NHL Mock Draft 2024

Celebrini has been the unanimous first overall pick for this draft for quite some time now so I won’t make a true case as to why he should be here. Instead, let's look at what San Jose is getting out of Celebrini. One of the big things (like most first overall picks) is that he is NHL-ready right now which isn’t a need for San Jose but it's always desirable. Celebrini also had a very successful college career winning last season Hobey Baker (top NCAA player) and scoring slightly under 2 points per game with 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games. Although Celebrini is above average in a lot of things, he has elite speed. His Hockey IQ is also something NHL scouts have complimented in the past. Unlike Bedard last year, Celebrini will have plenty of other prospects to play with coming into next season with guys such as Will Smith and Quentin Musty possibly receiving NHL call-ups to San Jose at the beginning of next season.

2: Chicago – Artyom Levshunov (RD)

Age: 18 Height – 6’2’’ Weight: 208lbs

Nationality – Belarusian

Central Scouting Rank – 2 NA Skaters

Current Team – Michigan State (NCAA)

Stats:

NCAA – 38GP 9G 26A 27+/-

This is where the draft begins. Most drafts have the Blackhawks going Ivan Demidov here, but I have them going in a more defensive direction. The team loaded up on offense last year using their first 10 picks last year on forwards and lack a true right defenseman with the only two other defensemen in their top ten (Nolan Allen and Ethan Del Mastro) playing on the left. Levshunov might not be the best pick in the world, especially for those who crave offense but does give you that 2-way production being the Spartan's leading goal scorer last year. Levshunov also plays aggressively per scouts jumping into the rush every time an opportunity approaches and can be a Power Play quarterback. He just got done with his Freshman season and is a defenseman so he will take time to develop but the Blackhawks seem to be in no rush anyways.

3: Anaheim - Anton Silayev (LD)

Age: 18 Height – 6’ 7’’ Weight- 211lbs

Nationality – Russian

Central Scouting Rank – 1 EURO Skater

Current Team – Torpedo (KHL)

Stats:

KHL -63 GP 3G 8A -9 +/-

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim draft was a little odd, to say the least. The team selected Carlson instead of Fantali and selected forwards with all their picks in the first 3 rounds for the first time since 2018. Combined that with the teams acquisition of Cutter Gauthier for Jamie Drysdale earlier in the season, and it seems inevitable the team goes back to their roots selecting a defenseman. Silayev checks a lot of boxes for being a great NHL defenseman. For one thing, he has the natural height advantage at a staggering 6 foot 7 inches. Silayev has been described as one of the best defensive defensemen prospects in recent years for good reason. His skating ability is fantastic and uses his reach to his advantage. Of course, providing little to the offense isn’t a plus but Silayev ability to kill plays and move the puck will lead to success in the NHL. His contract is not up til 2026 but like every one of these early teams, making the playoffs soon, is not a priority.

4: Columbus – Ivan Demidov (RW)

Age: 18 Height – 5’11’’ Weight – 181lbs

Nationality – Russian

Central Scouting Rankings – 2 EURO Skater

Current Team – SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

Stats:

KHL – 4GP

MHL – 30GP 23G 37A 47+/-

The fall of Demidov finally ends going to a team that has a history of having Russian players especially as of recently. At first glance, it might be concerning that a top 5 pick was sent down to the juniors of Russia but that fall was only due to an injury Demidov suffered at the beginning of the season and it is not like he hasn’t been tearing up the Juniors scoring 2 points per game on average. There are three words to describe Demidov: skilled, fast, and competitive. His elite release and ability to be creative with the puck will allow him to be a future first-liner in the NHL. One last plus, Demidov plays mostly on the wing but can be converted to a center if need be which Columbus might want to consider doing as their prospect room is weak with Cs.

