Final Media/Scout Poll for the 2024 NHL Draft

Just under a week before the 2024 NHL Draft in Vegas, the final media/scout poll for 2024 is complete!For comparison's sake, here was the preliminary (from mid January) list:Preliminary List It's always interesting to note some of the major changes/trends from the beginning of the year to the end. Firstly, I think it’s important to note the shifting narrative regarding this group. Early on in the year, scouts were disappointed with the group from Ontario and had major concerns that it was a weak crop. However, so many of the OHL’s draft prospects improved considerably in the second half and this really altered the perception of the class’ strength. In terms of pure movement, Luke Misa is probably the faller in the class. He got a few 2nd place votes in January and 10 votes in total. But, on this final list, he got only six votes, with only one inside the top eight. There’s concern that his game didn’t improve over the course of the year and into the OHL playoffs, the way that others in the class did. Steelheads goaltender Ryerson Leenders also saw his stock drop. Anthony Cristoforo and Kieron Walton went from receiving three votes to zero on this final too.As for risers, on the surface it doesn’t appear Beckett Sennecke rose a ton because he only flip flopped with Liam Greentree. However, he went from being ranked 7th and 8th on a few lists to ranked in the top four of almost every list. Jett Luchanko sold scouts polled in a similar way, emerging as a top five ranked player on most lists. The big ones are Marek Vanacker and Sam O’Reilly, who went from HM’s receiving only a couple votes to players on the top ten, receiving votes from most contributors. As always, it's important to note the contributors, as without them and their terrific insight, this article does not exist. For the final list, the following helped out: Corey Pronman - NHL Prospects Writer for TheAthletic (@coreypronman)Dominic Tiano - Writer for The OHL Writers (@dominictiano)Ryan Kennedy - Editor in Chief for The Hockey News (@THNRyanKennedy)Scott Wheeler - NHL Prospects Writer for TheAthletic (@scottcwheeler)Peter Baracchini - Draft Content at The Hockey Writers (@PBaracchini)Mike Morreale - Staff writer for NHL.com (@mikemorrealeNHL)Tony Ferrari – NHL Draft Content for The Hockey News (@theTonyFerrari)Chase Rochon - OHL Regional Scout at McKeen’s Hockey (@chaserochon18)Steven Ellis - Prospect Analyst for Daily Faceoff (@SEllisHockey)Hadi Kalakeche - Director of NA Scouting for Dobber Prospects (@HadiK_Scouting)Mark Seidel - Director of NACS (@MarkSeidel)and of course...myself (@BrockOtten) Here's the List:1. Sam Dickinson - Defense - London KnightsHighest Ranking: 1st (7x)Lowest Ranking: 3rd (1x)Total Votes: 12 Comments:“Stud of a D on a powerful London Team. Game has evolved to have some offense but his size and strength are perfect for defending. No risk of him having a solid NHL career but is he a Star?” - Mark Seidel“Plays like he's a five-year NHL veteran already. Big, strong, mobile, advanced defensively and proved this year that he has a ton of offensive upside, as well. I'd put him up against any other blueliner in the class.” - Ryan Kennedy“I love Dickinson, and I think he’s thoroughly underrated by the average fan. A minute-muncher with the Knights, Dickinson can do a bit of everything. He’s calm with the puck, makes smart, quick decisions, and plays so well in transition. He’s 6-foot-3, moves really well and had one of the most productive seasons of any CHL defenseman. There are times he’ll get caught trying to do too much with the puck, but his versatility will make him an attractive option this year.” - Steven Ellis“Dickinson is incredibly toolsy and he can take over a shift at times from the back end but there are a lot of questionable decisions, particularly on the breakout. When he plays engaged and shows a willingness to carry the puck a bit before making a pass in the neutral zone, he is excellent. When he is immediately looking to offload the puck on the breakout, he can cough up the puck in an alarming way. With that said, Dickinson shows some of the most impressive flashes of two-way play and minute munching ability of any defender in the draft class. He plays a game that NHL coaches will like because he takes care of his own zone despite having a bit more to give offensively.” - Tony Ferrari“There’s a reason why Sam Dickinson has always been the OHLer and a top-three pick in my eyes this season. He’s always been a consistent, two-way defender with great poise, awareness and confidence. He possesses a lot of NHL-ready qualities and traits in his game that automatically stand out. From his mobility and skating, to his defensive IQ and ability to defend the rush very well, Dickinson’s game is reliable and consistent. He can eat minutes, be relied on in any situation, pick his spots offensively to attack and shut things down effectively within his own zone. He was a pillar for the London Knights this season as he does it all. Coming in, the expectation was that he would take on more responsibilities and he went above and beyond in his draft