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Now that the sound has faded and lights have dimmed at the NHL's most spectacular selection event ever, we can take a step back and evaluate what some of the more prominent prospects offer within the sphere of fantasy hockey. While some suggest this year's group lacks the flash and pizzazz of drafts gone by, there remain plenty of promising skaters to immediately consider in both dynasty competition and down the road in redraft leagues. Plus, a competitor or two that may make an impact as soon as this October. Including the No. 1 overall pick, who's (probably) set to make a reasonable initial splash in San Jose.

Additional analysis provided by ESPN's Rachel Doerrie.

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Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks, Boston University (H-EAST) Selected: 1, Rank: 1

Rachel Doerrie: "Offensively, he navigates the middle of the ice, disrupts defensive schemes and finds passing lanes that others cannot. His puck protection skills, willingness to play through contact, spin off defenders and maintain play are qualities that will translate well to the NHL..."

While considered NHL-ready, there's a still a chance Celebrini could return to Boston University for one last year. Fortunately that will be well determined, one way or another, by the time most fantasy leagues launch in the fall. If he does choose to take the pro route, as generally anticipated, this year's No. 1 draft selection could immediately slide into a top-six role with a club that's rebuilding up from the most basic foundation. He's not going to put up Connor Bedard first-year numbers (0.9 points/game), but a 60-point season is hardly out of the question. That's just to start. The Sharks were rather awful last year. They're already better with the just-turned 18-year-old on board. A no-brain top pick in dynasty competition, Celebrini should also merit consideration in all but the shallowest of re-draft leagues.

Artyom Levshunov, D, Chicago Blackhawks, Michigan State (BIG10) Selected: 2, Rank: 3

Doerrie: "... Consistently engaged and a play driver at both ends of the ice, he has the potential to shift momentum. Levshunov could become a top-pairing defenseman who dictates play in transition and tilts the ice in his team's favor..."

If the top-pair defender/power-play anchor projections don't have most fantasy managers smitten, the regular comparisons to Victor Hedman should do the trick. In speaking to several prospect analysts/scouts at the draft itself, I'm convinced this kid could be a blue-line star for many years to come.

Future contibutors

Beckett Sennecke, RW, Anaheim Ducks, Oshawa (OHL) Selected: 3, Rank: 13

Doerrie: "Offensively, it is difficult to find a weakness. He is a dual-threat menace in the offensive zone and dropped more jaws in one-on-one play than any other draft-eligible player in the OHL this season."

The Ducks surprised most draft-viewers - never mind Sennecke himself, as made obvious to lip-readers - by selecting this lad extra-early for a reason. He's big. He can skate. He sports elite playmaking skills. He should ultimately find himself putting up solid production numbers as a member of Anaheim's top six.

Cayden Lindstrom, C, Columbus Blue Jackets, Medicine Hat (WHL) Selected: 4, Rank: 4

Doerrie: "... Without the puck, he reads off his linemates well and finds open pockets of space. As a versatile offensive player, he knows when to use his physicality to create scoring chances or hold the puck to set up plays in the offensive zone. Although his injury history is a concern, projections indicate that Lindstrom could become a second-line center with the potential to score 70 points over a long period..."

If he can stay healthy - those recurring back issues are indeed a worry - this versatile power forward projects to eventually slot into the Blue Jackets' top-six. If not at center - fellow youngsters Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, and Cole Sillinger serve as other quality options down the middle - then on the wing. Beyond the 70-plus point potential, the 18-year-old B.C. native should also appeal to fantasy managers who participate in leagues that reward penalty minutes. Harboring a bit of a nasty streak, Lindstrom collected 66 PIM in 32 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers this past season.

Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal Canadiens, SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.) Selected: 5, Rank: 2

Doerrie: "... Offensively, he's the complete package and is projected to be a top-six difference-maker in the NHL. His dynamic ability to create offense combines an outstanding release, elite vision and elite puckhandling skills, perhaps the best in this draft class..."

