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2024 NHL Draft Pick Tracker By Team

at CDT | by 3 Comments

Now that the 2024 NHL Draft officially concluded earlier this afternoon, we can break down every draft pick by each team. Utah Hockey Club led the way with 11 picks in total (with six of those coming in the top 100) and the Dallas Stars selecting three individuals. The following list breaks down every selection for each team over the 2024 NHL Draft:

Anaheim Ducks

1-3: RW Beckett Sennecke / Oshawa Generals (OHL)
1-23: D Stian Solberg / Vålerenga (Norway)
2-35: C Lucas Pettersson / MoDo Hockey J20 (J20 Nationell)
3-66: RW Maxim Massé / Chicoutimi Saguenéens (QMJHL)
3-68: C Ethan Procyszyn / North Bay Battalion (OHL)
3-79: D Tarin Smith / Everett Silvertips (WHL)
4-100: C Alexandre Blais / Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
6-182: RW Austin Burnevik / Madison Capitols (USHL)
7-214: D Darels Uļjanskis / AIK J20 (J20 Nationell)

Boston Bruins

1-25: C Dean Letourneau / St. Andrew’s College (U18 AAA)
4-110: D Elliott Groenewold / Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
5-154: C Jonathan Morello / St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL)
6-186: D Loke Johansson / AIK J20 (J20 Nationell)

Buffalo Sabres

1-14: C Konsta Helenius / Jukurit (Liiga)
2-42: D Adam Kleber / Lincoln Stars (USHL)
3-71: RW Brodie Ziemer / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
4-108: D Luke Osburn / Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
4-123: D Simon-Pier Brunet / Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
6-172: D Patrick Geary / Michigan State (NCAA)
7-204: RW Vasily Zelenov / RB Hockey Juniors (AlpsHL)
7-219: G Ryerson Leenders / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

Calgary Flames

1-9: D Zayne Parekh / Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
1-28: RW Matvei Gridin / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
2-41: LW Andrew Basha / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
2-62: RW Jacob Battaglia / Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
3-74: D Henry Mews / Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
3-84: G Kirill Zarubin / AKM Tula (MHL)
4-106: RW Trevor Hoskin / Cobourg Cougars (OJHL)
5-150: C Luke Misa / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
6-170: C Hunter Laing / Prince George Cougars (WHL)
6-177: D Eric Jamieson / Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Carolina Hurricanes

2-34: D Dominik Badinka / Malmö Redhawks (SHL)
2-50: LW Nikita Artamonov / Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
3-69: D Noel Fransén / Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell)
4-124: D Alexander Siryatsky / Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)
5-133: LW Oskar Vuollet / Skellefteå AIK J20 (J20 Nationell)
5-156: RW Justin Poirier / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
6-168: D Timur Kol / Omskie Krylia (VHL)
6-184: D Roman Shokhrin / Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL)
6-188: LW Fyodor Avramov / Kapitan Stupino (MHL)
7-220: LW Andrei Krutov / Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)

Chicago Blackhawks

1-2: D Artyom Levshunov / Michigan State (NCAA)
1-18: C Sacha Boisvert / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
1-27: LW Marek Vanacker / Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
3-67: C John Mustard / Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
3-72: RW AJ Spellacy / Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
3-92: RW Jack Pridham / West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
5-138: C Joel Svensson / Växjö Lakers HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
6-163: D Ty Henry / Erie Otters (OHL)

Colorado Avalanche

2-38: G Ilya Nabokov / Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)
3-76: LW William Zellers / Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep (USHS-Prep)
4-121: C Jake Fisher / Fargo Force (USHL)
5-132: G Louka Cloutier / Chicago Steel (USHL)
5-137: G Ivan Yunin / Yastreby Omsk U18 (Russia U18)
5-161: C Maxmilian Curran / Tri-City Americans (WHL)
6-185: D Tory Pitner / Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
7-215: C Christian Humphreys / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
7-217: C Nikita Prishchepov / Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

