NEWSLETTER
On Friday, the Blackhawks and Islanders made a trade involving five picks in the 2024 NHL Draft, including Chicago moving up two spots in the first round. With that trade, we need to update our 2024 NHL Mock Draft!
So let’s get into it. The deal means the Blackhawks now have four picks in the first two rounds instead of five, and the Islanders now have more selections in the second round.
2024 NHL Mock Draft — ROUND ONE
1. San Jose Sharks — Macklin Celebrini, C
6-0, 190
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.
2. Chicago Blackhawks — Ivan Demidov, RW
5-11, 170
DOB: Dec. 10, 2005
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)
We know the Blackhawks will pick at No. 2, and there appears to be consensus that it will be one of two players: Ivan Demidov or Artyom Levshunov. I shared what experts are saying about the two players. It really doesn’t look like the Blackhawks will “lose” taking one over the other here. But I’m sticking with the potential 100-point winger to play with Connor Bedard over the right-handed defenseman. We’re waiting a year for either of them, every indication is that Demidov will come over after one year, and I’ll note again that indications from scouts in recent weeks is that Demidov is bigger than his listed height/weight (he’s reportedly closer to 6-0 and 190).
3. Anaheim Ducks — Artyom Levshunov, RHD
6-2, 200
DOB: Oct. 28, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Michigan State (NCAA — Big Ten)
When the Ducks traded Jamie Drysdale to Philly earlier this season, it opened a spot for a puck moving, right-handed defenseman — which is perfect for Levshunov to fill soon. Add to that how awful the Ducks are defensively and, in a draft that’s very strong on the back end, this pick should absolutely address their needs on the blue line. This feels like a perfect fit. If the Blackhawks go Demidov, this might be as much of a lock as Celebrini going first overall.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets — Zeev Buium, LHD
6-2, 180
DOB: Feb. 7, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: University of Denver (NCAA – NCHC)
This is a big change from my most recent mock draft, but there’s cause for it. This player’s stock is thru the roof right now! Buium, like Celebrini, skated in the Frozen Four; Buium won the championship, however. Buium is a defensively responsible player who also had a great offensive season. Yeah, the Blue Jackets drafted two defensemen in the top 12 overall in 2022, but Buium might be the perfect partner for David Jiricek long-term and they’re loaded with young forwards who are close/in the NHL already.
5. Montreal Canadiens — Cayden Lindstrom, C
6-4, 218
DOB: Feb. 3, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Medicine Hat (WHL)
Lindstrom’s recent rankings still have him as a viable top-five player in this draft, and I believe the Habs will go with the best forward on their board in this draft despite it being loaded with defensive players near the top. I’ve mocked Berkly Catton here recently, but think Lindstrom’s package of 200-foot game and size make him the play here for a team that’s in a big Eastern Conference.
6. Utah TBD — 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 actually makes sense for the new Utah club because the dust is still settling from their move. Defensemen with this size don’t come around often, and he’s a good one. If this organization (name still TBD) wants to bulk up their back end, this is the play.
7. Ottawa Senators — Sam Dickinson, LHD
6-3, 195
DOB: June 7, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: London Knights (OHL)
Ottawa hasn’t taken a defenseman in the first round since they selected Jake Sanderson fifth overall in 2020. Of course they haven’t had a first-round pick since 2021, but they need to be better defensively. Dickinson is a big, strong, solid left-handed defenseman — like Sanderson. Having those two to anchor their top two pairs is a good situation moving forward. This is also an extremely safe pick for a front office that’s got some pressure to improve quickly.
8. Seattle Kraken — Zayne Parekh, RHD
6-0, 181
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? Parehk is an offensive threat with the puck on the blue line and his performance has elevated him into the conversation for even the top five overall. At this point, the Kraken are searching for a new head coach and want to get back into the playoffs soon — but they’re also still trying to stockpile internal assets to build a successful team. This would be a great addition to their blue line and power play.
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 how he’s being ranked, but it also is a feel good story; 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. He’s got a lot of similar attributes on the ice to his father, which Flames fans would love. To me, this pick is between Iginla and Catton and the name on the back of the sweater wins the debate in Calgary’s front office.