5: Montreal – Berkly Catton (C)

Age: 18 Height – 5’11’’ Weight 170lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rank – 8

Current Team – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Stats:

WHL- 68GP 54G 62A 15+/-

Canada U18 5GP 8G 2A

The first “reach” of the draft is given to Montreal which might sound like a bad thing but when the prize is Catton, you can’t be to mad. I think all you really have to say about him is 116 points in the regular season in a non-QMJHL CHL league. Catton is elite on the power play and the best in this class scoring a 99 in that metric according to CapFriendly. This is important considering Montreal finished 27th in power play percentage last year. Even with this offensive production, Catton is nowhere near a defensive liability and making great strides in that department finishing with a 15 +/- last season (an improvement for the -36 +/- he put up with Spokane last year). All of this to say, Catton is most deserving a top 5 pick and a team outside of it would be lucky to have him. The Habs snatch him before he can get there though.

6: Utah – Zayne Parekh (RD)

Age: 18 Height – 6’0’’ Weight 178lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Current Team – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Central Scouting Rankings – 5 NA Skater

Stats:

OHL 66GP 33G 63A 39+/-

Canada U18 – 5GP 3A

It’s a new era in for the hockey club out of Utah and what better way to kick it off than by drafting the best offensive defenseman in this draft. A few other titles have been given to Pearekh, the most elusive, the best power-play quarterback, and the most creative defenseman. This all sounds like a top-10 pick right here. Parekh 96 points are the most points scored by a defenseman in the OHL for over a decade with Ryan Ellis being the last one to reach that mark scoring 100 points for Windsor in the 2010-11 season. Parekh has a very High Hockey IQ and can distribute the puck like no other which is great when you have young players like Clayton Keller and Logan Cooley already on your team. Parekh is projected to be a first pairing de and it is easy to see why.

7: Ottawa – Carter Yakemchuk (RD)

Age: 18 Height- 6’3’’ Weight 190lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 11 NA Skater

Current Team – Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

Stats:

WHL: 66GP 30G 41A -6 +/-

This pick now seems like a reach with Yakemchuk finishing at 11 in the Central draft rankings and has fallen ever since then. There are a few reasons for this. The major reason is that he just didn’t put up the major offensive numbers as other defensemen like Parekh did in the CHL this year. Another reason was that Calgary just wasn’t a good team this year. Finally, Yakemchuk has a knack for getting into penalties this season going from 31 PIM in 22/23 to 120 PIM in 23/24. These can all be fixed easily by gaining some discipline and just going to a new team. The skillset is undeniable and Ottawa just needs prospects who are guaranteed NHLers (something they are extremely lacking in the NHL). Yakemchuk pure ability to play in all situations makes him a desirable pick here at 7 despite him falling in recent rankings.

8: Seattle – Zeev Bulum (LD)

Age: 18 Height – 6’0’’ Weight 183lbs

Nationality – American

Central Scouting Rankings – 4 NA Skater

Current Team – U of Denver (NCAA)

Stats:

NCAA: 42GP 11G 39A 33+/-

WJC20: 7GP 3G 2A 11+/-

Something Ron Francis was known for while being the GM of Carolina was selecting defensemen in the first round. This trend hasn’t taken place in Seattle where Francis has used a first-rounder on a forward for the entirety of the Kraken existence, this trend ends here with the need for a defenseman being a clear priority in the Kraken prospect room. The thing Bulum brings to any team is offense. He led all NCAA defensemen in points and was top ten in the NCAA in points. He also plays a fast pace style and is very good at defending the net. However, his physicality is lacking (unlike most of the other top ten d’s), and being on the smaller side at six foot flat leads him to drop below Yakemchuk in this rating. Still, the Kraken have seen a lot of Quinn Hughes over the years, might as well draft the guy that plays the most like him.

