MHH 2024 Mock Draft

5 months ago  /  Mile High Hockey

Photo by Kyle Harris/NHLI via Getty Images


Who will the Avalanche select at 24? What better way to pass the time to the 2024 NHL Draft than a mock draft? Get to know the likely first-round candidates plus a few options for the Colorado Avalanche at pick 24. The festivities kick off on June 28th in Las Vegas. We will be live at The Sphere to bring all the details!
Bonus: Check out our picks from last year
1. San Jose - Ezra: C Macklin Celebrini

Gotta love a no-brainer at the top. Celebrini profiles as a complete center - speedy, skilled, and strong defensively, exactly what teams covet in a #1 pick. He doesn’t have the high-end hype that Conor Bedard had, and that’s right, as he’s not a face-of-the-league-type player. But he is definitely a face of the franchise type - the comp prospect writers have thrown around the most is Jonathan Toews, who was a dominant force in all zones at his peak.
2. Chicago - Adrian: RW Ivan Demidov

In Chicago, it’s all about bringing in young complementary pieces to surround Connor Bedard, who desperately needs elite talent on his wing. Ivan Demidov has the potential to fit that profile. Russian-born Demidov is a sneaky shooter and has big-league handles to boot. Ivan is an equal parts distributor and finisher, but If his shot proves effective in the majors, he’ll prove to be a focal part of the Blackhawk's future.
3. Anaheim - Jackie: LD Zeev Buium

Hear me out. Anaheim went against the grain last year when they went for Leo Carlsson instead of Adam Fantilli, and I believe teams will have the top end of this diverse defensive class in vastly different orders. Buium is a winner as he secured WJC gold for Team USA and the NCAA title with Denver, where he scored 50 points as a freshman. The fact that Buium grew up in California is a bonus, and they will fit in well with the dynamic young core Anaheim is building.
4. Columbus - Evan: LD Anton Silayev

Silayev’s monstrous posture at 6-foot-7 doesn’t come with Keaton Middleton-esque skating abilities. He can cover all sorts of ice with quick, explosive skating, and at only 18 years old, he can only get better - so long as he transitions to North American hockey play and uses his body correctly here. The Russian defender only had 11 points in 63 games as a stay-at-home defender but had 74 blocked shots and a team-leading 98 hits for Torpedo.
5. Montreal - Ezra: RD Artyom Levshunov

With the fifth overall pick, the Montreal Canadiens are thrilled to select Artyom Levshunov, who most prospect writers think will go at #2 or #3. This little drop is a windfall for the Canadiens, whose prospect pool is rich with defensemen but lacks a guy whose 6’2 frame, high-end skill and speed, and excellent hockey sense fit the profile of a true #1 defender.
6. Utah - Adrian: LD Sam Dickinson

The new kids on the block have themselves a sixth overall courtesy of the Arizona Coyotes' performance (or lack thereof) last season and will likely debut their home jersey in tandem with announcing this selection. Exciting stuff for Sam Dickinson, who will forever be the Utah Hockey Club’s first-ever draft selection. Dickinson is a rangy defender with plenty of offensive upside. He plays well positionally and already has a solid frame at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. Last season was by far his best in the OHL for the London Knights, where he scored a whopping 70 points with 50 assists.
7. Ottawa - Jackie: C Cayden Lindstrom

This is a great spot for the Ottawa Senators who could take this pick in many different directions and might have had another name in mind, however the fact that Cayden Lindstrom fell into their laps it too tough to pass up. The skilled power forward’s season was limited to 32 games with Medicine Hat in the WHL, but he still scored 46 points, including 27 goals. Word from the combine was that Linstrom didn’t have any lingering injury red flags, so teams shouldn’t hesitate to take this big talent early in the draft.
8. Seattle - Evan: RD Zayne Parekh

Defense is on life support in Seattle, and Parekh will help with it down the line. His scoring is impeccable, with 96 points in 66 games in the OHL. He put in the work at only 18 years old and got comparisons similar to Erik Karlsson. Could he have similar success with one of the newer NHL teams?
9. Calgary - Ezra: C Berkly Catton

