That is my remaining projection for a way I feel the primary spherical of the 2024 NHL Draft will form out. That is based mostly largely on my understanding of the gamers’ ability units, factoring in what the league on the whole tends to worth when it comes to participant fashion and positions, what particular groups are inclined to worth and a few rumors about which gamers may very well be linked to sure golf equipment too.
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NHL Draft Guide: Prospect rankings, mock drafts and more
For the final two years, the highest 10 of my remaining mock has had a good accuracy mark. I can guarantee you that’s principally luck. So, a caveat: I don’t know what’s going to occur — I’m simply making educated guesses.
1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston College (NCAA (H-EAST))
I’m 99.99999 p.c certain they’re taking Celebrini. Subsequent.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA (BIG10))
Our Chicago reporter Scott Powers thinks that is all the way down to Levshunov or SKA winger Ivan Demidov. That’s what the league thinks as nicely, though Cayden Lindstrom is commonly talked about with Chicago too. Nonetheless, as one NHL scout put it, “I’d wager for at the least half the league, they don’t have Levshunov/Demidov 2/3 on their record in some order.” That’s not a criticism of Chicago, it’s simply the extensive open nature of the highest of the draft class, in that if the group order had been totally different, the group of gamers being mentioned would change notably (I’ve talked to at the least one group that doesn’t have both participant of their high 5). Most of my league sources appear to suppose Levshunov is the seemingly wager right here. Demidov impressed when groups met him. He’s a bit taller than anticipated and interviewed nicely, however I nonetheless suppose Levshunov’s toolkit and place, and familiarity with the participant will persuade Chicago to take him. The way in which most groups are inclined to suppose is that if it’s shut, take the defenseman. And I’ve been led to imagine that for Chicago, they suppose it’s shut.
3. Anaheim Ducks: Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (RUSSIA)
Silayev checks lots of containers for the Geese aside from his nationality. He’s precisely the sort of participant their administration covets together with his measurement, compete and hockey sense. He enhances the younger defensemen they’ve completely too and he suits right here on expertise. Lots of people within the NHL observed when Pat Verbeek was following round Oshawa winger Beckett Sennecke in North Bay late within the season. He’s usually the title talked about right here by different groups because the potential “shock” within the high 5 though that title has grow to be much less of a shock within the draft lead-up. Perhaps in the event that they commerce Trevor Zegras earlier than the draft Sennecke comes extra into play. If Chicago passes on Levshunov, I don’t know which of him or Silayev can be Anaheim’s lean. I don’t suppose Verbeek would love the thought of taking a Russian at No. 3, however he has a powerful relationship with Silayev’s coach Igor Larionov, who informed The Athletic he’s talked to Verbeek fairly a bit throughout the season about Silayev.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medication Hat (WHL)
I’m not a physician, and I don’t play a physician both. All I can say is that a number of NHL groups have important considerations about Lindstrom’s again harm — he had a disk herniation throughout the season. It doesn’t imply they’re involved to the purpose they wouldn’t draft him, or not draft him excessive, however that’s a significant dialogue level for any group within the combine for him. My understanding, although, is that groups have been assured by docs he’s typically wholesome and may play, and it’s extra in regards to the long-term dangers of drafting a giant child who has had again issues. I feel Columbus is excessive on this participant, and if the docs clear him he’s the favourite to go at No. 4. In the event that they don’t, then it will get attention-grabbing. Sennecke and Silayev appear to be the commonest names recommended right here as options by different golf equipment. I feel they like Demidov rather a lot however I don’t suppose he’s their favourite choice at No. 4.
