2024 NHL Mock Draft

With the NHL Draft less than a week away, Draft Nation takes a look at how we believe the first round will play out. This year’s draft is defenseman heavy, and lacks the U.S. presence we have seen in the past several years.

Note: Picks 31 and 32 are still to be settled in the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals at the time of writing.

1- San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, Center, Boston University

The luck was on the Sharks side as they won the lottery and were able to add a player of Celebrini’s skill level. Though not a Crosby or Bedard, he will instantly become the face of the franchise.

Celebrini is a complete two-way player in the mold of Adam Fantilli who was selected 3rd overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in last year’s draft. He plays with the confidence of a much older player and attacks the offensive zone on each shift. He has the soft hands to finish in close and he dangles and maneuvers around defenders effortlessly, always being a handful to contain. He is creative with the puck and possesses a high offensive IQ. A talented passer who always seems to find the open man, Celebrini will be a weapon on the power play. 

In the defensive end he is relentless and is rarely found out of position. He is not afraid to give up his body and he uses his stick effectively to tie up opponents.

Celebrini is a plus skater, but does not have the elite burst of a Connor Bedard or Connor McDavid. He lacks the sniper ability of other top draft picks and usually scores goals based on his hard work. He needs to grow into his frame and get stronger, which should occur as he continues to mature into his body. He is capable on faceoffs but not great, and could use some work on technique. 

2- Chicago Blackhawks: Ivan Demidov, Right Wing, SKA St.Petersburg (KHL)

The Blackhawks get the future right wing who has the talent to play with Connor Bedard.

Ivan Demidov could easily have the best hands in this draft class. He has the ability to beat defenders one on one with his stick handling and quick change of direction. He is extremely creative and uses different speeds to keep defenders guessing, he can slow down, stutter step or explode to beat them. 

Demidov is very deceptive in the way he uses his shot. He has a quick release and will let a wrist shot go while it looks like he is going to pass to his defensemen. Without the puck, he always keeps his feet moving and will engage in forechecking and has game breaking speed and skills to change the game in an instant. 

Demidov has excellent hockey IQ and once the puck is settled in the offensive zone, he knows where the puck should go. He is a smooth skater who has excellent burst and gets to his max speed quickly.

Ivan Demidov is an electric player who sometimes will try to do too much and needs to improve his defensive awareness. He can be caught floating in no-man's land and at times he will sell out for a big play...i.e. leading to a breakaway opportunity. Like many young prospects, Demidov needs to add strength and muscle to his frame to withstand the day in and day out play of the NHL.

3- Anaheim Ducks: Artyom Levshunov, Defenseman, Michigan State (NCAA)

Anaheim has two first round picks and will use their first one on helping out their weak defensive corp.

Artyom Levshunov is one of the best defensemen in the 2024 rookie class and there are several reasons why. His mobility, transitional game and understanding of two-way hockey is at the top of this class. He has an excellent feel for when to jump into the play in the offensive zone, or to hang back and keep pucks in the zone. His hand-eye coordination at the point is relentless, and he always seems to knock down the puck on possible clearings. He is a smooth skater with an excellent build for his position who has improved each year at penalty killing. His right-handed shot at the point is accurate and hard and he knows when to let it go. He does a good job of maneuvering around forwards who go down early to block his shot. He plays with a physical presence at the blue line and will make you pay if you skate with your head down. He also does an effective job of clearing out players in front of his own net and is not afraid to put a stick or body on opponents to let them know he is there.

At times Levshunov can go out of his way for a big hit and take himself out of position. He can also get too emotionally involved with the hits and what players are saying. He can get away from playing his complete game once somebody rubs him the wrong way, and NHL teams are loaded with players who excel at this. Though he is excellent at skating and moving the puck, he has an aggressive attitude on lead passes and can be the culprit of unnecessary icings. 

4- Columbus Blue Jackets: Anton Silayev, Defenseman, Nizhny (KHL)

The Blue Jackets add a 6-foot-7 defenseman with the potential to shut down opponents.

One word heard to describe Silayev in the scouting circles is "monster". His reach and his ability to cover so much ice is the first thing scouts see on film. He uses his physicality to shut down angles and pin opponents against the boards. Most tall defensemen look sloppy in their skating prowess, but not Silayev. He has exceptional burst and can change directions to keep up with smaller players. When skating and moving it is hard not to notice how agile he is for his size. 

Silayev uses his stick well and redirects passes and shots with ease. His physicality is unquestioned and he loves to put a hit on a forward cutting across the middle. When battling against the boards he is tremendous at using his length and physicality to pry the puck out. He should be on the penalty kill from day one in the NHL.

On the downside, his decision making with the puck can be better. Silayev will rush at times and try to force the puck in tight windows. He needs to trust his skating ability more and look to stick handle the puck out of danger. Silayev needs to translate his 6'7" build into getting more behind his slap shot. His mechanics aren't always clean on his slap shot and he seems to lose power and accuracy. The potential for offense is there. He just needs to work on his transition game and getting his shots through to the net.

