The 2024 NHL Draft is finally upon us.
As of now, the New York Islanders have the No. 20 pick in the draft. They last drafted in the first round back in 2019, when they selected Simon Holmstrom at No. 23.
Over the course of the last few weeks, we provided potential options for the Islanders at No. 20, so let's dive in:
Michael Hage: Center, Chicago Steel
Hage, 18, spent last season with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL), scoring 33 goals and 42 assists for 75 points in 54 games.
In two playoff games, Hage recorded two goals with two assists.
The center led a mediocre Steel team in goals, assists, and points, essentially willing them to the postseason, earning All-USHL First Team honors.
Hage has committed to the University of Michigan and will begin his freshman season in the fall.
Related: Islanders 2024 First-Round Draft Pick Possibility: Michael Hage
Adam Jiříček: Right Defenseman, C Plzeň
Jiříček is the younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets top prospect David Jiříček, who was taken sixth overall in 2022.
Before an unfortunate injury at the World Juniors , the Czechia native Jiříček scored one assist in 19 games for HC Plzeň.
Jiříček played in the Extraliga, Czechia’s top men’s league, and is only 17 years old.
Entering this season, Jiříček was seen as a contender for best defensive prospect of the draft.
Related: Islanders First-Round Draft Pick Possibility: Adam Jiříček
Sacha Boisvert: Center, USHL
The Trois-Rivières native scored 36 goals with 32 assists for 68 points in 61 games for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the United States Hockey League (USHL).
In eight playoff games, Boisvert scored three assists. He also served as alternate captain for the Lumberjacks and is now committed to the University of North Dakota.
According to an interview with Russ Cohen of EliteProspects, Boivert filled out his 6’ 2” frame, improved his initial strides, and worked on his two-way game before this season.
Related: Islanders First-Round Draft Pick Possibility: Sacha Boisvert
Andrew Basha: Left Winger, WHL
The Calgary native Basha scored 30 goals with 55 assists for 85 points with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
In five playoff games, Basha scored five points (three goals, two assists) as the Tigers were bounced out in the first round.
He finished third in overall team scoring behind projected 2026 first-overall pick Gavin McKenna and Oasiz Wiesblatt.
Fellow 2024 top prospect Cayden Lindstrom also played for the Tigers alongside Basha but was largely injured.
Basha’s game starts with carrying the puck. He excels at skating, stickhandling, and maintaining possession.
Related: Islanders First-Round Draft Pick Possibility: Andrew Basha
Nikita Artamanov: Forward, KHL
Artamanov scored seven goals with 16 assists for 23 points in 54 games for Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) before being held pointless in five KHL playoff games.
His numbers may not be eye-popping, but Artamanov played in Russia’s professional men’s league and contributed at only 18 years old.
To give a reference point, NHL star winger Nikita Kucherov, at 18, wasn't even playing in the KHL his draft year but rather in their junior league.
According to a scouting report from the Pro Hockey Group on CapFriendly , Artamanov has a deceptive wrist shot, which he uses to a tee on the power play. His “hockey IQ” and awareness are top-notch, and he can read the play well to create turnovers and scoring opportunities.
Related: Islanders First-Round Draft Pick Possibility: Nikita Artamanov
Jeff Luchanko: Center, OHL
The Ontario native Luchanko exploded this season, going from an energetic grinder with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 46 games to the team’s top center and leader.
He scored 20 goals with 54 assists for 74 points in 68 games with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In four playoff games, Luchanko had three assists.
He led a middling Storm team in points after Boston Bruins’ center Matthew Poitras left the team, being named the OHL's Most Sportsmanlike Player.
Luchank also represented Team Canada at the U-18 World Juniors, recording two goals and five assists for seven points in seven games to help his country win the gold medal.
Related: Islanders First-Round Draft Pick Possibility: Jett Luchanko
Ryder Ritchie: Right Winger, WHL
The Calgary native scored 19 goals with 25 assists for 44 points in 47 games with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL) before seven points (three goals, four assists) in five playoff games with a weaker Raiders team.
Ritchie also represented Team Canada at the 2024 World Juinor Championships, scoring four goals with four assists in seven games:
Taken at face value, Ritchie’s offensive numbers don’t suggest first-round pick material. Fellow prospect and 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup linemate Berkly Catton scored 116 points in 68 WHL games.
Related: Islanders First-Round Draft Pick Possibility: Ryder Ritchie
Stian Solberg: Left Defenseman, Elitseserien
The Oslo, Norway native Solberg scored five goals with 10 assists for 15 points in 42 games with Vålerenga of Eliteserien, Norway’s top professional men’s league.
Solberg scored nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 17 playoff games and averaged 25 minutes a night during the recent World Juniors.
What separates Solberg from other defensemen in his draft class through physicality.
With bulky, physical defensemen such as Alexander Romanov , the Islanders’ defense centers around making strong plays on the puck.
Related: Islanders First-Round Draft Pick Possibility: Stian Solberg
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