2024 NHL mock draft: Who are the top picks in this year's entry draft?
The 2024 NHL draft lottery awarded the NHL's worst team, the San Jose Sharks, the No. 1 overall pick this year. Last year's No. 1 pick winners and the league's second-worst team, the Chicago Blackhawks, received the No. 2 pick.
As was the case last year, there is no tension or questioning of what the Sharks may do with this year's top pick. Boston University's Macklin Celebrini is the clear and obvious choice for the selection and has been for months. What's more intriguing is how the next few picks will go with plenty of domestic and international talent available in this year's draft class.
NHL mock drafting has started to pick up in the days after Tuesday night's draft lottery. Here's the latest on the top three picks in the 2024 NHL Draft from experts around the web.
NHL DRAFT LOTTERY: Winners, losers of 2024: Sharks land top pick, right to select Macklin Celebrini
2024 NHL Draft projections
No. 1 overall pick, San Jose Sharks
Scott Wheeler, The Athletic: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University
Wheeler writes: "It’s signed, sealed, delivered."
Adam Kimmelman and Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University
Kimmelman writes: "The unquestioned best player available in the draft, Celebrini (6-foot, 190 pounds) also is one of its hardest workers ... The youngest player in NCAA hockey, the 17-year-old dominated the competition with 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in 38 games."
Lyle Richardson, Bleacher Report: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University
Richardson writes: "The consensus top prospect among all evaluators, Celebrini led the Terriers with 64 points in 38 games, finishing third among all NCAA scorers."
No. 2 overall pick, Chicago Blackhawks
Scott Wheeler, The Athletic: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (Russia)
Wheeler writes: "Demidov is probably the most purely individually skilled player in the draft and would complement Bedard well both at five-on-five and on the power play."
Adam Kimmelman and Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State
Morreale writes: "The Belarus-born right-handed shot was the third-youngest player in NCAA hockey and was second among freshmen defensemen and tied for 10th among all defensemen in scoring. The Blackhawks need a future pillar on defense and Levshunov fits that bill."
Lyle Richardson, Bleacher Report: Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (Russia)
Richardson writes: "The young Russian could fill Chicago's need for a scoring right winger among their top prospects."
No. 3 overall pick, Anaheim Ducks
Scott Wheeler, The Athletic: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State
Wheeler writes: "[T]he belief among scouts I’ve talked to is that the Ducks will target a defenseman with their pick. If the Blackhawks take Demidov, Levshunov comes into focus."
Adam Kimmelman and Mike G. Morreale, NHL.com: Anton Silayev, D, Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
Kimmelman writes: "The left-shot defenseman is one of the most intriguing players in the draft because of his size (6-7, 211) and developing offensive side of his game ... Silayev has the potential to be a tremendous complementary piece on a top defense pair."
Lyle Richardson, Bleacher Report: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State
Richardson writes: "A talented puck-moving defenseman with a right-hand shot, the 6'2", 209-pound Belarussian has the size and skills to be an impactful NHL blueliner."
NHL NEWS: Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe fired after another early playoff exit
When is the 2024 NHL Draft?
Where: The Sphere, Las Vegas, Nevada
When: June 28-29, 2024
Cable TV: ESPN (first round); NHL Network (rounds 2-7)
Streaming: ESPN+; fuboTV
HOW TO WATCH: Watch this year's NHL draft with a fuboTV subscription
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024 NHL mock draft: Projections for the top three picks
