2024 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 1-16

The 2024 NHL Entry Draft is headlined by Boston University center Macklin Celebrini. Macklin Celebrini was the first USHL player to win USHL player of the year and USHL rookie of the year before enrolling into Boston University.

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 28, 2024.

1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University
   
   
   San Jose may trade their team captain Logan Couture once he comes off the injury report despite the fact that Couture has three years left on his current contract. The 6-0 190 lb Macklin Celebrini had 46 goals, 40 assists, and 86 points on the Chicago Steel in 2022-2023. Macklin Celebrini had 32 goals, 32 assists, and 64 points while also winning the 2024 Hobey Baker Award as a true freshman like Adam Fantilli did last year before guiding Boston University to the 2024 Men's Hockey Frozen Four before losing to the eventual champion Denver Pioneers.
   
   
   
   Macklin Celebrini was a five star recruit and would have challenged both Leo Carlsson and Adam Fantilli to go second overall if he were draft eligible, and would have been drafted ahead of San Jose's fourth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft Will Smith if he were draft eligible last year.
   
   
   
   San Jose will have Macklin Celebrini as their first line center, Mikael Granlund had 60 points last year and will be their second line center, Will Smith as their third line center unless he wants to be the first line center on Boston College, and San Jose Sharks team captain Logan Couture will be the fourth line center as he will be eased back into this lineup following a season ending injury after trade rumors about Couture surfaced before the start of the season before he was ruled out for the year. Macklin Celebrini's father Rick Celebrini is the director of sports medicine for the Golden State Warriors while his older brother Aiden Celebrini was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in the exact same spot I mocked Aiden Celebrini.
   
   
   
   Macklin Celebrini is versatile enough to play left winger, center, or right winger in the NHL. I think Macklin Celebrini might be the only player from the 2024 NHL Entry Draft that comes to the NHL right out of the gate which is why winning the 2024 NHL Draft lottery is gonna be huge for the bottom eleven teams in the running to win the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery once the regular season ends.
   
   
   
   Macklin Celebrini has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. I saw Mackin Celebrini in person with my older brother and Andrew pointed out how Macklin Celebrini's goal againt Boston College was impressive by making the shot 30 feet away.
   
   
   
   My player comparison for Macklin Celebrini would be Jack Eichel, another former Boston University Terrier that also won the Hobey Baker. Eichel started out on the Buffalo Sabres before eventually being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights where he was a first line center on the 2023 Stanley Cup Champions.
   
   
   
   I posted a film cut of Boston University center Macklin Celebrini VS Notre Dame. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL)
   
   
   Chicago will have Taylor Hall as their first line left winger, Connor Bedard as their first line center, and Philipp Kurashev as their first line right winger. Phillipp Kurashev is versatile enough to play left winger, center, or right winger meaning it is possible for Kurashev to move to left winger if the Chicago Blackhawks draft a right winger like Ivan Demidov with the second pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   Back in October, I said that San Jose would get Macklin Celebrini and they did. The Chicago Blackhawks could still get a star player that could become a superstar, but not a megastar at 2 here. That player will not be in the NHL until 2025 at the earliest. I believe Anton Silayev may be the second best player in this draft, but with him in the KHL until 2026, I doubt he goes second overall. Ivan Demidov right winger on SKA Saint Petersburg and Artyom Leshunov are the two players that seem to be guarantees to be up in the NHL in 2025. I believe Chicago will want to recreate the Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane tandem and the Blackhawks already got the first piece of their new rebuild under General Manager Kyle Davidson in Connor Bedard. Now they get Bedard a winger that compliments him in Ivan Demidov after Kyle Davidson met with Chicago Blackhawks Director of Scouting Mike Doneghey.
   
   
   
   Ivan Demidov has the floor of a third line right winger was his current role on SKA Saint Petersburg's MHL team as well as the upside to develop into a first line right winger in the NHL if you watch him on film. Ivan Demidov scored 5 goals in one MHL game the week I went to Boston to watch Macklin Celebrini with my older brother. If you can score five goals in one game you can play on the top line of an NHL team.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 168 lb Ivan Demidov had 19 goals, 42 assists, 61 points in 2022-2023. Ivan Demidov had 5 goals, 8 assists, and 13 points in the 2023 MHL Playoffs. Ivan Demidov had 23 goals, 37 assists, and 60 points in 30 MHL games averaging 2 points per game in the MHL in 2023-2024. Ivan Demidov had 11 goals, 17 assists, and 28 points in 17 games in the 2024 MHL Playoffs where Ivan Demidov was MVP of the 2024 MHL Playoffs before a upper body injury ended his season.
   
   
   
   Ivan Demidov has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ivan Demidov has traits that wow you on film, but most of his big plays came in the MHL rather than the VHL or the KHL where he's only played 6 games in the past two years. Unlike Matvei Michkov, Ivan Demidov's KHL contract expires in 2025 meaning Chicago only has to keep him in Russia for one more season after he's drafted before signing him to an entry-level contract.
   
   
   
   Ivan Demidov played 4 KHL games, but produced 0 points in 2023-2024. Ivan Demidov will play on SKA Saint Petersburg in the final year of his KHL contract next season. He will come to the United States in 2025 to play with Connor Bedard.
   
   
   
   The player comparison for Ivan Demidov is Nikita Kucherov. There is a chance Artyom Levshunov goes second, but I don't think he's the best defenseman in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft despite having potential to be a first line defenseman as I like Anton Silayev more on film from what I've seen so far. Ivan Demidov projects as a guy that will have 50 goals and 40 assists in the NHL where as Macklin Celebrini may be the only player that records 50 goals, 50 assists, and 100 points in the NHL in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   Prospect Shift posted a film cut of SKA Saint Petersburg right winger Ivan Demidov VS Mikhailov Academy. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
   
   
   
   
   
   Previous Pick: Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
   
   
   
   
3. Anaheim Ducks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State
   
   
   Anaheim has Cutter Gauthier as their first line left winger, Leo Carlsson as their first line center, and Alex Killorn as their first line right winger. Anaheim has Frank Vatrano as their second line left winger in a contract year, Trevor Zegras as their second line center, and Ryan Strome as their second line right winger. Anaheim has Sam Colangelo as their third line left winger, Mason McTavish as their third line center, and Troy Terry as their third line right winger. Anaheim has Max Jones as their fourth line left winger, Isac Lundstrom as their fourth line center, and Brock McGinn as their fourth line right winger in 2024-2025. Anaheim has a nice group of forwards and I will not be surprised if Anaheim takes a big step next season.
   