5- Montreal Canadiens- Cayden Lindstrom, Center, Medicine Hat (WHL)

The Canadiens add a future top-six center to match up with Nick Suzuki to give the Habs a solid 1-2 punch.

Cayden Lindstrom is an elite skater which is rarely seen by players of his height. At 6’4” he has the speed and playmaking abilities to be a scary center and hard to defend in a 1-on-1 situation. He uses his frame effectively to protect the puck and excels at driving to the net and stirring things up in front of the goaltender. He’s above average on faceoffs and is used in key situations to win big draws for Medicine Hat. 

While skating, his strides are long and smooth and he can get to breakaway speed in a hurry. Smaller defensemen will struggle to guard him. His stick handling helps him to navigate in tight quarters efficiently and his long reach will help him in puck battles and forechecking. He is cognizant of where he needs to be in his own end and doesn’t mind backchecking and playing responsibly. 

On the downside, many scouts think he lacks the hockey IQ of a top 6 center and may project as a bottom 6 player. He feeds off of playmaking wingers and is not a center who drives the play in the offensive end. He has a quick, strong shot but the accuracy at times is not what teams may want to see. He loves going to the net, but has trouble finding the soft spot on the ice to set up for one-timers and wrist shots. 

6- Utah HC: Sam Dickinson, Defenseman, London (OHL)

The Utah franchise makes their first ever pick on a mobile, puck moving defenseman who will slot in nicely in the top two pairing.

Sam Dickinson is a large 6’3” defenseman that logs a ton of minutes while being matched up against the other team’s best players. His combination of size and hockey IQ makes him a force out on the ice, allowing him to be used in every situation, including the power play and shorthanded situations. He is a smooth skater who can skate a puck out of danger with long strides and is never really out of a play. For a man his size he maintains exceptional speed while skating backwards with great crossover ability. 

Dickinson has been able to improve his defensive play at London while teamed up with Oliver Bonk, a first round pick of the Flyers in 2023. Bonk is an offensive defenseman who plays an aggressive style, leaving Dickinson vulnerable as the only d-man back. He has shined in this capacity, understanding when to play the body and when to play the pass. This season he has shown scouts that he just possibly could be the most complete defenseman in this draft. 

On offense he isn’t flashy but knows how to transition with the puck quickly and effectively. On the powerplay, Dickinson has a hard low shot that plays heavy on goalies trying to cover it up. He has the ability to see the whole ice and he makes hard, crisp passes out of the zone. His physicality keeps him on the ice late in games, and he does an excellent job of hitting and moving players in front of his net. Board battles against him are not fun, and he does a good job of using his frame and he never quits on a puck.

Though Dickinson is close to being the perfect two-way defenseman, he still has some problem areas to work on. With his amount of ice time he gets, he has moments where he struggles with giving the puck away. He extends himself too long on some shifts and gets stuck in the defensive end. He shoots a hard, low shot on the powerplay, but will not scare too many defenders wanting to block his shot. If he could improve the power on his wrist shot and slap shot it will help his cause at the point. He will never be a flashy offensive player, but will be reliable for a team on both sides of the blue line.

7- Ottawa Senators: Zayne Parekh, Defenseman, Saginaw (OHL)

The Senators have needs everywhere, but cannot pass on the offensive upside of Zayne Parekh.

Zayne Parekh is a smooth skating offensive defenseman. He understands the offensive side of the rink and plays like a 4th forward. His passes are crisp and he protects the puck well on his backhand. He is tough to contain at the point with his shiftiness.

He has a hard-heavy shot that always seems to find the net. He has elite skating ability and can fluidly change directions when needed. He skates side to side as well as any other defenseman in the draft. 

On the downside, Parekh can be careless with his play and can try to make passes that cause odd-man rushes. At Saginaw he was able to roam freely with the puck and join the offense like he was a 4th forward. He will have to learn to rein in his overall offensive aggressiveness and learn to play in a system. He loses his matchup at times in the defensive zone and struggles defensively to tie up his opponent. Once again he will have to learn how to play with different types of urgency in the defensive end. Parkeh is a smaller framed defenseman who will need to continue to add strength and muscle to his slight build.

8- Seattle Kraken: Carter Yakemchuk, Defenseman, Calgary (WHL)

The Kraken keep the run going on top end defensemen by selecting Yakemchuk.

Carter Yakemchuk is a big, aggressive defenseman that makes his presence known all over the ice. He uses his reach effectively to tie up opponents sticks and uses his frame to box out opponents and take them out of the play. Yakemchuk has a nice blend of instincts, size and confidence that scouts like to see on the backend.

Yakemchuk has a strong, accurate point shot that always seems to find the net. With his slap shot and his ability to protect the blue line, he easily projects as a point man on a team's power play. He has excellent handles for a big defenseman and he can beat his opponents many different ways. He uses the boards to help him when needed and he has the soft hands to dangle and beat an opponent one-on-one at the point. 

On the downside, Yakemchuk is not a fluid skater and at times looks like he is laboring to get back into play. Mechanically his skating looks a bit choppy and he gets bailed out at times by his reach. His decision making can be questioned in certain situations when he gets forced to make quick decisions. Yakemchuk does not always trust his skating ability and will look to move the puck as soon as he gets it in the defensive zone.

