2024 NHL Draft class features plenty of potential sleepers
Every draft has them — the sleepers. And the 2024 NHL Draft class is no exception.
Fans always remember draft years by the top picks, the players pegged as future stars of the game. Scouts remember draft years by the sleepers, the players they pounded the table for that proved fruitful down the road — the player that not many teams are looking at, but that scout is adamant that can develop into a true NHL impact player.
The league is ripe with players who back in their draft flew under the radar and are now impact players on their respective teams.
Whether it be Brayden Point, selected with the No. 79 pick in the 2014 draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Kirill Kaprizov, nabbed with the No. 135 pick in the 2015 draft by the Minnesota Wild, Troy Terry, plucked at No. 148 in 2015 by the Anaheim Ducks, or Drake Batherson, drafted at No. 121 in 2017 by the Ottawa Senators, there’s value to be had. In Point and Kaprizov, Tampa Bay and Minnesota got superstar players, and Anaheim and Ottawa got consistent top-six forwards in Terry and Batherson.
It won’t always be a star that gets uncovered, but finding quality under the radar players can pay huge dividends for any team.
The 2024 draft, like each year, has more than a handful of sleeper candidates.
Kevin He | LW | Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
FCHockey Midterm Rank: NR
It was a tough situation this year for the Niagara IceDogs. The team aimed to be more competitive but as struggles continued many of the team’s depth and veteran players were traded off. Kevin He was a pillar of consistency for the organization however, exceeding the 30-goal mark (31) as a 17-year-old, building on a 21-goal season as a rookie last year.
“I think if a player with He’s skillset was on a more stable team he would be talked about in a way different light,” FCHockey chief Ontario scout Austin Broad said. “He can score at will, has an elite shot and has the ability to beat anyone off the rush with his speed and acceleration. I think his draft stock would be immensely different if he had a better supporting staff around him.
“He was able to excel and score a bunch of goals, while carrying the load for a young Niagara team. To me, that speaks volumes about his potential and should be a positive for him going into the draft.”
He was slotted outside the top-100 in FCHockey’s Midterm ranking for the 2024 draft, but there is no denying the talent he possesses and could easily become another under the radar draft choice.
Felix Lacerte | C | Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
FCHockey Midterm Rank: NR
At just 5-foot-10 and only 156 pounds, Felix Lacerte isn’t the biggest guy on the ice. As an undersized player, though, he embodies the traditional under-the-radar prospect. Making up for his slight frame, Lacerte possesses a dangerous and highly confident offensive mind.
“His offensive flair and high confidence with the puck when operating in the offensive zone are very enjoyable to watch,” FCHockey scout Joey Fortin Boulay said. “I like the way he can slow down the pace to find teammates or cut into the middle of the ice and challenge defenders.”
Offense has been evident in Lacerte’s game upon entering the QMJHL. He’s registered over 50 points in each of his first two seasons, and claimed a 30-goal campaign this season. He has the offensive talent to play at the next level. A concern for many, and one that places him below the radar, is both his lack of size and subsequent compete.
“He doesn’t have the greatest compete-level, yet he controls offensive plays like few do in the QMJHL while also owning a dangerous shot to pair with his creativity,” Fortin Boulay said.
Lacerte’s offensive talents are traits that NHL teams covet in late-round draft choices, and he’ll undoubtedly be a name of intrigue into the later rounds in 2024.
Hiroki Gojsic | RW | Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
FCHockey Midterm Rank: NR
Having spent his age-16 season playing in the British Columbia Hockey League for the Penticton Vees, Hiroki Gojsic hasn’t gained the national recognition that other top prospects have. Combine that with the fact that his teammate in Kelowna, Tij Iginla, is one of the most talked about prospects in 2024, and it is easy to see Gojsic is maintaining a lower profile.
“He’s an exciting prospect in his own regard,” FCHockey chief Western Canada scout Donesh Mazloum said. “He has the tools that scouts are sure to value in the upper middle rounds of this year’s draft. The offense has really blossomed in the second half of the season. His potent mix of skill and power make him a menace in the dirty areas on the ice.”
Gojsic’s numbers from his season in Penticton weren’t special, but something clicked in the young forward this season with Kelowna. He netted 21 goals and 50 points, while playing in all 68 games as a rookie with the Rockets.
