NHL draft tracker: Scouting notes, team fits on every first-round pick
The 2024 NHL draft is taking place on Friday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN and ESPN+) and Saturday (11:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+) at Sphere in Las Vegas.
From the first round all the way to pick No. 225 in Round 7, this page is your home for every selection, including scouting notes from Rachel Doerrie, and team fit analysis for the 32 players taken in the first round from Ryan S. Clark and Greg Wyshynski.
More: Final mock
Prospect rankings
Profiles: Celebrini
Tij Iginla
Team: Boston University (H-EAST) | Rank: 1
DOB: 06/13/06 | Ht: 6-0 | Wt: 190 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 38 | G: 32 | A: 32 | P: 64
Scouting notes: There is no area of the game where legitimate concerns exist. Simply put, he does not have a weak point. He excels as a 200-foot player, making significant contributions on both ends of the ice.
Offensively, he navigates the middle of the ice, disrupts defensive schemes and finds passing lanes that others cannot. His puck protection skills, willingness to play through contact, spin off defenders and maintain play are qualities that will translate well to the NHL. Even without the puck, he remains a scoring threat due to his ability to find open spaces, keep his stick away from defenders and release the puck quickly. — Doerrie
Team fit: Rebuilds require cornerstone players. Celebrini appears to be just that, considering this year’s draft was commonly referred to as “The Celebrini Draft.” Finishing with the NHL’s worst record meant the Sharks had a number of areas that needed to be addressed. Among them: top-six forward help. Enter Celebrini.
While the possibility exists that Celebrini could return to BU for his sophomore year, he could be step right in to the Sharks’ lineup. Since 2005, the forwards that were selected with the No. 1 pick played the next season. It’s a list that includes Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, Connor McDavid, and last year’s No. 1 pick, Connor Bedard. Furthermore, Celebrini now officially becomes the face of a promising rebuild that already had Thomas Bordeleau, William Eklund, Mario Ferraro, Quinten Musty and the team’s 2023 first-round pick in Will Smith, who is leaving Boston College after one season having signed his entry-level contract with the Sharks. — Clark
Team: Michigan State (BIG10) | Rank: 3
DOB: 10/28/05 | Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 208 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 38 | G: 9 | A: 26 | P: 35
Scouting notes: The Belarusian is widely regarded as the best defender in the draft class, impressing scouts in many areas. A right-shot defenseman, he imposes himself physically and dictates offensive play. His rapid development has led scouts to believe he could quickly become an impactful two-way defenseman in the NHL. He excels at making good first passes, finding shooting lanes and taking control of the game from the blue line.
Though still raw defensively, he has tremendous upside due to his physical attributes, excellent skating ability and high puck battle success rate. Consistently engaged and a play driver at both ends of the ice, he has the potential to shift momentum. Levshunov could become a top-pairing defenseman who dictates play in transition and tilts the ice in his team’s favor. — Doerrie
Team fit: The Blackhawks found their next foundational player atop last year’s draft in forward Connor Bedard, who won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year on Thursday. But they also had to strip down their team to the foundations to get him. The duration of the rebuild around Bedard is entirely contingent on the players with whom they surround him. To the end, Levshunov is a huge addition, literally and figuratively.
The Blackhawks have some intriguing young defenseman in their system, but not enough of them. Kevin Korchinski played 76 games as a rookie last season and has some upside. Wyatt Kaiser split time between the Blackhawks and AHL Rockford. Sam Rinzel, selected 25th overall in 2022, had an outstanding first season with the University of Minnesota. But what they have in Levshunov is, for lack of a better label, “The Guy.” The giant blueliner that could be their Victor Hedman. Those dynastic Lightning teams were build on offensive stars like Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, but they won Cups thanks to the efforts of Hedman on the back end. This draft could be looked back on as an essential moment of the Bedard Era in Chicago. — Wyshynski
0:35
Artyom Levshunov’s NHL draft profile
Check out the plays that helped make Michigan State’s Artyom Levshunov one of the top prospects in the NHL draft.
Team: Oshawa (OHL) | Rank: 13
DOB: 01/28/06 | Ht: 6-2.25 | Wt: 177 | Shot: R
2023-24 stats: GP: 63 | G: 27 | A: 41 | P: 68
Scouting notes: Offensively, it is difficult to find a weakness. He is a dual-threat menace in the offensive zone and dropped more jaws in one-on-one play than any other draft-eligible player in the OHL this season. His ability to force defenders into bad spots and manipulate his way around them is terrifying. Not only is he a threat in tight situations, but he’s also a threat in transition. The puck follows him around the ice, and he slices defensive coverage with ease through excellent reads, decisive passing and a quality shot.
