The NHL has wrapped up its annual draft lottery, setting the stage for where top prospects will land, including 2024's projected first overall pick, Macklin Celebrini.
The big news out of the lottery is that the San Jose Sharks have clinched the first overall pick, positioning them to draft Celebrini. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks have secured the second overall pick.
Macklin Celebrini, though not hailed as a generational talent like Connor Bedard, is nonetheless expected to make significant waves in the NHL. Notably, he's the first Hobey Baker Award winner to be picked first overall, anticipated to make an immediate impact on his future team.
Looking beyond Celebrini, the draft buzz also surrounds several other standout prospects. Among them are Artyom Levshunov, a formidable defenseman from the NCAA hailing from Belarus, and the Russian duo of Ivan Demidov, a high-scoring forward, and Anton Silayev, a 6'7" defenseman known for his smooth skating.