Columbus Blue Jackets

1-4: C Cayden Lindstrom / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
2-36: D Charlie Elick / Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
2-60: G Evan Gardner / Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
3-86: D Luca Marrelli / Oshawa Generals (OHL)
4-101: D Tanner Henricks / Lincoln Stars (USHL)
6-165: D Luke Ashton / Langley Rivermen (BCHL)

Dallas Stars

1-29: RW Emil Hemming / TPS (Liiga)
5-158: D Niilopekka Muhonen / KalPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
7-222: C William Samuelsson / Södertälje SK J20 (J20 Nationell)

Detroit Red Wings

1-15: RW Michael Brandsegg-Nygård / Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
2-47: LW Max Plante / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
3-80: C Ondřej Becher / Prince George Cougars (WHL)
4-126: G Landon Miller / Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
5-144: D John Whipple / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
6-176: LW Charlie Forslund / Falu IF J18 (J18 Region)
7-203: LW Austin Baker / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
7-208: D Fisher Scott / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

Edmonton Oilers

1-32: RW Sam O’Reilly / London Knights (OHL)
2-64: G Eemil Vinni / JoKP (Mestis)
5-160: LW Connor Clattenburg / Flint Firebirds (OHL)
6-183: D Albin Sundin / Frölunda HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
6-192: C Dalyn Wakely / North Bay Battalion (OHL)
7-196: C William Nicholl / London Knights (OHL)
7-218: D Bauer Berry / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

Florida Panthers 

2-58: C Linus Eriksson / Djurgårdens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)
3-97: D Matvei Shuravin / Krasnaya Armiya Mosvka (MHL)
4-129: C Simon Zether / Rögle BK (SHL)
6-169: C Stepan Gorbunov / Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk (MHL)
6-193: LW Hunter St. Martin / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
7-201: G Denis Gabdrakhmanov / Tyumenski Legion (MHL)

Los Angeles Kings

1-26: RW Liam Greentree / Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
2-57: G Carter George / Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
6-164: D Jared Woolley / London Knights (OHL)
7-198: RW James Reeder / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

Minnesota Wild

1-12: D Zeev Buium / University of Denver (NCAA)
2-45: RW Ryder Ritchie / Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
4-122: D Aron Kiviharju / HIFK (Liiga)
5-140: D Sebastian Soini / KOOVEE (Mestis)
5-142: G Chase Wutzke / Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
6-174: D Stevie Leskovar / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

Montreal Canadiens

1-5: RW Ivan Demidov / SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)
1-21: C Michael Hage / Chicago Steel (USHL)
3-70: C Aatos Koivu / TPS U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
3-78: C Logan Sawyer / Brooks Bandits (BCHL)
4-102: D Owen Protz / Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
5-130: RW Tyler Thorpe / Vancouver Giants (WHL)
5-134: G Mikus Vecvanags / Tukums (Latvia2)
6-166: C Ben Merrill / St. Sebastian’s School (USHS-Prep)
7-210: RW Makar Khanin / Dynamo St. Petersburg (VHL)
7-224: D Rasmus Bergqvist / Skellefteå AIK J20 (J20 Nationell)

Nashville Predators

1-22: C Yegor Surin / Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
2-55: C Teddy Stiga / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
3-77: D Viggo Gustafsson / HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell)
3-87: RW Miguel Marques / Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)
3-94: RW Hiroki Gojsic / Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
4-99: G Jakub Milota / Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
4-127: LW Viktor Nörringer / Frölunda HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
7-213: C Erik Påhlsson / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)

New Jersey Devils

1-10: D Anton Silayev / Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
2-49: G Mikhail Yegorov / Omaha Lancers (USHL)
3-85: RW Kasper Pikkarainen / TPS U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
3-91: RW Herman Träff / HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell)
5-139: C Max Graham / Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
5-146: G Veeti Louhivaara / JYP U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
6-171: C Matyáš Melovský / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)