   
   
   Anaheim has Cam Fowler their 2010 first round pick and Pavel Mintyukov their 2022 first round pick on the first line of their defense. Olen Zellwegger and Tristan Luneau will be the second line defensemen on the Anaheim Ducks with both of Anaheim's second round picks from the 2021 and 2022 NHL Drafts both have NHL experience and will be on the second line next season. Anaheim has Radko Gudas and Jackson Lacombe their 2019 second round pick on the third line defensive pairing.
   
   
   
   John Gibson will remain the starting goalie with Anaheim while Lukas Dostal will remain the backup goalie. Anaheim also has Calle Clang and Damian Clara their 2023 second round pick on their AHL team the Springfield Gulls.
   
   
   
   Anaheim needs to draft a defenseman that can potentially replace Jackson Lacombe and challenge other guys on this blue line like Olen Zellwegger and Tristan Luneau for minutes starting in 2025-2026. Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov is the only defenseman in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft that will be ready for the NHL by 2025. My guess is Artyom Levshunov starts out on the second line, but ends up getting promoted to the first line when Cam Fowler's contract expires in 2026.
   
   
   
   The 6-2 199 lb Artyom Levshunov had 13 goals, 29 assists, 42 points, and a -15 +/- ratio with the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL as a rookie in 2022-2023. Owen Power only produced 40 points in his draft minus season in the USHL prior to being picked first overall in the 2021 NHL Draft in 2019-2020. Artyom Levshunov was a top 5 defenseman in scoring in the USHL as a rookie. Now he will get a much bigger stage on the Michigan State Spartans playing power house programs in the Big 10 like Minnesota and Michigan when it comes to NCAA Men's College hockey. Artyom Levshunov had 9 goals, 26 assists, and 35 points with Michigan State in 2023-2024.
   
   
   
   Artyom Leshunov has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL.
   
   
   
   He's the third player in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft who could be a first line player in the NHL. My guess is he would start on the second line in 2025 when he arrives in the NHL and then play on the first line the following year. My player comparison for Artyom Levshunov is Brent Burns the first line defenseman on the Carolina Hurricanes.
   
   
   
   I posted a film cut of Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov VS Notre Dame. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
   
   
   
   
   
   Previous Pick: Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
   
   
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
   
   
   Columbus is in a unique spot where they can go for the best available player on their board rather than draft for need. Columbus feels like they are set everywhere, but I'll still break down their line combinations like I did with Anaheim.
   
   
   
   Columbus has Johnny Gaudreau as their first line left winger, Boone Jenner as their first line center, and Kirill Marchenko as their first line right winger. Columbus has Dmitri Voronkov as their second line left winger, Cole Sillinger as their second line center, and Yegor Chinakov as their second line right winger. Columbus has Kent Johnson as their third line left winger, Adam Fantilli, the third pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft as their third line center, and Gavin Brindley, a 2023 second round pick on Michigan as their third line right winger with three former Michigan Wolverines on that Columbus Blue Jackets third line. Columbus has Patrik Laine as their fourth line left winger if he comes back next season after dealing with depression in the NHL's assistance program following his fathers death with Alexander Texier for insurance at left wing, Luca Del Bel Belluz, a 2022 second round pick may end up beating out Sean Kurlay for the fourth line center job after scoring a goal in his NHL debut to end last season as a 2022 second round pick as the fourth line center on Columbus, and there will also be a competition between Justin Danforth and Mathieu Danault for that fourth line right winger job, but I like Danforth to win that competition with both of those right wingers in contract years in 2024-2025.
   
   
   
   Columbus has 11 defenseman under contract next year upon using an RFA on Jake Bean and will have 11 defensemen competing for NHL roster spots if both David Jiricek and Denton Mateychuk the Columbus Blue Jackets two 2022 first round pick get an opportunity. Columbus can only dress six defensemen though, so my thought process is now that Columbus will most likely take the best player on their board at 4 which will likely be a forward. Still, I'll break down the three projected defensive lines for Columbus.
   
   
   
   Columbus has Zach Werenski their 2015 first round pick and Ivan Provorov who they traded for last offseason on the Philadelphia Flyers on the first line of their defense. Damon Severson and Erik Gudbranson will be the second line defensemen on the Columbus Blue Jackets second line. Columbus has Jake Bean as their number five defenseman on the third line if they use an RFA on him and David Jiricek did just as well as Adam Boqvist as the number six defenseman on this third line despite Jiricek getting demoted for Boqvist. Denton Mateychuk will also push both Boqvist and Jiricek for an NHL roster spot. Columbus also has Samuel Knazko a 2020 third round pick, Stanlislav Svozil a 2021 third round pick, and Ole Julian Bjorgvik Holm a 2020 fifth round pick competing with Jiricek, Boqvist, and Mateychuk for that last roster spot on Columbus with six defensemen dressing with five defensemen being predetermined and the other six competing for roster spots. This is a big reason why the Cleveland Monsters, the Columbus Blue Jackets AHL affiliate has seen success and even when guys become UFA's you can just bring guys up that you drafted early and reload when Provorov becomes a 2025 UFA and Gudbranson becomes a 2026 UFA which is probably where Jiricek and Mateychuk enter the picture if neither 2022 first round pick makes the Columbus Blue Jackets top six as a defenseman next season which is why there is no reason to draft a defenseman at 4 if that defenseman cannot reach the NHL until 2026.
   
   
   
   Columbus will have Elvis Merzlikins as their starting goalie and Daniil Tarasov as their backup goalie next season. Tarasov is a 2025 RFA while Merzlikins is under contract until 2027 despite coming off of back-to-back seasons with a save percentage below .900 and a goals against average of above 3.00.
   
   
   
   My favorite player left on the board is Anton Silayev, but I believe Columbus goes for a center at 4 like Cayden Lindstrom or Berkly Catton since either of those guys has an outside shot of being a second or third line center by 2025 if Cole Sillinger or Adam Fantilli doesn't take a leap next season despite having a really good prospect in the NCAA in William Whitelaw.
   
