Updated NHL 1st-Round Mock Draft After the 2024 Draft Lottery

The NHL's 2024 Draft Lottery was held on Tuesday, May 7.

As expected, the San Jose Sharks were the lucky winners with the best odds at 18.5 percent based on finishing last in the overall standings.

The Sharks are expected to select Boston University center Macklin Celebrini. The 17-year-old is ranked No. 1 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. He was this year's winner of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as this season's top men's player in NCAA ice hockey.

On Apr. 24, we conducted a mock draft of the first round based on the standings at the end of this season. While the lottery produced no change in the draft order of the first 16 teams, we're revisiting our selections to provide a summary of each prospect and why they would benefit each club.

The final order for the remainder of the draft will be decided by the end of this postseason. The last four selections will belong to the final four playoff teams regardless of position in the standings.

The 32nd choice will belong to the Stanley Cup champions with the 31st going to the other Cup finalist. For now, we're using the division champions in those spots until the final order is determined at the end of the playoffs.

Player info is via Elite Prospects. Each club's needs are based on The Athletic's Scott Wheeler's 2024 prospect pool rankings.

You can express your thoughts in the app comments below.

1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini (Center, Boston University)

The consensus top prospect among all evaluators, Celebrini led the Terriers with 64 points in 38 games, finishing third among all NCAA scorers. He is a skillful two-way center projected to be a future NHL All-Star. The Sharks already have a promising center in Will Smith but it won't stop them from selecting Celebrini.

2. Chicago Blackhawks: Ivan Demidov (Right Wing, SKA-1946, St. Petersburg)

Ranked No. 2 among International skaters by NHL Central Scouting, Demidov missed 24 games earlier this season due to an injury. However, he returned to finish second in Russia's Junior League (MHL) with 60 points in 30 games. The young Russian could fill Chicago's need for a scoring right winger among their top prospects.

3. Anaheim Ducks: Artyom Levshunov (Defense, Michigan State University)

A talented puck-moving defenseman with a right-hand shot, the 6'2", 209-pound Belarussian has the size and skills to be an impactful NHL blueliner. Levshunov finished third among Spartan scorers with 35 points. He could address the Ducks' requirement to add another right-shot defenseman to their prospect pipeline.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cole Eiserman (Left Wing, USNTDP)

The Blue Jackets lack a natural scoring winger among their top prospects. Eiserman could fill the bill as a future linemate with promising center Adam Fantilli. His defensive game still needs work but his scoring prowess is undeniable. He led the U.S. National U-18 squad this season with 58 goals and could be the best scorer in this draft class.

5. Montreal Canadiens: Cayden Lindstrom (Center, Medicine Hat Tigers)

It's the third straight draft that the Canadiens have a pick among the top five. Lindstrom could give them additional depth at center among their leading prospects. The 6'4", 216-pounder missed part of the season with injuries but finished with 46 points in 32 games. NHL Central Scouting ranked him third among North American skaters.

6. Utah Franchise: Zayne Parekh (Defense, Saginaw Spirit)

Relocated to Salt Lake City, the former Arizona Coyotes could use another right-shot defenseman in their prospect pool. Zayne Parekh could fill the bill for the as-yet-unnamed Utah team. NHL Central Scouting has him at No. 5 among North American skaters. The puck-moving blueliner led the Spirit and all OHL defensemen with 96 points.

7. Ottawa Senators: Carter Yakemchuk (Defense, Calgary Hitmen)

The 6'3", 194-pound Yakemchuk was second this season among Hitmen scorers and fifth among WHL defensemen with 71 points. He could address the Senators' need for long-term depth among their right-shot blueliners. He's highly competitive and doesn't shy away from physical play.

8. Seattle Kraken: Anton Silayev (Defense, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod)

Considered the top skater among International players by NHL Central Scouting, Silayev has impressive all-around abilities as a defenseman. The 6'7", 207-pounder has impressive size but moves well and plays a responsible game in his zone. He could fill the Kraken's need for a talented blueliner among their top-five prospects.

