The 2024 NHL Draft will see the San Jose Sharks making their first-ever first overall pick, with consensus top prospect Macklin Celebrini expected to be the player selected. Macklin has ties to the Sharks organization, having played for the San Jose Jr. Sharks during the 2019-20 season while his father worked for the Golden State Warriors. Rick Celebrini, Macklin’s father, previously worked for the Vancouver Canucks, where his sons became passionate about hockey.
The annual draft lottery process has become more complicated in recent years, with new conditions being added to prevent teams from moving up more than 10 spots. However, the 2024 lottery unfolded in the exact order of the regular-season standings, with the Chicago Blackhawks holding the second overall pick after selecting Connor Bedard in 2023. The drafting process was not as dramatic as previous years, with a streamlined production unveiling the draft order on television.
The 2024 NHL Draft will be held at The Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28-29, marking the first live televised event at the technological marvel. Celebrini, along with NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, was present at the NHL Network studios in Secaucus, N.J., discussing his emotions and future prospects. Sharks GM Mike Grier expressed excitement about potentially drafting Celebrini and highlighted his complete game and competitiveness as standout qualities.
Grier also holds the 14th pick in the draft as part of the package received from trading Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins. With scouts having a general consensus on the top 15 players in the draft, there is still uncertainty beyond Celebrini as to who will be selected next. The upcoming NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, NY, from June 2-8, will provide teams with one final opportunity to gather data on potential draft picks before making their selections at the 2024 NHL Draft.
Overall, the 2024 NHL Draft presents an exciting opportunity for the San Jose Sharks to select Macklin Celebrini as their first overall pick, with the prospect having strong ties to the organization. The streamlined draft lottery process and upcoming scouting events offer teams the chance to assess potential picks and prepare for the draft day. With the draft set to take place in Las Vegas and an air of anticipation surrounding the top prospects, hockey fans can look forward to an eventful and impactful draft in June.