9- Calgary Flames: Tij Iginla, Forward, Kelowna (WHL)

The Flames draft a familiar name who will come in and add some of the high character play his father Jarome was known for and add versatility to the forward group.

Tij Iginla possesses a quick release on his shot which generates a lot of power. What makes Iginla unique however is his ability to shoot the puck from any angle, making him dangerous throughout the offensive zone. He has soft hands and moves the puck quickly while keeping his vision on the ice. He is strong on his skates and uses his agility more than pure speed to beat opponents.

Iginla is effective without the puck too, and is always moving his feet and looking for and finding soft spots in the defense. One of the best traits he takes from his father is his high character and work ethic. He busts his butt in the offensive zone and he has the mentality and composure to one day be a captain in the NHL.

Iginla struggles at times to defend the slot as a center and some teams may view him as a future left winger. He cheats at times when he is the breakout option and can put himself out of position if there is a turnover. The defensive letdowns are not from hustle but more of a positional problem that can be fixed,

At times, Iginla can try to do too much with the puck and that leads to carless turnovers. He is not an elite skater and lacks the game changing speed of other prospects. He makes up for his lack of burst by being so strong on his skates.

Iginla has a thin frame and needs to work on adding muscle before entering the NHL. 

10- New Jersey Devils: Zeev Buium, Defenseman, University of Denver (NCAA)

The Devils add a talented defenseman to help out on the back end. They struggled at times last year with injuries to Dougie Hamilton and Buium has the offensive prowess that New Jersey needs.

Buium is a mobile defenseman who moves well and is constantly looking for lanes to drive though. While puck handling he is efficient on the forehand or backhand and does a good job of always keeping his head up. His vision helps him to make plays in traffic and he uses the boards well to make outlet passes. On the power play, he is always moving and creating open space for himself at the point. He has a good, hard one-timer and rarely passes up the opportunity to let a slapshot go. 

In the defensive end, Buium uses his stick effectively when defending the rush, and he uses his skatework to guide the attacker in the direction he wants them to go. His skating and change of direction ability help him to move laterally and he always seems to have his stick in the passing lane. He transitions quickly from defenseman to a puck mover and makes smart outlet passes.

Buium has gone from 5-foot-10, 165 pounds to 6-foot-2, 185 pounds over the past couple of seasons. Physicality has never been a big part of his game and although he uses his stick well, he will need to add some strength and abrasiveness to be able to compete against the boards in the NHL. In battles in front he tends to try and tie up the sticks instead of taking the body, and the stronger forwards in the NHL will take advantage of this style of play. 

11- Buffalo Sabres: Berkly Catton, Center, Spokane (WHL)

The Sabres pick up an elite two-way center who can slot in nicely as a #3 centerman behind Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens.

Berkly Catton sees the whole ice and makes quick plays at an advanced level. He is a superior skater who uses high-end edge work and an explosive first step. As a playmaker he is patient with the puck and reads plays well, and does a good job of moving the puck through traffic. He has the creativity and ability to move through tight-quarters and is a threat to make a play every shift on the ice. He is a hustler who plays a solid two-way game. He has an effective wrist shot with high end accuracy and knows where to skate to find the soft spots in the offensive end.

Catton definitely needs to add weight and muscle to his frame. A lot of scouts consider him an undersized player at 5’11” 164 lbs, and he will need to get bigger to be able to put up with the punishment of the NHL. His lack of size is evident while playing defense and losing one-on-one battles and keeping his stick free. He needs to be less selfish on 2-on-1’s and shoot a bit more and has a habit of trying to make the perfect play instead of taking what the defense is giving him.

12- Philadelphia Flyers: Cole Eiserman, Left Wing, USNDP

The Flyers add a pure goal scorer and a player who could be a top-six forward once he adds some strength.

Eiserman’s shot is sensational. In fact, he has everything a goal scorer in the NHL needs. He has a quick release, gets shots off accurately from at any angle and gets the puck through traffic and on net. His shot is hard and heavy, one that rarely sticks to a goalie but instead generates heavy rebounds. He can beat goalies with a wrist shot or a one-timer on the power play and as a lefty, he looks alot like future Hall of Famer, Alex Ovechkin on the powerplay (but just on the opposite side of the ice). 

His skating ability is near-elite, carrying the puck quickly down the boards, and he plays the game at a high tempo. He has the ability to stop and go without losing speed or momentum and he knows to keep his head on a swivel, looking to make a play. He has a high hockey IQ, and knows how to find soft spots in the defense and the goaltender’s game. 

Eiserman does not play as complete a game as Macklin Celebrini and struggles at times in his own end. He tends to sell out early in hopes of creating offense and is only an average playmaker. He dropped in the eyes of some scouts this past season because of his lack of defense and discipline. He’s more like Hall of Famer Brett Hull, usually looking to find his shot and feeding well off a playmaking center. He is not that big and to withstand the bumps and bruises of the NHL he will have to add some muscle and weight to his frame

13- Minnesota Wild: Konsta Helenius, Center, Jukurit (Finland)

The Wild draft a versatile two-way center who has the makeup of a 2nd or 3rd line center.

