2024 NHL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 2

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: June 28, 2024.

33. San Jose Sharks: Cole Hutson, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    San Jose doesn't have any identity on the blue line. One defenseman that fell to the second round with first line potential is Cole Hutson the younger brother of Lane Hutson.
    
    
    
    San Jose gets a player that is projected to be a first line player in the NHL despite his size. The 5-10 159 lb Cole Hutson is the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens 2022 second round pick Lane Hutson.
    
    
    
    Cole Hutson had 4 goals, 21 assists, and 25 points with the Untied States National Team Developmental Program in 2022-2023. Like his older brother, he anchored the blue line on the first line defense in his draft year as Cole Hutson had 3 goals, 9 assists, and 12 points in 19 USHL games in 2023-2024. Cole Hutson also had 15 goals, 36 assists, and 51 points in 51 games on the US-Under 18 Team in 2023-2024.
    
    
    
    Cole Hutson has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. This is the twenty ninth different player with the upside to develop into a first line player in the NHL. Cole Hutson has NHL traits despite not having ideal size at 5-10, but San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier can have Cole Hutson develop at Boston University for two years like Kent Hughes did with Cole's older brother Lane before bringing him to the NHL.
    
    
    
    Cole Hutson can go to Boston University and continue to develop his game for two years as he's the final defenseman left in this draft with the ceiling to be a first line defenseman in the NHL, but San Jose just needs to trust the process and be patient with him.
    
    
    
34. Chicago Blackhawks: Tomas Lavoie, D, Cape Breton Eagles (QMJHL)
    
    
    I gave Chicago a first line left winger and first line right winger for Connor Bedard with their two first round picks. Chicago paid Seth Jones and Alex Vlasic big money and those two did enough to remain the first line defensemen. With both of Chicago's second line defensemen set to be UFA's, I'm expecting Kevin Korchinski to be the number three defenseman after starting out on the top line next to Seth Jones only to be demoted to the third line as the number six defenseman. One first line defenseman left on the board that can push Seth Jones, Alex Vlasic, and Kevin Korchinski is Tomas Lavoie.
    
    
    
    Chicago has other defensemen they drafted early that aren't in the NHL yet like Noah Allan their 2021 first round pick and Sam Rinzel, Chicago's third 2022 first round pick that was drafted twenty fifth overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Those guys could be third line defensemen down the road in Chicago by 2026.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 225 lb Tomas Lavoie only had 2 goals, 14 assists, and 16 points as a rookie in 2022-2023. Tomas Lavoie had 3 goals, 21 assists, and 24 points in 2023-2024. Tomas Lavoie was a former number one overall pick in the 2022 QMJHL Draft, but an underwhelming season keeps him out of the first round despite being the number one defenseman on the Cape Breton Eagles last year.
    
    
    
    Tomas Lavoie has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Tomas Lavoie is the thirtieth different player in this class that I've evaluated with first line potential as well as experience to play on a teams top line in junior hockey which is a huge factor I take into consideration when making my big board.
    
    
    
    Now that Chicago has used these first three picks to add stability at first line left winger and first line right winger while keeping Lukas Reichel on the second line with Frank Nazar before Oliver Moore arrives in 2025 you have to be convinced Chicago has stability at forward by 2025 and stability on defense by 2026 right? Petr Mrazek got extended at goalie for Chicago until 2026 after a strong start before playing poorly down the stretch. Drew Comesso, Chicago's 2020 second round pick at goalie also did well in his rookie AHL season and is under contract in the AHL until 2026 which is probably when we will see Chicago's 2020 second round pick replace Mrazek.
    
    
    
    
    
35. Anaheim Ducks: Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George Cougars (WHL)
    
    
    Anaheim drafts a right winger that could be a first line right winger down the road. At the very worst, he will be a top 6 right winger as the second line right winger complimenting Troy Terry in 2027 when both Alex Killorn and Ryan Strome are UFA's.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 176 lb Terik Parascak had 43 goals, 62 assists, and 105 points in 68 WHL games as a rookie in 2023-2024. Terik Parascak also had 6 goals, 8 assists, and 14 points in 12 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Terik Parascak did well enough to take the first line right winger job in his draft year and will only get better in the WHL over the next two years. I can honestly see Terik Parascak having a Logan Stankoven type of impact in Anaheim by 2027 if he finishes his WHL career before going to the San Diego Gulls in the AHL.
    
    
    
    Terik Parascak has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the thirty first player with potential to be a first line player in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
36. Columbus Blue Jackets: Maxim Masse, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)
    
    
    Columbus will need a fourth line right winger for the future despite having three young right wingers in Kirill Marchenko, Yegor Chinakov, and Gavin Brindley who all played in the NHL down the stretch on the first, second, and third lines in the NHL. Maxim Masse is versatile enough to play all three forward spots and is a bargain this early in the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 193 lb Maxim Masse had 29 goals, 33 assists, and 62 points in 65 games in 2022-2023. Maxim Masse had 36 goals, 39 assists, and 75 points in 67 QMJHL games in 2023-2024. Maxim Masse had 3 goals, 3 assists, and 6 points in 8 games during the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Maxim Masse has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the thirty second player with potential to be a first line player in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but his biggest knock is he's not a good defender despite being the Chicoutimi Sagueneens first line right winger. Maxim Masse was described as a natural attacker when being drafted third overall in the 2022 QMJHL Draft, so his offensive talent outweighs his flaws on defense which is why I see Maxim Masse going in the top 40.
    