   
   
   One of my friends and twitter followers that is tied to the Medicine Hat Tigers, and no I'm not mentioning their name, told me in confidence they believe Cayden Lindstrom has a chance to be special. Lindstrom has a high compete level and has better size than any player on the Columbus Blue Jackets roster, so he will be the pick at 4.
   
   
   
   The 6-4 216 lb Cayden Lindstrom had 19 goals, 23 assists, and 42 points in 61 games in 2022-2023 doing so well that he got promoted to the first line center role where he will play with Gavin McKenna the favorite to go first overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft. Cayden Lindstrom had 27 goals, 19 assists, and 46 points in 32 WHL games in 2023-2024. Cayden Lindstrom had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points in 4 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Cayden Lindstrom has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the fourth player with the upside to develop into a first line player in the NHL down the road.
   
   
   
   Cayden Lindstrom reminds me of Quinton Byfield the center drafted second overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Like Byfield, Lindstrom is versatile enough to play left winger, center, and right winger. Lindstrom models his game after Dallas Stars first line center Roope Hintz. I believe Lindstrom can develop into a 100 point player in the WHL with Gavin McKenna over the next year or two, and once he does, I won't be surprised if he gets an opportunity to audition for a roster spot on the Columbus Blue Jackets in either 2025 or 2026 when taking into account how deep the Columbus Blue Jackets are everywhere. Cayden Lindstrom could make the NHL in 2025 unlike Anton Silayev, but he's not guaranteed to make the NHL in 2025 either.
   
   
   
   Deep Sea Hockey posted a film cut of Medicine Hat Tigers center Cayden Lindstrom VS the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
   
   
   
   
   
   Previous Pick: Adam Jiricek, D, HC Skoda Plzen (Extraliga)
   
   
   
   
5. Montreal Canadiens: Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
   
   
   Montreal is going to have a really good first line with Juraj Slafkovsky as their first line left winger, Nick Suzuki as their first line center, and Cole Caufield as their first line right winger. All three of those forwards played all 82 games and all three forwards finished this season with 50 points in the regular season.
   
   
   
   Montreal has Brendan Gallagher their second line left winger under contract until 2027, Alex Newhook the second line center is an RFA in 2027 after being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft before being traded to Montreal, and Joel Arima their second line right winger enters a contract year and would be a UFA in 2025. This is probably the biggest reason the Montreal Canadiens are rumored to have Ivan Demidov at the top of their draft board since drafting the Russian right winger would allow Montreal to reload their top six forwards and if Chicago passes on Demidov at 2 for a defenseman, I can see Demidov falling here. I mocked Demidov second, so Montreal will have to explore a different route at 5 even if that means getting another right winger next offseason in a trade or Free Agency.
   
   
   
   Rafael Harvey-Pinard should be back as the third line left winger and is an RFA in 2025. Jake Evans, who also played all 82 games this season enters a contract year as the third line center and will be a UFA in 2025. Josh Anderson Montreal's third line right winger is under contract until 2027.
   
   
   
   Montreal's fourth line left winger Michael Pezzetta enters a contract year next season. Christian Dvorak also enters a contract year as a fourth line center despite Montreal trading for Kirby Dach whose locked in until 2026 before Montreal's 2022 second round pick Owen Beck replaces Dvorak and potentially Dach. Tanner Pearson, Montreal's fourth line right winger is a UFA and I can see Jan Mysak replacing Pearson next season as the fourth line right winger in Montreal.
   
   
   
   Montreal has Kaiden Guhle their 2020 first round pick and Mike Matheson who played all 82 games as their two first line defensemen with Matheson under contract until 2026. Montreal also has David Savard their second line defenseman in a contract year with Montreal's 2021 first round pick Logan Mailloux expected to play with David Savard next year. Montreal will have Justin Barron the Colorado Avalanche's 2020 first round pick that they acquired by trade and Lane Hutson their 2020 second round pick that I had a first round grade on playing on the third line assuming the Canadiens use an RFA tender on Barron. Montreal also has David Reinbacher, a top 5 pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft potentially competing for a roster spot, but he looks like the replacement to David Savard. If David Savard gets moved this offseason or before the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, we could see David Reinbacher take over for him in the second half of next season.
   
   
   
   Montreal has Samuel Montembault who went 16-15-9 in 40 games started with a 3.14 goals against average and a .903 save percentage with Montembault under contract until 2027. Cayden Primeau looked better down the stretch finishing the year 8-9-4 with a 2.99 goals against average and a .910 save percentage providing a spark for the Canadiens at goalie after being a seventh round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The Laval Rocket had three different goalies and were just awful in the AHL, so if neither of these goalies steps up, Montreal may not start Jacob Fowler until 2027. My guess if Fowler plays three years at Boston College, goes to the AHL at the end of 2025 following his junior season, and burns the first year of his entry level in 2026-2027 before the Canadiens promote Fowler to the NHL in 2027 assuming Jacob Fowler dominates in the AHL like he did during his freshman season at Boston College.
   
   
   
   Looking at Montreal's offseason outlook, getting more bodies at forward by drafting the top forward on your draft board seems to be the direction that Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes will go in at 5. Your second line right winger, third line center, fourth line left winger, and fourth line center enter contract years with all of those guys being Free Agents in 2025. Spokane Chiefs first line center Berkly Catton could be the Montreal Canadiens third line center with Kirby Dach as the fourth line center allowing Montreal to reload at center through the NHL Entry Draft while getting stop-gaps at winger in Free Agency when you lose core guys to Free Agency.
   
   
   
   The 5-11 163 lb Berkly Catton had 23 goals, 32 assists, and 55 points in 63 WHL games in 2022-2023. Berkly Catton had 54 goals, 62 assists, and 116 points in 63 WHL games as a first line center on the Spokane Chiefs in 2023-2024. Berkly Catton was a first line center in the 2024 CHL Prospects Game. Berkly Catton had 0 goals, 4 assists, and 4 points in the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Berkly Catton has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the fifth player with potential to be a first line player in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   Prospect Shift posted a film cut of Spokane Chiefs center Berkly Catton VS the Everett Silvertips in the WHL. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
   
   
   
   
   
   Previous Pick: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL)
   
   
6. Utah Hockey Club: Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
   
   
   The Arizona Coyotes are relocating to Utah after Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith bought the Arizona Coyotes and relocated the franchise for the 2024-2025 NHL Season. Utah will not pick a team name until the 2025-2026 NHL Season with the new logo and jersey coming out for another year. The Utah Hockey Club logo for this upcoming season is a place holder.
   
