Which 2024 NHL Draft Prospects Should Blackhawks Fans Watch This Season?

Most analysts look at the Blackhawks’ roster as we draw closer to training camp and project Chicago to be swinging for another top-five pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. I tend to have a little more confidence in the roster the front office has assembled for the coming season around Connor Bedard, but agree this isn’t likely to be a playoff team we’ll be watching at the United Center this year.

Earlier this week, Scott Wheeler dropped his first round of prospect rankings for the 2024 NHL Draft at . Yes, we’re already talking about the next draft. As a reminder, the Chicago Blackhawks have seven (7) picks in the first three rounds next year, including their own first-round pick and Tampa’s (from the Brandon Hagel trade).

While the 2023 draft was circled by many for years because of Bedard — and the other elite players at the top of the draft — the Class of ’24 has some star power of its own. The No. 1 name on the list is forward Macklin Celebrini, who will play at Boston University this coming season (I really hope he’s on a line with Blackhawks prospect Ryan Greene). Though he hasn’t been given the “generational talent” label that Bedard wore for years, he’s still an exceptional prospect.

The Blackhawks would need to win the draft lottery in consecutive years to land Celebrini, so let’s keep the hype for him in the back of our minds but not get too excited. American forward Cole Eiserman is also in the conversation to be the top pick. Like Adam Fantilli this past year, he’ll go to college for one season before becoming draft eligible. And, like Celebrini, Eiserman will have the opportunity to skate with a Blackhawks prospect in the NCAA ranks this season; he’ll join Oliver Moore at Minnesota — possibly for only one season.

That’s all cool. The likely top-two picks in next year’s draft will be teammates — possibly linemates — with current Blackhawks prospects. But, again, landing a top-two pick might not be in the cards. So what else are we looking at in the prospect pool that might look good for the Blackhawks’ future?

We’ve talked about it a lot here and on our social channels this summer as free agency and trades have taken place: the Blackhawks need to add some depth on the right side of the blue line. Chicago’s pipeline is loaded on the left side, and a couple younger players might get some work on their off-side this coming season (I’m watching Nolan Allan specifically for that).

The good news: next year’s draft class has some enticing options on the right side of the blue line who could be not only a fit for the Blackhawks, but also available if we assume Chicago drafts between 3-10 next summer. Which is an ideal scenario when possibly the best player available also fills a need for the team.

Here are five 2024 draft-eligible RHD I’m circling to watch over the coming year (with Wheeler’s overall ranking):

Wheeler’s comment: “Levshunov’s profile checks all of the boxes teams are looking for in a high-end defenseman. He’s a righty with a pro build already. He’s a smooth skater with plus-level four-way mobility and good length. Though he was a little green defensively when he arrived in the USHL, he made fast progress and really figured it out last year (which included becoming a top penalty killer as the season progressed after not starting there) — his upside defensively is sky high with the right development.“

Wheeler’s comment: “Mews is an athletic, right-handed shot who is capable of consistently driving and tilting play from the back end. When he’s at his best, he dictates play by regularly looking to activate into the rush or off the line, and by defending hard when spacing allows. I love his attack and take-instead-of-give mentality on both sides of the puck, and it’s complemented by a good frame, an NHL shot and NHL skating, and a fairly polished game in all three zones for a defenseman his age (when he needs to pull back or simplify, he does).“

Wheeler’s comment: “An OHL Cup All-Star and first-round pick into the OHL even before his breakout season, Parekh plays an aggressive offensive style that looks to attack off the line into the slot or even the front of the net or below the goal line. He’ll also regularly involve himself in the rush much like a winger does, driving down the wall in control to look to put defenders on their heels with his skating and attack into his shot or create an odd-man rush. He’s extremely confident on offense and opening up his feet where necessary around the zone without going to his heel-to-heel by default. He’s got great hands and a balanced skating posture which helps him carry pucks and beat the first layer of pressure to get to his spots.“

Wheeler’s comment: “He’s got good four-way mobility, an active disposition, balanced shooting mechanics, an eye for spacing and identifying opportunities to jump on both sides of the puck, and legit skill with the puck. He feels a little rawer than the defensemen in front of him here to me, but there are some who are higher. It wasn’t a coincidence that he played alongside Kings draft pick Jakub Dvorak, even as an underager, as U18 worlds went on.“

Wheeler’s comment: “While his game in the WHL does come with some give and take, he’s got pro size, a pro shot and an attack mentality that is complemented by sound decision-making. He also protects the puck really well for a defenseman, which allows him to make the most of his decisions to involve himself in the play around the offensive zone. It’s not uncommon to see him take a puck to the inside off the wall. And while I’d say he’s a good but not great defender, he plays hard at both ends.“