The first round is Friday, and there is considerable intrigue after the No. 1 pick. Here's the final projection of every first-round selection.
Rachel Doerrie is a professional data consultant specializing in data communication and modelling. She's worked in the NHL and consulted for professional teams across North American and Europe. She hosts the Staff & Graph Podcast and discusses sports from a data-driven perspective.
Celebrini is franchise cornerstone. It is only a matter of time before the San Jose Jr. Shark formally becomes a San Jose Shark.The intel has me leaning toward Levshunov, but Ivan Demidov is the wild card. It doesn't seem like Chicago's brass know whom they are taking with certainty, either. The draft could fall much differently if the Blackhawks were to select the Russian forward instead of Levshunov -- which will be noted in the picks ahead that are affected.
I think Demidov is also a consideration here given his skill set and Columbus' need for elite talent up front. Lindstrom's back injury scares some teams, but with a doctor's clearance, the rumored interest from Columbus makes a lot of sense. The Blue Jackets are clearly interested in bigger players, and both Lindstrom and Silayev fit that bill perfectly.
Dickinson is high on many lists, and the industry belief is if the Sens take a defenseman at No. 7, it will be Dickinson or Parekh. I lean Dickinson based on the prototype of player that Ottawa GM Steve Staios' management group likes. If the Senators opt for a forward, it is believed they are high on Beckett Sennecke.
Outside of Chicago at No. 2, this is the most interesting selection of the first round. Should Iginla be available, and I'm not convinced he will be, the Flames will have to choose between family ties and organizational needs. They need a defenseman, but passing on Iginla --Iginla's play style and high-end talent are exactly what the Flames need up front.
The Sabres, like the Devils, should be trading this pick. They are ready to take a step forward, and acquiring a player who helps them now is a better use of the asset than a player who won't hit the NHL for another year or so.fell into their lap, and the same happens this year with Catton. He's an offensive dynamo who is just as dangerous with his playmaking as he is with his shot.
Instead, the Sharks add Yakemchuk, a big, right-handed defenseman with an excellent shot and quality puck-handling skill. San Jose lacks a blue-chip prospect on the blue line, and while Yakemchuk is unlikely to be a top-pair guy, he's consistently active in the play. Yakemchuk would be a great fit for the Sharks, who desperately need a driver on the blue line who can run a power play and make an impact. He's raw, but Yakemchuk has the tools to be exactly that.
Fortune favors the bold, and the Blues get the late riser of the draft in Stian Solberg. The Norwegian defenseman has skyrocketed up draft boards with his play at the world championships, where his physical play was the talk of the scouting area. That continued during the combine, where he tested very well, and many teams were impressed by his interview.
Brandsegg-Nygard as sure a bet as you'll find at this point, with the consensus seeing his floor as a third-line center. He brings a good blend of size, skill and two-way effectiveness as the engine of his line. The Blackhawks have quite a few high-end forwards, but they lack some of the harder skills that Brandsegg-Nygard possesses. He'll fit nicely into the Blackhawks' lineup as a middle-six player in the next few years.
The Kings have shown a willingness to be patient with their prospects and Ritchie needs time to develop a more well-rounded offensive game that sees him dictate play on and off the puck. If Ritchie can become more manipulative with the puck -- and more dangerous off the puck with his movement -- he has the foundational tools to become a second-line winger.
He defends the rush with excellent mobility and gap control. His potential as a top-four defenseman with physical prowess, capable of shutting down the opponent's best player, is enticing to the Leafs. He needs to add some puck-moving capability to round out his game and make the top-four projection more confident. Should Emery be gone, I think Toronto looks at Charlie Elick and Dominik Badinka as options on defense.
Beaudoin fits the Bruins' identity of a physically mature center with good hockey sense, ability to win puck battles and most importantly,"has the dog in him." The Bruins need to bolster their prospect pool, and Beaudoin gives them a reliable option in the middle six going forward. If Beaudoin is gone, and he might be, I could see the Bruins liking Sacha Boisvert and Emil Hemming in this spot.Montreal might trade this pick; there is certainly chatter around it.
With Elick, the Flames get a physically imposing blueliner who loves to throw his weight around. He kills plays with great mobility and is considered one of the top shutdown defenders in the draft. Given Calgary's need for help on the back end, Elick fits well as a future top-four matchup defenseman.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
How to Watch the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final Online: Edmonton Oilers vs. Florida Panthers LivestreamThe Stanley Cup will be awarded to either the Edmonton Oilers or Florida Panthers. Here's your guide to streaming the games.
Read more »
Election 2024 live updates: Biden and Trump to face off in first 2024 debateLive updates from the 2024 campaign trail as Biden and Trump prepare to meet in the first presidential debate of the year.
Read more »
2024 Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 - Final Leaderboard - June 09, 2024View 2024 Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 250 - Final Leaderboard race, qualifier and practice leaderboards, live streams, bonus cameras, videos and odds information.
Read more »
UEFA Euro 2024 Bracket: Follow Our 2024 BracketDownload our UEFA Euro 2024 Bracket to make your picks before the next stage of the tournament begins.
Read more »
2024 Wildcard: Trump criminal trial verdict throws 2024 presidential election into uncharted watersFormer President Donald Trump's conviction in his historic trial in New York City is thrusting his 2024 election rematch with President Biden into uncharted grounds.
Read more »
2024 Canadian Grand Prix 2024 Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Is Verstappen on Borrowed Time?Get 2024 Canadian Grand Prix predictions, picks, and odds for 2024, plus F1 betting picks and driver odds at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday, June 9.
Read more »