   
   
   Utah has Nick Schmaltz as the first line left winger, Logan Cooley as their first line center who could break out next year, and Clayton Keller as their first line right winger. Utah has Lawson Crouse as their second line left winger, Barrett Hayton as their second line center, and Dylan Guenther as their second line right winger. Utah has Matias Maccelli as the third line left winger, Nick Bjugstad as the third line center who enters a contract year after leading Arizona Coyotes centers in points thanks to Barrett Hayton's injury, and Josh Doan as the third line right winger. Utah has Alex Kerfoot as the fourth line left winger in a contract year, Jack McBain as the fourth line center whose an RFA in 2025, and Michael Carcone the fourth line right winger in a contract year next season. Utah has a good group of forwards. Utah also has 2022 first round pick Connor Geekie the younger brother of Morgan Geekie drafted twelfth overall in 2022, who looks like he could be the eventual replacement ot Nick Bjugstad as Arizona's third line center.
   
   
   
   Utah has excellent stability at forward. There's no identity on Utah at defenseman or goalie. Utah could have an idenity on the blue line by 2026 once Dimitri Simashev and their 2024 first round pick arrive in the NHL, but until then, the Utah franchise formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes remains in a rebuild. Arizona Coyotes 2023 second round pick Michael Hrabal did well in his freshman year at UMass after being the favorite to be the fist goalie drafted in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. I'm looking at 2026-2027 as the year things can come together for Utah assuming their top two defensemen and goalie are all ready for the NHL by then.
   
   
   
   Utah goes with a defenseman at 6. The 2024 NHL Entry Draft is way more top heavy at defenseman than the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Anton Silayev is going to be in the KHL for two more seasons, but he may have a higher ceiling than Artyom Levshunov.
   
   
   
   Utah goes with the best player on the board at 6 and drafts another defenseman to pair with their 2023 first round pick Dimitri Simashev the sixth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft on this blue line. The 6-7 207 lb Anton Silayev had 3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points, 31 blocked shots, and 30 hits, and was KHL rookie of the week twice already early in the 2023-2024 KHL season. He's also a first line player on Topredo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL unlike Ivan Demidov who plays on SKA Saint Petersburg's third line despite being a consensus top three pick due to Demidov's incredible traits on tape.
   
   
   
   Anton Silayev has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's my sixth player in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft with the potential to be a first line player in the NHL if he can hit his ceiling.
   
   
   
   The player comparison for Anton Silayev is Zdeno Chara. His head coach Igor Larionov, a former three time Stanley Cup Champion on the Detroit Red Wings believes his ceiling is higher than Victor Hedman. Anton Silayev was my number two player behind Macklin Celebrini in February, and the only reason he fell to six in this mock draft is because Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, the team Igor Larionov is the head coach of, owns the KHL rights to Anton Silayev for two more seasons before he can come to the NHL. His floor is a number four defenseman on a second line and his ceiling is a number one defenseman on a first line.
   
   
   
   Prospect Shift posted a film cut of Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod defenseman Anton Silayev VS the Spartak Moscow in the KHL. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
   
   
   
   
   
   Previous Pick: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State
   
   
   
   
7. Ottawa Senators: Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
   
   
   Ottawa has Brady Tkachuk as their first line left winger, Tim Stuztle as their first line center, and Drake Batherson as their first line right winger with all three of those top line players locked up until 2027. Ottawa has Mathieu Joseph as their second line left winger until 2026, Josh Norris is the second line center, and Claude Giroux as their second line right winger entering a contract year. Ottawa has Ridly Greig their second 2020 first round pick behind Tim Stuztle as their third line left winger, Shane Pinto, a current RFA, as their third line center, and Parker Kelly, another RFA, as their third line right winger. Ottawa has Boris Katchouk as their fourth line left winger an RFA and Angus Krookshaw their fourth line right winger taking over for Dominik Kubalik if Kubalik leaves in Free Agency.
   
   
   
   Ottawa has Jake Sanderson and Jakob Chychurn on their first line of defense after trading a 2023 first round pick to the Coyotes for Chychrun with Chychrun entering a contract year next season. Ottawa also has Thomas Chabot their 2015 first round pick and Artem Zub on the second line despite Zub getting some first line reps this year. Ottawa has Erik Brannstrom their 2017 first round pick and Travis Hamonic whose in a contract year as their third line defensemen.
   
   
   
   Ottawa has Linus Ullmark and Anton Forsberg as their goalies with Forsberg entering a contract year. Ottawa can draft a defenseman at 7 who may be able to fill one of these holes that Chychurn or Hamonic fills by 2025 when both become UFA's at the earliest and whoever Ottawa drafts at 7 would be able to be a top 4 defenseman on Ottawa at the latest by 2027 when Artem Zub becomes a UFA.
   
   
   
   Ottawa would love to get Cayden Lindstrom or Berkly Catton at 7, but both will most likely be off the board in the top 5 if Columbus and Montreal draft centers in the top 5 like San Jose does. There is an outside possibility Tij Iginla is selected here, but I think Ottawa has a more pressing need on defense and goes for a defenseman at 7. I can see Denver defenseman Zeev Buium, Saginaw Spirit defenseman Zayne Parekh, or London Knights defenseman Sam Dickinson coming off the board here, but I think a lot of it will depend on whether Parekh or Dickinson does enough to wow you in the 2024 CHL Memorial Cup after Buium led Denver to an NCAA Championship in 2023-2024.
   
