NHL MOCK DRAFT 2024: SHARKS GET MACKLIN CELEBRINI, BLACKHAWKS TAKE IVAN DEMIDOV IN FINAL PROJECTIONS

The waiting for the 2024 NHL Draft class is over — draft week is here. 

In total, 224 selections will be made over the span of two days in Las Vegas. The Sphere is the home for this year's draft, where dreams will be made for a number of teenagers hoping to reach the NHL level. 

It's not official until the call is submitted, but Macklin Celebrini is expected to be the first name taken off the board by the Sharks. The Boston University forward was regarded as the consensus No. 1 pick entering the fall of 2023, and he solidified his status with an exceptional freshman season with the Terriers, culminating in a Hobey Baker honor. 

After that? Well, it's anyone's guess, so we are going to do our best to predict where the rest of the prospects land in the first round. 

Here are the final 2024 NHL Draft projections from The Sporting News.

NHL DRAFT BIG BOARD: Ranking the top 60 prospects for 2024 

NHL Mock Draft 2024

1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA)

The 2024 draft class is fairly wide open after the first overall pick, but the first name that is going to be called first on draft night is Macklin Celebrini. The standout freshman for Boston University excelled in his first year in the NCAA, becoming the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker. Once the Sharks won the draft lottery, the pick was locked in, and the combo of Celebrini and 2023 No. 4 pick Will Smith could be deadly in the Bay Area. 

2. Chicago Blackhawks: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL)

The Blackhawks' outlook is all about building around Connor Bedard, and what better pairing than to give him an elite offensive weapon on the wing like Ivan Demidov? He dominated at the Russian junior level the past two seasons as a crafty playmaker. The winger carries a high motor and is a pain to play against in one-on-one battles due to his immense skill. Demidov would be the perfect linemate for Bedard. 

3. Anaheim Ducks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)

The Ducks have a plethora of young talent in the system, so Anaheim could go either forward or defenseman at No. 3 — but Artyom Levshunov may be too good to pass up. The Belarusian is a phenomenal skater who did it all at Michigan State this season, finishing second on the team in points while playing in all situations for the Spartans. If the Blackhawks pass on the defenseman, taking Levshunov would be a slam dunk for the Ducks. 

4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat (WHL)

Cayden Lindstrom has a lot of the tools that made Adam Fantilli appealing in the 2023 draft. While it may not make a ton of sense for Columbus to take the Medicine Hat center here, the Blue Jackets would set themselves up nicely for the future down the middle. Lindstrom owns a lethal shot and can play on the edge, using his size and strength to muscle defenders off the puck or get in front of the net to cause havoc. Injuries caused a bit of a decline for Lindstrom to end the season, but he projects to be one of the safer picks at forward in this class. 

5. Montreal Canadiens: Zeev Buium, D, Denver (NCAA)

Montreal does not necessarily need another defenseman, but given just how talented the blue-liners are in this draft, Buium should be on their radar. His draft stock just kept getting higher and higher as the season went on. The Denver defenseman handles the puck with ease, he works a blue line better than most his age, and he is dangerous in one-on-one attacks. Buium's skating is a big part of why he's successful, and he'll add a mobile option for Montreal. Imagine opponents dealing with Lane Hutson and Buium on the same blue line?

6. Utah (formerly Arizona Coyotes): Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw (OHL)

Out with Arizona, in with Utah. The newly located NHL club is set to make its first pick in the state, and considering the team has literally zero defensemen signed for this year, the blue line must be addressed. Enter Zayne Parekh. While there is still work to be done defensively, at some point, what Parekh brings offensively has to outweigh his defensive deficiencies. The Saginaw defenseman lit up the OHL this year, showcasing an elite ability to create with the puck on his stick. He plays with aggression and confidence, and any team that needs offense generated from the back end would love to have a player like Parekh on their team. 

7. Ottawa Senators: Anton Silayev, D, Novgorod (KHL)

Every team needs a premier shutdown defenseman who can be deployed on a top pairing — and teams simply do not find players of Silayev's size at his age. At 6-7, he's a monster on the ice, and he spent the entirety of the season playing in the KHL. He skates incredibly well for a defenseman his size and handles the puck well, but there isn't much that suggests he'll provide a ton of offensive output in the NHL. His stock has taken a hit in recent months, which is why the Senators would be smart to nab him if available at No. 13. 

8. Seattle Kraken: Sam Dickinson, D, London (OHL)

Sam Dickinson stood out on a deep London team this year and last, mostly due to his skating. The defenseman uses his legs to be effective both offensively and defensively, and he also has a booming slap shot to pair. His defensive work is levels above the rest of prospects at his age, as he's positionally sound in his own zone and uses an active stick to break up plays. Dickinson is as well-rounded of a defenseman as you can ask for in a prospect, and the Kraken can add to their young defensive core by taking Dickinson. 

9. Calgary Flames: Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna (WHL)

It's destiny, right? The Flames taking the son of the former captain to start the Iginla era 2.0? Tij, the son of Jarome, catapulted up the draft rankings thanks to a breakout season with Kelowna. He is a superb skater with standout puck skills that make him dangerous in transition. Iginla never shies away from getting in on the forecheck, and his snap shot has developed into arguably his best weapon. If he's still on the board at No. 9, how could Calgary not take him?

