Preliminary Top 50 from the OHL for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft (2024)

It's time for my first official ranking for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. I say official because I release a preseason ranking in the summer (which can be found here).

The list includes detailed reports on the Top 30 and small snippets on the other 20 that make up the Top 50.

A reminder that this list does not include potential re-entry candidates (players already passed over in the draft). A guy like Anthony Romani is off to a tremendous start, but I do a separate list for these types later in the season.

This was one of the most difficult preliminary lists for me to compile. I think that Dickinson is without question the top OHL player available this year, but after that it gets messy. I've flip flopped on many players over the last month or so. I think that next group of Greentree, Parekh, and Sennecke is very tight. Then I think there is another group after that of about five or six players that could be ranked in any order. Once you get down into the 20's and 30's, it's all about preference...and my preference has moved around constantly. I wanted to push this list a little bit longer, but wasn't even sure that would give me more clarity. I think that this is just going to be a year in the OHL where rankings are going to be all over the place on guys. Part of the reason for this is the lack of depth this year too.

Here's my list:

1. Sam Dickinson - Defense - London Knights
As mentioned, I think that he is unquestionably the top player available from the OHL this year. I don't see that changing over the course of the year. IMO, he and Michigan State's Levshunov will be in direct competition to be the first defender selected. Dickinson plays such a calm and mature game in the defensive end already. He knows how to leverage using his size. He's confident playing the body. His terrific four way mobility allows him to suffocate would be attackers and he can be so quick to close out because of his length and quickness. Offensively, I think things have been a little more inconsistent, but that's probably to be expected of a player who is still finding his bearing in this league after inconsistent ice time last year. Dickinson makes terrific decisions with the puck in the defensive end and is a true breakout machine. He's so poised under the pressure of the forecheck. However, I've found his decision making to be erratic as he attempts to advance play up ice with his feet. Turnovers in the neutral zone have been a bit of an issue. When he does get runway, he can be tough to stop because of how well he protects the puck in stride. Inside the offensive zone, he has solid instincts and does have the shot and touch to be a powerplay QB at the next level IMO. I think we're all just trying to figure out what the high end offensive upside is and ultimately that will determine how high Dickinson goes in June. Is he a future #1? Or is he more of a solid #3 who can be a longtime fixture of a defensive unit, but lacks the dynamic qualities to be a true perennial Norris candidate?

2. Liam Greentree - Wing - Windsor Spitfires
Finding a big winger with the kind of skill and poise that Greentree possesses is difficult and for that reason, I think he'll end up shooting up draft lists over the course of the season. There are a lot of layers to his game offensively. He protects the puck well along the wall and can extend plays with his feet and strength. He dominates touches near the crease and has great anticipation/hands in tight. He can beat defenders one on one, be it attacking with pace or when trying to create in tighter spaces down low. He has a great shot, but also great vision with the puck. As I said, this is an offensive player with few weaknesses. I've seen a lot of people attack his skating. I don't see the big issue. I think his agility and strength on his edges are fine and it allows him to attack East/West and get looks in the middle of the ice. I think his top speed is sufficient for a bigger winger. The explosiveness will need to improve, but as he gains strength, I see that improving. I think I'm probably more concerned with the play away from the puck being fairly inconsistent. I certainly wouldn't call Greentree a power forward. He's a skilled offensively oriented winger who just happens to have great size. He's not an overtly physical player. If he could improve that area of his game in the second half or in the future, we're talking about a potential star. Getting him to use his size more effectively in all three zones is going to be a focal point. Here's my video breakdown of Greentree's game for McKeen's Hockey.

