Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day our LWOS Prospects Writers will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow Ben Kerr, and Frederik Frandsen on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! Today we bring you our Scouting Report on prospects ranked 33rd to 40th.
It’s draft day! Tonight 32 of the world’s best prospects will have a dream come true. Some, like Macklin Celebrini, wouldn’t have to wait to hear their name called, others are in between the first and second rounds. Players who could all of day one hope to scrape into the first round. With that said, it’s time to go over the players who could end up being steals on day two.
While the write-ups will be shorter, the quality of the players shouldn’t come into question. All of the following players have a legitimate shot at being an NHL player and some superstars in a couple of years. Without further delay, here are the eight players, who just missed out on a spot in our first line. Let’s a look at our 2024 NHL Draft Scouting Reports.
2024 NHL Draft Scouting Reports
33) Stian Solberg, Defender, Vålerenga , Eliteserien, 6’2″ 205 lbs
We start off this round of our 2024 NHL Draft Scouting reports. Stian Solberg is one of the biggest fairy tale stories and anomalies in recent draft history. Players, who play in the Norwegian league rarely get drafted, much less in the consideration for the first round. However, the big defenceman has skyrocketed all year, highlighting his mature and pro-ready style during both the World Juniors and the World Championship. During the season he showed a mix of incredible physicality, hard-hitting defending on top of strong skating and a high IQ. No matter the situation he can deliver and do a job, and be a presence thats impossible to miss. The only real drawback is his limited passing ability and a lack of an offensive skillset to gain an elite ceiling. However the floor and NHL readiness are among the best in the class, so don’t be shocked if he goes in the top 20.
34) Trevor Connelly, Forward, Tri-City Storm, USHL, 6’1″ 161 lbs
The talent of Trever Connelly is undeniable. His skating and agility are amazing, and he has the unique talent of being able to deke and turn with the puck while in strides. His hands are silky smooth and his edges are NHL-ready. On top of that, his vision and playmaking is top-notch. He also has the hands to open up lanes he can exploit with a pinpoint accurate pass. Even with the puck close to his feet, he is in full control of it, and he protects it well despite his smaller size. Even his shot is good enough to beat goalies in the NHL. So why isn’t he a top-10 pick?
The first reason is questions surround his off-ice antics. Old Snapchat has appeared with controversial imaging from 2021. On top of that, his effort levels and commitment to hard work have come into question. Especially in his own zone, where he is a liability. His mind is far too focused on offence and cheats at the first chance, which makes him fall behind in the play. This also means the translatability of him falls into question. The question is if he cut it in the pro game. If he can, he has one of the most exciting offensive games of any prospect in the 2024 NHL draft.
35) Michael Hage, Centre, Chicago Steel, USHL, 6’1″ 190 lbs
A player who has seen an exponential rise this season has been Michael Hage. The young center with fluid and smooth skating. It’s not as fast as some, but it’s very refined, and effective. He is a wonderful transitional player, as he weaves through traffic with ease, due to his sharp edges. He also has a great balance, to help him protect the puck as he is in control of it. Offensively he is also a very flashy playmaker who sets up teammates with fantastic passes.
However, it’s a bit inconsistent and has as much of a chance to make it to an opponent as a teammate. An area that needs to get more accurate in the future. Along with that, his shot is good, but not amazing. Defensively he can float a bit, but is also able to switch on. When that’s the case his high hockey IQ allows him to be a good two-way player. With more focus and coaching, Hage should make for a strong prospect.
36) Jett Luchanko, Centre, Guelph Strom, OHL, 5’11″ 183 lbs
Jett Luchanko is yet another high-energy player with great skating in this year’s draft. What does set him apart however is his calmness and ability not to be pure chaos. He has a great motor but isn’t just a power forward who is physical and chasing. Although he isn’t shying away from the dirty areas, what he tends to do is anticipate where the play is going to end up and be able to make a play from there. It’s not about chasing the puck but getting to where the puck is going to end up. A skill that sounds simple but shows his great IQ.
Offensively his passing and vision are good, making him a strong playmaking treat. However his shot selection and shot in general need a lot of work. The same with some muscles to allow him to win battles along the board. Especially since he in the OHL has relied heavily on his great and active stick. With all this in mind, Jett Luchanko projects as a middle-six playmaker.
37) Sam O’Reilly, Centre, London Knights, OHL, 6’1″ 176 lbs
Sam O’Reilly is a coach’s dream player. He works harder than most and brings it his all whenever he hits the ice. Without any fear, he keeps skating hard. On top of that, his awareness in all three zones is great, and he rarely makes major mistakes. He also protects the puck well and has an incredible balance and strength to contain the puck under pressure. His passing is good and he uses very cynical and smart movements to open up lanes he takes advantage of with lethal precision. However, the drawback is his skating which needs a lot of improvement. It’s slow stiff and mechanically bad. He has a lot of hard to compensate for it but it needs to get better. if it does Sam O’Reilly is a very high-floor player who can be a steal in the second round.
38) Maxim Massé, Right Wing, Chicoutimi Saguenéens, QMJHL, 6’2″ 190 lbs
Maxim Massé was projected to be a first-rounder before the season, however, due to signs of stagnation this season has dropped him down the rankings. The main thing causing this was the lack of explosiveness from his skating. Many had hoped he could get stronger and more powerful, but it just never happened. This has seen him fail to lift his game to his expected heights, but the potential is still there. His great two-way game with smart positional awareness in both zones shines through most games as he consistently makes place from being in the right place. He just reads the game at such a high level. He also has a heavy shot along with playmaking potential. However, like most of his offensive game, it’s incredibly raw. Massé is a project that will take time, but given that could be a strong depth forward in the future.
39) Terik Parascak, Right Wing, Prince George Cougars, WHL, 6’0″ 182 lbs
One of the prospects that tends to split opinions in this year’s draft is Terik Parascak. The reason is the questions about his style’s translatability. On the good side, he is great at finding open use to make himself an option without the puck. He also has a great shot and hands to great it off on quickly, even when it’s in his feet. He also drives the net well and attacks it without fear. On top of that, his transition game is very refined with fast skating.
However, on the bad side, his ability to turn while at top speed is very limited. He doesn’t quite use his good physicality as well as he should, and does struggle to keep possession of the puck in tight when under pressure. For someone his size that needs to be bigger along with his defensive game where he can get lost. It’s a risk, if he can transition to the pro game, he could be one hell of a gem late in the draft
40) Cole Beaudion, Centre, Barrie Colts, OHL, 6’2″ 209 lbs
Cole Beaudion is a fast power forward, who is the type of player who is a real pain to play against. He hits hard on both the forecheck and backcheck and will throw his weight around at any chance possible. He also plays a good two-way game and is involved all over the ice. His passing and vision are above average, and it allows him to become a playmaking power forward when in possession of the puck. Beaudion can also rip the puck with a lot of power, which can overwhelm goalies. The downside to his game is that lacks control. While the skating is fast, he also has very awkward edges. A trait that can limit his effectiveness in the NHL scoring-wise However with his strong defence, size and hard-hitting nature, there is a decent chance he will be a third-line center down the line.
We’ll have more 2024 NHL Draft scouting reports later.
Main photo by: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
