We’re now less than one week away from the NHL’s trade deadline, which means there might be some movement of more picks in the first round of the draft in the next six days. The teams moving their first rounders this year are hoping to lower those picks by improving their chances of a deep run in the postseason. Right now, four of the bottom five picks in our mock draft have already been moved.

Unfortunately for Blackhawks fans, they have the worst record in the league. The good news: that means they have the best odds of making the first selection in the NHL draft for a second consecutive year. That would be a game-changer for the franchise. But keep an eye on the Sharks in the rearview mirror because they, too, are terrible and losing plenty of games.

For the sake of this mock draft, I locked in the standings thru games on Wednesday, Feb. 28. Let’s get into it.

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)

Celebrini might not be considered a transformational prospect to the degree that Connor Bedard was a year ago, but he has every trait of a future NHL superstar. So him skating on the same team as Bedard to start his NHL career? Give me all of that! Celebrini is special, folks.

2. San Jose Sharks — Anton Silayev, D

6-7, 205
DOB: April 11, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

After drafting center Will Smith fourth overall last year, the Sharks will have the opportunity to balance the top of their prospect pipeline with their choice of excellent defensemen. Silayev is an enormous defenseman playing well against men in Russia who will be a prospect lots are talking about before the draft. Defensemen this size don’t come around frequently, and the Sharks desperately need help on the back end.

3. Anaheim Ducks — Artyom Levshunov, D

6-2, 200
DOB: Oct. 28, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Michigan State (NCAA — Big Ten)

The Ducks traded defenseman Jamie Drysdale to Philadelphia earlier this season and still have plenty of young forwards; they added Cutter Gauthier in the Flyers trade. Levshunov is having a terrific season at Michigan State against really good competition in the Big Ten. That, plus being a right-shot, will likely elevate him into the top three picks.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets — Ivan Demidov, RW

5-11, 170
DOB: Dec. 10, 2005
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

The Blue Jackets making a huge front office change this week makes their approach to the 2024 NHL Draft more intriguing. Demidov has one year left on his contract in the KHL but that shouldn’t scare the Blue Jackets, who are trying to build something (still) and he could be the best player available at this point. Demidov is considered a top-ten overall talent, but not seeing him play against the other top players his age because of the IIHF ban might hurt his stock and cause him to slide. I’m becoming increasingly confident he’ll be a top-five pick, however. This is a wild card player going to a team that, now, is also a wild card here at No. 4 overall.

5. Arizona Coyotes — Sam Dickinson, D

6-3, 195
DOB: June 7, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: London Knights (OHL)

Arizona is sliding the wrong direction in the standings, which is disappointing because they really thought this would be a step forward season for them. They have a lot of good, young forwards on their NHL roster — players who want to know where the Coyotes are going to call home long-term. But their clear need is improved defense. So taking the next-best defenseman on the board makes sense for them here. Dickinson might be the best d-man long-term in this class.

6. Montreal Canadiens — Cayden Lindstrom, C

6-5, 218
DOB: Feb. 3, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Medicine Hat (WHL)

The Habs need a lot. They would love to get a top-pair defenseman for their future, and they need help up front. With my top three defensemen already off the board here, taking a big body center to help their top-six makes too much sense to avoid. Lindstrom is a huge center and plays a strong all-around game.

7. Ottawa Senators — Cole Eiserman, LW

6-0, 198
DOB: Aug. 29, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: US National Development Program

Ottawa being in the top five picks would be a huge disappointment after they thought this was a year to take a big step forward, and that might lead to more changes to their roster before the trade deadline and into the summer. But the opportunity to take a legit scorer in Eiserman will likely be too tempting to pass on if he’s available. They could be heading into some significant player movement if their new ownership and front office wants to shake things up.

8 Buffalo Sabres — Berkly Catton, C

5-11, 163
DOB: Jan. 14, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Spokane (WHL)

The Sabres have locked-up the top of their blue line long-term already. But they need to add depth up front to help some of their younger established NHL forwards. Catton is a really good, productive player who is easily the next forward on the board. This would be a nice get for the Sabres.

9. Minnesota Wild — Zeev Buium, D

6-2, 180
DOB: Feb. 7, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: University of Denver (NCAA – NCHC)

Buium’s stock is skyrocketing as he puts up great numbers as a freshman at Denver and looked terrific for the US at the World Junior Championship. The Wild have their star defenseman in Brock Faber, who plays the right side. Pairing him with a player like Buium is the foundation for a great blue line for years to come. They might need to convince the Minnesota-Duluth fans that it’s okay to cheer for a Denver Pioneer, though.

