1 | ![San Jose Sharks Logo of the San Jose Sharks](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/san_jose_sharks.svg) | - | | The pick is a forgone conclusion, but it is especially fitting considering Grier played a role in recruiting Celebrini to Boston University. So even if there were a debate between Demidov and Celebrini, Grier takes Macklin. |
2 | ![Chicago Blackhawks Logo of the Chicago Blackhawks](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/chicago_blackhawks.svg) | - | | Hawks first 10 picks last year were: C, C, G, RW, C, RW, C, C, LW, C…they are due a dman. They have Korchinski and Vlassic locking down left side for next decade or so. So the answer is easy. |
3 | ![Anaheim Ducks Logo of the Anaheim Ducks](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/anaheim_ducks_24.svg) | - | | Verbeek has two drafts under his watch. His picks thus far: 6'2", 6'3", 6'5", 6'2", 6'3", 6'1", 6'3", 6'4", 6'3", 6'2", 6'0", 6'6", 6'0", 6'0", 6'5", 6'2", 6'2" (and only one Russian that was playing out of OHL). |
4 | ![Columbus Blue Jackets Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/columbus_blue_jackets.svg) | - | | Unknown GM; but CBJ has already built a nice stable of Russian forwards (Chinakhov, Marchenko, Voronkov, and Dolzhenkov) and have only Werenski signed after next year. |
5 | ![Montreal Canadiens Logo of the Montreal Canadiens](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/montreal_canadiens.svg) | - | | Kent has shown he is willing to draft Russians and smaller players, but would it be a lock that he would take Demidov if he fell? (He didn't even scout Michkov last year). |
6 | ![Utah Hockey Club Logo of the Utah Hockey Club](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/utah_hockey_club.svg) | - | | Armstrong doesn't get enough credit for pulling off something unexpected moves at recent drafts. Last year, he made two surprise picks (Simashev, But) but also previously pulled off some big trades: The Ekman-Larsson cap move with Vancouver in 2021; and trading up from #27 to #11 in 2022. If Demidov were to fall, this is probably where we start looking for trade. But if not, the surprise may be a pick like this one... |
7 | ![Ottawa Senators Logo of the Ottawa Senators](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/ottawa_senators_21.svg) | - | | Staois has no known draft history (at least at pro level). We do have an idea about the teams needs...and know Ottawa hasn't had a high pick since 2020 (unless you count Boucher). Would Demidov be too much risk for a first ever choice of new GM? |
8 | ![Seattle Kraken Logo of the Seattle Kraken](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/seattle_kraken.svg) | - | | In his first three years in Carolina, Francis took defensemen with his first selection in 2014, 2015 and 2016 drafts. But in Seattle, he has opted for only forwards in first round thus far. And of eleven picks in first three rounds since he arrived, only two have been spent on D. |
9 | ![Calgary Flames Logo of the Calgary Flames](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/calgary_flames.svg) | - | | Conroy has only one draft under his belt, and just six picks. But only one was under 6'2" and none under 6'0". They have a lot of holes to fill (and may end the day with more picks). Conventional wisdom says he goes with familiar choice....but, Conroy has been know to change his mind last minute. |
10 | ![New Jersey Devils Logo of the New Jersey Devils](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/new_jersey_devils.svg) | - | | Fitzgerald's drafts have been dman heavy (and favored Europeans), but the common feature has been skating ability. Fitzgerald has also said on record that he wants "long, mobile" dmen, and isn't looking for "more of the same" at forward (smaller, skilled guys). |
11 | ![Buffalo Sabres Logo of the Buffalo Sabres](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/buffalo_sabres_21.svg) | - | | Only 2 of 13 picks that Adams has made in first two rounds have been dmen (Power, Strbak). And with a young group of forwards like Peterka, Quinn, Benson, Kulich, Ostlund, Rosen, Savoie (and Thompson, Tuch, Cozens)....one has to think they take a dman, particularly one who plays right side. May be bit of a reach, but high floor dmen as any of the 1st rounders. |
12 | ![Philadelphia Flyers Logo of the Philadelphia Flyers](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/philadelphia_flyers.svg) | - | | Briere's second draft, and hard to spot any preferences for league, size, style. But luck may fall into Philly's lap again, and lead to Demidov and Michkov both on Flyers. But does that route check any boxes for Briere? A top-six center is atop their list and if a good one reaches them, how much do they weigh positional need this high? |
13 | ![Minnesota Wild Logo of the Minnesota Wild](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/minnesota_wild.svg) | - | | Guerins picks have emphasized skill at forward; and nuts and bolts defense on blueline (and have tended to be a bit smaller than average). Wearing two hats these days could lead to case for Eiserman. And Kapizov, Yurov could lead some to say Demidov goes here....But would Bill Guerin pass on a player whose style has been compared to....Bill Guerin? |
