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Draft Order
2024 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds
Round 4
Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 28, 2024.
Utah Hockey Club: Colin Ralph, D, Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) 
- Utah gets one more defenseman to stash and develop. Colin Ralph played at Shattuck St. Mary's before going to the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL.
- The 6-4 209 lb Colin Ralph only played 2 games with the Duqbuque Fighting Saints in 2023-2024. He's going to St. Cloud State and is a massive project despite his size. Utah will need more bodies on defense in the future, so they gamble on Ralph here after Duqubue made the 2024 Clark Cup. Colin Ralph is projected to go as high as the late second round, but with only two USHL games of experience under his belt, he feels like a guy who could fall to the top of the fourth round. With no need to rush signing Colin Ralph, Utah stashes another defenseman to develop.
Nashville Predators: Ondrej Kos, LW, Ilves (SM Liiga) 
- Nashville goes for the best player available. Ondrej Kos is a long-term project that Nashville can gamble on here.
- The 6-2 167 lb Ondrej Kos only posted 3 goals in 8 games on the Ilves Under 20 Team. He then posted 3 goals, 2 assists, and 5 points on KooVee with a loan in 2023-2024. Ondrej Kos will be on Ilves main roster in Liiga in 2024, but some scouts believe he's too skinny to play in the NHL despite the fact that he's gotten some traction as a potential top 100 prospect.
Anaheim Ducks: Samuel St. Hilaire, G, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL) 
- Anaheim may trade goalie John Gibson before the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. If he gets moved, I won't be surprised if Anaheim drafts another goalie to develop behind Lukas Dostal, Calle Clang, and Damian Clara Anaheim's 2023 second round pick here.
- The 6-2 184 lb Samuel St. Hilaire went 21-5-3 in his first year as a starting goalie had a 2.30 goals against average and a .903 save percentage in 29 games posting a .903 save percentage in 2022-2023. Samuel St. Hilaire went 18-12-4 in his second year as a starter with a 2.41 save percentage, .915 save percentage, and 5 shutouts which is most among any goalie in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft despite being 20-years-old. Samuel St. Hilaire went 4-5 with a 3.33 goals against average and a .895 save percentage in the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs.
- Samuel St. Hilaire checks off 9/10 boxes with post integration and ability to perform in the playoffs as his two areas of improvement, but he's the one 20-year-od with a shot to go in the top 100 of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. After going undrafted in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, he did actually get a tryout with the Boston Bruins before failing to make the cut at their rookie minicamp. Anahein can gamble on him here, and sign him to a contract since he will go straight to the AHL due to his age.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Hagen Burrows, RW, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) 
- Columbus drafts for value here. Hagen Burrows who won Mr. Hockey in the State of Minnesota has exceptional analytics. Looking at the ratings he got, he got an 80 for overall, 85 for offense, 81 in transition, 82 in shooting, 77 xG expected goals, 86 in shot quality, 70 inside slot shots, 84 in outside shot slots, 80 in playdriving, 66 puck touches, 82 in passes, 81 in slot passes, 85 in shot assists, 83 in production, 82 in points, 70 in goals, 80 in pass exits, and a 96 in pass entries. Hagen Burrows has to improve his defense and puck carries which are in the red, but the rest of his analytics are either in the green or yellow.
- The 6-2 165 lb Hagen Burrows had 19 goals, 40 assists, and 59 points in 28 games at Minnetonka High School in 2023-2024. Hagen Burrows also had 9 goals, 13 assists, and 22 points in 25 games with the Sioux City Musketeers in 2023-2024. Hagen Burrows had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points in 8 games during the 2024 USHL Playoffs.
- Hagen Burrows 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, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Hagen Burrows has to improve his defensive awareness, defense, and puck carries if he wants to get to the NHL.
- There's more upside than advertised. It is uncertain whether Hagan Burrows goes to Denver in 2024 or 2025. If he goes to Denver in 2025, he will return to the Sioux City Musketeers for one more season before heading to Denver in 2025.
Montreal Canadiens: Javon Moore, LW, Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) 
- Montreal goes for value over need in the fourth round with most of their needs taken care of. Javon Moore is the best player available at this point in the fourth round.
