1 | | - | | San Jose
Self explanatory pick here. Celebrini is the most NHL ready prospect in the draft. Regardless of Will Smith’s status in the NCAA next season, Celebrini will be the #1 center. |
2 | | - | | Chicago
Demidov should be the pick here. I can see Chicago potentially going for Levshunov or Lindstrom, but based on pure talent they get Demidov. I think they’d be able to convince Demidov to move to the NHL in 2025-26 with the opportunity to play with Bedard. |
3 | | - | | Anaheim
RD is a positional need for Anaheim after trading Drysdale. Anaheim drafts the top RD prospect. Levshunov is probably 1-2 years out from making this roster. I assume he stays at MSU next year. |
4 | | - | | Columbus
I think CBJ jumps on Lindstrom at 4. He’s a big body center that adds depth to the future forward core. |
5 | | - | | Montreal
Might be a little off the board here but I think Montreal takes Iginla. Iginla has shown he belongs in the Top 10 throughout the season. Montreal tends to like workhorse players and that’s what I see more in Iginla than the other forwards at this pick. |
6 | | - | | Utah
Utah continues last draft’s trend and selects another big Russian player. Silayev should be a great future partner for Simashev. |
7 | | - | | Ottawa
Ottawa drafts a positional need here and select Parekh. Parekh is a fantastic offensive defenseman and should fulfill a Top 4D role for the Senators. |
8 | | - | | Seattle
I think Seattle decides between Buium and Dickinson here and go for the more offensive-minded player. Buium will fit into the defensive core in a few years and will be close in proximity to Denver. |
9 | | - | | Calgary
Calgary takes the best available RD with this pick and draft a guy from the WHL. Yakemchuk needs to develop more but should be ready to go in 3-4 years. |
10 | | - | | Nashville - Trade #1 (see description)
Nashville takes the best forward available. Catton will be a top line forward for Nashville in the future. |
11 | | - | | Buffalo
Buffalo takes a pure goal scorer. Eiserman needs time to develop which fits perfectly with Buffalo’s current roster as Jeff Skinner will be gone in 3 years. |
12 | | - | | St. Louis - Trade #2 (see description)
St. Louis takes a defenseman that has been consistently in the top 10 but has dropped down in the rankings at the end of the season. Dickinson should be a Top 4D joining Theo Lindstein. |
13 | | - | | Minnesota
Minnesota grabs the best available player. Helenius started as the top international prospect, but fell down to #3 by season end. Minnesota gladly selects Helenius at 13th. |
14 | | | | San Jose
San Jose snags a RD after drafting Celebrini with the #1. Jiricek is the best available defenseman at this point in the draft. |
15 | | - | | Detroit
Detroit takes a promising RW to join their offensive core. MBN will be a huge addition to the Wings’ prospect pool. |
16 | | - | | Philadelphia - Trade #2 (see description)
Flyers select a promising center who will be attending Michigan in the future. Hage is probably the best center available at this point, which is a positional need for the Flyers. |
17 | | - | | Washington
Washington takes Greentree here. Greentree is a solid RW prospect that fits into the middle 6 for Washington going forward. |
18 | | - | | New York (I)
If he is anything like his brother, Cole Hutson will be a steal at 18th overall. Islanders need a future defensive partner for Dobson and I think Hutson would be a great choice here. |
19 | | - | | Toronto - Trade #3 (see description)
Toronto takes the best player available and I think that’s Boisvert. The North Dakota commit should add depth to the future Toronto forward group. |
20 | | | | Los Angeles
Los Angeles takes a Russian forward with this pick. Igor should be able to make an impact on this team in 3-4 years. |
21 | | - | | New Jersey - Trade #1 (see description)
New Jersey takes a promising LW. I think Connelly has done a decent job of putting the off-ice antics behind him. Connelly should be a steal for New Jersey after trading the 10th and Holtz for Saros. |
22 | | - | | Toronto
Absolute positional need choice here for the Leafs. They need RD desperately and take an offensive gifted defenseman after drafting a center at 19th. |
23 | | - | | Colorado
Absolute steal here for the Avs. Stiga is super underrated and will be a fantastic offensive weapon for the future forward core. |
24 | | | | Ottawa
Ottawa drafts a forward after taking Parekh in the early stages of the round. Sennecke will be a great forward on the 2nd or 3rd line for the Sens. |
25 | | - | | Montreal
The Habs grabbed their center in the Top 5, now they go for a LW that tore up the WHL. |
26 | | | | Carolina
Carolina needs depth centers in the forward core. Adding Letourneau is a great addition for the Hurricanes. |
27 | | | | Calgary
Calgary takes another WHL player from their own backyard. Ritchie should be a great addition to the forward prospect pool after drafting Yakemchuk. |
28 | | | | Dallas
Once touted as the best prospect in the draft, Dallas will be happy to select Kiviharju from Finland. He should be a future NHLer if everything pans out right. |
29 | | | | Anaheim
Ducks go for a forward after taking Levshunov 3rd overall. Ducks have a deep forward core in the future, but adding Parascak will help make it deeper. |
30 | | - | | Philadelphia
After taking Hage at 16th overall, the Flyers take one of the best shutdown defenseman in the draft. Elick will fit in nicely on the right side behind Drysdale and Bonk. |
31 | | - | | New York (R)
Rangers snag USA’s WJC-18 captain and Minnesota commit Ziemer, who will add depth to the center pool. |
32 | | - | | Vegas
After going back-to-back, Vegas takes a RD in a deep defensive draft. The Knights need to build their prospect pool after trading most it away, but cannot complain about 2 potential cups. |