9: Calgary – Tij Iginla (C)

Age: 17 Height – 6’0’’ Weight 186lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 9 NA Skater

Current Team – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

Stats:

WHL: 64GP 47G 37A 17+/-

WJC18: 7GP 6G 6A 4+/-

What a story this would be, the son of Calgary legend Jarome Iginla joining the same team. Although this pick might be considered a reach, Iginla has seen a wave of momentum ever since April that gives him a good chance of cracking into the top ten. This momentum is thanks to his versatility, playing in all situations, and his great playoff performance scoring 9 goals and 6 assists during 11 games of the WHL playoffs. Two things that have been bright spots for him this year have been his quick acceleration and elite release. He is also a proven leader, something every team looks for. From the legacy side to the analytical, this pick just makes too much sense.

10: New Jersey - Cayden Lindstrom (C)

Age: 18 Height – 6’3’’ Weight 210lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 3 NA Skater

Current Team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Stats:

WHL 32GP 27G 19A 12+/-

Canada: 5GP 2G 1A

Due to all of the defensemen projected to go early in this mock, some of the more forward-needy teams can benefit. One of the biggest teams with this issue is the New Jersey Devils who do not have a center prospect anywhere in their top prospects. May I present Cayden Lindstrom. Lindstrom was one of the top prospects entering this draft until he suffered an upper-body injury in December. He has recovered since then but might still need some time to develop. The biggest upside to Lindstrom game is the ability to use his frame of 6 foot 3 inches to make space and play a physically imposing game, especially in juniors. He is also not a one-trick pony being able to both distribute and shoot the puck although shooting tends to be the priority. Look for Lindstrom to be a middle 6 power forward when he eventually comes to the majors.

11: Buffalo – Sam Dickinson (LD)

Age: 17 Height: 6’3’’ Weight 204lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 7

Current Team – London Knights (OHL)

Stats:

OHL: 68 GP 18G 52A 56+/-

Canada: 5GP 3A

Dickinson may be tall in frame but doesn’t use it a ton leading him to fall out of the top ten in this list. Despite that, Dickinson logs a ton of ice time for an always-good London team and plays elite defense as that 56 +/- demonstrates. He also has one of the highest hockey IQs in this draft and can be a great power-play quarterback on the blue line. There is not much to say here, this is just a safe pick for Buffalo who has plenty of forward depth in their prospect pool.

12: Philadelphia – Cole Eiserman (LW)

Age: 17 Height – 6’0’’ Weight – 197lbs

Nationality – American

Central Scouting Rankings – 12

Current Team – USDP (USHL)

Stats:

USHL: 57GP 58G 31A 23+/-

WJC18 – 7GP 9G 1A

It’s a weird time for the Philadelphia Flyers prospect ranks. Your top prospect in Cutter Guathier began California dreaming and is now in Anaheim. At least you got a defensive talent in Jamie Drysdale in return to sure up your young defense but the winger position that Guathier left is still an uncertainty, Eiserman changes that. Some call Eiserman the most elite pure shooter in the draft proving so in the first game of the U18 WJC by scoring a hat trick on Slovakia. This is a guy who always wants the puck but can get a little inconsistent at times. Eiserman needs time to develop but the Flyers seem to be in a position to wait a bit with Michkov still in Russia and the team making a playoff push towards the end of last year.

13: Minnesota – Konsta Helenius (RW)

Age: 18 Height – 5’11’’ Weight: 180lbs

Nationality – Finnish

Central Scouting Rankings – 3 EURO Skater

Current Team: Jukurit (Liiga)

Stats;

Liiga: 51GP 14G 22A -3+/-

WJC20 7GP 1G 1A

Minnesota fans seem to be clamoring for a center with this pick but RW is the need and Helenius is the best player available. It should be noted that Helenius may not have the sexiest stat line in the world, especially compared to his Canadian counterparts, but he plays in a much more professional league in Liiga. One thing to note for Helenius, he never stops moving. He is a constant factor throughout the ice checking every player in sight and being a formidable force in the offensive zone. Probably one of the hardest players to contain in this draft. Don’t let the stats fool you, this guy will drive plays in the NHL level and will be a great middle six winger.

