2024 NHL Mock Draft: Celebrini to Blackhawks – then what?

Credit: Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff

If you’re reading this, it means your favorite NHL team still has its first-round pick. And if that’s the case, congratulations!

The NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone, with Edmonton, Winnipeg, Vancouver and moving first-rounders over the past few weeks. A total of 11 picks have swapped hands for the first round, including Pittsburgh’s – but with a top-10 protected pick, the Penguins will hold on as long as they continue to dwell where they are in the standings.

The 2024 NHL Draft isn’t as deep as 2023, but the first round still looks quite impressive. Macklin Celebrini is the big draw this year, but teams looking to add a future top-pairing defenseman have an abundance of options at their disposal.

After the release of Daily Faceoff’s latest NHL Draft rankings, here’s our first post-trade deadline mock draft:

1. Chicago Blackhawks: Macklin Celebrini, C (Boston University, NCAA)

No matter who snags the first pick, Celebrini is the first player taken. He’s as complete of a player as you’ll find in this draft class with incredible results at every level he’s played in. Just think back to some other elite 1-2 center duos in the NHL – Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin and Connor McDavid/Leon Draisaitl. It’s time to add Bedard/Celebrini to the mix.

2. San Jose Sharks: Anton Silayev, LHD (Torpedo, KHL)

The Sharks have some great forward options in the pipeline, highlighted by Will Smith, Quentin Musty, Filip Bystedt and new acquisition David Edstrom. They’ve added some good blueline options via trade the past few years with Shakir Mukhamadullin, Henry Thrun and Jack Thompson, but Silayev would instantly become the team’s top dog. The 6-foot-7 blueliner is averaging just under 20 minutes a night while blocking shots, landing hits and showing off great skating for his size – think Victor Hedman.

3. Anaheim Ducks: Artyom Levshunov, RHD (Michigan State, NCAA)

This was, by far, the most difficult decision. I love Anaheim’s D-corps, but after moving Jamie Drysdale, Levshunov would give the team a high-end option on the right side. He’s aggressive at both ends of the ice, showing some excellent offensive abilities and mobility. His defensive game still needs work, but he’s usually one of the best players in any game he plays.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Ivan Demidov, RW (SKA St. Petersburg)

Few players can take over a game like Demidov can, and his incredible creativity would perfectly complement Adam Fantilli’s heads-up playmaking. Some scouts think Demidov will slip, but I love his potential to become a game-changer here. The Blue Jackets have some good pieces, and adding Demidov would only strengthen that as the team’s top wing prospect.

5. Ottawa Senators: Zayne Parekh, RHD (Saginaw, OHL)

While I don’t love Parekh’s defensive game to put him this high, I can’t deny that his ceiling is as high as anyone’s in this draft class. He’s pushing 100 points as a sophomore OHL defenseman, and only John Slaney (38 goals) has more than Parekh’s 31 by a U-18 defenseman in OHL history. It won’t be long until he’s one of the NHL’s high-scoring blueliners.

6. Arizona Coyotes: Cayden Lindstrom, C (Medicine Hat, WHL)

There’s an argument to be made the Coyotes could use a D here, but Lindstrom is just too good to pass up on. He has missed significant time due to injury, but you rarely find 6-foot-5 centers that move as well and command as much attention as Lindstrom. He has all the tools to make an immediate impact after another year of junior hockey.

7. Montreal Canadiens: Cole Eiserman, LW (USNTDP)

If Habs fans are craving an exciting prospect, go all-in on Eiserman. There isn’t a better pure goal-scorer in this class, with Eiserman able to score from just about anywhere. He’s currently on track to beat Cole Caufield’s single-season scoring record at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, and he’s aggressive, too. If Eiserman isn’t available, I wonder if they take a look at Konsta Helenius, an extremely intelligent two-way center out of Finland.

8. Buffalo Sabres: Sam Dickinson, LHD (London, OHL)

The Sabres have one of the best prospect pipelines in the NHL, but the one thing they’re missing? A high-impact defenseman. Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Bowen Byram lead the way with the big club, but adding someone like Dickinson would give them another big, mobile, puck-moving defender who can do a bit of everything.

9. Pittsburgh Penguins: Berkly Catton, C (Spokane, WHL)

Catton is this year’s Zach Benson: an extremely skilled forward who’s getting knocked a bit for his more petite frame. Catton is one of the most creative forwards in this class, putting up great numbers at every level. The dynamic forward has a bright future as a top-six scoring threat, and I know Penguins fans will fall in love with him quickly.