5. Montreal Canadiens: Zeev Buium, D, Denver (NCAA (NCHC))
If this situation performs out, will probably be powerful on Montreal. I don’t know the place the Canadiens would lean between Buium and Demidov, whom I feel they each like rather a lot. They like a ahead. Nonetheless, they might be rather more conversant in Buium even when they did get dwell views on Demidov. I feel most NHL groups of their sneakers, in the event that they suppose Buium generally is a premium NHL defenseman they usually suppose the gamers are shut on expertise, would lean to the defenseman in opposition to the Russian winger. I feel it will come all the way down to how they challenge the 2 gamers, and the way a lot or little of a expertise hole they suppose there may be relative to the place. Lindstrom being accessible at No. 5 seemingly signifies that the groups choosing earlier than Montreal had important considerations on his again. That doesn’t imply each group will. I’ve heard sufficient tales of groups crossing off guys from their record because of medical points that different groups had no points with. Nonetheless, it will be a variable, and if the medical evaluation is extra unfavorable than I’m led to imagine there are some within the NHL who suppose Lindstrom may fall on draft day. That mentioned, I feel if Lindstrom is accessible at No. 5, and Montreal’s docs green-light him, then he can be the choose. If he isn’t, your guess is nearly as good as mine. I feel Montreal has lots of curiosity in Silayev as nicely if he had been to begin sliding.
6. Utah Hockey Club: Sam Dickinson, D, London (OHL)
Utah likes huge guys and desires defensemen in its pipeline, but in addition wants guys who can present offense. I may see Buium right here if he will get to No. 6, in any other case lots of people within the league suppose they might lean to somebody like Dickinson. Silayev can be a terrific match right here if he began to slide as nicely, though individuals across the league marvel if the group would take one more Russian at No. 6 in Silayev or Demidov given it took two within the high 12 final yr.
7. Ottawa Senators: Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa (OHL)
As we’ve gotten nearer to the draft the Sennecke hype practice has continued to chug alongside. I feel it’s gotten a bit excessive for a participant who didn’t have a tremendous common season and has some minor angle questions amongst groups, however he’s tremendous proficient and I get the highest 10 case for certain. Round No. 7 it begins to grow to be extra of a critical dialog for Ottawa even when it will favor a defenseman. Sennecke is among the premium abilities within the draft with true game-breaking skill. I’ve heard Ottawa linked to Dickinson and Carter Yakemchuk as nicely. I don’t see the Senators selecting Demidov or Silayev if accessible to them.
Seattle has a urgent want for a defenseman in a defense-deep draft. Yakemchuk and Zayne Parekh can be the final of the premium abilities accessible to them on this situation. Demidov can be within the combine right here too, however my intestine is they might nonetheless lean towards one of many high protection prospects, particularly if gamers like Dickinson or Buium can be found and I don’t suppose GM Ron Francis is a giant fan of Russians excessive within the draft. I feel Yakemchuk is extra well-liked within the league than he’s in public discourse as nicely.
9. Calgary Flames: Ivan Demidov, RW, Ska St. Petersburg Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
Demidov helped his standing with some NHL groups (and within the eyes of my analysis as nicely) by measuring in formally at almost 6-foot-1, however for NHL groups which have already been deep diving into him, it wasn’t stunning information. Flames GM Craig Conroy met with Demidov in Florida final week together with a pair different managers with excessive picks. I feel within the pre-draft course of Calgary has needed to steadiness the truth that Tij Iginla may very well be accessible to them at No. 9 versus the good younger facilities and defensemen accessible to them who it desperately wants. This situation may throw these plans out, although — the Flames may simply take the potential star winger and work out the remaining later. If Demidov goes fifth to Montreal, it will open up issues for the extra mentioned situations similar to Iginla right here, or Buium/Parekh.
10. New Jersey Devils: Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL)
New Jersey and Buffalo can be in an identical state of affairs with Catton. He’s one of the best participant accessible on expertise seemingly at this choose, however they each have lots of small forwards. Catton is a tier forward of fellows like Iginla or Konsta Helenius, so I feel you chunk the bullet on him and determine it out later as a result of he’s one of the best asset.
