ESPN 2024 NHL Mock Draft: Celebrini to Sharks; Levshunov Joins Bedard, Blackhawks | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
In ESPN's final mock draft before the start of the 2024 NHL draft on Friday, Rachel Doerrie predicted that Boston University superstar forward Macklin Celebrini will go first overall to the San Jose Sharks, as is widely expected.
Doerrie also stuck with popular thought by mocking Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov to the Chicago Blackhawks at No. 2 overall. Here's a full rundown of Doerrie's top 10 projected selections:
- San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, F, Boston University
- Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State
- Anaheim Ducks: Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo (KHL)
- Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, F, Medicine Hat (WHL)
- Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, F, SKA St. Petersburg (MHL)
- Utah Hockey Club: Zeev Buium, D, Denver
- Ottawa Senators: Sam Dickinson, D, London (OHL)
- Seattle Kraken: Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw (OHL)
- Calgary Flames: Tij Iginla, F, Kelowna (WHL)
- New Jersey Devils: Beckett Sennecke, F, Oshawa (OHL)
Celebrini has been viewed as the likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft for years, and he solidified his status during the 2023-24 collegiate season.
The 18-year-old racked up 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points in just 38 games, earning him the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey. Celebrini became the youngest player to ever win that prestigious honor.
Celebrini is the type of player who could finally help turn things around for a Sharks team that had a league-worst 47 points last season and hasn't reached the playoffs since 2019.
The Blackhawks are in a similar spot, but they may be a step ahead of the Sharks since they got their difference-making forward with the No. 1 overall pick last year in Connor Bedard.
Adding Levshunov would give them a true No. 1 blueliner as well, and a foundation on which to build for years to come.
Elsewhere in the top five, the Ducks are projected to take Russian defenseman Anton Silayev third overall, which would be a logical move after Anaheim traded top defensive prospect Jamie Drysdale to the Philadelphia Flyers for elite forward prospect Cutter Gauthier in January.
The most intriguing pick in the top five may be that of the Canadiens at No. 5 overall, especially if Russian forward Ivan Demidov is available.
Last year, the Canadiens passed on dynamic Russian forward Matvei Michkov at No. 5 overall, allowing him to fall to the Flyers at No. 7.
Despite concerns about his NHL future, Michkov is leaving the KHL for the NHL this season, which suggests the Habs may have made a huge mistake by passing up on him.
If Montreal takes Demidov, it could be a sign that the organization knows it made the wrong decision by letting Michkov slip last year.
