The 2024 NHL Draft Guest List
The Clean Hits Staff and the Top NHL Cappers Give Their Top 15 of the NHL Draft
We here at Clean Hits love a strong community. Itβs what helped build the Arizona Coyotes fandom, what will make the Utah Hockey Club fandom special and what unites so many hockey fans across multiple countries.
So what better way to celebrate this than by sharing lists (both mock and not) by not only the Clean Hits staff but other NHL gurus. Check out some 2024 NHL Draft lists from the likes of TopCheddarPicks, Tyson Cole (aka Spittin Picklets) and ShotPropz and who they hope their favourite teams will select (and in the case of Tyson who his other team may select).
Tyson Cole - x.com/spittinpicklets
Tyson, maybe better known as Spittin Picklets, is an NHL/hockey capper and contributor for the Canucks Army, Flames Army and the Daily Faceoff. Make sure to give him a follow and respect this hockey guru of the Pacific Northwest. Tyson is submitting a mock with both a pick he hopes the Flames make and one he wishes the Canucks could have made (pre-trade).
1) San Jose Sharks - Macklin Celebrini (C)
Is there much to say about this one? Celebrini is just another franchise centre iceman to join last year's first-round pick, Will Smith, with the Sharks ββ a duo that will strike fear in the Pacific division for years to come.
2) Chicago Blackhawks - Ivan Demidov (RW)
I know he's got the Russian factor against him, but he proved the critics wrong at the combine before tonight's draft. Demidov clocked in at 6'1 and ensured he'd come to play overseas after this contract with SKA St. Petersburgh. I don't think the Blackhawks will pass on this incredible opportunity to pair Connor Bedard and Demidov for years to come.
3) Anaheim Ducks - Artyom Levshunov (D)
The first defenceman finally goes off the board, and it's no surprise it's Levshunov. After a trade that sent Jamie Drysdale to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Cutter Gauthier, Levshunov fills a much-needed void in the Ducks lineup. The 6'2, right-shot defenceman looks to pair with offensive defenceman Olen Zellweger for years to come.
4) Columbus Blue Jackets - Cayden Lindstrom (C)
Since the Blue Jackets moved on from Pierre-Luc Dubois, they've struggled to find consistent centremen. However, with this pick, they can set themselves up with a scary one-two punch down the middle for some time with Adam Fanitlli and Lindstrom. The 6'3, 214 lb power forward tallied 43 points in 34 games in the WHL last season.
5) Montreal Canadiens - Tij Iginla (LW)
Calgary Flames fans are probably devastated about this selection, but Canadiens fans must be dancing down the cobblestone roads of Montreal. Iginla's 47-goal, 84-point season shot up the draft boards the highest this offseason, and to add his skill and toughness to a weaker Canadiens lineup would gel nicely.
6) Utah Hockey Club - Zeev Buium (D)
I did you a solid here, Utah fans! As for me, Zeev Buium is definitely the most polarizing player and maybe my favourite in the entire class. His name alone deserves to be the first overall pick. Buium's playmaking and elite hockey IQ, matched with his swift skating, somewhat resemble the play you see of Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes.
7) Ottawa Senators - Zayne Parekh (D)
The Senators have a loaded left side of their defence but have truly failed at building the right until they add Parekh. Now, I know I just compared Buium to Makar and Hughes, but Parekh has the higher offensive ceiling of the two. He finished with 96 points in 66 games for the Saginaw Spirit.
8) Seattle Kraken - Anton Silayev (D)
I've seen Silayev be mocked as high as third overall, but I think the 6'7 monster defencemen might fall a bit tonight. And that's not to say he's a bad pick. Silayev received some high praise during the draft process, being called a unicorn of this draft, which I don't think the Kraken will be able to pass on.
9) Calgary Flames - Konstas Helenius (C)
Trust me, I wish I could be writing Tij Iginla here, Flames fans. And this isn't a sexy pick by any means, but Helenius fills a need for the Flames. Although Sam Dickinson is probably the most NHL-ready player left on the board, the Flames go with the Finnish forward due to all the defencemen acquisitions in their recent trades. Helenius reminds me of an Aleksander Barkov-lite β an underrated defensive-minded centreman who can also produce offensively.