    
    
    Maxim Masse has a legitimate chance to be the Columbus Blue Jackets fourth line right winger since he's the best player on the board at this point. At the same token, he's got to fix his defense since he's super raw in this department despite being gifted offensively. Especially when you consider that most NHL teams play their best defensive forwards on the fourth line which is the only opening Columbus has at right winger with their young right wingers. Maxim Masse's biggest weakness right now is his defense. I see a player whose got the floor of a first line right winger in the AHL and the ceiling of a third line right winger in the NHL once he fixes his defense on Columbus. This averages out to a fourth line right winger projection in the NHL which makes Maxim Masse a guy Columbus can roll the dice on in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
37. Winnipeg Jets: Adam Kleber, D, Lincoln Stars (USHL)
    
    
    Winnipeg got this pick from Montreal in the Sean Monahan trade. Also Winnipeg's head coach Rick Bowness retired, but Winnipeg's interim head coach during Bowness absence last year is taking over as the main head coach on the Winnipeg Jets in 2024.
    
    
    
    Winnipeg has Nikolaj Ehlers their 2014 first round pick as their first line left winger in a contract year, Mark Scheifele their 2011 first round pick got a huge extension and is locked up as the Winnpeg Jets first line center, and Gabriel Vilardi the Winnipeg Jets first line right winger is an RFA in 2025. Kyle Conner the Winnpeg Jets 2015 first round pick has two years left on his contract before he becomes a UFA in 2026. Sean Monahan is a UFA, but Winnipeg has $14.1-million this year and $54 million in 2025, so the Jets have the cap space to bring back both Monahan and Ehlers. Cole Perfetti the Winnipeg Jets second line right winger and 2020 first round pick is also an RFA. Winnipeg has Nino Neiderreiter as their third line left winger, Adam Lowry as their third line center, and Mason Appleton as their third line right winger. Winnpeg has Alex Iafallo as their fourth line left winger, David Gustaffson as their fourth line center whose an RFA, and Vladislav Namestnikov as their fourth line right winger. Winnipeg has a top 5 goalie in Connor Hellebuyck and he's under contract through 2031 now.
    
    
    
    Winnipeg has a pretty good core of forwards, but outside of Josh Morrisey and Neal Pionk, Winnipeg doesn't have anyone worth a damn that can defend taking pressure off of their Vezina Trophy goalie which is why Winnipeg should just draft defensemen with whatever picks they have this year. Those guys also feel like second line defensemen more so than the star first line defenseman that an NHL team covets.
    
    
    
    My biggest question with Winnipeg is this, Can Winnipeg manage to keep Monahan and Perfetti without going over the cap this offseason with $14.1-million while also extending Ehlers, Vilardi, and Conner when the Jets have $54-million in 2025? That is what will ultimately determine how much of a window Winnipeg has in the Central Division with teams like the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues on the brink of reloading to the point where they could emerge as future challengers to the number three spot in the Central Division with Colorado and Dallas having the two best long-term outlooks in this Division.
    
    
    
    The Chicago Blackhawks could also be ready to contend by 2026 depending on how they build their roster around last years number one overall pick Connor Bedard. Same could be said with Utah's new NHL team once Utah fixes the blue line and goaltending assuming Michael Hrabel develops at goalie. That's why Winnipeg could end up retaining their spot as the third best team in this Division, but could also end up falling apart and doing a rebuild by 2026 or 2027 if they cannot keep this core of forwards while drafting defensemen in the NHL Draft to develop.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 209 lb Adam Kleber is the number one defenseman on the Lincoln Stars USHL team anchoring the blue line on the first line. Adam Kleber had 5 goals, 21 assists, and 26 points in 56 games in 2023-2024 by playing 56 for the second year in a row. Adam Kleber had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points in 5 games during the 2024 USHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Adam Kleber has the skating, foot speed playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy to succeed in the NHL. He's the thirty third player with potential to be a first line player in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    Adam Kleber is going to Minnesota Duluth where he will continue to develop. His floor is a number six defenseman on a third line in the NHL with the ability to also be a second line penalty killer. His ceiling is a first line defenseman in the NHL that can dominate as a penalty killer. Adam Kleber has NHL traits on tape as a first line defenseman on the Lincoln Stars, but his offensive awareness, defensive awareness, hockey IQ, and decision making overall has to improve when he goes to the NCAA if he's going to reach his ceiling. Kleber was a first round pick in the 2022 USHL Draft, but needed to improve his footwork and develop a mean streak. The footwork has improved enough to where you can see him showcasing his foot speed as well as some explosion on plays, but he still doesn't have that mean streak and that's the one thing Kleber will have to discover at Minnesota Duluth while also improving his decision making once he gets to the NCAA. If Kleber can reach his ceiling by adding a mean streak to his game as well as improving his decision making, he has the ability to be a number one defenseman on Winnipeg down the road.
    
    
    
38. Utah Hockey Club: Tarin Smith, D, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
    
    
    Utah continues to build the blue line. Dimitri Simashev and Anton Silayev can be the first line defenders on Utah's blue line. Tarin Smith will be a second line defenseman and would compliment Maveric Lamoureux, a QMJHL defenseman that Arizona drafted twenty ninth overall down the road as a number four defenseman on Utah's NHL team.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 176 lb Tarin Smith was the number three defenseman on the Everett Silvertips second line, the number two defenseman on the Everett Silvertips first line, and the number one defenseman on the Everett Silvertips first line when team captain Ben Hemmerling the Vegas Golden Knights 2022 sixth round pick was injured. One responsibility Tarin Smith will have next year is mentoring Landon DuPont, the projected first overall pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft which is why the Everett Silvertips most improved player intrigues me here.
    
    
    
    Tarin Smith was described as a rollercoaster due to his comptetitive nature, energy, and hustle. While you admire the drive, his recklessness at times can lead to some sloppy plays when he's not executing.
    
