The Journey: Post 2024 Draft Reactions and Surprises – Part 3
Puneet Sharma
2024-07-13
Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom.
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Welcome back to the final installment of my three-part series analyzing the first-round picks from the 2024 NHL Draft. You can find Part 1 here and Part 2 here. In this segment, we’ll be examining picks 22 through 32, evaluating how each selection meets team needs and highlighting any surprises. Let’s jump right in.
Pick No.22 – Nashville Predators
Egor Surin, C
Surin joins the ranks from the Russian Junior league with an impressive scoring record in both the regular season and playoffs. Despite being only 17 years old, he notched 23 goals and 30 assists across 43 games. Recognized for his relentless work ethic and solid two-way skills, Surin proved himself as a go-to player during crucial moments. While I view the Predators' choice as a bit of a reach, given their need for center depth, I see the reasoning behind it. Surin emerged as one of the draft's intriguing prospects, bringing contagious energy and excitement to the game. He's a natural disruptor who excels at delivering big hits and disrupting opponents with his aggressive forecheck. Although his raw talent may not immediately dazzle, Surin has the potential to leave a significant mark in the NHL, even if his impact in fantasy hockey may not be as pronounced. Keep an eye on him—he could develop into a pivotal player known for his disruptive style and clutch performances.
Pick No. 23 – Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks made a daring move, trading up with the Maple Leafs to snag the draft’s second Norway-born player. Giving up their No. 31 and No. 58 picks, they moved to the 23rd spot to select Solberg, a robust 6-foot-1, 205-pound defenseman known for his competitive edge and strong two-way play. Despite modest offensive stats of 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 42 regular-season games, Solberg brings a physical presence and reliable defensive skills to the ice. With the Ducks already loaded with offensive defenseman, Solberg has the potential to anchor their defense as a shutdown player. His size, mobility, and competitive drive make him a formidable force who can create opportunities for his teammates to join the rush and contribute offensively. While Solberg may not rack up points, fantasy hockey managers looking for bangers will appreciate his ability to fill the stat sheet with hits, blocks, and solid defensive play. Keep an eye on him as he develops into a key contributor on the blue line.
Pick No. 24 – Utah Hockey Club
Utah made a splash by trading back into the first round to select Beaudoin, a standout athlete who caught scouts’ eyes with his impressive fitness testing at the NHL Scouting Combine. To move up to the 24th spot, Utah traded their No. 38 and No. 71 picks, along with a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, to the Colorado Avalanche. Beaudoin is a hardworking center with size standing 6-2 and weighing 210 pounds. He plays a physical game and doesn't shy away from going into those tough areas on the ice. While he's a natural centerman, Utah's depth down the middle might push him to the wing. Either way, he is your prototypical power-forward who also has some skill. His game is built on grit, hard work, and doing the dirty work, is highly translatable to the pros. His relentless compete level makes him a prime candidate for a potential middle-six center role.
Pick No. 25 – Boston Bruins
Letourneau is one of the most purely talented players in the draft. Standing at an incredible 6-foot-7, he skates remarkably well for his size and has genuine skill. Dominating the prep school level, he posted an impressive 61 goals, 66 assists in 56 games. His combination of size, skating ability, and offensive touch makes him a tantalizing prospect for the pros. Many compare him to the next Tage Thompson, but that remains to be seen as his true potential is still unfolding. His upcoming move to Boston College will provide a clearer picture of his game against tougher competition. This pick by the Bruins is a high-risk, high-reward move. If Letourneau can transition his game to the college level and beyond, he could become a significant asset. Definitely a player to keep an eye on—he could be a game-changer if he reaches his potential.