10. New Jersey Devils — Berkly Catton, C
5-11, 163
DOB: Jan. 14, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Spokane (WHL)
Catton is a stud and appears to be a lock to go in the top ten overall. But how high will he climb? I absolutely love the idea of Catton joining the dynamic group of young forwards in New Jersey. While he doesn’t have a lot of size — something the Devils need — he has a truckload of skill and that brings another threat to the lineup in New Jersey. He’s the best player on the board here.
11. Buffalo Sabres — Cole Eiserman, LW
6-0, 198
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. Eiserman is one of the biggest enigma’s in this year’s mock draft world, but I think this is his floor.
12. Philadelphia Flyers — Carter Yakemchuk, RHD
6-3, 195
DOB: Sept. 29, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Calgary (WHL)
The Flyers are in a place where they need to add a lot all over their roster (rebuilding) but also have a roster that, for a while this past season, looked like it could sneak into the playoffs. While I do not believe Yakemchuk is in the NHL this coming season, this would be a bigger, stronger replacement for Sean Walker in their lineup when he is ready to make the move up to the top level. The Flyers have a few picks in this draft so best player available is the best course of action, and Yakemchuk is that and fills a need.
13. Minnesota Wild — Konsta Helenius, C/RW
5-11, 176
DOB: May 11, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Jukurit (Liiga — Finland)
There have been some comments out of Finland that Helenius might be the second-most pro-ready prospect in this draft, and could turn pro soon after the draft. Which would be a huge help for a cap-strapped Wild organization that is looking at possibly having to move on from players this summer to make their roster work (again). The Wild need a guy who can play soon, and they get one here.
14. San Jose Sharks (from PIT) — Adam Jiricek, RHD
6-2, 176
DOB: June 28, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: HC Plzeň
The Sharks go defense here after selecting Celebrini first overall. They’re rebuilding, so going best defenseman available here after taking an elite center earlier makes sense. And this is a solid prospect who fits right in this spot in the draft. Jiricek has good size and plays the right side, which are both elements that help the Sharks.
15. Detroit Red Wings — Beckett Sennecke, RW
6-2, 181
DOB: Jan. 28, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Oshawa (OHL)
I’ve had Sennecke in the 18-22 range in most of my mock drafts, but his stock might be climbing faster than anyone in this draft class right now. He 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 — 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 detailed piece on the concerns with social media posts from his past potentially being a huge red flag for NHL clubs. But his offensive ability might be too much for the Blues to pass on here — especially if Sennecke is off the board already.
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, 195
DOB: Oct. 5, 2005
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Mora IK (Sweden)
Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is the kind of prospect who helps the job security of the GM who drafts him. He’s a responsible forward who plays a full, 200-foot game with good size. This feels like the perfect pick for the Blackhawks. I noted in my previous mock draft that it didn’t feel likely that he would slide to the Hawks at 20. Maybe general manager Kyle Davidson didn’t feel confident the guy he wants would slide the way Oliver Moore did so he made an early trade to feel better about his options?
19. Vegas Golden Knights — Sacha Boisvert, C
6-2, 180
DOB: March 27, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Muskegon (USHL)
Vegas hasn’t shown a lot of value for their picks or prospects yet in their franchise history, but that is going to have to change at some point because of the salary cap. Boisvert is a talented center with good size and skates well. Centers are the need for every team, but especially in the Western Conference. This is a good fit for Vegas.
20. New York Islanders (from CHI) — Liam Greentree, RW
6-2, 198
DOB: Jan. 1, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Windsor (OHL)
The Islanders need offense — badly. Their blue line is pretty good, but their lack of scoring depth has been painfully evident in recent seasons. Greentree has good size (something the Islanders love) and has produced 61 goals in 125 games in the OHL over the past two seasons.
21. Los Angeles Kings — 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 had decent size and plays a complete game. The Kings are entering a fascinating summer in which they have said they are not considering a buyout of Pierre-Luc Dubois, but they’re clearly disappointed with the season he had as a center on their roster. Between that reality and Anze Kopitar getting older, adding another responsible center to their mix makes sense here.
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, 200
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, 201
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) — 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. He isn’t the biggest player, and is a wing, so that makes him likely to be available still when we get to this part of the first round. Ottawa needs players.
