NJHN 2024 Final First-Round NHL Mock Draft

The Stanley Cup has been awarded, the NHL Draft order is set, and all eyes now turn to a fresh crop of players looking to change the fortunes of an organization.

Since our last mock draft, there’s been a World Championship, a Memorial Cup, and the NHL Scouting Combine. Plenty will have changed in the minds of general managers, and now we’ll take a shot at mocking all 32 first-round picks.

2024 NJHN Final Mock NHL Draft

No 1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University

Not much to discuss. San Jose gets their franchise cornerstone.

No 2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State

All signs point towards the way of the big Belorussian defenseman. Levshunov is the most complete defenseman in the draft and fills one of the most coveted positions in the league for the Blackhawks; elite right-handed defenseman.

No 3. Anaheim Ducks: Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod

A few names have been tossed around including Cayden Lindstrom and Ivan Demidov. However, the Ducks opt for the 6-foot-7 Russian defender who’s shot up the rankings over the past year. He holds the record for most points in the KHL by a U-18 player and will only get better as he fills out his massive frame. The Ducks have great puck-moving defensemen in Olen Zellweger and Pavel Mintyukov. Silayev projects to be a high-end shutdown defenseman, making for a great fit on the Ducks backend.

No 4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers

My pick stays the same from the last mock draft with the Blue Jackets taking Cayden Lindstrom. A back injury cut short what could’ve been a dominant campaign for him. He had 27 goals in 32 games before getting injured and will bring a goal-scoring, power-forward game that the Blue Jackets need. An Adam Fantilli-Cayden Lindstrom duo should set that cannon off in Columbus on a regular occurrence.

No 5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg

There was talk that Montreal passed on Matvei Michkov last year because they didn’t think he’d leave the KHL anytime soon. Well, they were wrong. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes won’t make the same mistake again and takes the uber-talented Russian dynamo in Demidov. He boasts elite creativity with the puck and projects as an elite first-line winger.

No 6. Utah Hockey Club: Zeev Buium, D, Denver University

Utah (Arizona) has taken big defensemen in recent years with Dmitri Simashev and Maveric Lamoureux. However, they’ll need someone to man the power play and transport the puck, and Zeev Buium does that in spades. Buium is coming off one of the best draft years for a defenseman in recent history. He put up 50 points in 42 games en route to a National Championship with Denver, while also capturing a gold medal with Team USA at the World Juniors. Buium has done it all and will be the face of Utah’s defense for years to come.

No 7. Ottawa Senators: Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit

It came down to two players for the Senators here; Parekh and the fast-rising Beckett Sennecke. The Senators opt for the best offensive-defenseman in the draft with Parekh. He’ll need some seasoning to work on his defensive game, but he brings offense from the backend, unlike anything we’ve seen in recent years. Senators fans will be hoping he’s the second coming of Erik Karlsson.

No 8. Seattle Kraken: Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights

Seattle has pumped a lot of draft capital into their forward core and are in need of a premier defender. Dickinson played a huge role on a London Knights team that was a goal away from winning the Memorial Cup. He has prototypical size, high-end mobility, and is great at taking the puck up the ice. A little fine-tuning in his own zone is needed, but Dickinson is a safe bet to be a top-four defenseman for a long time.

No 9. Calgary Flames: Tij Iginla, C/LW, Kelowna Rockets

It just has to be, right? Calgary’s rebuild is in full swing now and what better way to get fans in the building than to watch your franchise legend’s son. Iginla is by no means a PR pick. Likely a winger at the next level, Iginla has a sturdy frame and isn’t afraid to use it. He has a strong shot to match his strong skating and is elite at using his body to create time and space for himself. Checks all the boxes for a top-six, goal-scoring power forward.

No 10. New Jersey Devils: Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa Generals

Talks about the Devils moving this pick will continue up until the pick is in, and if they do make the pick then Beckett Sennecke could very well be their guy. As mentioned, he’s been the biggest riser in the second half of the year after a massive growth spurt and a productive OHL playoffs. Sennecke is a highly skilled winger with some of if not the best hands in the draft.

