1 | ![San Jose Sharks Logo of the San Jose Sharks](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/san_jose_sharks.svg) | - | | Self explanatory |
2 | ![Chicago Blackhawks Logo of the Chicago Blackhawks](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/chicago_blackhawks.svg) | - | | While I do think Demidov is probably the better player, it's easy to see why Chicago would love the fit for Levshunov. Especially with rumors swirling about the Blackhawks looking to give Bedard a running mate like Guentzel or someone else through FA, they fill another hole with a potential franchise player in Levshunov. |
3 | ![Anaheim Ducks Logo of the Anaheim Ducks](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/anaheim_ducks_24.svg) | - | | I think Ducks fans are like Blackhawks fans in that they are probably hoping that Demidov goes #2. The Ducks have an absolutely loaded forward group when it comes to their youth and potential, even with the decline of Zegras. I think Levshunov at 3 is the dream for Anaheim, but I could easily see them going Silayev here instead of Demidov due to their bleak defensive group. |
4 | ![Columbus Blue Jackets Logo of the Columbus Blue Jackets](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/columbus_blue_jackets.svg) | - | | Even if Demidov falls a bit, there is virtually no way that he gets past Columbus at 4. This would be a transcendent add for the Jackets, who with the addition of Don Waddell at the helm may be closer to a return to the playoffs than we think. |
5 | ![Montreal Canadiens Logo of the Montreal Canadiens](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/montreal_canadiens.svg) | - | | Man it feels really possible that the Habs mess up this pick and go defense again in a super deep draft on the top end for defensemen, but if they're smart they won't overthink this one. Lindstrom has unreal upside for a team that desperately needs scoring, and also has the size that was such a factor when determining that Slafkovsky was the pick back in the 2022 draft. |
6 | ![Utah Hockey Club Logo of the Utah Hockey Club](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/utah_hockey_club.svg) | - | | Dickinson is a great fit with Utah, who could use some help on the back end. A left shot D that was over a point per game with the London Knights this season, Dickinson would make a great first pick for the Utah NHL Franchise. |
7 | ![Ottawa Senators Logo of the Ottawa Senators](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/ottawa_senators_21.svg) | - | | While the Sens main problem is not their top end forwards, they do have a lack of elite potential in their forward prospects. Catton would immediately become one of the most promising pieces of the Sens pool, after a season where he was a little shy of 2 points per game with Spokane. |
8 | ![Seattle Kraken Logo of the Seattle Kraken](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/seattle_kraken.svg) | - | | Still young in their franchises history, the Kraken have already seemingly hit big twice in the draft with Beniers and Wright. Their drafting on the back end hasn't been anything flashy, although Caden Price could show some promise. Yakemchuk could be exactly what the Kraken need and he slots in perfectly with their position in the first round. |
9 | ![Calgary Flames Logo of the Calgary Flames](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/calgary_flames.svg) | - | | It's going to be incredibly hard to convince Flames fans that Iginla isn't the pick here, but Parekh screams Calgary to me. The team is in desperate need of a spark on the back end, especially on the right side. Parekh can be their RD1 within a couple years. |
10 | ![New Jersey Devils Logo of the New Jersey Devils](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/new_jersey_devils.svg) | - | | The Devils will have a really difficult decision to make here, as they might be in a situation like no other team in the league. Just one offseason ago the Devils seemed like a dynasty on the horizon, but they're coming off a horrible season that few if any selected. This seems like a pivotal selection for the franchise, and Iginla is a player with upside that you won't find at 10th overall in many drafts. |
11 | ![Buffalo Sabres Logo of the Buffalo Sabres](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/buffalo_sabres_21.svg) | - | | If Buium falls all the way out of the top 10, Buffalo will feel like they have a steal here. A much needed elite LD prospect would be a no brainer for the Sabres and would keep the American and NCAA product stateside. |
12 | ![Philadelphia Flyers Logo of the Philadelphia Flyers](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/philadelphia_flyers.svg) | - | | The Flyers probably wish they could get their hands on one of the many defensemen with incredible potential in this lottery, but it doesn't seem likely all the way at pick 12. Eiserman was getting mocked in the top 8 for a little bit, and the Flyers should be content to add a winger to the mix of their prospect pool. |
13 | ![Minnesota Wild Logo of the Minnesota Wild](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/minnesota_wild.svg) | - | | Helenius is a guy that has been ranked inside the top 5 in this draft by some, but his biggest appeal to the Wild should be his NHL readiness. His ability to potentially debut by the end of the 2024-2025 season and slot in on the wing immediately for a team that desperately needs that is huge, and his talent speaks for itself. |
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) | | The Sharks are in a position to take best player available at pretty much all of their selections, and Celebrini-Greentree should have Sharks fans salivating. The forwards in the Sharks system are promising already but this draft would only enhance that. |
15 | ![Detroit Red Wings Logo of the Detroit Red Wings](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/detroit_red_wings.svg) | - | | Fun fact: The Detroit Red Wings currently have 0 Right Wingers under contract. This should help with their future on the flank. |
16 | ![St. Louis Blues Logo of the St. Louis Blues](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/st_louis_blues.svg) | - | | Here we get the first "reach" of the draft. Jiricek was getting mocked much higher than this prior to an injury that kept him out most of this season, and will need some work but I think the Blues prospect group on the back end is so thin that they'll take the risk on his injury/upside to bolster their blue line. |