Off the puck, he uses his awareness to win pucks back. As the season progressed, he became a nightmare on the forecheck, routinely hemming players in and winning pucks back. For lack of a better word, he’s a gamer. If he wants the puck, he’s more than likely going to end up with it on his stick. He’s not an elite skater, but he gets to where he needs to go, plays two steps ahead of his peers and makes his teammates better. There are teams that have him in their top five, and while that is a little high for me, it is easy to understand why scouts believe Sennecke could be a top-line player. — Doerrie
Team fit: Once again, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek went in a bit of an unexpected direction by taking Beckett Sennecke. The Ducks were in a bit of a tricky situation when it came to adding to their rebuild. Not that they couldn’t have used more forwards, but they already have quite a bit of youth with Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras. The same holds true with defensemen of course, with Jackson LaCombe and Pavel Mintyukov playing as rookies last season and another defenseman, Olen Zellweger, getting nine points in 26 games with the Ducks after spending the majority of the year in the AHL with the San Diego Gulls.
Now that they’ve added Sennecke, the Ducks have another top-six forward with size as the 6-foot-2 Sennecke would be someone who gives the Ducks another option in their attack. — Clark
Team: Medicine Hat (WHL) | Rank: 4
DOB: 02/03/06 | Ht: 6-3.25 | Wt: 210 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 32 | G: 27 | A: 19 | P: 46
Scouting notes: Lindstrom combines speed, size and skill, making him a dominant force at the junior level. He effectively uses his frame to protect the puck, win battles and play through contact in challenging areas of the ice. His physical package and skating ability make him a formidable opponent on the rush and in puck battles. If he continues to develop his ability to play through contact, he has the tools to be an excellent power forward at the NHL level. His speed in transition keeps defensemen on their heels and he changes gears to create space.
Without the puck, he reads off his linemates well and finds open pockets of space. As a versatile offensive player, he knows when to use his physicality to create scoring chances or hold the puck to set up plays in the offensive zone. Although his injury history is a concern, projections indicate that Lindstrom could become a second-line center with the potential to score 70 points over a long period. He may take longer to develop, but a player with his toolbox is intriguing to many teams. — Doerrie
Team fit: This is the first Blue Jackets draft since 2012 that didn’t have Jarmo Kekalainen running the table. He was dismissed as general manager earlier this season, creating an opening for one of the NHL’s most interesting jobs. Columbus is a place where the bar for success is low and the talent in the prospect pool is high.
It just got higher. New GM Don Waddell, who took over the Blue Jackets after leaving the Carolina Hurricanes, had a number of options after the Ducks shocked the draft by taking Beckett Sennecke third overall. They fought some temptation and added Lindstrom. The Medicine Hat center joins center Adam Fantilli, the third overall pick in 2023 who had 27 points in 49 games this season; Kent Johnson, another Michigan alum, who is entering his fourth NHL season; and the big body and booming shot of defenseman David Jiricek as the next generation of the Blue Jackets. With Cole Sillinger also up the middle, the days of the Blue Jackets being the NHL’s donut — nothing in the middle — appear over. — Wyshynski
Team: SKA St. Petersburg Jr. (RUSSIA-JR.) | Rank: 2
DOB: 12/10/05 | Ht: 5-11 | Wt: 181 | Shot: L
2023-24 stats: GP: 30 | G: 23 | A: 37 | P: 60
Scouting notes: Offensively, he’s the complete package and is projected to be a top-six difference-maker in the NHL. His dynamic ability to create offense combines an outstanding release, elite vision and elite puckhandling skills, perhaps the best in this draft class. He’s bigger and more physically mature than originally thought, which drew attention at the Florida showcase. Capable of driving play offensively, Demidov consistently took over games in the playoffs, earning the MVP award.
He ranks in the top 5% for shooting and passing metrics and is a transition threat. He drives the middle from the outside and consistently gets himself to the dangerous scoring areas. As a versatile offensive player, Demidov has the potential to be a 40-goal, 40-assist producer and is the only player with a ceiling close to Celebrini’s. — Doerrie
Team fit: Prior to the draft, it appeared that getting a forward was going to be the move for the Canadiens. And they fulfilled that in taking Demidov. They were in a position to take a forward last year but passed on Matvei Michkov before taking defenseman David Reinbacher. With Reinbacher being the pick last season, he added to a defensive setup that already included Kaiden Guhle, Logan Mailloux and Jayden Struble.