The talking point around Sennecke is the growth spurt he went through this season. He shot up from 5-foot-10 to 6-foot-3 between the start of the year and official measurements at the Scouting Combine. Many scouts believe that once he learns how to master the game in his newfound body, he can become one of the most lethal scoring wingers in the league.

He put up 68 points in 63 games, but it was his herculean efforts in the OHL playoffs that caught attention; registering 22 points in 16 games. Sennecke has soft hands, attacks defenders, and scores goals in a variety of ways. The Devils still could use another top-six winger, and with the prospect cupboard barren, Sennecke would inject life into it.

No 11. Buffalo Sabres: Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs

The Sabres have used recent first-round picks on smaller forwards, but they shouldn’t overthink things with Catton. If he were 5-foot-11 instead of 5-foot-10 he probably is being talked about as a top-five pick. Catton put up historic numbers in the WHL for draft year players; registering 116 points in 68 games. Elite edge-work and playmaking are Catton’s bread and butter.

No 12. Philadelphia Flyers: Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit

Helenius is a responsible two-way forward that Flyers coach John Tortorella would love to get his hands on. The biggest question mark surrounding Helenius is his offensive ceiling, but he’s proved he can score against men with his 36 points in 51 Liiga games. The Flyers need quality young centers, and Helenius fits the bill.

No 13. Minnesota Wild: Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen

The Wild have taken a lot of forwards and a lot of centers in recent years, so they opt for the offensively gifted Yakemchuk. A 30-goal scorer from the backend, Yakemchuck has a bomb of a shot from the point and likes to bring the puck up the ice in transition. There are concerns about his foot and hand speed, as well as his overall defensive game, but the Wild have Brock Faber to hold down the fort on the right side for now.

No 14. San Jose Sharks via Pittsburgh Penguins: Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. NTDP

The Sharks desperately need to add a high-end defensive prospect with Stian Solberg being a great option, but instead, they take who many thought would be Macklin Celebrini’s competition for first-overall in Cole Eiserman. There are major concerns about his all-around game. What there aren’t concerns about is his scoring. Eiserman broke the USNTDP record for goals. The Sharks don’t overthink it and give their new franchise center Celebrini a pure goalscoring winger.

No 15. Detroit Red Wings: Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City Storm

There are questions surrounding Connelly off the ice, but on it, he brings electric skill and creativity – something the Red Wings sorely lack. He glides around the ice and his opponents effortlessly and could turn into a very productive winger in the NHL. The Red Wings need skill and Connelly provides it in spades.

No 16. St. Louis Blues: Stian Solberg, D, Valerenga

Another fast riser in the draft process has been Norwegian defenseman Stian Solberg. He plays with a mean streak, seen often plastering his opponents against the boards. His offensive game has gotten better as the year went on, and he has good enough skating to be dangerous in transition. This pick fills a major need for St. Louis as well.

No 17. Washington Capitals: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora IK

Washington has taken a lot of forwards in the first round in recent years and could opt to take Adam Jiricek, but a major knee injury could cause some hesitation. Instead, it’s back-to-back Norwegians as the Capitals take Brandsegg-Nygard. He plays a 200-foot game with an NHL frame and has the skill and speed to boot. The ceiling isn’t the highest, but the floor is.

No 18. Chicago Blackhawks via New York Islanders: Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfire

After taking Levshunov at two the Blackhawks go forward with their second first-rounder. They’ll need to get some running mates for Connor Bedard, so how about a 90-point winger in Greentree. His pace of play is a problem, but he has a big frame and can score the puck. For all the prospects the Blackhawks have, there’s a hole to fill on the wings, making Greentree a likely option.

No 19. Vegas Golden Knights: Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel

Somehow Vegas has this first-round pick. They’ve traded just about every first-round pick and prospect it seems in recent years, but they restock it here with Michael Hage. A great skater with prototypical size, Hage is a dual-threat center who can either dish the puck to a teammate or score it himself. He’ll go to the University of Michigan next year; a school with a great recent track record for developing prospects.

