2024 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 17-32

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

17. Washington Capitals: Adam Jiricek, D, HC Skoda Plzen (Extraliga)
    
    
    Washington has Alex Ovechkin as their first line left winger, Hendrix Lapierre their 2020 first round pick as their first line center, and Sonny Milano as their first line right winger. Washington has Aliaksei Protas as their second line left winger, Dylan Strome as their second line center, and Thomas Wilson as their second line right winger. Washington has Pierre-Luc Dubois as their third line left winger, Nicklas Backstrom as their third line center, and Ryan Leonard their 2023 first round pick replacing T.J. Oshie as their third line right winger. Ivan Miroshnichenko their 2022 first round pick is the new fourth line left winger.
    
    
    
    Washington has John Carlson and Martin Fehervary as their first line defensemen, but have nobody else whose any good on the blue line. Not having any good fourth line forwards, not having any good second line defenseman, or any good third line defensemen is extremely problematic for the Washington Capitals.
    
    
    
    Washington is starting Charlie Lindgren moving forward. Washington doesn't have a backup to Lindgren after trading Darcy Kuempber to the Los Angeles Kngs.
    
    
    
    Andrew Cristall, Washington's 2023 second round pick can be Wahsington's fourth line left winger when he's done develooping in the WHL. Drafting a defenseman is the biggest need for the Washington Capitals and drafting someone like Adam Jiricek would be a great idea here.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 176 lb Adam Jiricek looks just as lethal as his older brother David Jiricek who Columbus drafted sixth overall. He's not as big as his brother, but Adam Jiricek's offensive traits on film look better than David Jiricek's on tape.
    
    
    
    Adam Jiricek 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 fourteenth player with the upside to develop into a first line player in the NHL down the road.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights (OHL)
    
    
18. Chicago Blackhawks: Igor Chernyshov, LW, UHC Dynamo Moscow (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 in 2024-2025. 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. Igor Chernyshov is the best player on the board and has the upside to be a first line left winger in the NHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 167 lb Igor Chernyshov has two years of experience in the KHL. Chicago drafts Igor Chernyshov hoping to get a first line left winger to pair with Connor Bedard and Ivan Demidov at 18.
    
    
    
    Igor Chernyshov had 3 goals, 1 assist, and 4 points in 34 games for UHC Dyamo Moscow in the KHL in 2023-2024. Igor Chernyshov could be the final piece to Chicago's top line if you pair him with Connor Bedard and Ivan Demidov who I mocked second overall to Chicago. Igor Chernyshov's contract in the KHL runs through 2024-2025, so it is possible that Chicago has Igor Chernyshov, Connor Bedard, and Ivan Demidov on the top line with Nick Foligno, Frank Nazar, and Phillipp Kurashev on the second line in 2025. Lukas Reichel, Chicago's 2020 first round pick would remain the third line left winger with Oliver Moore, Chicago's 2023 first round pick who was a top 10 prospect would be a third line center behind Frank Nazar or a second line center with Nazar moving to right winger which is his natural position. Regardless of how you approach this, the Chicago Blackhawks offensive identity will start to take shape with 8 quality forwards by 2025.
    
    
    
    Igor Chernyshov has the skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, and offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. There were moments where Igor Chernyshov wowed me on tape, so it makes a lot of sense as to why Kyle Davidson would trade 20, 54, and 61 for 18 and 50.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
    
    
    
    
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
    
    
    The Vegas Golden Knights have Tomas Hertl as their first line left winger, Jack Eichel as their first line center, and team captain Mark Stone will be taking over at first line right winger with Jonathan Marchessault set to be a UFA. Vegas has Ivan Barbashev as their second line left winger, William Karlsson takes over as the second line center for Chandler Stephenson whose a UFA, and Keegan Kolesar the fourth line right winger becomes the second line right winger. Brett Howden is the third line left winger, Nicolas Roy is the third line center, and Paul Cotter is the third line right winger. Vegas needs three fourth line forwards, but only has 800,000 in cap space, so they won't be able to sign anybody unless the Vegas Golden Knights can create more cap space.
    
    
    
    The Vegas Golden Knights have Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin taking over for Alec Martinez following an 8 year contract extension after the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb will be the two second line defensemen on Vegas. Zach Whitecloud and Nicolas Hague will be the third line defensemen on teh Vegas Golden Knights next season.
    
    
    
    Vegas has both Logan Thompson and Adin Hill under contract at goalie. Vegas also has Robin Lehner under contract for one more year. Vegas cannot put Lehner on Long Term Injured Reserve until training camp starts in September and only has 800,000 to spend right now for next season.
    
