2024 NHL Draft

NHL Mock Draft 2024: Final First Round Predictions From Chris Peters

NHL Mock Draft 2024: Final First Round Predictions From Chris Peters

The 2024 NHL Draft is here and it's time for the final draft prediction before the San Jose Sharks pick at No. 1 in Las Vegas

Jun 28, 2024 by Chris Peters
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LAS VEGAS – The NHL Draft is just hours away and we’ve got one last mock for you to consume. The uncertainty at the top of this draft is unlike anything I’ve ever seen and there is way more guess work.

I’ve heard so much conflicting information that I’ve had to disregard plenty of things I’ve heard this week, but that’s the nature of the draft. 

The latest FloHockey 2024 NHL Mock Draft

Here's the mock draft on June 28.

1. San Jose Sharks 

Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University

No need for much explanation here.

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State

The Blackhawks have had their debates, but all indications are that Artyom Levshunov is the pick and could be the team’s long-term anchor on defense.

3. Anaheim Ducks

Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo

I think the Ducks are going to go defense here, though it would not shock me if they consider Ivan Demidov or Cayden Lindstrom. That said, there’s a premium defenseman here in Silayev and I’ve also heard some buzz around Zeev Buium at No. 3 as well.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers

Lindstrom would give the Blue Jackets strength down the middle with Adam Fantilli and provide a very skilled power one-two punch.

5. Montreal Canadiens

Ivan Demidov, LW, SKA St. Petersburg

The Habs have so many options available to them and I think there are a lot of different considerations. There’s certainly been talk of this being between Demidov and Lindstrom, but don’t rule out Zeev Buium here as he’s generated a lot of buzz.

6. Utah Hockey Club

Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver

Buium’s stock has risen all season long and I keep hearing he will go higher than expected. Utah could use a long-term blueliner like Buium who can move pucks to their growing forward base.

7. Ottawa Senators

Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa Generals

The high-upside of Sennecke is too tempting to pass up here even if there are some premium D on the board.

8. Seattle Kraken

Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights

The belief is the Kraken will go defense, though I’ve heard there’s going to be strong consideration given to the forwards depending on who is there. Either way, they could use more depth on their blue line and Dickinson adds a size element, too.

9. Calgary Flames

Tij Iginla, LW, Kelowna Rockets

It’s tough to know for sure if Calgary will do the thing that everyone kind of wants them to do. I just don’t know if they can pass up this opportunity.

10. New Jersey Devils

Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit

I still think the Devils could trade this pick, but if they’re not going to, they can continue adding higher-end forwards and Helenius has many fans.

11. San Jose Sharks

Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit

The Sharks have a chance to land one of the premium defensemen and do just that here.

12. Philadelphia Flyers

Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs

Catton is a highly-regarded forward and I think there’s a chance he goes a little earlier than this. If he’s there, I can’t see the Flyers passing on his upside and skill.

13. Minnesota Wild

Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen

The Wild have built a decent prospect pool on the blue line, but Yakemchuk probably jumps ahead of that list on Day 1 in terms of his upside.

14. Buffalo Sabres

Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. National Under-18 Team

The Sabres traded back and I think there’s a couple of options that they’ll explore including on defense, but with a top American scoring talent here, Eiserman makes sense after the trade back. 

15. Detroit Red Wings

Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel

The Wings inject skill into their system and some speed with Hage. He's a little off-brand for this team, but they could probably use some of that right now. Hage can fly and he can score.

16. St. Louis Blues

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora

This player just seems like he fits the Blues’ identity with physicality and scoring pop.

17. Washington Capitals

Stian Solberg, D, Vallerenga

He's a mean defenseman with some improving puck skills. He looks like a top-four blueliner.

18. Chicago Blackhawks

Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm

The Blackhawks have seemingly had a type with forwards and it’s all about skill, speed and work ethic. Luchanko has all of that in spades.

19. Las Vegas Golden Knights

Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City Storm

Connelly’s draft status remains in limbo, given teams are going to be cautious about his past and any lingering character concerns, but the Golden Knights often make business decisions if they think it will help their team. 

20. New York Islanders

Adam Jiricek, D, Plzen

Injury history has dropped him down the board, but the Isles can make a big splash here if he hits as Jiricek looked like a solid top-four blueliner when healthy.

