The NHL Draft is just over a week away and there’s a lot of NHL business getting done this week on the trade front. So far no 2024 first-round picks have been on the move, which gives us an idea of how the draft order will look.

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So as we await the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Final, I wanted to put forth my best projection for the 2024 NHL Draft at this point through the first 64 picks. This is different from my rankings and I try not to use my own rankings as a guide, rather what I’m hearing from NHL scouts, looking at team prospect pools and draft tendencies.

My plan is to put together one last first-round mock draft next week as the information becomes clearer and we get closer to the picks being called for real.

Let’s mock…

1. San Jose Sharks – Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University

San Jose lands its franchise cornerstone and the player they can build around. Celebrini's arrival in San Jose will bring some optimism and it also brings direction to the rebuild. Having a long-term one-two punch of Celebrini and Will Smith could make the Sharks a much more dangerous offensive team in the future.

2. Chicago Blackhawks – Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State

A No. 1 defenseman is a difficult position to fill and Levshunov probably possesses the clearest No. 1 upside of any of the defensemen available in this stellar blue line class. Levshunov has true two-way ability with high-end offense.

3. Anaheim Ducks – Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo

The Ducks have so many options available to them and are often unpredictable, but there seems to be a clear fit for them with Silayev, who is a 6-foot-7 defenseman with mobility and strong shutdown traits that the Ducks are going to be able to use in a few years when he comes over from Russia. 

4. Columbus Blue Jackets – Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers

The temptation to take Demidov will be significant, but so will the allure of solidifying the team’s center depth for the foreseeable future. With Adam Fantilli already in the mix, the Jackets can add another big, rugged and productive center in Lindstrom.

5. Montreal Canadiens – Ivan Demidov, LW, SKA St. Petersburg

The Habs have a lot to consider and I don’t think it’s a guarantee they take Demidov if he’s there. Also, Montreal has had a real habit of picking against the grain compared to what their fans are clamoring for. Passing Michkov and Demidov in back-to-back years does not strike me as a path they’re willing to take when Demidov’s offensive upside is such that he could be a foundational piece for this team.

6. Utah Hockey Club – Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa Generals

Utah has some notable needs and I would not be shocked to see them address defense here, but the Sennecke buzz is real. He’s closing in on 6-foot-3 as part of an incredible growth spurt over his OHL years and has high-end hands and scoring ability. On top of that, he’s still figuring out how to use his bigger frame and the best appears to be yet to come.

7. Ottawa Senators – Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs

I think Ottawa would have jumped at Sennecke if he was still available here, but in this mock he’s not so they go to the next best forward in the draft. Catton lacks size, but he plays with tremendous pace and scored 54 goals in the WHL this season. He and Tim Stutzle with their speed and skill would be a lot of fun to watch. I could see them considering either of the remaining right-shot defensemen in this range, too, if Sennecke is gone.

8. Seattle Kraken – Zeev Buium, D, Denver

The Kraken are in a prime position to nab a defenseman. Getting Buium would also potentially give them a new No. 1 prospect as he profiles like the kind of defensemen that are taking the NHL by storm. A San Diego native with dynamic offensive traits and elite hockey sense to go along with his improved defending would land the Kraken an impact player in the near future. Of anyone remaining on the board in this spot, Buium strikes me as the one that would be most transformative to Seattle’s shallow system.

9. Calgary Flames – Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights

Passing on the legacy pick that is Tij Iginla here may be unthinkable to some, but it also ignores some of the team-building principles most NHL teams employ. Calgary needs premium defense prospects and while Iginla would be the feel-good pick and the easy one, Dickinson is the big, mobile two-way defenseman that could potentially grow into a top-pairing, minutes-eating rearguard. I'm not saying Flames fans have to like it, but I also think it makes sense to at least consider the possibility a scoring wing won't move the needle as much as a premium defenseman.

10. New Jersey Devils – Tij Iginla, C/W, Kelowna Rockets  

The Devils have had a lot of high draft picks and have a lot of talent in a lot of positions. The fact they held onto this pick instead of trading it affords them the opportunity to add a key piece to the future of their team. Iginla has the skill, work ethic and scoring ability to become an impact winger in Jersey.

11. Buffalo Sabres – Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit

The Sabres have a ton of left-shot defenseman on their blue line. While Parekh probably does a lot of similar things to Bowen Byram and Rasmus Dahlin, he does help give them a right-shot version of it to create more balance on the blue line. The Sabres have made a lot of picks to balance out their forward group and those available in this range feel too redundant to what is already in their system when there’s a potential game-breaker in Parekh there.

