According to The Hockey News' poll, the San Jose Sharks were voted most likely to win the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery.

According to The Hockey News' poll, the San Jose Sharks were voted most likely to win the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery.

18 out of 32 THN Team Site writers voted San Jose to finish last and have the best odds to win the lotto.

Mike Grier has put Team Teal into rebuild mode. The Athletic's model projects San Jose to have 68.6 points with a 0% chance to make the playoffs.

Although the season will be long for Sharks fans, it may not be all bad. The projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft is supposed to be special.

Canadien centerman Macklin Celebrini is set to play at Boston University this season. With the Chicago Steel of the USHL last season, Celebrini had 86 points (46 goals, 40 assists).

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5wxa727sU8[/embed]

Although born in Vancouver, Celebrini's family moved to San Jose, where he played two seasons with the San Jose Jr. Sharks.

During the 2020-21 season, the forward had 141 points in 50 games at the 14AAA level.

The San Jose Sharks have had a great history of drafting and acquiring centers—for example, Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl, Joe Pavelski, Joe Thronton, and Will Smith.

With Hertl and Couture each on the other side of 30, a center combo of Smith and Celebrini would be insane.

San Jose Sharks players this season don't project well in their point totals. The loss of Erik Karlsson is significant not only because the reigning Norris Trophy winner is gone but his 101 points are also gone.

The San Jose Sharks fans should do everything but look at the team's record this season. The focus should be looking toward the future with Smith, William Eklund, and Quentin Musty. 

With some luck, the Sharks could add another top-flight center, and the future would be much better.