NEWSLETTER
We’re getting closer to Christmas, which means the NHL is going to slow down for a few days. The league’s holiday roster freeze is already set; it went into effect at 11:59 PM local time across the league on Tuesday night and expires on Dec. 28. And the entire league is off from Dec. 24-26. So let’s do the natural thing and shift our attention to the 2024 NHL Draft for a moment.
With the Blackhawks continuing their rebuild efforts, the draft will continue to be an important part of their plan. And general manager Kyle Davidson has stockpiled enough picks to make Chicago a player in the draft for the next three years — either using their picks or weaponizing them to add players to the NHL roster.
It feels a little early for Mock Draft Szn to be upon us, but there will be some intriguing players participating in the World Junior Championship beginning after Christmas. So let’s run through a first attempt at a 2024 NHL Mock Draft!
For this mock draft, I’m not using the draft lottery simulator tool on Tankathon yet. Instead, I’m using the standings based on point percentage on NHL.com. For the sake of my sanity and in an effort to get this done, I locked in the standings I used for this draft order at the conclusion of games on Sunday, Dec. 17.
Here’s a quick reminder of trades that have already been consummated that involved first-round picks in the 2024 NHL Draft:
Trades from which the picks would not transfer if the draft happened today:
With those in mind, let’s jump into an exciting first crack at a 2024 NHL Mock Draft!
1. Chicago Blackhawks — Macklin Celebrini, C
6-0, 190
DOB: June 13, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Boston University (NCAA — Hockey East)
Thoughts: Um, yes please?!? I know this feels biased because I write about the Blackhawks and they won the lottery last year and landed Connor Bedard, but this mock draft is running strictly based on point percentage. And Chicago’s the worst in the league. If the Blackhawks had a 1-2 punch of Bedard and Celebrini for the next decade? We’ll get a good look at him skating for Canada at the World Juniors.
2. San Jose Sharks — Cole Eiserman, LW
6-0, 198
DOB: Aug. 29, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: US National Development Program
Thoughts: Eiserman is committed to Boston University for the 2024-25 season — assuming he isn’t in the NHL already. The Sharks haven’t taken a defenseman in the first round since 2019, but Eiserman’s an elite scorer who would be too hard to pass on. The Sharks are rebuilding just like the Blackhawks so it’s more about best player available, and that’s Eiserman here.
3. Anaheim Ducks — Anton Silayev, D
6-7, 205
DOB: April 11, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Thoughts: the top defensemen in the Ducks’ system — Pavel Mintyukov, Jamie Drysdale, Olen Zellweger — are all under six-feet tall. Is that a deal-breaker? No. But would adding a giant on the back end make a lot of sense here if the player fits? Absolutely. Silayev is one of the most polarizing, intriguing players in the 2024 NHL Draft class. He could go anywhere between pick No. 2 and 20. He’s got 10 points in 37 games as a 17-year-old in the KHL and has size you simply cannot teach. I think the Ducks are in a position to swing big (literally) here.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets — Adam Jiricek, D
6-2, 176
DOB: June 28, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: HC Plzeň
Thoughts: This might feel like a little bit of a homer reach here because Adam’s older brother, David, was Columbus’ first-round pick (No. 6 overall) in 2022. But Adam’s a legit prospect in his own right; Corey Pronman at The Athletic had him ranked No. 8 overall at the beginning of November. He’s a right-handed defenseman and we know those become trendy when we get closer to the draft.
5. Ottawa Senators — Artyom Levshunov, D
6-2, 200
DOB: Oct. 28, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Michigan State (NCAA — Big Ten)
Thoughts: Again, a right-handed shooting defenseman with size. Get ready for that to be a theme in the 2024 draft class because it has a lot of them available. Levshunov is benefitting from a strong freshman season in the Big Ten, arguably the best and deepest conference in the NCAA ranks this season. He could go as high as three in my opinion, and Ottawa needs some help on the back end.