- The 6-2 181 lb Javon Moore had 26 goals, 27 assists, and 53 points at Minnetonka High School next to Hagan Burrows in 2023-2024. Javon Moore had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 3 USHL games with the Sioux Falls Stampede in 2023-2024. Javon Moore is heading to Minnesota this Fall on a hockey scholarship staying in state to play in the Big 10. Montreal will not have to offer him an entry-level deal until 2027.
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Utah Hockey Club: Kamil Bednarik, C, USNTDP (USHL)
- Utah drafts a player that opts to go the NCAA route. Kamil Bednarik is the best player available.
- The 6-0 185 lb Kamil Bednarik had 11 goals, 19 assists, and 30 points in the USHL in 2023-2024. Kamil Bednarik is heading to Boston University this Fall where he can develop for up to three years before heading off to the AHL.
Ottawa Senators: Ryerson Leenders, G, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL) 
- Ottawa gets a goalie to develop for the future. Ryerson Leenders is the top goalie left in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Leenders was once considered the second best goalie in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft back in February.
- The 6-1 176 lb Ryerson Leenders went 24-17-4 with a 3.12 save percentage, a .909 save percentage, and 3 shutouts in 2023-2024. Ryerson Leenders went 0-1, but posted a 2.07 goals against average and a .933 save percentage in the 2024 OHL Playoffs.
- Ryerson Leenders checks off 9/10 boxes. His teammate Jack Ivankovic is a name to keep an eye on in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Seattle Kraken: Eric Olsson, G, Omaha Lancers (USHL) 
- Seattle drafts a developmental goalie here and long-term project in the fourth round. A few hockey scouts have described Omaha Lancers backup goalie Eric Olsson as special.
- The 6-4 183 lb Eric Olsson did well in Sweden. Eric Olsson had a 4.97 save percentage and a .862 save percentage in 5 starts in 2023-2024.
- Eric Olsson checked off 8/10 boxes when watching him on film which makes him draftable despite being a backup goalie on his USHL team. Michael Hrabel, Mikhail Yegorov, and Eric Olsson gives the Omaha Lancers, the worst USHL team the last two years three goalies that got drafted by NHL teams in the last two years.
Calgary Flames: Zach Pelletier, G, Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL) 
- The Calgary Flames draft a goalie that's a long-term project with Daniel Vladar and Dustin Wolf competing for the starting goalie job next season thanks to Jacob Markstrom getting traded to New Jersey. Zach Pelletier is the best goalie on the board at this point in the fourth round.
- The 6-3 179 lb Zach Pelletier is a project goalie that only checks 7/10 boxes. His 3.64 goals against average and .875 save percentage in 2023-2024 could be a lot better.
Vancouver Canucks: Riley Patterson, C, Barrie Colts (OHL) 
- The Vancouver Canucks need a third line center for depth in the future. Riley Patterson of the Barrie Colts might be the ideal fit.
- The 6-0 192 lb Riley Patterson had 30 goals, 43 assists, 73 points, and 50 penalty minutes with the North York Rangers in 2022-2023 in the OJHL dominating so much that he got promoted to the OHL where the Barrie Colts picked him up. Riley Patterson had 29 goals, 33 assists, 62 points, 10 penalty minutes, and a +7 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Riley Patterson had 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 points in 6 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs.
- Riley Patterson's floor is a first line center in the AHL. His ceiling is a second line center in the NHL. Patterson's most realistic projection is a bottom six forward as a third line center or fourth line center. Vancouver would be drafting Patterson as a fourth line center and if he struggles next year, they can possibly upgrade in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Buffalo Sabres: Max Plante, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
- Buffalo gets a left winger here. Max Plante is a long-term project that Buffalo can develop. There's a chance that Jeff Skinner gets bought out.
- The 5-11 170 lb Max Plante had 6 goals, 23 assists, 29 points, and a +9 +/- ratio in 25 USHL games in 2023-2024. Max Plante will go to college at Minnesota-Duluth in 2024 or 2025 on a hockey scholarship.
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Buffalo Sabres: Melvin Fernstrom, RW, Orebro HK (Elitserien)
- Philadelphia is stacked at most positions when looking at their contracts. I'm simply giving the Philadelphia Flyers the best overall player here and at this point in the third round that is Carson Wetsch who had a hat trick earlier this season.
- The 6-0 187 lb Melvin Fernstrom had 31 goals, 32 assists, and 63 points in 45 games with Orebro HK's Under 20 Team in 2023-2024. Melvin Fernstrom had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 6 SHL games in 2023-2024.