For any other team, I’d probably take Tij Iginla here, but I just don’t think Calgary will invite that kind of pressure on the kid, so I’ll go with possibly the most offensively skilled forward in the draft in Catton. He’s got some work to do to become a complete player and combine that with his size, and you get questions about his ability to stick at center in the pros - but he’s more likely to than Iginla, who has only been a wing in Junior.
10. New Jersey > Boston Bruins - Adrian: C Tij Iginla

In a shocking move, the New Jersey Devils will use their 10th overall to make things up between the pipes via trade. We will see a deal for Linus Ullmark, and Iginla will continue his father’s legacy as a member of the Boston Bruins. Tij is a tenacious player who prides himself on being first to the puck and is certainly not afraid of contact. Sound familiar?
11. Buffalo - Jackie: LW Cole Eiserman

Half the world expects Buffalo to move this pick for immediate help (please hit up Chris MacFarland for Josh Manson in that case). However, if the pick is retained, Buffalo could use a star up front despite numerous talented young players and prospects already in the system. Cole Eiserman has that chance to be a bonafide sniper after he broke Cole Caufield’s goals record at the NTDP.
12. Philadelphia - Evan: C Konsta Helenius

This Finnish forward is only 18 years old and has consistent scoring. He had 36 points in 51 games in the Liiga in Finland. He’s still got a ways to go, as he is only 5-foot-11 and 189 pounds and can build his stature and muscle in the coming years to improve his play. He’s got impressive skills already, earning comparisons to Jack Hughes and Nico Hischer which is pretty good company.
13. Minnesota - Ezra: RD Carter Yakemchuk

A big, mean, right-handed D with high-end offense? Bill Guerin won’t hesitate to snag the Calgary Hitmen’s 6-foot-3 30-goal scorer. Many scouts and prospect writers have said he could become the best defenseman in this stacked class, though others caution that his skating is a possible red flag. With the rest of his tools, it’s hard to imagine he can’t become at least a middle-pairing mainstay, even if his skating does hold him back from becoming elite.
14. San Jose - Adrian: RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygard

Michael bet on himself, and the Norwegian prospect should cash in on doing so after he left home at age sixteen to play at the Junior level in Sweden rather than staying home. He could be one of the best prospects to come out of Norway since Matts Zuccarello. At least, that’s the hope for the rebuilding San Jose Sharks. He’s been complimented for having great vision and being calm and collected with the puck. I don’t expect Nygard to play in the NHL immediately like his new teammate, Celebrini.
15. Detroit - Jackie: RW Beckett Sennecke

The draft’s biggest riser shouldn’t get much further than the middle of the first round. Beckett Sennecke is only getting better after a growth spurt and a monster second half. Detroit is getting the beneficiary of a 6-foot-3 right wing with a major upside. Now, the only question is, will he sign his NHL deal before teammate and sometimes linemate Calum Ritchie does?
16. St. Louis - Evan: LD Stain Solberg

This 6-foot-2, 206-pound defenseman captured the attention of many at the World Championship at only 18 years old. His stoic skating style only led to his three points all season, but his defensive work is where he works best and where St. Louis can strive.
17. Washington - Ezra: RW Liam Greentree

This was my first tough decision, as picking between Greentree and LW Igor Chernyshov is a toss-up. I was tempted to go with the Russian since it’s Washington, and they’ve obviously had success drafting there, but I just couldn’t pass up Greentree’s combo of size and smarts - he’s smart in all three zones, so should be at minimum a solid third liner, and has the passing and finishing skill to become a high end middle six wing.
18. Chicago - Adrian: LW Igor Chernyshov

The Blackhawks will stock the cupboard in this year's entry draft, which means drafting yet another talented Russian winger. Some have Chernyshov ranked as high as 14th in this year's draft pool, so snagging him at 18 could be a steal for Chicago. Igor is 18 years old and has already played one full season in the KHL, which should lend him experience not otherwise attainable via the Junior route. That said, taking a Russian always bears a bit of risk, let alone two in the top 20 picks.
19. Vegas - Jackie: LW Trevor Connelly