   
   
   For now, I'm leaning Zayne Parekh because I ultimately feel like Ottawa will go the OHL route here when picking a defenseman at 7 even though I love Buium as a prospect. Zayne Parekh has more experience as a first line defenseman over Sam Dickinson which is why I'm giving him the landslide edge at 7 for now. I may ultimately change this pick following the conclusion of the 2024 CHL Memorial Cup.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 181 lb Zayne Parekh had 21 goals, 16 assists, and 37 points breaking the record for goals by a 16-year old defenseman in 2022-2023. Zayne Parekh had 33 goals, 63 assists, and 96 points in 2023-2024. Zayne Parekh had 2 goals, 9 assists, and 11 points in 13 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Zayne Parekh had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points over the 2024 WHL Champion Moose Jaw Warriors in a 5-4 win during the first game in the round robin of the 2024 Memorial Cup. Zayne Parekh helped the Saginaw Spirit defeat the QMJHL Champion Drummondville Voltigeurs as well in the 2024 Memorial Cup. Zayne Parekh goes to the gym five times a week, has a relentless work ethic, and has two years of experience on the Saginaw Spirit's first line in the OHL. Zayne Parekh had 1 assist in Saginaw's loss to the London Knights in the round robin, but Zayne Parekh helped the Saginaw Spirit defeat the London Knights in championship game of the 2024 Memorial Cup.
   
   
   
   Zayne Parekh has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Zayne Parekh has a chance to be special if he continues to improve because he reminds me of Jason Robertson on the Dallas Stars as a goal scorer, but also reminds me of Adam Fox on the New York Rangers as a defender.
   
   
   
   Prospect Shift posted a film cut of Saginaw Spirit defenseman Zayne Parekh VS the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the OHL. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
   
   
   
   
   
   Previous Pick: Henry Mews, D, Ottawa 67's (OHL)
   
   
8. Seattle Kraken: Zeev Buium, D, Denver
   
   
   Seattle has Andre Burakovsky as their first line left winger, Matty Beniers as their first line center whose an RFA that Seattle will only offer up to $5-million for with around just over $23,000,000 in cap space, and Jordan Eberle as their first line right winger. Seattle has Jaden Schwartz as their second line left winger, Jared McCann as their second line center, and Eeli Tolvanen as their second line right winger whose an RFA who will command around $4,000,000. Seattle has Ty Kartye as their third line left winger, Yanni Gourde as their third line center, and Oliver Bjorkstrand as their third line right winger. Seattle has Kailer Yamamoto as the fourth line left winger taking over for Tomas Tatar, Shane Wright as the fourth line center taking over for Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, and Brandon Tanev as the fourth line right winger.
   
   
   
   Seattle has Vince Dunn and Adam Larsson in a contract year as their first line defensemen. Seattle has Will Borgen, who enters a contract year like Larsson and Jamie Oleksiak, a 2026 Free Agent as their two second line defensemen. Seattle has Brian Dumoulin in a contract year and Ryker Evans their 2021 second round pick as their two third line defensemen.
   
   
   
   Seattle has Phillip Grubauer as their starting goalie and Joey Daccord as their backup goalie. Grubauer is under contract until 2027 while Daccord is under contract until 2025 entering a contract year this season.
   
   
   
   Seattle has three defensive prospects currently in their system. Those three defensemen are Ty Nelson, the former first overall pick in the 2020 OHL Draft, that Seattle took in the third round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Lukas Dragicevic one of Seattle's three 2023 second round picks, and Caden Price a 2023 third round pick. The crazy thing is I had first round grades on all three defensemen despite the fact that the Seattle Kraken drafted all of thsose defensemen outside of the first round. I feel like Seattle will draft a defenseman at 8 this year because the Seattle Kraken have never drafted a first round defenseman under Ron Francis. Every Western Conference Semifinalist had a first round defenseman as Dallas has Miro Heiskanen, Colorado has Cale Makar, Vancouver has Quinn Hughes and Edmonton has Evan Bouchard.
   
   
   
   The Seattle Kraken draft a first line defenseman on the NCAA Champion Denver Pioneers. Zeev Buium makes a ton of sense for the Seattle Kraken at 8.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 183 lb Zeev Buium had 11 goals, 39 assists, 50 points, and a +33 +/- ratio as a true freshman leading Denver to a NCAA Title in 2023-2024. He beat out his older brother Shai Buium for a first line roster spot as the number one defenseman on Denver.
   
   
   
   Zeev Buium has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Zeev Buium might be ready for the Seattle Kraken by 2025 if he leads Denver to a second consecutive NCAA Title.
   
   
   
   I posted a film cut of Denver defenseman Zeev Buium VS Boston College. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
   
   
   
   
   
   Previous Pick: John Whipple, D, USNTDP (USHL)
   
   
   
   
9. Calgary Flames: Tij Iginla, LW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
   
   
   The Calgary Flames have talent, but the Calgary Flames also feel like a team that lacks big time stars everywhere. The Flames two highest paid players are left winger Jonathan Huberdeau who finished the season as Calgary's third line left winger after an 8 year contract extension. Calgary's best player Nazem Kadri had 29 goals, 46 assists, and 75 points as Calgary's first line center after Calgary traded away Elias Lindholm. Lots of players on Calgary told GM Craig Conroy they would not re-sign with Calgary, so Calgary traded Elias Lindholm to Vancouver for a 2024 first round pick, Calgary traded Noah Hanifin one of their two defensemen in contract years to Vegas, and Calgary also traded Chris Tanev to Dallas.
   
   
   
   Calgary is a team like San Jose, Chicago, and Utah that feels like they will be in a rebuild regardless of what they do in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft next season. I feel like Calgary will draft Jarome Iginla's son Tij Iginla with their first pick at 9 in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
   
   
   
   The 6-0 185 lb Tij Iginla is versatile enough to play left winger, center, and right winger. He was drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the first round of the 2021 WHL Draft before being traded to the Kelowna Rockets.
   
   
   
   Tij Iginla had 47 goals, 37 assists, 84 points, and a +17 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Tij Iginla had 9 goals, 6 assists, and 15 points in 11 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
   
   
   
   Tij Iginla has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Calgary would have Tij Iginla and Jonathan Huberdeau as their two left wingers on the top 6 if Tij Iginla goes to Calgary at 9. It's also possible that Tij Iginla moves to center where some NHL scouts project him at the next level or right winger where his father played.
   
   
   
   Briser la glace posted a film cut of Kelowna Rockets left winger Tij Iginla VS the Prince George Cougars in the WHL. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
   
   
   
   
   
   Previous Pick: Aron Kiviharju, D, Helsingfors IFK (SM Liiga)
   
   
10. New Jersey Devils: Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights (OHL)
    
    
    New Jersey gets to keep their 2024 first round pick as long they don't make the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. San Jose's conditional 2024 second round pick becomes a first round pick if the New Jersey Devils happen to make the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. New Jersey missed the playoffs and ended up picking tenth overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. New Jersey also hired Sheldon Keefe, the Toronto Maple Leafs former head coach to replace Lindy Ruff as the New Jersey Devils new head caoch after New Jersey's interim head coach left for a head coaching gig on the Ottawa Senators. I look for New Jersey to turn things around next season.
    
