2024 NHL Mock Draft: Canadiens moving up to pick Ivan Demidov, Blackhawks' next franchise-defining pick after Connor Bedard

The 2024 NHL Draft is just around the corner with the first round scheduled to be held at The Sphere, Las Vegas on June 28, 2024. Macklin Celebrini is a no-brainer, lock-in first pick. Even Artyom Levshunov has seemingly solidified himself at the No. 2 pick.

Here's Sportskeeda's 2024 NHL Mock Draft for this year's draft class highlighting each player's physical attributes and stats for their most recent playing season.

2024 NHL Mock Draft: Round One

#1. San Jose Sharks - Macklin Celebrini, F, Boston University (NCAA)

The 6-foot,197 pounds center is a lock-in as the San Jose Sharks' the No.1 pick at the 2024 NHL Draft.

GM Mike Grier even mentioned Celebrini after winning the Draft Lottery. The BU center dominated the NCAA season scoring 64 points, from 32 goals and 32 assists, in 28 games. He also won the prestigious Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men's hockey player.

#2. Chicago Blackhakws - Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State (NCAA)

The 18-year-old Belarusian defeseman had a standout season at Michigan State with 35 points (9 goals, 26 assists) from 38 games.

Having picked a generational talent in Connor Bedard at the last draft, the Chicago Blackhawks may select one of the best defensive prospects in the 2024 NHL Draft who stands at 6-foot-2 tall and weighs 205 pounds.

#3 Anaheim Ducks - Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

The NHL won't be seeing Ivan Demidov play for atleast another year, given his current contract with KHL's SKA St. Petersburg Jr. of the Russian Junior Hockey League. The Russian winger is a top-five prospect and has drawn interest from majority of the available teams.

Rumors are afloat that the Montreal Canadiens may even trade up in the draft, or consider a post-draft trade that will make Ivan Demidov a future Hab. The five-foot-11, 181 pounds winger played 47 games this season after missing out a couple games owing to a knee injury. He had 34 goals and 54 assists and a massive +44 rating.

#4. Columbus Blue Jackets - Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

The six-foot-three, 213 pounds forward is one of the most exciting prospects in this year's draft. Another top-five guaranteed pick, Lindstrom is tall, strong center with a bright NHL future.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have recently hired a new GM in Don Waddell, and will also be under a new coach, after firing Pascal Vincent. A revitalized hockey franchise in Ohio will be a perfect fit for this youngster who had 27 goals, 19 assists in 32 games for the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers.

#5. Montreal Canadiens - Zeev Buim, D, Denver (NCAA)

The Montreal Canadiens' first preference is likely D-man Ivan Demidov. In case that option is not on the table for them, Zeev Buim might be a perfect Plan B. The Denver defenseman led all D-men in the NCAA in scoring.

His skating skills is what puts up high as a top prodpect. The 6-foot, 186 pounds defenseman would be a great fit for a rebuilding Habs roster.

#6. Utah Hockey Club - Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo (KHL)

The six-foot-seven, 211 pounds Russian defenseman is one of the top international D-man prospects alongside Ivan Demidov.

With the newest franchise in Utah Hockey Club looking for building blocks of a long-standing NHL franchise, Silayev is a great pick for Utah who already have young star forwards from the defunct Coyotes franchise in Logan Cooley, and others.

The monster defender had only three goals and eight assists in 63 games played in the KHL, but is a tall-standing figure with the ability to land massive hits and fight for pucks.

#7. Ottawa Senators - Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw (OHL)

The six-foot, 178 pounds defenseman has been compared to Penguins' Erik Karlsson as a offensive defenseman.

He had 33 goals and 63 assits in 66 games for the OHL's Saginaw Spirit. The Senators may find a franchise-altering defenseman in Parekh to play alongside Brady Tkachuk.

#8. Seattle Kraken - Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa Generals (OHL)

The 18-year Oshawa Generals forward tore up the OHL with 27 goals and 41 assists in 63 games. Scouts have him as a top-six forward with a very high ceiling to grow the offensive side of his game. The six-foot-three, 182 pounds is a prospective linemate for Matty Benniers in the future.