14: San Jose – Adam Jiricek (RD)

Age: 17 Height – 6’2’’ Weight 178lbs

Nationality – Czech

Central Scouting Rankings – 4 EURO Skaters

Current Team – HC Pizen (Extraliga)

Stats:

Extraliga – 19GP 1A -10+/-

WJC20 3GP -3+/-

Coming into this draft, the Sharks need was clearly de. However, even with you stack forward room of Musty, Smith, Edstrom, etc. you just can’t pass up on Celebrini. Here at 14, you still have one last defensemen to choose from that being Jiricek. Jiricek didn’t play too many games suffering an injury at the World Juniors that has kept him out. Jiricek also needs time to build up strength in his game. Even with these flaws, he is an elite puck distributor who can be used in all situations and tends to be aggressive when in the rush. This is a guy that San Jose should just sit on and wait for his game to progress as he matures in Europe for a few seasons.

15: Detroit – Liam Greentree (RW)

Age: 18 Height – 6’2’’ Weight - 211lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 14 NA Skater

Current Team – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Stats:

OHL 64GP 36G 54A -14+/-

WJC18 7GP 2G 2A 3+/-

Detroit could go in any direction during this draft but here decides to go best available with Greentree. For starters, Greentree has an elite release and might be the best puck handler in the draft. Even with this offensive ability, his size allows him to play as a power forward at times. The only downsides to Greentree’s game are that you won’t see him on the penalty kill and he definitely doesn’t have the speed nor the skating ability like some others in his draft class with Greentree’s skating being called “unorthodox” by scouts. With that said, he does compliment almost any line proficiently and will slot into the middle six ranks for any NHL team.

16: St. Louis – Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (RW)

Age: 18 Height – 6’1’’ Weight 198lbs

Nationality – Norwegian

Central Scouting Ranking – 5 EURO Skater

Current Team: Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Stats:

HockeyA: 41GP 8G 10A 3+/-

WJC20 – 5GP 3G 2A

WC: 7GP 3G 2A -6+/-

The Blues are in a difficult position here at 16. The clear need is defensemen with Theo Lindstein being the NHL quality one in their prospect pool. However, all of the top defensemen are gone by now and it would be a massive reach to go for one at 16. Although forward is not a major need, the Blues lack defensive play with their current selection of young wingers, especially in Jordan Kyrou and top prospect Jimmy Snuggerud. Presenting Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (MBN). MBN looks poised to be the first Norwegian drafted in the first round in the NHL for good reason. Although MBN is not completely elite in any category, he does everything right having enough speed to force defenders into honoring him and is not afraid to get dirty on the walls. He also might be the best forward at checking in this draft. MBN eats up clock playing between 16-19 minutes a game for Mora IK. Speaking of Mora IK, it is clear that thanks to head scout Alex Steen, the Blues are beginning to favor the Swedish leagues with all three of their first-round picks last year coming from the system and the team already signing 2 players from the SHL in Marcus Sylvegard and Samuel Johannesson after the season ended. Expect anyone drafted by St. Louis to come out of this Swedish system. Finally, MBN was the only major prospect to play at the World Championships recently holding his own scoring 5 points in 7 games. This production proves that MBN might be able to quickly come up to the NHL within a year and fill in the defensive liabilities that other Blues prospects leave open.

17: Washington – Michael Hage (C)

Age: 18 Height – 6’0’’ Weight – 190lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 10

Current Team – Chicago Steel (USHL)

Stats:

USHL: 54GP 33G 42A 17+/-

The old guard for the Capitals are slowly leaving with Kuznetsov leaving and Ovechkin and Oshies days being numbered. With that being said, the Caps need a player who can produce in clutch situations, presenting Michael Hage. Hage was elite in the developmental USHL being labeled as a “too-good-to-be-true” prospect due to his ability to win games at the end of regulation. He has great awareness and elite offensive skills. The reason for him falling to the middle of the first round is purely lack of defensive ability and can be a bit lazy tracking back at times. Hage will be attending the University of Michigan next year so we will see if he fixes these issues there.