11. San Jose Sharks: Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw (OHL)
Groups take one of the best participant accessible sometimes, however I’d be stunned if the Sharks didn’t take a defenseman at 11 given how tilted their rebuild is towards younger forwards presently. Parekh is the title nominated by scouts because the likeliest title thought-about a high 10 prospect to fall out of the highest 10. Even when that’s the case I don’t see him lasting too lengthy within the teenagers. Sooner or later, his offense turns into too tempting even when there are considerations about his protection. At No. 11 that turns into the purpose for San Jose. I may see Stian Solberg or Yakemchuk right here as nicely. One title groups have questioned about if the Sharks did resolve to go the ahead route is Cole Eiserman right here.
12. Philadelphia Flyers: Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit (FINLAND)
Philly has a urgent want so as to add on the middle place on this draft, and it feels just like the Flyers are going to have a possibility to get certainly one of Catton or Helenius on this draft. There are different prospects at 12, nevertheless it’s beginning to really feel more and more seemingly will probably be a kind of two gamers at this choose.
13. Minnesota Wild: Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna (WHL)
Iginla would match the excessive compete fashion that Invoice Guerin likes to focus on in his draft picks whereas additionally including lots of ability and goal-scoring. I feel Minnesota can be extremely tempted by Parekh or Yakemchuk right here because the Wild don’t have a real top-end protection prospect of their pipeline if both began to slip a bit.
14. Buffalo Sabres: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (SWEDEN-2)
Buffalo has drafted lots of smaller, extremely expert forwards in recent times. The Sabres have a deep secure of expertise at each ahead and protection, however up entrance they might use some forwards with chunk and measurement, and Brandsegg-Nygaard has a few of that. I may see Solberg or Adam Jiricek right here as nicely in the event that they went the protection route.
15. Detroit Red Wings: Stian Solberg, D, Valerenga (NORWAY)
I feel ideally the Purple Wings would favor so as to add a ahead at 15, however Solberg is so good, suits their identification too nicely and it’s no shock he’s been a reputation rumored with Detroit. He’s a giant, cellular defenseman who may be very bodily and performed nicely versus males. MBN, Cole Eiserman or Michael Hage may match right here in the event that they go the ahead route.
16. St. Louis Blues: Adam Jiricek, D, Plzen (CZECHIA)
With the Blues seemingly in place to take one of many second tier of defenders in Solberg or Jiricek and that being a urgent want for them it looks like a superb probability that a kind of two can be their choose right here. I’ve heard Jett Luchanko’s title talked about right here by some as a risk too.
There’s lots of helium behind Hage proper now after a terrific second half within the USHL and he has an excellent probability to be a high 20 choose. If Jiricek or Solberg received to Washington I feel they might be very joyful so as to add a possible top-four defenseman after drafting so many forwards, however I feel they like Hage and he’d make sense on expertise right here too.
18. Chicago Blackhawks: Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph (OHL)
It feels nearly seemingly at this level that Luchanko goes within the high 20. The league loves his two-way recreation, his skating and his compete. He suits the profile of the kind of ahead Chicago has focused and has that profile in spades. I feel Jiricek or both of the Norwegian gamers match right here too in the event that they make it to 18.
That is the vary the place Eiserman begins turning into very tempting. He’s gotten beat up by NHL groups this season and I haven’t gotten a terrific sense of the place he’s going to go given the overtly unfavorable tone about him. Sooner or later, it will get to overthinking and 19 is when he begins to appear to be a strong wager as somebody who’s going to play within the NHL and rating targets. He’s the sort of participant Vegas may attempt to wager on.
Beaudoin is a really likeable participant and scouts usually rave about his well-rounded recreation and compete stage. His inventory has solely gone up after a terrific U18s for Canada and I count on him to go proper round this space. The Islanders have a transparent want for a legit younger middle expertise and he’d match right here on expertise too.
21. Los Angeles Kings: Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor (OHL)
Greentree’s inventory received hit following his U18 worlds, however I nonetheless count on him to be a first-round choose. He has a ton of ability and scoring skill and good measurement, even when his play with out the puck isn’t nice. The Kings might transfer on from Arthur Kaliyev sooner or later, and Greentree can be a possible improve on that fashion of participant.
