2024 NHL Mock Draft: GM Ron's Stab at the 1st Round

The NHL Draft is HERE! It is one of the most exciting days of the NHL offseason as all teams look to build for their future. Although the top pick in the draft is all but guaranteed, similar to the 2023 class, the rest of the first round is largely a mystery.

With the 2024 NHL Draft on the horizon, this is my GM Ron mock draft. I'm treating this as a March Madness bracket of sorts. I want to see how many I can get right, with a little bit of analysis based on what I know.

Without further ado, let's dive in:

2024 NHL Mock Draft

1. San Jose Sharks

Macklin Celebrini, Center, Boston University (NCAA): This is the no-brainer pick of the draft. With Ryan Warsofsky now running the show in San Jose (which is an incredible hire by the way, I covered Coach Warsofsky with the Chicago Wolves), the Sharks are primed to rebuild. They're a few years away from contending again, but I believe they're building in the right direction. Celebrini gives them a young star to build around.

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Ivan Demidov, Wing, SKA St. Petersbburg Jr. (RUS-JR): Although 99% of analysts are taking defenseman Artyom Levshunov here, I think there is a chance that Kyle Davidson does a 180 on what people think is going to happen. Nonetheless, the Levshunov pick would make sense, but getting Demidov to put alongside Connor Bedard in 2025-26 would be electric for the offense. After all, his visits with teams in Florida really opened eyes to the unknown. That said, don't be surprised if this pick is incredibly wrong on my end.

3. Anaheim Ducks

Zeev Buium, Defense, Denver (NCAA): A lot of other mocks are taking the Russian defenseman Anton Silayev in this slot. Although I believe they're correct on the positioning, I think Zeev Buium has drawn a lot of interest in this draft cycle. Many analysts and amateurs alike love this kid. He's a really good skater, has poise with the puck, and can be a difference maker in Anaheim's future. After losing Jamie Drysdale, it's time for the Ducks to get another potential franchise defenseman with Buium.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

Cayden Lindstrom, Center, Medicine Hat (WHL): Per Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet, this is where the draft really starts. Although there will certainly be surprises in the top-three, I agree that pure chaos can begin at this pick. That said, a huge body, lots of skill, and an ability to play with speed, Cayden Lindstrom would look awesome in the future if paired with Adam Fantilli. Having two centers for the future is key, and that possibility ultimately leans Columbus in favor of the Medicine Hat product.

5. Montreal Canadiens

Anton Silayev, Defense, Nizhny Novgorod (RUS): At this pick, I imagine Montreal would like to add offense, and if Demidov and/or Lindstrom get past the top-4, that player will head to Montreal. Worst-case scenario, the Habs can get a really good defenseman with insane size and some offensive upside. It's a pick that can only help Montreal moving forward.

6. Utah Hockey Club

Artyom Levshunov, Defense, Michigan State (NCAA): Although Mr. Levshunov very well might be a member of the Blackhawks, he will certainly not fall below No. 6 in this draft if he falls. Utah is reportedly in the market for a top defenseman with their new ownership, and getting a big right-handed shot would only help in building a serious contender for the future.

7. Ottawa Senators

Sam Dickinson, Defense, London (OHL): An organization that has no real sense of direction right now, the Ottawa Senators are always a huge question mark. However, taking the best available player at this slot makes all the sense in the world as they look to get things going in the right direction in the near future.

8. Seattle Kraken

Zayne Parekh, Defense, Saginaw (OHL): Like many of the teams ahead of them, Seattle should take the best player available when it's all said and done. For Parekh, he ventures to Seattle to give them their first real franchise blue-liner not named Vince Dunn. Ideally, the OHL product will eventually blossom into a top guy for the Kraken.

9. Calgary Flames

Tij Iginla, Center, Kelowna (WHL): How can this NOT be Calgary's pick? Jarome Iginla was a legend in the city of Calgary and is one of the best players in franchise history. Now, in need of an identity, the Flames can grab the son of said legend and build around him in the future.

10. New Jersey Devils

Konsta Helenius, Center, Jukurit (FIN): Full disclosure, I believe this pick gets traded on draft day. I think we will have a MASSIVE amount of movement in this draft. That said, if the Devils stay put, taking the best offensive player available to add to their core makes the most sense. The Devils had an odd down season, and they should turn it around next season with their strong roster.