year.” - Peter Baracchini“Not only is Dickinson in contention as the draft’s best skater, but I think he has the clearest understanding of how to use his skating ability to be a consistently impactful player. He’s so good off the puck offensively. I don’t get the concerns over hockey sense that some in the scouting community have. He picks such intelligent spots to jump up in the play; it’s the equivalent of an NBA or soccer player who is terrific at moving without the ball. He can leverage his quickness to create mismatches. Early in the year, he struggled with turnovers, especially in the neutral zone. But later in the year, he kept his exits simple and picked his spots better. I think my only true concern is the lack of bite he shows defensively at times. But, I have no doubts that Dale Hunter fixes that in the coming seasons, working with him to be more assertive. I think he plays in the NHL in 2025/26.” - Brock Otten2. Zayne Parekh - Defense - Saginaw SpiritHighest Ranking: 1st (3x)Lowest Ranking: 5th (1x)Total Votes: 12Comments: “If any defender in this draft can hit the 70-point marker in the NHL, it’s Parekh. He finished the OHL regular season with 33 goals and 96 points in 66 games to lead all U-18 OHLers. It was the third most productive U-18 season ever by an OHL defender, and he’s one of just two that age to crack 80 points in the 21st Century – the other being Ryan Ellis, who delivered an 89-point season in 2008-09. Parekh was far and away the best offensive defenseman in junior hockey this year, and he was good at the Memorial Cup, too.” - Steven Ellis“Parekh’s the most talented defenceman in a class full of them. I understand the concerns some have about his posture, and a lack of hardness, but he’s got star-level skill and talent and I think he’s made important progress in a lot of areas.” - Anonymous“He's a unicorn among defensemen available in this draft because the upside is so huge. He never seems to get rattled, is full of poise and confidence and has the skills and, ultimately, the brain to get things done. He's just a smart player, can score, has a good touch and has the ability to turn a game around at the drop of a dime. He's got good vision, competes. He looks to outsmart opposing forwards when it comes to defending his zone, and he'll improve that area in the coming years before entering the NHL.” - Mike Morreale“Everything he does offensively is just so translatable. I think he could quarterback an NHL power play today. The look-offs, the deception, the manipulation from the point, the give-and-gos into space, the weak side activation, the composure and skill to execute in tight spaces under pressure… the tools and habits with the puck go on and on and on. I also don’t think his defensive game is half as bad as it’s been made out to be. He has the occasional lapse in judgment or insufficient effort, sure, and he isn’t the strongest, but he times his interventions well, keeps his gaps relatively short, and I love the forethought that goes into his neutral zone pinches. He’s always scanning, taking in his surroundings, and he always takes at least one opponent out of the play with each pass. There’s so much to love in Parekh’s game. He has the highest ceiling of any D in the class, and is my top-ranked defenceman for that exact reason.” - Hadi Kalakeche“The upside and offensive skill are undeniable. Parekh could put up huge numbers in the NHL eventually but will he be able to be trusted in situations that will afford him those opportunities, that’s the biggest question. His defensive game can be very passive and he shies away from physicality in a way that is concerning to a lot of people. He’s improved as a player who defends with his stick and that’s a welcome sight but there are strides to be made defensively. Offensively, the kid is manipulative and cerebral. He has a great shot and doesn’t settle for point shots, attacking up ice. He is a slick passer and he loves to slip defenders with delays and stop ups. He’s very fun.” - Tony Ferrari“Zayne Parekh was the OHL’s Defenseman of the Year and First Team All-Star, and for good reason as he put up 96 points, scoring 33 goals. He’s absolutely dynamic from the back end as he continues to show that he’s the best creative and dynamic puck mover in this class. He’s extremely confident and deceptive in his skillset and play, leading an attack in transition or jumping into plays and engaging on the cycle. He sees the ice perfectly, getting into shooting lanes easily, pushing defenders back to create more space and wiring his swift and accurate wrist shot on net. The concerns about his decisions defensively and lack of engagement remain, but it’s hard to ignore his offensive game and ability to be a big-time producer at the next level.” - Peter Baracchini“I know Zayne is an elite skater, a dynamic puck mover, and checks off many boxes for scouts (including myself). I just have struggled to see an elite pro player here. A lack of competitiveness and defensive awareness makes me question his ability to avoid becoming a defensive liability at the next level. He doesn't possess a physical presence, and I don't find that