Pick No. 26 – Los Angeles Kings
Liam Greentree, RW
Greentree is a sizable forward at 6-2, 215 pounds, recognized for his ability for driving the net and finding shooting lanes. His maturity was evident when he earned the captaincy in Windsor as an underage player, maintaining a positive attitude despite the team finishing second-worst in the OHL. He finished just outside the top 10 in OHL scoring with 90 points and was fourth in the league with four short-handed assists in 64 games. What makes his game appealing is his combination of size and genuine offensive skills. However, his skating is a point of contention. He lacks NHL-level footspeed and will need to prove that the rest of his game can compensate for this. Despite these concerns, Greentree’s offensive production is undeniable. If he can improve his skating, Greentree could become a valuable asset in any lineup. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on him—he has the potential to be a significant contributor if he addresses his skating issues
Pick No. 27 – Chicago Blackhawks
Marek Vanacker, LW
The Blackhawks made another big move in the first round, trading picks 34 and 50 to the Hurricanes to snag Vanacker. This kid led Brantford with 82 points (36 goals, 46 assists) in 68 games, all while playing nearly the entire season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Those stats are impressive on their own, but considering the injury, they’re even more remarkable. He's expected to make a full recovery but will be out for the next 4-6 months. Vanacker brings the kind of physicality that can shift momentum in a game. The Blackhawks are injecting some grit into a prospect pool that’s already rich in skill and talent. He's not the biggest player, but his work ethic and scoring ability make him a valuable addition.
Pick No. 28 – Calgary Flames
Matvei Gridin, RW
Gridin honed his skills with St. Petersburg and Omsk in Russia’s development leagues before being selected by Muskegon in the 15th round (No. 223) of the 2022 USHL draft. At just 18, he topped the USHL with 83 points (38 goals, 45 assists) in 60 games, showcasing his playmaking and finishing abilities. His high hockey IQ and strong penalty-killing skills make him a well-rounded offensive threat. The Flames’ prospect pool is shaping up nicely, with Zary and Coronato already making waves and Honzek, Parekh, and Gridin adding depth. Gridin’s has already committed to playing at the University of Michigan come next year. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on him—if he can continue his offensive production and develop his all-around game, he could become a valuable asset in both real-life and fantasy hockey once he makes the jump.
Pick No. 29 – Dallas Stars
Emil Hemming, RW
It’s tough to dispute the Dallas Stars’ drafting prowess—they’ve consistently picked impactful players. Hemming looks set to follow suit. At just 18, he had an impressive season in Liiga, Finland’s top men’s league, notching seven goals and four assists in 40 games with TPS, while averaging 10:04 of ice time. Pretty impressive for a rookie up against seasoned pros. Hemming's offensive skills, paired with his puck strength and willingness to battle in the dirty areas, make him a formidable presence on the ice. He’s one of the best natural goal-scorers in this draft and boasts a solid overall talent level. Slightly bigger than many of Dallas' previous picks, Hemming’s consistency has been questioned at times. However, if he can iron that out, he has the potential for a solid NHL career.
Pick No. 30 – New York Rangers,
EJ Emery, D
Emery is a big, highly mobile defender at 6-foot-3 and skates exceptionally well, making him one of the more athletic defensemen in his age group. With 16 assists in 61 games but no goals for the NTDP U-18 team this season, he excels as a solid stay-at-home, shutdown defenseman. This style fits perfectly with the New York Rangers’ defensive approach. Some teams hoped he'd fall to the second round, but the Rangers had other plans. He has the potential to be a reliable second-pairing defenseman, acting as the shutdown guy and freeing up his linemates to push the offense. Emery has already committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2024-25 season. His defensive prowess might not fill the stat sheet, but his impact on the ice will be significant.
Pick No. 31 – Toronto Maple Leafs
Ben Danford, D
With free agency behind us, it's great to see the Maple Leafs focusing on bolstering their D-corps. Drafting a defenseman is an even more promising move, given how thin their prospect pool looks on the back end. While Danford projects as more of a third-pairing defenseman, filling the stat sheet could elevate him to a second-pairing role. Danford stands out for his smarts, skating, and dependability across the ice. His biggest attribute is his defensive play, but his vision and passing ability should allow him to contribute offensively as his game matures. I would not necessarily be rushing to go grab Danford in your dynasty leagues but he will turn out to be a solid, reliable depth option in real life.
Pick No. 32 – Edmonton Oilers
Sam O'Reilly, RW
Reilly had a standout rookie season in the OHL, playing a key role for London and handling all situations well. He’s a two-way center known for his grit and competitive edge.
Thanks for reading and see you next week! Follow me on X @Punters_hockey for more content and fantasy hockey analysis.
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