Evan Gardner, goaltender for the Saskatoon Blades at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. (WHL Images)
Outside of the top 20 this year, the 2024 NHL Draft is expected to be an average class, leaving room for error on the draft floor, with top talent likely to be overlooked — players will likely fall in the draft rankings or go unnoticed. Here is a list of some of the most underrated players heading into the NHL Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It is almost impossible to analyze young players and predict where they will fall in the draft or how their careers will pan out. Thousands of hockey players become eligible for the NHL Draft every year. Only 224 are drafted, and less than 60 make it to the NHL. 63% of first-round picks make it, but less than 25% of second-round picks and only 12% of third-rounder selections find their way.
With that in mind, I have compiled a list of some of the most underrated eligible prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft to be held at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. Some are second-round projections, while others may fall into the later rounds. From all over the world, from North America to Russia, I have done my research. These are some of the best forwards, defensemen and goaltenders who have not gotten a fair shake that could make an impact at the NHL level in the near future.
Christian Humphreys | C | USNTDP Juniors/USHL
#63 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING, , #77 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE, #54 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY, #42 by FCHOCKEY, #61 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters), #36 by RECRUIT SCOUTING, #32 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Christian Humphreys, 18, has stood out as one of the strongest players out of USNTDP this season. Provided he utilizes his shot more than anything, and despite his smaller stature at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, he has held his own as a two-way forward, showing immense growth over the last year and a half.
Things looked bleak when first introduced to the program, especially when playing away from the puck. Although, he has established a reliable two-way game and is regularly slotted as the top-line center. Off the puck, he shows a Sean Couturier-like style of play. He positions himself well, both offensively and defensively, to produce or prevent high-danger scoring chances.
This season being his draft year, in 53 games, he has produced career highs across the board, having split time between the NTDP and USHL with 17 goals, 31 assists and 48 points in 42 games with the U.S. National U18 Team and pacing to have a career season with USNTDP Juniors, seven goals, 15 assists, 22 points in 21 games.
One area where Humphreys can still improve is his shot utilization. While he has an excellent shot, he doesn’t always find himself in the best areas for scoring opportunities. However, this can be worked on over time, especially as he continues to develop and gain more confidence.
The 18-year-old is committed to the University of Michigan beginning in 2025-26. He is more than likely to see his overall game and faceoff success improve at the NCAA level. He is still developing, so attending one of the best college hockey programs will elevate his game to the next level.
Marek Vanacker | LW | Brantford Bulldogs/OHL
#61 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING, #47 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE, #26 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON, #57 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY, #62 by FCHOCKEY, #59 by DAILY FACEOFF, #25 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters), #25 by ISS HOCKEY
Marek Vanacker, 17, is another two-way forward who could make an impact at the NHL level in a very low-risk, high-reward scenario. At 6-foot-1, the Delhi, Ontario, born left winger gains speed rather quickly with such long strides. Due to his quickness, he lacks a bit of muscle at 165 pounds. He will need to bulk up and fill out, but despite his less-than-heavy build, he is not limited in the physicality department.
In his second season in the Ontario Hockey League, Vanacker showed huge improvements on both sides of the puck. With that, his draft stock spiked after posting 36 goals, 46 assists and 82 points in 68 games this season. Compared to his 12 assists and 16 points through 55 games in his rookie campaign.
Vanacker plays at another level when creating plays because of his well-rounded hockey IQ. This shines through in offensive and defensive zones, whether using his forceful shot that is lethal from all areas of the ice or his long reach to control the pace of play. It is hard to pinpoint his next move or where exactly he will be, making him a versatile player in all aspects of the game.
Kim Saarinen | G | HPK U20/U20 SM-sarja
#79 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE, #97 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY, #1 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Goalies)
The first but certainly not the last goaltender on this list, Kim Saarinen, 17, lets his large build do the talking. He stands at 6-foot-4, 181 pounds, covering much of the net. Yet he’s still agile in the crease and shows his athleticism when having to stretch out to make difficult stops when necessary.
The Finish goaltender had a tough showing on the International stage during the U-18 Five Nations tournament, posting a .917 save percentage and 3.86 goals against in six starts. But he had an impressive 2023-24 season that followed in the U20 SM-sarja, playing in front of players 2-3 years older than him.