17 | ![Washington Capitals Logo of the Washington Capitals](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/washington_capitals.svg) | - | | The Capitals had my favorite draft last year with their 1-2 punch of Leonard and Cristall, and getting Boisvert here would continue their streak of getting good value in early rounds. Set to go from Muskegon to UND this year, the center can be exactly what the Caps need between his shooting ability and netfront capabilities. His defense leaves some to be desired, but that has time to grow. |
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) | | The Hawks will be looking for a long time on how they can build around Connor Bedard. Ritchie is a guy that I think complements him perfectly due to his quick and deceptive release, as well as his ability to get a solid shot even in situations that are less than ideal. |
19 | ![Vegas Golden Knights Logo of the Vegas Golden Knights](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/vegas_golden_knights.svg) | - | | This pick very may well end up being made by Toronto in a Mitch Marner trade by the time the draft comes around, but if it stays with Vegas I think they should be enamored with Cole Hutson. He boosted his draft stock a lot at the WJC with 13 points in 7 games and should be in a position to grow more as a player alongside some elite talent at Boston University in the fall. |
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) | | There is so much to love about Brandsegg-Nygard's measurables, and the Isles should view him as a perfect fit in their system. He struggled to produce at Mora IK this season with 8-10-18 in 41 GP, buthas proven in the past that he can score. He is getting mocked in the top 10 by some, but I have him finding what I think would be a perfect home in the Islanders. |
21 | ![Los Angeles Kings Logo of the Los Angeles Kings](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/los_angeles_kings_24.svg) | - | | The Kings struggled with injuries on the blue line this season, and I truly think that they could've gone farther in the playoffs had it not been for that combined with how they match up against the Oilers. Their mission has to be figuring out how to beat Edmonton in the playoffs, and I think for them the answer is taking the best D prospect available, which here would be Kiviharju. |
22 | ![Nashville Predators Logo of the Nashville Predators](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/nashville_predators.svg) | - | | The University of Michigan should be thrilled to be getting this stud from the Chicago Steel this season. Nashville is in desperate need of some skillful playmakers down the middle, and Hage can provide exactly that. |
23 | ![Toronto Maple Leafs Logo of the Toronto Maple Leafs](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/toronto_maple_leafs.svg) | - | | Sennecke is another guy that scouts are split on, some love him some dont. He has a huge frame and gets results, but he doesn't always use his body the way you'd like to see. He can continue to develop that before he makes it to Toronto, because they can definitely use his scoring talent. |
24 | ![Colorado Avalanche Logo of the Colorado Avalanche](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/colorado_avalanche.svg) | - | | Chernyshov struggled mightily during his time in the KHL this season with only 4 points in 34 games. That said, he has dominated against players his age. The Avs can afford to wait for him to come around and benefit from the top end potential he can provide. |
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) | | Trevor Connelly is maybe the most controversial prospect off ice I've ever seen that is still getting mocked in the first round. Based off talent alone, the Sens might be considering him with their first pick in this round, but if they can convince the front office to take a chance on him, the Sens could have the steal of the draft here. |
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) | | NOW the Canadiens front office get the electric D prospect they want in this first round. Mews is the "best of the rest" of the D prospects in this draft, and his offensive ability speaks for itself. He has been great since coming into the OHL, and should be a promising stash for Habs fans. |
27 | ![Carolina Hurricanes Logo of the Carolina Hurricanes](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/carolina_hurricanes.svg) | - | | The Hurricanes have been one of the best drafting teams of the decade so far and hopefully keep it going here, Elick is not close to being NHL ready but would be a great fit for Carolina who needs a shutdown RD. Not flashy in the slightest, but very reliable on the back end. |
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) | | Basha's slide finally falls. The Flames will be thanking themselves that they took Parekh as high as they did, because Basha could very well be a top liner in the NHL and they can super feasibly get him at this late pick. |
29 | ![Dallas Stars Logo of the Dallas Stars](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/dallas_stars.svg) | - | | The Stars have extended their cup window through the draft so much in recent years, and Sahlin Wallenius can do that even more. His offensive upside is as good as almost any D man in the draft, and could be the next great puck moving D in Dallas. |
30 | ![New York Rangers Logo of the New York Rangers](https://cdn2.capfriendly.com/images/logos/new_york_rangers.svg) | - | | I ****ing hate this team I hope they draft someone who never makes the NHL |
31 | ![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) | | The Flyers draft a Russian forward in the first round for the second year in a row, and get one who's relatively safe as an NHL prospect as far as Russians go in today's world of hockey. |
32 | ![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) | | I love Stiga as a prospect but a lot of people don't for some reason. He'll be playing with a bunch of studs at BC for a couple years but is already putting up GAUDY numbers with the USNTDP. He can be the next flashy forward in the Ducks organization. |