    
    
    Vegas will most likely take the best forward on the board at 19. If Vegas can figure out how to move that Robin Lehner contract you can create an extra $5-million in cap space, but I don't think anyone takes on that contract unless Vegas trades the nineteenth pick away in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft at the sphere in Las Vegas. Brendan Brisson, the Vegas Golden Knights 2020 first round pick will most likely be the fourth ine center, so I believe Vegas ends up drafting a right winger for the future at 19.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 181 lb Beckett Sennecke had 20 goals, 35 assists, and 55 points in 61 OHL games with the Oshawa Generals in 2022-2023. Beckett Sennecke had 27 goals, 41 assists, and 68 points in 63 OHL games with the Oshawa Generals in 2023-2024.
    
    
    
    Beckett Sennecke 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. This is the seventeenth different player with the upside to develop into a first line player in the NHL.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Maxim Masse, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
    
    
20. New York Islanders: Michael Bransegg-Nygard, RW, Mora IK (Allsvenskan)
    
    
    The New York Islanders have team captain Anders Lee as their first line left winger, Bo Horvat as their first line center, and Matthew Barzal as their first line right winger. New York has Casey Cizikas as their second line left winger, Brock Nelson as their second line center in a contract year, and Kyle Palmieri as their second line right winger in a contract year. New York has Hudson Fasching as their third line left winger, Jean-Gabriel Pageau as their third line center, and Pierre Engvall as their third line right winger. New York will have Simon Holmstrom back as their fourth line left winger assuming he signs his RFA tender, Kyle MacLean as their fourth line center assuming he signs his RFA tender, and Oliver Wahlstrom one of their two 2018 first round picks taking over for Cal Clutterbuck as the fourth line right winger assuming he signs his RFA tender.
    
    
    
    The New York Islanders have Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov as their two first line defensemen. New York has Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech as their two second line defensemen. New York has Scott Mayfield and Samuel Bolduc as their two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    The New York Islanders have Ilya Sorokin as their starting goalie and Semyon Varlamov as their backup goalie. These two goalies are both good enough to be starters on other NHL teams.
    
    
    
    New York grabs another right winger. Michael Bransegg-Nygard is the best right winger available at this pick.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 198 lb Michael Branseeg-Nygard had 8 goals, 10 assists, and 18 points in 41 games with Mora IK in Allsvenskan in 2023-2024. Michael Branseeg-Nygard had 4 goals, 6 assists, and 10 points in 12 games during the 2024 Allsvenskan Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Michael Branseeg-Nygard 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 needs to play with more physicality, but he projects as a second line right winger in the NHL as he could replace Kyle Palmieri when his contract expires.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City Storm (USHL)
    
    
    
    
21. Montreal Canadiens: Miguel Marques, RW, Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
    
    
    Montreal drafts a second line right winger to replace Joel Arima. Miguel Marques makes a lot of sense here at 21 if the Canadiens cannot land Ivan Demidov who I'm still mocking to Chicago at 2.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 173 lb Miguel Marques had 28 goals, 46 assists, 74 points, and a +13 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Miguel Marques had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 2 games of the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Miguel Marques has the skating, 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. Miguel Marques is versatile enough to play left winger, center, or right winger.
    
    
    
    Miguel Marques has the athletic traits you covet as a skater and there isn't a passing lane he cannot exploit with his intelligence as a playmaker. He's a deadly scorer on the power play as well. Miguel Marques is the eighteenth player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Mac Swanson, LW, Fargo Force (USHL)
    
    
22. Nashville Predators: Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel (USHL)
    
    
    The Nashville Predators have Filip Forsberg as their first line left winger, Ryan O'Reilly as their first line center, and Gustav Nyquist as their first line right winger whose in a contract year with everyone on Nashville's top line producing 69 or more points while everyone also played 81 out of 82 NHL games. Nashville has Mark Janikowski at left winger, Thomas Novak as the second line center, and Luke Evangelista as their second line right winger. Nashville has Cole Smith as their third line left winger, Colton Sissons as their third line center, and Joakim Kemell, Nashville's 2022 first round pick replacing Anthony Beaulivier whose a UFA as the Nashville Predators third line right winger. Nashville has Juuso Parssinen as their fourth line left winger whose an RFA, Michael McCarron as their fourth line center, and Wade Allison is the fourth line right winger whose an RFA replacing Keiffer Sherwood a UFA.
    