10) New Jersey Devils - Sam Dickinson (D)
We don't have to wait much longer for Dickinson's name to be called. Now, I'm not sure New Jersey will even be the team making this selection, as they've been rumoured to be trading this pick for a player who can help them now. Even if they move it, it's likely a team coming up to trade for the London Knight anyway, considering he fell this far.
11) San Jose Sharks - Cole Eiserman (LW)
I said I was only going to do the top 10, but I wanted to talk about the fall of Eiserman. What happened to him? It was long believed that he was neck and neck with Macklin Celebrini for first overall entering this season. Boy, did that change. Eiserman still scored 25 goals and 34 points in 24 games with the USNTDP but fell back nearly 10 picks. The Sharks traded up from 14th overall yesterday, as it was reported the Philadelphia Flyers had a great interview with Eiserman and were interested in selecting him at 12-overall. Was this an aggressive move by Mike Grier to get their guy?
12) Philadelphia Flyers - Carter Yakemchuk (D)
13) Minnesota Wild - Berkley Catton (C)
14) Buffalo Sabres - Adam Jiricek (D)
15) Detroit Red Wings - Bennett Sennecke (RW)
16) St. Louis Blues - Stian Solberg (D)
17) Washington Capitals - Michael Brandsegg Nygaard (C)
18) Chicago Blackhawks - Dominik Bodnicka (D)
19) Vegas Golden Knights - Michael Hage (C)
20) New York Islanders - Liam Greentree (RW)
21) Los Angeles Kings - Jett Lauchenko (C)
22) Nashville Predators - Trevor Connolly (LW)
23) Toronto Maple Leafs - EJ Emery (D)
24) Colorado Avalanche - Igor Chernyshov (LW)
25) Boston Bruins - Cole Beaudoin (C)
26) Montreal Canadiens - Cole Hutson (D)
27) Carolina Hurricanes - Sacha Boisvert (C)
28) Calgary Flames - Terik Parascak (RW)
This would have been where the Vancouver Canucks picked, so I'll give some short write-ups of who I would take for Calgary and Vancouver.
For the same reason I mentioned earlier, I think the Flames target another forward here, given the copious amount of defencemen they've acquired over the last year. What type of forward are they lacking? A playmaker. And Parascak had one of the highest point totals remaining on the board. Calgary grabs their defensive centreman; now, they get their offensive winger.
28) Vancouver Canucks (if they didn't trade the pick) - Dean Letourneau - (C)
Okay, time to put my Vancouver Canucks glasses on for now.
What once was the league's top prospect pool has now diminished to, quite frankly, a two-man group of Jonathan LekkerimΓ€ki and Tom Willander. Outside of them, there are some B and C-level prospects, but only Max Sasson projects to play centre at the NHL level. Letourneau is a massive 6'7, 214-lb centreman who scored 61 goals and 127 points in 56 games for the St. Andrews College U18 AAA team. The large and in charge centreman is committed to Boston College for next season, and just a pipe dream for Canucks fans.
29) Dallas Stars - Ryder Ritchie (RW)
30) New York Rangers - Aron Kiviharju (D)
31) Anaheim Ducks - Andrew Basha (LW)
32) Philadelphia Flyers - Marek Vanacker (LW)
ShotPropz - x.com/shotpropz and shotpropz.com
Shotpropz is one of the most vital resources for NHL gamblers and cappers. His website shotpropz.com has data on shots for/shots against, goals for/goals against, and other betting props that are updated several times a week and can be broken down by road vs home games and more. Make sure to bookmark his site and give him a follow. This is Shotpropzβs personal list.
San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini - NCAA
Chicago Blackhawks: Ivan Demidov - MHL
Anaheim Ducks: Berkly Catton - WHL
Columbus Blue Jackets: Artyom Levshunov - NCAA
Montreal Canadiens: Zayne Parekh - OHL
Utah Hockey Club: Cole Eiserman - NTDP
Ottawa Senators: Tij Iginla - WHL
Seattle Kraken: Sam Dickinson - OHL
Calgary Flames: Zeev Buium - NCAA
New Jersey Devils: Konsta Helenius - Liiga
San Jose Sharks (from Buffalo): Cayden Lindstrom - WHL
Philadelphia Flyers: Anton Silayev - KHL
Minnesota Wild: Beckett Sennecke - OHL
Buffalo Sabres (from Pittsburgh via San Jose): Trevor Connelly - USHL
Detroit Red Wings: Carter Yakemchuk - WHL
Colorado Avalanche 24th Overall - The Avalanche pick at 24th overall. With only 7 forwards and 4 defensemen currently under contract for the 24-25 season, the Avs can use help pretty much everywhere. I would like to see them address the winger position, as I donβt think it would be surprising if Nichushkin never returns to the team. Iβd like to see them target a player like Igor Chernyshov (Moscow - MHL) β a big, goal-scoring winger. There's no guarantee he's still on the board at 24, so they may need to be aggressive and move up a few spots if they want to acquire some size in what appears to be a smaller 1st round, particularly among wingers.