11. San Jose Sharks (from Buffalo Sabres)

Carter Yakemchuk, Defense, Calgary (WHL): After acquiring pillar players over the last two drafts (Will Smith/Celebrini), the Sharks have a chance to take a franchise defenseman at this pick. Although he may never be a true No. 1, Carter Yakemchuk has high-scoring ability and can seemingly replace the Brent Burns/Erik Karlsson of yesteryears. The trade with Buffalo to move up can do some good for Mike Grier.

12. Philadelphia Flyers

Beckett Sennecke, Wing, Oshawa (OHL): Size, two-way game, and a big shot make Beckett Sennecke a nice pick for a Flyers organization trying to turn things around. With Owen Tippett and Sean Couturier seemingly the only guaranteed members of the future at forward, adding Sennecke to pair with Matvei Michkov could be sensational. The Russian is expected to venture to the United States this season, so getting more firepower to join him is a good move.

13. Minnesota Wild

Berkly Catton, Center, Spokane (WHL): With some nice young defensemen, including Calder Trophy runner-up Brock Faber, the Wild can opt to go offense at 13. Supposedly, Marco Rossi is available for trade. If they decide to move their young forward, backfilling him with another forward is good practice.

14. Buffalo Sabres (from Pittsburgh Penguins, via San Jose Sharks)

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Wing, Mora (SWE-2): Now that Owen Power, Bowen Byram, and Rasmus Dahlin own the blue line in Buffalo, their need is clearly offense. Although Cole Eiserman would be a nice pick, I see him slipping for some odd reason because the NHL is weird like that. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is a nice two-way winger with high upside. He'd look great on the wing in the future for either Dylan Cozens or Tage Thompson.

15. Detroit Red Wings

Michael Hage, Center, Chicago (USHL): After what I believe is Detroit's projected pick (Brandsegg-Nygard) goes to Buffalo, the Red Wings have to change direction. Offense is still likely the direction here. Hage is a big center with plenty of scoring ability in addition to his physicality. He'll get to hone his craft in Detroit's backyard (Univ. of Michigan) next season, so his development can be easily monitored by Steve Yzerman.

16. St. Louis Blues

Stian Solberg, Defense, Valerenga (NOR): St. Louis wants to shake up their blue line, and getting a face for the future is a likely scenario. Solberg profiles as a top-pairing guy that St. Louis can pair with one of the many veterans on the roster. Although Torey Krug, Colton Parayko, Nick Leddy, and Justin Faulk won't all be there when Solberg breaks into the league, he can surely pair with any of them for the future.

17. Washington Capitals

Sacha Boisvert, Center, Muskegon (USHL): This pick can go a number of ways, including Cole Eiserman's direction. However, who knows what the future looks like for Washington. They're in a bit of cap hell with players like Tom Wilson and now Pierre Luc-Dubois under contract for a long time. Nonetheless, young offensive talent is my guess with the pick. Sacha Boisvert could be a perfect long-term project for the Caps.

18. Chicago Blackhawks (from New York Islanders)

Cole Eiserman, Wing, USA U-18 (USHL): This pick is designed to back up the No. 2 pick, which I fully expect to be wrong on. If the Hawks go defense with Levshunov (against my prediction), then addressing offense here makes too much sense. Eiserman has a great shot. He likely plays one year of college, but could be one of those shooters to pair with Bedard and torture opposing goalies with in the future. Plus, this is admittedly a very selfish pick wanting one of the best shots in the draft.

19. Vegas Golden Knights

Adam Jiricek, Defense, Plzen (CZREP): Most other mocks have Vegas going forward. However, I think a defenseman could make sense if they decide to do something crazy this offseason. No team is as aggressive as Vegas when it comes to acquiring NHL talent. If a play is made for say, Jake Guentzel, Shea Theodore could be an odd man out. If so, they'll need his eventual replacement.

20. New York Islanders (from Tampa Bay Lightning via Chicago Blackhawks)

Trevor Connelly, Wing, Tri-City (USHL): After moving back two spots to acquire some extra draft capital, the Islanders need to get younger. An older roster, especially at forward, lends me to think they make a play for Connelly. A really good scoring winger, Connelly adds to the Islanders pipeline that is rather dry in terms of quality prospects.

21. Montreal Canadiens (from Los Angeles Kings)

Jett Luchanko, Center, Guelph (OHL): After moving up to this spot, the Montreal Canadiens add another forward upon taking defense. Luchanko is a nice center with plenty of upside, giving the Habs something to look forward to as he develops in Guelph for another season.