18: Chicago – Andrew Basha (LW)

Age: 18 Height – 5’11’’ Weight – 184lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 26 NA Skater

Current Team – Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Stats:

WHL: 63GP 30G 55A 6+/-

I’ll be the first one to say that I was a little surprised of Chicago moved up two spots to 18. Usually, if you make a move like that, it is to get ahead of a team that might want your player in this case being Vegas. However, (as I’ll get more into depth next pick) Vegas has only drafted centers with their first-round pick since their founding, and Chicago is already loaded at that position with Frank Nazar, Oliver Moore, and Ryan Greene all playing that position. I still have Basha going here for the reasons I’m about to state but keep an on this pick possibly being a C instead because of the trade. Anyways, back to Basha. Basha was the understudy to Cayden Lindstrom at Medicine Hat and was Lindstrom primary setup man. In fact, Basha has been considered the best setup man in this draft. His vision has been applauded numerous times throughout the scouting process and has a solid release as well. Something Basha provides that most of these other forwards don’t is that he is a penalty kill specialist and can be a threat skating up ice during that situation. When your team revolves around one superstar, it’s best to surround him with people who can set him up for greatness. Expect Basha to take 2 years to develop, 24-25 in the CHL, and then called up midway through the 25-26 season.

19: Vegas – Jett Luchanko (C)

Age: 17 Height – 5’11’’ Weight – 185lbs

Nationality – Canada

Central Scouting Rankings – 20 NA Skater

Current Team – Guelph Storm (OHL)

Stats:

OHL 68GP 20G 54A -13+/-

WJC18: 7GP 2G 5A 5+/-

At 19, we find the team allergic to development in the Vegas Golden Knights. Although they have not kept them, Vegas has always selected a center with their first-round selection, and that still should be the case here. Two choices left on the board to fill that criteria in either Luchanko or Boisvert but I have Vegas going for Luchanko. Luchanko has been one of the fastest risers in the draft rankings as of recently and was named one of CapFriendly few A+ rated prospects heading into this draft. This is thanks to his versatility. According to scouts, Luchanko compares similarly to Nick Suzuki in that nothing he does is elite but he does everything right. Hockey IQ is high for Luchanko. One of the things most applauded by scouts is Luchanko's ability to take key defensive faceoffs especially when on his strong side. Whoever gets Luchanko will get a winner.

20: New York Islanders – Sacha Boisvert (C)

Age: 18 Height – 6’2’’ Weight 178lbs

Nationality – Canada

Central Scouting Rankings – 17 NA Skater

Current Team – Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

Stats:

USHL: 61GP 36G 32A 5+/-

The Islanders are in desperate need of a center with Iskahovic being the only top one in their pool. When you play for a USHL team, that usually means you have some things to work on which is the case for Boisvert. He has solid height at 6 foot 2 inches but is very lean and needs to put on muscle. Behinds that, Boisvert checks a lot of boxes when it comes to fundamentals. Solid stride, eats about 18 minutes a game, can pass or shoot, has good checking ability, everything is good. What Boisvert is elite at though is on the faceoff dot something every team desires. Boisvert is committed to North Dakota University so expect him to develop over the next few years there. If he can put on some muscle to match the physicality of the pros and continues to grow his game, expect Boisvert to slot in as a second line C.

21: LA– Terik Parascak (RW)

Age: 17 Height – 6’0’’ Weight – 176lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 5 NA Skaters

Current Team – Prince George Cougars

Stats:

WHL: 68GP 43G 62A 49+/-

We exit the top 20 with LA doing what they do best, take the best available. Something they do not usually do is go RW as this would be the first time LA selects a RW with their first-round selection since Kempe in 2014. However, Parascak is just too good to pass up. Parascak is a rags to riches story being a fourth-round pick in the CHL draft to now being a first-rounder and has proved it with his 105 points being eighth in the WHL. He does this in two ways. The primary way is by Parascak being a high-volume shooter but he can also drive the net and set screens and deflections. A downside here is that Parascak isn’t as fast as his other draft prospected and tends to have problems regrouping and playing pucks off the wall. Every prospect outside the top 20 will have issues but its nothing Parascak hasn’t overcame before and if he does, expect him to be a top six forward.