Concentrating on defensemen the last few years created that opening to take a forward for the second time in three years, having selected Juraj Slafkovsky with the No. 1 pick in 2022. Now the Canadiens have another top-six forward in Demidov who at some point will make the trek to North America. And when he does, he’ll join Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield as another homegrown player that’s looking to take the Habs back to prominence in the Eastern Conference. — Clark
Upcoming picks
6. Utah Hockey Club
7. Ottawa Senators
8. Seattle Kraken
9. Calgary Flames
10. New Jersey Devils
11. San Jose Sharks*
12. Philadelphia Flyers
13. Minnesota Wild
14. Buffalo Sabres*
15. Detroit Red Wings
16. St. Louis Blues
17. Washington Capitals
18. Chicago Blackhawks*
19. Vegas Golden Knights
20. New York Islanders*
21. Los Angeles Kings
22. Nashville Predators
23. Toronto Maple Leafs
24. Colorado Avalanche
25. Boston Bruins
26. Montreal Canadiens*
27. Carolina Hurricanes
28. Calgary Flames*
29. Dallas Stars
30. New York Rangers
31. Anaheim Ducks*
32. Philadelphia Flyers*
* Traded picks:
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The Sharks’ selection at No. 11 is the result of the June 27, 2024 trade that sent this pick to San Jose in exchange for picks No. 14 and 42 in the 2024 draft.
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The Sabres’ selection at No. 14 is the result of the June 27, 2024 trade noted above; the pick was previously acquired by San Jose via the Aug. 6, 2023 trade that sent Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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The Blackhawks’ selection at No. 18 is the result of a trade involving this pick, the No. 20 pick and other picks with the Islanders.
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The Islanders’ selection at No. 20 is the result of the above trade; the Blackhawks originally acquired the pick via a March 18, 2022 trade that sent Brandon Hagel to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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The Canadiens’ pick at No. 21 is the result of the June 28, 2024 trade that sent this trade to Montreal in exchange for picks No. 26, 57 and 198.
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The Kings’ pick at No. 26 is the result of the June 28, 2024 trade above. The Canadiens originally secured it via the Feb. 2, 2024 trade that sent Sean Monahan to the Winnipeg Jets.
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The Flames’ selection at No. 28 is the result of the Jan. 31, 2024 trade that sent Elias Lindholm to the Vancouver Canucks.
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The Ducks’ selection at No. 31 is the result of the trade on March 6, 2024 that sent Sam Carrick, Ty Taylor and a 2024 seventh-round pick to the Oilers.
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The Flyers’ selection at No. 32 is a result of the trade on March 19, 2022 that sent Claude Giroux, German Rubtsov, Connor Bunnaman to the Panthers, and Owen Tippett to the Flyers.
The Miami Marlins have designated two-time All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson for assignment, the Miami Herald reported Tuesday.
Anderson, 31, signed a one-year, $5 million deal with Miami in February, hoping for a bounce-back season that did not materialize.
Through 65 games, Anderson is batting .214 with no homers and 9 RBIs. He has struck out 68 times and drawn only 7 walks.
Anderson won the American League batting title with a .335 average for the Chicago White Sox in 2019 and made the AL All-Star teams in 2021 and 2022.
He batted .282 with 98 homers, 338 RBIs and 117 stolen bases in 895 games over eight seasons with the White Sox from 2016 to 2023.
The 2024 NHL offseason is off to a wild start. Just four days after the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup, an epic 2024 NHL draft took place at Sphere in Las Vegas, including several big trades along with 225 prospects finding new homes.
Now it’s time for the league’s 32 front offices to add to their rosters via free agency.
Here is our continuously updated tracker, featuring a list of every player signed, along with analysis of the biggest deals and buzz on what could happen next.
Note that the newest deals are on top, denoted by date.
More: Grades
Player rankings
Team guides
Draft recap: Team grades
Winners, losers
July 2
The Sabres have added to their goaltending depth, signing veteran James Reimer to a one-year, $1 million contract.
July 1
The goalie carousel continues to spin in Vegas. After trading Logan Thompson to the Caps and adding Akira Schmid in a deal with the Devils, they are adding Ilya Samsonov via a one-year, $1.8 million contract.
After finishing out the 2023-24 season with the Maple Leafs, 34-year-old defenseman T.J. Brodie joined the parade of veterans signing with the Blackhawks, via a two-year, $7.5 million deal.
The Oilers added a proven scorer by inking Jeff Skinner to a one-year, $3 million deal following his buyout by the Sabres. They also re-signed playoff hero Mattias Janmark to a three-year, $4.35 million deal, and trade deadline acquisition Adam Henrique to a two-year, $6 million contract.
