NEWSLETTER
We only have a max of two hockey games left for the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and then it’s on to the offseason. But we’re only one week away from Day One of the 2024 NHL Draft. Which means it’s time for us to grab the almost-final order of picks (yeah, I’m leaving Florida at 32) and update our mock draft.
Since our last mock draft, two things have changed: we have more rumors and trades swirling, and Russian players have started meeting with and skating for NHL teams in Florida at their own combine that’s being hosted by agent Dan Milstein of Gold Star Sports Management.
There are reports that Columbus (4), Utah (6), Ottawa (7), New Jersey (10) and Buffalo (11) are all willing to at least listen on their lottery picks before the draft begins next week. So this order might change dramatically in the days to come.
With the NHL’s Scouting Combine to consider (including fresh heights and weights, which are reflected in this mock), some news out of the Russian player workouts and more buzz around this draft, let’s jump into a fresh two-round mock draft.
2024 NHL Mock Draft — ROUND ONE
1. San Jose Sharks — Macklin Celebrini, C
6-0, 197
DOB: June 13, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Boston University (NCAA — Hockey East)
The Sharks will take Celebrini at No. 1 in this draft. He’s the best, most pro-ready prospect in the class and they didn’t even hide who’s coming to San Jose after they won the draft lottery. This one’s in Sharpie, folks. He *officially” came in a quarter-inch under six-foot, but that’s not a deal-breaker for me or the Sharks.
2. Chicago Blackhawks — Ivan Demidov, RW
6-0.5, 192
DOB: Dec. 10, 2005
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
I’m still 50-50 on this pick, but the reports out of Florida that Ivan Demidov is bigger than previously advertised (link to the official is in his ht/wt line), speaks English and his agent is confirming he’ll come to North America for the 2025-26 season after his KHL deal expires are all enough for me to move him back to No. 2 overall in this mock draft. He’s a potential game-changer offensively. Those players are rare, and expensive if they ever hit the open market. Putting him with Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and company up front for the next decade is the foundation for the fun to return to the United Center.
3. Anaheim Ducks — Artyom Levshunov, RHD
6-2, 205
DOB: Oct. 28, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Michigan State (NCAA — Big Ten)
The Ducks are terrible defensively, so they should take the best defenseman on the board here. If it happens to be a player who could be a top pair RHD, even better. I’m going to continue putting defensemen (plural) to Anaheim in my mock draft between now and when the names are called. Levshunov is the best available here.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets — Zeev Buium, LHD
6-0, 186
DOB: Feb. 7, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: University of Denver (NCAA – NCHC)
Buium is a helium prospect whose stock continues to climb the charts. He’s got a World Juniors gold and an NCAA championship on his resume and some scouts consider him the best defenseman in the draft. Columbus has a new GM and will have a new head coach, but they also have a stockpile of young forwards to build around. Taking a top-pair defenseman here makes sense. It also works that Buium is a lefty and David Jiricek is a righty.
5. Montreal Canadiens — Berkly Catton, C
5-10, 175
DOB: Jan. 14, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Spokane (WHL)
I believe the Habs will go forward here, and I’m torn between Catton and Cayden Lindstrom. But here’s what has Catton going here in my mind: only four draft-eligible CHL players have recorded at least 50 goals and 115 points in their pre-draft seasons since 2000. That list: Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Connor Bedard and Catton. Montreal needs someone to upgrade their offense and I think Catton does that best. I think he could be the No. 1 center in Montreal, so he goes to the Canadiens in my mock draft.
6. Utah HC — Zayne Parekh, RHD
6-0, 178
DOB: Feb. 15, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Saginaw (OHL)
How about a record-breaking defenseman who just put up 96 points in 66 games in his pre-draft season in the OHL? He played huge in the Memorial Cup, helping the hosts in Saginaw win the whole thing. For all of the reasons I think Montreal goes with Catton, the same applies to Utah taking Parekh to change their blue line trajectory. He’s a game-altering offensive player on the back end.