22: Nashville – Aron Kiviharju (LD)

Age: 18 Height – 5’9’’ Weight 170lbs

Nationality – Finnish

Central Scouting Rankings – 8 EURO Skater

Current Team – HIFK

Stats:

Liiga: 7GP 1G 1A

WJC18: 5GP 3A

My personal favorite prospect in this draft class, Kiviharju has had a very rocky previous season. As the stat line proves, Kiviharju was injured for most of his draft season with an injury he sustained in September. This caused him to go from an easy top-ten pick to somewhere in the mid 20s. Kiviharju also lacks size standing at a measly 5 foot 9. With this being said, Kiviharju is one of if not the best offensive defenseman when healthy. He loves creating plays and is an excellent quarterback. Kiviharju has amazing vision and made some spectacular passes on his highlight tape from years prior. The comparison to Torey Krug is obvious here. This is also a perfect pick for Nashville as it lines up perfectly with their time table. Nashville has one of the best AHL rosters in the league and can afford a first-round pick taking multiple years to develop. Kiviharju also plays a very similar game to that of Roman Josi who only has 4 years left on his deal and will be 37 at the end of it. If all goes to plan, Kiviharju can be Josi replacement when the time comes.

23: Toronto – Beckett Sennecke (RW)

Age: 18 Height – 6’2’’ Weight – 175lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 13 NA Skater

Current Team – Oshawa General (OHL)

Stats:

OHL: 63GP 27G 41A 33+/-

Toronto has so many wingers that primarily play on the left, it is time they select someone who can play on the right. Beckett was very impressive in the OHL playoffs for Oshawa defeating a lot of teams' top prospects like Dvorsky and Musty. Sennecke has great size and has great speed with some scouts saying he is “a highlight-reel on skates who is destined to make a long list of enemies for mostly the right reasons.” Sennecke might have one of the quickest release times in this draft and can play on the weak side on power plays thanks to his one-timer. His defense does need to improve and will with time. With a team as cap crunch as Toronto, they will need young cheap depth which is something Sennecke provides.

24: Colorado – Nikita Artamonov (F)

Age: 18 Height – 5’11’’ Weight – 187lbs

Nationality – Russian

Central Scouting Rankings – 19 EURO Skater

Current Team – Torpedo (KHL)

Stats:

KHL: 54GP 7G 16A -6+/-

Artamonov is someone the Avs have definitely been watching this season as he plays on the same team as fellow Avs prospect Nikolai Kovalenko. There are many reasons to like Artamonov. He might be the most versatile forward in the draft playing in any forward position he pleases. He also has an impressive KHL resume being the youngest player to score four points in a KHL game. He is a true 200-foot player who will play solid defense but also play into the rush. However, a few flaws currently. Besides the whole KHL issue, Artamonov isn’t as polished on the offensive side as most forwards in this draft. Combine this with being a little undersized and lacking physicality and you have a late first-rounder.

25: Ottawa – Ryder Ritchie (RW)

Age: 17 Height – 6’0’’ Weight 175lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 19 NA Skater

Current Team – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

Stats:
47GP 19G 25A -1+/-

WJC18: 7GP 4G 4A 3+/-

This might be Ottawa's last first-round pick for a while as the Dadonov situation gets figured out. Because of this (and because they already picked earlier) the 25th pick should be someone that they can develop over a long period of time. Who fits that bill better than the WHLs Rookie of the Year? Ritchie Has an entire 200-foot game and can quickly transition to playing highly physical defense whenever he is struggling offensively. His main tool on offense is the one-timer, especially near the slot. He is also versatile when it comes to positioning but prefers to be a winger at the minimum. He did suffer a lower-body injury mid-way through the season but that didn’t stop him from being a major part of the gold medal-winning Canadian U18 side. Of course, his lack of elite offensive ability and mediocre speed has caused him to drop into the 20s but some mock drafts have him falling outside the first round which is absurd. One of the top teams with these late picks should be able to get a bargain with Ritchie, but, in this situation, Ottawa gets a player they can consider their first-round pick next year.