3. Zayne Parekh - Defense - Saginaw Spirit
I've seen Parekh pretty high (like top 10, top 8 high) on some lists lately...and I honestly get it. He's so damn fun to watch. He's worth the price of admission for fans. There are so many things to love about his game on the puck. He's one of the most skilled players in the OHL regardless of position. We could talk at length about his ability to create. His ability to blend movement and control allows him to keep defenders guessing; it's that concept of keeping the puck on a string. His edgework and lateral quickness are really impressive too. It's what makes him so dangerous inside the offensive zone. On top of all the skill, the vision and overall offensive zone awareness are also elite. He's the complete package as an offensive defender. I've watched a lot of Parekh this year and there just haven't been many poor plays with the puck. For all the fun...there are bound to be naysayers at the NHL level. He's given a ton of freedom to create in Saginaw and he's not likely to get that at the NHL level...at least from many organizations currently. The question marks in his own zone are legitimate. He can struggle defending down low and in coverage, and a mindset switch will be needed. It can't be all offense all the time. That said...I do think his defensive game can be improved and it's why I do see him as a potential top 25 selection. Firstly, he's absolutely fantastic when defending aggressively in the offensive zone or neutral zone to try to earn touches. He's got a great stick and is so good at stopping or disrupting breakout attempts. Secondly, there is jam to his game at times. He can play physical and he doesn't like to get hemmed in his own end. Will improved strength improve his defensive consistency? Can he become just as hungry for the puck in the defensive zone as he is in the other two? There will be inherit risk attached to Parekh on draft day. Maybe he is only a Gostisbehere type powerplay QB at the NHL level. But, on the flip side, he is a young defender with a lot of time to figure things out; one with a great head for the game. I usually bet on hockey sense.

4. Beckett Sennecke - Wing - Oshawa Generals
For whatever reason, Sennecke has been the forgotten man among the top tier of the OHL, despite having the potential to be the second OHL player drafted this year IMO. I see a young man who oozes potential as he fills into his frame; a frame that has grown considerably in the last year or so. Sennecke has rocketed up to 6'3, yet I actually think he's managed to improve his skating a bit this year. Really only consistency has been the issue this year, but Oshawa has been pretty underwhelming as a team too. When he's filled out and finished his development, I actually think Sennecke could be a really complete player. He competes physically. He is active on the forecheck and the backcheck. He can beat defenders one on one to create for himself or teammates, but he is also a heady player who understands how to find space and soft spots in the offensive zone. For a competitive winger, his playmaking and vision are terrific and I think that ultimately makes him a really good complementary guy in the middle six at the next level. The skating, especially the agility is actually quite good for a big guy who is still growing, but the power and speed will definitely need to improve further. I think it can. Sennecke is the kind of guy who will continue to fly under the radar until he ends up making the Canadian U18 team at the end of the year and has a great tournament...then suddenly people will start saying "how is this 6'3 winger with skill and a competitive streak not considered a lock for the first round?"

5. Lukas Fischer - Defense - Sarnia Sting
This is where my list starts to get "spicy"...as the cool kids might say. I don't dislike Henry Mews, I just really like Lukas Fischer. I don't understand why he hasn't received the kind of attention he deserves. We're already talking about big, athletic defenders like Charlie Elick, EJ Emery, and Will Skahan...but not Fischer? Why? This is a guy who is one of the youngest players available this year, with terrific bloodlines, who happens to be playing big minutes in all situations with under 70 games of OHL experience under his belt. The runway for improvement is significant and we've already seen a massive step forward this year. Defensively, he has the potential to be an absolute rock. It wouldn't shock me at all if he finishes growing at close to his Dad's height/weight, yet he's also a terrific skater. He plays aggressively in the defensive zone and is so disruptive because of his reach and mobility. When the physical component becomes more consistent...look out. Offensively, I love how he starts the breakout. He already trusts his feet and protects the puck well to help him shed forecheckers. The puck skill and creativity are TBD, but he's shown flashes of being someone who can be a difference maker at both ends. Again, his game is raw in some areas and it's easy to forget that he only played half of last year in the OHL. For me, Fischer is a top 40 guy right now, right there with the likes of Emery as an athletic, toolsy type. Here's my video breakdown of Fischer's game for McKeen's Hockey.