12. Philadelphia Flyers – Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen

I could see the Flyers hoping for one of the centers to slip here or maybe Iginla gets there, but Yakemchuk will allow Philly to add a significant piece to its blue line along with Oliver Bonk. Carter Yakemchuk is a 6-foot-3, skilled, high-scoring defenseman who also has some nastiness in his game. It’s hard to add players like him in this range.

13. Minnesota Wild – Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit

The Wild have plenty of needs, but I think they can take a swing on the skill and two-way capabilities that Helenius brings. He tracks as a potential No. 2 center with scoring ability. While Helenius isn’t tall, he is sturdy and plays hard. His best games make him look like a potential productive option.

14. San Jose Sharks (via PIT) – Stian Solberg, D, Vallerenga

The Sharks are going to need defense at some point as that is a particularly bare position for them beyond Shakir Mukhamadullin. Solberg has been a remarkable late riser, plays a physical brand of hockey, has mobility and would be a good stopper for the Sharks. 

15. Detroit Red Wings – Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora

The Red Wings have seemingly had a type in recent years and I think Brandsegg-Nygard fits that type. He is an aggressive, physical forward who plays on both sides of the puck and is active in all zones. He also has a goal-scorer’s shot and gets it off well. There’s still skill with the grit.

16. St. Louis Blues – Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel

After an impressive second half of the season and interviews with 31 of 32 clubs at the NHL Scouting Combine, Hage’s profile is growing in draft circles. He’s a speedy scoring center that has decent enough size and plenty of time to bulk up. The University of Michigan commit will need some time, but there’s some intriguing upside there.

17. Washington Capitals – Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. National Under-18 Team

The Caps went and picked a high-end scorer from the NTDP last draft and can add another for the other wing in Eiserman, whose stock has tumbled a bit this year. He’s still a high-end goal scorer who has a blistering one-timer and will help the Caps prepare for life after Ovechkin.

18. Chicago Blackhawks (via NYI) – Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm

Luchanko profiles similarly to recent draft picks like Frank Nazar and Oliver Moore. He is a sub 6-foot center who excels on both sides of the puck, plays with tremendous pace and has the skill to score. There’s a chance Luchanko is gone before Chicago gets to pick, but I think the cluster that includes both Eiserman and Hage gives some insight into the options Chicago should have at 18.

19. Vegas Golden Knights – Adam Jiricek, D, Plzen

The running joke is Vegas Golden Knights first-round picks are drafted to be traded. Jiricek is a risk-filled pick due to missing most of this year due to injury. When healthy, however, he looks like a legitimate two-way defenseman with some real poise to his game.

20. New York Islanders (Via TBL/CHI) – Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow

The Islanders have needs throughout their system, but could really make a splash with the productive Chernyshov who dominated at the U20 ranks and got extended run in the KHL at just 18 years old. Only under contract for one more season, the Islanders could get him into their mix sooner than later.

21. Los Angeles Kings – Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie Colts

There might not be a more aggressive, strong forward in this draft. Beaudoin is a handful for the opposition thanks to his forechecking, commitment to defending, his physical strength and his pace. Offensively he won’t excite you as much, but his hard-nosed style plays with the Kings identity and he may have a shorter NHL timeline.

22. Nashville Predators – Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City Storm

Barry Trotz has said he wants his team to chase upside and skill. At this range, it would be hard for the team to find a better option in those categories than Connelly. He carries risk, but the reward potential is a top-line winger.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs – Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires

A highly-intelligent playmaker who can score, Greentree checks a number of boxes for the Leafs including bringing some size to the table. His pace is a concern, but when he’s on his game, he has especially dangerous offensive touch.

24. Colorado Avalanche – EJ Emery, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team

The Avs don’t have a ton of immediate needs, but they can tap into a defenseman that is just starting to scratch the surface of what he can be. Emery is quality shutdown defender with high-end skating ability and elite athleticism. The size and mobility he brings are attractive.

25. Ottawa Senators (via BOS) – Charlie Elick, D, Brandon Wheat Kings

The Sens have a lot of quality left-shot players in their blue line pipeline, but Elick would offer them a slick-skating defender with size on the right side. He is a heady defenseman who lacks offensive pop, but he defends at a high level and would be a good running mate in the future with some of their overall skill.

26. Montreal Canadiens (via WPG) – Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s College

The Habs nabbed a potential game-breaker at No. 5, so why not take a big swing on upside? Letourneau is nearly 6-foot-7 and can really handle the puck. I think there’s a lot of development time in front of him and you're doing a lot of projecting with him, but if he hits, the Habs address a forward need and a size need.

27. Carolina Hurricanes – Egor Surin, LW, Loko Yaroslavl

The Hurricanes haven’t been shy about drafting skilled Russians before and I don’t think they will be now. Surin’s 1.23 points per game average in the MHL this season is the seventh-best ever by a U18 player in that league. He seems to fit into the profile of the kinds of player they draft. I also wouldn't put it past Carolina to trade down from this pick and get a few more options if a team gives them a good offer.