10. Seattle Kraken — Carter Yakemchuk, D

6-3, 195
DOB: Sept. 29, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Calgary (WHL)

The Kraken made the playoffs last year but this season has not been kind in any way. Injuries and inconsistent play has them back in the top ten overall. At this point, taking a potential top-pair defenseman with good size — and a right-shot — would be a great add to their organizational depth.

11. Calgary Flames — Tij Iginla, F

6-0 185
DOB: Aug. 1, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Kelowna (WHL)

I don’t think I’m alone in kinda hoping Tij gets to wear the same Flames sweater as his dad, Jarome, did for years. And with the Flames winning some games recently, they’ve moved to a point in the draft where I think taking Tij makes a lot of sense and isn’t a huge reach. This would be the feel-good story of the draft if it can happen. But, with the Flames selling, how long will they stay out of the top ten?

12. St. Louis Blues — Zayne Parekh, D

6-0, 181
DOB: Feb. 15, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Saginaw (OHL)

The Blues are a mess, and their blue line needs a complete overhaul. Parekh is ranked among the top-four defensemen by some analysts and is an incredibly productive offensive defenseman. If St. Louis is looking for their future power play quarterback, this is their guy.

13. New York Islanders — 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 recently published a detailed piece on the concerns with social media posts from his past potentially being a huge red flag for NHL clubs. But you know who has the stones to take a supremely talented, productive player? Lou Lamoriello. And a veteran Islanders team in desperate need of offense might be the right landing spot for Connelly.

14. New Jersey Devils — Adam Jiricek, D

6-2, 176
DOB: June 28, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: HC Plzeň

The Devils have so many young players right now that adding more feels like a luxury. But they’re out of the playoff picture right now because they need better goaltending and defense. Could they move this pick for a goaltender before the deadline in a desperate attempt to get into the dance? Sure. If they don’t, I think they’ll target more defensive depth.

15. Washington Capitals — Igor Chernyshov, LW

6-2, 192
DOB: Nov. 30, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: MHK Dynamo Moskva (MHL – Russia)

Chernyshov was ranked the No. 18 overall prospect by both McKenzie and Wheeler, so somewhere in the mid to late teens makes sense to start looking for landing spots for him. A talented Russian comes with the questions about KHL contract status and politics, but the Caps have the greatest Russian player in NHL history on their roster so they can handle that — and, maybe, Ovi can get this kid over to North America sooner than later.

16. San Jose Sharks (from PIT) — Konsta Helenius, C/RW

5-11, 176
DOB: May 11, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Jukurit (Liiga — Finland)

The Sharks landing Helenius here would be stealing. NHL Central Scouting has him the No. 1 European skater in their mid-term rankings. He’s a solid prospect with decent size. Adding him to their stable of forwards after addressing their blue line with the second overall pick makes this round a win for the rebuilding Sharks.

17. Chicago Blackhawks (from TB) — Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW

6-1, 195
DOB: Oct. 5, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Mora IK (Sweden)

I’ve liked Brandsegg-Nygård for a while. He plays a strong, complete game and would be a very nice complementary piece for any team in the top half of the draft. He has good size and skates well. This would be a great scenario for the Blackhawks to add him with Celebrini in the first round. Chicago is stockpiling talent right now and he’s a player who could quickly impact their middle-six fowards.

18. Nashville Predators — Sacha Boisvert, C

6-2, 180
DOB: March 27, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Muskegon (USHL)

The Preds are hot right now, making a push for a playoff berth despite moving on from some established players in the offseason in what appeared to be a rebuild. Barry Trotz has long coveted top centers, and this would be a terrific piece for him to land in the late teens.

19. Philadelphia Flyers — Emil Hemming, RW

6-2, 198
DOB: June 27, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: TPS (Liiga — Finland)

The Flyers might sell before the deadline, moving them higher in the draft and lower in the standings. If they’re still in the late teens when the draft happens, they’ll be happy with this season’s result. Hemming has good size and plays a good all-around game. The front office in Philly is trying to build and Hemming would be a good add to their talent pool.

20. Los Angeles Kings — Liam Greentree, RW

6-2, 198
DOB: Jan. 1, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Windsor (OHL)

The Kings have already made a change with their head coach and are desperately trying to right the ship quickly to get back into solid playoff position. Where they draft — read: how their record ends up — will likely impact who makes this selection; if you’ve already fired a coach, the GM is usually the next guy on the hot seat. Greentee is a nice forward with good size and the Kings have historically liked guys with good size.

