The 2024 NHL Draft took place on June 28 and 29 at The Sphere in Las Vegas. In the first round, the San Jose Sharks selected Macklin Celebrini as their first pick. Celebrini is a center from Boston University (NCAA) and is considered an elite NHL player with a powerful stride, quick twitch, high-end offensive sense, creative plays ability, bullet shot, and projects to run the first power play in the NHL. He is highly competitive and wins battles, making him a two-way center in the league. The Sharks had several areas that needed addressing and Celebrini could step right into their lineup as top-six forward help.
According to various sources, Macklin Celebrini navigates the middle of the ice, disrupts defensive schemes, and finds passing lanes. His puck protection skills, willingness to play through contact, and quick release make him a scoring threat even without the puck. Boston University finished as the top team in the country during the 2023-24 season with Celebrini leading them.
The Chicago Blackhawks selected Artyom Levshunov from Michigan State in the first round, and he is a defenseman. The Anaheim Ducks chose Beckett Sennecke from Oshawa Generals (OHL) as their first pick, and he is a right winger.
The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Cayden Lindstrom from Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL), the Montreal Canadiens picked Ivan Demidov from SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (Russia), and the Utah Hockey Club chose Tij Iginla from Kelowna Rockets (WHL). The Ottawa Senators selected Carter Yakemchuk, a defenseman, from Calgary Hitmen (WHL), and the Seattle Kraken picked Berkly Catton, a center, from Spokane Chiefs (WHL).
The Calgary Flames selected Zayne Parekh, a defenseman, from Saginaw Spirit (OHL), and the New Jersey Devils picked Anton Silayev, a defenseman, from Nizhny Novgorod (KHL). The San Jose Sharks then selected Sam Dickinson as their second first-round pick. Minnesota Wild traded up to pick Zeev Buium from University of Denver in the first round. The Philadelphia Flyers traded down and picked Jett Luchanko, a center, from Guelph Storm (OHL).
Buffalo Sabres selected Konsta Helenius, a right winger, from Mikkelin Jukurit (Liiga), Detroit Red Wings picked Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, a right winger, from Skellefteå AIK (SHL), St. Louis Blues picked Adam Jiricek, a defenseman, from HC Plzeň (Czech Extraliga), and Washington Capitals selected Terik Parascak, a right winger, from Prince George Cougars (WHL).
The Chicago Blackhawks then picked Sacha Boisvert as their second first-round pick. Vegas Golden Knights chose Trevor Connelly as their first pick in the second round. The New York Islanders selected Cole Eiserman, a left winger, from USA NTDP (USHL), and Montreal Canadiens traded up to select Michael Hage from Chicago Steel.
Nashville Predators picked Yegor Surin in the first round. Toronto Maple Leafs did not make a pick mentioned in the sources. Colorado Avalanche made a pick, but it was not mentioned in any of the articles. Boston Bruins and Los Angeles Kings did not make picks mentioned in any of the articles.
Macklin Celebrini's player comparable is Sidney Crosby, and he has a powerful stride with quick twitch, high-end offensive sense, creative plays ability, bullet shot, and projects to run the first power play in the NHL. He is highly competitive and wins battles.
The 2024 NHL draft was an exciting event for hockey fans as they watched their favorite teams select promising young players who could potentially make a significant impact on their rosters.
