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Montreal Canadiens Could Fill Biggest Need In 2024 NHL Draft

By Tyler Major-Mcnicol

BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 29: Macklin Celebrini of Canada celebrates his goal during the semi final of U18 Ice Hockey World Championship match between Sweden and Canada at St. Jakob-Park on April 29, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND - APRIL 29: Macklin Celebrini of Canada celebrates his goal during the semi final of U18 Ice Hockey World Championship match between Sweden and Canada at St. Jakob-Park on April 29, 2023 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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BASEL, SWITZERLAND – APRIL 30: Macklin Celebrini of Canada. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – APRIL 30: Macklin Celebrini of Canada. (Photo by Jari Pestelacci/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Macklin Celebrini

First up is 2024 NHL Draft top prospect, Macklin Celebrini, a product of the USHL’s  Chicago Steel. Celebrini is primed to make the leap to the NCAA ranks in 2023-24, and he will do so with a very talented group at Boston University. With the likes of Lane Hutson, Tom Willander and Devin Kaplan, the Terriers will have a talented young roster.

Celebrini is the early consensus number-one ranked prospect for next summer’s draft, and he has an impressive toolkit. He is both quick, in the way that he processes the game, and fast; as he has great speed to complement his strong two-way game. The Vancouver, BC., native has a great shot and is a fantastic playmaker, whose skating ability and soft hands round out his offensive game and the natural center is adept defensively.

He is a can’t-miss, top-of-the-crop talent, and would make any franchise better. After his fantastic rookie year in the USHL with the Chicago Steel, which saw him score 46 goals, 40 assists and 86 points in 50 games, he will head to the NCAA and take the college hockey route.

Given his reputation, at this juncture, it’s likely he transitions to Boston University swimmingly. He will join Habs super-prospect Lane Hutson there and the duo could prove too good to pass up on if the Canadiens end up with a pick high enough to land Celebrini at the 2024 NHL Draft.

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