21. Montreal Canadiens

Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks

The Habs traded up and I do wonder if they are considering going with a defenseman earlier in the draft and surprising all of us. If they’re in this range, Boisvert’s name has been very much on the rise in scouting circles and he’d give the Habs size and some scoring pop.

22. Nashville Predators

Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires 

A heady playmaker, Greentree has that big frame and higher-end skill. He strikes me as the type of player Barry Trotz wants his team taking a chance on.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs

EJ Emery, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team

A growing two-way game and higher-end defensive skill make Emery an attractive option. He’s a big right-shot who can skate. He might be a little outside of Toronto’s profile, but I like what he brings.

24. Colorado Avalanche 

Egor Surin, LW, Loko Yaroslavl

Surin is a higher-end skill player who can give you scoring and still has a good pace to his game.

25. Boston Bruins

Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie Colts

This guy would probably become a fan favorite in Boston quickly with his physical game, two-way talent and relentless work ethic on the ice. He can provide some scoring depth, too.

26. Los Angeles Kings

Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford Bulldogs

A rising prospect this year, the Kings probably traded down knowing they might be able to reach on some players here that fit their mold. Vanacker’s strong work ethic and scoring ability make him a fit for the Kings.

27. Carolina Hurricanes 

Nikita Artamonov, LW, Torpedo

Carolina doesn’t shy away from Russian players, especially not ones that have proven their scoring talent in the KHL and withstood the grind of the pro game.

28. Calgary Flames

Charlie Elick, D, Brandon Wheat Kings

The Flames got a forward earlier and now can nab a defensive stalwart in Elick who is big and can absolutely fly.

29. Dallas Stars 

Sam O’Reilly, C/W, London Knights

Good hockey sense and a great postseason has O’Reilly on the first-round radar and he seems like the kind of player Dallas really likes.

30. New York Rangers

Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s College

The Rangers can take a bit of a swing and Letourneau is a fun one. He’s almost 6-foot-7 and has skill. He’d be a long-term project, but if he hits, it could be a big one for the Rangers in more ways than size.

31. Anaheim Ducks

Terik Parascak, LW, Prince George Cougars

Skill and production all year, Parascak is on a steep upward trajectory in his development and that seems like the kind of player Anaheim would love to add to their forward mix.

32. Philadelphia Flyers

Dominik Badinka, D, Malmo

The big right-shot defenseman has had first-round buzz since the combine and I think Philly would like to continue building out their blue line.

Here are a few more things to know about the 2024 NHL Draft. 

What Time Does The NHL Draft Start?

The first round is at 7 p.m. Friday, June 28. The rest of the draft resumes at 11:30 a.m. on June 29. 

How To Watch NHL Draft 2024

The NHL Draft is airing and streaming on ESPN and ESPN+. 

Live pick analysis and video breakdowns will be available on FloHockey. 

NHL Draft Order

Here is the first round order: 

  1. San Jose Sharks 
  2. Chicago Blackhawks
  3. Anaheim Ducks
  4. Columbus Blue Jackets
  5. Montreal Canadiens
  6. Utah Hockey Club
  7. Ottawa Senators
  8. Seattle Kraken
  9. Calgary Flames
  10. New Jersey Devils
  11. San Jose Sharks
  12. Philadelphia Flyers
  13. Minnesota Wild
  14. Buffalo Sabres
  15. Detroit Red Wings
  16. St. Louis Blues
  17. Washington Capitals
  18. Chicago Blackhawks
  19. Las Vegas Golden Knights
  20. New York Islanders
  21. Montreal Canadiens
  22. Nashville Predators
  23. Toronto Maple Leafs
  24. Colorado Avalanche 
  25. Boston Bruins
  26. Los Angeles Kings
  27. Carolina Hurricanes 
  28. Calgary Flames
  29. Dallas Stars 
  30. New York Rangers
  31.  Anaheim Ducks
  32. Philadelphia Flyers

NHL Draft Lottery 2024

The San Jose Sharks were the big winners getting the No. 1 pick and landing just in front of the Chicago Blackhawks, who were one ball drop away from winning the top pick for the second straight year. 

