Checking In On 2024 First-Round Picks

Most of the players selected in the first round of the 2024 draft have signed their entry-level contracts, but very few will actually suit up for their NHL clubs or AHL affiliates in the fall. Here’s a look at where all 32 of this year’s first-round talents project to spend their time in their post-draft season.

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1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, F

Status: Signed 
Expected 2024-25 team: Sharks

Celebrini isn’t the only high-end pick to sign his entry-level contract coming out of college, but he is the only one who’s a sure bet to start the season on an NHL roster. The 18-year-old phenom will likely be given a shot to anchor the Sharks’ first line down the middle out of the gate. Seeing him on assignment to the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, this season would be a huge surprise.

2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Rockford IceHogs (AHL)

When the Blackhawks drafted Levshunov earlier this summer, there was some uncertainty about whether he would turn pro following his freshman season at Michigan State University. It didn’t last long, though, as he signed his ELC with Chicago less than two weeks after being drafted. However, their signings of veterans T.J. Brodie and Alec Martinez in free agency muddy his path to a roster spot. Early-season injuries or an exceptional training camp could land Levshunov a nine-game trial with the Blackhawks but expect to see most of his action this season come in the minors.

3. Anaheim Ducks: Beckett Sennecke, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Oshawa Generals (OHL)

Sennecke is the first player here who’s ineligible for an AHL assignment this season because he was drafted out of the Canadian Hockey League. It’s either Anaheim or Oshawa for the surprise third-overall pick. It’ll end up being the latter, as he likely needs at least another full year of development time in juniors before he’s ready to compete for a roster spot.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, F

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

Lindstrom isn’t signed yet, but he’s expected to do so next month. The pivot is still recovering from a herniated disc in his back that limited him to 32 games with the Tigers last season. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell already confirmed that barring an unforeseen development, Lindstrom will be loaned back to Medicine Hat for 2024-25, although a nine-game trial isn’t out of the question.

5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, F

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: SKA St. Petersburg (KHL)

There’s no real rush to sign Demidov. As a player drafted out of a Russian league, the Habs own his signing rights indefinitely. The dynamic winger spent the entirety of his draft year in his native country’s junior circuit, though, which would have been an unprecedented jump to NHL ice in 2024-25. As such, Demidov will play out the final season of his contract with SKA, which has already announced its season-opening roster with Demidov on it as compared to their junior or minor-league affiliate. All signs point to Demidov signing his ELC and arriving in Montreal at the end of the KHL season, potentially still with a few games left on the Habs’ 2024-25 schedule.

6. Utah Hockey Club: Tij Iginla, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

As one of the younger players in the class and a late riser, there’s little question about Utah returning its first-ever draft pick to juniors. Iginla will look to build on his 84-point season with Kelowna and will challenge more seriously for a roster spot with Utah in 2025-26.

7. Ottawa Senators: Carter Yakemchuk, D

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

Yakemchuk will return to the Hitmen for 2024-25, but unlike most other CHL-drafted players in this class, he only has to wait one year until he’s eligible to play in the AHL full-time. That’s due to his late September birthday, which made him one of the oldest players eligible for selection for the first time in 2024. The 6’3″ right-shot likely won’t have a lot to prove in juniors after this season, either. After all, he led all WHL defenders in goals last year with 30.

8. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Seattle selected Catton out of their own backyard. The skilled center still needs to improve his all-around game before looking for NHL ice with the Kraken. His raucous 116-point campaign with Spokane last year could earn him some outside consideration for a nine-game trial, but all signs point to him being loaned out to Eastern Washington for 2024-25.

9. Calgary Flames: Zayne Parekh, D

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

Parekh likely needs a bit more seasoning in Saginaw to round out his defensive game before he’s ready for the pros. But the dynamic right-shot defender has little left to prove after being named the CHL’s Defenseman of the Year last season, and he should be expected on the Flames’ opening-night roster in 2025-26.

10. New Jersey Devils: Anton Silayev, D

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod (KHL)

All of what can be said about Demidov applies to Silayev, except his much larger defensive counterpart is much more of a project development-wise. Accordingly, the hulking defender is under contract for two more years with Torpedo, and he’s fully expected to play that out before signing his ELC with Jersey as soon as 2026. He’ll feature heavily on Nizhny Novgorod’s blue line again after spending all of his draft year’s regular season in the big leagues.

