Celebrini tops the latest Central Scouting rankings

Lindstrom (6-3, 210) is a strong center and remains a top-4 offensive option in this draft despite missing 36 regular-season games due to injury. The 18-year-old returned to the squad on March 29 after recovering from surgery to repair an upper-body injury. He had 46 points (27 goals, 19 assists) in 32 games before the injury and had four double-digit points (one goal, one assist) and 17 shots on goal in the WHL playoffs.

“Lindstrom is an elite NHL prospect that every NHL club dreams of, and the NHL outlook is not affected by him missing time with injuries that will not jeopardize his future career,” Marr said. “Central scouting chose to put him at that position because he remains one of the top prospects in this class and we haven't made any reports to replace him.

“He will undergo a full medical before being called up at the NHL Scouting Combine (June 3-8), where NHL clubs will have an opportunity to interview Cayden and review his medical information.”

Buium (6-0, 183), the National Hockey Conference Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, finished first in the nation among all defensemen and fifth among freshmen with 50 points (11 goals, 39 assists) in 42 games. For the NCAA National Champion. He was named to the NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament Team. The 18-year-old, who is the second-youngest player in men's college hockey, is looking to become Denver's top recruit. Defenseman Craig Redmond currently holds that distinction, going No. 6 overall to the Los Angeles Kings in the 1984 NHL Draft.

Buium's five points (three goals, two assists) in seven games and a tournament-best plus-11 rating helped the USA win the gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.

“He plays an active, quick transition game and made an impact offensively as a freshman,” Marr said. “His highs are probably the same as Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) and Adam Fox (New York Rangers).”

Parekh (6-0, 179), who moved up from No. 10 in the interim rankings, set Saginaw records for goals (33) and points (96) by a defenseman in 66 regular-season games. The 18-year-old right-hander also had 34 power-play points (10 goals, 24 assists) and two shorthanded goals. Parekh scored 21 goals as a rookie last season, the most by a 16-year-old defenseman in OHL history.

“His upside is huge,” Central scout Nick Smith said. “He's never rattled, full of poise and confidence, skills and brains … just a smart, smart player. He can score, he has a good touch, he has good vision and he competes. A. a truly high-level prospect.”

Everett's Julius Miettinen has made one of the biggest jumps in recent rankings in the Western Hockey League. The center (6-2, 203), who moved from No. 49 to No. 18, had 67 points (31 goals, 36 assists) and 24 power-play points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 66 regular-season games. .

“He was a BC-level bubbler playing for Finland in the Hlinka-Gretzky Under-18 tournament last summer,” Marr said. “Since the CHL Top Prospects game (Jan. 24), his skating and confidence have improved measurably, which in turn has taken his game and results to the next level.”

Omaha's Mikhail Egorov (USHL) is No. 1 in Central Scouting's latest North American goalie rankings. The 18-year-old (6-4, 179), who was ranked No. 4 in January, is 8-25-3 with a 3.86 goals-against average, .892 save percentage and one shutout in 43 regular-season games. He faced the fourth most shots in the USHL this season (1,262) and the Lancers averaged 2.58 goals per game.

“He has a big pro presence and has shown steady development throughout the season,” said Central Scouting's Al Jensen. “He moves well in the crease and has a very good structure in his game. He is very difficult to beat in low and tight situations and has the ability and ability to develop into a very good professional. He is a top-class goalkeeper. A prospect.”