NHL Draft 2024: Top Five Analysis And Grades
The 2024 NHL Draft is finally here! Less than a week after the Florida Panthers were crowned Stanley Cup Champions, the spotlight will be on the San Jose Sharks as they hold the first-overall pick and are widely expected to take standout Boston College star Macklin Celebrini. Follow along for draft updates, analysis and grades of the top five selections in this year's draft.
Round 1 - Pick 1 San Jose Sharks - C Macklin Celebrini (Boston College)
Macklin Celebrini is one of the most highly anticipated prospects to enter the NHL Draft in the last decade. The Sharks struck gold this year after finishing last in the league standings and winning the draft lottery. They now get their franchise player to build around, who will be a fan-favorite in The Golden State.
Celebrini gave many Boston College fans different chances to celebrate last season when he scored 32 goals and added 32 assists for 64 points in 38 games played. He also represented Team Canada in the World Juniors scoring eight points in five games while the country finished fifth place. The Sharks have a lot of optimism with their new 18-year-old star.
Grade: A+
Round 1 - Pick 2 Chicago Blackhawks - D Artyom Levshunov (Michigan State)
While Chicago had many holes with their roster, the team decided to prioritize defense going with Levshunov instead of adding another teammate for Connor Bedard in Ivan Demidov. Levshunov will be a great piece to add to the 29th-ranked defense according to Odd Shark.
While the idea of Bedard and Demidov won't come true, building an elite defense will help Chicago in the long run and adding a defensive playmaker in Levshunov, who had 44 points in 38 games at Michigan State this year, justifies the Blackhawks selection.
Grade: A-
Round 1 - Pick 3 Anaheim Ducks - F Beckett Sennecke (Oshawa Generals)
This was a pick many people were surprised by (and so was Beckett himself) as Sennecke was a late-first round projection for the longest time. But he helped lead the Oshawa Generals to the top record in their conference and had an outstanding playoff run just falling short to the London Knights in the final. He had 22 points in 16 playoff games including ten goals on top of his 68-point regular season.
The Ducks have one of the best prospect pools in the NHL and are now adding another strong piece after selecting center Leo Carlsson in last year. While they could have taken Lindstrom or Demidov here, Sennecke will get another chance to shine on one of the best teams in the CHL and most likely a year to develop.
Grade: A-
Round 1 - Pick 4 Columbus Blue Jackets - F Cayden Lindstrom (Medicine Hat Tigers)
While many scouts were concerned about Lindstrom's injury, which limited him to 32 games played this season, he was on pace for nearly 50 goals and 100 points while he was on the ice. The 18-year-old won the CHL Top Prospect Award in 2024 and was also invited to the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game as well.
The 6'4 forward had nine power play goals, three shy of team lead, and two game-winning goals. Lindstrom will be a star for the Blue Jackets once he fully recovers from his injury and this was a great selection. The next head coach of Columbus will be really excited to have Lindstrom.
Grade: A-
Round 1 - Pick 5 Montreal Canadiens - D Ivan Demidov SKA St. Petersburg
A steal for the Canadiens, Demidov is an excellent pick by Montreal. The Russian star had 60 points in 30 games with SKA St. Petersburg including 23 goals as well. While he might have fell because of the situation in Russia and the unknown of how long he will be there before transitioning to the NHL, the same thing happened to Russian star Matvei Michkov when he fell last year to 7th overall.
With reports Michkov might play in Philadelphia this season, that could mean it will be sooner than later that Demidov is wearing a Canadiens jersey on the ice. If so, he will be the steal of the draft. Mark my word, he will be a top ten NHL player within a few years.
Grade: A+
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