Day 1 of the 2024 NHL Draft is in the books. There were 32 names called at The Sphere in Las Vegas Friday night, as the first round of the selection show concluded.
As expected, the Sharks selected Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick. The Boston University center was viewed as the consensus No. 1 prospect after a stellar freshman season with the Terriers that culminated in a Hobey Baker Award.
After that, Artyom Levshunov was selected by the Blackhawks at No. 2, Cayden Lindstrom went to the Blue Jackets at No. 4, and Ivan Demidov was taken fifth by the Canadiens to round out the top five. Without a doubt, the biggest stunner was the Ducks’ selection of Beckett Sennecke at No. 3.
While the first 32 picks are over, that does not mean all of the high-end talent is gone. There are plenty of players still on the draft board with high ceilings who can be taken to start Day 2.
Here are the best players still available following Friday’s Round 1.
2024 NHL DRAFT: RESULTS | GRADES
NHL Draft prospects 2024: Best players still available for Day 2
1. Igor Chernyshov, Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
- Position: LW
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 204 lbs
Chernyshov is a big, well-rounded Russian who excels at puck protection, making him a constant headache in 1-on-1 situations for defenders. He carries a variety of tools in his arsenal, although there may not be one that stands out among the rest. The winger competes hard and uses his size to his advantage. Chernyshov has the build for a prototypical power forward in the NHL, and he’ll get the time to hone his skills for a couple more years in the KHL.
2. Andrew Basha, Medicine Hat (WHL)
- Position: LW
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 187 lbs
There is no lack of competitiveness when it comes to Basha’s game. He is relentless on the forecheck and in the gritty areas. He has excellent hands, but he doesn’t force it when it doesn’t need to be. Basha’s patience with the puck is also one of his stronger traits. He’s another player who doesn’t have the elite, high-end offensive talent for a forward, but he is a consistent player that every team needs.
3. Ryder Ritchie, Prince Albert (WHL)
- Position: RW
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 177 lbs
Ritchie was the WHL’s best rookie last year, but he didn’t take the expected step forward this year. Still, he’s shifty and finds ways to elude defenders with ease. He’s not a high-end offensive talent, but he has a solid motor and plays with a ton of smarts. Ritchie finds ways to get out of trouble when defenders close in on him, as well.
4. Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Vaxjo (J20 Nationell)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 180 lbs
Sahlin Wallenius is a solid two-way option who is one of the smoother skaters in this class. He uses his fluidity to be a one-man breakout but also can utilize his feet to get back and close gaps on defense. The Swede has a lot of traits that should translate well to the NHL, as he isn’t afraid to jump up in the rush to provide offense.
5. Dominik Badinka, Malmo (SHL)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 185 lbs
The tape on Badinka may not jump off the screen, but he has a lot of attributes that teams look for in a defenseman. He has mobility, NHL size, and enough skills to make plays on offense. He defends well in his own zone, bringing a solid two-way game to any lineup.
6. Charlie Elick, Brandon (WHL)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 202 lbs
Elick is billing out as a future shutdown defenseman in the NHL. The Brandon blue-liner is an exceptional skater, using a smooth and powerful stride to chase down the opposition. He doesn’t have a ton of playmaking abilities with the puck, but Elick isn’t a liability with it either. He has the size as well needed to translate his game to the pros.
7. Cole Hutson, USA U18 (NTDP)
- Position: D
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 165 lbs
There should be 31 teams in the NHL kicking themselves for not taking Lane Hutson in the first round of the 2022 draft. Well, this year, they have a chance at landing another Hutson. Cole, the younger brother of Canadiens prospect Lane, is a similar player to his sibling. Cole may not be as defensively sound as Lane (yet), but the offensive upside jumps off the tape.
8. Henry Mews, Ottawa (OHL)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 189 lbs
Henry Mews’ strengths can be found in his offensive skill set. He’s an agile skater who loves to jump up in the rush to join the play. He also is a strong distributor on the breakout. Mews’ defense is a work in progress, but he has taken steps this year in Ottawa to round out his game. He may be all over draft boards, but there is enough intrigue to warrant a first-round pick.
9. Nikita Artamonov, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)
- Position: LW
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 187 lbs
A teammate of Silayev, Artamonov also has carved out a role on a quality KHL squad as a teenager. The left winger is incredibly intelligent, knowing what the right play is with the puck, and he also excels with his off-puck positioning.
10. Aron Kiviharju, HIFK (Liiga)
- Position: D
- Height: 5-9
- Weight: 170 lbs
It feels like there has been no name in the 2024 NHL Draft class discussed for as long as Kiviharju has. Once viewed as a candidate to go in the top five, the Finnish defenseman hasn’t progressed as much as imagined, and injuries this season have also impacted his stock. Still, the 5-9 defenseman is an incredibly smart distributor who has a knack for finding his teammates, no matter how difficult the pass, and he’s most noticeable on the ice breaking the puck out of his own zone.
11. Maxim Masse, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 190 lbs
12. Adam Kleber, Lincoln (USHL)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-6
- Weight: 215 lbs
13. Jesse Pulkkinen, JYP (Liiga)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-6
- Weight: 219 lbs
14. Teddy Stiga, USA U18 (NTDP)
- Position: C
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 178 lbs
15. Alfons Freij, Vaxjo (HockeyAllsvenskan)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 197 lbs
16. Tanner Howe, Regina (WHL)
- Position: LW
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 184 lbs
17. Julius Miettinen, Everett (WHL)
- Position: C
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 201 lbs
18. Lucas Pettersson, Modo (HockeyAllsvenskan)
- Position: C
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 173 lbs
19. Linus Eriksson, Djurgarden (HockeyAllsvenskan)
- Position: C
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 189 lbs
20. Adam Jecho, Edmonton (WHL)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-5
- Weight: 201 lbs
21. John Mustard, Waterloo (USHL)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 186 lbs
22. Justin Poirier, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)
- Position: RW
- Height: 5-7
- Weight: 185 lbs
23. Luke Misa, Mississauga (OHL)
- Position: C
- Height: 5-10
- Weight: 174 lbs
24. Matvei Shuravin, CSKA (MHL)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 218 lbs
25. Lukas Fischer, Sarnia (OHL)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 182 lbs
26. Brodie Ziemer, USA U18 (NTDP)
- Position: RW
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 196 lbs
27. Leon Muggli, Zug (National League)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 177 lbs
28. Kamil Bednarik, USA U18 (NTDP)
- Position: C
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 185 lbs
29. Melvon Fernstrom, Orebro (HockeyAllsvenskan)
- Position: RW
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 188 lbs
30. Will Skahan, USA U18 (NTDP)
- Position: D
- Height: 6-4
- Weight: 216 lbs
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