    
    
    Both Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes the two centers that New Jersey drafted first overall in 2017 and 2019 are both capable of being the first line center if one is injured. Nico Hischier, New Jersey's captain is under contract until 2027.
    
    
    
    New Jersey has Timo Meier at left winger, Jack Hughes at center, and Jesper Bratt at right winger on their first line with New Jersey having all three of their first line forwards under contract until 2030. New Jersey has Erik Haula at left winger, Nico Hischier at center, and Dawson Mercer at right winger with all three of those second line player under contract until 2026 with Hischier entering a contract year in 2026 as well. New Jersey has Ondrej Palat a left winger, Curtis Lazar at center in a contract year, and Alexander Holtz at right winger on the third line for the New Jersey Devils with Holtz having the versatility to play both left winger as well as right winger. New Jersey has Nolan Foote as their fourth line left winger, Shane Bowers as their new fourth line center with Michael McLeod set to become a Free Agent, and Nathan Bastian as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    New Jersey will have Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton on the top line of their defense next season if Dougie Hamilton returns from his injury. Simon Nemec and John Marino would most likely play on the second line of this defense after Marino showed he could play on a top line after Dougie Hamilton got injured. New Jersey also has Jonas Siegenthaler as their third line defenseman and number five guy with Callum Foote an RFA as well as the son of Adam Foote as the number six defenseman if you choose to play him on New Jersey temporarily while a defenseman you draft tenth overall develops for a few years. There is an outside possibility whichever defenseman New Jersey drafts at 10 comes up to the NHL by now 2025, or 2026 at the latest. If New Jersey gets a replacement to Bahl in Free Agency it will be on a 1 or 2 year deal while the defenseman they draft at 10 develops.
    
    
    
    Jacob Markstrom is now New Jersey's starting goalie and Jake Allen, a goalie that New Jersey acquired at the trade deadline from the Montreal Canadiens enters next season as the backup goalie. You also have Akira Schmid and Nico Daws as RFA's. One of those two goalies may want a one-way contract to the NHL with the other goalie having to take an AHL deal while also having to mentor Tyler Brennan, New Jersey's 2022 fourth round pick who struggled transitioning from the WHL to the ECHL. Brennan will get another opportunity in the AHL as the backup goalie to either Daws or Schmid in the AHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 195 lb Sam Dickinson had 9 goals, 14 assists, and 23 points in 62 OHL games in 2022-2023. Sam Dickinson had 18 goals, 52 assists, and 70 points in 4 games on the second line of the London Knights blue line with Oliver Bonk in 2023-2024. Sam Dickinson had 4 goals, 9 assists, and 13 points in the 2024 OHL Playoffs as Sam Dickinson was part of the 2024 OHL Champions. Sam Dickinson helped the London Knights record a 4-0 shutout over the 2024 QMJHL Champions in the first round robin game of the 2024 Memorial Cup. Sam Dickinson also helped the London Knights defeat the 2024 WHL Champion Moose Jaw Warriors in the second round robin game in the 2024 Memorial Cup. Sam Dickinson played on the first line with Oliver Bonk on the London Knights in the third round robin game of the 2024 Memorial Cup which allowed the London Knights to clinch a spot in the Championship of the 2024 Memorial Cup. When Saginaw led 3-1 Sam Dickinson had a goal and an assist which helped the London Knights tie this game at 3-3.
    
    
    
    Sam Dickinson is a gym rat who wore the C for Captain at the World Under-17 Chalenge for team Canada. The potential to be a first line defenseman in the NHL is there though.
    
    
    
    Sam Dickinson has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the tenth player that I have graded out as a player with first line potential. With the stability New Jersey has, they can keep him in the OHL until 2026 and possibly bring him up then or bring him up in 2027 when John Marino becomes a Free Agent to replace Marino.
    
    
    
    Prospect Shift posted a film cut of London Knights defenseman Sam Dickinson VS the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL. You can watch that film cut in the clip below.
    
    
    
    
    
    Previous Pick: Christian Humphreys, C, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    
    
11. San Jose Sharks: Cole Eiserman, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    The San Jose Sharks ended up picking at 14 thanks to the Erik Karlsson trade. San Jose gets their first line left winger to pair with Macklin Celebrini and right winger William Eklund if none of the top 5 defensemen in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft fall to 11. San Jose acquired 53 and Jake Walman from Detroit, which gave San Jose the luxury to move 14 and 42 to Buffalo for 11.
    
    
    
    Quentin Musty would be the second line left winger next to Will Smith next year or in 2025 at the very latest with Fabian Zetterlund as the second line right winger giving San Jose a lethal top 6 at forward by 2025-2026 or 2026-2027.
    
    
    
    Cole Eiserman entered the year as the second best player in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but fell all the way to 14. The 6-0 196 lb Cole Eiserman had 25 goals, 9 assists, and 34 points so far in 2023-2024 with the United States Naqtional Team Developmental Program in the USHL. Cole Eiserman also managed to break Cole Caufield's record for most goals scored by a player on the USNTDP Under-18 Team against players his own age. Cole Eiserman will go to Boston University in 2024 and will join the NHL team that drafts him in 2025 or 2026 depending on how much of his weaknesses he cleans up in college.
    