“He’s really learning to maximize his strengths around the net-front,” Mazloum said. “He has become an integral part of the Rockets offense.”
Tory Pitner | D | Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
FCHockey Midterm Rank: NR
Tory Pitner shows as the modern-day shutdown defensemen. He is physical when he needs to be, reads the opposing offense very well, and manages to keep everything to the outside. Translation: he is a very reliable defenseman.
“His defensive game in general is incredibly refined and mature already,” FCHockey crossover scout Kyle Pereira said. “I love watching how he constantly keeps plays outside and more or less dominates against the rush.”
It’s the offensive side of the play where Pitner falls into the under-the-radar category. The inability to consistently produce and contribute offensively has held Pitner back from being a more talked about name in the draft. The key word is consistently. Pitner, likely a mid-round selection, could become the steal of the draft once he gains more confidence and involves himself more offensively.
“The numbers aren’t there,” Pereira said. “Yet, if you really pay attention to his game, he is very smart and calculated with his transitional game. It makes him a sneaky good puck-mover.”
Alexander Siryatsky | D | Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)
FCHockey Midterm Rank: NR
Every draft is littered with Russian prospects that simply don’t receive any buzz.
This year is no different, and Alexander Siryatsky fits the bill.
“There are a couple of guys that come to mind,” FCHockey crossover scout Jake Janso said. “Guys like Yegor Surin and Ilya Pautov could fit, but Siryatsky is the most criminally underrated from this region. I think his floor and his potential ceiling are higher than some of the other prospects likely to go before him.”
Like most young Russian players, Siryatsky has spent time between the top KHL and the second tier MHL. Though limited in KHL games, Siryatsky looked polished defensively, something that isn’t always said about young defenseman in pro leagues. While playing in the MHL, Siryatsky displays increased offensive confidence and creativity with the puck, showing signs of a potential two-way threat.
The shocking part is his absence from ranking across the board. Siryatsky, a very solid skater and strong hockey mind, is the type of risk worth taking, even before mentioning his 6-foot-2 frame.
“His biggest weapon would have to be his mind,” Janso said. “Siryatsky is a cerebral defender at both ends of the ice and uses this to anticipate plays, make interceptions, and/or smother chances before they can develop. His defensive play is very impressive, and his offensive creativity is beginning to really blossom.”
Kasper Pikkarainen | RW | TPS U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
FCHockey Midterm Rank: NR
Standing at 6-foot-3, it’s hard for Kasper Pikkarainen to truly go unnoticed. Being one of the bigger players on the ice, the young Finnish prospect is easy to spot. But bouncing between Liiga, the top Finnish circuit, and its U20 league has caused some disruptions to Pikkarainen’s season.
“He has shown his abilities and potential in the games he has played,” FCHockey regional scout Arttu Myllymaki said. “I’m particularly interested to see how he performs at the U18 World Championship.”
The skill is undeniable, as Pikkarainen finished in the top-5 in scoring on the TPS U20 team at just the age of 17.
A strong U18 World’s could see Pikkarainen’s stock rise dramatically, especially given his talent and size combination are always coveted by NHL teams.
“His playmaking skills are among the best I’ve seen in this draft class,” Myllymaki said. “He’s capable of magical things with the puck. His vision allows him to see passing lanes nobody else does.”
Noel Fransen | D | Farjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell)
FCHockey Midterm Rank: NR
It’s a down year out of Sweden in terms of top-end talent, though a player like Noel Fransen could be a great steal for a team late in the draft. A mobile defenseman built for the modern game. Fransen has put his offensive abilities on full display this season, scoring nearly a point per game with Färjestad U20.
“He is confident with the puck, and loves to join the rush to contribute offense,” FCHockey regional scout Erik Sjolund said. “The most intriguing aspect about him is that he is a prominent scoring threat from the blue line.”
That scoring touch was highly noticeable this season, as Fransen notched 20 goals with the U20 club while also registering his first pro goal with Farjestad in the Swedish Hockey League.
The offense Fransen produces frequently comes from his abilities to open shooting lanes for his great wrist shot. He opens these lanes by combining skating with his exceptional pass reception to get defenders moving laterally, allowing space for him to get quick shots through.
“The secret is out,” Sjolund said. “He has impressed me a lot with his performances during this season. He is on the rise for sure.”