Konsta Helenius is a fantastic skater who can use his edges and changes speeds and bursts when he has the puck. He is a versatile player who is consistently moving toward the net and is a tough player to keep track of around the net. Helenius is a creative offensive player who makes precise passes and exploits gaps and weaknesses in opponents to help set up scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Helenius thrives in the defensive zone and is one of the better two-way players coming out in 2024. He is smooth and calculated in the transition game and does a fine job of pushing the puck out of the zone. 

Helenius is a bit undersized for a center but with the way the game has changed, teams may not look the other way on Helenius. He will struggle in the physical aspect of the game in both the offensive and defensive zones. He will not be at the top of the class in skating or shooting skills as his shot is more deceptive than it is hard. And he lacks the elite accuracy of other snipers coming out. 

14. San Jose Sharks (from PIT): Beckett Sennecke, Right Wing, Oshawa (OHL)

The Sharks use their pick they acquired from Pittsburgh in the Erik Karlsson trade to add a big, playmaking right wing to play alongside Celebrini for years.

Beckett Sennecke has the rare mix of size, playmaking ability, skating and soft hands. He is a pest when it comes to forechecking and he does not quit until the puck is in his hands. He can wear down defenders with his skating and size as the game goes on. 

Sennecke has elite hands and can stick handle with the best of them. Many scouts think his playmaking talents will eventually move him to the center position. He is a strong skater who uses his edges to change direction on a dime and help to create. As a right winger he has exceptional creativity and puck handling skills and a knack for finding loose pucks in the slot or around the net. 

Although Sennecke has phenomenal hands and can beat opponents one-on-one, he has a tendency to try this over and over again and at times has tunnel vision on what he is doing with the puck. He looks selfish when carrying the puck and does not look to move the puck to open teammates. 

In the last year he has gone from 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-3 and that added height has caused him to change the way he skates and plays. Many scouts think he is not done growing and he may have to hone in on his mechanics as he gets used to his new frame. He gained 5" in one year but did not put on the proper amount of weight. He will need to add muscle and strength without losing his athleticism.

He is a pest as a forechecker but tends to get complacent on defense and loses his positioning. He struggles in one-on-one battles and gets bullied around at times against the boards.

15- Detroit Red Wings: Liam Greentree, Right Wing, Windsor (OHL)

The Red Wings select a right wing with the ability to finish and also a creative side.

Liam Greentree has a quick release and an accurate and powerful wrist shot that can beat goalies anywhere in the offensive zone. He is able to get shots off in tight quarters and does an effective job of getting pucks through to the net. He also has a strong backhand that he can use in tight and has good accuracy on this shot as well.

Greentree is not just a finisher but also flashes creativity and makes tape to tape passes seamlessly. He is decisive with the puck and does not get flustered when he is pressured. When moving the puck he has strong stick handling skills and uses his size and the boards to help him protect the puck. Greentree has a solid frame and he uses his reach and stick handling ability to keep control of the puck.

On the downside, Greentree is not the fastest skater, especially in straight line speed and can get beat to spots and struggles to get back into play. His change of direction as a skater is lacking smoothness and he will have issues defending mobile defenders at the point.

Greentree, although 6'2", is not very physical and has problems bouncing off of hits. His style of play will have to change to be successful in one-on-one battles in the NHL.There are times that Greentree can be careless with the puck and he tends to try and make no-look or drop passes without understanding his surroundings. This may have to do with the fact that his team was terrible last season and he tried to do too much.

16- St. Louis Blues: Adam Jiricek, Defenseman, Plzen (Czech)

The Blues are happy to be able to acquire a physical and puck moving defenseman at this spot in the draft.

Jiricek is an exceptional skater with the ability to change direction on a dime. He covers a lot of ice with quick strides and edge work, and always seems to be skating with momentum when he transfers his skating to physicality. From shift to shift he is a physical defender on the back end and does not shy away from confrontation. He has the frame to add substantial weight and this will only add to his physical presence. He is efficient at using his body to separate the opponent from the puck and tying them up against the boards. 

In terms of offensive prowess, Jiricek has a good shooting technique and makes it a habit of getting his shots on the net from the point. He understands angles and does a fine job of moving to open up lanes. In transition, he regularly hits teammates in stride with outlet passes, getting the offense in motion. His style of play works well on the shorthanded side and he will benefit special teams at the next level. 

On the downside, Jiricek still plays with a lot of hesitation to his game, and he does not perform as well when he has time. There are moments in the game when he overthinks the situation and misses opportunities with his second guessing. He plays like he is afraid to make mistakes and will need to improve his anticipation and learn to trust his instincts more. He flashes skills one minute but is still very raw and inconsistent and needs to learn to play shift to shift with the same tenacity. His play can be overly conservative and he looks to reverse the puck almost automatically, instead of using his vision to move the puck north and south to forwards. Injuries last season will also cause red flags and teams will want to know he is fully healthy.