    
    
    Tarin Smith had 8 goals, 36 assists, 44 points, and a +26 +/- ratio in 67 WHL games in 2023-2024. Tarin Smith had 1 goal, 4 assists, and 5 points in 8 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Tarin Smith has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's the thirty fourth player with potential to be a first line player in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but he's reckless and not consistent. He would probably do better on a second line than a first line when he gets to the NHL, and Utah can develop Tarin Smith into that second line defenseman for the future.
    
    
    
    
    
39. Ottawa Senators: Tanner Howe, LW, Regina Pats (WHL)
    
    
    Ottawa gets a left winger that can step in as a top 9 forward when Mathieu Joseph becomes a UFA in 2026. Tanner Howe can challenge Ottawa's 2020 first round pick Ridly Greig for the second line left winger job behind Brady Tkachuk.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 181 lb Tanner Howe had 36 goals, 49 assists, and 89 points as a first line left winger on the Regina Pats in 2022-2023. Tanner Howe is now the Regina Pats new team captain with Connor Bedard now in the NHL. Tanner Howe had 28 goals, 49 assists, and 77 points in 68 WHL games in 2023-2024.
    
    
    
    Tanner Howe has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Tanner Howe is the thirty fifth different player in this class that I've evaluated with first line potential.
    
    
    
40. Seattle Kraken: Clarke Caswell, LW, Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
    
    
    The Seattle Kraken draft the eventual replacement to Jaden Schwartz here. Clarke Caswell is one of the gems in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft that nobody is talking about.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 170 lb Clarke Caswell was the first line left winger on the Swift Current Broncos this past season even going as far as to lead the Swift Current Broncos in points. Clark Caswell had 26 goals, 51 assists, 77 points, and a +17 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Clarke Caswell had 2 goals, 7 assists, and 9 points in the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Clarke Caswell has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Clarke Caswell is the thirty sixth player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
41. Calgary Flames: Marcus Kearsey, D, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
    
    
    Calgary needs a first line defenseman to anchor the blue line in the worst way possible. There isn't a number one defenseman on the board that can anchor the blue line, but there are two number two defensemen on the board that played on the first line of their junior hockey league teams in Canada, and I have those two defensemen going back-to-back with these next two picks.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 173 lb Marcus Kearsey has two years of experience as a first line defenseman on the Charlottetown Islanders. He's consistent winning QMJHL Defensive Rookie Of The Year before winning the Humanitarian Of The Year Award this past season.
    
    
    
    Marcus Kearsey had 6 goals, 23 assists, 29 points, 24 penalty minutes, and a -6 +/- ratio in 68 QMJHL games winning the QMJHL Defensive Rookie Of The Year in 2022-2023. Marcus Kearsey had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 4 games during the 2023 QMJHL Playoffs. Marcus Kearsey got promoted to alternate captain after a strong rookie year and had 7 goals, 42 assists, 49 points, 20 penalty minutes, and a -12 +/- ratio in 68 QMJHL games winning Humanitarian Of The Year in 2023-2024. Marcus Kearsay had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 4 games during the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Marcus Kearsey has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Marcus Kearsey is the thirty seventh player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but he's got to improve his defensive awareness as well as his +/- ratio. He's also got to add more muscle over the next two years in the QMJHL.
    
    
    
42. Buffalo Sabres: Lukas Fischer, D, Sarnia Sting (OHL)
    
    
    Buffalo gets another defenseman. Buffalo gets a first line defenseman here with Lukas Fischer the son of former NHL legend Jiri Fischer. Buffalo can ease Lukas Fisher into the fold without having to rush him in his development.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 181 lb Lukas Fischer had 3 goals, 7 assists, 10 points, 16 penalty minutes, and a +17 +/- ratio in 47 games in 2022-2023. Lukas Fischer had 0 goals, 1 assist, and 1 point in 16 OHL games in the 2023 OHL Playoffs. Lukas Fischer had 6 goals, 28 assists, 34 points, 79 penalty minutes, and a -27 +/- ratio in 2023-2024.
    
    
    
    Lukas Fischer was the most penalized player in bantam hockey which is why he fell to the eleventh round of the 2022 OHL Draft despite going in the first round of the USHL Draft. Fischer ultimately chose the OHL over the USHL. Lukas Fischer has potential to be a top line defenseman, but he's raw and has to cut back on the penalty minutes in Sarnia moving forward.
    
    
    
    Lukas Fischer has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Lukas Fischer is the thirty eighth player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but he's got to cut back on his penalty minutes in the OHL as stated earlier. His favorite player growing up was Pavel Datsyuk, the former first line center on the Detroit Red Wings during their 2008 Stanley Cup Season.
    
    
    
    
    
43. Buffalo Sabres: Felix Lacerte, RW, Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
    
    
    Buffalo ends up getting a second right winger with multiple right wingers set to be UFA's in the coming years. One right winger with first line potential who may have a higher ceiling than first round pick Konsta Helenius despite having a lower floor than Konsta is Shawinigan Cataractes right winger Felix Lacerte.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 165 lb Felix Lacerte had 24 goals, 28 assists, and 52 points in 67 QMJHL games in 2022-2023. Felx Lacerte had 31 goals, 28 assists, and 59 points in 52 QMJHL games in 2023-2024. Felix Lacerte had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 4 games in the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Felix Lacerte has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Felix Lacerte has to improve his defensive awareness and stay healthy next season after missing some games, but he's got the offensive toolbox to be an impact player in the NHL. He's the thirty ninth player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
44. Pittsburgh Penguins: Mac Swanson, LW, Fargo Force (USHL)
    
    
    Philadelphia traded their 2022 fourth round pick, 2023 third round pick, and a 2024 second round pick to Carolina for Tony DeAngelo before DeAngelo left Philadelphia to go back to Carolina. Carolina sent that 2024 second round pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Jake Guentzel trade.
    
