2024 NHL Mock Draft: First-Round Prediction After Stanley Cup Final
Now that the Stanley Cup final is over, the league can now look not too far ahead to the NHL draft. Tony Ferrari predicts the first round with a mock draft.
Congratulations to the Florida Panthers on winning the Stanley Cup. Now that yet another NHL season has come to a close, we can focus on the really important thing: the NHL draft.
We know the order for the 2024 NHL draft, so why not try to make our best guesses at who will go where when the first round comes on June 28?
This is not a ranking of the players. This is my best guess at what could go down on draft night. If you want player analysis and rankings, you can check out The Hockey News’ final rankings in Draft Preview and from Ryan Kennedy and Tony Ferrari online.
Without further ado, let’s take a swing at predicting the unpredictable. I present the final 2024 NHL mock draft before the big day.
1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA)
The Sharks get their guy. The future of the franchise is a little more clear with the addition of their franchise center. Celebrini will look great in teal – at the end of next season after he wins one more Hobey Baker and makes another national title run.
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA-1946 (Rus.)
When you have the chance to pair Connor Bedard with Demidov and replicate the Toews-Kane model that brought them three Cups, you do it. The Hawks successfully keep their cards close to their vest as everyone assumes they snag Artyom Levshunov. The Bedard-Demidov pairing could be one of the most entertaining in the NHL.
3. Anaheim Ducks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)
The Ducks get their rough-and-tumble blueliner to go with their young offensive guys in Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger. They have made it no secret that they value size and physicality in recent years, and Levshunov absolutely fits that mold.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Sam Dickinson, D, London (OHL)
Columbus doesn’t have any glaring need in their pipeline so they can go different ways. With David Jiricek and Denton Mateychuk headlining their blueline group, adding a guy like Dickinson could make a lot of sense. Dickinson is a left shot but showed the ability to play both sides. He could end up being the most well-rounded defender they have and eat a ton of minutes for them down the line.
5. Montreal Canadiens: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat (WHL)
With Nick Suzuki in the first-line center role, Cayden Lindstrom can slot in behind him. He could start on the wing when he gets to the NHL, playing alongside Kirby Dach. Lindstrom brings a power element to the Habs' lineup and some of that high-end upside they need. There could be a world where he unseats Suzuki as the top-line center.
6. Utah Hockey Club: Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna (WHL)
Getting a winger that is sure to be a fan favorite for a new team is a great selection, especially because the development of Iginla’s puck skill and the offensive game have been outstanding this season. He’s a high-energy, high-impact player who is relentless in all facets of the game.
7. Ottawa Senators: Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw (OHL)
The Senators always throw a bit of a wild card out there. While Parekh may go in this range, he is a lot of what they already have. That said, with rumors and rumblings about wanting to revamp the back end, maybe they bring in a new offensive presence who can take over for the likes of Thomas Chabot in the coming years. Parekh has wicked offensive skills, and the upside is enticing.
8. Seattle Kraken: Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (Rus.)
The Kraken have done a great job of building up a solid prospect pool in their short existence, but they seem to lack some of the size on the back end that Silayev undoubtedly has. Silayev would give the Kraken a blueliner to build around, and with three years on his KHL deal, they will be forced to let him develop slowly, which will be needed for co-ordination and skill refinement.
9. Calgary Flames: Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL)
If Catton is still there at No. 9, Calgary should jump all over him as he would immediately become their top prospect and give them a scoring center to build around. Catton would give the Flames' pipeline the raw skill and offensive upside they don’t currently have. They could use a blueliner, but this feels like a no-brainer.
10. New Jersey Devils: Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
The Devils are in a unique position because they seem ready to win now, and a bad season gave them a top-10 pick. Eiserman could be a really nice addition to this lineup in a couple of seasons, bringing a goal-scoring touch after a couple of years in college. The Devils won’t have to rush him, and he can force his way into the NHL lineup. If he gets the shot to play alongside former USA Hockey National Team Development Program star Jack Hughes, he could be in a perfect position to reach his full potential.