10. New Jersey Devils: Zeev Buium, LHD (University of Denver, NCAA)

Buium is having one of the best seasons by a U-19 defenseman in college hockey history, which doesn’t seem to get enough love. Buium would be an excellent fit for the Devils, who still have Seamus Casey in the system. Beyond that, though, they’re missing a blueliner who can do a bit of everything – that’s where Buium comes in. He’s a future top-four defenseman who can eat minutes.

11. St. Louis Blues: Konsta Helenius, C (Jukurit, Liiga)

Helenius has had one of the most impressive Liiga seasons from a draft prospect in recent memory, showing tremendous skill and smarts with the puck. Helenius’ effort never seems to wane, and even in games where he’s struggling offensively, he’s good enough as a two-way threat to make up for it.

12. Calgary Flames: Carter Yakemchuk, RHD (Calgary, WHL)

The Flames don’t have to go far to scout Yakemchuk. At 6-foot-3 and with an incredible offensive toolkit, Yakemchuk is another high-ceiling defender who’s been busy doing a bit of everything in the WHL this year. I feel like his defensive game has taken nice strides forward, and he’s a strong skater, too. Side note: I feel like it would be too lazy just to presume the Flames would take Tij Iginla, but, hey, if it makes sense, he’d be one heck of an addition.

13. Minnesota Wild: Liam Greentree, RW (Windsor, OHL)

Greentree is an intriguing option here. Greentree has put up some great numbers while carrying the load for the Spitfires, showing value as a dynamic power forward. Greentree is quick, has a great release and has excellent hockey IQ, and he does everything while playing with good pace. Greentree isn’t getting enough love this year for someone who has solid pro potential.

14. Seattle Kraken: Tij Iginla, LW (Kelowna, WHL)

Score, score and score some more. That’s what he does best. Iginla is a solid distributor, don’t get me wrong. But with the puck on his stick, he’s a dangerous generator. He plays with good pace, and while he isn’t big, he’s physically strong. Iginla would be great alongside Shane Wright in the long run.

15. Washington Capitals: Adam Jiricek, RHD (Plzen, Czechia)

Jiricek’s season came to an early end during the World Juniors – a big blow for someone who was off to an already difficult season. But at one point, everyone was talking about Jiricek being a near-lock to go in the top 10. The smarts, athleticism and puck skills are all there, but the execution wasn’t. Still, there’s potential for Jiricek to become Washington’s next top defensive prospect.

16. Detroit Red Wings: Igor Chernyshov, LW (Dynamo Moskva, MHL)

The Red Wings are lacking a real exciting, game-changing winger in the system. Chernyshov can change that. He’s been excellent in the MHL while also playing more than half the season against men in the KHL. Don’t be worried about his lack of production there – he’s so good with the puck and knows how to get himself in a scoring positon.

17. Philadelphia Flyers: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW (Mora, Allsvenskan)

MBN plays at a high pace and has a great shot release to boot while playing significant time in the second-tier Swedish league. Few forwards in this draft are as valuable as a two-way threat, with Brandsegg-Nygard putting that on display at the World Juniors as one of the few realistic scoring options for Norway. One scout recently told me, “Brandsegg-Nygard plays like someone who needs to always prove themselves, and coaches like that.”

18. Chicago Blackhawks (via TBL): Nikita Artamonov, RW (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, KHL)

Putting up about half a point per game as a KHL rookie is no minor feat. Artamonov’s underlying numbers are impressive, and scouts like how often he took charge with the puck this season against older competition. Chicago could use another defensive prospect in the system, but without doing a bit of reaching to make it happen, I like Artamonov as a long-term scoring threat that can play in the middle six.

19. New York Islanders: Trevor Connelly, LW (Tri-City, USHL)

Connelly is the biggest wild-card in the draft. Many scouts believe he’s a top-15 talent, but off-ice concerns have left teams extremely worried. It’s still too early to see which teams will make a run at him because he has continuously shown he’s one of the best players on the ice any time he hits the ice.

20. Vegas Golden Knights: Sacha Boisvert, C (Muskegon, USHL)

Early on, I was impressed more with Boisvert’s playmaking and defensive work. But he’s on pace for just under 40 goals this season thanks to his quick, accurate release. He’s as competitive as they come, too, and isn’t afraid to show flashes of tremendous skill in 1-on-1 situations.

21. Nashville Predators: Michael Hage, C (Chicago, USHL)

Other than Matthew Wood, who I’m convinced will play on the wing in the NHL due to his poorer skating, the Predators are lacking a center with real NHL potential in the pipeline. Hage is a guy who would likely go much higher had he not missed almost all of last season with an injury. He’s shining with the Steel, generating scoring chances with great stick work and making plays at a high speed.