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Penguins have Michael Bunting as their first line left winger, Sidney Crosby as their first line center with the first pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft entering a contract year, and Bryan Rust as their first line right winger. Pittsburgh has Drew O'Conner as their second line left winger in a contract year, Evgeni Malkin as their second line center after being drafted second overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft behind Alexander Ovechkin, and Rickard Rakell as their second line right winger. Pittsburgh has Reilly Smith as their third line left winger in a contract year after getting him from Vegas last offseason, Lars Eller is their third line center in a contract year, and Valtteri Puustinen a 2019 seventh round pick is now on the Pittsburgh Penguins NHL roster as a third line right winger. Pittsburgh has Matt Nieto as their fourth line left winger in a contract year, Noel Acciari as their fourth line center in a contract year, and Jesse Puljujarvi as their fourth line right winger. Pittsburgh will have twelve quality forwards back next year, but they need guys for the future as well.
    
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Penguins have Kris Letang their 2005 third round pick anchoring the blue line with Erik Karlsson last years Norris Trophy Winner for top defenseman in the NHL on the first line of the blue line. Pittsburgh has Ryan Greaves who played 70 games before getting injured down the stretch as a top four defenseman when healthy. Pierre-Oliver Joseph is an RFA as a number four defenseman on the second line, but is also capable of playing on the top line when Mike Sullivan puts Erik Karlsson on the second line, which Sullivan did when Greaves was injured. Marcus Petersson is your number five defenseman on your third line in a contract year and Jack St. Ivany complimenting him as a third line defenseman.
    
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Penguins have Tristan Jarry as their starting goalie. Alex Nedeljkovic got a two year extension. This allows Joel Blomqvist, Pittsburgh's 2020 second round pick to stay in the AHL until 2026 when his rookie contract is up. He will be ready for the NHL by then if he's not ready this year or next year assuming both Jarry and Nedeljkovic stay healthy.
    
    
    
    Before I reveal who I mocked to Pittsburgh Penguins at 44, I do believe we will see a lot of prospects come up to Pittsburgh Penguins by 2025. Prospects that could be promoted to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2025 include Samuel Poulin their 2019 first round pick at left winger replacing Drew O'Conner, Tristan Broz a 2021 second round pick who I had a first round grade on in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft is joining Wilkes-Barre-Scranton next year after leading Denver to an NCAA Title as he looks like the current replacement to Michael Bunting whose a 2026 UFA, Brayden Yager, Pittsburgh's 2023 first round pick as well as a center who killed it on the 2024 WHL Champion Moose Jaw Warriors is probably the replacement to Lars Eller when Eller becomes a 2025 UFA, Owen Pickering, Pittsburgh's 2022 first round pick as well as the two year captain of the Swift Current Broncos in the WHL as he's someone who could replace Marcus Petersson as well as a guy who can be groomed to be Kris Letang's successor, and the final prospect I'm going to mention for this conversation is goalie Joel Blomqvist who dominated the regular season with a 2.16 goals against average and a .921 save percentage in his first AHL season before struggling in the playoffs. Pittsburgh was considering promoting Blomqvist with a strong AHL playoff run, but giving up 7 goals in 2 AHL Playoff games against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Philadelphia Flyers AHL team means that Blomqvist will likely get one more AHL season before joining the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2025 because it is possible that Pittsburgh moves Nedeljkovic next offseason if Blomqvist does well filling in as a backup in the event that Jarry is injured.
    
    
    
    The Pittsburgh Penguins draft the eventual replacement to Jake Guentzel here. Mac Swanson is one of the gems in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft that nobody is talking about as I can Swanson as Pittsburgh's first line left winger by 2027 if neither Samuel Poulin or Tristan Broz breaks out when they get the opportunity to replace Drew O'Conner or Michael Bunting.
    
    
    
    The 5-7 145 lb Mac Swanson is versatile enough to play left winger, center, or right winger. Mac Swanson played first line center on the Fargo Force at the age of 16 and moved to left winger this past season. Mac Swanson is the son of former NHL player Brian Swanson, the San Jose Sharks fifth round draft pick back in 1994. Swanson never suited up with San Jose and had a relatively short NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers and Atlanta Thrashers before playing in Germany's DEL league after a failed stint with the Thrashers before finishing his career in the ECHL. Mac Swanson is also a high energy guy and is expected to be a better prospect than his father entering the NHL.
    
    
    
    Mac Swanson had 12 goals, 43 assists, and 55 points during 57 games in his rookie USHL season in 2022-2023. Mac Swanson was projected to finish the season with 10 goals, 62 assists, and 72 points back in October of 2023 when I made my first 2024 NHL Mock Draft. Mac Swanson had 26 goals, 51 assists, 77 points, and a +39 +/- ratio in 55 USHL games in 2023-2024. Mac Swanson had 5 goals, 12 assists, and 17 points in 12 games during the 2024 USHL Playoffs while also winning the 2024 Clark Cup Playoffs MVP an award Youngstown Phantoms goalie Jacob Fowler won last year before I pounded the table for Fowler. I'm pounding the table for Mac Swanson too by the way.
    
    
    
    Mac Swanson is going to North Dakota in 2024. Mac Swanson can play a year or two of college hockey and then come in as his sophomore year kind of like Matthew Knies did with Toronto as a 2021 second round pick. I see a player with Kailer Yamamoto's floor and Alex Debrincat's ceiling. That's why I have Mac Swanson in my top 50 despite the fact that most have him projected to go around pick 90.
    
    
    
    Mac Swanson has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Mac Swanson is the fortieth player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
45. Minnesota Wild: Eriks Mateiko, RW, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
    
    
    Minnesota drafts a right winger for the future that can take over when Mats Zuccarello becomes a UFA. Eriks Mateiko is one of three first line players left on my big board.
    