    
    
    The Nashville Predators have Roman Josi their team captain and Dante Fabbro their 2016 first round pick who enters a contract year as their two first line defensemen. Nashville has Luke Schenn and Jeremy Lauzon as their two second line defensemen. Nashville has Tanner Molendyk their 2023 first round pick and Kevin Gravel as their two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    The Nashville Predators have Jusse Saros as their starting goalie and he just got an eight year exetension. Yaroslav Askarov, Nashville's 2020 first round pick has dominated on the Milwaukee Admirals for the second year in a row and should be the backup goalie to Jusse Saros next year with Nashville's current backup goalie set to hit Free Agency as a UFA. Barry Trotz came out and said we don't plan on moving either goalie during the NHL Draft and that Askarov will play one more season in Milwaukee which means Nashville will get a backup in Free Agency for one year. I also believe Askarov will ask for a one-way contract to Nashville as a backup or a trade next offseason if Nashville refuses to give him a one-way contract to the NHL following his time in the AHL.
    
    
    
    Nashville drafts a potential first line center for the future here. I'm going to mock Chicago Steel center Michael Hage who took over for Macklin Celebrini as the first line center on the Chicago Steel this year.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 181 lb Michael Hage had 5 goals, 5 assists, and 10 points in 2022-2023. Michael Hage had 33 goals, 52 assists, 75 points, and a +17 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Michael Hage had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points in 2 games during the 2024 USHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Michael Hage 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. Michael Hage has a hockey scholarship to Michigan and is the nineteenth player that has the upside to be first line player in the NHL.
    
    
    
    
    
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Henry Mews, D, Ottawa 67's (OHL)
    
    
    The Toronto Maple Leafs have Matthew Knies their 2021 second round pick taking over for Tyler Bertuzzi as the first line left winger, Auston Matthews the first pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft is the first line center, and William Nylander, Toronto's 2014 first round pick is the first line right winger. Toronto has Nicholas Robertson whose an RFA as their second line left winger next season, John Tavares as the second line center, and Mitchell Marner as the second line right winger if he does not get traded for a kings ransom this offseason. Toronto has Pontus Holmberg as their third line left winger, Bobby McMann as their third line center, and Easton Cowan their 2023 first round pick whose dominated for the London Knights in the 2024 Memorial Cup as their third line right winger or Calle Jarnkrok as their third line right winger if Easton Cowan goes back to the OHL next season. Toronto has Connor Dewar as their fourth line left winger, David Kampf as their fourth line center, and Calle Jarnkrok if Easton Cowan gets called up or Noah Gregor as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Toronto Maple Leafs have Morgan Rielly their 2012 first round pick drafted fourth overall as their main defensemen anchoring the blue line and Jake McCabe whose in a contract year complimenting him on their first line defensemen pairing after playing on the second line. Toronto has Simon Benoit and Timothy Liljegren their 2017 first round pick as their two second line defensemen. Toronto has two players from their AHL team the Toronto Marlies taking over on the Maple Leafs third line on defense with Conor Timmins, Colorado's 2017 second round pick after Cale Makar and Cade Webber Toronto's 2019 fourth round pick as those two will get a chance to play for Toronto next season before both third line defensemen are RFA's in 2025.
    
    
    
    The Toronto Maple Leafs will have Joseph Woll as the starting goalie entering the final year of a team friendly deal as Toronto's 2016 third round pick before becoming an RFA. Toronto's AHL goalie Keith Petruzelli Toronto's 2017 third round pick will take over as the backup goalie with Ilya Samsonov, Martin Jones, and Matt Murray all set to be UFA's in 2024 if Toronto chooses not to address goalie in Free Agency or through a trade in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    After taking Toronto's needs into account I think the Maple Leafs go defense. Getting a defensemen with first line potential to pair with Morgan Rielly is the only way I can see Toronto extending their window to make a Stanley Cup run. Ottawa 67's defenseman Henry Mews is my top defenseman on the board even though Aron Kiviharju and Cole Hutson have potential to develop into first line defensemen as well.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 183 lb Henry Mews had 12 goals, 19 assists, and 31 assists in 55 OHL games in 2022-2023. Henry Mews had 15 goals, 46 assists, and 61 points in 2023-2024. Henry Mews had 2 goals, 3 assists, and 5 points in 10 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Henry Mews has the skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Henry Mews may be a second line defenseman on the Ottawa 67's in the OHL, but he got promoted to the first line on the Ottawa 67's after playing on the second line. He's the twentieth player with first line potential.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
    