6. Seattle Kraken — Ivan Demidov, RW
5-11, 170
DOB: Dec. 10, 2005
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: SKA St. Petersburg
Thoughts: Demidov could become this year’s Matvei Michkov — a Russian star prospect who we don’t get to see in international tournaments and who is signed in Russia for another year after his draft eligibility. He is not as highly regarded as Michkov, but he’s generally regarded as one of the elite offensive prospects in this class. Seattle is in a great position to pick him and wait a year for his obligation in Russia to expire.
7. Buffalo Sabres — Carter Yakemchuk, D
6-3, 195
DOB: Sept. 29, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Calgary (WHL)
Thoughts: Buffalo has Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson locked-up long term already, but they have a number of top forwards coming up into the NHL to full out the roster. Former Blackhawk Henri Jokijarju is a restricted free agent this coming summer at 24 and extending him with a lot of term might not be the play with the money they already have committed on the back end. Again, right-handed defensemen this size aren’t available very often.
8. Calgary Flames — Sam Dickinson, D
6-3, 195
DOB: June 7, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: London Knights (OHL)
Thoughts: Dickinson very well could be the best defenseman in this draft class long-term, so I could realistically see him coming off the board anywhere starting at the second pick. Calgary is in a transition right now and they have a list of defensemen possibly leaving soon at the NHL level, so adding an elite defender asap makes a lot of sense here. They might trade back, because there’s another prospect in this draft who might be too much of a reach in the top ten but who I’m sure they would absolutely love to have (you’ll know who when we get there). At this spot, there’s no doubt in my mind that Dickinson is the best player available in this mock draft.
9. Edmonton Oilers — Charlie Elick, D
6-3, 200
DOB: Jan. 17, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Brandon (WHL)
Thoughts: The Oilers selecting a good, physical defenseman who could help their top pair? I know… we’ve said they need to do this for years and it hasn’t happened but here we are. As long as their defense is an issue, I’ll continue to mock them taking a good, physical defenseman. Elick would be a terrific addition to their system.
10. Montreal Canadiens — Cayden Lindstrom, C
6-5, 218
DOB: Feb. 3, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Medicine Hat (WHL)
Thoughts: You know how the Habs thought they were getting a big-body center when they acquired Kirby Dach from the Blackhawks? Yeah, well, anyways, there might be one available for them here. Lindstrom is huge and he’s putting up monster numbers in the WHL this season (27 goals in 32 games). With their smaller forwards already in the NHL, having a huge center would make sense.
11. San Jose Sharks (from PIT) — Zayne Parekh, D
6-0, 181
DOB: Feb. 15, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Saginaw (OHL)
Thoughts: The Sharks added an elite scorer earlier in the draft, so here they have a little more wiggle room to make a decision. Parekh is a player who could be a top-ten overall pick and is another good, right-shot defenseman who could eventually quarterback a power play in San Jose. Eiserman and Parekh would make this a very productive first round for the Sharks’ new management group.
12. Minnesota Wild — Zeev Buium, D
6-2, 180
DOB: Feb. 7, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: University of Denver (NCAA– NCHC)
Thoughts: Buium has had an impressively productive freshman season at DU and will play a big role on the US team at the World Juniors. If his play continues to be this impressive, he might earn a top-ten spot. Minnesota has a lot of cap issues right now and could use an injection of youth on the back end. Can you imagine a top pair of Buium and Brock Faber for years in Minnesota? I’m sure their fans would like to.
13. Chicago Blackhawks (from TB) — Tij Iginla, F
6-0 185
DOB: Aug. 1, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Kelowna (WHL)
Thoughts: Yeah, this is the guy I’m sure Calgary would love to have on their roster. The story would be amazing, and his numbers thus far might make it a real possibility if the Flames are in the right spot in the draft. The Blackhawks got a good look at him last year when he appeared in 48 games with Seattle — with Kevin Korchinski, Nolan Allan and Colton Dach. He’s got good size, can skate and checks every box the Blackhawks like — and he’s scoring at will this year. His stock is skyrocketing from not being among Pronman’s top 32 in November to being 23rd by SportsNet at the beginning of December.