Saarinen held a 14-5-0 record through 23 games, with a .941 Sv% and a 2.41 GAA, sitting second among all U20 SM-sarja goalies in save percentage and top-10 in goals against average. Goaltenders are hard to rank and, most times, are drafted in the later rounds. Saarinen should get a hard look because of his size and abilities at such a young age.
Some areas still need to be filled, mainly his five-hole. The 17-year-old goalie allows some weaker goals from time to time — 56 goals got through Saarinen in 23 games, but that is to be expected, going up against an older age group. There is room for growth, and it would be a mistake for any team to pass over this Finish netminder.
John Mustard | C/LW | Waterloo Black Hawks/USHL
#38 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING, #55 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM, #64 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE, #48 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON, #32 by THN/FERRARI, #31 by THN/KENNEDY, #47 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY, #36 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS, #46 by FCHOCKEY, #54 by DAILY FACEOFF, #41 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters), #35 by RECRUIT SCOUTING, #31 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
When surrounded by talent, John Mustard, 17, strives the most. He drives the play from anywhere on the ice, from any position, and fills gaps. After being projected to be drafted in the seventh round, Mustard’s draft stock has skyrocketed over the past few months. However, he is still a very underrated prospect heading into June.
The 17-year-old from New Jersey is among the USHL league leaders in scoring as a rookie. He was one of only six players to hit the 20-goal mark at the midway point of the season and is also the league’s leading rookie scorer. Mustard has racked up 51 points, 26 goals and 25 assists in 56 games.
Mustard averages over 15 minutes a game as a Waterloo Black Hawk, is a well-rounded skater with scoring instincts, and shows playmaking ability that can be impactful at the NHL level. He needs to round things out but can become a solid middle-six power forward with a high ceiling.
He has become one of the USHL’s biggest offensive threats, with a +13 plus-minus, playing well above the expectations of a 17-year-old. Mustard will look to round out his game at Providence College beginning in the 2025-26 season.
Andrei Krutov | LW/RW | Chaika Nizhny Novgorod/MHL
#72 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
When mentioning the NHL Draft, the Russians can never counted out. However, lots have fallen among recent draft classes because of political implications and teams not wanting to wait for them to come overseas. For the teams that are rebuilding or have the time to wait, Andrei Krutov, 17, will be a name to keep an eye on in Las Vegas.
Ivan Demidov, 18, of course, is the Russian out of the MHL expected to go high in the draft. But like Demidov, Krutov has the tools to be an everyday NHLer.
Although the 17-year-old has yet to make his KHL debut, he is expected to make the jump within the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod organization next season after excelling at all levels and in Russian National Junior Tournaments. At 5-foot-11, Krutov has become a specialist on the power play and penalty kill, driving the play like a seasoned veteran.
Averaging well over 17 minutes a night, Krutov is top-15 among all MHL skaters with 21 goals, 29 assists and 50 points in 41 games, with a 1.22 points per game.
Matvei Polyakov, 19, is another Russian prospect who has re-emerged in the rankings this year, having a career season in the MHL with 24 goals, 19 assists and 43 points in as many games. Polyakov is a few paces ahead of Krutov, but not much, considering the age gap.
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Krutov has lots to work on and will probably go through a lot before finding his way to the NHL or overseas. But with his speed and noble shot, it won’t take as long as some may think. It is just a matter of which team will take the risk and draft the Togliatti, Russian.
Charlie Elick | RD | Brandon Wheat Kings/WHL
#29 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING, #38 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM, #28 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE, #47 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON, #22 by THN/KENNEDY, #38 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY, #27 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS, #31 by FCHOCKEY, #27 by DAILY FACEOFF, #28 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters), #22 by ISS HOCKEY, #49 by RECRUIT SCOUTING, #33 by DOBBERPROSPECTS, #27 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Calgary, Alberta, born Charlie Elick, 18, has been one of the least talked about players heading into the draft when it comes to defensemen. Elick and Quinn Mantei led the Brandon Wheat Kings, a poorly offensive-heavy team on the backend. They have been a bright spot for the Wheat Kings in front of Philadelphia Flyers prospect Carson Bjarnason.
