2024 NHL Draft: Top 10 centers

The NHL draft is this week, and teams will be looking to improve their depth down the middle. Most successful playoff teams have two or three solid centermen to lead their squads and this year is no exception. The Florida Panthers are led by Aleksander Barkov, Sam Bennett and Anton Lundell while the Edmonton Oilers are led by superstar Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Adam Henrique. The 2024 NHL draft could have upwards of 10 centers chosen in round one. Here is a look at the top 10.

1- Mackin Celebrini, Boston University, 6-foot-0 190 pounds

Celebrini is the consensus No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. He is a solid two-way player with a unique combination of creativity and soft hands. His hockey IQ is on an elite level and he should be the face of the San Jose Sharks for many years to come.

Draft Nation Prediction- First overall pick to San Jose Sharks

2- Cayden Lindstrom, Medicine Hat (WHL), 6-foot-4 215 pounds

Lindstrom is a large man who is an elite skater and is not afraid to drive the net and stir things up in front of the net. Some scouts have compared him to an Eric Lindros type, Draft Nation sees a lot of Brock Nelson in his play.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 5 to Montreal Canadiens

3- Tij Iginla, Kelowna (WHL), 6-foot-0 186 pounds

Just like his Hall-of-Fame father Jarome Iginla, Tij is a high character player who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. He is a versatile player who could be moved to a wing position down the line. With his work ethic and hockey DNA he should make his mark in the NHL.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 9 to Calgary Flames

4- Berkly Catton, Spokane (WHL), 5-foot-10 170 pounds

Catton has elite vision and skating ability and is an exceptional playmaker. The only thing holding him back from being considered a top-three center is his lack of size and strength.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 11 to Buffalo Sabres

5- Konsta Helenius, Jukurit (Finland), 5-foot-11 180 pounds

Helenius is another creative two-way centermen who has excellent edge work in his skating. Draft Nation sees a future No. 2 center with a Brayden Point type feel to his game. 

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 13 to Minnesota Wild

6- Sasha Boisvert, Muskegon (USHL), 6-foot-2 176 pounds

Boisvert is a versatile center who can play on the power play and the penalty kill, and he has a maturity way above his years. Going forward he has the feel of a future captain and reminds Draft Nation a bit of Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 18 to Chicago Blackhawks

7- Dean Letourneau, St. Andrew’s (CAHS), 6-foot-7 209 pounds

Letourneau may be the rawest of our top 10, but his size, along with his shot accuracy and power put him on our list. He is still developing his overall understanding of the game and he has yet to play some high quality competition. So he may be a bit farther out from being in the NHL then the players listed above him.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 20 to New York Islanders

8- Michael Hage, Chicago (USHL), 6-foot-1 187 pounds

Hage generates scoring opportunities at a high rate of speed and has the playmaking ability to be a top-six forward. He needs to work on the defensive side of the game before he will be ready for the NHL.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 22 to Nashville Predators

9- Julius Miettinen, Everett (WHL), 6-foot-3 207 pounds

Miettinen is a player who projects as a bottom-six center who can forecheck and play a strong defensive game. His size makes him effective in one-on-one battles. 

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 24 to Colorado Avalanche

10- Jett Luchanko, Guelph (OHL), 5-foot-11 183 pounds

Luchanko is one of the draft’s fastest skaters and he can change a game in a split second with his speed. He plays with intensity and a non-stop motor, and if he can gain some strength, he could be a steal late in round one.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 28 to Calgary Flames