is lucky enough to add him to their roster.

Artyom Levshunov

Stats with Michigan State in 2023-24: GP – 40, G – 9, A – 26, PTS – 35

The 6’2 freshman from Belarus is arguably the best defender in this draft class. What makes him intriguing is how he tends to lead the offensive rush. Though leading the rush would be his role while at Michigan State, being able to trail the rush made him dangerous either as a main shooter or as a secondary playmaker. Even being listed as a defender, Levshunov needs to improve on defending more elite players which he’ll only gain experience through the transitions in leagues. The only player that could potentially prevent Levshunov from going top-three would be Buium, but as long as Levshunov can gain more confidence in his decision making on defense, it will be a no brainer on who will be the first defenseman off the board.

Cayden Lindstrom

Stats with the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) in 2023-24: GP – 32, G – 27, A – 19, PTS – 46

Lindstrom just finished his third season with the WHL, but his production this season has turned some heads. Last season (2022-23), Lindstrom played 61 games and scored 19 goals, 23 assists and 42 points yet he was able to match that production with just half the games this season. One of the largest looming concerns for the 18-year-old center is the surgery he had on his upper body that kept him out four to six weeks. Will Lindstrom be able to make the transition to the NHL with a large injury and still maintain his powerful shots that made him a problem in the WHL. In the transition, it will be interesting if Lindstrom will allow plays to develop rather than forcing giveaways when a there’s no clear play in sight. If Lindstrom can expand on allowing plays to develop and grow in his own playmaking, his position as a top line center will be unquestioned sooner rather than later.

Zayne Parekh

Stats with the Saginaw Spirit (OHL) in 2023-24: GP – 66, G – 33, A – 63, PTS – 96

Parekh has made a tremendous improvement in his game from year one to year two with Saginaw. From having 37 points his first season to a team leading 96 points in year two shows that he is more than capable of making the jump to the NHL. Parekh’s stick control is phenomenal as he’s able to create space escaping from defensive traps and either finding the open man or using his elusive puck control to find a favorable shot for himself. Though his offensive game will excite fans and front offices across the league, but the shocker is that the defenseman is known to lack urgency to get back into his zone on defense. Not a huge selling point to a future employer who wants a defensive focused player that lacks a drive to get back on defense and putting the team in a position to commit giveaways. Even with his defense being a giant question mark going into the draft, Parekh’s high offensive IQ and puck control will land him as a top-10 pick with a team that will benefit from his presence sooner rather than later.

Anton Silayev

Stats with the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL) in 2023-24: GP – 63, G – 3, A – 8, PTS – 11

A big defenseman sounds like some that Utah NHL general manager Bill Armstrong will salivate over with Silayev standing at 6’7. Along with his big frame, Silayev’s long range pass accuracy at just 18-years-old makes him a promising prospect. Having Silayev near the offensive blue line, if the puck were to change possession Silayev’s smooth skating ability to compliment his size makes him an NHL caliber defender. Silayev still needs to develop his offensive game, but with his current contract with the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, Silayev won’t be available to transfer to the NHL till the 2026-27 season. With how much he has shown on the defensive end, if Silayev can improve his strength and offense over the next two seasons in Russia he’ll be taking the league by storm with his defensive prowess once he’s in the NHL.

Carter Yakemchuk

Stats with the Calgary Hitmen (WHL) in 2023-24: GP – 66, G – 30, A – 41, PTS – 71

Yakemchuk has a lot of offensive fire power as a defenseman being second on his team in goals (30), assists (41) and points (71) this season. Even though he seemed to be a driving force for Calgary’s offense, Yakemchuk has more concerns than promise going into the draft. He’s going to be the oldest first year eligible player in the draft (Date of Birth: Sept. 29, 2005), questionable decision making along with feeling the need to be the offensive creator rather than staying in position may affect Yakemchuk’s draft stock. Though there is the concern, Yakemchuk had to be the offensive force for Calgary and with him going to a more talented team, he will have the ability to focus on his position rather than point production. With the improved roster, expect Yakemchuk to make improvements in his own game and as long as there is an emphasis on smarter defensive decisions, he will be worth a top-10 pick.

Verdict

Utah will have their hands full with the amount of talent that they will need to analyze before they’re on the clock on June 28. Utah’s eyes should be on a defenseman given the plethora of talented players at that position that are available in this year’s draft class, but the front office will make their decision based off what cards are played five picks before them. If any of the players mentioned are available at the sixth pick, then Utah will have a tough decision on whether they should focus on raw talent or positional needs this summer.