    
24. Colorado Avalanche: Andrew Basha, LW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
    
    
    The Colorado Avalanche have Gabriel Landeskog their 2011 first round pick who was drafted second overall and team captain potentially coming back from two straight season ending injuries as the first line left winger, Nate MacKinnon Colorado's 2013 first round pick who was drafted first overall is the first line center, and Mikko Rantanen Colorado's 2015 first round pick is the first line right winger. Colorado has Artturi Lehkonen as their second line left winger, Casey Mittelstadt got an 3 year extension worth $5.75-million as the second line center, and Valeri Nichushkin as the second line right winger if he can stay clean off the ice for the next six months. Colorado has Miles Wood as their third line left winger, Ross Colton as their third line center, and Jason Polin taking over for Joel Kiviranta as their third line right winger. Colorado has Riley Tufte an RFA as the fourth line left winger taking over for Brandon Duhaime, Zach Parise, as well as Jonathan Drouin if all those UFA's leave, Chris Wagner as their fourth line center, and Oskar Olausson their 2021 first round pick as the fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Colorado Avalanche have Cale Makar their 2017 first round pick drafted fourth overall as their main defensemen anchoring the blue line and Devon Toews as their two first line defensemen for the sixth year in a row as these two were on Colorado's top defensive line when the Colorado Avalanche won the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals before Makar secured his first career Conn Smythe MVP. Colorado has Josh Manson and Samuel Girard as their two second line defensemen as these two defensemen are both very good on the second line. Colorado has Sam Malinski as one of their third line defensemen as well as the number five defensemen with the number six defensemen being an unknown unless Colorado wants to promote Nathan Clurman a 2016 sixth round pick that regressed in the AHL with a good bulk of Colorado's third line defensemen set to be UFA's.
    
    
    
    The Colorado Avalanche will have Alexander Georgiev as their starting goalie in a contract year. Justus Annunen, a 2018 third round pick should take over the backup goalie job with backup goalie Pavel Francouz set to retire.
    
    
    
    Looking at the Colorado Avalanche, center is the only position the Avalanche have long-term stability at right now. Colorado has question marks at both left winger and right winger depending on what happens with Landeskog and Nichushkin next season, the third line of Colorado's defense needs to be addressed, and drafting another goalie to develop for the long-term may not be a bad idea, but Colorado may wait until the 2025 NHL Entry Draft to draft another goalie to develop since that draft has 7 goalies projected to go in the top 90 with all seven of those goalies having first round potential despite being somewhat raw.
    
    
    
    I ended up giving Colorado the top left winger on the board because I bellieve Colorado needs to draft someone for the future that can develop for a few years while Landeskog plays out his contract in Colorado after Landeskog missed the last two NHL seasons with a knee injury. The player I ended up mocking to Colorado was Medicine Hat Tigers left winger Andrew Basha.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 184 lb Andrew Basha had 20 goals, 36 assists, 56 points, and a +27 +/- ratio as a second line left winger playing behind Brendan Lee in 2022-2023. Andrew Basha had 3 goals, 1 assist, and 4 points in 4 games during the 2023 WHL Playoffs. Andrew Basha had 30 goals, 55 assists, 85 points, and a +6 +/- ratio as a second line left winger, playing behind Gavin McKenna the projected top pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, with Basha posting career highs in 2023-2024. Andrew Basha played first line left winger with with Cayden Lindstrom when the 2024 WHL Playoffs started with Thomas Mirsic as the first line right winger rotating with Gavin McKenna in that first line right winger spot. The upside to be a first line left winger is there for Andrew Basha. Andrew Basha had 3 goals, 2 assists, and 5 points in 5 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Andrew Basha has the skating, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He needs to refine his defensive awareness, but Andrew Basha is the twenty first player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Igor Chernyshov, LW, UHC Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
    
    
    
    
25. Boston Bruins: Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
    
    
    The Boston Bruins have Brad Marchand their first line left winger in a contract year, Charlie Coyle is the first line center, and David Pastrnak, Boston's 2014 first round pick is the first line right winger. Pavel Zacha will probably move back to left winger with Jake DeBrusk set to be a UFA this Summer, Morgan Geekie is the second line center, and Trent Freideric was the second line right winger in a contract year. Boston has Matthew Poitras their 2022 second round pick as their third line left winger, John Beecher their 2019 first round pick getting promoted from the fourth line to the third line, and Fabian Lysell their 2021 first round pick as the third line right winger. Boston has Mark Kastelic as their fourth line center now as the RFA was set to be Ottawa's fourth line center, but the Boston Bruins also need a fourth line left winger and a fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The Boston Bruins have Charlie McAvoy their 2016 first round pick as their number one defenseman and Mason Lohrei their 2020 second round pick that I was a big fan of came into the NHL and took a first line defensemen job as the number two defenseman next to Charlie McAvoy on the Boston Bruins first line defense. Brandon Carlo, Boston's 2015 second round pick is on the second line as the number three defenseman with Hampus Lindholm a former top 10 draft pick who had many good years in Anaheim before being traded to Boston complimenting Carlo on the Boston Bruins second line. Andrew Peeke and Parker Wotherspoon are the two third line defensemen on the Boston Bruins with Wotherspoon the number six defensemen being the only one of those defenders in a contract year.
    
