2024 NHL Mock Draft: Third Edition

Here is the third 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 ?- Sam Dickinson, Defenseman, London (OHL): The new Utah franchise needs an entirely new rebirth and Dickinson is not a bad place to start. 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.

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- Zeev Buium, Defenseman, Denver (NCAA): This would be a great selection for a Kraken team that needs more building blocks on defense. Buium has all the makings of a franchise D-man with his ability to put up points, defend his own end, and log up minutes.

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- Beckett Sennecke, Wing, Oshawa (OHL): The Sabres should go defense here, but they go offense here with Sennecke. He is a powerful player that overwhelms opponents with driving to the net.

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

13. Minnesota Wild- Berkly Catton, Center, Spokane (WHL): The Wild are another team that should go defense, but they opt for offense instead with Catton. He excels in all facets of the game, with no glaring weaknesses whatsoever besides his lack of size.

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- Stian Solberg, Defenseman, Valerenga: The Blues need some more youth all around and Solberg is a fast riser on draft week. Solberg is an old school player that repels opponents and always is around the puck and moves well with it.

17. Washington Capitals- Adam Jiricek, Defenseman, Plzen (Cze.): This pick makes sense for the Capitals, who can use more young defense prospects. He isn't flashy, but his skillset can make him slide into a teams top 4.

18. Chicago Blackhawks (from New York Islanders)- Jett Luchanko, Center, Guelph (OHL): The Blackhawks with their second first rounder go with the forward in Luchanko. He is a very fast player and applies pressure on opponents.

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

21. Los Angeles Kings- Cole Beaudoin, Center, Barrie (OHL): The Kings 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.

22. Nashville Predators- EJ Emery, Defenseman, NTDP (USHL): The Predators here take a super, fast rising defense prospect in Emery, which in this range may not be a reach after all. Emery absorbs and erases opposing rushes with smooth backward strides and a stable, perfect posture.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs- Liam Greentree, Wing, Windsor (OHL): The Leafs need more forwards in their system and Greentree makes sense here. He’s constantly scanning, registering his options and the obstacles that would keep him from getting them the puck.

24. Colorado Avalanche- Sacha Boisvert, Center, Muskegon (USHL): The Avalanche need some young forward depth with upside and Boisvert isn't a bad choice. He is an elite goal scorer and also is a great passer.

25. Ottawa Senators (from Boston Bruins)- Nikita Artamonov, Wing, Torpedo (Rus.): With their second first rounder, the Senators go with the forward in Artamonov. He is a high motor, intelligent winger who can beat you with pace or skill.

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- Igor Chernyshov, Wing, Dynamo Moscow (Rus.): The Hurricanes should go in best available player mode here and Chernyshov is a solid pick. He is great at beating defenders and building up speed below the puck.

28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver Canucks)- Dean Letourneau, Center, St. Andrew’s College (HIGH-ON): This would be an interesting pick for the Flames as they go with an interesting prospect in Letourneau. He is a super physical player with decent skills.

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- Charlie Elick, Defenseman, Brandon (WHL): This would be a solid choice for the Rangers as they can use some more young defenseman. Elick is a physical and proactive player and is a great skater too.

31. Anaheim Ducks (from Edmonton Oilers)- Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford: You'd think the Ducks would go with a forward with their second first if they go defense with their first. Vanacker could have gone higher than this if it weren't for an injury, but he's versatile and is a point producer.

32. Philadelphia Flyers (from Florida Panthers)- Andrew Basha, C/W, Medicine Hat Tigers: With their second first rounder go offense as well with Basha. He’s average sized, but he has a good competitive drive and provides enough upside with his skill and hockey sense that he could be a nice late-first pick.