7. Ottawa Senators — Anton Silayev, LHD
6-7, 205
DOB: April 11, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Silayev is signed thru the 2025-26 season in Russia, which doesn’t help the Sens. And, as I mentioned earlier, Ottawa is reportedly shopping this pick for more immediate help. But if they stay put here, and Silayev is available, I think they’ll remember when Zdeno Chara was on their blue line and take a player who has been compared to him.
8. Seattle Kraken — Cayden Lindstrom, C
6-3, 213
DOB: Feb. 3, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Medicine Hat (WHL)
Lindstrom’s a big power forward who plays the game with strength and can move. I am sure the Kraken would love to grab a top defenseman here, and they might with a few of the names who are still available. But skating Lindstrom with Matty Beniers has a lot of potential to be a dynamic duo at the top of their lineup. I think Seattle goes with the power forward here.
9. Calgary Flames — Tij Iginla, F
6-0 185
DOB: Aug. 1, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Kelowna (WHL)
This spot makes sense for Iginla based on his play, and his last name makes this a dream come true for lots of Flames fans. This might be the fastest any GM gets to the podium after the Sharks select Celebrini at No. 1 overall.
10. New Jersey Devils — Sam Dickinson, LHD
6-3, 203
DOB: June 7, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: London Knights (OHL)
Again, the Devils are shopping this pick for more immediate help. But if they stay here, with their young group of forwards, taking the best defensive defenseman on the board makes sense. They need help stopping the puck before it gets to their suspect goaltending.
11. Buffalo Sabres — Cole Eiserman, LW
6-0, 197
DOB: Aug. 29, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: US National Development Program
I think the Buffalo Sabres, who have most of their blue line locked-up long term already (and they’re all still young) could see Eiserman’s ability to put the puck in the net as a need filler. He’ll probably play at least one year of college hockey, but the Sabres get a sniper here.
12. Philadelphia Flyers — Carter Yakemchuk, RHD
6-3, 202
DOB: Sept. 29, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Calgary (WHL)
The Flyers have multiple picks in the first and second rounds this year, so they’ll be able to add a few bodies to their pipeline to turn around their rebuild. Yakemchuk has a huge shot and would change their power play the moment he arrives in the NHL. A big, right-handed defenseman is too much to pass on here, even with some good forwards available.
13. Minnesota Wild — Konsta Helenius, C/RW
5-11, 189
DOB: May 11, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Jukurit (Liiga — Finland)
The Wild need help on their NHL roster soon because they have no cap space to make impactful moves. Helenius might be as close to being pro-ready as anyone behind Celebrini in this draft class. If he’s available here, it makes sense for Minnesota to take a player they can plug in quickly.
14. San Jose Sharks (from PIT) — Stian Solberg, LHD
6-1, 205
DOB: Dec. 29, 2005
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Vålerenga (Norway)
The Sharks go defense here after selecting Celebrini first overall. Solberg has been flying up rankings of late and, as a player who’s a bit older, could be ready sooner than later. That timeline could benefit the Sharks quickly as they bring young players into the NHL roster beginning this season with Will Smith and, likely, Celebrini. Solberg is another helium prospect in this mock draft who plays with an edge, which the Sharks need.
15. Detroit Red Wings — Beckett Sennecke, RW
6-2, 181
DOB: Jan. 28, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Oshawa (OHL)
Sennecke has good size and plays a good, pro-quality game. But a playoff run of 10 goals and 12 assists in 16 games for Oshawa has him looking more and more like a guy who’s going to be off the board in the top 15 overall. Detroit is a good fit for him.
16. St. Louis Blues — Adam Jiricek, RHD
6-2, 176
DOB: June 28, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: HC Plzeň
The Blues need to improve their blue line and Jiricek is the best defenseman available here. They’ll be tempted by some of the offensive options still available, but grabbing a defenseman makes too much sense for St. Louis in this mock draft.