    
    
    The Boston Bruins have Jeremy Swayman their 2017 fourth round pick as an RFA and Joonas Korpisalo. Both Ullmark and Swayman are capable of starting and both goalies would be starters on most NHL teams.
    
    
    
    Boston's Stanley Cup window closed and their closer to a rebuild than most realize. The strong defense and goaltending is keeping the Bruins in pergatory as a NHL Playoff contender.
    
    
    
    Sacha Boisvert had an amazing USHL season and could be a player worth keeping an eye on here. Sacha Boisvert was described as the best shot blocker and penalty killer in the 2022 USHL Draft. I mocked him to Boston at 10 back in the preseason, but since Boston re-acquired their first round pick in the Linus Ullmark trade, Boisvert is in play for Boston at 25.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 176 lb Sacha Boisvert had 17 goals, 28 assists, and 45 points in 57 games in 2022-2023 in the USHL. Sacha Boisvert had 36 goals, 32 assists, 68 points, and a +5 +/- ratio in 61 USHL games as a first line center and alternate captain on the Muskegon Lumberjacks in 2023-2024. Sacha Boisvert had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in 8 games during the 2024 USHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Sacha Boisvert is going to North Dakota in the Fall of 2024. He will be ready for the NHL by 2025 at the earliest, but he goes to a situation in Boston where he can go to North Dakota for three years and develop before taking over as the first line center on the Boston Bruins down the road.
    
    
    
    Sacha Boisvert has the skating, 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. Sacha Boisvert is the twenty second player with first line potential to get drafted.
    
    
    
26. Los Angeles Kings: Matvei Gridin, RW, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings have Kevin Fiala, their first line left winger, Anze Kopitar as their first line center, and Adrian Kempe as their first line right winger with both Kopitar and Kempe locked up until 2026. Los Angeles has Trevor Moore as their second line left winger, Phillip Danault as their second line center, and Quinton Byfield as their second line right winger now as a RFA replacing UFA Viktor Arvidsson. Los Angeles has Carl Grundstrom as their third line left winger whose an RFA replacing Pierre-Luc Dubois at left winger, Blake Lizotte as their third line center, and Alex Laferriere their 2020 third round pick as their third line right winger. Los Angeles has Andre Lee a 2019 seventh round pick taking over as the fourth line left winger thanks to trading Pierre-Luc Dubois away, Alex Turcotte a 2019 first round pick as their fourth line center whose an RFA, and Arthur Kaliyev a 2019 second round pick as their fourth line right winger whose an RFA.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings have Drew Doughty and Mikey Anderson as their two first line defenseman. Los Angeles has Vladislav Gavrikov and their 2021 first round pick Brandt Clarke taking over for Matt Roy a UFA as the second line defensemen. Los Angeles has Andreas Englund and Jordan Spence as their two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    The Los Angeles Kings have three goalies in Cam Talbot, David Rittich, and Phoenix Copley, but all three goalies are UFA's. Darcy Kuemper will take over as the starting goalie on the Los Angeles Kings after trading Pierre-Luc Dubois being traded. Their two AHL goalies on the Ontario Reign in Erik Portillo and Jacob Ingham are both RFA's. From a need standpoint you cannot really fault the Los Angeles Kings if they draft a goalie here, but that makes no sense from a value standpoint.
    
    
    
    Los Angeles is stuck with the best player available here. Los Angeles ends up taking Matvei Grindin as a successor to Adrian Kempe here since Quinton Byfield is techincally going to be Anze Kopitar's successor down the road.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 185 lb Matvei Gridin broke out this year with 38 goals, 45 assists, 83 points, and a +14 +/- ratio leading the Muskegon Lumberjacks in points over Sacha Boisvert whose projected to be the first Muskegon player drafted in 2023-2024. Matvei Gridin also had 1 goal, 4 assists, and 5 points in 8 games during the 2024 USHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Matvei Gridin 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. Matvei Gridin is the twenty third player that I've evaluated that has first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and going to Montreal allows Gridin to play on the second line with less pressure on him once he finishes developing at Michigan in the NCAA which will probably be around 2026 or 2027 as a third line right winger at some point.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Tomas Lavoie, D, Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
    
    
    
    
27. Carolina Hurricanes: Aron Kiviharju, D, Helsingfors IFK (SM Liiga)
    
    
    The Carolina Hurricanes have two first line left wingers in Andrei Svechnikov and Jake Guentzel whose a UFA who took the first line left winger spot from Svechnikov after Carolina acquired Jake Guentzel at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. It's uncertain whether Guetzel gets extended, but I feel like Jake Guentzel could end up going back to Pittsburgh since he wanted a six year extension with the Pittsburgh Penguins prior to getting traded to the Carolina Hurricanes at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. For now, I'm going to assume Jake Guentzel leaves Carolina, even though the Carolina Hurricanes have the money to bring him back.
    