Minnesota Wild: Niilopekka Muhonen, D, Kalevan Pallo (SM Liiga) 
- Minnesota gets another defenseman to develop for the long-term with the best player on the board being a defenseman. The 6-4 185 lb Niilopekka Muhonen had 4 goals, 7 assists, and 11 points on the Kalevan Pallo Under 20 Team in 2023-2024. Niilopekka Muhonen will be on Kalevan Pallo's main roster in Liiga next year. He can join the Iowa Wild in the AHL in 2025 and possibly up on the Minnesota Wild by 2027 or 2028.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Jack Pridham, RW, West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) 
- Pittsburgh gets the best player on the board. Jack Pridham could develop into a fourth line right winger for the Pittsburgh Penguins down the road.
- The 6-2 174 lb Jack Pridham is the son of Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM Brandon Pridham. Kyle Dubas worked with Brandon Pridham in Toronto and probably already has some familiarity with Jack Pridham. Jack Pridham had 23 goals, 26 assists, and 49 points in 54 BCHL games in 2023-2024.
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Ottawa Senators: Jared Woolley, D, London Knights (OHL)
- Ottawa drafts another defenseman here. Jared Woolley would be a good defenseman for Ottawa to develop.
`- The 6-6 214 lb Jared Woolley had 3 goals, 2 assists, and 5 points in 2023-2024. Jared Woolley is a defensive defenseman that some have going in the top 100. He seems like an intriguing project for Ottawa to develop midway through the fourth round.
St. Louis Blues: Daniil Ustinkov, D, ZSC Lions (National League A) 
- The St. Louis Blues draft the best player on the board. The 6-0 198 lb Daniil Ustinkov is a defenseman that the St. Louis Blues can stash and develop after Ustinkov had 0 goals, 8 assists, and 8 points with the ZSC Lions in National League A in 2023-2024.
- Daniil Ustinkov was the number two defenseman on the ZSC Lions first line. His floor is a number two defenseman on the first line of an AHL team and his ceiling is the first line of a NHL blue line where he's the number two defenseman on a blue line. This makes him the forty sixth player in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft with first line potential. The lack of goal scoring is why he dropped to the fourth round.
- Danill Ustinkov is a nice skater. There's no eye popping trait to his game and outside of his skating there's not a strength that stands out. He's got a high ceiling only due to playing on a top line, and looks like a major project for whoever drafts him moving forward.
Washington Capitals: Jack Berglund, C, Farjestads BK (Elitserien) 
- Washington drafts a center to groom for the future. Jack Berglund has the floor of a second line center in the AHL and the ceiling of a third line center in the NHL.
- The 6-3 209 lb Jack Berglund had 15 goals, 19 assists, and 34 points on Farjestads BK's Under 20 Team in 2023-2024. Jack Berglund had 1 goal, 0 assists, and 1 point in 8 games with Farjestads BK in the SHL in 2023-2024.
New York Islanders: Tanner Henricks, D, Lincoln Stars (USHL) 
- New York gets a defenseman here. Tanner Henricks was the number two defenseman on the Lincoln Stars complimenting Adam Kleber making him the forty seventh player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
- The 6-3 195 lb Tanner Henricks had 0 goals, 9 assists, 9 points, and a -12 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Tanner Henricks had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 5 games during the 2024 USHL Playoffs. Tanner Henricks is going to St. Cloud State where he can develop further.
- Tanner Hendricks has the skating, foot speed, vision, passing, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Tanner Henricks still has to improve his shooting, offensive awareness, and defensive awareness at St. Cloud State when he begins playing College Hockey this Fall if he wants to earn a rookie contract with the New York Islanders in a few years.
San Jose Sharks: Gabriel Frasca, C, Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) 
- San Jose goes with the best player on the board with this fourth round pick they got from the Vegas Golden Knights. Gabriel Frasca is a player that San Jose can keep in the OHL for two years and potentially develop into a successor to team captain Logan Couture as a third line center behind Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith down the road. Gabriel Frasca has the floor of a third line center in the AHL and the ceiling of a third line center in the NHL. That averages out to a first line center in the AHL in terms of his projection.
- The 6-0 172 lb Gabriel Frasca had 15 goals, 17 assists, and 34 points in 44 OHL games with the Kingston Frontenacs in 2023-2024. Gabriel Frasca wasn't a consensus top 100 player, but he did well enough to earn an invite to the 2024 NHL Combine.