22. Nashville Predators: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-Metropolis (USHL)
Connelly has been the topic of serious debate this season with groups doing lots of background work on the participant’s character. There are groups extremely within the participant, who’s seen as a high 10 participant on skill on this class, however there are many groups who’ve little interest in him as nicely. My guess is across the 20 spot is when the expertise drop-off is so important that he would be the final extremely rated participant on group boards. Nashville is a corporation prepared to wager on high-end expertise. The opposite widespread candidates are Vegas, the Islanders and Carolina.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Egor Surin, C, Yaroslavl Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.)
Surin is a popular participant within the league because of a sky-high compete stage and his inventory is excessive following a terrific playoff in Russia’s junior stage. He’s a participant with the traits that Toronto has tended to focus on in current drafts.
24. Colorado Avalanche: Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)
Boisvert might not have the numbers of Hage or Connelly within the USHL, however he’s a popular participant by NHL groups because of his measurement and well-rounded play down the center. I feel early to mid 20s is his vary proper now. Colorado can be excited so as to add to their middle depth alongside Calum Ritchie.
25. Boston Bruins: Dominik Badinka, D, Malmo (SWEDEN)
Badinka is well-liked within the league because of his measurement and mobility and with the ability to transfer the puck. He performed nicely towards the tip of the yr within the SHL and lots of decision-makers had been moving into to look at him. He may very well be a late first to a group like Boston.
26. Montreal Canadiens: Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow (RUSSIA)
Chernyshov is a proficient participant, however he had some harm points this season and with him being within the KHL, I do suppose there could also be some threat components that trigger him to go decrease than the highest 20 the place his expertise dictates. With a second choose within the first spherical, Montreal takes a swing on the large, quick scorer with some energy in his recreation.
27. Carolina Hurricanes: Nikita Artamonov, LW, Nizhny Novgorod (RUSSIA)
Carolina has not proven hesitation to take Russians over the previous couple of drafts and the Hurricanes will seemingly be positioned with a late first to pick out a powerful Russian prospect. Artamonov can be a high-end ability winger so as to add, however there’s a probability Surin or Chernyshov get to their choose too. Carolina is seen as a flooring for Connelly as nicely by different groups.
28. Calgary Flames: Julius Miettinen, C, Everett (WHL)
Calgary added a dynamic winger at No. 9, so at 28 the Flames can look so as to add to the premium positions by taking a giant middle in Miettinen, who can skate and supply some secondary offense.
29. Dallas Stars: Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford (OHL)
Vanacker is a simple participant to love because of his nice compete stage and translatable recreation to the NHL. His U18s weren’t good for Canada, however his inventory stays excessive within the league and I get the sense there’s a average probability he generally is a low first-round choose.
30. New York Rangers: Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrews School (HIGH-ON)
The Rangers would love so as to add some measurement to their pipeline and to their middle depth. By taking Letourneau, they will deal with each. He’s a long-term wager, however he’s a giant man who can skate and has good puck abilities and can be a possible third-line middle of the long run for them.
31. Anaheim Geese: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
Elick harm his inventory on the U18s, as groups nonetheless have notable considerations on his hockey sense. That is the vary of the draft or early on Day 2 the place it turns into extra seemingly for him to go. He’s extraordinarily cellular for a 6-foot-3 defender and performs laborious, and alongside Silayev, he would add lots of measurement and toughness to Anaheim’s draft.
32. Philadelphia Flyers: Sam O’Reilly, RW, London (OHL)
O’Reilly is a reputation I’ve heard rather a lot as a late first-round candidate within the lead-up to the draft. It’s a story as outdated as time — a London prospect having a late rise. He’s seen as a powerful two-way middle and has lots of traits an NHL group will search for.
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; pictures: Richard T Gagnon, Michael Miller / ISI Pictures / Getty Pictures)