Ok, this will be the most controversial pick in the draft, but if any organization can take the heat, it’s the Vegas Golden Knights. Oddly enough, they’ve been fairly conservative in their first-round selections in the past, but Connelly gives Vegas a much-needed package of top-ten puck skill talent if he can mature and improve on his selfish off-ice history and on-ice tendencies.
20. New York Islanders - Evan: C Michael Hage

Out of the Chicago Steel in the USHL, Michael Hage brings a lot of offensive prowess the Islanders can combine with their current stars. At only 18 years old, Hage still has time to go at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds. He will attend the University of Michigan in the fall, and we’ll see if his game can compare to the college game as it has been successful in the USHL.
21. Los Angeles - Ezra: RD Adam Jiricek

Jiricek had the hype last summer to be at the top of this draft class, but a lower-body injury at World Juniors set him back a bit and took him out of the spotlight. Before that, he was playing in the top Czech league as a 17-year-old and was finding his stride despite struggling to put up points. He still has the talent and the same upbringing and training that helped his brother David earn some NHL ice time with the Blue Jackets at a young age, so he could recover from injury and become a steal for the Kings.
22. Nashville - Adrian RD EJ Emery

The Predators have been known for churning out NHL-ready defensemen and, most impressively, have done so with smaller-than-usual prospects to boot (e.i. Sam Girard, Roman Josi & Ryan Ellis). Size won’t be an issue for EJ Emery, who plays for NCAA powerhouse the University of North Dakota. Emery is only seventeen years old and will likely continue his development in the college ranks, but he has the desired defensive frame at 6’3” and 165 pounds. Early comparisons liken him to K’Andre Miller, an athletic, sound skating d-man with offensive upside. It's a perfect fit for the Preds.
23. Toronto - Jackie: LD Alfons Freij

After several thin drafts and the fact that Toronto hasn’t taken a defenseman in the top three rounds since 2020, some help on the backend is needed in both the system and on the NHL squad. We can only help the prospect pool here, though, and smooth skating transition ace Alfons Freij fits the bill. While other teams are loading up on the big defensemen at this point in the draft, the Maple Leafs zag and go for this dynamic Swede, who is also in a six-foot-one package.
24. Colorado - Evan C Jett Luchanko

Luchanko is a brilliant skater, and his skating ability has led to 74 points in 68 games in the OHL at only 17 years old. His skating ability means he can play on both ends of the ice and work on special teams. If there’s anybody he’d want to join more where he can play this style, it is Colorado.
Should he continue to develop as he had in his two years in the OHL, look out. He can also play on the wing and will be versatile down the line if the Avs take him. He likely won’t be anything like Nathan MacKinnon, but with comparisons to Yanni Gourde, he can solidify himself as a solid middle-six player down the line.
Other names in consideration for Colorado’s pick were:
Ezra: C Cole Beaudoin

Since Evan took Luchanko, I’ll go with Beaudoin, a prototypical bottom-six center who brings size and strength to the position and absolutely knows how to use it. From Elite Prospects:
‘Beaudoin eats up the boards, grinds them, spins off opponents, drags the puck out of traffic, and gets it to the middle of the ice. There’s not a battle that he can’t win.’
Sounds like a pretty good fit for the Avs bottom six! And he put up nearly a point per game in both the regular season and playoffs while wearing an A for the OHL Barrie Colts.
Adrian: RW Emil Hemming

Colorado has recently been looking outside North America for its talent, and we’ve seen an influx of Finns over the last few seasons. Learning under Mikko Rantanen and Artturi Lehkonen’s wing should be considered a privilege and honor. An honor that could fall upon Emil Hemming, a big-bodied right-shot winger with pro experience in LIIGA with TPS. Hemming will already be physically fit for the big leagues but will need some expertise inside the North American game, much like Mikko Rantanen did.
Hemming has a great shot and can quickly net opportunities in a deceptive fashion. Like his fellow countryman, whom we affectionately dubbed “The Moose,” Hemming is a power-forward with a seeing-eye-slapper. Have you ever watched Mikko and thought, “Man, if only we had two of that guy”?
Jackie: LW Andrew Basha