    
    
    The 6-5 209 lb Eriks Mateiko had 23 goals, 20 assists, 43 points, 20 penalty minutes, and a 0 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Eriks Mateiko is versatile enough to play left winger or right winger on the Saint John Sea Dogs first line.
    
    
    
    Eriks Mateiko has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Eriks Mateiko is the forty first player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but he's got to improve his defensive awareness. You'd also like to see his points increase despite having the versatility that you covet.
    
    
    
46. Pittsburgh Penguins: AJ Spellacy, C, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
    
    
    Pittsburgh drafts their fourth line center of the future here to replace Noel Acciari. AJ Spellacy is versatile enough to play center or right winger and is one of two skaters in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft that has played on a teams first line.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 205 lb AJ Spellacy had 21 goals, 17 assists, and 38 points in 67 games on the Windsor Spitfires top line in the OHL in 2023-2024. AJ Spellacy is versatile enough to play both center and right winger.
    
    
    
    AJ Spellacy has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. AJ Spellacy is the forty second player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but he's got to improve his defensive awareness because if he doesn't he will be an AHL player at best, plus fourth line forwards have to excel on defense. You'd also like to see his points increase despite having the versatility that you covet.
    
    
    
    
    
47. Detroit Red Wings: Ilya Protas, LW, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
    
    
    Detroit needs a second line left winger for the future. Ilya Protas could fill a void for Detroit down the road.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 184 lb Ilya Protas had 14 goals, 37 assists, 51 points, 14 penalty minutes, and a +6 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. He's the younger brother of Aliaksei Protas who was the Washington Capitals 2019 third round pick. Ilya has a shot to be drafted ahead of his older brother despite being uncommitted to a college at this point.
    
    
    
    Ilya Protas has the speed, explosion, burst, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ilya Protas is the forty third first line player in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but he's going to have to improve as a skater. If he can improve as a skater, he could be a guy who develops into a first line left winger, but should be a second line left winger at the very worst as long he improves as a skater.
    
    
    
48. St. Louis Blues: Ben Danford, D, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
    
    
    The St. Louis Blues 2023 first round pick Theo Lindstein probably takes over for Nick Leddy whose a 2026 UFA and could get promoted to a first line spot with a strong year after learning under Justin Faulk and Torey Krug in contract years. That means Ben Danford would replace one of those two down the road if the St. Louis Blues end up letting both Faulk and Krug walk in 2027 after developing in the WHL and developing for a year in the AHL. Colton Parayko, Scott Perunovich, Tyler Tucker, Theo Lindstein, and Ben Danford would be your top five defensemen by 2027 if you chose to let both Faulk and Krug walk.
    
    
    
    Ben Danford has the floor of a number number three defenseman and the ceiling of a number one defenseman. The Oshawa Generals rotated both Ben Danford and Luca Marrelli as their first line right defensemen with the other player playing on the second line when the other guy wasn't on the first line. That means the 2024 NHL Entry Draft has two more players with first line potential. This means there are 45 skaters with first line potential in the NHL not 43 like I originally stated.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 194 lb Ben Danford had 1 goal, 32 assists, 33 points, and a +27 +/- ratio in 64 games with the Oshawa Generals rotating with teammate Luca Marrelli as the Oshawa Generals number one defenseman. Ben Danford had 4 goals, 6 assists, and 10 points in 21 games for the Oshawa Generals. Oshawa got to the OHL Cup before losing to the eventual 2024 OHL Champion London Knights.
    
    
    
    Ben Danford has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ben Danford and Luca Marrelli another teammate of Danford's on the Oshawa Generals rotated as the number one defenseman on the Oshawa Generals.
    
    
    
    Ben Danford is the forty fourth player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He can take his time and develop as he should be ready to fill a void if the St. Louis Blues let Torey Krug or Justin Faulk walk in 2027.
    
    
    
    
    
49. Utah Hockey Club: Luca Marrelli, D, Oshawa Generals (OHL)
    
    
    Utah drafts a third line defenseman with this pick they got from the Washington Capitals. Luca Marrelli is the best defenseman on my board here at 49.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 183 lb Luca Marrelli had 6 goals, 51 assists, 57 points, and a +28 +/- ratio in 67 games with the Oshawa Generals rotating with Ben Danford as the number one defenseman. Luca Marrelli had 2 goals, 11 assists, and 13 points in 21 games for the Oshawa Generals. Oshawa got to the OHL Cup before losing to the eventual 2024 OHL Champion London Knights.
    
    
    
    Luca Marrelli has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Ben Danford and Luca Marrelli another teammate of Danford's on the Oshawa Generals rotated as the number one defenseman on the Oshawa Generals.
    
    
    
    Luca Marrelli is the forty fifth player with first line potential in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He can take his time and develop as he should be ready to fill a void on Utah's NHL team by 2026.
    
    
    
50. Chicago Blackhawks: Charlie Elick, D, Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
    
    
    Chicago gets another defenseman with this second round pick that Chicago got in their trade with the New York Islanders. Charlie Elick would compete with Nick Allen, Sam Rinzel, and Tomas Lavoie who I mocked to Chicago at 34 for those last three defensemen spots on the Chicago Blackhawks roster because it is uncertain who compliments Kevin Korchinski on the second line with two of those four defensemen playing third line minutes on the Chicago Blackhawks by 2026 when Drew Commesso likely replaces Petr Mrazek in 2026 with Adam Gajan their 2023 second round pick possibly waiting in the wings if Commesso doesn't step up in 2026. It is possible Gajan is Commesso's backup in 2026, but unlikely.
    