22. Los Angeles Kings: Ryder Ritchie, RW (Prince Albert, WHL)

Ritchie isn’t big, but he’s skilled, and he can reach a high top speed that makes him difficult to contain. Ritchie has NHL pedigree – his father, Byron Ritchie, and uncle, Andreas Johansson, both played eight seasons in the NHL – and he’s quite mature for his age, too. He has struggled to stay consistent this year, but when he’s on his game, he’s so difficult to contain.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Aron Kiviharju, LHD (HIFK)

The Leafs have a weaker pipeline, so taking a chance on someone who has missed most of the season with an injury is bold. But Kiviharju was one of the draft’s premier defensemen before undergoing surgery back in October – and many considered him the best outright player in the draft class not too long ago. His defensive game is still a work in progress, but I love him with the puck. I think it’s worth taking a swing on a defenseman with some huge upside here.

24. Anaheim Ducks (via EDM): Emil Hemming, RW (TPS, Liiga)

Hemming has a good 6-foot-2, 194-pound frame with high hockey IQ and he’s got one of the better shots in the draft class. At the World Juniors, he showed how good he can be as a grinder, forcing mistakes and winning battles along the boards. Hemming’s skating needs work if he’s going to be a top-six forward in the NHL, but he has enough raw talent to get excited about.

25. Colorado Avalanche: Beckett Sennecke, RW (Oshawa, OHL)

A chance to keep Sennecke and Cal Ritchie together? Sign me up. Sennecke has continued to get better all season long, creating a lot of the scoring chances himself on a Generals team on a mission. Sennecke has good size and has an excellent release, and I think, like Ritchie, he’s someone that’s really going to show his worth as a Draft+1 player.

26. Carolina Hurricanes: Henry Mews, RHD (Ottawa, OHL)

If there’s one team that loves to swing for the fences on the draft floor, it’s the Hurricanes. Mews is a polarizing prospect because the talent and the numbers are there, but the execution can lack. But for someone who only started playing defense a few years ago, Mews has come such a long way and might be the defenseman with the highest ceiling in this draft class. The Hurricanes know a thing or two about maximizing potential – look up Alexander Nikishin – and this could be a match made in heaven.

27. Dallas Stars: Andrew Basha, LW (Medicine Hat, WHL)

The Stars like guys that play with pace, and Basha fits the description. He’s been one of the CHL’s top draft-eligible forwards in terms of attacking in transition while showing some solid creativity. Basha loves having the puck on his stick and making things happen, and he’s only getting better as a finisher.

28. Ottawa Senators (via BOS): Cole Hutson, LHD (USNTDP)

Could you imagine the Hutson brothers going at it in the future in a Canadian divisional rivalry? The 5-foot-10 blueliner mirrors a lot of Lane’s best qualities – puck-moving, hockey IQ, you name it. But he’s lacking power on his shot and can still get caught trying to do too much with the puck. You don’t want to see him simplify things because Lane’s creativity has made him so good in college, but if you get Cole with the right defense partner who can hold the fort in their own zone, he’ll be a high-value pickup this late in the draft.

29. Montreal Canadiens (via WPG): Dean Letourneau, C (St. Andrew’s, PHC)

Prep hockey isn’t the highest level in the world, but what Letourneau did with St. Andrew’s this year was spectacular. The 6-foot-7, 209-pound center put up more than a goal per game while registering over two points a contest. He’s far more than just a big body – yeah, he can hit, but he rarely loses a battle along the boards and can dazzle with more skill than you’re used to seeing from a player his size.

30. New York Rangers: Charlie Elick, RHD (Brandon, WHL)

At 6-foot-3, you’re not finding a better skater at his size in this draft. He’s rarely out of position, partly because he doesn’t pinch in much with the puck. If he played the puck with the same pace he moves, Elick would go higher in the draft. But in terms of raw talent, Elick is intriguing.

31. Calgary Flames (via VAN): Terik Parascak, RW (Prince George, WHL)

After playing prep hockey last year, nobody could have expected Parascak to score at a 40-goal, 100-point pace as a rookie. Parascak doesn’t crumble under pressure and has the speed to thrive in major junior. His quick rise this season has caught scouts off guard, but as a late first-rounder, I can see the Flames taking a chance on someone they’ve been keeping a close eye on with good long-term potential.

32. Philadelphia Flyers (via FLA): EJ Emery, RHD (USNTDP)

The 6-foot-3 defenseman is a big, big man. Like, just very physically strong. He doesn’t have much offense in his game, but the North Dakota commit skates well and he’s strong defensively. He’d instantly become one of Philly’s better defensive prospects, someone I think should have no issue sticking around for a long time. If they don’t take Emery, I could see them targeting Leo Sahlin Wallenius out of Sweden – a smooth-skating offensive defenseman.

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