11. San Jose Sharks: Sam Dickinson, D

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: London Knights (OHL)

Dickinson is a decently well-rounded package already and likely isn’t too far away from NHL ice. But throwing him to the wolves on the Sharks’ paper-thin blue line would be a major mistake for his development, and it’s not an outcome that appears to be under consideration. He’ll return to the powerhouse Knights, where he had 70 points in 68 games last year.

12. Minnesota Wild: Zeev Buium, D

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: University of Denver (NCAA/NCHC)

Buium will be returning to Denver for his sophomore season, but it’s likely to be his final before arriving in Minnesota (or AHL Iowa) in 2025. The cerebral yet skilled two-way defender was a nominee for the Hobey Baker as a freshman and exploded for 50 points in 42 games from the blue line as Denver won the national championship.

13. Philadelphia Flyers: Jett Luchanko, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Guelph Storm (OHL)

Another late birthday from the class, expect Luchanko to take his full two years of runway left in the OHL. The Flyers don’t risk losing him after getting his ELC taken care of already this summer. He’ll play a starring role with the Storm in the coming weeks.

14. Buffalo Sabres: Konsta Helenius, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Rochester Americans (AHL)

Normally, players drafted out of European leagues must be offered back to their overseas clubs before their NHL team attempts to send them to the minors early on in their development. But that provision is lifted for first-round picks, and expect the Sabres to take advantage of it with Helenius. The versatile forward has one of the highest floors of any prospect in this draft class and excelled in a professional environment last season, posting 36 points in 51 games for Jukurit in Finland’s Liiga. He’ll look to lock down top-six minutes with the Sabres’ affiliate in Rochester early on, but NHL games this season aren’t out of the question.

15. Detroit Red Wings: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Skellefteå AIK (SHL)

The highest-drafted Norwegian in league history has been playing in neighboring Sweden since 2021, and that’s where he’ll likely remain for 2024-25. Brandsegg-Nygård said after signing his entry-level contract last month that there hasn’t been a decision made on where he’ll play this season. While he’ll attend Red Wings training camp, he’s listed on Skellefteå’s roster in a few places and will likely head back to Scandinavia after being cut. He spent last season in Sweden’s second-tier HockeyAllsvenskan, posting 18 points in 41 games with Mora IK.

16. St. Louis Blues: Adam Jiříček, D

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

Jiříček and the Blues had myriad playing options for 2024-25. It appears they’ve settled on the easiest level of competition as he looks to get his feet back under him following an injury-plagued draft year. While he was eligible for assignment to their AHL affiliate in Springfield or back to his professional club in Czechia, HC Plzeň, he’s expected to slide down to junior hockey after being selected by the Bulldogs in the CHL Import Draft one year ago.

17. Washington Capitals: Terik Parascak, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Prince George Cougars (WHL)

Parascak was a quick riser on draft boards this year, and his 6’0″ frame, combined with his well-rounded offensive skill set, makes him an intriguing pickup by Washington. His defensive awareness isn’t ready for the pros yet, though, and he wouldn’t have been eligible for an AHL assignment anyway. Back to Prince George, he goes.

18. Chicago Blackhawks: Sacha Boisvert, F

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: University of North Dakota (NCAA/NCHC)

Boisvert looks to be a solid middle-six pivot for the Hawks down the line, but he’s a few years away. The Quebec native spent last year in juniors with the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks and will begin his collegiate career at North Dakota this fall. He’ll likely stick with the Fighting Hawks for at least two or three years before turning pro with Chicago.

19. Vegas Golden Knights: Trevor Connelly, F

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Providence College (NCAA/Hockey East)

Rinse and repeat most of the last paragraph for Connelly, although the high-tempo winger is nearly the polar opposite of Boisvert’s play style. But like Boisvert, he’ll be making the jump from the USHL to the NCAA this fall and isn’t expected to be one-and-done in college.

20. New York Islanders: Cole Eiserman, F

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Boston University (NCAA/Hockey East)

Eiserman will enter his freshman year at BU after displaying his electric goal-scoring ability with the U.S. National Development Team Program. Criticisms of his game as one-dimensional are valid, though, and his adjustment to older and larger competition in the NCAA circuit will be something for Isles fans to keep tabs on. His superstar-level shooting accuracy makes it plausible that he’ll turn pro following his freshman year, though.

21. Montreal Canadiens: Michael Hage, F

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: University of Michigan (NCAA/Big 10)

Hage wraps up the string of USHL/NTDP-to-NCAA jumps here. The two-way, playmaking pivot will play an important role for the Wolverines in his freshman year, with last year’s three leading scorers all signing NHL contracts this summer. Like Boisvert and Connelly, though, Hage is likely looking at multiple seasons of NCAA play before signing his ELC.