TopCheddarPicks - x.com/topcheddarpicks
One, if not thee, top NHL capper in the Twitter sphere, Top Cheddar is a diehard New Jersey Devils fan who also hosts daily streams about NHL gambling. If you arenβt following him you are seriously missing out.
Macklin Celebrini - NCAA
Artyom Levshunov - NCAA
Cayden Lindstrom - WHL
Ivan Demidov- KHL
Zayne Parekh - OHL
Anton Silayev - KHL
Tij Iginla - WHL
Berkly Catton - WHL
Tij Iginla - WHL
Sam Dickinson - OHL Calgary Flames: Tij Iginla - WHL
Carter Yakemchuk - WHL Beckett Sennecke - OHL
Konsta Helenius - Liiga
Michael Brandsegg-NygΓ₯rd - SHL
Beckett Sennecke - OHL
Cole Eiserman - USHL
New Jersey Devils 10th Overall: As much as I wish the Devils could take Iginla the more realistic option is Dickinson or Helenius. While both donβt fill positions of need, they are highly touted prospects that help overfill a deep prospect depth. They can either become replacements when the cap gets tight, roster players, or trade blue chips.
Brad, aka Gretzky Betzky, aka Betzky - x.com/gretzkybetzkys
One of the Clean Hits contributors, Betzky is a lifelong Arizona Coyotes fan who is part of the Cult of Bill Armstrong and ready to follow the team to new levels of success and a new home. He runs an NHL capping account Gretzky Betzky and loves everything hockey. Betzky shared his top 15 prospect list instead of a mock.
Macklin Celebrini - NCAA
Ivan Demidov- KHL
Zeev Buium - NCAA
Artyom Levshunov - NCAA
Sam Dickinson - OHL
Cayden Lindstrom - WHL
Tij Iginla - WHL
Zayne Parekh - OHL
Carter Yakemchuk - WHL
Beckett Sennecke - OHL
Anton Silayev - KHL
Konsta Helenius - Liiga
Berky Catton - WHL
Β Michael Brandsegg-Nygard - SHL
Igor Chernyshov - MHL
Utah Hockey Club 6th Overall - I am firmly in Team Zeev. I hope he falls. I want him to fall. And I know I will be devastated if the team doesnβt select him if he is there at pick #6. He bring a skillset that is lacking in the defensive prospect pool and current roster. And although he is a left-handed shot I donβt mind him and Simashev being split up for the matchup nightmares. He is just the kid this team needs and a potential captain/assistant captain.
Trent - Clean Hits contributor and all-around draft and prospect nerd. Make sure to join the Clean Hits discord to get all of his insights (both good and bad). He also will be the teamβs βscoutβ as he follows all of the Utah prospects and draft-eligible players throughout the season. This is his personal list.
1. Macklin Celebrini
2. Ivan Demidov
3. Zeev Buium
4. Sam Dickinson
5. Cayden Lindstrom
6. Artyom Levshunov
7. Tij Iginla
8. Carter Yakemchuk
9. Zayne Parekh
10. Anton Silayev
11. Beckett Sennecke
12. Konsta Helenius
13. Berkly Catton
14. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard
15. Stian Solberg
Trentβs Utah Pick:
With a supremely balanced game, historic levels of offensive production, and a stunning track-record of winning, Zeev Buium is an ideal candidate for Utah's first-ever draft selection. This is a high-character defenseman that Utah will be able to trust on their power play, their penalty kill, in all three zones, and in the final minutes of games whether they're trailing by a goal or leading by goal.Β Zeev is a player Utah will want out on the ice as much as possible, in all situations.Β
He is an electric defenseman with dynamic skating, stout two-way play, and high hockey IQ. Buium demonstrates exceptional puck control, making plays using both his feet and his hands, and creating shooting lanes out of nothing. His edgework lateral skating is breathtaking. The shimmy shakes, head-fakes, and dekes when he's skating downhill at defenders have broken ankles all over the nation and all over the world.Β His ability to control the puck, make intelligent plays under pressure, and thread shots through traffic makes him a special offensive talent. Zeev is the rare offensive defenseman that doesn't sacrifice too much from the defensive side to play his game.Β He's a strong defensive presence on the ice and thrives in one-one-one battles.