    
    
    The Carolina Hurricanes have Andrei Svechnikov as their first line left winger, Sebastian Aho as their first line center, and Seth Jarvis whose an RFA as their first line right winger. Carolina also has Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin as their two first line defensemen. Carolina is probably going to trade Martin Necas their 2017 first round pick and three different left wingers Jake Guentzel, Teuvo Teravainen, and Jordin Martinhook are all UFA's. Carolina also needs more defensemen. Carolina's Stanley Cup Window feels like it is over since Carolina only has $27-million compared to the $30-million they were originally projected.
    
    
    
    Also, other teams in the Metropolitian Division have more stability like the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets with all that Carolina is set to lose. Maybe Carolina pushes Washington as wild card 2, but my gut tells me they regress quite a bit next season.
    
    
    
    I'm mocking a defenseman to Carolina at 27. Finnish defesneman Aaron Kiviharju was once projected to be a challenger to Macklin Celebrini two years ago.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 165 lb Aron Kiviharju is a third line defenseman on TPS. He was considered the top player in Finland when he was 13 four years ago. He dominated the last three years to the point where he's convinced NHL scouts he's got enough upside to play on a top line down the road.
    
    
    
    Aron Kiviharju is going to miss 4-6 months after having surgery. Aron Kiviharju had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points on TPS in 2022-2023 in SM Liiga. Aron Kiviharju had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points in 7 games with Helsingfors IFK in 2023-2024.
    
    
    
    Aron Kiviharju 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 was once in the running to go first overall, but now he drops to 27 and Carolina could be getting a massive steal late in the first round as he's projected to play on the second line in the NHL after getting promoted from the third to second line before injuries in Finland, but this was once a challenger to Macklin Celebrini, so this could be a first line defenseman even though odds say he will be a second line defenseman.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Alexander Zetterberg, C, Orebro HK (Elitserien)
    
    
28. Calgary Flames: Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew's College
    
    
    The Calgary Flames get their first line center of the future with this pick. Dean Letourneau dominated this past season and did enough to earn consideration as a late first round pick. The 6-7 207 lb Dean Letourneau had 61 goals, 66 assists, and 127 points in 2023-2024. Dean Letourneau will go to the USHL next year before enrolling at Boston College in 2025.
    
    
    
    Dean Letourneau 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. Dean Letourneau is the twenty fourth player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
    
    
    
    
29. Dallas Stars: Harrison Brunicke, D, Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
    
    
    Dallas was my pick to win the Central Division as well as my pick to win the 2024 Stanley Cup. Dallas was the team that I felt had the most complete team heading into this season, but they lost to Edmonton in 6 games after picking them to beat Edmonton in 6 games back in October.
    
    
    
    The Dallas Stars have Jason Robertson a 2017 second round pick as their first line left winger, Roope Hintz as their first line center, and Tyler Seguin, the first player Jim Nill traded for as the Dallas Stars GM as their first line right winger in a contract year. Dallas has their team captain Jamie Benn as their second line left winger, Wyatt Johnston will be the second line center as a 2021 first round pick, and Logan Stankoven a 2021 second round pick that I had a first round grade on is the Dallas Stars second line right winger. Dallas has Mason Marchement as their third line left winger, Maverick Bourque their 2020 first round pick finally getting an opportunity in the NHL as the Dallas Stars third line center, and Evgeni Dadonov as the Dallas Stars third line right winger. Dallas has Radek Faksa, as a fourth line left winger whose in a contract year after being a 2014 first round pick, Sam Steel the Dallas Stars fourth line center is an RFA, and Dallas can either bring back Craig Smith or get another fourth line right winger in Free Agency.
    
    
    
    The Dallas Stars have Miro Heiskanen the Dallas Stars 2017 first round pick who was drafted third overall anchoring the blue line with Thomas Harley the Dallas Stars 2019 first round pick complimenting Miro Heiskanen on the Dallas Stars first line defense as Thomas Harley is an RFA. Dallas will have Lian Bichsel their 2022 first round pick on the second line with Esa Lindell complimenting him in a contract year on the Dalas Stars second line defense. Dallas bought out their number five defenseman Ryan Suter with RFA Nils Lundqvist the nuumber six defenseman complimenting him as the other third line defensemen next season. If Dallas brings back Chris Tanev, Lian Bichsel will be eased in on the third line otherwise he will get top four minutes next season now that Ryan Suter has been released by Dallas.
    
