Bob McKenzie Midseason List

Macklin Celebrini:
- 32 points in 19 games
- Age 17 season in NCAA
- ”100% certain to be 1st overall”

Zeev Buium
- 32 points in 22 games (as a dman)
- Age 17 season in NCAA
- number 13 overall

Oh, Bob

There's no way Zeev is going to be out of the top 10. I haven't quite looked at his defensive game, but if he's dynamic on both sides of the ice then it should be a no-brainer.

It’s Denver…system hockey. So not always easy to judge. But Zeev isn’t putting up points by being their best offensive dman. He is their best dman. I think Zeev ought to be in 7-10 range.

I just find Bob McKenzie’s painfully obvious Canadian homerism to be funny.

(Sometimes he even makes fun of it himself)


In 2015, it was: “McDavid is generational”

In 2016, it was: “it’s Matthews but let’s talk about how he is not as good as McDavid”

In 2017, it was: “Nolan Patrick was a lock, top 1C”

In 2018, It was: “Dahlin, Svench…some other guys, Quinn-something…and then, the Canadians!”

In 2019, it was: “okay, maybe it could be Hughes, but here is why he won’t be best player from this draft”

In 2020, it was: “Lafreniere is generational”

In 2021, it was: “Power is Hedman…Kent is a magician…some Beniers guy, no one thinks Luke is any good”

In 2022: it was “Shane Wright’s draft to lose…tightens grip on #1”

In 2023: it was, “Bedard is generational”

In 2024, now, its…shocker…Celebrini. Because of his point totals as draft-eligible NCAA player. (But the dman who same point total…where’s he from? Oh, he falls out of top-10 and doesn’t get mentioned).

I had the same thought processs when i saw the list... the real shock was seeing Eiserman in 4th rather than 8th with his homerism

“… the precipitous decline of the American…”

[applause in Bob’s head]

“…#4…lazy American …one-trick pony… no compete ”

[check check check]

“…#5, er, #2 Canadian…rocketing…total unicorn of a player…elite 1C…”

[Applause]

“…let’s talk about generational guys…” [lists only Canadians]

[More applause in Bob’s head]

“…and who is #11?…oh, let’s stop at #10…”

[Bob Stands, begins to sing, “Oh, Canada…”]

Dean Letourneau is an interesting prospect that I can see the Canes slightly reaching on

If the Lightning pick winds up on the edge of the 11-12-13 area and Buium is available for the Hawks to take... I will be unbearable on this website.

He actually is dynamic on both sides. I have him 4th on my board, I see him going in the 3rd to 7th range.

As a sharks fan I'd love to see him as our top 3 pick if we don't win the lottery. Then go for another defenseman with the Pittsburgh pick or trade up.

Connelly is also underrated, his skating is top 3 in the draft.

#3 on one list