New York Islanders

1-20: LW Cole Eiserman / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
2-54: D Jesse Pulkkinen / JYP (Liiga)
2-61: C Kamil Bednarik / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
4-115: G Dmitry Gamzin / Zvezda Moskva (VHL)
5-147: G Marcus Gidlöf / Leksands IF J20 (J20 Nationell)
6-179: D Xavier Veilleux / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)

New York Rangers

1-30: D EJ Emery / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
4-119: C Raoul Boilard / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
5-159: LW Nathan Aspinall / Flint Firebirds (OHL)
6-191: LW Rico Gredig / HC Davos (NL)

Ottawa Senators

1-7: D Carter Yakemchuk / Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
2-39: D Gabriel Eliasson / HV71 J20 (J20 Nationell)
4-104: LW Lucas Ellinas / Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
4-112: LW Javon Moore / Minnetonka High (USHS-MN)
4-117: LW Blake Montgomery / Lincoln Stars (USHL)
5-136: D Eerik Wallenius / HPK U18 (U18 SM-sarja)

Philadelphia Flyers

1-13: C Jett Luchanko / Guelph Storm (OHL)
2-51: C Jack Berglund / Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell)
2-59: D Spencer Gill / Rimouski Océanic (QMJHL)
4-107: C Heikki Ruohonen / Kiekko-Espoo U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
5-148: RW Noah Powell / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
6-173: RW Ilya Pautov / Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)
7-205: D Austin Moline / Shattuck St. Mary’s U18 Prep (USHS-Prep)

Pittsburgh Penguins

2-44: D Harrison Brunicke / Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
2-46: LW Tanner Howe / Regina Pats (WHL)
4-111: D Chase Pietila / Michigan Tech (NCAA)
6-175: D Joona Väisänen / Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
7-207: C Mac Swanson / Fargo Force (USHL)
7-223: D Finn Harding / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

San Jose Sharks

1-1: C Macklin Celebrini / Boston University (NCAA)
1-11: D Sam Dickinson / London Knights (OHL)
2-33: LW Igor Chernyshov / Dynamo Moskva (KHL)
2-53: D Leo Sahlin Wallenius / Växjö Lakers HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
3-82: RW Carson Wetsch / Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
4-116: G Christian Kirsch / Zug U20 (U20-Elit)
5-131: D Colton Roberts / Vancouver Giants (WHL)
5-143: D Nate Misskey / Victoria Royals (WHL)
7-194: G Yaroslav Korostelyov / SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

Seattle Kraken

1-8: C Berkly Catton / Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
2-40: C Julius Miettinen / Everett Silvertips (WHL)
2-63: C Nathan Villeneuve / Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
3-73: D Alexis Bernier / Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
3-88: G Kim Saarinen / HPK U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
4-105: C Ollie Josephson / Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
5-141: LW Clarke Caswell / Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
7-202: D Jakub Fibigr / Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)

St. Louis Blues

1-16: D Adam Jiříček / HC Plzeň (Czechia)
2-48: D Colin Ralph / Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep (USHS-Prep)
2-56: D Lukas Fischer / Sarnia Sting (OHL)
3-81: LW Ondrej Kos / KOOVEE (Mestis)
3-95: C Adam Jecho / Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
4-113: C Tomas Mrsic / Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
5-145: D William McIsaac / Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
7-209: C Antoine Dorion / Québec Remparts (QMJHL)
7-211: C Matvei Korotky / SKA-1946 St. Petersburg (MHL)

Tampa Bay Lightning

4-118: D Jan Goličič / Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
4-128: RW Hagen Burrows / Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
5-149: C Joona Saarelainen / KalPa U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
6-181: C Kaden Pitre / Flint Firebirds (OHL)
7-195: LW Joe Connor / Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
7-199: LW Noah Steen / Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
7-206: G Harrison Meneghin / Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL)