    
    
    Charlie Elick has the floor of a number four defenseman in the NHL and the ceiling of a number three defenseman in the NHL since he was the second line defenseman on the Brandon Wheat Kings anchoring the blue line of their second line in the WHL. Charlie Elick also has first line potential as a penalty killer according to some scouts simply due to having ideal size that you want from an NHL defenseman despite anchoring the blue line on the Brandon Wheat Kings second line. Charlie Elick struggled on film as a penalty killer versus the Moose Jaw Warriors, the eventual 2024 WHL Champions this past season.
    
    
    
    Charlie Elick plays in the WHL. Chicago is one team with the luxury to stash and develop Elick.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 200 lb Charlie Elick had 4 goals, 23 assists, 27 points, and a +4 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Charlie Elick had 0 goals, 3 assists, and 3 points in 4 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Charlie Elick has the playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, to succeed in the NHL. He's raw defensively, but has the size NHL teams covet despite being a high floor low ceiling player which is why Elick has gained some traction as a late first round prospect.
    
    
    
    
    
51. Philadelphia Flyers: Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
    
    
    Philadelphia got a second round compensation pick for not signing Jay O'Brien. I'm giving Philadelphia a fourth line right winger as a replacement to Garnet Hathaway.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 173 lb Ryder Ritchie had 20 goals, 35 assists, and 55 points in 2022-2023. Ryder Ritchie had 19 goals, 25 assists, and 44 points, in 47 games in 2023-2024. The second line right winger on the Prince Albert Raiders might be a nice future prospect for the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
52. Washington Capitals: Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Vaxjo Lakers (Elitserien)
    
    
    Washington gets another defenseman. Washington gambles on Leo Sahlin Wallenius at this point since he's one guy that could be a top four defenseman on the Washington Capitals down the road.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 176 Leo Sahlin Wallenius had 11 goals, 31 assists, 42 points, and a +20 +/- ratio as the number one defenseman on the Vaxjo Lakers Under 20 Team in 2023-2024. He signed a two year extension with the Vaxjo Lakers and should get promoted to the SHL next season in Elitserien. Leo Sahlin Wallenius has the floor of a first line defenseman in the AHL and the ceiling of a number four defenseman in the NHL that's a first line defenseman on an NHL teams power play.
    
    
    
    Washington wouldn't have Leo Sahlin Wallenius until 2026 at the earliest. It's also possible he spends a year in the AHL with the Hershey Bears after his time in Sweden is up.
    
    
    
    Leo Sahlin Wallenius has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He reminds me of Samuel Girard the number four defenseman on the Colorado Avalanche that can play as a first line defenseman on the Colorado Avalanche's power play with Cale Makar. Leo Sahlin Wallenius has NHL traits on tape wowing me against players his own age despite only playing against kids his own age rather than grown men in Sweden in the SHL. Washington can gamble on Leo Sahlin Wallenius knowing how bad their defense is since he might be a good fit as a final defenseman on the Washington Capitals top 4 for their blue line here.
    
    
    
53. San Jose Sharks: Julius Miettine, C, Everett Silvertips (WHL)
    
    
    Nashville also traded their 2024 second round pick at 53 from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Detroit Red Wings for Andrew Gibson, who the Detroit Red Wings drafted forty second overall in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Detroit proceeded to trade their seventh best defenseman Jake Walman who is making $3.4-million over the next two years and the draft pick they acquired from Nashville to San Jose. That's essentially how the San Jose Sharks got this third second round pick.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 207 lb Julius Miettine could be San Jose's third line center of the future behind Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith on the back 6. He could also be a fourth line center when Mikael Granlund's contract expires assuming Logan Couture plays out his contract
    
    
    
    Julius Miettinen had 31 goals, 36 assists, 67 points, 32 penalty minutes, and a +27 +/- ratio as a rookie in 66 regular season games with the Everett Silvertips in 2023-2024. Julius Miettinen had 2 goals, 2 assists, and 4 points in 9 games during the 2024 WHL Playoffs. Julius Miettinen was the Everett Silvertips 2023 first round pick in the CHL Import Draft as the Finnish center from Finland came to Canada.
    
    
    
    Julius Miettinen has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. He's an ideal back six center on a third line and is one of the best third line players in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The Hockey News ranked him as the twenty fifth best player in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
54. New York Islanders: Yegor Surin, RW, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)
    
    
    The 6-1 192 lb Yegor Surin is versatile enough to play left winger, center, or right winger with his versatility. He spent most of the season in the MHL, but his player comparisons were Brad Marchand the first line left winger on the Boston Bruins with his other player comparision being Owen Tippett the first line left winger on the Philadelphia Flyers who entered the NHL as a right winger. Yegor Surin is described as a bit of psychopath, but he had four diffrent stars for special abilities on Draft Prospect Hockey. I think he could be the Logan Stankoven of this years draft despite how raw he is and that's a player the New York Islanders gamble on here.
    
    
    
    Yegor Surin had 22 goals, 30 assists, and 52 points in 42 MHL games in 2023-2024. Yegor Surin played 3 KHL games, but did not produce a point in the KHL in 2023-2024. His floor is a first line forward in the AHL and his ceiling is that of a first line forward on an NHL team. What line he plays on in the KHL next season will give you a much better indicator of his ceiling. He's one of the most physically gifted forwards, has strong legs, and is not afraid to get dirty to make the big play.
    
    
    
    Yegor Surin has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Yegor Surin is raw, but he could also be one of the bigger steals in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
55. Nashville Predators: Alfons Freij, D, Vaxjo Lakers (Elitserien)
    
    
    Nashville has Roman Josi and Tanner Molendyk their second 2023 first round pick locked up. Dante Fabbro is a 2025 UFA despite being a first line defenseman. Luke Schenn, Jeremy Lauzon, and Kevin Gravel are 2026 UFA's. Out of those four defensemen Fabbro is really the only guy outside of Josi I would pay to keep long-term.
    