    
    
    Cole Eiserman has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Eiserman had issues fumbling the puck when rewatching his film in 2024 and some scouts questioned the effort he gave, but he could be the tenth first line player in the top eleven. The thing is Cole Eiserman could easily clean up these parts of his game at Boston University before coming to the NHL in 2025. It's also possible that we see both Cole Eiserman and Macklin Celebrini on the same line at Boston University if Macklin Celebrini returns for another year of college next season, but I think we see Macklin Celebrini in the NHL next year.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Oskar Vuollet, C, Skelleftea AIK (Elitserien)
    
    
12. Philadelphia Flyers: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City Storm (USHL)
    
    
    Philadelphia did well enough to avoid a top 5 pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft thanks to the coaching of first year head coach John Tortorella. Philadelphia will pick at 12, but this team has a plethoria of needs.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia has Owen Tippett as their first line left winger, Morgan Frost as their first line center, and Travis Konecny as their first line right winger. Philadelphia has Joel Farabee as their second line left winger, Scott Laughton as their second line center, and Tyson Foerester their 2020 first round pick as a second line right winger. Philadelphia has Noah Cates as a third line left winger, Sean Couturier as a third line center, and Matvei Michkov coming in as a third line right winger. Philadelphia has Garnet Hathaway replacing Cam Atkinson who got bought out as a fourth line left winger in a contract year, Ryan Poehling as a fourth line center, and Bobby Brink as a fourth line right winger whose an RFA.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia has Travis Sanheim and Cam York, their 2014 and 2019 first round picks on their first line of defense. Philadelphia has Jamie Drysdale and Nick Seeler as their second line defensemen. Philadelphia has Ryan Ellis and Rasmus Ristolainen as their third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    Philadelphia has Carter Hart as their starting goalie and Ivan Fedotov as their backup goalie. Philadelphia has a pretty good goalie situation.
    
    
    
    Owen Tippett is more of a right winger than a left winger. Philadelphia drafts a true left winger to be a first line left winger at 12. Both Tri-City Storm left winger Trevor Connelly and USNTDP left winger Cole Eiserman are options for the Philadelphia Flyers at 12. I'm going with the former with Trevor Connelly here at 12.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 161 lb Trevor Connelly is the only left winger in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft with the upside to be a first line left winger in the NHL once he develops. If Cole Eiserman goes off the board at 11, Trevor Connelly may come off the board as early as twelve.
    
    
    
    Trevor Connelly had 24 goals, 23 assists, and 47 points in 57 games in 2022-2023. Trevor Connelly had 31 goals, 47 assists, and 78 points in 52 games as a first line left winger with the Tri-City Storm in 2023-2024.
    
    
    
    Trevor Connelly has the skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. You can develop Connelly as long as you want until he's ready to be a first line left winger in the NHL. Matvei Michkov last years first round pick will take over for Travis Konecny whose a 2026 UFA. Trevor Connelly would start out as Cam Atkinson's replacement, but could eventually be a second line replacement to Joel Farabee by 2029 if Owen Tippett and Matvei Michkov remain on the Philadelphia Flyers first line at winger.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Cole Eiserman, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    
    
13. Minnesota Wild: Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
    
    
    Minnesota has Kirill Kaprizov as their first line left winger, Joel Eriksson-Ek as their first line center, and Matt Boldy as their first line right winger with everyone on this top line under contract until 2026 when Kaprizov becomes a Free Agent. Liam Ohgren, Minnesota's 2022 first round pick is the second line left winger, Marco Rossi, Minnesota's 2020 first round pick is the second line center, and Mats Zuccarello as their second line right winger with all three second line forwards under contract until 2026. Minesota has Marcus Johansson as a third line left winger, Marat Khusnutdinov, Minnesota's 2020 second round pick became a third line center, and Ryan Hartman is Minnesota's third line right winger with Johansson entering a contract year next season. Minnesota has Marcus Foligno as a fourth line left winger, Frederik Gaudreau as a fourth line center, and Minnesota will need a fourth line right winger in Free Agency unless they want to promote Adam Raksa a 2020 seventh round pick that's an RFA as Minnesota has everyone on their fourth line of forwards locked up until 2028.
    
    
    
    Minnesota has Jared Spurgeon their team captain returning from a season ending injury and will also have Brock Faber as their two first line defensemen next season. Jacob Middleton whose in a contract year and Jonas Brodin, Minnesota's 2011 first round pick will play on the second line of Minnesota's defense. Zach Bogosian and Jon Merrill will be the third line defensemen on the Minnesota Wild with Merrill in a contract year.
    
    
    
    Minnesota will have Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson as their two goalies once again next season. Jesper Wallstedt will get one more year to develop on the Iowa Wild after being Minnesota's 2021 first round pick. My guess is Marc-Andre Fleury retires in 2025 and Jesper Wallstedt gets a one-way contract that allows him to start out as the backup goalie in the NHL before getting eased in.
    
    
    
    The Minnesota Wild only have two defensemen in their twenties with Brock Faber and Jacob Middleton whose a UFA after next season. Drafting a defenseman when taking the recovery timeline for team captain Jaocb Spurgeon into consideration makes the most sense for the Minnesota Wild here.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 194 lb Carter Yakemchuk had 19 goals, 28 assists, 47 points, and a -8 +/- ratio in 2022-2023. Carter Yakemchuk had 30 goals, 41 assists, 71 points, and a -6 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Carter Yakemchuk is someone that Minnesota can develop into a future whether its a third line defensemen in 2025, a second line defensemen in 2026, or a first line defensemen in 2027 when Jared Spurgeon's contract is up.
    
    
    
    Carter Yakemchuk has the playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, and offensive awareness to succeed in the NHL Carter Yakemchuk has to develop his defense and skating, but his offense is at such a proficient level that you can gamble on him right now and develop his defense and skating for two more years like Colorado did with Cale Makar back in 2017 before bringing Yakemchuk up to the NHL in 2026.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Konsta Helenius, RW, Mikkelin Jukurit (SM Liiga)
    
    
14. Buffalo Sabres: Konsta Helenius, RW, Mikkelin Jukurit (SM Liiga)
    
    
    Buffalo was my pick to win the Atlantic Division back in the preseason. The Buffalo Sabres ended up being a huge disappointment this year, but still played well enough down the stretch to avoid a top 10 pick. Buffalo still gets their guy at 14 by trading down with San Jose at 11.
    
    
    
    Buffalo has John-Jason Peterka their 2020 second round pick, now known as JJ Peterka as their left winger, Tage Thompson as their center, and Alex Tuch as their right winger on the Buffalo Sabres first line. Buffalo has Zach Benson a 2023 first round pick as their second line left winger, Dylan Cozens a 2019 first round pick as Buffalo's center, and Jack Quinn, Buffalo's 2020 first round pick as a right winger on the Buffalo Sabres second line. Buffalo should have Isak Rosen their second 2021 first round pick on the third line at left winger taking over for Jeff Skinner who Buffalo bought out, Peyton Krebs at center, and Jordan Greenway at right winger on the Buffalo Sabres third line. Buffalo Sabres 2022 first round pick Matthew Savoie should take over for Tyson Jost at center, but with his versatility to play left wing too he could also end up as the fourth line left winger, and Victor Olofsson as the right winger on the Bufalo Sabres fourth line.
    
