Top 5 North American-based skaters in mid-season NHL Central Scouting Bureau rankings ft. Macklin Celebrini

The 2024 NHL Draft is set for Jun. 28 and 29 at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With the draft still six months away, the NHL Central Scouting Bureau released its mid-season rankings for the North American draft-eligible players. To no one's surprise, Mackin Celebrini is atop the list, but let's take a look at the top five.

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Top five NHL Draft North American-based skaters

#1 Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University

Macklin Celebrini is expected to be the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He's playing at Boston University and is fresh off leading Team Canada in points at the world juniors.

"The top five players in the 2024 draft class are a very strong group but there was no debate over who was No. 1," NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said.

"Celebrini’s an NHL All-Star in the making having displayed his NHL skills and attributes on the world stage, as a 17-year-old with Canada's World Junior Championship team and while leading Boston University and Hockey East in scoring. He is playing at an enviable level all on his own and it's truly impressive how he's able to thrive in every environment he plays."

Celebrini has 27 points in 16 games at BU.

#2 Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State

The second-ranked North American skater is Belarus defenseman Artyom Levshunov, who's on the list because he's playing at Michigan State.

Levshunov played in the USHL last season and recorded 42 points in 62 games as a defenseman. With Michigan State this season, he leads all Spartans defensemen with 20 points in 20 games. He's also a plus-17 rating, which leads Michigan State.

#3 Cayden Lindstrom, C Medicine Hat

Cayden Lindstrom is third on the list. The center has 46 points in 32 games with Medicine Hat in the WHL.

Lindstrom is injured, with an upper body injury, but leads his team with 27 goals and nine power-play goals.

#4 Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver

Zeev Buium is fresh off winning the gold medal at the world juniors with Team USA.

Buium had five points, including three goals, and was a tournament-best plus-11 rating for the States. At Denver, Buium has 25 points in 18 games as an 18-year-old freshman.

#5 Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City

The final player to round out the top five is USHL forward Trevor Connelly. He ranks fourth in USHL scoring with 35 points in 25 games and will attend Providence College next season.