Toronto Maple Leafs

1-31: D Ben Danford / Oshawa Generals (OHL)
4-120: D Victor Johansson / Leksands IF J20 (J20 Nationell)
5-151: C Miroslav Holinka / HC Oceláři Třinec U20 (Czechia U20)
5-152: LW Alexander Plesovskikh / Mamonty Yugry (MHL)
5-157: G Timofei Obvintsev / Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (MHL)
7-200: D Matthew Leahy / Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL)
7-216: LW Sam McCue / Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
7-225: D Nathan Mayes / Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Utah Hockey Club

1-6: C Tij Iginla / Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
1-24: C Cole Beaudoin / Barrie Colts (OHL)
2-65: D Will Skahan / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
3-89: D Tomas Lavoie / Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
3-96: D Veeti Väisänen / KooKoo (Liiga)
4-98: D Gregor Biber / Rögle BK J20 (J20 Nationell)
4-103: C Gabe Smith / Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
5-135: C Owen Allard / Soo Greyhounds (OHL)
5-153: D Aleš Čech / BK Mladá Boleslav (Czechia)
6-167: C Vojtěch Hradec / BK Mladá Boleslav (Czechia)
6-190: D Ludvig Lafton / Färjestad BK J20 (J20 Nationell)

Vancouver Canucks

3-93: RW Melvin Fernström / Örebro HK J20 (J20 Nationell)
4-125: C Riley Patterson / Barrie Colts (OHL)
6-162: RW Anthony Romani / North Bay Battalion (OHL)
6-189: D Parker Alcos / Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
7-221: D Basile Sansonnens / Gottéron U20 (U20-Elit)

Vegas Golden Knights 

1-19: LW Trevor Connelly / Tri-City Storm (USHL)
3-83: G Pavel Moysevich / SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (VHL)
6-180: LW Trent Swick / Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
7-197: C Lucas Van Vliet / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)

Washington Capitals

1-17: RW Terik Parascak / Prince George Cougars (WHL)
2-43: D Cole Hutson / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
2-52: D Leon Muggli / EV Zug (NL)
3-75: LW Ilya Protas / Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
3-90: LW Ēriks Mateiko / Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
4-114: G Nicholas Kempf / U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP)
6-178: C Petr Sikora / HC Oceláři Třinec U20 (Czechia U20)
7-212: C Miroslav Šatan / HC Slovan Bratislava U20 (Slovakia U20)

Winnipeg Jets

2-37: D Alfons Freij / Växjö Lakers HC J20 (J20 Nationell)
4-109: LW Kevin He / Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
5-155: C Markus Loponen / Kärpät U20 (U20 SM-sarja)
6-187: C Kieron Walton / Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

Central Notes: Predators, Drouin, Pavelski, McGroarty

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Nearly one year ago, the Nashville Predators made some surprise additions in free agency by bringing in veteran forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist on multi-year contracts. Expect much of the same from the Predators organization this summer as Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports reports Nashville is looking to be aggressive once free agency opens up on Monday.

Lavoie specifically cites Steven Stamkos as a player that the Predators will take a run at — a rumor that has been picking up some steam over recent days. With just over $26MM in cap space and only a few notable pieces to retain, Nashville could do some damage on the free-agent market this summer.

Outside of Stamkos, the Predators will likely be checking in on multiple free agents over the next few days as the team could use additional help in the form of a top-six forward and top-four defenseman. Thankfully, the team captain, Roman Josi, can still be counted on for the most minutes on Nashville’s blue line but the team could certainly use some help behind him in the form of a veteran talent to lessen the burden.

