2024 NHL Mock Draft: Full Round 1 Projections for Every Team

As the NHL regular season winds down, only two available spots remain in the 16-team field for this year's Stanley Cup playoffs. They will go to any two of the New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers or Pittsburgh Penguins.

The teams from that group that don't reach the postseason will turn the page to the offseason. That will be the case for 16 of the 32 NHL franchises, and those organizations can ramp up preparations for the 2024 NHL draft, set for June 28-29 in Las Vegas.

It's likely that the team that wins the NHL draft lottery (May 8) will take Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 overall pick. But it won't be as easy for franchises later in the order to decide on a player.

With the regular season nearly over, here's a mock for the first round of this year's NHL draft (projected order via Tankathon).

1st-Round Mock Draft

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NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 29: A general view of the draft board with the logo of the Edmonton Oilers is shown during the second round of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft, held on June 29, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, F, Boston University

2. Chicago Blackhawks: Ivan Demidov, F, SKA-1946

3. Anaheim Ducks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State University

4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, F, Medicine Hat

5. Montreal Canadiens: Sam Dickinson, D, London

6. Arizona Coyotes: Anton Silayev, D, London

7. Ottawa Senators: Cole Eiserman, F, USNTDP

8. Calgary Flames: Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary

9. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton, F, Spokane

10. New Jersey Devils: Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw

11. Buffalo Sabres: Adam Jiricek, D, HC Plzen

12. Minnesota Wild: Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver

13. Philadelphia Flyers: TJ Iginla, F, Kelowna

14. San Jose Sharks (via Pittsburgh Penguins): Liam Greentree, F, Windsor

15. Detroit Red Wings: Adam Jecho, F, Edmonton

16. St. Louis Blues: Beckett Sennecke, F, Oshawa

17. Washington Capitals: Sasha Boisvert, F, Muskegon

18. New York Islanders: Ryder Ritchie, F, Prince Albert

19. Vegas Golden Knights: Terik Parascak, F, Prince George

20. Chicago Blackhawks (via Tampa Bay Lightning): Jett Luchanko, F, Guelph

21. Los Angeles Kings: Dean Letourneau, F, St. Andrew's College

22. Nashville Predators: Colton Roberts, D, Vancouver

23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Andrew Basha, F, Medicine Hat

24. Anaheim Ducks (via Edmonton Oilers): Cole Hutson, D, Boston College

25. Colorado Avalanche: Michael Hage, F, Chicago

26. Montreal Canadiens (via Winnipeg Jets): Henry Mews, D, Ottawa

27. Philadelphia Flyers (via Florida Panthers): Maxim Masse, F, Chicoutimi

28. Carolina Hurricanes: Cole Beaudoin, F, Barrie

29. Calgary Flames (via Vancouver Canucks): Marek Vanacker, F, Brantford

30. Ottawa Senators (via Boston Bruins): Kamil Bednarik, F, USA U-18Macklin Celebrini, F, Boston University

31. Dallas Stars: Henry Mews, D, Ottawa

32. New York Rangers: Tanner Howe, F, Regina

Macklin Celebrini, F, Boston University

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ST. PAUL, MN - APRIL 11: Boston University Terriers forward Macklin Celebrini (71) skates on the ice during the second period of the men's Frozen Four semifinal game between the Boston University Terriers and the Denver Pioneers on April 11th, 2024, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Celebrini had an impressive freshman season for Boston University. He had 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games for the Terriers, helping them reach the Frozen Four semifinals, where they lost to the University of Denver.

According to NHL.com's Jessi Pierce, Celebrini recently said he is "not too sure" where he'll play next season yet, so it's possible his time at Boston University will be over. But he's also only 17, which made him the youngest player in the NCAA during the 2023-24 season.

It didn't take more than one college season for him to cement his status as the top prospect in the 2024 NHL draft class. He could become a big building block for a struggling franchise later this summer.

That's why the lottery will be so important. Whichever team ends up at No. 1 will get the opportunity to add Celebrini.

Ivan Demidov, F, SKA-1946

Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2023/09/12: SKA Hockey Club player, Ivan Demidov (11) seen in action during the Kontinental Hockey League, regular season KHL 2023 - 2024 between SKA Saint Petersburg and Spartak Moscow at the Ice Sports Palace. (Final score; SKA Saint Petersburg 0:3 Spartak Moscow). (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

There's a good chance the first non-college player taken in the NHL draft will be Ivan Demidov, a Russian forward who plays for SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League.

The 18-year-old is a 5'11", left-handed winger who has one of the best skill sets among the prospects in this year's class.

In 30 games during the MHL season, he recorded 60 points on 23 goals and 37 assists. Then in the playoffs, he had 10 goals and 15 assists in 13 games.

Scott Wheeler of The Athletic believes Demidov is "the player with the most individual puck skill in the class." If that ends up being the case, his style of play could translate well to the NHL, where he'll have a high ceiling and a bright future.

Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State University

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 10: Artyom Levshunov #5 of the Michigan State Spartans plays against the Michigan Wolverines at Little Caesars Arena on February 10, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Celebrini isn't the only college freshman who should get taken early in this year's NHL draft.

Another player from the NCAA ranks with top-three potential is Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov. He's coming off a season in which he had nine goals and 26 assists in 40 games for the Spartans.

Wheeler has Levshunov ahead of Demidov in his draft rankings, and it's possible the two could go in either order. It will depend on whether the team with the No. 2 pick is looking to add a forward or defenseman.

As long as Levshunov gets taken before the No. 8 pick, he'll become the highest-drafted player to come out of Belarus. He's a bit older than some of the top prospects in the 2024 class (he'll turn 19 in October), but that could help him get to the NHL in less time.