9. Calgary Flames: Tij Iginla (Forward, Kelowna Rockets)

The opportunity to draft the son of Flames Hall-of-Famer Jarome Iginla could be too good to pass up. Ranked ninth among North American skaters, Tij Iginla led the Rockets this season with 47 goals and has been compared to Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand. Iginla could become a valuable part of the Flames' youth movement.

10. New Jersey Devils: Sam Dickinson (Defense, London Knights)

Ranked seventh among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, Dickinson is a good mix of size and skill. One of the best skaters in this draft, the 6'3", 194-pounder finished fourth this season among OHL defensemen with 70 points. He could address the Devils' need for a left-shot blueliner among their top-five prospects.

11. Buffalo Sabres: Zeev Buium (Defense, University of Denver)

Buium helped the Pioneers win the 2024 NCAA Frozen Four and Team USA win gold at this year's IIHF World Junior Championship. That winning pedigree could interest the Sabres, who lack a defenseman in their top-five prospects. He was second among the Pioneers' scorers with 50 points and ranked fourth among North American skaters.

12. Philadelphia Flyers: Aron Khiviharju (Defense, HIFK)

A strong and talented puck-moving defenseman, Khiviharju is ranked eighth among International skaters by NHL Central Scouting despite missing most of the season due to injury. He could provide additional skilled depth among the Flyers' prospect blueliners. Over time, he could develop into a highly skilled rearguard.

13. Minnesota Wild: Adam Jiříček (Defense, HC Škoda Plzeň)

The younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman David Jiříček, Adam's season was cut short by a knee injury. Nevertheless, Jiříček ranked No. 4 among International skaters by NHL Central Scouting and still has potential as a top-four NHL defenseman. He could address the Wild's need for a right-shot blueliner in their prospect pool.

14. San Jose Sharks (via Pittsburgh Penguins): Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (Right Wing, Mora IK)

We have the Sharks choosing center Macklin Celebrini with the first-overall selection. With this pick, they could opt for a right winger like Brandsegg-Nygård. The young Norwegian is a strong skater with solid puck skills who doesn't shy away from physical play. NHL Central Scouting ranked him fifth among International skaters.

15. Detroit Red Wings: Beckett Sennecke (Right Wing, Oshawa Generals)

The Red Wings lack a right-winger among their otherwise deep prospect pool. The 6'2", 181-pound Sennecke could be a good fit. He skates well for his size, has good offensive abilities, and isn't afraid to use it to win puck battles. He finished third among Generals scorers this season with 68 points in 63 games.

16. St. Louis Blues: Charlie Elick (Defense, Brandon Wheat Kings)

The 6'3", 198-pound Elick has the size to become a solid shutdown NHL defenseman. He skates well for someone of his size, is among the hardest hitters in this draft, and is tough to beat one-on-one. The Blues' lack of a right-shot blueliner among their top prospects could make Elick an enticing draft option.

17. Washington Capitals: Berkly Catton (Center, Spokane Chiefs)

Slender but highly skilled, the 5'11, 163-pound Catton led the Chiefs with 116 points, finishing fourth among WHL scorers. NHL Central Scouting ranked him eighth among North American skaters. He could address Washington's need for centers among their top prospects after Hendrix Lapierre was promoted to the Caps' roster.

18. New York Islanders: Konsta Helenius (Forward, Jukurit)

Sitting 32nd on The Athletic's ranking of NHL prospect pipelines, the Islanders could begin replenishing that pool with Helenius. The 17-year-old Finn is a versatile two-way forward who can play center or wing, possessing strong playmaking and skating ability. NHL Central Scouting ranked him third among International skaters.

19. Vegas Golden Knights: Michael Hage (Center, Chicago Steel)

The Golden Knights tend to trade top prospects to address immediate roster needs. Nevertheless, they must stockpile young talent. One option could be Hage, who led the Steel in scoring and finished fourth among USHL scorers. An excellent skater with solid offensive skills, he's 10th on NHL Central Scouting's ranking of North American skaters.

20. Chicago Blackhawks (via Tampa Bay Lightning): Trevor Connelly (Left Wing, Tri-City Storm)

We have Chicago selecting right wing Ivan Demidov with the second-overall pick. They could add depth at left wing. Connelly has some personal baggage that could threaten his placement in the draft. On the ice, however, he finished second among USHL scorers with 78 points in 52 games. NHL Central Scouting ranked him sixth among North American skaters.