11. Buffalo Sabres: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (Swe.)
The Sabres can go just about anywhere in the NHL draft because they have a robust prospect pool. Grabbing Brandsegg-Nygard here would give them a smart, 200-foot player to pair with their high-skill offensive players. He could jump into the lineup and provide some help in the middle six within a couple of years, right as Buffalo is ready to compete.
12. Philadelphia Flyers: Zeev Buium, D, Denver (NCAA)
Philadelphia seems to be doing many good things with its rebuild since Danny Briere took over as GM, and landing Buium would be a killer addition to their pipeline. The two-way defender tore up college offensively while bringing a calm, cool and collected demeanor defensively. He could be one of the building blocks for the future on the back end, along with others, such as 2023 first-rounder Oliver Bonk.
13. Minnesota Wild: Konsta Helenius, C, Tappara (Fin.)
The Wild love to grab players who play good, responsible hockey, and they have had plenty of success over the years with Finns. Helenius plays a lot like former franchise cornerstone Mikko Koivu, and he could replicate him a bit stylistically despite being smaller. Helenius would be a great fit on a Wild team that wouldn’t ask him to play too high up the lineup. Read more at THN.com/Minnesota
14. San Jose Sharks (from PIT): Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa (OHL)
With Celebrini already secured, the Sharks can take a chance with a player who has seen his development spike in the latter portion of the season. Late in the season, Sennecke started to gain the co-ordination we didn’t see early in the year after a growth spurt. This led to a great finish and a really strong playoffs. If he’s there for the Sharks at No. 14, it makes sense to swing.
15. Detroit Red Wings: Teddy Stiga, LW, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
The Red Wings value high-motor players who can impact the game at both ends of the ice. They need high-skill players who can be difference-makers. They get both in Teddy Stiga, who may seem like a bit of an off-the-board pick but has been a late-season riser on draft boards. That's despite being the NTDP’s second-best forward behind James Hagens for the entire season. Stiga has the potential to play up and down the lineup and become a fan favorite in the process.
16. St. Louis Blues: Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor (OHL)
Greentree is a high-end offensive playmaker who keeps goalies honest with a snappy shot. His skating is the one main area of weakness. If he can improve his mobility to even just an average level, his intellect and offensive tools should make him a quality producer at the NHL level who plays with some power and fortitude. He fits the archetype of what the Blues look for in terms of playing through contact and physicality.
17. Washington Capitals: Michael Hage, C, Chicago (USHL)
The Capitals could use a highly productive offensive attacker, and Hage is a true dual-threat forward who can gash a defense. He is always looking to create opportunities by jumping inside and getting to pockets of space with the puck. Hage would be a welcome addition to their growing prospect pool.
18. Chicago Blackhawks (from NYI): Adam Jiricek, D, Plzen (Czech)
If the Hawks already have Demidov in the fold, taking a swing on a player like Jiricek, who was considered one of the top defenders prior to his injury, would make a ton of sense. Jiricek plays a translatable defensive game that blends mobility and physicality while having plenty of offensive potential. There is a legitimate chance he ends up as one of the two or three best blueliners in the NHL draft class.
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary (WHL)
Vegas has built its blueline by piecing together towering, physical defensemen, and Yakemchuk fits into that mold. Yakemchuk would also bring an element of skill that the Knights could use as their current crop of defenders age. He must work on his skating, but he checks a lot of boxes otherwise.
20. New York Islanders (from TBL via CHI): Stian Solberg, D, Valerenga (Norway)
Stian Solberg’s rise has been an interesting one. He played incredibly well for Norway at the men’s World Championship. As teams looked into the defender, they saw him bully opponents and impose his will physically, which is always something NHL teams want. Solberg could be a great value for the Islanders as a surefire NHLer, but the upside remains a pretty big question. How high in the lineup can a pure stopper play?
21. Los Angeles Kings: Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert (WHL)
Adding a smart, complementary player like Ritchie could be exactly what the Kings need. He elevates his game around higher-end talent and puts his best foot forward whenever he plays for Team Canada. Ritchie could be a sneaky good addition to a pipeline that has plenty of skill in it already.
