What if the CH went there with a defender in the fifth row?

Everyone expects the Canadian to draft a forward with the fifth overall pick. Should we then completely rule out the possibility that it was instead a defender who put on the blue, white and red uniform on June 28? Probably not.

After all, the 2024 vintage has been known for a while to be one of defenders while six of them could be drafted among the first 10 or 12.

And even if Kent Hughes mentioned that his goal during the summer was to improve the offensive aspect of his team, nothing indicates that the attack cannot sometimes come… from the defense!

Here are the six best defenders of the 2024 vintage according to recruiters and what they could bring to the Canadian.

Artyom Levshunov

Levshunov’s name is included here even though the chances of him slipping to fifth place are rather slim. Many expect him to be the Chicago Blackhawks’ second overall pick and, if the Hawks were to take another player, it’s a safe bet the Ducks wouldn’t let him slide any further.

Levshunov is a Belarusian fullback who made the jump to North America two years ago for hockey. We see in him the potential of an offensive defender who, with a little polish, will be able to be effective in all situations.

The role he could play with the CH: ideal partner for Kaiden Guhle and power play quarterback

Anton Silayev

Silayev is intriguing because he’s 6’7″ and skates like he’s 5’11! The offensive potential remains unclear in his case, but the most optimistic see in him the potential of a future Zdeno Chara.

He spent last season in the KHL, where he recorded 11 points in 68 games with the Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo.

The role he could play with the CH: a perfect complement to David Reinbacher in what could be the team’s top pair

Sam Dickinson

Dickinson gained a lot of points during the Memorial Cup tournament, where he was a real force in all aspects of the game for the London Knights. Dickinson exploded offensively last season with 70 points in 68 games.

Some see too many similarities with the style advocated by Kaiden Guhle in Montreal, but the CH would have had dinner with him in Buffalo, during the NHL evaluation camp. At 6’3″ and 194 lbs, he also has the physique for the job.

The role he could play with the CH: a defender who can play between 25 and 30 minutes per game, and why not to the left of his former teammate with the Knights, Logan Mailloux?

Zeev Buium

Here’s one that would definitely help CH’s offensive side. The 6-foot, 183-pound guard scored 50 points in 42 games last season with the University of Denver in the NCAA.

At full potential, many see him as a power play quarterback and a defender who can contribute offensively without being a nuisance in the defensive zone.

The role he could play with the CH: a quarterback role on the first power play and a threat to Lane Hutson in that type of role.

Zayne Parekh

Zayne Parekh’s numbers last season don’t lie: 96 points, including 33 goals, in 66 games. We remind you that he is a defender!

Sure, he has his flaws, but his offensive skills are elite. Some scouts believe that if he can address some defensive deficiencies, the 6′, 181 lbs defenseman could have an offensive impact similar to what Erik Karlsson had in the NHL.

The role he could play with the CH: offensive quarterback, defender who will do damage on the first wave of the power play but who will need a stable partner at five on five.

Carter Yakemchuk

We talk about him a little less than the other five, but Carter Yakemchuk remains a very high-level prospect. A 6’3″, 194 lb right-handed defenseman who scored 30 goals and 71 points in 60 games last season is sure to intrigue NHL teams!

However, some recruiters find him a little nonchalant and his defensive deficiencies worry some. However, we cannot deny the offensive potential. He is sometimes compared to Brent Burns.

The role he could play with the CH: offensive defenseman and threat on the power play.