Lots of turnover in the Carolina back end this offseason, but it added a good one in 29-year-old Sean Walker, agreeing to a five-year, $18 million deal.
The Sharks continue to make wise veteran additions to their young roster, inking a two-year, $10 million deal with center Alex Wennberg.
Dallas continues its spending spree on veteran defenseman, re-signing Nils Lundkvist for one year, $1.25 million.
The NHL playing career will continue for Corey Perry, as the veteran is re-signing with the Oilers for one year, $1.4 million.
The Kings have added some size and snarl to their defense corps, inking veteran Joel Edmundson to a four-year, $15.4 million deal.
The Avalanche add to their depth on the blue line, agreeing to terms with veteran defenseman Calvin de Haan on a one-year, $800,000 deal.
Forward Anthony Beauvillier has been well-traveled the past few seasons, and he’s off to a new team again for 2024-25, inking a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the Penguins.
Goaltender Jack Campbell‘s massive deal with the Oilers didn’t work out so well, and he has moved on to the Red Wings, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $775,000 contract.
The Capitals continue adding to their roster, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $1 million deal with forward Taylor Raddysh.
Another veteran defenseman has landed in Dallas: Ilya Lyubushkin is signing a two-year, $6.5 million contract with the Stars.
The Islanders have finally entered the chat! Defenseman Mike Reilly is coming back on a one-year contract, while forward Anthony Duclair is heading back to the Metropolitan Division by way of a four-year, $14 million deal.
The Red Wings add to their blue-line group with former Rangers defenseman Erik Gustafsson, agreeing to a two-year, $4 million deal.
After finishing the 2023-24 season with the Lightning, veteran defenseman Matt Dumba is headed to the Stars by way of a two-year, $7.5 million deal. And after skating for the Devils this past season, fellow blueliner Brendan Smith is also headed to Dallas, by way of a one-year, $1 million deal.
Sam Steel is returning to the Stars, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $1.2 million contract with Dallas.
Veteran agitator Garnet Hathaway will stick with the Flyers by way of a two-year, $4.8 million extension.
Another Stanley Cup champ is leaving the Panthers, as Ryan Lomberg is signing a two-year, $4 million deal with the Flames.
Former Golden Knight forward Chandler Stephenson is heading up to Seattle, inking a seven-year, $43.75 million contract with the Kraken.
It’s a move that won’t get as much attention as signing Stamkos, Marchessault and Skjei, but the Predators made an addition to their goaltending group, signing Scott Wedgewood to a two-year, $3 million deal.
The Stars have found their backup for Jake Oettinger, agreeing to terms with Casey DeSmith on a one-year, $3 million contract.
After a run to the Stanley Cup Final with the Oilers, forward Warren Foegele is heading to L.A., inking a three-year, $10.5 million deal with the Kings.
Veteran defenseman Matt Grzelcyk will not be patrolling the blue line for the Bruins; instead, he’s signing a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Penguins.
After plying his trade for the Hurricanes in recent seasons, Stefan Noesen is headed back to the Devils, agreeing to a three-year, $8.25 million deal.
The Stars are staying in the Matt Duchene business, inking a one-year, $3 million extension with the veteran forward.
A key depth forward for the Golden Knights the past two seasons, Michael Amadio is joining the Senators by way of a three-year, $7.8 million contract.
Jonathan Drouin experienced a renaissance with the Avalanche in 2023-24, and he’ll keep it going for at least one more season, inking a one-year, $2.5 million deal.
Yet another former Bruin heading to Vancouver, as Danton Heinen is joining the Canucks via a two-year, $4.5 million contract.
Veteran goaltender Matt Murray will be back with the Maple Leafs for 2024-25, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $875,000 pact.
It was a tale of two seasons for Cam Talbot in 2023-24, as a great start gave way to a rough finish. He’ll hope for a consistently strong campaign with the Red Wings, after agreeing to a two-year, $5 million deal.
Former Bruin Jake DeBrusk has landed in Vancouver, inking a seven-year, $38.5 million deal with the Canucks.
1:11
Jake Debrusk to Canucks after free agency ‘whirlwind’
Jake Debrusk discusses his decision to sign a 7-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks.
In need of some veteran help down the middle, the Blue Jackets are signing Sean Monahan to a five-year, $27.5 million deal.
The Capitals continue to build around the edges, inking Brandon Duhaime to a two-year, $3.7 million contract.
After winning the Stanley Cup with the Panthers, forward Kevin Stenlund is headed to the Hockey Club via a two-year, $4 million deal.