    
    
    The 6-1 196 lb Alfons Freij had 14 goals, 19 assists, and 33 points in 40 games with the Vaxjo Lakers Under 20 Team in 2023-2024. Alfons Freij has the floor of a first line defenseman in the AHL anchoring the blue line and the ceiling of a second line defenseman in the NHL with many NHL scouts projecting him as a number three defenseman making Freij an ideal pick for Nashville here.
    
    
    
    Alfons Freij has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Alfons Freij may have a better floor than Leo Sahlin Wallenius, but his ceiling isn't as high. Some NHL scouts like Freij more. Nashville can gamble on Alfons Freij drafting him to be their final top four defenseman for down the road.
    
    
    
    
    
56. St. Louis Blues: Gabriel Eliasson, D, HV71 (Elitserien)
    
    
    St. Louis drafted three defensemen in the third round of the last few NHL Drafts from 2020 to 2023. Leo Loof had 0 goals, 7 assists, and 7 points in his first AHL season this year as a 2020 third round pick meaning it is unclear whether he develops enough to be a viable NHL player by 2027 and if this first year is an indicator of what's to come I'd say he is an AHL guy, Michael Buchinger your 2022 third round pick will be on the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL next year, and Quinton Burns your 2023 third round pick improved his point total, but hasn't signed his entry level deal. It's too early to say if any of those guys are a sure fire number six defensemen on an NHL roster by 2027 when both Faulk and Krug are UFA's.
    
    
    
    Colton Parayko, Scott Perunovich, Tyler Tucker, Theo Lindstein, and Ben Danford would be your top five defensemen by 2027 if you chose to let both Faulk and Krug walk. That's what I said earlier when mocking Ben Danford to the St. Louis Blues midway through the second round. With no sure-fire defenseman in your prospect pool, this pick can be used on a number six defenseman for the future or the top goalie in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Considering that the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, is stronger than the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, I'm putting my decision to mock the first goalie on hold a little bit longer because St. Louis has Jordan Binnington until 2027, Joel Hoffer a 2018 fourth round pick as Binnington's backup and Colton Ellis a 2019 third round pick finally maturing coming into his own as the Springfield Thunderbirds goalie despite being an RFA. If the Blues can get Ellis to agree to a two-way contract until 2027, I am cool with waiting another round to draft a goalie.
    
    
    
    The 6-6 206 lb Gabriel Eliasson had 1 goal, 5 assists, and 6 points on the HV71 Under 20 Team in 2023-2024. He has some meaness to his game and can play with a mean streak despite being raw. He will go to Michigan on a college hockey scholarship in 2025, but has just enough upside to develop into a number six defenseman in the NHL as he projects as a bottom pairing defenseman in the NHL.
    
    
    
57. Los Angeles Kings: Teddy Stiga, LW, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    The 5-10 173 lb Teddy Stiga was the second line left winger on the United States National Team Developmental Program behind Cole Eiserman. Los Angeles uses this second round pick to take the best player available.
    
    
    
    Teddy Stiga had 18 goals, 20 assists, and 38 points in 27 USHL games. He's going to Boston College this fall and seems like someone who could develop into a top 6 forward on the Los Angeles Kings down the road.
    
    
    
    
    
58. Anaheim Ducks: Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
    
    
    Anaheim drafts a second left winger for the future. Marek Vanacker played most of his shifts on the Brantford Bulldogs second line, but also played some shifts on the Brantford Bulldogs first line at left winger.
    
    
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    The 6-1 175 lb Marek Vanacker had 36 goals, 46 assists, 82 points, and a +7 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Marek Vanacker had 3 goals, 4 assists, and 7 points in 6 games during the 2024 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Marek Vanacker has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Marek Vanacker does need to improve his defensive awareness, but he's projected to improve in that area in the next year or two making him an ideal player for Anaheim to stash in the OHL, and potentially bring up to compete for a top 6 forward spot as a second line left winger by 2026. Vanacker could start out on the bottom six and work his way up.
    
    
    
59. Nashville Predators: EJ Emery, D, USNTDP (USHL)
    
    
    The Nashville Predators get one more defenseman to stash and develop. EJ Emery the son of a former CFL player sounds like a viable option here.
    
    
    
    The 6-3 185 lb EJ Emery had 0 goals, 6 assists, 6 points, and a +5 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. His dad is former CFL linebacker Eric Emery.
    
    
    
    EJ Emery has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. EJ Emery needs to develop his shot, but he's got the offense, defense, skating, athletic trats, and ability to be a shutdown defenseman in the Stanley Cup Playoffs that NHL teams will covet at this point in the second round.
    
    
    
    
    
60. Carolina Hurricanes: Stian Solberg, D, Valerenga IF (EHL)
    
    
    Carolina continues to go defense. Stian Solberg is the best defender on the board.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 201 lb Stian Solberg had 5 goals, 10 assists, and 15 points in 2023-2024. Stian Solberg is the top prospect from Norway in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
    
    
    
    Stian Solberg has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. Solberg is the most violent defender in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but needs to develop his wrist shot to hone his game at the next level.
    
    
    
61. New York Islanders: Luke Misa, C, Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
    
    
    The New York Islanders use this second round pick in the Bo Horvat trade to get another center for depth if Brock Nelson ends up leaving. Luke Misa the older brother of 2025 NHL Draft Prospect Michael Misa could be an option here with Aatu Raty New York's 2021 second round pick going to Vancouver in that trade.
    
    
    
    The 5-10 165 lb Luke Misa had 26 goals, 55 assists, 81 points, 10 penalty minutes, and a +35 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Luke Misa had 1 goal, 2 assists, and 3 points in 5 games in the 2024 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Luke Misa has the skating, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, and offensive awareness to succeed in the NHL. Luke Misa was one of the better face off specialists in the OHL.
    