26: Montreal – Igor Chernyshov (LW)

Age: 18 Height – 6’2’’ Weight – 192lbs

Nationality - Russian

Central Scouting Rankings – 9 EURO Skater

Current Team - Dynamo Moskva (KHL)

Stats:

KHL 34GP 3G 1A -3+/-

MHL 22GP 13G 15A 15+/-

Some teams just love picking players from certain countries such as the Blues currently with Swedes. The case is similar with the Habs with their lead scout, Nikolai Bobrov, helping select loads of Russians as of late such as Bogdan Konyushkov and Momonty Yugry. Earlier in the draft, the Habs didn’t have a single Russian fall to them earlier but here have a chance to select Chernyshov. Chernyshov is one of the elite play-making forwards in this draft class having a five assist game playing in the MHL. What brings him down in these rankings as he doesn’t truly have a shot especially when playing in the more professional KHL. However, his good size and ability to play on the weak side of powerplays should lead him to be a first-round pick.

27: Carolina – Emil Hemming (RW)

Age: 17 Height- 6’1’’ Height-201lbs

Nationality – Finnish

Central Scouting Rankings – 6 EURO Skater

Current Team – TPS (Liiga)

Stats:

Liiga: 40GP 7G 4A 3+/-

WJC18: 5GP 4G 2A

WJC20 7GP 2A -2+/-

Carolina has a very solid prospect room especially with defense so they can afford to go best available winger which is Hemming. Hemming actually also fills the “dual-threat winger” title that was left by Villie Koivunen who got sent off in the Guentzal trade. The best thing about Hemming here is his elite one-timer which is probably the best in the class. He also is a natural when it comes to distributing the puck, especially at the hash marks. Two knocks on Hemming that bring him down to 27 are that he struggles checking back on defense at times and his skating ability needs improving looking a little lazy at times. I’ve seen some scouts consider Hemming to be an odd player possibly slotting in on the third line but then playing on the top power play line. Whatever the case may be, Carolina should safely have an NHL caliber player here.

28: Calgary – Cole Hutson (LD)

Age: 17 Height – 5’10’’ Weight – 165lbs

Nationality – American

Central Scouting Rankings – 55 US Skater

Current Team – USDP (USHL)

Stats:

USHL: 19GP 3G 9A -2 +/-

WJC18: 7GP 4G 9A 14+/-

If you just look at the Central Scouting Rankings, you would be crying that this would be the most laughable reach of all time. If you look at his World Junior performance, you’d think he is a top ten pick. When you look at Calgary, you will see no defensemen in the pool. With a later 1st round pick, this is a great selection for Calgary. A game to watch to truly see Hutson ability would be US vs Slovakia in the U18 World Juniors in which he opened up the scoring and was the best player on the ice. He is a great powerplay quarterback who is elite in working in small areas. He does tend to take too many risks at time leading to awful mistakes but he will learn to mature over time. The main knock though is his size as 165 pounds will not work in the NHL. Still, Hutson is one of the youngest players in this draft and has time to build on all of these things.

