The 2024 NHL Entry Draft is just about here. During the first round, on Friday, June 28, the New Jersey Devils own the 10th-overall pick. As mentioned in our most recent draft piece, detailing potential forward options that may intrigue New Jersey in the first round, it appears likely the Devils may select a forward given their last two first-round selections were defensemen. However, if the team does elect to attack the blue line once again, here are some names to be on the look out for at the No. 10 pick.
Sam Dickinson
The six-foot-three defenseman is someone that the Devils, “really, really like.” This according to Devils scout Mark Dennehy, as reported by Ryan Novozinsky of NJ Advanced Media. The infatuation with the left-handed defenseman, who captained his junior team to a OHL championship and Memorial Cup appearance, makes a ton of sense.
Sam Dickinson profiles as a true two-way defenseman whose defensive game is already really advanced. He is a strong skater overall, physical, has a high motor, and is very positionally sound. Not to mention, the Canadien-born blue-liner totaled a strong 70 points in 68 OHL games this past season. This one year after only posting 23 in 62 games last season. He is one of the safest players in this draft (very high floor) who still possesses a very high ceiling.
Dickinson is not only one of the better prospects in the draft, but he also fits a positional need for New Jersey on the left side. Dickinson has largely been regarded as a top-10 prospect in the draft, so the likelihood he is available at New Jersey’s selection seems a bit unlikely. However, if he is, the Devils should be thrilled and pounce at the opportunity.
Zayne Parekh
Another OHL defenseman, Zayne Parekh exploded for 96 points in 66 games this past season. This point output was the eighth-most in the whole league and first among defenseman. Of those 96 points, a staggering 33 of them were goals. Not to mention, in 2022-23, Parekh set the OHL record for most goals from a defenseman aged 17 or younger (21).
Listed at six-foot and 178 pounds, Parekh profiles more as an offensive defenseman. The 18-year-old Canadien has terrific offensive instincts coupled with great puck handling and elite skating abilities. Given this, he is able to set up his teammates with ease, as evident by the 63 assists (fifth-most in the OHL) this past season. On the flip side, his goal-scoring abilities are also well-documented above.
His defensive play is still a work in progress. However, as explained, he has all the tools necessary to turn into a more-than-acceptable player in his own end. If you are looking for the next, dynamic offensive defenseman, the right-handed shooting Parekh is likely your guy.
Zeev Buium
The first American-born defenseman on this list is six-foot, 186-pound Zeev Buium. Buium, in his first collegiate season with the University of Denver, impressed tremendously, totaling 50 points in 42 games. This output was 10th in all of college hockey and led defenseman. His 39 assists ranked third in the NCAA.
Despite the gaudy point totals, Buium profiles more as a two-way defenseman who will become capable up-and-down the ice. Offensively, it is his impressive playmaking abilities enabled by his off-the-charts hockey IQ. He is a very smooth skater who does a terrific job causing turnovers and chaos in the defensive zone enabling his team to quickly spiring the other way.
The actual in-zone defense is still coming along. However, given his already strongly developed transition game, and knack for causing turnovers, the rest of his defensive game should get there; thus the previously mentioned two-way label. He will need to continue to develop his strength and physicality, which will only help that in-zone defense. The left-handed shot is another addition to a growing pipeline of extremely strong prospects in college hockey.
Carter Yakemchuk
Of all on this list, Carter Yakemchuk is the most likely to still be on the board come the Devils’ pick. The WHL product has strong size to him, being listed at six-foot-three and 202 pounds. Despite this, at least thus far, Yakemchuk profiles as an offensive defenseman.
For the Calgary Hitemen of the WHL last season, Yakemchuk potted 30 goals to go along with 71 points across 66 games. This after nearly eclipsing the 20-goal mark a year prior as a 16/17-year old. These strong offensive outputs are due to his huge shot and really strong puck-handling abilities, especially for a defenseman of his size. These attributes alone, coupled with the aforementioned great size, makes Yakemchuk one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft.
However, despite all that, his defensive game is a deep work in progressive. His defensive decision-making and general awareness has a long way to go. Given this, Yakemchuk is being labeled as one of the more raw prospects poised to go in the first round. He will need a lot of good coaching, and if he gets it, should transform him into a terrific NHL player. Specifically, one that is an elite offensive force from the blue line, and becomes serviceable, due to that size and tool kit, in his own end.