It is hard to get past Elick, standing tall at 6-foot-3, 198 pounds with impressive skating ability. Over the past year, he has become a very mobile skater, going up the ice to get involved in the rush. He also holds the blue line well, pushing the play back into the offensive zone rather than quickly retreating.
Playing a more aggressive style can be costly, but Elick rarely crosses that line. He still needs to work on his decision-making with the puck, but he is close to having a complete game. This is a big reason his stats took the leap they did. Through 65 games, he had 23 assists and 27 points, holding a +4 plus-minus to his 11-point, -8 plus-minus season in 2022-23.
The Edge School product, when on his game, has the makings of being one of the best shutdown defensemen in the WHL and 2024 draft class. Although his stats are not anything groundbreaking, he is a very consistent all-around defenseman. Elick keeps things simple on both sides of the puck, rather than forcing plays, and is not afraid to get in front of shots. He should have no issue adjusting to the pro level.
Alexander Zetterberg | C | Örebro HK J20/J20 Nationell
#75 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING, #59 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON, #79 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY, #53 by FCHOCKEY, #18 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters), #37 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Alexander Zetterberg, 17, related to Swedish Henrik Zetterberg, is a skillful puck-handler and can turn on a dime. The only concern is his size, at 5-foot-8, something teams usually pass in the first and second rounds. However, whichever team takes on Zetterberg with that in mind could still be rewarded down the road.
Zetterberg’s size seems to be the leading factor when considering his draft stock, even though the league has changed that narrative over the past decade. He will need to bulk up, given his height and 160-pound frame. This brings his overall strength on the puck down, making it an area the 17-year-old will need to improve. But he is still an abrasive, energetic and quick-moving center.
Four months away from the draft, looking to be a second to fourth-round selection with first-round abilities due to how this draft class has changed immensely in the last few months. This season with Örebro HK in the J20 Nationell, Zetterberg put up 21 goals, 37 assists and 58 points in 45 games during the regular season and represented Sweden on the international stage with 33 points in 19 games — including at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup with four assists and 6 points in 4 games, playing above a point per game pace.
He’s a shifty player, which gives him an edge over the opposition, sneaking through the cracks and finding the open areas, with or without the puck on his stick. Zetterberg can change direction quickly and lose opponents in transition, but he played primarily an offensively driven game.
The Sundsvall, Sweden, has an offensive game similar to William Nylander of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He always appears to be a step ahead of the opposing defenders, giving him an edge, and he can control the pace of play with his puck handling.
Kam Hendrickson | G | Omaha Lancers/USHL
Unranked, Prospect eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft
Somehow one of the least followed goaltenders in this year’s draft class, yet having one of the best all-around seasons. Kam Hendrickson, 18, was a senior captain for Chanhassen High Storm in the USHS-MN before finding himself in the USHL with the Omaha Lancers. Between the two programs, he recorded eight shutouts in 33 games with 25 wins on his impressive record.
During his time with the Storm, leading by example on and off the ice, he registered a .951 save percentage, a 1.01 goals-against average and a 23-6-0 record in 2023-24, allowing only 29 goals throughout the season. Chanhassen made the state tournament for the first time this season, in part to Hendrickson, making it to the Class AA state title game before falling short in the championship game.
Before making his way to Omaha, where he had a 3.05 goals against average, a .916 save percentage and one shutout in four games, the 18-year-old started his varsity career at Holy Family before transferring to Chanhassen as a junior. The young netminder plays a very unorthodox style but finds himself in the crucial areas to make a save. It is hard to get pucks past Hendrickson, standing at 6-foot-2.
Hendrickson has a quick glove hand, especially for a right-handed catch. Yet he is still flashy on his blocker side as well when necessary. He can see through screens well, using his height to look over the crowd and then getting low enough to see the puck coming. He is noticeably not afraid to be aggressive when playing the puck or approaching a shooter while showing some aggression when run into or bumped. He is a very agile goaltender who moves laterally quickly and has a low stance, which prevents getting beat five hole less often.
Despite the keen numbers, the Minnesota native does not currently have a Division I commitment. It will be interesting to see as June approaches what path Hendrickson will take and if an NHL team will draft him this year.