No 20. New York Islanders via Chicago Blackhawks: Sasha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks

A player scouts seem to love, Boisvert gives the Islanders a top-tier center prospect. He has good size and fits the profile of a NHL center. A very safe, very Lou Lamoriello pick.

No 21. Los Angeles Kings: Adam Jiricek, D, HC Plzen

Had it not been for a knee injury at the World Juniors, Jiricek would have been picked much closer to 10 than he is 20. His slide stops here with the Kings as they add a right-handed puck-moving defenseman with good size and offensive abilities. A long-term replacement if they lose Matt Roy in free agency.

No 22. Nashville Predators: Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie Colts

Beaudoin has drawn comparisons to Predators center Ryan O’Reilly, making him an enticing pick for Barry Trotz. He’s well-rounded and a strong (but not fast) skater. If he hits, he’s a solid middle-six center with a 200-foot game who plays in the league for a long time.

No 23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moskva

Chernyshov doesn’t play an overly flashy game like Russian prospects tend to, but he can skate and score. He has a big, strong frame and will work well as a power forward in the NHL. There’s a path for Chernyshov to have success as a complimentary top-six winger.

No 24. Colorado Avalanche: Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm

The Avalanche are poised to lose a good amount of players to free agency this summer. They opt for the highly intelligent Luchanko. Reports are that scouts are in love with Luchanko and how he plays the game with pace and a high motor. The cap-strapped Avs need young, cheap help in the NHL lineup ASAP.

No 25. Boston Bruins via Ottawa Senators: Teddy Stiga, C/LW, NTDP

The Bruins prospect pool needs help just about everywhere. Stiga is a player who got better as the year went on and will be playing college hockey in the Bruins backyard with Boston College. He’s undersized but plays fast and hard. A typical Bruins player.

No 26. Montreal Canadiens via Winnipeg Jets: Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrews College

With their second first-round pick the Canadiens take a massive swing on a massive player. Letourneau is a 6-foot-7 center who dominated at the junior college level. He plays to his size while also boasting high-level skating and puck skills. The Canadiens can wait for him as he’ll play in the USHL next season before going to Boston College in 2025-26.

No 27. Carolina Hurricanes: Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George Cougars

Carolina still boasts a pretty good prospect pool and it only gets better; adding 105-point winger Terik Parascak. He has a great wrist shot that threatens defensemen and goalies, while also opening up passing lanes. The Hurricanes continue to stockpile talent.

No 28. Calgary Flames via Vancouver Canucks: Dominik Badinka, D, Malmö Redhawks

The Flames need to add a defensive prospect after taking Iginla earlier. Badinka has been steadily rising during the pre-draft prospect, and scouts reportedly are confident he’ll sneak into the first round. The Flames add a big, right-handed defenseman that moves the puck and defends well enough.

No 29. Dallas Stars: Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Vaxjo Lakers

Dallas’s strong drafting over the years is what will keep their Stanley Cup window wide open for many years, and they add to it a puck-moving defenseman. Wallenius is a fantastic skater who transports the puck out of his zone and into the oppositions regularly. He’s played big minutes for Sweden internationally and with a little more development, could be the next great Stars prospect.

No 30. New York Rangers: E.J. Emery, D, U.S. NTDP

Emery was one of the best testers at the Scouting Combine and it shows in his skating. The Rangers take the 6-foot-3 right-handed defender who has good mobility and has the potential to be one of the best pure defenders in the draft.

No 31. Anaheim Ducks via Edmonton Oilers: Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders

Ritchie stood out at this year’s U-18 tournament with Canada. He makes highlight reel plays with the puck on his stick, which he combines with his above-average speed. The Ducks nab a shift, speedy, right-handed right winger who is poised for a productive season in the WHL next year.

No 32. Philadelphia Flyers via Florida Panthers: Sam O’Reilly, RW, London Knights

O’Reilly’s stock is at its peak right now after a good showing at the Memorial Cup. While not the flashiest, O’Reilly does all the little things well and gets to hard areas of the ice. Another John Tortorella-type player who will get into the corners or the front of the net. Should become a very reliable middle-six winger at the next level.

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