14. St. Louis Blues — Matvei Shuravin, D
6-2, 175
DOB: March 22, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: CSKA Moskva (KHL)
Thoughts: The Blues are in between a good run with veterans and trying to reload, but their blue line is the greatest area of need. They have two picks each in the second and third rounds in 2024, so they’ll be able to add some volume to a system that is not very highly regarded and is very forward-heavy at the top.
15. Arizona Coyotes — Berkly Catton, C
5-11, 163
DOB: Jan. 14, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Spokane (WHL)
Thoughts: Catton isn’t a big player but he competes hard and skates well. He was the No. 1 pick in his WHL Bantam Draft and played for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky tournament, leading the team to a gold medal. After scoring 23 times in 63 games last year, he has 22 in 30 games this year. Arizona has nine (9) picks before the end of the fourth round this year (three in the second and third rounds, two in the fourth) so they might be an active trade participant; they have seven picks across the first three rounds in 2025 as well.
16. Carolina Hurricanes — Konsta Helenius, C/RW
5-11, 176
DOB: May 11, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Jukurit (Liiga — Finland)
Thoughts: Helenius will play for Finland at the upcoming World Juniors and might play himself into a top-ten pick. He’s widely ranked among the top ten overall players in the draft, but the league’s obsession with defensemen — especially right-handed shooting d-men — could make his selection take longer than it should. Carolina needs to inject some offense and he would be a good piece to add if he’s available here.
17. Detroit Red Wings — Nikita Artamonov, W
5-11, 187
DOB: Nov. 17, 2005
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
Thoughts: The Yzer-Plan appears to be working, as the Red Wings have climbed into the playoff picture pretty well this season. They have a good, young group in the NHL so they can consider a lot of options here. Artamonov has 14 points in 30 games in the KHL as a young 18-year-old, which is impressive. If the Red Wings need to wait for his skill to come over, they can afford it; he’s signed in Russia through the 2024-25 season.
18. New Jersey Devils — Trevor Connelly, W
6-1, 165
DOB: Feb. 28 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Tri-City (USHL)
Thoughts: Connelly is committed to Providence next year. He has some length on the ice and is a terrific skater, making him one of the best players in the USHL for a second straight year. The concern with Connelly is some off-ice issues, including some racially-charged social media posts from when he was younger that he has since apologized for and worked to move past. His ability is worthy of a first round pick; the off-ice issues are where the answers to important questions between now and the draft will be important.
19. Nashville Predators — Liam Greentree, RW
6-2, 198
DOB: Jan. 1, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Windsor (OHL)
Thoughts: After putting up 45 points in 61 games last year for Windsor, Greentree already has 40 (including 19 goals) in 28 games this season. He has terrific size and skill, but isn’t the best skater (a reason he might slide into the late-teens or early-20s). Nashville is rebuilding and Barry Trotz is now calling the shots and I can see him falling in love with the size/skill package of Greentree. In fact, partnering him with last year’s top pick, Matthew Wood (6-4, 200), would be an intriguing tandem to build around.
20. New York Islanders — Ryder Ritchie, RW
6-0, 174
DOB: Aug. 3, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Prince Albert (WHL)
Thoughts: The Islanders are playing well right now but their roster is old and not very quick. They emptied their cupboard of top prospects to land Bo Horvat last year, so adding depth and skill to the system is desperately needed. Ritchie has 31 points in 34 games in the WHL as a young 17-year-old; he has an August birthday.
21. Washington Capitals — Sacha Boisvert, C
6-2, 180
DOB: March 27, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Muskegon (USHL)
Thoughts: Boisvert is a highly skilled, productive center who has been very good in the USHL. He is committed to play at North Dakota next season. If you look at the center depth in Washington right now, it leaves a lot to be desired. While Boisvert isn’t going to solve that immediately, he would eventually be a very good piece to build around with the Caps’ top two picks last year, Ryan Leonard and Andrew Cristall, being wingers.
22. Philadelphia Flyers — Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW
6-1, 195
DOB: Oct. 5, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Mora IK (Sweden)
23. Philadelphia Flyers (from FLA) — EJ Emery, D
6-3, 185
DOB: March 30, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: US National Development Program
Thoughts: So the Flyers might be one of the fun teams to really watch heading into the draft. The way the records fell when I locked them, Philly would have consecutive picks in the early-20s — which could make them a dangerous team if they wanted to move up aggressively. Last year they had two first-round picks and went skilled wing and big, right-shot defenseman with Matvei Michkov and Oliver Bonk. They might follow the same model this year and land two quality players again.