26. Montreal Canadiens (from WPG) — EJ Emery, RHD
6-3, 185
DOB: March 30, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: USNTDP
I had the Habs going defense here in my previous mock, but I’m flipping the pick to a right-shot. Emery is a big, solid defenseman who is headed to North Dakota this fall.
27. Carolina Hurricanes — Andrew Basha, LW
6-0, 185
DOB: Nov. 8, 2005
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Medicine Hat (WHL)
Carolina has a lot of financial decisions coming: they have ten forwards on their current NHL roster who are UFA or RFA this summer or next summer. And now they have a new general manager to make those decisions. Basha plays with pace, is creative and plays with a chip on his shoulder. He feels like a Rod Brind’Amour kinda player to me. And he’s available here.
28. Calgary Flames (from VAN) — Aron Kiviharju, D
5-10, 165
DOB: Jan. 25, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: HIFK (Liiga – Finland)
I’ve got the rebuilding Flames going with a power forward in Tij Iginla and now a left-handed defenseman who is a great value at this pick. Kiviharju is ranked higher than 26 by most analysts at this point, but his size in a class full of bigger defensemen may cause him to slide a bit. This would be a nice add for the Flames.
29. 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.
30. Philadelphia Flyers (from FLA) — Ryder Ritchie, C/RW
6-0, 174
DOB: Aug. 3, 2006
Shoots: Right
2023-24 Team: Prince Albert (WHL)
There are some rumors the Flyers might be able to get last year’s top pick, Matvei Michkov, out of Russia sooner than expected. If that happens, they’ll want to add some bodies around him who can get to the league relatively quickly. Ritchie plays a strong game and could be a nice complementary piece up front for a Flyers team that went defense earlier in the first round.
31. 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.
32. New York Rangers — Julius Miettinen, C
6-3, 207
DOB: Jan. 20, 2006
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: Everett (WHL)
I’ve had the Rangers taking Luchanko in most of my mock drafts to this point, but it appears his stock is rising and he could be gone in the 20s at this point. But 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.
2024 NHL Mock Draft — ROUND TWO
33. San Jose Sharks — Nikita Artamonov, RW
34. Chicago Blackhawks — Dean Letourneau, C
35. Anaheim Ducks — Adam Jecho, RW
36. Philadelphia Flyers (from CBJ) — Leo Sahlin Wallenuis, LHD
37. Winnipeg Jets (from MTL) — John Mustard, C
38. Utah TBD — Dominik Badinka, RHD
39. Ottawa Senators — Teddy Stiga, LW
40. Seattle Kraken — Maxim Massé, RW
41. Calgary Flames — Tanner Howe, LW
42. San Jose Sharks (from NJ) — Carter George, G
43. Buffalo Sabres — Yegor Surin, RW
44. Pittsburgh Penguins (from PHI) — Matvei Gridin, LW/C
45. Minnesota Wild — Cole Hutson, LHD
46. Pittsburgh Penguins — Henry Mews, RHD
47. Detroit Red Wings — Lucas Pettersson, C
48. St. Louis Blues — Niilopekka Muhonen, LHD
49. Utah TBD (from WSH) — Miguel Marques, RW
50. Chicago Blackhawks (from NYI) — Ben Danford, RHD
51. Philadelphia Flyers (comp) — Jack Berglund, C
52. Washington Capitals (from VGK) — Stian Solberg, LHD
53. Nashville Predators (from TB) — Luke Misa, C
54. New York Islanders (from CHI) — Simon Zether, C
55. Nashville Predators — Linus Eriksson, C
56. St. Louis Blues (from TOR) — Marcus Gidlof, G
57. Montreal Canadiens (from COL) — Christian Humphreys, C
58. Anaheim Ducks (from BOS) — Mikhail Yegorov, G
59. Nashville Predators (from WPG) — Harrison Brunicke, RHD
60. Carolina Hurricanes — Kamil Bednarik, C
61. New York Islanders (from CHI) — Marek Vanacker, LW
62. Edmonton Oilers — Colin Ralph, LHD
63. Utah TBD (from FLA) — Sam O’Reilly, RW
64. Calgary Flames (from DAL) — Adam Kleber, RHD
65. Seattle Kraken (from NYR) — Alfons Freij, LHD