Other Central notes:

  • Despite both parties’ willingness to agree on a contract extension, the cap situation for the Colorado Avalanche may be pushing Jonathan Drouin out the door (Article Link). For the second summer in a row, the Avalanche are scrambling to sign cheap depth at every position with the team only carrying $10.47MM in cap space into the summer months. Without factoring in the potential return of forward Valeri Nichushkin and his $6.125MM salary, it appears improbable that Colorado will be able to retain Drouin. After only playing on an $825K salary for the 2023-24 NHL season, Drouin has earned a considerable raise after scoring 19 goals and 56 points in 79 games.
  • If everything is to go as expected, Joe Pavelski of the Dallas Stars has already played his last game in the National Hockey League. He will not have to wait long for a job offer though as Sean Shapiro of EP Rinkside reports the Stars organization is more than willing to give Pavelski an opportunity in the front office if he officially decides to retire. It would not be surprising to see Pavelski land a front-office job after his playing career officially concludes, as the veteran star has largely operated in a leadership role throughout his professional career as a player.
  • After nearly a week of trade chatter, the Winnipeg Jets could not find an optimal trade to move prospect Rutger McGroarty out of the system during draft weekend. Looking for updates on the matter, Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press could only confirm that McGroarty would not be present at the Jets’ development camp this summer. Due to McGroarty not being eligible for unrestricted free agency for another two seasons, Winnipeg can be patient when it comes to moving his contract rights.

Utah Signs Juuso Valimaki To Two-Year Extension

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7:50 PM: TSN’s Chris Johnston reports Valimaki will earn an AAV of $2MM on his new deal.

5:09 PM: Continuing with a busy day on the blue line, the Utah Hockey Club has agreed to a two-year contract with pending restricted free-agent defenseman Juuso Valimaki. The team did not disclose any financial terms regarding the deal.

Even with Valimaki likely sliding down the depth chart today with the team’s addition of Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning and John Marino from the New Jersey Devils, the young defenseman may excel in a more limited role. During the 2022-23 NHL season, Valimaki scored four goals and 34 points in 78 games while averaging 18:11 of ice time per night, and saw his production slip to two goals and 17 points in 10 fewer games played while averaging more than a minute more of ice time per game.

Although it is unlikely, if all things stay the same on the blue line for Utah, Valimaki should be able to partake in a top-four role on the left side of the defensive core. However, there are rumblings that even after the trades today, Utah is still interested in Brandon Montour once he hits the free-agent market on Monday (X Link). If the organization can land Montour, they would likely shift Sean Durzi to the left side while demoting Valimaki to a bottom-pairing role.

Whatever the case may be, Utah has dramatically improved its defensive core over the last 24 hours. Despite the probable demotion coming to Valimaki on the depth chart, he is a flexible defenseman with the ability to play in nearly any situation.

Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports was the first to report that Utah and Valimaki had agreed on an extension. 

Edmonton Acquires 32nd Overall Pick From Philadelphia

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Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the Edmonton Oilers have acquired the 31st overall pick from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers will receive the Oilers’ first-round pick in 2025 or 2026 based on conditions attached to the pick per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff.

After losing the Stanley Cup Final only a few days ago, Edmonton was able to trade into the first round after all. The organization selected Sam O’Reilly out of the top-tier London Knights program in the Ontario Hockey League. O’Reilly carries keen awareness all over the ice and is a defensive-minded center through and through.

In 68 games for London this season, O’Reilly scored 20 goals and 56 points while collecting a rating of +32. After the regular season, O’Reilly tallied another five goals and 12 points in 16 postseason contests as the Knights made it to the Memorial Cup Finals after going 16-2 in the OHL playoffs. Long-term, due to his style of play, O’Reilly projects to be a solid bottom-six option in Edmonton.

It was likely an easy gamble for the Flyers, as Philadelphia must hope the Oilers don’t win the Stanley Cup Final over the next two seasons to reap positive value out of this deal. Even before the start of the 2024-25 NHL season, the Flyers potentially already have three picks in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft if certain conditions are met.

Chicago Acquires 27th Overall Pick From Carolina

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Per Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, the Chicago Blackhawks have acquired the 27th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for the 34th and 50th overall selections. The Blackhawks will now make their third selection of the first round.