6. Henry Mews - Defense - Ottawa 67's
The reads on Mews are just so all over the place right now. I've seen and heard some classify him as a high upside offensive type. I've seen him called more of a steady "jack of all trades" type. Where's the truth? It's funny, because when Mews was OHL draft eligible the mixed feelings on him among scouts were just as real. Is he just a guy that is tough to get a read on? It does seem like every time I watch Mews (be it in U16 action, U17 action, Hlinka/Gretzky Cup, the OHL), I get a bit of a different version. In a way, this kind of scares me a bit. There have been guys with that profile over the years who just haven't developed well to become long time NHL defenders. For me, that's why he's more of an early second round type. I certainly see the upside. The skating is terrific. He can create by leading the charge offensively, pushing deep inside the offensive zone to break down coverage. The defensive game and decision making have improved since his erratic Hlinka/Gretzky Cup performance. This is especially true for his physical intensity level; he seems to get "meaner" with every viewing. Maybe he will continue to grow on me. But in a year with so many good defenseman available (across the entire 2024 draft), I see others with a more defined role at the next level.

7. Luke Misa - Wing/Center - Mississauga Steelheads
Watching Misa skate is just downright impressive. He is lightning quick; easily one of the OHL's quickest players. He's relentless in utilizing that speed too. He is a zone entry machine, who is always looking to circle back to lead the charge into the opposing end. He is a very active forechecker and backchecker and an overall effective three zone player because of his speed. The move to the wing this year seems to have really simplified things for him and he's playing the best hockey of his OHL career. He's also clearly worked really hard to improve his shot, which has added another dimension to his already well rounded skill set. I do have some concerns. A lot of his drives do still end up with him being kept to the perimeter and he can still easily be pushed off the puck; there's still a need to "beef up." Additionally, I don't see Misa as an overtly skilled or creative player. He's at his best in a straight line. The hands are right there with the feet, that's not an issue the way it was for guys like Liam Foudy at the same age. However, I'm just not completely sold on Misa having significant offensive upside at the NHL level. I kind of view him similarly to another former Steelhead in Owen Beck. I think there's a great chance that Misa ends up being a long time NHL player, I'm just not sure it's as more than a solid middle six type. Either way, you have to love the progression he has shown this year, finally taking that next step as a high end OHL player.

8. Cole Beaudoin - Center/Wing - Barrie Colts
I just really like that Beaudoin already has such a clear identity on the ice. He already has such a great understanding of how he needs to play and his game will translate well to the pro level so long as he can continue to upgrade his skating. There's a lot of versatility here; something that Beaudoin proved at the Hlinka/Gretzky this summer. He can play multiple forward positions. He can kill penalties or play down low on the powerplay. He competes hard physically and in all three zones. He loves to attack the middle of the ice and is great at protecting the puck in stride to offset any speed and quickness deficits. He's quicker without the puck than he is with it, but his stride still has a heaviness to it. It's not the most efficient from an energy perspective. Early on this year, I haven't really loved his vision with the puck and I think that area of his game will need to grow in order for him to stick down the middle. But overall, there's a lot to like here and I think he's a fairly safe NHL prospect. There's untapped offensive upside here, but also a safe floor of a Casey Cizikas type.

9. Carter George - Goaltender - Owen Sound Attack
I've found it pretty bizarre that Leenders has been getting a ton of attention as a potential early selection but George hasn't. Stats and physical profile are pretty similar. How soon people forget that George was pretty solid for Canada at the Hlinka/Gretzky Cup. Now...I say this but I view the two pretty damn interchangeable. Both are terrific play trackers. Both are athletic (Leenders probably a little quicker). But I view George as a little more technically sound, quiet in his movements and better with his rebound control. Owen Sound hasn't been great this year, but I can assure you that things would be worse if it weren't for George.

10. Ryerson Leenders - Goaltender - Mississauga Steelheads
Leenders' athleticism is mighty impressive. He has been all over the plays of the week this year so far, stretching out to cover his posts to rob would be shooters. He never quits on a play and his composure in the crease this year for a younger Mississauga team has been impressive. The consistency hasn't always been there, but you really can't knock him for that in his first year as a starter. Once he cleans up a few technical things, that will improve. This is especially true about his rebound control. He can have trouble cleaning controlling shots up high and through screens and as such, he's having to make too many second/third chance saves. I'm always skeptical of putting goaltenders this high early in the year. And given that George and Leenders aren't the biggest, I wasn't sure I wanted to place them this high. But, from what I understand, both of these guys are highly regarded by NHL scouts right now and are right in the conversation as the top goalies available. Both of their track records have been too good so far.

The rest of the top 50 is posted above.

As always, happy to answer any questions you might have.