#9. Calgary Flames - Tij Iginla, C, Kelowna (WHL)

Ex-Calgary Flames winger Jarome Iginla's son Tij is closely linked as the team's favorite pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. With his six-foot-188 pounds frame, Tij is a growing offensive player with an NHL ceiling possibly higher than his dad.

#10. New Jersey Devils - Cole Eiserman, LW, USNTDP

Scouts have noted Cole Eiserman as the best shooter in the 2024 NHL Draft class. Standing six-foot, 197 pounds, the USNTDP forward had a blazing campaign with 58 goals and 31 assists. The Devils may have what they're looking for in Eiserman -- an elite scorer with a powerful shot that defeats goalies.

#11. Buffalo Sabres - Berkly Catton, C, Spokan Chiefs (WHL)

The Sabres will have tons of options to pick from after the top 10 players are drafted this year. Berkly Catton is a good option for a five-foot-10, 175 pounds center who was the fourth-highest scorer in the WHL with 116 points from 54 goals and 62 assists in 68 games.

#12. Philadelphia Flyers - Sam Dickinson, D, London (OHL)

The six-foot-three, 203 pounds defensman for the London Knights had 18 goals and 52 assists in 68 games. Scouts point out a gap in his offensive game which may be patched under John Tortorella's guidance.

#13. Minnesota Wild - Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

The six-foot-three, 202 pounds Calgary-born player led WHL defenseman with 30 goals this season, along with 41 assists in 66 games played. The Minnesota Wild may find a future linemate for, this year's #2 Rookie of the Year, Brock Faber in Yakemchuk.

#14. San Jose Sharks (via PIT) - Konsta Helenius, F, Jukurit (Liiga)

For his five-foot-11,189 pounds frame, scouts deem Helenius as a forward who can be very strong on the puck as well.

He had 36 points from 14 goals and 22 assists in 51 games in Finland's top league, Liiga. He may be a potential linemate for Sharks' No.1 pick in this year's draft, Macklin Celebrini.

#15. Detroit Red Wings - Adam Jiricek, D, Plzen (Czechia)

Adam's elder brother David Jiricek plays for the Columbus Blue Jackets. So the 18-year-old must have received tips from him about the NHL and its expectations.

Jiricek may be a good addition to Detroit's RHD options, already being six-foot-two,167 pounds with a potential to grow. Question remains: Will Steve Yzerman pick a defeneseman or go for a mid-to-bottom level forward from the remaining pool.

#16. St. Louis Blues - Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora (Allsvenkan)

The six-foot-one, 207 pounds forward plays in the second division of the Swedish Hockey League. Despite his World Juniors and Men's World Championships appearance for Norway, the 18 year-old defenseman is not considered ready for the NHL per multiple scouts.

#17. Washington Capitals - Stian Solberg, D, Valerenga (Norway)

The 18-year-old Norwegian has already played at World Juniors and Men's World Championships. Scouts have labelled him as a two-way defenseman. His stats back the claim with Solberg having five goals and 10 assists in 42 games played.

#18. Chicago Blackhawks (from NYI) - Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel (USHL)

Hage will not be an NHL player next season, having already committed to the University of Michigan.

The six-foot-one, 188 pounds center only played 13 games last season as he was recovering from a shoulder injury. The 18-year-old already is already well accustomed to the city of Chicago and may be a good fit for a rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks team.

#19. Vegas Golden Knights - Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm (OHL)

The 17-year-old can play all positions as a forward. He finished last season with 74 points in 68 games for the Guelph Storm. The five-foot-11, 187 pound forward has been scouted as an offensive player having a high ceiling of potential.

#20. New York Islanders (from CHI via TBL) - Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon (USHL)

The 18-year-old Quebec-born center has already committed to play for the University of North Dakota next season.

Regardless, Boisvert's six-foot-two, 183 pounds frame for a center will help bolster the Islanders' forward lines in the future. Boisvert had 68 points from 36 goals and 22 assists in 61 games this season.