As far as charmed launches to NHL careers go, being selected by global superstar Celine Dion certainly ranks right up there. Especially when one is already gifted with a laundry list of encouraging attributes, including exceptional hockey sense. Once his stint in Russia wraps up, Demidov should start to turn heads almost immediately as a top-six winger in Montreal. Don't be surprised if he eventually lands on a No. 1 unit with Nick Suzuki.

Tij Iginla, C, Utah Hockey Club, Kelowna (WHL) Selected: 8, Rank: 7

Doerrie: "... His offensive instincts and lethal wrist shot make him a serious goal-scoring threat with and without the puck ... his combination of skating, puck skills, tenacity and shooting ability should enable him to contribute consistently in a top-six role, with a ceiling of a top-line winger."

Largely heralded for his incredible shot, this young lad could make a lot of productive noise once settled in Salt Lake City. If offered the opportunity to fire on net with regularity, Jarome's kid is going to score a-plenty in the NHL. And there's no reason he shouldn't be afforded every chance to do so, considering this team remains a work-in-progress. One that's now operating under a freshly passionate and determined owner.

Berkly Catton, C, Seattle Kraken, Spokane (WHL) Selected: 8, Rank: 10

Doerrie: "Catton is one of those "get you out of your seats" players. He's dynamic with the puck, reads defensive structures, slices through coverage and is a nightmare to defend in one-on-one situations..."

ESPN NHL writer Ryan Clark suggests there's a chance Catton could be moved to the wing, eventually landing alongside Matty Beniers on one of the Kraken's top two lines and power play. If so, putting up fantasy-friendly numbers shouldn't be much of an issue for the Spokane Chiefs skater. His haul of 116 points through 68 WHL games - yes, it's junior hockey, but still - doesn't serve as much of a turnoff either.

Zayne Parekh, D, Calgary Flames, Saginaw (OHL) Selected: 9, Rank: 5

Doerrie: "Parekh is the top offensive defenseman in the draft, without question. He has all the makings of a game-breaker on the blue line. His statistics and model projections stand out, surpassing every other defenseman except Levshunov. ... Parekh has all the qualities of a top-notch power-play quarterback and even-strength play driver, capable of scoring upward of 60 points per season in the NHL."

"Top offensive defenseman in the draft", "top-notch power-play quarterback", and the capability of "scoring upward of 60 points per season" should suffice in satisfying even the most discerning of fantasy managers. Not to be overlooked in dynasty drafts ASAP, Parekh should remain on everyone's radar ahead of his initial emergence, and further development, once he goes pro.

Wild Card

Trevor Connelly, LW, Vegas Golden Knights, Tri-City (USHL) Selected: 19, Rank: 15

Doerrie: "On talent and talent alone, the model projects him to be a top-six forward with a fair chance at a top-line role. There are only a few players with better offensive attributes than Connelly, and they will go in the top 10. He leaves a lot to be desired defensively but should get a healthy dose of development at Providence College. He is unlikely to be a two-way player, and that's not his style. His style is flash, dash and pizzazz - a player with a true wow factor."

"Connelly has a lot of maturing to do on and off the ice. The selfish major and misconduct at the under-18 championship kick-started the collapse against Canada in the gold medal game. Quite a few teams have designated him as "do not draft" due the information revealed in a story from The Athletic. As one NHL head scout put it, "top-10 talent, bottom-10 character. Can't do it." The definition of high-risk, high-reward for all the wrong reasons."

Right. The Golden Knights told ESPN they did their due diligence before selecting the 18-year-old. According to The Athletic, Connelly himself said he's taken diversity training, performed community service, and worked as a volunteer ahead of the draft. A wait-and-see approach to this player - as a fantasy performer and NHL competitor altogether - feels most appropriate at this point.

Other first-round selections with projected fantasy upside:

Sam Dickinson, D, San Jose Sharks  Zeev Buium, D, Minnesota Wild Terik Parascak, RW, Washington Capitals Cole Eiserman, LW, New York Islanders
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