A lot of potential fits for the Avalanche are off the board by this point, but a few remain, including 5-foot-11 left wing Andrew Basha. After scoring 85 points, including 30 goals in 63 games for Medicine Hat, he is firmly on the radar as a first-round pick. This energy forward has enough skill and playmaking ability to play higher in the lineup but should also have the speed and tenacity to get noticed by the organization. As a late birthday gift, Basha could have the option to play pro with just one more year in the WHL.
25. Ottawa - Ezra: C Cole Beaudoin

I like the guy for Ottawa too! They have a ton of highly skilled prospects but no one with Beaudoin’s motor. He’s tenacious and gritty, and I could see him blossoming as a net-front presence under Brady Tkachuk’s tutelage. But even if he doesn’t become that guy, he’s likely to be a bottom-six fixture for years once he cracks the league.
26. Montreal - Adrian: RW Emil Hemming

I think whoever lands this Finn will be pleasantly surprised with how early his potential could be realized. His professional experience is invaluable, and his size is inevitable. All that’s missing for this kid is a more firm understanding of the North American game and NHL speed. A comparison to Mikko Rantanen is bold, but Mikko is the third most successful 10th-round pick of all-time (in terms of points), and I think the same could be true about Hemming and the 26th pick. He’d have to outscore Claude Lemieux (786) to be at the top of that list.
27. Carolina - Jackie: C Yegor Surin

An organization unafraid of taking Russians might reap the benefits of taking this talent. Surin possesses the skillful qualities needed to make it to the NHL but also has that sandpaper edge that teams love. He’s a good skater, versatile, and is 6-foot-1 in size. Carolina would do well to walk away with this gem late in the first round.
28. Calgary - Evan: D Aron Kiviharju

Like the Avs’ first-round pick of Cal Ritchie last year, Kiviharju was a projected top-10 pick in this year's draft before dislocating his kneecap. He is a brilliant defender with good skating and puck-moving abilities when healthy. He’ll look to get more playing time under his belt this upcoming season, and at only 18, still has a ways to go to get back to health and advance his game.
29. Dallas - Ezra: C Sacha Boisvert

I hate to give the Stars another young center to build around, but they’ll be thrilled to add Boisvert - a 6’2 center with defensive acumen and a strong set of offensive tools, including a lethal wrister and excellent passing vision. He doesn’t have the raw athleticism of the centers who went in the top half of the first round, but he does project as a responsible middle-six center with powerplay upside. I would not be surprised if Colorado took him at 24 ahead of Luchanko or Beaudoin, even though those guys are better skaters.
30. New York Rangers - Adrian: RW/LW Nikita Artamonov

The Rangers will happily select Nikita Artamonov from a KHL squad familiar to Colorado Avalanche fans. Artamonov was one of Nikolai Kovalenko’s teammates with Torpedo, and he brings with him strong puck handling and passing skills, as well as a knack for anticipating play and finding small windows to create opportunities. He was the 19th-ranked prospect, according to NHL Central Scouting among European players. Not bad for the 30th pick.
31. Anaheim - Jackie: LW Andrew Basha

We won’t make Andrew Basha wait any longer, as he’s a good pick for any organization here at the end of the first round. Anaheim should be happy to add this versatile energy forward with skill to their deep prospect pool with their second selection in the first round.
32. Philadelphia - Evan: C Julius Miettinen

After taking on the Ryan Johansen contract and having no center to work around, the Flyers can at least add one into the organization they can develop. Miettinen came over from Finland to play in the WHL with the Everett Silvertips and impressed with 67 points in 66 games. He also led the WHL in faceoffs won by a rookie and could arguably make a case to be a part of the first team if it all lines up for him....

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