10. New Jersey Devils: Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit (Liiga)

Konsta Helenius is undoubtedly one of the smartest players in the 2024 draft class. The Finnish center creates a ton of offense for himself and his teammates thanks to his elite passing ability and awareness in all zones. He isn't the most dynamic center, but he plays an intelligent two-way game. The Devils are overflowing with young defensemen, so taking the best forward on the board would be smart. That would be Helenius here. 

11. San Jose Sharks (from Buffalo Sabres): Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary (WHL)

Carter Yakemchuk showed this season the ability to do things better than almost everyone else at his position. He can score goals aplenty as a defenseman, and he also takes a ton of penalties. Yakemchuk's shot is without a doubt his best weapon, but he also can dance around defenders with ease. After landing Celebrini at No. 1, a defenseman makes sense next, and Yakemchuk would be the best still on the board. 

12. Philadelphia Flyers: Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL)

Berkly Catton is a weapon with the puck on his stick. He can toy with defenders, baiting them to get in close before either using his edge work to cut around them or his playmaking ability to pass it off to a teammate. He was fourth in the WHL in scoring, showcasing a balanced ability to make an impact on offense. The Flyers need a future franchise center after losing Cutter Gauthier. He may not have as much upside, but Catton projects well for the pro level.  

13. Minnesota Wild: Cole Eiserman, LW, USA U18 (NTDP)

There is no better scorer in this draft class than Cole Eiserman. There's a chance he is the best pure goal-scorer ever produced by the U.S. NTDP — an organization that has churned out Jack Hughes and Cole Caufield. The problem with Eiserman is the rest of his game. Outside of scoring, there is work to be done in all areas. It's a risky move, but if it lands, Eiserman will put butts in seats in Minnesota. 

14. Buffalo Sabres (from Pittsburgh Penguins via San Jose Sharks): Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa (OHL)

Beckett Sennecke is a bigger winger who possesses a ton of skill. He brings a really smart game to the ice, which helps him create offense with his teammates. He loves to go at defenders one-on-one, which likely needs to be toned down for the pros  — and his defense/backchecking needs improvement — but his talent with the puck makes him stand out. The Sabres have gone with smaller forwards in recent drafts and could add size in Sennecke.

15. Detroit Red Wings: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (HockeyAllsvenskan)

The hockey world has never seen a Norwegian prospect as talented as Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. The right winger is incredibly well-rounded with few holes in his game. He does a lot of things well, including scoring from range and handling the puck. While he may not possess that one elite-level skill, there is so much to like about Brandsegg-Nygard's all-around game. The Red Wings love taking Europeans and land another in Brandsegg-Nygaard.  

16. St. Louis Blues: Adam Jiricek, D, Plzen (Czech Extraliga)

The younger brother of Blue Jackets prospect David Jiricek, Adam Jiricek is right-shot defenseman with strong skating that makes him effective on puck retrievals. As his older brother did in his draft, Jiricek suffered a major injury at the World Juniors, knocking him out of the rest of the season. There is certainly some concern with taking the defenseman given the injury history, but the Blues can take him after missing out on the first wave of top defensemen.

17. Washington Capitals: Michael Hage, C, Chicago (USHL)

Injuries last season hurt Hage's draft stock heading into this season, and an inconsistent 2023-24 with Chicago may not help. However, the tools are there. He's a true center who can make defenses pay with his shot and his passing ability. When Hage is on, he's on, and it's hard for the opposition to contain him thanks to his skating and hands. The Capitals could set themselves up nicely down the middle in the future by taking Hage if he's still at No. 17. 

18. Chicago Blackhawks (from New York Islanders): Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)

Sacha Boisvert may be more of a project, but the tools are there with the Muskegon center. His shot stands out above all of his other skills, but he also has a strong touch with the puck and can get creative when needed. At 6-2, he has the height NHL teams are looking for, but he needs to fill out a bit more if he's going to find success in the pros. The Blackhawks can afford to take a gamble on Boisvert after selecting Demidov at No. 2, banking on him to develop down the line. 

19. Vegas Golden Knights: Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor (OHL)

Liam Greentree may not be fleet of foot, but he's a strong prospect who gets into the gritty areas. The Windsor forward is poised under pressure and makes the right decisions, finding his teammates and escaping tricky situations. He also carries an above-average shot that can finish from mid-range. The Golden Knights greatly lack any prospects, so taking Greentree gives them an immediate boost to the group. 

20. New York Islanders (from Tampa Bay Lightning via Chicago Blackhawks): Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City (USHL)

Trevor Connelly is the most polarizing prospect in this draft class. He excels in transition, as his nifty pair of mitts helps him weave through defenders with grace, and his superb skating gets him to accelerate around his opposition. His offensive ability is dynamic, but Connelly comes with multiple red flags. He would come with controversy, but the Islanders lack prospects, especially ones with high offensive skills. At No. 20, New York could halt his free fall. 

21. Los Angeles Kings: Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)

Igor Chernyshov is a big, well-rounded Russian who excels at puck protection, making him a constant headache in one-on-one situations for defenders. He carries a variety of tools in his arsenal, although there may not be one that stands out among the rest. The winger competes hard and uses his size to his advantage. The Kings could use a high-end winger with size. 

22. Nashville Predators: E.J. Emery, D, USA U18 (NTDP)

Another top defenseman out of the U.S. NTDP, E.J. Emery is a talented blue-liner who is efficient in his own zone. He skates well, which helps when making gaps on the rush and retrieving pucks. There isn't a ton in his offensive game, but Emery knows where his strengths are, and he doesn't shy away too often from those. The Predators' best prospects are at forward, so they could add a solid defense projection in Emery. 

23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Stian Solberg, D, Valerenga (EliteHockey Ligaen)

Stian Solberg shot up draft boards over the past couple of months of the season after injuries hurt his stock last season. If a team is in need of a wrecking ball along the blue line, Solberg is that guy. The blue-liner is known for his physicality, but he also excels on the penalty kill and in his own zone. He is a pain for offenses due to how he plays along the boards. That's exactly what it feels like the Maple Leafs have been chasing every trade deadline, so why not address the issue with a homegrown talent?

24. Colorado Avalanche: Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph (OHL)

Jett Luchanko is a smart player who always finds his way into good spots by reading plays and how they are expected to develop. His skating doesn't necessarily pop, but it can stand out when you watch him individually. He worked his way up draft boards after a strong second year in Guelph. The Avalanche are in need of, well, all kinds of prospects, so adding Luchanko to their system is a win. 

25. Boston Bruins: Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrews's College (Prep Hockey Conference)

When you're 6-6, 214 pounds at the age of 18, you're going to get NHL attention. That's why Dean Letourneau is an intriguing prospect. His size stands out, but he also plays with a ton of finesse — a rare talent for a player of his build. There are some scouts skeptical of the Boston College commit given his competition, but his time in the NCAA should help his development. What better team to see his progression firsthand than the Bruins if they elect to draft Letourneau?

26. Montreal Canadiens (from Winnipeg Jets): Andrew Basha, LW, Medicine Hat, (WHL)

There is no lack of competitiveness when it comes to Andrew Basha's game. He is relentless on the forecheck and in the gritty areas. He has excellent hands, but he doesn't force it when it doesn't need to be. Basha's patience with the puck is also one of his stronger traits. The Canadiens have their scoring set with younger forwards in Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, but Basha would add a different element to the group. 

27: Carolina Hurricanes: Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (Liiga)

Emil Hemming is viewed as one of the safer picks in the draft class. The Finn is a strong, two-way winger with an above-average shot that he has proven he can use at a multitude of angles. His work in his defensive zone never slacks, and he is a threat to win puck battles every time he is in the corner. His ceiling may not be high, which is why he is viewed as a fringe first-rounder, but the Hurricanes have so many high-end prospects that Carolina can afford what may be viewed as a slight reach at No. 27.  

28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver Canucks): Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford (OHL)

Marek Vanacker worked his way up the draft boards after a strong season with Brantford. He's a crafty forward who has quick hands, an accurate shot, and is always a threat on the rush. The offensive upside is enticing, while the defense needs more work, but Vanacker also played all season injured. The Flames could use a prospect like Vanacker in their system. 

29. Dallas Stars: Dominik Badinka, D, Malmo (SHL)

The tape on Dominik Badinka may not jump off the screen, but he has a lot of attributes that teams look for in a defenseman. He has mobility, NHL size, and enough skills to make plays on offense. He defends well in his own zone, bringing a solid two-way game to any lineup. The Stars have such a deep forward group that it would be worth looking at the blue line, and they could take a swing at Badinka. 

30. New York Rangers: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)

Elick is billing out as a future shutdown defenseman in the NHL. The Brandon blue-liner is an exceptional skater, using a smooth and powerful stride to chase down the opposition. He doesn't have a ton of playmaking abilities with the puck, but Elick isn't a liability with it either. The Rangers could use that shutdown style in their system. 

31. Anaheim Ducks (from Edmonton Oilers): Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie (OHL)

Cole Beaudoin is a competitor. He isn't the greatest skater and may not flash immense skill, but the center gets in on the forecheck, constantly winning one-on-one battles for pucks. The Barrie forward doesn't shy away from physical play either. He projects as more of a bottom-six forward, but every team needs those kinds of players. The Ducks have a number of skilled offensive prospects, so Beaudoin adds a differing element to the prospect pool. 

32. Philadelphia Flyers (from Florida Panthers): Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Vaxjo (J20 Nationell)

Leo Sahlin Wallenius is a solid two-way option and one of the smoother skaters in this class. He uses his fluidity to be a one-man breakout, but he can also utilize his feet to get back and close gaps on defense. The Swede has a lot of traits that should translate well to the NHL, as he isn't afraid to jump up in the rush to provide offense. The Flyers can take a bit of a reach here with their second pick and nab the Swede to end the first round. 

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