17- Washington Capitals: Igor Chernyshov, Left Wing, MHK Dynamo (KHL)

The Capitals have had pretty good luck picking Russian wingers and go after a creative winger from the KHL.

Igor Chernyshov is a big, powerful winger who moves well and is a creative player. When creating, he has a very strong hockey sense and understands how to find space and has a feel for how plays should develop. Many times Chernyshov makes passes to areas before his player is even aware and his vision has a chance to be on the elite side in the pros. Chernyshov is a strong skater who plays the game hard and fast and has a non-stop motor. His power and skating ability helps him succeed in board battles and he excels as a front net presence. He has a frame that many project to grow to around 215-220 pounds, giving him a chance to be a power forward with a ceiling of 30 plus goals a year. 

On the downside, Chernyshov is very raw and will need to polish and learn his skill set. There is not doubt that he has the tools and the ability but he needs to bring everything together. He dominated juniors but there was a lot of uncertainty with the way he played in the KHL. He needs to play more confidently and once he grows into his frame and adds muscle he should be able to produce on a consistent basis.

Physicality will hopefully come with time and more playing time, but for now Chenryshov does not use his size and power to his advantage and plays a lot like a smaller forward. The Russian contract factor is always a red flag as well. He is signed through 2024-2025, so teams will see if he is ready to come over to North America in 2025 or if he will re-sign in the KHL.

18- Chicago Blackhawks (from NYI): Sasha Boisvert, Center, Muskegon (USHL)

The Blackhawks add another talented player to this rebuilding squad. Boisvert has leadership qualities and will be a nice fit to Chicago’s lineup.

Sacha Boisvert gets rave reviews from coaches and scouts who say he is as mature as any other 17-year-old player they have seen in years. His work ethic and leadership qualities are unique for a player of his age and he is willing to do whatever the team needs to help them become successful. Boisvert has a deadly wrist shot and excels at cutting across the slot and shooting the opposite direction. His power and accuracy of his wrist shot should make him a weapon on a team's power play unit. His versatility is also going to win over NHL GM's. He has played on the power play and shorthanded teams at Muskegon and will be a player that a team can use in all game situations.

Sacha Boisvert gets rave reviews from coaches and scouts who say he is as mature as any other 17-year-old player they have seen in years. His work ethic and leadership qualities are unique for a player of his age and he is willing to do whatever the team needs to help them become successful. Boisvert has a deadly wrist shot and excels at cutting across the slot and shooting the opposite direction. His power and accuracy of his wrist shot should make him a weapon on a team's power play unit. His versatility is also going to win over NHL GM's. He has played on the power play and shorthanded teams at Muskegon and will be a player that a team can use in all game situations.

19- Vegas Golden Knights: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Right Wing, Mora IK (Sweden)

Vegas add a right wing with a non-stop motor to their lineup. He should play a big part on the bottom-six in the future for the Golden Knights.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is a smooth skater who has enough speed and reach to beat players when chasing the puck. He uses his frame well when protecting the puck and is excellent in one-on-one battles against the boards. Brandsegg-Nygard plays hard and does not stop battling in all three zones. He is defensively sound and is a high-motor player who is a pest on forechecks. In the defensive zone, he is positionally sound and uses his hockey smarts to be an effective defender who is excellent at starting the transition game. Brandsegg-Nygard has a quick release on his shot and he has proven he can score from several different areas in the offensive zone. In the offensive zone, he does a good job of creating open space and has effective vision that helps him to create. 

On the downside, Brandsegg-Nygard does not play as physically as you would like to see from time to time. Although he isn't afraid to go to the net, he needs to be more abrasive at times and less bullied in front. He wins most of his one-on-battles with stick work but will need to be more physical at the NHL level to be as effective.  

Draft Nation noticed a hesitancy at times when he moves the puck up the ice and when he has room to skate but makes ill-advised passes. Playing against grown men the past couple seasons may have made him a little more gun shy on the transition over a junior player playing against his peers. He has a quick release but the accuracy hasn't always been there. He scores on a lot of rebounds and deflections and once his accuracy improves on wrist shots he will become a more proficient goal scorer. 

20. New York Islanders (via TB from CHI)- Dean Letourneau, Center, St.Andrews (CAHS)

The Islanders draft a 6-foot-7 center who looks and plays like Buffalo’s Tage Thompson.

Dean Letourneau steps on the ice at 6-foot-7 and is an explosive skater. Once he gets 3 strides in, he is impossible to stop and to defend. His shot off the rush is strong and accurate and goalies have trouble making saves coming off the angle he creates with his long reach. Most players his size 6-foot-7 don't possess neither his skating nor playmaking ability and he does a strong job of keeping his eyes up, making long, crisp passes or the soft saucer passes when necessary. 

Letourneau plays a hard worker that plays a 200-foot game. He uses his stick well in the defensive slot to redirect passes and once he scoops the puck up, he has the ability to start a smooth transition through the neutral zone. He plays a physical game and does not shy away from board battles.