29: Anaheim – Lucas Pettersson (C)

Age: 18 Height – 5’11’’ Weight – 168lbs

Nationality – Swedish

Central Scouting Rankings – 16 EURO Skater

Current Team – MODO Hockey (SHL)

Stats:
SHL 5GP

J20 Nationell: 44GP 27G 30A 27+/-

WJC18: 7GP 3G 5A 3+/-

It has been 29 picks but the first Swede has come off the board. There’s a lot of good Swedish talent in this late 1st early 2nd area with Linus Erikson and Leo Sahlin both being possible first-rounders but I have Pettersson going here because of his consistency. Plus, Anaheim has shown their love for Swedes taking Leo last year over Fantilli. Pettersson has been described as a “Mr. Everything” by scouts because that’s what he does. He has shown the ability to take key defensive faceoffs and has been up for the challenge whenever he is needed at the international level scoring 35 points in 27 games in all competitions for Sweden’s under-18 squad. What makes Pettersson slide here is that the back half of the season has been rough for him and he has proven he is not an elite scorer like other forward prospects. With that being said, Pettersson looks to slot into a mid-6 contributor role in the NHL level which Anaheim could always use.

30: Philadelphia – Henry Mews (RD)

Age: 18 Height – 6’0’’ Weight – 183lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 37 NA Skater

Current Team – Ottawa 67s (OHL)

Stats:

OHL: 65GP 15G 46A 16+/-

WJC18: 7GP 2G 5A 7+/-

I believe when you have multiple first and you don’t have any desperate needs, you should spend one on a forward and the other on a defenseman. Philly took a forward in Eiserman at 12 so Mews slots in at 30. Let's start off with the negative, Mews makes a load of mistakes, especially In the offensive zone. His decision-making needs to improve if he wants to play for an NHL job in the future. Even with this massive flaw, there’s a lot of upside to Mews game. He is a great distributor and can quickly catch and release the puck. Mews has also been a power-play quarterback in the OHL this year. This late in the draft, you’re looking for upside more than flaws, Mews has years to mature. If he does, expect him to be a bottom 4 defenseman at the NHL level.

31: Dallas – Sam O’Reilly (C/RW)

Age: 18 Height – 6’1’’ Weight – 186lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 24 NA Skater

Current Team – London Knights (OHL)

Stats:

OHL 68GP 20G 36A 32+/-

In a Jim Nill draft one thing is certain, there’s about a 90% chance he’s selecting someone from the CHL with the first-round pick. If you’re going to select a CHL player, why not select a guy from one of the CHLs best teams? O’Reilly has been one of the biggest risers according to the Central Scouting Rankings going from 40 at the midway point to 24. O’Reilly is a natural center who is not afraid to take an important draw. His hockey IQ is off the charts according to scouts and he sees the ice very well. Combine that with his above-average stick handling and ability to play off the wall, you have a very good prospect. Funny enough, the guy Sam O’Reilly looks most like is that of Ryan O’Reilly just as a smart secondary scorer who does everything right. The stats are not flying off the wall when you look at O’Reilly which is probably why he falls this late into the draft. However, this can primarily be chunked up into just being on a loaded team meaning someone’s going to get a really good steal here with O’Reilly.

32: New York Rangers – Cole Beaudoin (C)

Age: 18 Height – 6’2’’ Weight 209lbs

Nationality – Canadian

Central Scouting Rankings – 25 NA Skaters

Current Team – Barrie Colts (OHL)

Stats:

OHL: 67GP 28G 34A 2+/-

WJC18 7GP 2G 2A 6+/-

The Rangers are looking for a center and defensemen in this draft and centers are harder to find later on in this draft (especially since Seattle owns their second-rounder and the Blues own their third-rounder). For that reason, the Rangers here select the best center available that being Beaudoin. Some scouts have called Beaudoin skating ability as similar to that of Boone Jenner with how wide it is and that skating ability might be the reason he ends up in the first round. Combine that with an ability to absorb contact and one time from the weak side and you have yourself an under-the-radar type of prospects. Beaudoin is also not afraid to get physical up against the wall winning puck battles time after time. The main fallback to his game is his body positioning as scouts have described him as being lost at times for Barrie. Still, a lot of upside to his game which makes him the final pick in this mocks first round.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse