2024 NHL Draft: First round recap

Macklin Celebrini was selected first overall by the San Jose Sharks last night as expected. After that, however, the draft took a course that very few people saw. The first shock was how Russian winger Ivan Demidov fell from a possible No. 2 or No. 3 pick to getting selected by the Montreal Canadiens at No. 5. 

Anaheim taking right wing Beckett Sennecke was a shock as well. Many thought he was a mid-late first round pick. He will need some time to fill out and at No. 3, and they could have gotten a player more NHL ready.

The No. 6 pick shocked a lot of hockey pundits as well. The Utah HC made their first pick ever and went after center Tij Iginla, who many had pegged going to the Calgary Flames at No. 9.

Some big name defenseman slid down the board as well, led by Anton Silayev, who many had going in the top three or four. Silayev went No. 10 to the New Jersey Devils and Sam Dickinson went No. 11 to the Sharks. The run on defenseman went one more pick as Zeev Buium went No. 12 to Minnesota. All three defenseman were thought to have gone a bit higher than they did. 

The biggest shock though may have come from the Philadelphia Flyers, who traded out of pick No. 12 to move down one spot to select center Jett Luchanko, who Draft Nation had as a late first round pick. With players like Konsta Helenius and Cole Eiserman on the board this was head scratching.

With all those surprises in mind, here is the full 2024 NHL Draft first round recap:

1- San Jose Sharks: C Macklin Celebrini, (NCAA)

When your work ethic and two-way style get compared to Sidney Crosby it is hard to argue what San Jose will be getting. Celebrini will be the face of this franchise for a decade or more and with his skillset and two-way play, he will be a future All-Star.

2- Chicago Blackhawks: D Artyom Levshuonov, (NCAA)

The Blackhawks got their young star center last season with the selection of Connor Bedard. This year they opted to go with a right-handed defenseman who has NHL size to play right now. He projects to be a top line defenseman who is physical and mobile. He has not decided yet if he wants to play one more year at Michigan State or jump to the pros.

3- Anaheim Ducks: RW Beckett Sennecke, (OHL)

This pick was a shock to say the least. Although he projects as a top-six player, players like Ivan Demidov and Cayden Lindstrom were still on the board. He will need to fill out his 6-foot-3 frame and learn to play a less selfish game. A definite reach here at No. 3.

4- Columbus Blue Jackets: C Cayden Lindstrom, (WHL)

Lindstrom gives the Blue Jackets a legitimate one-two punch at center with Lindstrom and Adam Fantilli. He is a power forward who is an elite skater and is not afraid to get to the dirty areas.

5- Montreal Canadiens: RW Ivan Demidov, (RUS)

It is always a good thing when you are at No. 5 and the second best player falls in your lap. Some experts believe that he is a better prospect than Matvei Michkov who went No. 7 to the Flyers last season. He has electric ability and has the potential to be a highlight reel ready to happen. 

6- Utah Hockey Club: C Tij Iginla, (KHL)

Tij Iginla going to Calgary to play where his Hall-of-Fame father Jarome played had all the makings of a fairy tale. But Utah, making their first franchise pick in history had other ideas, taking Tij at No.6. Iginla has the hockey IQ and high character you cannot teach. He will be a fantastic addition to the young core of players in Utah.

7- Ottawa Senators: D Carter Yakemchuk, (WHL)

The 18-year-old scored 30 goals last season in the WHL as a right-handed defenseman. The Senators drafted an offensive defenseman who is still finding his game in the defensive end. He is a top-line defender you can build a defense around. 

8- Seattle Kraken: C Berkly Catton, (WHL)

Berkly Catton is a perfect No. 2 center to play behind Matty Beniers for many years. Catton will need to fill out and get stronger. He is a dynamite two-way player who does a little bit of everything well (face-offs, scoring, checking)

9- Calgary Flames: D Zayne Parekh, (OHL)

The Calgary Flames get the top offensive defenseman in this class. Parekh has been compared to Erik Karlsson for his offensive ability. He will quarterback the Flames powerplay and add an exciting style of skating to their lineup.

10- New Jersey Devils: D Anton Silayev, (RUS)

As one Draft Nation scout calls him a “unicorn” type player. He is 6-foot-7 and has elite skating ability. He will be a physical presence that the Metropolitan division will hate to play against.

11- San Jose Sharks: D Sam Dickinson, (OHL)

The Sharks traded up from No. 14 and selected a defenseman who could be the most complete rearguard in the draft. The Sharks have definitely improved their roster on both offense and defense with their selections of Celebrini and Dickinson.

12- Minnesota Wild: D Zeev Buium, (NCAA)

The Wild were aggressive in moving up one spot to select the last of the upper echelon defenseman in the class. Buium could be NHL ready as early as the end of the college hockey season. 

13- Philadelphia Flyers: C Jett Luchanko, (OHL)

The Flyers traded back one spot and may have stretched a little bit in selecting Luchanko over a player such as Konsta Helenius or Cole Eiserman. Luchanko is an elite skater with a non-stop motor who could be playing with Matvei Michkov in a year or two.

14- Buffalo Sabres: C Konsta Helenius, (FIN)

Other than his size, Helenius is as complete a center as there was in this class. He can play in all three zones and will be a great No. 2 behind Tage Thompson in Buffalo.

15- Detroit Red Wings: RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, (SWE)

Brandsegg-Nygard is the first player ever from Norway to be drafted in the first round. He is a physical player who works relentlessly on the forecheck and is a power forward who has a quick release and can fill the net up. 

16- St. Louis Blues: D Adam Jiricek, (CZREP)

Jiricek has been injury prone over the past couple of seasons and has cut down on his experience, making him a bit raw compared to other players. When he played he had top-four defenseman ability and as a right-handed shot should slide in nicely when he is ready.

17- Washington Capitals: RW Terik Parascak, (WHL)

The Capitals draft a right winger with soft hands and the ability to finish. He has the look of a solid third-line winger.

18- Chicago Blackhawks: C Sacha Boisvert, (USHL)

The Blackhawks are looking to build down the middle, draft the 6-foot-2 Boisvert. He is a versatile power forward who could be a solid No. 2 behind Bedard.

19- Vegas Golden Knights: LW Trevor Connelly, (USHL)

If not for Connelly’s checkered past, he may have gone in the top 10. His ability is unquestionable and if he can keep growing physically and mentally this could be the steal of this draft class.

20- New York Islanders: LW Cole Eiserman, (USA U-18) 

Cole Eiserman can score from anywhere and has the best shooting ability of any player in this class. Although he is not a complete player at this point in his development, Draft Nation absolutely loves this pick for the Isles.

21- Montreal Canadiens: C Michael Hage, Chicago (USHL)

The Canadiens continue their strong draft by selecting Michael Hage. Hage will be playing at the University of Michigan next season, which will only speed up his development. Ivan Demidov and Michael Hage are two big future pieces for the Habs organization.

22- Nashville Predators: C Egor Surin, Yaroslav Jr. (RUS)

Surin is a powerful centerman who projects as a bottom-six player. Nashville will need to be patient with Surin and when he will arrive in North America.

23- Anaheim Ducks: D Stian Solberg, Valarenga (NOR)

Since Brandsegg-Nygard was taken No. 15 by Detroit, Solberg is the second ever Norway player selected in round one. Solberg plays an NHL style of physical defense but will need to improve in the offensive end.

24- Utah Hockey Club: C Cole Beaudoin, Barrie (OHL)

Beaudoin is a player every organization needs. He can play on the penalty kill as well as a team’s powerplay and brings energy to everything he does. He impressed scouts at the combine with his testing.

25- Boston Bruins: C Dean Letourneau, (St. Andrews College)

Letourneau is 6-foot-7 and will bring center depth to the Bruins organization. He dominated smaller players at a prep school level, so questions remain. His next season at Boston College will answer a lot of those questions about competition.

26- Los Angeles Kings: RW Liam Greentree, Windsor (OHL)

Draft Nation thought he would have been off the board in the top 15 picks. The Kings get great value at pick No. 26. Greentree is creative and one of the top snipers in the class.

27- Chicago Blackhawks: LW Marek Vanacker, Brantford (OHL)

The Blackhawks trade back into the first round and make their third selection. Vanacker is a player who never stops skating and is effective on the shorthanded side of things. The Blackhawks add another big piece for their future.

28- Calgary Flames: RW Matvei Gridin, Muskegon (USHL)

The Flames get a Russian who is a strong skater with excellent offensive hockey IQ. He will need to learn the defensive part of things and playing at Michigan next season should speed the process up.

29- Dallas Stars: RW Emil Hemming, TPS (FIN)

Emil Hemming is an elite skater with the ability to shoot from anywhere on the ice. On the downside though, he can be lethargic at times and lacks drive. If the Stars can be patient with his development they may have a steal here at No. 29.

30- New York Rangers: D EJ Emery, (USA U-18)

Emery is a hard worker with the ability to be a shutdown defender. He is committed to the University of North Dakota and will need to work on his overall offensive game. He is one of the rawest prospects in the first round.

31- Toronto Maple Leafs: D Ben Danford, Oshawa (OHL)

The Maple Leafs needed to address their defensive depth in the organization and do so by selecting Danford. Danford is a defensive defenseman who could match up nicely on a first line pairing with an offensive style player.

32- Edmonton Oilers: RW Sam O’Reilly, London (OHL)

The Oilers traded into the first round to select O’Reilly. He brings a strong work ethic and two-way play that the Oilers desired. His overall skating and footwork needs some improvement.