    
    
    The Dallas Stars have Jake Oettinger their second 2017 first round pick as the starting goalie. Matt Murray who started for the Texas Stars in the AHL played one NHL game on the Dallas Stars when both Jake Oettinger and Scott Wedgewood were injured earlier in the season. With backup goalie Scott Wedgewood set to be a UFA and Matt Murray set to be an RFA, I can see Dallas bringing up Matt Murray to be Jake Oettinger's backup next season.
    
    
    
    Dallas gets a defenseman that is projected to be a first line player in the NHL despite his size. Dallas has two good first line defensemen in Heiskanen and Harley, so this guy could push Harley and Bichsel, but at the very worst would be a steady top four defenseman on the Dallas Stars once he arrives in the NHL.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 187 lb Harrison Brunicke was the first line defenseman that anchored the blue line on the Kamloops Blazers. The Dallas Stars owner is also the owner of the Kamloops Blazers and with the recent success of Logan Stankoven, don't be surprised if Dallas goes for size by drafting Harrison Brunicke here. Outside of Heiskanen and Harley, I'm not sure there are any other long-term assets on this blue line unless the Dallas Stars bring Chris Tanev back. Lian Bichsel could be a long-term asset, but its a wait and see right now with Bichsel, the Dallas Stars 2022 first round pick. Harrison Brunicke would be a nice addition for Dallas and he would also be the first player born in South Africa to get drafted in the first round of the NHL Draft if he ends up being a day 1 pick.
    
    
    
    Two draft services Elite Prospects and McKeen's Hockey have Harrison Brunicke going in the late first round. Scott Wheeler and Corey Prongman of the Athletic have him going in the second round. The Hockey News has him going in the third round. Brunicke has upside to be a first line defenseman in the NHL, but there's no floor with him as far his projection goes which is why Brunicke feels like somewhat of a boom or bust pick here for Dallas at 29.
    
    
    
    I'm also cool with Jett Luchanko as a third line center if Dallas manages to bring back both Harley and Tanev next season. If Dallas can lock up any of their UFA's before the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, that could decide whether Dallas gets a center, winger, or defenseman. With Tanev set to be a UFA and two defensemen entering contract years with Lindell as well as Suter, taking a defenseman seems to be the most logicial route when you consider that the Dallas Stars have hardly any confidence in Nils Lundqvist.
    
    
    
    Harrison Brunicke had 10 goals, 11 assists, and 21 points in 2023-2024. Harrison Brunicke was the best defenseman on the worst team in the WHL this past season.
    
    
    
    Harrison Brunicke 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. This is the twenty fifth different player with the upside to develop into a first line player in the NHL.
    
    
    
    Harrison Brunicke can develop in the WHL next season. Dallas could potentially bring up Brunicke by 2025 if he fixes his +/- ratio which went from +3 in 2022-2023 to -12 in 2023-2024 which is huge because both Ryan Suter and Esa Lindell are Free Agents in 2025. Dallas could have Miro Heiskanen 2017 first round pick, Thomas Harley 2019 first round pick, Lian Bichsel 2022 first round pick, Harrison Brunicke 2024 first round pick, Christian Kyrou their 2022 second round pick as well as Jordan Kyrou's younger brother, and Tristan Bertucci their 2023 second round pick as their top six defensemen by 2026 assuming the Dallas Stars draft picks continue to develop quality draft picks on defense.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Roope Vesterinen, RW, HPK (SM Liiga)
    
    
30. New York Rangers: Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie Colts (OHL)
    
    
    The New York Rangers have Chris Kreider as their first line left winger, Mika Zibanejad as their first line center, and Filip Chytl as their first line right winger with all three of those forwards under contract until 2027. New York has Artemi Panerin as their second line left winger, Vincent Trocheck as their second line center, and Alexis Lafrenierre as their right winger whose a RFA in 2025 after being the first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. New York has their second line forwards under contract for the next two years with Panerin set to be a UFA in 2026. New York has Jimmy Vesey as their third line left winger, Jonny Brodzinski as their third line center after buying out Barclay Goodrow, and Kappo Kakko their third lineright winger whose also the New York Rangers 2019 first round pick drafted second overall behind Jack Hughes is an RFA after this season. New York has Will Cuylle a 2020 second round pick as their fourth line left winger and Matthew Rempe a 2020 sixth round pick as their fourth line right winger.
    