On the downside, Letourneau can be sloppy with his stick handling and at times tries to speed up the process and loses the puck. For the most part he's been playing against slower, smaller opponents during his time at the private school and lacks the pure hockey sense of most prospects. His transition against stronger and smarter players may take him sometime to adjust, so his one year in the USHL and then time at Boston College should play a big part in his growth. He is passive at times without the puck and needs to keep his feet moving. 

21. Los Angeles Kings: Emil Hemming, Right Wing, Vaasa (Finland)

The Kings could not pass on Hemming here at #21. He is a prospect who has been all over the board by different scouts. He could be a steal here.

Emil Hemming has a quick trigger and is able to get his shot on net even when defenders are on top of him. He has an excellent one-timer with power and accuracy. On the power play his one-timer has been a weapon and teams have used him at the point even though he isn't a defenseman. His skating ability is extraordinary and he can reach full speed instantly using powerful strides. He is very agile and can stop on a dime. Hemming gets around the ice and is impressive in his ability to get in and out of areas using his edge work which makes him tough to defend.

Hemming however has trouble with consistency and there are times during the game he is non-existent. When things go poorly for Hemming he lets it affect his overall play and his work ethic. He is a very confident player, but lets his confidence get the best of him. Hemming will try skating through the defense instead of making the simple and conservative play, which lead to turnovers and odd-man rushes the other way. 

Hemming's lack of work ethic is apparent in the defensive zone where he tends to be looking for the big play and tries to spring up ice before the puck is fully secured. He does not use his frame to help with board battles and does not play a physical brand of hockey.

22. Nashville Predators: Michael Hage, Center, Chicago (USHL)

The Predators select a center who some thought may be off the board by this pick. Hage has a chance to be a quality two-way center in the NHL.

Hage is a dynamic rush attacker, combining inside drives, flashy dekes, and give-and-go playmaking. A crossover burst gets defenders’ feet moving, then he looks for vulnerabilities. He fakes wide, cuts in, and accelerates to the net. When possible, he moves the puck to the middle on reception, draws the defense, and passes wide.

He generates scoring chances with great stick work and he makes plays at a high speed. He has a lot of mobility in his skating and can shift and chance directions in an instant. He sees the whole ice and is very creative in the ways he sets up passes.

On the downside, Hage passes up scoring opportunities to try and make the extra pass. He needs to have more confidence in his shot and improve his accuracy. A lot of his goals are scored from in close and he has not established himself as a threat outside the crease.

He struggles with his defensive detail and can be easily lured out of position. He has a habit of cheating up the ice when the puck changes hands and can be burnt by this. 

23- Toronto Maple Leafs: Charlie Elick, Defenseman, Brandon (WHL)

The Maple Leafs are getting a little thin on the backend in their organization and select a big physical d-man to add some future depth.

Charlie Elick is a big bodied defenseman who plays a physical style. He can push skaters away from the scoring areas and does a solid job of hammering opponents against the boards. He is exceptional at winning puck battles and never shies away from hard contact to make a play.

Elick is efficient at making plays behind the net and moving the puck to safety. He uses his size in front of the net to move players away from his goalie and uses his stick to tie up forwards in the slot. He takes a lot of respect in keeping players out of his crease and will battle through the whistle.

Elick is a quality skater who transitions well from skating backwards and has effective mobility to turn on a dime. His skating is smooth and along with his size and reach keeps him in position more times than not.

Charlie Elick struggles at moving the puck and at times seems lost on what the next move is. He is easily frazzled with the puck on his stick and will ice the puck unnecessarily at times.

Elick has not learned how to use his big body to get off a hard accurate shot and this is a work in progress. His shot is flat at times and easily blocked by opponents. 

Overall his offensive game is very neutral and he plays a very conservative type game. The only time Elick gets aggressive is when he goes out of his way for big hits and can be lost position wise. 

24. Colorado Avalanche: Julius Miettinen, Center, Everett (WHL)

The Avalanche land themselves a large centerman who is not afraid to go to the dirty areas on the ice.

Julius Miettinen is 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds and uses his frame well to win one-on-one battles in the corners and up against the boards. He is imposing when his team dumps and chases and he is not afraid to throw around his body. His size provides him with an advantage while playing in the crease as a solid net front presence who does not shy away from extracurricular activity after the whistle is blown. Miettinen is effective at making touch passes and uses the boards well to set up the transition game. He excels at forechecking and skates well enough to angle puck carriers to the boards, where he battles for the puck. 

Miettnen's shot is not at a pro standard yet and he scores most of his goals on deflections and "garbage" goals. This is an area he can work on as he seems to lack confidence in this wrist shot and a one-timer is almost non-existent from his game. He needs to be willing to shoot first and stop looking to make the perfect pass.

His skating mechanics need to be improved and he struggles with quick change of direction which tends to throw off balance when facing smaller, quicker skaters. He skates well in a straight line but needs to work on using his edgework more and improving his skating flexibility.

25. Ottawa Senators (via BOS from DET): Trevor Connelly, Left Wing, Tri-City (USHL)

The Senators take Trevor Connelly who could have possibly been a top-15 pick if not for a checkered past and some questionable decisions.