Defenseman William Carrier is signing with the Hurricanes, agreeing to terms on a six-year, $12 million contract.
Veteran forward Kiefer Sherwood is headed to Vancouver, coming to terms on a two-year, $3 million deal with the Canucks.
The Hurricanes lost some defensemen in free agency, but they’re keeping a pretty important one for the foreseeable future, agreeing to an eight-year, $51.69 million extension for Jaccob Slavin.
After re-signing Joseph Woll this offseason, the Maple Leafs added a veteran option in Anthony Stolarz via a two-year, $5 million pact.
The Minnesota Wild are on the board, inking forward Yakov Trenin to a four-year, $14 million contract.
Veteran defenseman Nikita Zadorov has landed in Boston by way of a six-year, $30 million contract with the Bruins.
The Oilers have boosted their forward depth for the next two seasons, inking Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year, $8 million deal.
The Sabres add a veteran scoring winger in Jason Zucker, agreeing to a one-year, $5 million pact.
Another veteran defenseman is joining the Devils, as Brenden Dillon has agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract with New Jersey.
The Flames have brought back one of their own — Yegor Sharangovich for five years, $28.75 million — and an external free agent as well, in Anthony Mantha (one year, $3.5 million).
Former Stanley Cup champion David Perron will continue his NHL career with the Senators, agreeing to a two-year, $4 million contract.
Yet another veteran defenseman is headed to Utah, as Ian Cole is signing a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Hockey Club.
The Bruins added a major boost to the center position, inking Elias Lindholm to a seven-year, $54.25 million contract.
The Predators have entered the chat, inking deals with three of the top free agents on the market:
Veteran scoring winger Tyler Toffoli is headed back to California, signing a four-year, $24 million deal with the Sharks.
Fresh off winning the Stanley Cup, defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Maple Leafs.
Veteran netminder Eric Comrie is back with the Jets, agreeing to terms on a one-year, $825,000 contract.
The Blackhawks are focused on surrounding Connor Bedard with some veteran help, adding Tyler Bertuzzi (four years, $22 million), Teuvo Teravainen (three-years, $16.2 million), Pat Maroon (one-year, $1.3 million), Alec Martinez (one year, $4 million) and Craig Smith (one-year, $1 million).
After trading for Jakob Chychrun, the Capitals continued adding to their blue line, signing Matt Roy to a seven-year, $38.5 million contract.
The Kraken have landed one of the top free agents on the market, inking a seven-year, $50 million deal with defenseman Brandon Montour.
Forward Sam Lafferty, 29, is headed to Buffalo, inking a two-year, $4 million contract with the Sabres.
Rugged forward Jordan Martinook will not be leaving Carolina, signing a three-year, $9.15 million deal with the Hurricanes.
The Devils have added a critical player to their blue-line group, signing former Hurricanes blueliner Brett Pesce to a six-year, $33 million contract.
Veteran forward Kasperi Kapanen is re-signing with the Blues, inking a one-year, $1 million deal to stay in St. Louis.
Restricted free agent forward Connor McMichael has extended his business relationship with the Capitals, inking a two-year, $4.20 million pact.
Erik Johnson played 67 games for the Flyers in 2023-24, and he’ll play some more in 2024-25, given his new one-year, $1 million deal with the club.
The Maple Leafs traded for an exclusive negotiating window with veteran defenseman Chris Tanev, and consummated that relationship on Monday via a six-year, $27 million contract. The team also finally confirmed the new deal for RFA netminder Joseph Woll (three years, $10.98 million).
The Panthers agreed to terms on an eight-year, $69 million deal with forward Sam Reinhart.
After trading a 2025 third-round draft pick for Jake Guentzel‘s negotiating rights, the Lightning have sealed the deal with the forward on a seven-year, $63 million contract.
0:58
Jake Guentzel says ‘winning pedigree’ drew him to Lightning
Jake Guentzel shares his excitement to sign a 7-year, $63M contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
June 30
Veteran forward Patrick Kane is back with the Red Wings, inking a one-year, $4 million contract.
Restricted free agent center Isac Lundestrom has re-signed with the Ducks, inking a one-year, $1.5 million deal.
The Utah Hockey Club continues to work on its blue line, re-signing RFA Sean Durzi to a four-year, $24 million contract.
In need of a boost on the blue line this summer, the Maple Leafs will start with one of their own, re-signing RFA Timothy Liljegren to a two-year, $6 million contract.
Veteran forward Max Domi will not be exploring the market, as he returns to the Maple Leafs via a four-year, $15 million deal.
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