Here are the top prospects not selected at the 2024 NHL Draft
The 2024 NHL draft has officially been completed.
Even after seven rounds and 225 picks, there were plenty of surprising names left unselected. There are a multitude of reasons why a player may go undrafted, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road for them.
Here’s a look at some of the top prospects who didn’t get their name called this weekend, but still offer plenty of upside and could find themselves getting invites to NHL development camps and training camps in the near future:
TOMAS GALVAS | D | Bílí Tygři Liberec (CZECHIA)
FCHOCKEY RANK: 54
One of the most surprising undrafted players was defenseman Tomas Galvas out of Czechia. Galvas ranked as a second round pick on FC Hockey’s final rankings, and found himself in the same range on most lists. Galvas is smooth-skating blueline who uses his strong skating to escape pressure, push the puck up ice and create offense for his team. He’s not one-dimensional though, as he’s able to use his skating and smarts to remain calm under pressure and escape some dangerous situations in his own zone with the puck. He’s small for a rearguard, likely the reason he wasn’t drafted, but that doesn’t limit him from being an impact player at both ends of the ice. Galvas has the toolkit to become an NHLer one day if a team is willing to look past his size.
What we like… He is a dynamic defenseman with fluid skating, excellent edge control, strong playmaking abilities, and a keen sense for creating offensive opportunities while maintaining solid positioning.
DANIIL USTINKOV | D | ZSC LIONS (NL)
FCHOCKEY RANK: 55
Daniil Ustinkov already possesses NHL size, standing at six feet tall and just under 200 pounds. He’s able to use his size and strength to win puck battles and more often than not come out on the winning side in contested situations. His game isn’t just built on brute force though. He’s also impressively mobile and agile for a bigger guy and can move the puck up ice when he needs to. Ustinkov is very much a case of untapped potential. He shows flashes of his offensive ability, but you’d like to see him use it more often. He carries NHL size, offensive skills and has legitimate third pairing upside if he can round out his game.
What we like… He’s a dynamic two-way defenseman with exceptional skating, agility, and puck-handling skills, showing strong offensive potential and smart, effective defensive play.
MATVEI BABENKO | RW | TOLPAR UFA (MHL)
FCHOCKEY RANK: 62
Matvei Babenko is power forward through and through. Standing at 6’3 and 201 pounds with room to grow even more, Babenko was a physical force in the MHL this season. He’s not afraid to use his size to his advantage, whether that’s through driving the net with possession and getting into the dirty areas on the ice and battling for loose pucks. He’s a horse on the forecheck, constantly bearing down on defenders. The second major aspect of his game is his impressive shot. Babenko possesses a heavy shot that he isn’t afraid to use. He’s still very raw, but he has the tools to earn NHL minutes in a bottom-six power forward role if he can continue to get better.
What we like… He is a strong physical presence, has quick hands, a hard shot, and effective puck protection, excelling in net-front battles and board play.
ALEXANDER ZETTERBERG | C | Örebro HK J20 (J20-NATIONELL)
FCHOCKEY RANK: 74
The undersized Alexander Zetterberg offers plenty of offensive upside and intrigue, but his stature was enough to push him down draft boards. At just 5’7 and under 160 pounds, Zetterberg was one of the smallest players in the draft. LIke most players his size, Zetterberg is a wizard with the puck and seems to float through traffic at times as he weaves his way through defenders. He’s also a great skater as well which combined with his puck skills make him hard to contain in the offensive zone. If he were a couple inches taller there’s no question he would’ve been drafted.
What we like… He is a smart, agile forward with excellent vision, anticipation, and puckhandling skills, making him effective in both offensive playmaking and defensive positioning.
ERIC BURGER | D | Örebro HK J20 (J20-NATIONELL)
FCHOCKEY RANK: 83
Teammates with Zetterberg, Eric Burger is the polar opposite type of player. A true defensive defenseman, Burger has everything you’d look for in a pure shutdown player. He’s smart, offers impressive defensive awareness, as well as passable size at six feet tall. He’s no slouch when it comes to moving the puck either, as he’s able to make strong outlet passes and transition up ice when he has to. His 26 points in the J20 Nationell are nothing to scoff at either. Burger has third pairing upside as a two-way defender.
What we like… He excels as a defensive defenseman with strong skating, exceptional defensive awareness, effective stick use, and solid positioning.
ARSEN TAIMAZOV | D | MHK DYNAMO MOSKVA (MHL)
FCHOCKEY RANK: 89
Arsen Taimazov is an imposing and intimidating defender and would fit into an NHL blueline already based on size as he stands at 6’4 and 214 pounds with plenty of room to grow even more. Due to his size, he’s able to influence the game defensively in a major way, regularly picking off passes and getting his stick in the way of incoming offensive players. He’s simply a force out there and impossible to miss whenever he’s on the ice. There’s plenty of areas for improvement, but 6’4 defensive defenders don’t grow on trees, and he moves pretty well for a guy his size. He’ll never be a big contributor on offence, but his defensive game and size could be enough to take him to the NHL one day.
What we like… He shows impressive four-way mobility, effective reach, strong defensive positioning, and the ability to disrupt plays and control the puck.
GABRIEL FRASCA | C | KINGSTON FRONTENACS (OHL)
FCHOCKEY RANK: 89
Gabriel Frasca is a defensively-responsible and smart center who’s greatest impact comes in his own zone. Frasca isn’t the biggest player, standing at 6-foot and under 180 pounds, but that doesn’t prevent him from engaging in puck battles along the boards. He’s a warrior who possesses the work ethic and drive that NHL coaches would love. He leaves plenty to be desired in the offensive zone, but he has a strong base as a defensive pivot that already makes him a valuable player, and with a little more offense could project a bottom-six two-way center.
What we like… He is strong defensively in his positioning, board battle skills, and a heavy stick, but also has some underlying offensive intrigue.
LUKAS MATECHA | G | TRI-CITY AMERICANS (WHL)
FCHOCKEY RANK: 94
Lukas Matecha is an athletic and big goaltender, taking up most of the net with his 6-foot-3 frame. His athleticism combined with his size allows him to transition post to post and cover the bottom half of the net with ease. He’s able to challenge cross crease chances and shots that some goaltenders wouldn’t have a chance with, and fight to make low percentage saves. He has some drawbacks in his game including a slow glove and blocker, but big goalies as athletic as Matecha always stand out and have pro potential.
What we like… He is an athletic goaltender with excellent situational reads, lateral quickness, precise edge work, and strong rebound control.