22. Nashville Predators

Igor Chernyshov, Wing, Dynamo Moscow (RUS): Nashville's issue is always offense. Their blue line is strong, even after Ryan McDonough returns to Tampa Bay. Getting the big scoring winger from Russia gives the Predators a future scoring weapon to join the likes of Filip Forsberg.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs

Liam Greentree, Wing, Windsor (OHL): Developing defensemen is hard, and Toronto hasn't had a lot of success in that outside of Timothy Liljegren and Morgan Reilly. With that in mind, getting a winger to eventually fill the spot that Mitch Marner will likely vacate works out for Toronto. Greentree is Windsor's captain, and a hell of a scorer. He's not far down the road either. It works for both sides.

24. Colorado Avalanche

Terik Parascak, Wing, Prince George (WHL): The rich get richer. The Avs are in a good spot with their current roster. Here, this is simply a best-available pick. Parascak has ok size and speed, but his hockey sense serves as his best asset. 105 points in 68 games as a WHL rookie is CRAZY. Avs get better for the future here.

25. Boston Bruins (via Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators)

Cole Beaudoin, Center, Barrie (OHL): Cole Beaudoin is a heavy player with a complete arsenal. His pro comp is Boone Jenner, who is a player that would thrive in Boston. They will need more fire power with Brad Marchand eventually following Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci out the door. Solid two-way centers always bode well in a tough Eastern Conference.

26. Los Angeles Kings (from Winnipeg Jets via Montreal Canadiens)

Egor Surin, Center, Yaroslavl Jr. (RUS-JR): No more PLD means the need for another center in the future. Anze Kopitar can't play forever (even though he acts like an ageless wonder), so getting another center makes plenty of sense. A winger could be in play, but getting Surin would be just what the doctor ordered for LA.

27. Carolina Hurricanes

Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Defense, Vaxjo Jr. (SWE-JR): Carolina's defense is aging, and building up the pipeline will be important. Jalen Chatfield took that next step and got a nice contract to stay in Carolina, and now they can continue adding to their blue line. Sahlin Wallenius brings good vision and puck-moving ability, exactly what the Hurricanes will need down the road.

28. Calgary Flames (from Vancouver Canucks)

Aron Kiviharju, Defense, HIFK (FIN): Calgary will need everything in the coming years as they struggle to retain their top talent at times. Acquiring a defenseman to supplement the Iginla pick makes plenty of sense. Once considered a top-10 talent, Kiviharju can bring the puck-moving ability that the Flames could use, even with his small stature (5-9, 184 lbs.).

29. Dallas Stars

Marek Vanacker, Wing, Brantford (OHL): A big scorer with 200-foot potential fits the Stars' profile. With a young nucleus already in place, bringing in a player who needs to recover from surgery in June is ok. He will need about four-to-six months, but the Stars can play the long game with their pick. Vanacker had 22 power-play points last season.

30. New York Rangers

Ryder Ritchie, Wing, Prince Albert (WHL): Another team more likely to contend than rebuild, the Rangers can add a favorable addition. Although he was below a point-per-game, Ryder Ritchie is a nice long-term project for New York. The 17-year-old is a gritty forward, compared to Pittsburgh's Bryan Rust at times. If he becomes anything similar, that's a win for the Rangers.

31. Anaheim Ducks (from Edmonton Oilers)

Sam O'Reilly, Wing, London (OHL): Anaheim adds a really good skater at forward to compliment their defensive pick earlier in the round. O'Reilly is a strong skater and continually improved in his time with London last season. He also had a really strong playoff run, tallying 12 points in 18 games.

32. Philadelphia Flyers (from Florida Panthers)

Eric Emery, Defense, USA U-18 (USHL): Philly continues adding to their backend with the final pick on the draft's first night. Set to play at the University of North Dakota next season, the 6-foot-3 Emery profiles as a more defensive defenseman. His speed and length allow him to cover a lot of space, and he could profile as a top-4 defenseman in Philly in the future.

What's On Tap Next?

The NHL Draft's first round starts at 6:00 p.m. CDT on Fri., Jun. 28. Rounds 2-7 will begin on Sat., Jun. 29 at 10:30 p.m. CDT. What do you think of my mock draft? Sound off on the socials @LuceOnTap and let me know your thoughts!

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