#21. Los Angeles Kings - Liam Greentree, LW, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Liam Greentree has leadership experience from the OHL, having captained the Windsor team.

He led by example, leading the team in goals (36), assists (54), points (90), and PP goals (11) in 64 games. On paper, Greentree looks like the perfect replacement for Kings' Anze Kopitar.

#22. Nashville Predators - Terik Parascak, F, Prince George Cougars (WHL)

The WHL's breakout rookie had 105 points from 43 goals and 62 assits in 68 games this season. His six-foot-one,179 pounds frame have the ceiling to make him a offensive star in the league.

#23. Toronto Maple Leafs - Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Vaxjo Jr. (Sweden Jr.)

The 18-year-old defenseman had 42 points from 11 goals and 31 assists in Sweden's junior league.

With the Toronto Maple Leafs' depleting D-man prospect pool, the 6-foot, 180 pounds Wallenius will be a good addition with the ceiling of being a top D-man in the NHL.

#24. Colorado Avalanche - Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow (Russia)

Chernyshov shared his playing time between the KHL's Dynamo Moscow and its junior league affiliate.

The six-foot-two, 192 pounds winger proved his potential with 16 goals and 16 assists across 66 games across both leagues. Just like majority of the Russian prospects, the Avs will have a waiting period before Chernyshov may be allowed to join the team.

#25. Ottawa Senators (from BOS via DET) - Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

The six-foot, 177 pounds forward played a 47-game season for the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders. He had 19 goals and 25 assists, and ended his season with a -1 rating.

#26. Montreal Canadiens (from WPG) - Andrew Basha, RW, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

The 18-year old winger from Calgary, Alberta weighs in at 187 pounds and stands five-foot-11 tall.

His season at the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers was an immense success, with 30 gials and 55 assists from 63 games played. Basha to Montreal may not be a done deal, but the winger is a solid late first-round pick and may be selected by any teams after pick number 20, if available.

#27. Carolina Hurricanes - Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie Colts (OHL)

Beaudoin had a strong outing for the Colts in the OHL this season with 28 goals and 34 assists in 67 games.

According to scouts, his skating needs improvemt but his six-foot-two, 210 pound frame is a menace in front of the opponents' net. After his development, the Carolina Hurricanes will benefit having a big presence in front of the net with a presence in all aspects of the game.

#28. Calgary Flames (from VAN) - Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Finland)

The 18-year-old Danish-born Finnish defenseman missed majority of the HIFK season in the Finnish Elite League after suffering a knee injury.

In the 14 games he did play, Kiviharju had two goals and two assists with a -4 rating. The five-foot-nine, 184 pounds is a lightweight-class defenseman. After being picked in this year's he will probably be spending time in the AHL affiliates or other minor leagues to develop his game and physique before being NHL ready.

#29. Dallas Stars - Sam O'Reilly, RW, London (OHL)

The London Knights forward might be an interesting pick for the Stars at No. 29. O'Reilly had a 56-point season from 20 goals and 36 assists in 68 games in the WHL.

He's projected to be a third line forward in the NHL. If he can grow from his current six-foot-one, 178 pound frame and add elite scoring ability, he's a prospective top-two line for any NHL team in the upcoming years.

#30. New York Rangers - Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City (USHL)

Trevor Connelly's selection is shrouded by his lack of discipline on the ice. He was handed a game misconduct for an illegal head check during the USA vs Canda gold-medal game at the U-18 IIHF tournament.

Regardless, the six-foot-one, 160 pounds winger won't be playing in the NHL next season having already committed to Providence College. He was second in scoring in the USHL last season with 78 points from 31 goals and 47 assists in 52 games.

The final two picks will be finalized after the Stanley Cup Final. Both of the following picks are assumptions, and are subject to change.

* #31. Anaheim Ducks (from EDM) - Julius Miettinen, C, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

The six-foot-three, 201 pounds center had 67 points from 31 goals and 36 assists in 66 games in the WHL this season. His favorite team are the Dallas Stars, but if they pass up on him, the Ducks are the next best fit.