Top NHL Draft Prospects 

Here is FloHockey analysts Chris Peters' top prospects:

First Published June 3, 2024

FULL TOP 100 SCOUTING REPORTS HERE

  1. Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University
  2. Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State University
  3. Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg
  4. Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo
  5. Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs
  6. Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver
  7. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers
  8. Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit
  9. Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights
  10. Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen
  11. Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa Generals
  12. Tij Iginla, C/W, Kelowna Rockets
  13. Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit
  14. Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  15. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora
  16. Adam Jiricek, D, HC Plzen
  17. Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel
  18. Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm
  19. Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow
  20. Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City Storm
  21. Nikita Artamonov, LW, Torpedo
  22. Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks
  23. E.J. Emery, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  24. Charlie Elick, D, Brandon Wheat Kings
  25. Stian Solberg, D, Valerenga
  26. Yegor Surin, C/W, Loko Yaroslavl
  27. Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie Colts
  28. Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George Cougars
  29. Emil Hemming, RW, TPS
  30. Matvei Gridin, RW, Muskegon Lumberjacks
  31. Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires
  32. Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s College
  33. Adam Kleber, D, Lincoln Stars
  34. Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Vaxjo U20
  35. Cole Hutson, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  36. Henry Mews, D, Ottawa 67s
  37. Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders
  38. Julius Miettinen, C/W, Everett Silvertips
  39. John Mustard, C, Waterloo Black Hawks
  40. Teddy Stiga, C/W, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  41. Lucas Pettersson, C, MODO
  42. Jesse Pulkkinen, D, JYP
  43. Linus Eriksson, C, Djugardens
  44. Dominik Badinka, D, Malmo
  45. Adam Jecho, C/W, Edmonton Oil Kings
  46. Tanner Howe, LW, Regina Pats
  47. Andrew Basha, LW, Medicine Hat Tigers
  48. Leon Muggli, D, Zug
  49. Sam O’Reilly, C/W, London Knights
  50. Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford Bulldogs
  51. Luca Marelli, D, Oshawa Generals
  52. Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK
  53. Carson Wetsch, RW, Calgary Hitmen
  54. Harrison Brunicke, D, Kamloops Blazers
  55. Brodie Ziemer, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  56. Maxim Masse, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens
  57. Ben Danford, D, Oshawa Generals
  58. Alfons Freij, D, Vaxjo U20
  59. Will Skahan, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  60. Lukas Fischer, D, Sarnia Sting
  61. Tomas Galvas, D, Liberec
  62. Mikhail Yegorov, G, Omaha Lancers
  63. Owen Allard, C, Soo Greyhounds
  64. Aatos Koivu, C, TPS
  65. Veeti Vaisanen, D, KooKoo
  66. Jacob Battaglia, RW, Kingston Frontenacs
  67. Luke Misa, C, Mississauga Steelheads
  68. Ilya Protas, LW, Des Moines Buccaneers
  69. Kamil Bednarik, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  70. Jack Berglund, C, Farjestad U20
  71. Christian Humphreys, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  72. Simon Zether, C, Rogle
  73. Max Plante, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  74. Eriks Mateiko, LW, Saint John Sea Dogs
  75. Colton Roberts, D, Vancouver Giants
  76. Eemil Vinni, G, Jokipojat
  77. ONdrej Kos, LW, Ilves U20
  78. Pavel Moysevich, G, SKA St. Petersburg
  79. Alexander Zetterberg, C, Orebro U20
  80. Maximillian Curran, C, Tri-City Americans
  81. Spencer Gill, D, Rimouski Oceanic
  82. Gabriel Eliasson, D, HV71 U20
  83. Justin Poirier, RW, Baie-Comeau Drakkar
  84. Logan Sawyer, C, Brooks Bandits
  85. Hagen Burrows, RW, Sioux City Musketeers
  86. Marcus Gidlof, G, Leksands U20
  87. Petr Sikora, C, Trinec U20
  88. Ondrej Becher, C, Prince George Cougars
  89. Sebastian Soini, D, Ilves U20
  90. Carter George, G, Owen Sound Attack
  91. Ethan Procyszyn, C, North Bay Battalion
  92. Tomas Lavoie, D, Cape Breton Eagles
  93. Timur Kol, D, Omsk
  94. Ollie Josephson, C, Red Deer Rebels
  95. Jonathan Morello, C, St. Michael’s Buzzers
  96. Will Zellers, LW, Shattuck-St. Mary’s
  97. Heikki Ruohonen, C, Kiekko-Espoo U20
  98. Colin Ralph, D, Shattuck-St. Mary’s
  99. Joona Vaisanen, D, Dubuque Fighting Saints
  100. Mac Swanson, C, Fargo Force

NHL Draft Predictions

Here are Chris Peters' NHL Mock Drafts:

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