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Ottawa Senators: Aidan Park, C, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
- Ottawa goes with the best player on the board here by drafting Aidan Park. Aidan Park played for both Shattuck St. Mary's High School as well as the Green Bay Gamblers in the USHL.
- The 6-0 185 lb Aidan Park had 30 goals, 63 assists, and 93 points on Shattucks St. Mary's in 2023-2024. Aidan Park had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 2 USHL Games with the Green Bay Gamblers in 2023-2024. Aidan Park is expected to play full-time in the USHL next year with the Green Bay Gamblers before enrolling in Michigan in 2025. Ottawa may not have to sign Aidan Park until 2028.
Los Angeles Kings: Noel Fransen, D, Farjestads BK (Elitserien)
- Los Angeles drafts a defenseman to stash and develop for the future. Noel Fransen could go in the top 50 of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and is a steal late in the fourth round.
- The 6-0 183 lb Noel Fransen had 8 goals, 12 assists, and 20 points as the team captain of the Farjestads BK Under 18 Team in 2022-2023. Noel Fransen had 20 goals, 24 assists, 44 points, and a +1 +/- ratio on the Farjestads BK Under 20 Team in 2023-2024. Noel Fransen had 1 goal, 0 assists, 1 point, and a +1 +/- ratio in 4 games with Farjestads BK's SHL team after getting promoted to the main roster in Sweden in 2023-2024.
- Noel Fransen currently isn't under contract. It is possible that he goes straight to the AHL as an 18-year-old.
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Nashville Predators: Alexis Bernier, D, Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
- Nashville goes for the best player avaialble here. One player that's currently at the 2024 NHL Combine still on the board in the fourth round is Baie-Comeau Drakkar defenseman Alexis Bernier.
- The 6-1 189 lb Alexis Bernier had 4 goals, 27 assists, 31 points, and a +38 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Alexis Bernier had 1 goal, 8 assists, and 9 points in 17 games during the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Herman Traff, RW, HV71 (Elitserien) 
- Toronto drafts a right winger for the future in case Mitch Marner gets traded. Herman Traff has the versatility to play both left winger and right winger on the wing.
- The 6-3 203 lb Herman Traff got all of his points outside of the SHL. Herman Traff had 0 goals, 0 assists, and 0 points in 10 SHL games with HV71 in 2023-2024.
Colorado Avalanche: Ludvig Johnson, D, EV Zug (National League A) 
- Colorado drafts a defenseman. Ludvig Johnson is one of the more underlooked defenseman in Switzerland for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
- The 6-0 181 lb Ludvig Johnson had 9 goals, 18 assists, and 27 points with EV Zug's Under 20 Team in 2023-2024. Ludvig Johnson did well enough to get invited to the 2024 NHL Combine.
Boston Bruins: Ethan Procyzin, C, North Bay Battalion (OHL) 
- Boston needs to find a first line center in the NHL Draft that can replace Patrice Bergeron as that top line guy. Ethan Procyzin, a center on the North Bay Battalion in the OHL may be the answer. Without Bergeron and Krejci, Boston couldn't get past the Florida Panthers who've now eliminated Boston two years in a row.
- The 6-3 189 lb Ethan Procyszyn had 5 goals, 13 assists, 18 points, and a +9 +/- ratio in 2022-2023. Ethan Procyszyn had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points in 12 games during the 2023 OHL Playoffs. Ethan Procyszyn had 15 goals, 21 assists, 36 points, and a +2 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Ethan Procyszyn had 2 goals, 4 assists, and 6 points in 16 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs.
Winnipeg Jets: John Whipple, D, USNTDP (USHL)
- Winnipeg drafts another defenseman here in the fourth round. John Whipple was a preseason first round pick, but his stock has dropped a lot since then.
- The 6-1 194 lb John Whipple had 1 goal, 3 assists, and 4 points in the USHL in 2023-2024. John Whipple regressed after showing so much promise in 2022-2023. He will be attending Minnesota to play College Hockey this Fall as Winnipeg lets John Whipple develop at Minnesota for a few years before signing him.