22. Nashville Predators: Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow (Rus.)
The Predators love guys who put in an honest effort every shift and just make things happen. That’s exactly what Chernyshov did in the KHL this year. He isn’t always the flashiest or most skilled player on the ice, but he already plays like a pro.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)
The Maple Leafs’ new brass seem to be looking for players who bring some combination of smarts and size. Boisvert brings both with some impressive upside in the skill department. Boisvert is heading to college next season, and Toronto can afford to be patient with his development, so there won’t be a rush. He should get stronger and quicker on his feet, so if he can find a bit more consistency, he could be a great middle-six piece.
24. Colorado Avalanche: Dominik Badinka, D, Malmo (Swe.)
Badinka can potentially be one of the sneakiest value picks in the NHL draft, and Colorado nabbing him here makes a ton of sense. He is a big, mobile blueliner who is solid in his own zone and has flashed some puck-moving ability in transition at the SHL level already. With some patience, he could be a fixture in their top four, playing a bit of a do-it-all role for them.
25. Boston Bruins: Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrews (CAN-HS)
After this pick made a trip around a few teams via trade, it ends up back in the hands of the Bruins, which originally owned the pick. Letourneau is one of the biggest mysteries in the draft class as a massive center who has shown some solid puck skill and offensive scoring punch. The issue is the 6-foot-7 pivot has been playing Canadian high school hockey at St. Andrews, which isn’t really a hot pipeline to the NHL. Some think he could be the next Tage Thompson, and others worry about his translatability. The Bruins are hoping for the former.
26. Montreal Canadiens (from WPG): Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (Fin.)
The Habs get their center with their first pick, and they get the hard-working, relentless winger with their second. Hemming fits the style of player the Habs seem to love, and he would be an excellent winger for their middle-six with a big shot that could be used on the power play.
27. Carolina Hurricanes: Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph (OHL)
New GM Eric Tulsky is known for being an analytical guy, and Luchanko would fit the mold the Hurricanes are known for. He brings a profile that projects to put up good underlying numbers, and he also brings some impressive two-way ability thanks to a non-stop motor and quick feet. Luchanko would be a great fit here. Read more at THN.com/Carolina.
28. Calgary Flames (from VAN): EJ Emery, D, U.S. NTDP (USHL)
Another team with multiple first-rounders, the Flames get a tough defender who punishes opponents and plays a solid defensive game in Emery. He would become one of their best defensive prospects and give them a true stopper in the system. Emery isn’t a point producer, but he is an offense-killer for the opposing team.
29. Dallas Stars: Alfons Freij, D, Vaxjo Jr. (Swe.)
The Stars always seem to unearth underrated value in the draft, and a player like Freij falling into their lap makes a ton of sense. His offensive game is impressive, thanks to great mobility and an excellent awareness on the ice. Freij’s defensive game has shown improvements as he’s learned to use his stick to poke and tie up opponents, and with some patience, Dallas could have another gem.
30. New York Rangers: Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)
The Rangers snagging Beaudoin late in the first round would give them a solid two-way center who plays a simple, projectable game that would fit much of what they like to do. Beaudoin is a strong, physical power forward who drives the net to crash and bang. Learning under a player like Chris Kreider could be a big win for him.
31. Anaheim (from EDM): Maxim Masse, RW, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
The Ducks are building a big, strong team up front, and Masse would be an interesting addition to the squad. He wins puck battles along the boards, and he has a solid shot, which could make him the perfect complementary player to Leo Carlsson or Mason McTavish down the road. He could wind up being a very solid middle-six banger.
32. Philadelphia Flyers (from FLA): Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
While the Flyers may not quite be the Broad Street Bullies anymore, bringing a little bit of that back certainly won’t hurt. Elick is a physical defender always looking to beat down his opponents. At the NHL level, he will be the defensive presence on a pairing and will likely be looking to ensure the best players from the opposing team leave the rink with a few bruises.
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