Trevor Connelly is the best skater on the ice every night. He has soft hands and can turn mistakes instantly into a breakaway opportunity. His total package of edgework and skating ability would have him in the top end of NHL skaters right now. Connelly uses his speed to cut in and out of the slot and has a very accurate wrist shot while moving at top speed. His skating also makes him hard to contain without the puck and he keeps his wheels moving, looking to find scoring opportunities. His playmaking ability and vision are effective and he changes speeds in the offensive zone making him hard to defend. Teams have to give him space to respect his speed and it opens up the ice for his teammates. 

On the downside, Connelly has a checkered past that many GM's are weary of. He has shown remorse about the first incident and denies making a racial slur, but each team will have to form their own opinion.

On the ice, Connelly uses his speed to cover up some questionable decisions and many hockey evaluators believe his hockey IQ is not the strongest because of this. At times, he gets away with skating around and through opponents, something he won't be able to count on at the NHL level. His defense is spotty and he cheats up ice a lot looking for the big play. 

Being committed to a good hockey school like Providence should be an attractive path for both Connelly and for teams who want to select him. He will need to add bulk on his frame and playing in the NHL at 156 pounds will not be suitable.

26. Montreal Canadiens (via WIN): Terik Perascak, Right Wing, Prince George (WHL)

Montreal adds another WHL star to plug into their revamped lineup. No. 5 pick Cayden Lindstrom and Terik Perascak will be huge additions to the Canadians lineup.

Terik Parascak is an offensive juggernaut who finished 9th in the WHL in scoring last season. His offensive game is at the top of the 2024 class. His shot is hard and accurate and his shot always seems to not just find its way through traffic but to the back of the net. He has soft hands and drives the net with reckless abandon. He is able to stickhandle and dangle through opponents and excels when playing in traffic.

He's an exceptional playmaker, excellent at faking shots and making a tape to tape pass. He plays strong through the neutral zone when carrying the puck and makes effective short passes which lead his team into the offensive end. In the offensive zone, Parascak never stops moving his feet and always seems to be finding ways to get in a prime scoring spot.

As good as Parascak is on offense, he is equally lost on the defensive side. He does not play physical enough to slow down his opponents and looks for home run passes in the defensive end too often, causing unnecessary icings. Surprisingly, for as good as he is offensively, Parascak is not a smooth skater and has a choppy stride which holds him back. It takes him longer to get to full speed than the better skaters in the class.

A lot of scouts have called him too much of a "passenger" and not enough of a "driver". A lot of talent evaluators thought that his numbers were skewed due to his older teammates in the WHL doing most of the dirty work. 

27. Carolina Hurricanes: Ryder Ritchie, Right Wing, Prince Albert (WHL)

This may be a reach, but Ritchie’s upside is too hard to pass up in Carolina.

Ryder Ritchie is a smooth skater who has quick acceleration and can change the pace at a drop of the hat. He is elusive with his footwork, edges and can be very shifty when it is needed. He is also strong at puck handling and does an exceptional job of moving the puck from the defensive zone through the neutral zone. He easily changes pace with the puck and can go from east to west to north to south in a blink of an eye.

Ritchie has a solid wrist shot, which he likes to curl-and-drag to add deceptiveness. He excels at give and go and he is elusive enough to get free and find space in the slot to get off his shot. Just like his father, Ritchie plays at all times with a a high effort and never takes a shift off. Although the young Ritchie is much more talented than his dad was, he still plays with a bottom-6 mentality.

On the downside, Ritchie is not a pure goal scorer and lacks the "sniper" ability of other top prospects. He has done a great job of scoring by deception in the WHL, something that won't be as easy in the NHL.

Ritchie's play is considered selfish by a lot of hockey scouts. He looks to shoot first and does not hesitate to try and dangle and beat defenders, instead of using his teammates. Prince William was terrible the past 2 seasons, and this could be a reason for it. 

Ritchie has had several injuries over the past several seasons, raising some red flags. His draft stock has fallen some, since being considered one of the top prospects at age 16 his play has become inconsistent.

28. Calgary Flames (via VAN): Jett Luchanko, Center, Guelph (OHL)

This is a great pick at #28. Luchanko has huge upside and his non-stop motor and work ethic will be welcomed in Calgary.

Jett Luchanko is a high energy, high-motor player who competes for every puck. He may not be a top end scorer but he will be a fan favorite and a player that a coach can trust to play a complete game. He plays with tenacity and is always in his opponents grill and does not shy away from contact and physicality.

Luchanko's straight line speed is near the top of the 2024 draft prospects. When back checking and forechecking, Luchanko causes havoc and seems to find a way to cause turnovers. Luchanko has NHL level vision that he uses all over the ice. He understands his surroundings and knows where to be positionally. When moving the puck, he uses his vision to hit teammates in stride and throughout his OHL career he has been a dominant force on his team's power play as a playmaker.

Luchanko projects as a bottom-6 forward because of his intensity and hustle, but also because his shot is not as polished as some of the other top end prospects. He looks to pass at times that he should shoot and this is something that can be improved over the next couple of seasons.