Taking a mild swing with the pick, it is clear that the Blackhawks were looking for a role player next to Connor Bedard. Chicago used the selection on forward Marek Vanacker from the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League. Vanacker thrives in transition and is a nuisance to play against in the middle of the ice.

In addition to being a puck thief against opposing teams, Vanacker was an effective playmaker for the Bulldogs this season. In 68 games, Vanacker put up 36 goals and 82 points while putting up another three goals and seven points in six postseason contests. In international play, Vanacker was rostered on Team Canada U18 but only mustered one goal in six tournament games.

Similar to the Avalanche, the Hurricanes have become the second team to trade out of the first round entirely on the first day of the draft. However, Carolina stacked onto their draft capital with this move, as they now have 10 selections to use over the next six rounds.

Utah Hockey Club Acquires 24th Overall Pick From Colorado

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The Utah Hockey Club has acquired the 24th overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for the 38th and 71st overall picks, as well as a second-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft (X Link).

Using the pick, Utah selected Cole Beaudoin from the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League. By moving three draft picks to the Avalanche, Utah gained the ability to make their second selection of the day while Colorado trades out of the first round entirely.

Beaudoin took a big step forward in his second season with the Colts as the young forward scored 28 goals and 62 points in 67 games after scoring eight goals and 20 points a year before. Long-term, Beaudoin has the playstyle of a third-line forward but has the creativity to be an effective middle-six option at the NHL level. He carries a high motor and is never hesitant to engage in battles anywhere on the ice.

It is a bit surprising to see the Avalanche trade out of the first round, as the team is desperate for cheap NHL-ready talent. It is unlikely that Colorado could have found a player to immediately step into the lineup at this point in the first round, but it is apparent the team is looking for quantity over quality in this year’s draft. Because of the trade, Colorado will have to wait until tomorrow to make their first selection of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Anaheim, Toronto Swap 23rd And 31st Overall Picks

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The Anaheim Ducks have acquired the 23rd overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 31st and 58th overall picks (X Link).

After making a surprise selection of Beckett Sennecke with the third overall selection, the Ducks used the 23rd overall pick to select defenseman Stian Solberg out of Vålerenga in Norway. Stolberg is a quality shutdown defenseman and represents one of the most physical defensemen in the draft. Not only does Solberg effectively shut down offensive pressure from opponents, he makes sure to punish them if they ever touch the puck.

In Vålerenga this season, Stolberg scored five goals and 15 points in 42 games while collecting 47 PIMs in the process. At the international level, Solberg scored one goal and one assist in five games during the 2024 World Junior Championships and added two goals and one assist over seven games for Team Norway in the 2024 World Championships.

In Toronto, the team moves back eight spots while adding some draft capital in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft. Heading into this evening’s festivities, the Maple Leafs did not have a second-round pick as they had moved theirs to the St. Louis Blues in the deal that landed Ryan O’Reilly with the Maple Leafs. Without factoring in any other moves for Toronto, the Maple Leafs will now only be without choices in the third and sixth rounds of this weekend’s draft.

Extension Notes: Crosby, Faber, Reilly

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Hoping to keep extension discussions away from the media, Seth Rorabaugh of Tribune-Review Sports reported earlier that the General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Kyle Dubas, has begun extension negotiations with Sidney Crosby. There have been no rumblings on any specific terms between the two sides but the contract is at least expected to keep Crosby in Pittsburgh until his retirement.

It will be the first time in over a decade that Crosby has had to negotiate a contract as he’s entering the final year of a 12-year $104.4MM contract signed in Pittsburgh only three years after the Penguins defeated the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 Stanley Cup Final. Averaging a sentimental $8.7MM salary for each year of the deal, it has arguably been one of the best-value contracts in league history.