21. Detroit Red Wings — Aron Kiviharju, D

5-10, 165
DOB: Jan. 25, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: HIFK (Liiga – Finland)

This is a fascinating prospect for me heading into the draft. He’s considered a very good defenseman and ranked higher than coming off the board at 21, but he doesn’t have the size of some other blue line prospects in this class. If size is a factor in a slide, the Red Wings would probably be thrilled to get him here. The way Detroit is playing now, they might be lower in the draft in June.

22. Vegas Golden Knights — Beckett Sennecke, RW

6-2, 181
DOB: Jan. 28, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Oshawa (OHL)

The Golden Knights have plenty of injury issues with an older roster, and they’re sliding the wrong direction in the standings. At some point, they need to start replenishing their NHL roster with young players. They’ve always liked size, so Sennecke makes sense.

23. Edmonton Oilers —  Charlie Elick, D

6-3, 200
DOB: Jan. 17, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Brandon (WHL)

The Oilers need to add defensive depth to their system, and get some guys who can start filling the gaps affordably in the next couple years. Elick is a big right-shot defenseman who would help their system. The way the Oilers are playing, they might be later than 23 overall when the dust settles in June.

24. Toronto Maple Leafs — Henry Mews, D

6-0, 185
DOB: March 9, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Ottawa (OHL)

The Leafs added a rental defenseman this week via trade, but they need to have some cost-controlled defenseman to help stabilize their back end for the longer term. Mews might be a bit of a reach here, but the Leafs’ priority should be adding depth to their blue line for the future.

25. Colorado Avalanche — Michael Hage, C

6-1, 190
DOB: April 14, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Chicago Steel (USHL)

Hage, a Michigan commit, would be an ideal player if he’s available when Colorado is on the clock. They’ve been searching for a middle-six center — second-line, specifically — and Hage could easily be that guy in a couple years.

26. Carolina Hurricanes — Tanner Howe, LW

5-10, 182
DOB: Nov. 28, 2005
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Regina (WHL)

If you ask Carolina fans about their needs, they’ll beg you for scoring. And the Canes have some tough financial decisions to make this coming summer. Howe is another prospect whose ability might say he should come off the board higher than 26, but his size might be a reason to see a slip.

27. Dallas Stars — Ryder Ritchie, RW

6-0, 174
DOB: Aug. 3, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Prince Albert (WHL)

Dallas’ forward group has some aging veterans who will eventually need to be replaced. That’s also true on their blue line, but taking a strong forward like Ritchie here makes a lot of sense for them trying to restock their lineup up front.

28. Calgary Flames (from VAN) — Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D

6-0, 176
DOB: April 10, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Vaxjo (Sweden)

The Flames got this pick in the trade that sent Elias Lindholm to Vancouver just before the All-Star Game. I’ve got the Flames going with Tij Iginla earlier in the first round, so they’ll look to the blue line here. This would be a very nice pick for Calgary at this point in the first round. This is a player with decent size and good ability who could be a second-pair guy in the future.

29. Ottawa Senators (from BOS) — Cole Hutson, D

5-10, 160
DOB: June 28, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: US National Development Program

After going with a sniper earlier in the round in Eiserman, the Sens add more defense here but in the form of a really good, offensively productive defenseman. Hutson has put up numbers everywhere he’s been. Ottawa has a lot of needs and could go anywhere with this pick, but I like the idea of a power play quarterback for the future.

30. New York Rangers — Cole Beaudoin, C

6-2, 201
DOB: April 24, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Barrie (OHL)

The Rangers have some really nice pieces on their NHL blue line already and some of them are already locked-up for the long-term. Centers are always a need for NHL teams, and the Rangers might be looking at a need to replace Filip Chytil this summer as he deals with bad concussion issues that ended his 2023-24 season early. Beaudoin is a bigger center who would likely be a good target here for that role.

31. Montreal Canadiens (from WPG) — EJ Emery, D

6-3, 185
DOB: March 30, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: US National Development Program

After the Habs went with a big center in the top ten, they come back here and grab a big right-shot defenseman late in the round. Emery is a strong player who is getting a lot of run in the US Development Program. When you have two picks in the first round and your own is in the top ten, you have lots of holes to fill. Checking a box up front and on the back end makes this a nice pair for Montreal.

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. Philly needs forwards to start matriculating to the NHL sooner than later, and traded away Gauthier earlier this season. Pairing Parascak and Hemming in the first round here gives them two more pieces to hopefully build around with Matvei Michkov whenever he comes over from Russia.