28. Calgary Flames (via VAN) – Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks

After going defense with their first pick, the Flames can go get some high-end scoring talent with Boisvert who also has a strong two-way game. He’s heading to the University of North Dakota, so the Flames can let him develop his game a bit, but Boisvert would provide some real value in this range.

29. Dallas Stars – Sam O’Reilly, C, London Knights

As often seems to be the case, the London Knights have a few players that really show their value in the postseason. O’Reilly was the latest and while the Stars don’t have any immediate needs, O’Reilly seems like he fits the profile of the type of later-blooming player with higher-end hockey sense the seems to enamor the excellent-drafting Stars.

30. New York Rangers – Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Vaxjo U20

The Rangers have been a little lighter on drafting defensemen lately. In Sahlin Wallenius, they could get a solid two-way defenseman who doesn’t necessarily profile as a high-end producer, but has good enough touch on the puck. Sahlin Wallenius has a lot of qualities of a defenseman that can carve out a long career.

31. Anaheim Ducks (via EDM) – Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford Bulldogs

An injury that is likely to keep Vanacker on the shelf at the start of next season did little to dampen buzz about his potential to go in the first round. Vanacker had 82 points, but has also shown versatility that suggests he could be an impactful player down a lineup.

32. Philadelphia Flyers (via FLA) – Andrew Basha, C/W, Medicine Hat Tigers

A 30-goal, 85-point season has brought plenty of buzz to Basha. He’s average sized, but he has a good competitive drive and provides enough upside with his skill and hockey sense that he could be a nice late-first pick.

NHL Mock Draft: Second Round

33. San Jose Sharks – Adam Kleber, D, Lincoln Stars

34. Chicago Blackhawks – Nikita Artamonov, LW, Torpedo

35. Anaheim Ducks – Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George Cougars

36. Columbus Blue Jackets*  – Dominik Badinka, D, Malmo

*Note: Columbus can choose to keep the pick and give Philly their 2025 second-rounder, or give up the pick to Philly this year. My guess is Columbus will keep the pick. They do not have to decide until the conclusion of the first round. (Source: CapFriendy)

37. Winnipeg Jets (via MTL) – Julius Miettinen, C/W, Everett Silvertips

38. Utah Hockey Club –  Jesse Pulkkinen, D, JYP

39. Ottawa Senators – Emil Hemming, RW, TPS

40. Seattle Kraken – Adam Jecho, C/W, Edmonton Oil Kings

41. Calgary Flames – Linus Eriksson, C, Djugardens

42. San Jose Sharks (via NJD) – Matvei Gridin, LW, Muskegon Lumberjacks

43. Buffalo Sabres – Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders

44. Pittsburgh Penguins (via PHI) – Lucas Pettersson, C, MODO

45. Minnesota Wild – John Mustard, C/W, Waterloo Black Hawks

46. Pittsburgh Penguins – Cole Hutson, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team

47. Detroit Red Wings – Leon Muggli, D, Zug

48. St. Louis Blues – Tanner Howe, LW, Regina Pats

49. Utah Hockey Club (via WSH) – Maxim Masse, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens

50. Chicago Blackhawks (via NYI) – Harrison Brunicke, D, Kamloops Blazers

51. Philadelphia Flyers – Mikhail Yegorov, G, Omaha Lancers

52. Washington Capitals (via VGK) – Lukas Fischer, D, Sarnia Sting

53. Nashville Predators (via TBL) – Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK

54. New York Islanders (via LAK) – Luca Marelli, D, Oshawa Generals

55. Nashville Predators – Teddy Stiga, C/W, U.S. National Under-18 Team

56. St. Louis Blues (via TOR) – Simon Zether, C, Rogle

57. Montreal Canadiens (via COL) – Eriks Mateiko, LW, Saint John Sea Dogs

58. Anaheim Ducks (via BOS) – Alfons Freij, D, Vaxjo U20

59. Nashville Predators (via WPG) – Ben Danford, D, Oshawa Generals

60. Carolina Hurricanes – Marcus Gidlof, G, Leksands

61. New York Islanders (via VAN) – Will Skahan, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team

62. Calgary Flames (via DAL) – Matvei Shuravin, D, CSKA U20

63. Seattle Kraken (via NYR) – Jack Berglund, C/W, Farjestad U20

64. Edmonton Oilers – Thomas Lavoie, D, Cape Breton Eagles

65. Utah Hockey Club (via FLA) – Gabriel Eliasson, D, HV71 U20

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