2024 NHL Draft: Top 10 defensemen

The NHL draft is this week, and teams can never have enough defenseman in their organization. The game is always evolving and teams need a stable of 8-10 ready to go in case of injuries. This year’s class has a good mix of offensive and defensive defenseman.

Here is a look at Draft Nation’s top 10:

1- Artyom Levshunov, Michigan State, 6-foot-2 210 pounds

Levshunov is the most complete defenseman in the class. He has exceptional mobility and plays a physical style on defense. He is as close to being NHL ready as any other prospect in this class.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 3 to Anaheim Ducks

2- Anton Silayev, Nizhny (KHL), 6-foot-7 211 pounds

Silayev is an agile and large defenseman who will not be fun to play against due to his physicality. His skating is unusual for a large man and he has the looks of a top line defenseman.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 4 to Columbus Blue Jackets

3- Sam Dickinson, London (OHL), 6-foot-3 195 pounds

Dickinson is the type of defenseman that NHL teams love. He has a strong hockey IQ and can play large amounts of minutes. His style of play reminds Draft Nation of Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 6 to Utah HC

4- Zayne Parekh, Saginaw (OHL), 6-foot-0 180 pounds

Parekh is the ultimate offensive defenseman who can skate and move the puck with precision. However, his defense is behind the three guys listed above him and will need improvement. Still a quality top 10 pick.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 7 to Ottawa Senators

5- Carter Yakemchuk, Calgary (WHL), 6-foot-3 194 pounds

Yakemchuk is a physical defenseman who has one of the hardest shots from the point in this draft class. He has the ability to be a huge contributor to a team’s power play in the future.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 8 to Seattle Kraken

6- Zeev Buium, University of Denver, 6-foot-0 183 pounds

Buium is a mobile, puck moving defenseman who lacks the physicality of the other top prospects. Buium was a late bloomer in terms of growth and will need time to grow and transform into his new body.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 10 to New Jersey Devils

7- Adam Jiricek, Plzen (Czech), 6-foot-2 182 pounds

Jiricek has had some injury concerns and is raw compared to the others. When he has played however, he has proven to be a strong puck mover who can skate well and brings an edge to his game.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 16 to St. Louis Blues

8- Charlie Elick, Brandon (WHL), 6-foot-3 199 pounds

Elick is excellent in the defensive end and uses his stick effectively to win battles in front of the net and against the boards. He is lacking the offense of other top prospects, but should be able to transition into a solid bottom-four defenseman.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 23 to Toronto Maple Leafs

9- Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden) , 5-foot-11 176 pounds

Wallenius is one of the fastest straight line skaters in the draft and has the ability to accurately shoot while moving. He can quarterback a team’s power play but struggles in the defensive zone and takes some big risks. 

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 32 to Philadelphia Flyers

10- E.J. Emery, USNTDP, 6-foot-3 176 pounds

Emery is a smooth skater who excels in the defensive zone. He projects as a first pairing defenseman used to counter an offensive teammate. He has the makings of a player who will play a long time in the NHL.

Draft Nation Prediction- No. 33 to San Jose Sharks