    
    
    The New York Rangers have Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren whose an RFA as their two first line defensemen. Jacob Trouba and K'Andre Miller will be the second line defensemen next year with Erik Gudbransson set to be a UFA. Braden Schneider, New York's 2020 first round pick was the number six defenseman a few years ago, but now he's the number five defenseman with Zachary Jones a 2019 third round pick set to compliment Schneider next season as the number six defenseman on the New York Rangers third line of defense.
    
    
    
    The New York Rangers have all three of their goalies in contract years next season. Igor Shesterkin is the New York Rangers starting goalie, Jonathan Quick is the New York Rangers backup goalie, and Louis Domingue is the New York Rangers third string goalie. New York's 2020 fourth round pick Dylan Garand has had two good seasons in the AHL now on the Hartford Wolfpack and will probably be the backup goalie on the New York Rangers in 2025 when Shesterkin, Quick, and Domingue are all UFA's. My guess is New York will extend Shesterkin and have Garand learn under him as the backup after next season.
    
    
    
    The New York Rangers are getting a first line center with the potential to develop into a big time star. With Mika Zibanejad on this roster, New York can take as long as they need to in order to get a first line center. Cole Beaudoin is the first line center on the Barrie Colts and would be a good addition here. If New York drafts a center at 30 like Dallas did with Maverick Bourque, he could be up in the NHL relatively soon.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 209 lb Cole Beaudoin had 28 goals, 34 assists, 62 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Cole Beaudoin had 3 goals, 2 assists, and 5 points in the 2024 OHL Playoffs. Cole Beaudoin was the Barrie Colts first round pick in the 2022 OHL Draft.
    
    
    
    Cole Beaudoin 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. This is the twenty sixth different player with the upside to develop into a first line player in the NHL. Cole Beaudoin never took a shift off prior to the 2022 OHL Draft and that's continued in the Ontario Hockey League, so I would argue he's a first round prospect.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
    
    
    
    
31. Anaheim Ducks: Nikita Artamonov, LW, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
    
    
    Edmonton traded their 2024 first round pick at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline to the Anaheim Ducks for Adam Henrique. The Edmonton Oilers won the 2024 Western Conference and made it to the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals, but Anaheim owns their 2024 first round pick.
    
    
    
    Frank Vatrano the second line left winger on the Anaheim Ducks is a UFA in 2025. I won't be surprised if Anaheim drafts a left winger here hoping to find a viable replacement there since Cutter Gauthier can be the first line left winger on the Anaheim Ducks for the long-haul. Nikita Artamonov fills a need for what the Anaheim Ducks want to do here at 31.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 187 lb Nikita Artamonov had 7 goals, 16 assists, and 23 points as a first line right winger on Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod really standing out on tape despite being teammates with Anton Silayev a top 10 pick in 2023-2024. Nikita Artamonov is versatile enough to play both left winger and right winger as well.
    
    
    
    Nikita Artamonov 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. Nikita Artamonov is the twenty seventh player that I've evaluated that has first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and going to Anaheim allows Artamonov to play on the second line with less pressure on him once his KHL contract is up in 2026.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
    
    
32. Philadelphia Flyers: Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm (OHL)
    
    
    Philadelphia owns the Florida Panthers 2024 first round pick. The Florida Panthers won the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals and will play in the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals. This is the Florida Panthers second consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Philadelphia drafts a center that can take over for Scott Laughton in 2026 when Laughton becomes a Free Agent.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 183 lb Jett Luchanko is versatile enough to play all three forward spots at left winger, center and right winger. Philadelphia will fall in love with that kind of versatility at 32.
    
    
    
    Jett Luchanko had 20 goals, 54 assists, and 74 points in 68 OHL games in 2023-2024. Jett Luchanko had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in 4 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Jett Luchanko 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. Jett Luchanko has had a +/- ratio in the negative two years in a row despite being the Guelph Storm's first line center.
    
    
    
    Even though he helped generate three power play assists in one game against the Peterborough Petes, he also was on the ice when two of Peterborough's five goals were scored on him. Jett Luchanko needs to develop in the OHL for two years to get that +/- ratio in check, but if he does that he's a viable replacement to Scott Laughton and could start out as a third line center behind Morgan Frost and Sean Couturier in 2026. Matvei Michkov would also be in the NHL by this point too.
    
    
    
    Jett Luchanko has the floor of a third line center in the NHL and the ceiling of a first line center in the NHL. While he's the twenty eighth player in my top thirty two with first line potential, the odds are that he's either a third line center or second line center in the NHL if he reaches his ceiling and develops into a top 6 forward.
    
    
    Previous Pick: Veeti Vaisanen, D, KooKoo (SM Liiga)