Scott Wheeler of The Athletic released his summer edition of his top 100 NHL draft prospects rankings. As expected, Macklin Celebrini He topped the list and is one of 22 players who will enter the 2024 NHL Draft. Philadelphia Flyers 2023 first-round draft pick Matvey Mitchkov He is the second-best prospect behind the Montreal Canadiens prospect. Ivan Demidov It ranked in the top three.
Celebrini's soon-to-be teammate Will Smith Ranking eighth on the list, he is the second of six San Jose Sharks prospects to make Wheeler's top 100. San Jose's six prospects were the most of any team, tying them with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens, who also had six prospects ranked. The Sharks, Blue Jackets and Canadiens are all in the midst of rebuilds, so it's no surprise they have the most players on the list.
Other league notes:
- The Athletic's Scott Powers reports that the Chicago Blackhawks could still sign their 2021 third-round pick (91st overall). Taiji HardingThe unsigned defenseman is entering his senior year with the Friars after a solid but unspectacular NCAA career at Providence College. Powers believes the Blackhawks would be willing to offer Harding an entry-level contract and an AHL role if he's interested. Harding, 21, doesn't have much offensive power, but at 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds, he could be a presence in the Blackhawks' defensive zone if he makes the transition to professional hockey.
- The Vegas Golden Knights have announced the addition of the Tahoe Knight Monsters as their newest affiliate in the ECHL. The multi-year affiliation agreement begins this season with the Knight Monsters playing out of the Tahoe Blue Events Center in Stateline, Nevada. The ECHL approved the franchise expansion a year ago and the team had already signed six players for next season prior to the affiliation. The Knight Monsters will begin their inaugural season on October 24 against the Jacksonville IceMen.
