The San Jose Sharks selected Macklin Celebrini from Boston University as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL draft. Celebrini, a first-line center, had an impressive season with 32 goals and 32 assists, earning him the Hobey Baker Award. Scouting reports describe him as a highly imaginative playmaker with superb hands and timing. The Chicago Blackhawks selected defenseman Artyom Levshunov from Michigan State, projecting him to be a franchise-altering player with a combination of size, mobility, and advanced defensive skills. Other notable picks include forward Beckett Sennecke from Oshawa, center Cayden Lindstrom from Medicine Hat, winger Ivan Demidov from SKA St. Petersburg, and forward Tij Iginla from Kelowna. The Ottawa Senators picked defenseman Carter Yakemchuk from Calgary, known for his offensive instincts and power play quarterback skills. Center Berkly Catton from Spokane was selected by the Seattle Kraken for his exceptional hockey sense and scoring abilities. Defenseman Zayne Parekh from Saginaw was chosen by the Calgary Flames for his dynamic offensive skills but struggles in his own end. Finally, the New Jersey Devils picked defenseman Anton Silayev from Nizhny Novgorod, a towering 6-foot-7 shutdown defenseman with strong defensive skills but lacking offensive creativity. Overall, the 2024 NHL draft introduced a promising group of talented players with diverse skill sets and potential to make an impact in the league.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com
