Nope. Sorry, but this isn't close. Vlasic is the #1 LD and is getting 6+ years at $5m min. OEL doesn't get signed. Neither does Zaitsev or Tyler Johnson. No one is paying a 2nd for Hall coming off his knee surgery. Nazar is not a 4th liner. Dach is not a C. Utah probably ends up w/ Celebrini. Shall I go on?

Wrong, Chicago or SAN Jose

Celebrini is a more pure center than Bedard is. He will play center and likely get his own line, wherever he ends up. Zaitsev is probably going home and I doubt CHI re-signs TJ. CHI also won't go after OEL. They probably wouldn't go after Tarasenko, either, and I doubt he would have much interest in CHI. Whether Vlasic takes a short or long term deal, he will get significantly more than that.



I highly doubt the NHL is doing any favors for Utah and "handing them Celebrini". They already handed them a complete franchise with a fully functioning hockey ops department, tons of great picks, and a bunch of exciting prospects and young players, for essentially the same amount it costs to buy into the league as an expansion team. If they win the lottery, so be it, but they aren't handing the lottery to anyone. According to credible witnesses, the lottery is legit and nearly impossible to rig. Saying you believe that is essentially saying you also think it was rigged for CHI last year. If you wanna make jokes, cool. I certainly wouldn't put it past the NHL to rig the lotto, but I don't think we should spread this stuff as fact, when there are no facts to support it.

Simply my opinion. Seems to perfect not to happen. The 1st overall pick going to the newest NHL city to help kick start ticket and merch sales.

It seems like they'll be fine. They've already sold over 6,000 season tickets. They have the entire Jazz fan base to get on board, and in a dry city that needs entertainment. haha. They didn't do it for Vegas or Seattle, either. I guess we'll see, it would be perfect, in theory, but even if they do win, I still doubt it is rigged. Completely unbiased third parties that I trust to give an honest accounting of the situation confirmed to the best of their ability that the lotto is legit. That AZ/Utah pick is still in pretty great position to win the lotto without help from anyone.

From Scott Wheeler of the Athletic a short time ago on Twitter:

“With the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Utah HC is proud to select, from Boston University, Macklin Celebrini.”

It's not just me... LOL

lol. well he is just playing and having fun with their possible club names too.