With his style of play, Luchanko will need to get bigger and add muscle to sustain a long professional career. His best traits are his intensity and the way he attacks opponents and teams will be leery of him playing this style at 170 lbs or less. One good thing about Luchanko is he has an August birthday and one of the younger prospects coming out. 

29. Dallas Stars: Nikita Artamonov, Left Wing, Nizhny (KHL)

The Stars add a defensive minded forward to an organization full of offensive talent.

Nikita Artamonov is a lot different than most of the other projected 1st round picks. He has a non-stop motor that he uses to be successful at battling for loose pucks and he plays a solid defense. On defense, he's rarely found out of position and is strong at attacking the puck carriers and turning it into a quick exit from his own zone. His full season in the KHL last season taught him the importance of a 200 foot game and he is proficient at making the passes needed to spring his team into offense. 

On the offensive end, he hits his teammates in stride and or accurately delivers his passes to the open man in the slot. He can be a solid 2nd or 3rd line winger with his playmaking abilities.

Artamonov's overall hockey IQ is as high as any other prospect in this class. He does a lot of the dirty work that other prospects shy away from. His non-stop motor makes him a relentless forechecker that should be able to help an NHL team's shorthanded unit with his style of play. 

On the downside, Artamonov does not project offensive numbers like the other top prospects will. He is a solid playmaker but has not proven to be a bonafide finisher. His shot needs to improve in accuracy and power and when he battles so hard at times, he takes himself out of position to set up in the slot and scores most of the goals in the crease. Though he has a non-stop motor, Artamonov's skating is not the strongest. He has decent straight line burst but lacks the elite mobility to make precise cuts and change directions. With his style of play, Artamonov should try and add some bulk and muscle to help with his board battles and the hits he is going to take. 

30. New York Rangers: Andrew Basha, Left Wing, Medicine Hat (WHL)

The Rangers add a quality puck moving left wing at the #30 spot.

Andrew Basha is a hard working forward who excels at moving the puck between zones. He is a quick skater who is effective at going east-west and has the vision to make tape to tape passes. Once he makes the pass he uses his quickness to dart toward the net or to find a soft spot in the defense to set up for a shot. He was used mostly on the checking lines in his first 2 seasons at Medicine Hat and is a strong forechecker who can put lots of pressure on the puck carriers. Basha has soft hands and his stick handling is strong, making him a handful for defenders. 

On the downside, Basha's play can be very inconsistent and he tries do too much with the puck. He uses his speed to maneuver around defenders and that will not translate as easily in the NHL. He loves to dangle and does so too often. His play could be considered selfish at times as he will take on 3 defenders instead of making the smart, conservative pass. His skill set is there to be an offensive talent but he will need to change his approach.

Basha shies away from contact and the physicality of play. When there are board battles he comes in with his stick and does not use his body to help secure the puck. He has the frame to get bigger, and as the case with most prospects he needs to get stronger.

31. Anaheim Ducks (via EDM): Lucas Pettersson, Center, Modo Jr. (Sweden)

The Ducks add a smart hockey player who just needs to get stronger at #31. Pettersson along with #3 pick Artyom Levshunov will help re-shape this franchise.

Lucas Pettersson is a very smart two-way center who can make things happen in both ends of the ice. He is an excellent skater and plays the game with pace. He can change speeds when needed to keep defenders on their heels. When skating into the offensive zone he does an effective job of using his vision to move the puck to teammates.

Pettersson has excellent hand-eye coordination and can score goals several different ways. He has a strong wrist shot and uses his change of pace to keep goalies guessing when and where his shot is coming from. Pettersson is also not afraid to go to the front of the net and does an effective job of getting his stick on shots. 

On the downside, there have been questions about Lucas Pettersson's consistency and at times he gets disinterested. He can be a spectator at times and needs to play more focused. His play can be very passive and he shies away from any post whistle conflicts.

Pettersson needs to add some weight on his frame and maybe his will help him solve his passive play. His offense is still a work in progress and he will project as a bottom-6 forward. For him to be successful in the NHL as a bottom-six forward however, he will need to add physicality to his game.

32. Philadelphia Flyers (via FLA): Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Defenseman, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden)

The Flyers finish up round one by grabbing one of the fastest skaters in the draft. Sahlin Wallenius has the potential to become a first line pairing.

Leo Sahlin Wallenius is one of the fastest straight line skaters in this class. With open ice he can go from end to end puck handling at full speed without turning it over. He is exceptional on the power play at accessing the offensive zone, and controls the speed of the offense at his pace. 

Sahlin Wallenius does a good job of acknowledging when to shoot and what type of shot to create. He has a good wrist shot from the point that finds its way to the net. He understands the shooting lanes and does an effective job of exploiting them. 

Leo Sahlin Wallenius has problems seeing the game at the speed he plays it. His hockey IQ does not keep up with the speed of his game and he makes questionable decisions with passes and with risks he takes as an offensive defenseman. He takes unnecessary risks when cutting to the net and leaves his team vulnerable to odd-man rushes.

His play in the defensive end can be adventurous at times. He plays an area type defense and does not play a physical style of defense. In front of the net, he will need to get stronger and start to body up forwards. He can be bullied in front and does not do an effective job of positioning himself.