Carolina Hurricanes: Luke Osburn, D, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) 
- Carolina gets a number six defenseman to round out the third line for their NHL roster in the fourth round. Luke Osburn of the Youngstown Phantoms was linemates with Tory Pitner who I mocked in the third round. Luke Osburn could be a potential gem in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
- The 6-0 172 lb Luke Osburn had 8 goals, 15 assists, and 23 points in 60 games with the Youngstown Phantoms as their number four defensemen on their second line in 2023-2024. Luke Osburn has one year of High School left and will arrive at Wisconsin by 2025 at the earliest, and could wait until 2026 to enroll at Wisconsin if he wants to play another year of USHL hockey after next season despite turning 18 in time to be eligible for the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
- Luke Osburn 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. Luke Osburn needs to develop his physicality, but he will have plenty of time to enhance that area of his game.
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Calgary Flames: William Zellers, C, Shattuck St. Mary's HS (MN)
- The Calgary Flames get one of the top High School skaters in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. William Zellers could end up as a fourth line center on Calgary down the road.
- The 5-11 172 lb William Zellers had 57 goals, 54 assists, and 111 points at Shattuck St. Mary's in 2023-2024. William Zellers will head to North Dakota to begin his College Hockey career this Fall.
Detroit Red Wings: Lucas Van Vliet, C, USNTDP (USHL)
- Detroit goes with the best player on the board here. Lucas Van Vliet is one of two 2024 NHL Combine Invites still left on the board.
- The 6-1 181 lb Lucas Van Vliet has the versatility to play left winger, center, and right winger. Lucas Van Vliet had 4 goals, 4 assists, and 8 points in 19 USHL games with the USNTDP team in 2023-2024. Lucas Van Vliet heads to Michigan State this Fall.
New York Rangers: Tomas Mrsick, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) 
- The New York Rangers go for value over need. Tomas Mrsick is the final player from the 2024 NHL Combine still on the board late in the fourth round.
- The 6-0 170 lb Tomas Mrsic had 23 goals, 39 assists, and 62 points in 63 WHL games in 2023-2024. Tomas Mrsic had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 5 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Kenta Isogai, LW, Wenatchee Wild (WHL) 
- The Tampa Bay Lightning will have Brandon Hagel as their first line left winger, Brayden Point as their first line center, and Nikita Kucherov as their first line right winger if long-time team captain and pending UFA Steven Stamkos leaves in Free Agency with Tampa Bay having around only $5-million to spend in cap space. Tampa Bay has Michael Eyssimont as their second line left winger, Anthony Cirelli as their second line center, and Mitchell Chafee as their second line right winger. Tampa Bay has Tanner Jeannot as their third line left winger, Nicholas Paul as their third line center, and Waltteri Morela as their third line right winger. Tampa Bay has Conor Sheary as their fourth line left winger, Luke Glendening as their fourth line center, and Logan Brown as their fourth line right winger.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning have Victor Hedman as their number one defenseman in a contract year and Mikhail Sergachev complimenting him. Erik Cernak and Ryan McDonagh are the two second line defensemen. Nick Perbix and Darren Raddysh are the two third line defensemen on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning have Andrei Vasilevskiy their 2012 first round pick as their starting goalie and Jonas Johansson as their backup goalie. Tampa Bay went to three consecutive Stanley Cups winning back-to-back in 2020 and 2021 before getting bounced in the first round the last two years.
- The 5-11 154 lb Kenta Isogai had 14 goals, 25 assists, 39 points, and a +19 +/- ratio in 61 games with the Youngstown Phantoms in the USHL in 2022-2023. Kenta Isogai had 1 goal, 4 assists, and 5 points in 9 games during the 2023 USHL Playoffs. Kenta Isogai went to the Wenatchee Wild in the WHL after helping the Youngstown Phantoms win the 2023 Clark Cup. Kenta Isogai had 31 goals, 57 assists, 88 poitns, and a +20 +/- ratio in 64 games in the WHL in 2023-2024. Kenta Isogai had 4 goals, 4 assists, and 8 points in 5 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
- Kenta Isogai is one of the more underrated players in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. I can see Tampa Bay developing him into a viable left winger on Tampa Bay's third line down the road.
Florida Panthers: Ondrej Becher, RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL) 
- The Florida Panthers are going to need more right wingers. Ondrej Becher is the best player available on the board at right winger to end the fourth round.
- The 6-1 184 lb Ondrej Becher had 32 goals, 64 assists, 96 points, and a +38 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Ondrej Becher had 5 goals, 14 assists, and 19 points in 15 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