Carson Wetsch | F | Calgary Hitmen/WHL
#79 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING, #75 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE, #46 by THN/FERRARI, #52 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY, #67 by FCHOCKEY, #44 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Carson Wetsch, 17, has been in the Calgary Hitmen system for three years and has continued to improve every season. He is a rugged physical player, 6-foot-2, with soft hands and playmaking ability in a heavy game. He is not afraid to get into the dirty areas or make plays while barreling down in the attack zone, feeding off big hits, driving the net, or using his impressive shot to find the back of the net.
Wetsch is an adaptable player, morphing into a true power forward. He is an overwhelming pressure all over the ice, taking the extra stride to skate through the hands of the opponent instead of reaching. The North Vancouver, BC, native has noticeably improved in his second year as a Hitmen.
Wetsch, Oliver Tulk and 2024 top-eligible prospect Carter Yakemchuk have carried their weight offensively over the last three seasons. Creating offense and scoring opportunities on a team starved for overall talent. Especially after losing Zac Funk to the Prince George Cougars in a trade during the regular season.
After two full seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL), Wetsch sits at a 0.63 point per game pace. In his rookie campaign, he provided ten goals, 11 assists and 21 points through 45 games as a 16-year-old. Since then, Wetsch has doubled his stats across the board, splitting an even 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points through 67 games in 2023-24.
Wetsch is one of the most undervalued players heading into the draft despite his production on a young, underachieving team. He is projected to be more of a prototypical middle-bottom six-forward with tons of character. There is room for growth, and at most, his ceiling can fill a high-end middle-six role as a reliable power forward in any position.
Evan Gardner | G | Saskatoon Blades/WHL
#85 by FCHOCKEY, #16 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Goalies)
Rookie goaltender Evan Gardner, 18, has taken the Western Hockey League by storm between the pipes. He has earned WHL rookie honours and is the heavy favourite to win Rookie of the Year while on a young Saskatoon Blades team; he has out-shinned his competition in all aspects.
The 6-foot-2 goalie is one of the top goaltenders, let alone players in his age group. The Blades selected Gardner in the third round, 53rd overall, in the 2021 WHL Prospect Draft. The hopeful, soon-to-be NHL prospect has been living with type 1 diabetes for six years and has had to make adjustments to how he approaches the game. Similar to Max Domi and Bobby Clarke, who also dealt with diabetes during their careers, Gardner hopes he can provide the same inspiration to up-and-coming athletes living with diabetes.
Gardner is calm between the pipes, moving side to side efficiently, can take away space in the blink of an eye and never looks uncomfortable, especially for a goalie in his first WHL season. In 30 starts, he collected 21 wins with a 1.91 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage with four shutouts to boot, carrying the Blades into the Playoffs, where he has taken priority in net over Austin Elliott.
Despite a league-leading season in goals against average and save percentage, Gardner is low on scouts radars heading into the 2024 NHL Draft. This is likely because it is his rookie season, and team scouts need to see more. However, considering the quick adjustments he has had to make to keep pace with the older and faster competition, he deserves a look. He has been consistent at every level, playing his best hockey in the WHL this year. The improvements Gardner has made in such a short period could land him the starting role in Saskatoon next season.
He plays beyond his years with situational awareness and control in the blue paint. He positions himself wisely and uses his big build in the butterfly. It is hard to beat him in close or from a distance. He tracks the puck well when moving latterly. He is rarely beaten over the shoulder while taking away the top half of the net efficiently. He uses the overlap technique, something more goalies have done to prevent being beaten short side or while hugging the post.
If he continues to excel while keeping the compete level where it is, he could be an impactful goaltender at the pro level. It all depends on how the draft board falls.
Table of Contents – 6 Forwards, 1 Defensemen, 3 Goalies
Honourable Mentions: Oliver Tulk, C, Calgary Hitmen/WHL, Yegor Surin, C/RW, Loko Yaroslavl/MHL, Jan Špunar, G, Portland Winterhawks/WHL, Matvei Polyakov, RW, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg/MHL, Nicholas Johnson, F, Brandon Wheat Kings, Ivan Yunin, G, Omskie Yastreby/MHL, Luca Marrelli, D, Oshawa Generals/OHL, Logan Crosby, RW, Halifax Mooseheads/QMJHL
*All player statistics and draft rankings courtesy of eliteprospects.com