    
    
    Buffalo has two number one draft picks on their blue line with Rasmus Dahlin the first overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and Owen Power the first overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and both of those guys could be complimenting each other on Buffalo's top line next season. Henri Jokiharju and Bowen Byram are second line defensemen on Buffalo, but sometimes Jokiharju plays on the top line with Dahlin while Power plays on the second line with Byram. Connor Clifton and Jacob Bryson will be third line defensemen on the Buffalo Sabres.
    
    
    
    Buffalo has Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi at goalie. I'm honestly not sure who Buffalo's long-term starter at goalie is despite a promising group of forwards and defensemen. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo's 2017 second round pick at goalie broke out despite Devon Levi being the favorite to start last year after Levi broke out the year before. As long as either of those two goalies step up, a playoff appearance isn't out of the cards next season.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 176 lb Konsta Helenius is versatile enough to play center and right winger. Konsta Helenius had 3 goals, 8 assists, and 11 points in 33 games in SM Liiga in 2022-2023. Konsta Helenius had 14 goals, 22 assists, and 36 points so far in 51 games with Mikkelin Jukurit in SM Liiga 2023-2024.
    
    
    
    Konsta Helenius has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Konsta Helinus began the year as a third line center on Mikkelin Jukurit, but he's been mocked in the top 10 or top 5 based on his tape despite this and even earned a promotion to the second line. I have Buffalo drafting Konsta Helenius as a replacement to third line right winger Jordan Greenway.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (SM Liiga)
    
    
    
    
15. Detroit Red Wings: Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
    
    
    Detroit has Alex Debrincat as their first line left winger, Dylan Larkin as their first line center, and Lucas Raymond whose an RFA as their first line right winger with all three first line players under contract until 2027 with all three players producing 67 points on Detroit's top line. J.T. Compher, Detroit's second line center is the only second line player returning. Robby Fabbri Detroit's third line left winger and Andrew Copp Detroit's third line center are the two third line players returning. Joe Veleno Detroit's fourth line left winger and Michael Rasmussen Detroit's fourth line center are the only two fourth line forwards.
    
    
    
    Detroit has Moritz Seider whose an RFA and Ben Chiarot as their two first line defensemen. Jeff Petry enters a contract year and Simon Edvinsson, one of Detroit's two 2021 first round picks could compliment him as a second line defensemen. Olli Maata and Eemil Vero, Detroit's 2020 thrid round pick are the two third line defensemen on the Detroit Red Wings.
    
    
    
    Detroit has Alex Lyon as their starting goalie and Ville Husso as their backup goalie with their second 2021 first round pick Sebastian Cossa likely being called up in 2025-2026 when both Lyon and Husso are UFA's.
    
    
    
    Detroit loses their second, third, and fourth line right wingers. Taking a right winger here makes the most sense at 15 and there's a lot of good options on the board at right winger here, but I went with Liam Greentree here.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 198 lb Liam Greentree had 25 goals, 20 assists, and 45 points in 61 games as a rookie in 2022-2023. Liam Greentree had 36 goals, 54 assists, and 90 points in 2023-2024.
    
    
    
    Liam Greentree has the playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Liam Greentree is the thirteenth player that has first line potential in the 2024 NHL Draft, but he goes to a team where he can be eased in as a second line right winger on Detroit's top 6.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Tanner Howe, LW, Regina Pats (WHL)
    
    
16. St. Louis Blues: Emil Hemming, RW, TPS (SM Liiga)
    
    
    St. Louis has Zack Bolduc their 2021 first round pick as their first line left winger, Robert Thomas as their first line center, and Brayden Schenn as their first line right winger. St. Louis has Brandon Saad as their second line left winger, Pavel Buchnevich as their second line center in a contract year with Dalibor Dvorsky the St. Louis Blues 2023 first round pick drafted tenth overall ready to take this spot in 2025, and Jordan Kyrou as their second line right winger. St. Louis has Jake Neighbours their 2020 first round pick as their third line left winger, Kevin Hayes as their third line center, and Alexei Toropchenko as their third line right winger. St. Louis has Nathan Walker as their fourth line left winger, Oskar Sundqvist as their fourth line center, and Zachary Dean as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    St. Louis has Justin Faulk and Torey Krug as their first line defensemen. St. Louis has Nick Leddy and Colton Parayko as their second line defensemen. St. Louis has Scott Perunovich and Tyler Tucker as their third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    St. Louis has Jordan Binnington as their starting goalie and Joel Hofer as their backup goalie. St. Louis has a good supporting cast for the short-term.
    
    
    
    St. Louis gets a player that is projected to be a first line player despite his size. The 6-2 196 lb Emil Hemming had 7 goals, 9 assists, and 16 points on the TPS Under 20 Team in 2022-2023. Emil Hemming had 7 goals, 4 assists, and 11 points in 40 games with TPS in SM Liiga in Finland against men in 2023-2024.
    
    
    
    Emil Hemming has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Emil Hemming needs to improve as a passer and playmaker. He's sound offensively and defensively though. He's a player who could end up taking the fourth line right winger job from Zach Dean in 2025 if you want to rush him up, but he's also a guy who you could patiently develop into a replacement for Brayden Schenn on the top line for the St. Louis Blues if you want to wait until 2028 while developing him one more year in Finland, one year in the AHL, and then one year in the NHL in 2026-2027 before moving him up to the second line in 2027 before he eventually becomes your first line right winger in 2028.
    
    
    
    St. Louis would most likely have Emil Hemming and Jimmy Snuggerud their 2022 first round pick competing for NHL roster spots by 2026. My guess is that Snuggerud replaces Brandon Saad as the second line left winger and Hemming starts out as a fourth line right winger with the current fourth line right winger Zach Dean replacing Kevin Hayes as the third line center when Hayes becomes a 2026 UFA. With this offensive stability in place, the St. Louis Blues can use their remaining draft picks on finding successors for their older defensemen.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Cole Hutson, D, USNTDP (USHL)