17. Washington Capitals — Igor Chernyshov, LW
6-2, 192
DOB: Nov. 30, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL – Russia)
Chernyshov might be a more talented, skilled player than falling to 17 would warrant, but the questions about KHL contract status and politics could cause a slide here. But the team with The Great Eight on the roster might be a good spot for him to land. He has good size and plays the game in a way that could translate to the NHL effectively.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from NYI) — Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW
6-1, 207
DOB: Oct. 5, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Mora IK (Sweden)
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is a very good prospect I think some Blackhawks fans are sleeping on because we’ve heard his name frequently. In Scott Wheeler’s draft prospect superlatives piece, he had Brandsegg-Nygård in the top ten for best shot (10), most physical (4), most competitive (3) and most well-rounded forward (2nd). This would be an excellent pick for the Blackhawks.
19. Vegas Golden Knights — Liam Greentree, RW
6-2, 215
DOB: Jan. 1, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Windsor (OHL)
The Golden Knights are a big team, so drafting a big forward makes sense. Greentree is a power forward who fits their NHL mold well. Now, whether or not he makes the NHL with Vegas is a question; they haven’t valued their prospects much as they went all-in right away.
20. New York Islanders (from CHI) — Michael Hage, C
6-1, 190
DOB: April 14, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Chicago Steel (USHL)
Hage, a Michigan commit, is a strong center who could spend a year or two in college and then make the jump to the Islanders. They need offense, and he would be a nice addition to a thin prospect pool.
21. Los Angeles Kings — Trevor Connelly, LW
6-0, 161
DOB: Feb. 28, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Tri-City (USHL)
A Providence College commit, Connelly has had some off-ice issues that could cause him to slide. The Athletic published a piece on those. But the Kings have a veteran roster and front office that wants to win sooner than later, and Connelly’s skill is too much for them to pass this late in the first round.
22. Nashville Predators — Jett Luchanko, C
5-11, 185
DOB: Aug. 21, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Guelph (OHL)
If the Preds are hunting for a center, a run on them before this pick isn’t ideal. But Luchanko is another players whose stock is rising; I’ve had him going to the Rangers at the end of the round in most of my mock drafts to this point but he appears to be headed into the low-20s at this point. Barry Trotz wants to be stronger down the middle and this would be a good get for him.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs — Charlie Elick, D
6-3, 202
DOB: Jan. 17, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Brandon (WHL)
I’m going back to the well here and mocking Elick to the Leafs. They need defensemen. They need tough guys. They need size. Elick is all of that. If a front office under fire can check all of the boxes with their first-round pick, it’s a win. And this does that for Toronto.
24. Colorado Avalanche — Cole Beaudoin, C
6-2, 210
DOB: April 24, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Barrie (OHL)
The Avs have been searching for a second-line center since Nazem Kadri left. They did add Casey Mittelstadt at the deadline, but he doesn’t have the size of Beaudoin. This kid has really good size, is considered an exceptional defensive center, and scored 28 goals in 67 games in the OHL in his pre-draft season. This would be a nice pick for the Avs.
25. Ottawa Senators (from BOS) — Sacha Boisvert, C
6-2, 180
DOB: March 27, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Muskegon (USHL)
After Ottawa went defense early, they come back with an intriguing center here who has some decent size and is a good skater. He’s headed to North Dakota to get some college hockey experience.
26. Montreal Canadiens (from WPG) — EJ Emery, RHD
6-3, 185
DOB: March 30, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: USNTDP
I have the Habs taking a top-line center candidate early and coming back here with a right-handed defenseman who tested very well at the combine. Emery has good size and has played well with the US Development Program. He’s a strong defenseman who will head to North Dakota this fall.
27. Carolina Hurricanes — Yegor Surin, C/RW
6-1, 192
DOB: Aug. 1, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL/KHL)
Surin is rising right now as one of the top Russian prospects in the draft. He has good size and is a dynamic offensive player who, like Demidov, put up really good numbers in the MHL. He’s signed in Russia thru the 2025-26 season and Carolina has a lot of moving pieces with a new GM this summer, but this is a prospect who could thrive in their systems.
28. Calgary Flames (from VAN) — Aron Kiviharju, LHD
5-10, 185
DOB: Jan. 25, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: HIFK (Liiga)
I had the Flames taking Iginla earlier, so taking a good defenseman from Finland here gives their first round some balance. We’ll see if Calgary keeps both of their first round picks when the dust settles next week, but taking a good skater to help their blue line here makes sense in our mock draft.
