NHL · 1 year ago

2024 NHL Draft Round 1 Winners: Canadiens Pave Way with Demidov

Zack Cook

Host · Writer

Seattle Kraken
It wasn't as though the Seattle Kraken had multiple first round selections like other teams on this list. Going into Round 1, the strong consensus was that the Kraken would select a premiere defenseman with their top 10 pick. That ultimately didn't end up being the case. The Kraken made a home run swing with the selection of dynamic center Berkly Catton. There's always a chance that a player with a smaller frame doesn't pan out, but the potential is so high with Catton that it's worthy of the risk. The Kraken are building a solid offensive core, and Catton now figures to be a big part of it.

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Montreal Canadiens
Heading into the 2024 NHL Draft, the Montreal Canadiens were widely viewed to hold one of the NHL's top prospect systems. The issue for the Canadiens was that they had plenty of depth, but lacked the potential star power to take it to the next level. That changed on Friday night after dynamic Russian winger Ivan Demidov fell to them with the fifth overall pick. It's no secret that the Habs brass coveted Demidov, and the teams rebuild is on a much more positive trajectory after this selection. In addition, the Habs also managed to move up with their second first round pick, adding center Michael Hage. Hage also has the potential to be a top six forward for Montreal down the road, leading to the Habs being major winners on Day 1 of the 2024 NHL Draft.

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San Jose Sharks
When you have multiple picks in the top 12, including the first overall pick, it shouldn't be a surprise that the San Jose Sharks find themselves on the winners list. Macklin Celebrini was a slam dunk pick to kick off the 2024 NHL Draft, while landing defenseman Sam Dickinson with the 11th overall pick signals a major home run for the Sharks. Not only were the Sharks able to select a potential franchise player with the first overall pick,, they landed one of the top defenseman in this draft class just outside of the top 10. What a night for Mike Grier and company.
Minnesota Wild
Despite the 2024 NHL Draft being labelled as a defenseman heavy draft class at the top, it was the forwards that stole show early on in Day 1. With six forwards going in the first eight picks, that left multiple high-end defenseman falling into the teens. Behind Artyom Levshunov, Zeev Buium was widely viewed as the consensus second-best available defenseman. Buium has the potential to be a top pairing defenseman for the Minnesota Wild, and it's hard to imagine a better fit for him than being paired with Brock Faber for the next decade.
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New York Islanders
It was somewhat shocking that when the New York Islanders went to the podium with the 20th overall selection that they landed on Cole Eiserman. It's not as though Eiserman wasn't worthy of the selection, more so that it just simply didn't feel like a Lou Lamoriello type pick. Eiserman is by all accounts the top goal scorer in this draft class, but his play away from the puck left many concerned. Still, you can make a very strong case he was worthy of a top 12 pick, meaning the Islanders are thrilled to land him at 20th overall.
Seattle Kraken
It wasn't as though the Seattle Kraken had multiple first round selections like other teams on this list. Going into Round 1, the strong consensus was that the Kraken would select a premiere defenseman with their top 10 pick. That ultimately didn't end up being the case. The Kraken made a home run swing with the selection of dynamic center Berkly Catton. There's always a chance that a player with a smaller frame doesn't pan out, but the potential is so high with Catton that it's worthy of the risk. The Kraken are building a solid offensive core, and Catton now figures to be a big part of it.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Montreal Canadiens
Heading into the 2024 NHL Draft, the Montreal Canadiens were widely viewed to hold one of the NHL's top prospect systems. The issue for the Canadiens was that they had plenty of depth, but lacked the potential star power to take it to the next level. That changed on Friday night after dynamic Russian winger Ivan Demidov fell to them with the fifth overall pick. It's no secret that the Habs brass coveted Demidov, and the teams rebuild is on a much more positive trajectory after this selection. In addition, the Habs also managed to move up with their second first round pick, adding center Michael Hage. Hage also has the potential to be a top six forward for Montreal down the road, leading to the Habs being major winners on Day 1 of the 2024 NHL Draft.

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2024 NHL Draft Round 1 Winners: Canadiens Pave Way with Demidov

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