2024 NHL Mock Draft: Latest Expert Predictions for 1st-Round Prospects

The questions about the 2024 NHL draft begin at the No. 2 pick.

The top selection has been figured out for quite some time. The San Jose Sharks will take Boston University's Macklin Celebrini.

Celebrini has long been viewed as the top prospect in the 2024 draft class. San Jose's mind was made up the second it won the draft lottery.

The Chicago Blackhawks, who landed last year's draft phenom Connor Bedard, are scheduled to make the first pick that could go multiple directions.

Chicago, the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens round out the top five beneath San Jose.

Macklin Celebrini Will Be No. 1 Pick

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ST PAUL, MINNESOTA - APRIL 11: Macklin Celebrini #71 of the Boston University Terriers looks on against the Denver Pioneers in the second period during the NCAA Men's Hockey Frozen Four semifinal game at Xcel Energy Center on April 11, 2024 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Celebrini has long been considered the No. 1 prospect in the 2024 draft class.

San Jose's spot atop the draft order is extra special to Celebrini and his family because his dad, Rick, is the Golden State Warriors' director of sports medicine.

Celebrini should settle into the Bay Area well, and that could help with a strong start to his rookie season in the NHL.

The youngest-ever Hobey Baker Award winner recorded 32 goals and 32 assists in his lone season at the collegiate level with Boston University.

Celebrini will be the centerpiece of San Jose's rebuild. Himself, Will Smith, Fabian Zetterlund and William Eklund will try to lead the Sharks closer to the playoffs during the 2024-25 campaign.

Draft Drama Starts with Chicago

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EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 26: Artyom Levshunov #5 of Michigan State during a game between University of Minnesota and Michigan State University at Munn Ice Arena on January 26, 2024 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Chicago has the biggest decision to make at the top of the draft.

The Athletic's Scott Wheeler predicted Michigan State defenseman Artyem Levshunov would be Chicago's pick. The Hockey News' Logan Horn made the same pick for the Blackhawks in his mock draft.

Chicago needs to add a No. 1 defenseman to its young core, led by Bedard, and that is what should lead them to Levshunov. Wheeler broke down how Levshunov would fit within the Blackhawks' current defensive depth.

"I'd wager the rangy, talented, free-spirited stud defenseman will win out," Wheeler wrote. "The Blackhawks have prioritized speed up front and size on the back end, and Levshunov would give a strong group that already has Kevin Korchinski, Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel, Ethan Del Mastro, Nolan Allan and others the piece it's missing in a potential first-pairing stud."

If Levshunov is the pick, he would join Owen Power and Simon Nemec as the only defensemen drafted in the top three in the last four years.

Anton Silyaev, the other top defenseman in the draft class, may be in play for the Blackhawks as well. Right winger Ivan Demidov and center Cayden Lindstrom are Chicago's best options if it wants to land another top forward.

Top Five Players in Draft Seem to Be Clear

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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)

Celebrini, Levshunov, Silayev, Demidov and Lindstrom should be the top five picks in some order.

Obviously, Celebrini is the No. 1 pick to San Jose, but the others should not have to wait long to hear their names called.

Wheeler predicted Silayev, Demidov and Lindstrom would be the No. 3-5 picks, while Horn had Silayev, Lindstrom and then Demidov.

Silayev is one of the top Russian players in the draft class. He spent the last season with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL.

Demidov recorded 60 points in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg. Lindstrom produced 46 points for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL last season.

Anaheim at No. 3 may be more interested in a defender to add to the young core it is building around Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier.

Columbus and Montreal should both be in the markets to add forwards. Both teams have exciting young stars in Adam Fantilli and Cole Caufield. The top-five picks could either partner those players on lines, or be right behind them in the top six.