    
    
    
    
62. Calgary Flames: Lucas Pettersson, C, Modo Hockey (Elitserien)
    
    
    Calgary gets another center with this pick that they got from the Dallas Stars in the Chris Tanev trade. Lucas Pettersson would be a nice option here.
    
    
    
    The 5-11 172 lb Lucas Petersson played 5 SHL games for Modo Hockey, but didn't produce a point. He did show ability to be a third line center against men in those games. His floor is a first line center in the AHL on the Calgary Wranglers and his ceiling is a third line center in the NHL. That averages out to a fourth line center in the NHL in terms of projection.
    
    
    
63. Seattle Kraken: Jakub Fibigr, D, Mississauaga Steelheads (OHL)
    
    
    The Seattle Kraken draft another defenseman to stash and develop with both of their first line defensemen in contract years. Jakub Fibigr is the top defenseman on the board.
    
    
    
    The 6-0 171 lb Jakub Fibigr had 7 goals, 36 assists, 43 points, and a +13 +/- ratio in 61 OHL games in 2023-2024. Jakub Fibigr also had 0 goals, 4 assists, and 4 points in the 2024 OHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Jakub Fibigr has the speed, explosion, burst, agility, skating, foot speed, playmaking, passing, sniping, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, vision, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to succeed in the NHL. The scary thing is the Czech Republic defenseman who came to Canada showed all these traits as a rookie in the OHL following the 2023 CHL Import Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
64. Edmonton Oilers: Raoul Boilard, C, Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
    
    
    The Edmonton Oilers have Ryan Nugent-Hopkins the first overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft as their first line left winger, Connor McDavid the first overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft as their first line center, and Zach Hyman as their first line right winger with everyone on that top line until 2028, McDavid is a UFA in 2026, but he's the face of the NHL, so McDavid isn't going anywhere as Edmonton is too smart to let him hit the open market. Edmonton has Ryan McLeod as their second line left winger, Leon Draisaitl the Edmonton Oilers 2014 first round pick is their second line center entering a contract year, and Evander Kane is Edmonton's second line right winger. Dylan Holloway Edmonton's 2020 first round pick is Edmonton's third line left winger despite also being an RFA this offseason, Derek Ryan will resume his third line center duties after beginning the season on the third line prior to trading for UFA Adam Henrique at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, and Edmonton. Edmonton currently has Carter Savoie their 2020 fourth round pick as the fourth line left winger for next season and Tyler Tuillo their 2020 fifth round pick as the fourth line center. Getting right wingers on the back six with what limited cap space Edmonton has will be critical if the Edmonton Oilers want to repeat as Western Conference Champions next year.
    
    
    
    The Edmonton Oilers have Evan Bouchard their 2018 first round pick anchoring the blue line as the first line defenseman with Bouchard being an RFA next season with Mattias Ekholm complimenting Bouchard on Edmonton's first line. Brett Kulak and Darnell Nurse, Edmonton's 2013 first round pick are the two second line defensemen. Cody Ceci an Philip Broberg, Edmonton's 2019 first round pick who was drafted in the top 10 like Evan Bouchard whose an RFA this offseason are the two third line defensemen.
    
    
    
    Edmonton has Stuart Skinner their 2017 third round pick who was drafted after Jake Oettinger in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, who just defeated Jake Oettinger back under contract as the starting goalie. Calvin Pickard the backup goalie signed a two year extension with Edmonton. Edmonton still has Jack Campbell under contract as the backup goalie to Stuart Skinner despite his injury history.
    
    
    
    Edmonton will try to keep Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl as their two centers for the long-term on the first and second line. Xavier Bourgault, Edmonton's 2021 first round pick will probably take over for Derek Ryan as the Edmonton Oilers third line center in 2025. Edmonton can draft one more center here who can be developed into the fourth line center of the future if Tyler Tuillo their 2020 fifth round pick doesn't work out.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 190 lb Raoul Boilard had 22 goals, 40 assists, 62 points, and a +27 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Raoul Boilard had 4 goals, 4 assists, an 8 points in 17 games during the 2024 QMJHL PLayoffs.
    
    
    
    Raoul Boilard's floor is a first line center on an AHL team. Raoul Boilard's ceiling is a third line center on an NHL team after being the third line center on Baie-Commeau Drakkar in 2023-2024. Raoul Boilard projects perfectly as a fourth line center behind Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Xavier Bourgault in Edmonton.
    
    
    
65. Utah Hockey Club: Spencer Gill, D, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
    
    
    Utah gets one more defensemen to round out their bottom pairing on the third line of their defense in the NHL. Rimouski Oceanic defenseman Spencer Gill is the best player on the board to end the second round.
    
    
    
    The 6-4 185 lb Spencer Gill had 12 goals, 34 assists, 46 points, and a +8 +/- ratio in 2023-2024. Spencer Gill had 0 goals, 5 assists, and 5 points in 5 games during the 2024 QMJHL Playoffs.
    
    
    
    Spencer Gill was drafted fifth overall in the 2022 QMJHL Draft. He had the intangibles of a first line defenseman entering the league, but needed to add muscle and improve as a skater entering the QMJHL at 6-2 148. He's grown two inches and added 37 lbs of muscle since the 2022 QMJHL Draft showing he has floor of a first line defenseman in the AHL an the ceiling of a number three defenseman anchoring the second line in the NHL. Utah can start Spencer Gill out as the number six defenseman and final third line defenseman on Utah's NHL team down the road.
    
    
    
    Spencer Gill has the passing, playmaking, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want to succeed in the NHL. He's got to continue to improve as a skater and make that jump from the second line on the Rimouski Oceanic to the first line soon. Otherwise Utah could be getting a high end defenseman for their AHL team, but I'd say the odds of Gill becoming a bottom pairing defenseman on the third line in the NHL are 60/40 with him more likely to play in the NHL than the AHL.