Thebigfaceoff NHL 2024 Draft Ranking (Mock Draft)

 

The 2024 NHL draft will be held at Las Vegas at the Sphere on June 28th. These events change the lives of tons of players and can also alter the success of tons of teams. Here at Thebigfaceoff, we have put together our final draft rankings for the top 10.  

 

1. San Jose Sharks – Macklin Celebrini, C – Boston University (NCAA)

It's a slam dunk pick, Celebrini has been the consensus number one pick all year and it won't change now. Macklin brings skill as well as a very sneaky 200 foot two-way game. Another bonus is that Celebrini's father works as the director of sports medicine for the Golden State Warriors, The fans of the San Jose Sharks should be excited for the future.

  2. Chicago Blackhawks – Artyom Levshunov, D – University of Michigan (NAA)

Chicago is moving in the right direction of their rebuild. Young core forwards like Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, Lukas Riechel and of course the beast, Connor Bedard. Other than Kevin Korchinski they don't really have an up-and-coming two-way defenseman in their system. Levshunov is a right-handed shot with a killer first stretch pass. If the Hawks are looking for defense, Artyom is the best in this draft class.

3. Anaheim Ducks - Anton Silayev, D – Torpedo (KHL)

After Levshunov I believe Silayev is the best defenseman in the draft, Now of course they play two very different games, Anton is a massive 6'7 207 pound monster. He has been compared to the likes of Zdeno Chara and Victor Hedman. 

he is physical, he is strong and he shows incredible leadership ability. Anaheim is loaded with forward talent (Zegras, Mctavish, Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson. They also have a young Russian defenseman in Pavel Mintyukov.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets-  Ivan Demidov, RW – SKA St. Petersburg (MHL)

Ivan is arguably the best talent after Celebrini, but due to the thing called "The Russian Factor," I believe he will fall in this draft. Columbus might be the best fit for Demidov considering that the team boasts an impressive five Russian players. This might make an easier transition for Ivan. He has all the making to be a star player in the NHL, a lethal shot, and the ability to draw opposing players to him which leaves openings for his teammates.

5. Montreal Canadiens - Cayden Lidstrom, C – Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

The Canadians are loaded up on D (Harris, Guhle, Reinbacher, Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux, Arber Xhekaj) so much so that their has been rumors of them trading one of those defenseman for a player like Zegras. Cayden is that power forward that Montreal needs. A big strong center that can chip in offense while also pissing off the other team.

6. Utah No Name – Berkley Catton, C – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

The option to snag a franchise defenseman here is tempting, but when a skilled forward like Catton drops on your lap, you take him.

7. Ottawa Senators – Zeev Buium, D – University of Denver (NCAA)

Since there aren't many prospects available to the Sens at any position, they search for Buium, who is the BPA. In addition to having a fantastic draft season, he was instrumental in Denver's NCAA championship victory as a rookie.

8. Seattle Kraken – Sam Dickinson, D – London Knights (OHL)

Seattle has quickly amassed a respectable prospect pool (Ranked 13th in the Organizational Rankings) but it is rich with forwards and weak on defense headlined by Ryker Evans and Ty Nelson. Both are nice but not blue-chippers. Sam Dickinson fits like a glove and sorts them down to a more comfortable seeding on the depth chart.

9. Calgary Flames – Tij Iginla, RW – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

How poetic this pick would be but It would also place a tremendous amount of pressure and expectation in Tij to be drafted by the Flames. he has shown to thrive under pressure. It would not be a reach to select him at nine, it is more likely he will be selected before the Flames get a shot at him.

 

10. New Jersey Devils – Konsta Helenius, C – Jukurit (Liiga)

The Devils are flush with defence so look to add a forward option. Helenius can play center or wing and with Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes down the middle, Helenius gives them excellent depth and strength up front.