22. Nashville Predators: Yegor Surin, F

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)

Surin is signed for two more seasons with Lokomotiv, so the earliest the Preds will likely be able to sign him is 2026. A true throwback power forward, the 6’1″ Russian will look to make the jump to consistent KHL minutes after spending most of last season with Yaroslavl’s junior team, where he had 52 points and 108 PIMs in 42 games.

23. Anaheim Ducks: Stian Solberg, D

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Färjestad BK (SHL)

Solberg would have been Norway’s new draft record-holder if not for Brandsegg-Nygård. Like his countryman, he’ll likely be loaned out to Sweden this season but to a rival club in Färjestad. It’s a bigger jump for the defender, though, who’s yet to play professionally outside of a weak Norwegian league.

24. Utah Hockey Club: Cole Beaudoin, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Barrie Colts (OHL)

Beaudoin is one of the more projectable picks in this first round, and Utah’s new fanbase can be reasonably confident he’ll pan out as a steady bottom-six fixture down the middle. But they’ll likely have to wait two seasons to see him, as a pair of season-opening loans back to Barrie likely await him this year and next.

25. Boston Bruins: Dean Letourneau, F

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Boston College (NCAA/Hockey East)

Figuratively and literally, Letourneau is the biggest project in this class. The center already checks in at 6’7″ and 214 lbs, but the sniper has only seen low-level competition in the Canadian high school system. However, that will change this fall as he looks to bring his pro-ready frame to the NCAA.

26. Los Angeles Kings: Liam Greentree, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

Greentree will return to the Spitfires in a few weeks, although he’ll get an extended look at the Kings’ camp, in all likelihood. His Jan. 1 birthday means he’s just hours short of being eligible to jump to the AHL for 2025-26, so he could be facing two more years in Windsor if he can’t crack the NHL roster in a year’s time. The physical, playmaking winger served as Windsor’s captain last season and led the fledgling club in scoring by a wide margin with 90 points in 64 games.

27. Chicago Blackhawks: Marek Vanacker, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)

Vanacker was the last of the Hawks’ three first-rounders this year and the second to sign his ELC after Levshunov. The high-IQ winger will return to Brantford to hone his skills for at least another season, likely two.

28. Calgary Flames: Matvei Gridin, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

Gridin has had an unconventional summer. Initially expected to make the jump from the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks to the University of Michigan, he instead opted to sign his ELC with the Flames and forego his collegiate eligibility. That doesn’t mean he’ll be turning pro, however. The QMJHL’s Val-d’Or Foreurs made him the first overall pick in this year’s CHL Import Draft, but the club is expected to trade him to Shawinigan before the season starts, reports Pierre-Olivier Poulin of Le Citoyen. Gridin, who posted 83 points in 60 games last season with Muskegon, will see his entry-level deal slide at least one year with his projected loan to the Cataractes.

29. Dallas Stars: Emil Hemming, F

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Barrie Colts (OHL)

Hemming will also arrive in the CHL for the first time in his post-draft season. The Finnish winger spent last season at home with Liiga’s TPS, where he recorded 11 points in 40 games. He’ll look to torch some easier competition in Barrie, who managed to snag him at 15th overall in this year’s CHL Import Draft amid doubts that he’d come to North America right away.

30. New York Rangers: EJ Emery, D

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: University of North Dakota (NCAA/NCHC)

Emery projects as a solid, smooth-skating stay-at-home defender who can log heavy minutes, especially on the penalty kill. But he’ll need a few years in college to hone his craft, so Rangers fans should expect to see him stick with North Dakota for a while – potentially a full four years – before he turns pro.

31. Toronto Maple Leafs: Ben Danford, D

Status: Signed
Expected 2024-25 team: Oshawa Generals (OHL)

Also a mobile stay-at-home defender, the Leafs will loan Danford back to juniors for the next two seasons, in all likelihood, before he can join the Leafs or AHL Marlies in 2026-27.

32. Edmonton Oilers: Sam O’Reilly, F

Status: Not signed
Expected 2024-25 team: London Knights (OHL)

O’Reilly is still waiting to put pen to paper on a deal with the Oilers, who traded back into the first round to select him. The 6’1″ pivot will remain with the Knights, where he had 56 points in 68 games last season en route to a league championship.