Buium thrives under pressure in playoffs and international tournaments. He is a proven winner, having already secured major trophies, including the NCAA Frozen Four and gold medals with Team USA in the World Junior and Under-18 Championships. It's an eye-popping resume for such a young player.Β He's already accomplished so much, and he's just getting started.Β
Cory - The Clean Hits newest contributor. Cory hails from Ontario and has been a Coyotes/Utah fan ever since he fell in love with the team from their infamous 2012 playoff run. Heβs also a diehard draft nerd. This is his personal list.
1.Β Macklin Celebrini β The undisputed top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. He is not a generational-tier player, but any time you have the opportunity to add the next Jack Hughes to your lineup, you run up on to the draft stage.
2.Β Ivan Demidov β The Russian forward is a much more appealing pick now that there is an apparent commitment to come over to North America. Updated measurements in recent weeks also add to Demidovβs appeal.
3.Β Artyom Levshunov β The top-available defenceman in this yearβs draft, Levshunovβs game has no weak points and he is only getting better. The fact that he is a right-hand shot and a strong candidate to turn pro as soon as next season gives him greater value.
4.Β Zayne Parekh β A tad undersized for a blue-liner, but he makes up for that with next-level offense. Parekh is another right-hand βDβ whose development is safeguarded in a strong development program like Saginaw.
5.Β Cayden Lindstrom β The darkhorse within the early portion of the first round, the hulking Medicine Hat centre brings both size and skill. He is a solid selection if you are confident past back injury concerns will not hamper his long-term development.
6.Β Β Β Β Sam Dickinson β Another defenceman who comes from a great OHL development program in London, Dickinson is a solid all-around rearguard. His game lacks a bit of a wow factor that you like to see in a first-round pick.
7.Β Zeev Buium β Buium brings innate offensive talent built on great hockey sense. He is shade below Parekh with what he can provide on the score sheet, but the talent is evident. His winning pedigree with Denver and Team USA is intriguing.
8.Β Anton Silayev β There is no questioning his size at 6-foot-7 β and still growing β but the scouting community is right to highlight the defencemanβs lagging offensive game. Itβs a three-zone game and want more than size and defensive acumen with such a high pick.
9.Β Tij Iginla β The bloodlines are there as the son of the longtime Calgary Flames captain, and that provides nice assurance that the younger will become something in the NHL himself one day. He is a gifted goal scorer whose release may be the best in the class.
10.Β Beckett Sennecke β A second-half riser, Sennecke is a bit of the classic player whose game has reached new heights as he has grown into his frame. He is a scoring winger but some in the scouting community think he could shift to centre long term.
11.Β Konsta Helenius β The prototypical Finnish forward who is solid in all three zones and can play in any situation. Ideally youβd like a little more size up the middle of the ice, but those size concerns have not held back his offensive game to date.
12.Β Carter Yakemchuk β The last of the group of six defenceman who have separated themselves at the top of the draft, Yakemchukβs offensive game rivals Parekhβs, but skating concerns and the Hitmenβs lagging history of development are troubling.
13.Β Berkly Catton β Another smaller center, Catton makes up for his diminutive figure with brilliant scoring and a steady two-way game. But, those size concerns and the mix of the existing forward core in Utah could see the club shy away from his selection.
14.Β Cole Eiserman β While he is among the most offensively gifted products in this yearβs draft, there is little to say about Eisermanβs game away from the puck. Thatβs why he tumbled down the rankings after being seen as the likely second choice a year ago.
15.Β Adam Jiricek β The brother of Blue Jacketsβ David Jiricek, who made a quick transition to the North American pro ranks. The younger defenceman needs to get his game back on track after lost time due to injury, though past performance was promising.
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