24. Colorado Avalanche — Emil Hemming, RW
6-2, 198
DOB: June 27, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: TPS (Liiga — Finland)
Thoughts: Hemming will skate for Finland at the World Juniors. He’s a good skater with a wicked release, so packaging that with his good size already for a young player (June birthday) seems to make him a player I could see fitting in well with the Avs’ system. It seems like some recent comments made by Artturi Lehkonen’s dad pissed off a few guys in the room so it will be interesting to see how well received he is when he’s able to come off LTIR.
25. Winnipeg Jets — Adam Jecho, RW
6-5, 201
DOB: March 24, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Edmonton (WHL)
Thoughts: The Jets have long liked having BIG forwards. Jecho, a native of Czechia who is playing in the WHL for the first time this season, would fit that mold. He’s BIG. He put up 18 points in 19 games before a lower-body injury sidelined him, which might cost him draft position.
26. Dallas Stars — Cole Hutson, D
5-10, 160
DOB: June 28, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: US National Development Program
Thoughts: Lane’s younger brother is committed to play for Boston University next year. The Stars have drafted a lot of defensemen in recent years; their first three picks in 2022 and two of their first three in 2023 were on the blue line. But not every one of those guys is going to reach the NHL at the same time, and Hutson will need at least a couple years at BU before considering the pro game.
27. Toronto Maple Leafs — Will Skahan, D
6-4, 212
DOB: May 14, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: US National Development Program
Thoughts: What do Leafs fans cry for the team to draft every year? Good defensemen! And what do they do? Anything but draft defensemen. So I’m going to continue mocking them a defenseman in the first round until the day I’m right — they have to start addressing their defense at some point, right? Skahan is a Boston College commit with a lot of size.
28. Vancouver Canucks — Igor Chernyshov, LW
6-2, 192
DOB: Nov. 30, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Dynamo Moskva (KHL)
Thoughts: Chernyshov is signed through the 2024-25 season in the KHL, but that shouldn’t be a problem for a young Canucks team that’s absolutely rolling right now. Vancouver can afford to wait for a player for a couple years at this point and this is a prospect who would be a good value late in the first round. He had good size and is a playmaking wing.
29. Los Angeles Kings — Beckett Sennecke, RW
6-2, 181
DOB: Jan. 28, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Oshawa (OHL)
Thoughts: The Kings have time for players to develop and this might be a player they’d be willing to allow time to mature. Sennecke has good length and is a good worker who has 25 points in 27 games in the OHL thus far. They have a young blue line coming so adding forward depth to the system makes sense.
30. New York Rangers — Michael Hage, C
6-1, 190
DOB: April 14, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Chicago Steel (USHL)
Thoughts: The Michigan commit plays in the Blackhawks’ back yard and I would love for him to be available for Chicago in the second round, but he just feels like the kind of player the Rangers will grab late in the first and let him spend a few years in college before making the jump to the pro game. He has good size and is a solid player.
31. Vegas Golden Knights — Maxim Massé, RW
6-1, 181
DOB: April 7, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Thoughts: Massé is wearing an A in the Q this year and has basically been a point-per-game player for two-plus seasons there already. He has decent size, a high hockey IQ and good skill, but he isn’t the greatest skater. He’s a guy that some front offices might not have higher than a late-second or third-round grade on and another might fall in love with his game and take him here, like Vegas does in this mock draft.
32. Ottawa Senators (from BOS) — Cole Beaudoin, C
6-2, 201
DOB: April 24, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Barrie (OHL)
Thoughts: Shane Pinto might be done in Ottawa after he comes back from his suspension this season, and Ridley Greig hasn’t overwhelmed at any point in his career. The Sens need centers. And, after I have them taking a defenseman near the top of the draft, I come back with some help in the form of a big, left-handed center from the OHL here.