Over the life of the contract, Crosby has scored 354 goals and 931 points in 802 regular season games while winning two Stanley Cups, two Conn Smythe trophies, one Hart Memorial Trophy, one Ted Lindsay Award, and one Art Ross Trophy. Entering his age 37 season, Crosby may be looking for a three- or four-year agreement with the Penguins that could see an AAV near or above $10MM a year.

Other extension notes:

  • Michael Russo of The Athletic reports the Minnesota Wild and rookie defenseman Brock Faber are expected to meet today to begin contract negotiations. Faber will enter the final year of his entry-level contract during the 2024-25 NHL season but is extension eligible on July 1st. There is no doubt that Faber is a player to invest in as the University of Minnesota product finished second in Calder Trophy voting this past season. Averaging nearly 25 minutes a night for the Wild, Faber scored eight goals and 47 points while playing in all 82 games and proved to be an effective quarterback on Minnesota’s powerplay.
  • Another product of the University of Minnesota is looking to sign a contract extension with his current team. Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News reports that the New York Islanders are working on an extension with defenseman Mike Reilly. After receiving little to no ice time with the Florida Panthers, Reilly was eventually claimed off waivers by the Islanders and gained the opportunity to make a significant impact. In 59 games after the waiver claim, Reilly scored six goals and 24 points in New York while also picking up some time on the powerplay. As the Islanders dealt with numerous injuries to their blue line last season, Reilly represents a capable depth option that can play in nearly any situation.

Minnesota, Philadelphia Swap 12th Overall And 13th Overall

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The Minnesota Wild have acquired the 12th overall pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for the 13th overall pick and a third-round selection in next year’s draft (X Link).

The Wild would use the selection on defenseman Zeev Buium out of the University of Denver, who miraculously fell to 12th overall. Minnesota adds another dynamic defensive prospect while already having Brock Faber on the back end.

Aside from winning the 2024 National Championship with Denver, Buium rose the draft charts considerably after scoring 11 goals and 50 points in only 42 games. With his strong skating and ability to escape oncoming pressure, Buium is eerily similar to former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Adam Fox from the New York Rangers. By only having to attach a third-round pick to select one of the best defensemen available in the draft — Minnesota could end up with one of the biggest steals of the night.

The Flyers, on the other hand, used the 13th overall pick to select Jett Luchanko out of the OHL’s Guelph Storm. Considering that this selection is a bit of a reach compared to mock picks, the Flyers were likely more than happy to move back one spot and add a third-round selection next year.

As one of the fastest players in the draft, Luchanko can transition with the puck very effectively. In 68 games for the Storm this past season, Luchanko put up 20 goals and 74 points while winning the William Hanley Trophy as the league’s most sportsmanlike player.

Blackhawks Select Artyom Levshunov Second Overall

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With the top pick of the rest of the draft, the Chicago Blackhawks have selected Artyom Levshunov with the second overall pick. The product of Michigan State University is the first defenseman to come off the board in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Levshunov made a statement for the Spartans during the 2023-24 NCAA season, earning All-Big Ten First Team and All-Big Ten Freshmen Team honors. Additionally, the young Belarusian won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Becoming one of the best all-around defensemen rather quickly — Levshunov scored nine goals and 35 points in 38 games while collecting a whopping +44 rating. Leading the blue for Michigan State, the team soared to the fifth-ranked team in the nation and made it to the Second Round of the Frozen Four tournament.

In Chicago, Levshunov quickly becomes the best-ranked defensive prospect in the system. As a right-handed shot, Levshunov should fit in nicely next to Kevin Korchinski on the Blackhawks’ blue line long term.

Out of the gates, Levshunov should be able to keep up fairly well defensively with the rest of the NHL, but his offensive capabilities may take a bit to develop fully. He shows top-tier explosiveness and can join the play very quickly. Furthermore, he has demonstrated the ability to make quick shots off the stride which is rare for a defenseman.

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