With the 2024 Stanley Cup officially in the books, it’s time to look ahead to the NHL Draft. The Florida Panthers won their first title in their 30-year franchise history, but they won’t even be making a pick in the first round.
We nearly had the Chicago Blackhawks win the #1 overall pick in back-to-back years, but they’ll be #2 directly following the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks will be making that #1 overall selection shortly after 7 PM ET on Friday, June 28, so with not much time to waste, let’s get into our NHL Draft preview focusing on three best bets.
Ivan Demidov to be selected #2 overall: +190
Before we get into our favorite prediction, it’s important to note that the #1 overall pick is once again all but a foregone conclusion. He may not be as touted as Connor Bedard was last season, but the Sharks are expected to take Macklin Celebrini out of Boston University.
The real debate begins immediately following Celebrini, between another collegiate skater, Artyom Levshunov from Michigan State and Ivan Demidov from St. Petersburg. Levshunov is favored to go before Demidov, but we love the value we’re getting with the left winger.
First and foremost, that position is one of the primary reasons he should be selected #2 overall, as it is the Blackhawks making the selection. Demidov would be the perfect pairing alongside Connor Bedard rather than a defenseman. Truthfully, they need any position they can get. Still, after grabbing Bedard last season, it could be the future Patrick Kane-Jonathan Toews duo that Chicago fans enjoyed in the early 2010s.
Artyom Levshunov to be selected #3 overall: +270
Admittedly, the NHL Draft doesn’t bring nearly as many betting markets as more high-profile events like the NFL Draft. Therefore, the readily available options focus on exact pick numbers, specifically, the top five. Thankfully, we can add a few ways to our NHL Draft preview that we love.
Next up is the very next pick, who is the aforementioned Artyom Levshunov. While he was most recently a Michigan State Spartan, he began playing on high-profile teams in 2017 with the under-13 Dynamo Minsk Selects.
In his only season with the Spartans, the defenseman recorded nearly a point per game with 35 in 38 games. More importantly, he had an incredible +27 plus-minus, so good things happen when he’s on the ice. While he couldn't lead his team to the Frozen Four, being a top-three pick in the NHL Draft would help him forget that.
Cayden Lindstrom to be selected #4 overall: -175
One of the favorites that we love to come off the board with the same selection that oddsmakers are predicting is Cayden Lindstrom. Frankly, we wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up with a better rookie season than anyone drafted above him.
The 18-year-old is an absolute stud as a center, and he brings some excitement to the game with his flash. Hailing from British Columbia and the Medicine Hat Tigers, he provides great size at 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds while having the finesse of a smaller skater. A top-line center is exactly what the Columbus Blue Jackets need, who have this selection.
That would pair him perfectly with Johnny Gaudreau, who is incredible, but is one of the smallest top-line wingers in the NHL. He’s needed help since coming over from the Calgary Flames, and we just saw Cayden Lindstrom record 27 goals in 32 games (46 points overall) in the first half of last season.
He may not be compared to Connor Bedard as a prospect, but a future Calder Trophy is not out of the question for Cayden Lindstrom.