14 | ![San Jose Sharks Logo of the San Jose Sharks](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/san_jose_sharks.svg) | ![Pittsburgh Penguins Logo of the Pittsburgh Penguins](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/pittsburgh_penguins.svg) | | BU alum going strong |
15 | ![Detroit Red Wings Logo of the Detroit Red Wings](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/detroit_red_wings.svg) | - | | Stevie's drafts are about a D-heavy as anyones, especially in early rounds. He tends to avoid CHL, but did take Danielson last year. His picks can be a little off the board and seem to grab rising prospects a little higher than observers expect. There are a couple of names that qualify (Luchanko...or real darkhorse would be Gabriel Eliasson), but few as much as this choice |
16 | ![St. Louis Blues Logo of the St. Louis Blues](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/st_louis_blues.svg) | - | | In the past decade, Armstrong has drafted 20 dmem. 1 RHD, 19 LHD . And here are the ages of the Blues top-4 this year: 31, 33, 32, 33. This does seem like a logical choice. |
17 | ![Washington Capitals Logo of the Washington Capitals](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/washington_capitals.svg) | - | | Because Ovechkin? MacLellan hasn't taken a dman in first round since 2018. And there is one top tier defender left on board. |
18 | ![Chicago Blackhawks Logo of the Chicago Blackhawks](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/chicago_blackhawks.svg) | ![New York Islanders Logo of the New York Islanders](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/new_york_islanders.svg) | | Its why he traded up, no? Kyle from Chicago likes his USHLers....and this one has been tearing the league up in his backyard. |
19 | ![Vegas Golden Knights Logo of the Vegas Golden Knights](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/vegas_golden_knights.svg) | - | | McCrimmon seemed to jump through hoops at deadline in order to keep this pick. He had his eye on someone...(draft is also in Vegas)...possibly this player who has been described as edgier, more skilled version of Barbashev. (They will still probably trade him at next deadline). |
20 | ![New York Islanders Logo of the New York Islanders](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/new_york_islanders.svg) | ![Tampa Bay Lightning Logo of the Tampa Bay Lightning](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/tampa_bay_lightning.svg) | | Lou doesn't buy green bananas, Lou buys green trees |
21 | ![Los Angeles Kings Logo of the Los Angeles Kings](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/los_angeles_kings_24.svg) | - | | Sharpshooting, two-way center with size. Sounds like Blake guy. |
22 | ![Nashville Predators Logo of the Nashville Predators](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/nashville_predators.svg) | - | | Trotz has only drafted once. Now with Poile training wheels off, he has been open about wanting a top-six center. This may be their last chance if any. |
23 | ![Toronto Maple Leafs Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/toronto_maple_leafs.svg) | - | | Treliving takes a higher percentage of players out of CHL than any GM. |
24 | ![Colorado Avalanche Logo of the Colorado Avalanche](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/colorado_avalanche.svg) | - | | Skilled dman seem to be Sakic/MacFarland wheelhouse |
25 | ![Ottawa Senators Logo of the Ottawa Senators](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/ottawa_senators_21.svg) | ![Boston Bruins Logo of the Boston Bruins](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/boston_bruins.svg) | | New guy up again |
26 | ![Montreal Canadiens Logo of the Montreal Canadiens](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/montreal_canadiens.svg) | ![Winnipeg Jets Logo of the Winnipeg Jets](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/winnipeg_jets.svg) | | The Xhekaj brothers got nothing on these two |
27 | ![Carolina Hurricanes Logo of the Carolina Hurricanes](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/carolina_hurricanes.svg) | - | | Vacant GM position...computer auto-pick |
28 | ![Calgary Flames Logo of the Calgary Flames](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/calgary_flames.svg) | ![Vancouver Canucks Logo of the Vancouver Canucks](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/vancouver_canucks.svg) | | Conroy traded the pick for dman, but later changed his mind, and walked to podium to pick |
29 | ![Anaheim Ducks Logo of the Anaheim Ducks](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/anaheim_ducks_24.svg) | ![Edmonton Oilers Logo of the Edmonton Oilers](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/edmonton_oilers.svg) | | |
30 | ![Philadelphia Flyers Logo of the Philadelphia Flyers](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/philadelphia_flyers.svg) | ![Florida Panthers Logo of the Florida Panthers](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/florida_panthers.svg) | | |
31 | ![Dallas Stars Logo of the Dallas Stars](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/dallas_stars.svg) | - | | |
32 | ![New York Rangers Logo of the New York Rangers](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/new_york_rangers.svg) | - | | |