Quick Analysis - Final NHL Central Scouting Rankings
The final rankings from NHL Central Scouting started with Macklin Celebrini to no ones surprise. The Hobey Baker Award winner and Hockey East Player of the Year is one of 3 NCAA prospects in the top 5, after finishing 3rd in NCAA points with 64 (32G 32A) in 37 games. Artyom Levshunov (#2 NA) out of Michigan State, along with Denver’s Zeev Buium (#4 NA) both had great second half of their NCAA season, solidifying themselves as possible Top 10 picks.
Sweden leads the international rankings with the most prospects overall (46), top 50 (18) and Top 32 (12). Finland and Russia make up the majority of the top prospects, with some prospects playing in Czechia and Switzerland. Of the top 10, the big 3 of Sweden, Finland and Russia each have 3 prospects, along with Plzen’s defenseman Adam Jiricek at #4, brother of Columbus 2022 6th overall pick David Jiricek.
Russian prospects lead the skaters rankings with Anton Silayev and Ivan Demidov jumping into the top 2 spots ahead of Konsta Helenius, playing for Jukurit in Finland.
Top 32 Leaders
CHL - 20
Sweden - 12
Finland - 10
Russia - 6
USHL - 5
Total Ranked Prospects By League
Over 36% of all ranked prospects came out of the CHL, with the OHL and WHL in the top 2 of total ranked prospects, most prospects in the Top 50 and Top 32. 5 of the top 10 North American (NA) skaters are from the WHL (3) or OHL (3), with the QMJHL only having 2 prospects in the top 32, and 3 in the Top 50.
Medicine Hat’s Caden Lindstrom had no change between rankings, remaining the top prospect out of the WHL and CHL overall. The 6’3” powerful yet skilled forward is the modern game’s big man, with movement and skill along with the prototypical power forward style. Saginaw’s defenseman Zayne Parekh jumped from #10 to #5 , with another defender, Sam Dickinson of the London Knights also in the Top 10 at #7. Parekh led all OHL defenders with 96 points (33G 63A) in 66 regular season games, and has continued his production into the OHL playoffs.
Top 50 Ranked Skaters By League
The USHL had 2 skilled, offensive threats join the top 32, with Matvei Griffin of Muskegon jumping from #30 in the mid season rankings to #21, and John Mustard of Waterloo cracking the top 32 from #41 to #27. Tri-City’s Trevor Connelly has continued as the top prospect out of the USHL, ranked at #6 , followed by Chicago’s Michael Hage at #10 and Muskegon’s Sacha Boisvert at #16.
Everett’s Julius Miettinen has continued to climb scout’s rankings in his first season in North America, moving up from #49 to #18 amongst North American skaters. The 6’3” wing took a step in 2024, tallying 19G 21A in his last 29 regular season games, around 60% of his total production.
Des Moines Ilya Protas has made a splash in the final rankings, now at #49 amongst NA skaters after not being ranked on the mid season rankings. The native of Belarus finished 2nd in points for the Bucs during the regular season with 14G 37A in 61 games, another taller forward at 6’4” who moves very well, while having the offensive productivity.
Two prospects playing in Sweden are Rogle’s Simon Zether and Skelleftea’s Frans Haara. Zether jumped from #42 to #18 amongst international skaters after lighting it up at the junior level with 11G 16A in 18 games, and sticking with Rogle’s big team for 42 regular season games + playoffs. Frans Haara made one of the largest moves between rankings, moving from #104 to #38. The ‘04 right handed defenseman has been a point per game at the junior level for Skelleftea, with 1G 1A in 18 games with the pro team.
Ranked Goaltenders By League
Omaha Mikhail Yegorov was the top rated goaltender in the final rankings, jumping from #4. Yegorov is 1 of 5 USHL goaltenders but the only one within the top 10. 4 of the 5 WHL goaltenders listed are within the top 10, with Tri-City’s Lukas Matecha now #3 from #9, and Red Deer’s Chase Wutzke cracking the top 10 at #9 from #13. Finland and Russia both have 2 goaltenders in the top 5, along with Martin Harmonic at #5, currently playing in Slovakia for Bratislava.