29. Dallas Stars — Emil Hemming, RW
6-2, 198
DOB: June 27, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: TPS (Liiga — Finland)
The Stars have a really nice collection of young forwards impacting their NHL roster already, but this would be a slide for Hemming. He’s been all over the place in recent draft rankings; Corey Pronman hasn’t even mentioned him yet while Scott Wheeler has him in the top 20 overall — and they’re at the same publication. Hemming has the size Dallas likes and plays a good, pro-caliber game.
30. New York Rangers — Julius Miettinen, C
6-3, 207
DOB: Jan. 20, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Everett (WHL)
The Rangers need to bolster their depth down the middle with some questions about Filip Chytil’s ability to come all the way back — and stay in the lineup. Miettinen is a bigger player than Luchanko who was still very productive in the WHL this past season. A disappointing end to their season will have the Rangers looking to bolster their roster.
31. Anaheim Ducks (from EDM) — Jesse Pulkkinen, LHD
6-6, 216
DOB: Dec. 27, 2004
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: JYP (Liiga)
I’m going with two defensemen for the Ducks because they’re terrible defensively. And if they eventually have a top-four that includes Levshunov and Pulkkinen, that could be dangerous. This kid is enormous and has been one of the more enigmatic blue line prospects in this draft (because of that size). I think the Ducks will take the biggest back end body on the board here late in the first round.
32. Philadelphia Flyers (from FLA) — Terik Parascak, RW
5-11, 180
DOB: May 28, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Prince George (WHL)
Parascak has been a very productive player in the WHL this season, posting 105 points — including 43 goals — in 68 games. If the Flyers can add him to Yakemchuk in their first round, that would be a very good class to help their rebuild. Adding those two to Matvei Michkov and Oliver Bonk from last year is a strong foundation.
2024 NHL Mock Draft — ROUND TWO
33. San Jose Sharks — Dominik Badinka, RHD
34. Chicago Blackhawks — John Mustard, C
35. Anaheim Ducks — Maxim Massé, RW
36. Philadelphia Flyers (from CBJ) — Cole Hutson, LHD
37. Winnipeg Jets (from MTL) — Matvei Gridin, C/LW
38. Utah HC — Sam O’Reilly, RW
39. Ottawa Senators — Dean Letourneau, C
40. Seattle Kraken — Leo Sahlin Wallenius, LHD
41. Calgary Flames — Henry Mews, RHD
42. San Jose Sharks (from NJ) — Ilya Nabokov, G
43. Buffalo Sabres — Ryder Ritchie, RW
44. Pittsburgh Penguins (from PHI) — Adam Jecho, RW
45. Minnesota Wild — Teddy Stiga, LW
46. Pittsburgh Penguins — Ben Danford, RHD
47. Detroit Red Wings — Linus Eriksson, C
48. St. Louis Blues — Tanner Howe, LW
49. Utah HC (from WSH) — Harrison Brunicke, RHD
50. Chicago Blackhawks (from NYI) — Adam Kleber, RHD
51. Philadelphia Flyers (comp) — Marek Vanacker, LW
52. Washington Capitals (from VGK) — Jack Berglund, C
53. Nashville Predators (from TB) — Niilopekka Muhonen, LHD
54. New York Islanders (from CHI) — Simon Zether, C
55. Nashville Predators — Andrew Basha, LW
56. St. Louis Blues (from TOR) — Miguel Marques, RW
57. Montreal Canadiens (from COL) — Nikita Artamonov, RW
58. Anaheim Ducks (from BOS) — Justin Poirier, RW
59. Nashville Predators (from WPG) — Christian Humphreys, C
60. Carolina Hurricanes — Ondřej Becher, C
61. New York Islanders (from CHI) — Lucas Pettersson, C
62. Calgary Flames (from DAL) — Alfons Freij, LHD
63. Seattle Kraken (from NYR) — Colton Roberts, RHD
64. Edmonton Oilers — Marcus Gidlof, G
65. Utah HC (from FLA) — Mikhail Yegorov, G