21. Los Angeles Kings: Igor Chernyshov (Left Wing, MHK Moscow Dynamo)

Ranked ninth among International skaters by NHL Central Scouting, Chernyshov could address the Kings' need for a left winger among their top prospects. The 6'2", 192-pounder is a powerful skater and a creative offensive forward. NHL Central Scouting ranked him ninth among International skaters.

22. Nashville Predators: Leo Sahlin-Wallenius (Defense, Växjö Lakers J20)

The Predators could consider Sahlin-Wallenius as a draft option to bolster their depth in right-shot defensemen in their prospect pool. The 6'0", 183-pound Swede skates well and has solid two-way skills. NHL Central Scouting ranked him seventh among International skaters.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Henry Mews (Defense, Ottawa 67's)

The limited number of right-shot defensemen in this year's draft could boost Mews' stock. At 6'0" and 185 pounds, he possesses good size and moves the pucks well. Mews was third among 67's scorers and seventh among OHL defensemen. He could fill the Leafs' need for right-shot blue-line depth within their system.

24. Anaheim Ducks (via Edmonton Oilers): Andrew Basha (Left Wing, Medicine Hat Tigers)

We have the Ducks selecting Artyom Levshunov with the third-overall pick. With this one, they could try to add a left wing among their top-10 prospects. Basha could be an option for them here. He finished third among the Tigers' scorers with 85 points this season. He's energetic and competitive with great puck skills.

25. Colorado Avalanche: Dominik Badinka (Defense, Malmö Redhawks)

At 6'3" and 190 pounds, Badinka uses his size and mobility to create offensive plays from the blue line. The big Czech could draw the interest of the Avalanche as they could use a right-shot defenseman in their prospect pipeline.

26. Ottawa Senators (via Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings): Sacha Boisvert (Center, Muskegon Lumberjacks)

We have the Senators choosing defenseman Carter Yakemchuk with the seventh-overall pick. They could boost their center depth among their top prospects with this selection. A skilled, creative forward, Boisvert finished second among Lumberjacks scorers with 36 goals and 68 points.

27. Montreal Canadiens (via Winnipeg Jets): Terik Parascak (Right Wing, Prince George Cougars)

The Canadiens could opt for a scoring right wing with this pick if they select center Cayden Lindstrom with the fifth-overall pick. Parascak finished third among the Cougars and eighth among WHL scorers with 105 points. His ability to read plays has drawn comparison to Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman.

28. Carolina Hurricanes: Dean Letourneau (Center, St. Andrew's College)

At 6'7" and 209 pounds, Letourneau has been compared to Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson. He dominated Ontario's U18 AAA league with 127 points in 56 games. He could provide additional center depth in the Hurricanes' prospect pipeline.

29. Calgary Flames (via Vancouver Canucks): Liam Greentree (Right Wing, Windsor Spitfires)

The Flames could add a skilled right winger to their prospect pool if they select Tij Iginla with the ninth overall pick. Greentree could be in their sights if he's available at this stage. The 6'2", 198-pounder is a big winger with strong offensive abilities, leading the Spitfires this season with 36 goals and 90 points.

30. Philadelphia Flyers (via Florida Panthers): Nikita Artamonov (Winger, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod

We have the Flyers selecting defenseman Aron Khiviharju with the 12th overall selection. They could opt to add another scoring winger with his pick. Artamonov is a smart player who can play on either wing, reads the play well, and is a creative scorer.

31. Dallas Stars: Ryder Ritchie (Forward, Prince Albert Raiders)

The promotion of Logan Stankoven to the Stars roster at midseason leaves them needing a right wing among their top prospects. Ritchie could be an option for them here. Despite missing two months to injury, he finished with 44 points in 47 games.

32. New York Rangers: Maxim Massé (Right Wing, Chicoutimi Saguenéens)

Massé led the Saguenéens with 36 goals and 75 points this season. He possesses a hard shot among his offensive tools. The Rangers could consider him if they need to bolster their depth at right wing in their prospect pool.