2024 NHL Mock Draft: Second Edition

Here is the second edition of my 2024 NHL Mock Draft.

1. San Jose Sharks- Macklin Celebrini, Center, Boston University (NCAA): This is a slam dunk pick for the Sharks, who need a young star to build around for the foreseeable future. Celebrini has the experience of excelling against strong competition so he should fit right in.

2. Chicago Blackhawks- Artyom Levshunov, Defenseman, Michigan State (NCAA): The Blackhawks have plenty of choices of fine defenseman here and they chose Levshunov. He has the NHL size already and he has a great two-way game too.

3. Anaheim Ducks- Anton Silayev, Defenseman, Torpedo (Rus.): The Ducks are still looking for longterm keepers, especially on defense and Silayev is a good start. He has great defensive upside due to his skating and range.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets- Cayden Lindstrom, Center, Medicine Hat (WHL): The Jackets at four go take the center in Lindstrom to go with the rest of their young forward group. Lindstrom is a physical presence who can produce, despite injury questions.

5. Montreal Canadiens- Ivan Demidov, Wing, SKA-St. Petersburg (Rus.): The Canadiens still are lacking many different things as they are still in their rebuild. Demidov is a super explosive player that has the skills to be around for a long time.

6. Utah ?- Zeev Buium, Defenseman, Denver (NCAA): The newest team in town that needs a completely fresh start gets a player that is a pretty safe bet in Buium. He has all the makings of a franchise D-man with his ability to put up points, defend his own end, and log up minutes.

7. Ottawa Senators- Zayne Parekh, Defenseman, Saginaw (OHL):Parekh ís a prototypical offensive defenseman and the Sens can use that type of player in its rebuild. As his defensive play improves, so would his value.

8. Seattle Kraken- Carter Yakemchuk, Defenseman, Calgary (WHL): There are many directions the Kraken can go, and defense makes sense. Yakemchuk is super involved for a d-man with his play in transition and creating chances for teammates.

9. Calgary Flames- Tij Iginla, Center, Kelowna (WHL): Of course the first mock has legendary Flame Jarome's son going to Calgary. Iginla improved big time this past season with his great shot and willingness to go to tough areas with the puck.

10. New Jersey Devils- Konsta Helenius, Center, HIFK (Fin.): The Devils need forward prospects badly and here I have them taking Helenius. He's a very well rounded player with his ability to be ahead in the game and excels defensively.

11. Buffalo Sabres- Sam Dickinson, Defenseman, London (OHL): The Sabres can use some defenseman behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power and here I have them taking Dickinson. Some scouts say he's like an NHL veteran with his defensive play and physicality and his offensive game broke out this past season too.

12. Philadelphia Flyers- Berkly Catton, Center, Spokane (WHL): The Flyers cam pretty close to making the playoffs this past season, but they still need youth. Catton excels in all facets of the game, with no glaring weaknesses whatsoever besides his lack of size.

13. Minnesota Wild- Adam Jiricek, Defenseman, Plzen (Cze.): The Wild are getting older defensively, so it makes to go defense here. Jiricek isn't flashy, but his skillset can make him slide into a teams top 4.

14. San Jose Sharks (from Pittsburgh Penguins)- Cole Eiserman, Wing, U.S. NTDP (USHL): The Sharks get another forward with their second first rounder in Eiserman. His scoring ability is top notch, but his defensive play would keep him out of the top ten.

15. Detroit Red Wings- Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Wing, Mora (Swe.): The Red Wings cam oh so close to breaking their playoff drought and they add to their young collection of talent here with Brandsegg-Nygard. He is a super physical player that excels in the offensive zone too.

16. St. Louis Blues- Beckett Sennecke, Wing, Oshawa (OHL): The Blues can go anywhere here, but some may argue Sennecke here would be solid. Sennecke is a powerful player that overwhelms opponents with driving to the net.

17. Washington Capitals- Michael Hage, Center, Chicago (USHL): The Capitals go with the young American center here with Hage. He excels in the rush and with give-and-go playmaking.

18. Chicago Blackhawks (from New York Islanders)- Liam Greentree, Wing, Windsor (OHL): The Blackhawks with their second first rounder go with the forward in Greentree. He’s constantly scanning, registering his options and the obstacles that would keep him from getting them the puck.

19. Vegas Golden Knights- Trevor Connelly, Wing, Tri-City (USHL): The Knights can go anywhere here, but some may argue Connelly here is somewhat of a reach. Connelly excels with the puck in space and makes good moves when defenders are around.

20. New York Islanders (from Tampa Bay Lightning via Chicago Blackhawks)- Jett Luchanko, Center, Guelph (OHL): The Islanders need more offensive punch in their farm system so Luckanko makes sense. He is a very fast player and applies pressure on opponents.

21. Los Angeles Kings- Sacha Boisvert, Center, Muskegon (USHL): The Kings can go anywhere with their pick and going with Boisvert here makes sense. He is an elite goal scorer and also is a great passer.

22. Nashville Predators- Cole Beaudoin, Center, Barrie (OHL): The Preds here go with the center in Beaudoin. He eats up the boards, grinds them, spins off opponents, drags the puck out of traffic, and gets it to the middle of the ice.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs- Igor Chernyshov, Wing, Dynamo Moscow (Rus.): The Leafs need more forwards in their system and Chernyshov makes sense here. He is great at beating defenders and building up speed below the puck.

24. Colorado Avalanche- Nikita Artamonov, Wing, Torpedo (Rus.): The Avalanche need more offensive weapons with high upside in their system. Artamonov is a high motor, intelligent winger who can beat you with pace or skill.

25. Ottawa Senators (from Boston Bruins)- Terik Parascak, Wing, Prince George (WHL): With their second first rounder, the Sense go offense. Parascak’s a high-end quick-possession player, capable of both setting up plays and finishing them.

26. Montreal Canadiens (from Winnipeg Jets)- Yegor Surin, Center, Loko (Rus.): With their second first, the Habs go with another forward in Surin. He flies around the ice as he does so much at his maximum velocity.

27. Carolina Hurricanes- Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Defenseman, Vaxjo Jr. (SWE-JR): The Hurricanes should go in best available player mode here and Sahlin Wallenius I feel is a reach. He is a good skater with good vision and puck moving skills.

28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver Canucks)- Charlie Elick, Defenseman, Brandon (WHL): The Flames go defense with their second first rounder and Elick is a solid choice. He is a physical and proactive player and is a great skater too.

29. Dallas Stars- Sam O'Reilly, Center, London (OHL): The Stars should go with best available here and they take a good one in O'Reilly. He is a relentless shutdown defensive centre with physicality, details, and a clever quick-touch passing game.

30. New York Rangers- Dean Letourneau, Center, St. Andrew’s College (HIGH-ON): This would be an interesting pick for the Rangers as they go with an interesting prospect in Letourneau. He is a super physical player with decent skills.

31. Anaheim Ducks (from Edmonton Oilers)- Ryder Ritchie, Wing, Prince Albert (WHL): With their second first rounder, the Ducks go offense here with Ritchie. He is both a scoring and playmaking threat that is great with crossovers.

32. Philadelphia Flyers (from Florida Panthers)- EJ Emery, Defenseman, NTDP (USHL): The Flyers go defense with their second first rounder and Emery may be a reach here. Emery absorbs and erases opposing rushes with smooth backward strides and a stable, perfect posture.