NHL Mock Draft 2024: Projecting the Top Picks After the Lottery

The Draft Order is Set

The 2024 NHL Draft lottery is in the rearview mirror, and for the first time, it was a chalk lottery. The top three picks went to the three worst teams in the league, with the Utah Grizzlies, San Jose Barracuda, and Tucson Roadrunners securing the top three selections. The remaining 13 teams will select in inverse order of their regular-season finish.

Utah Grizzlies Set to Select First Overall

With the first overall pick, the Utah Grizzlies are expected to select Russian defenseman Dmitriy Simashev. Simashev is a 6-foot-4, 198-pound defenseman who has been praised for his size, strength, and skating ability. He is considered one of the top prospects in the draft and could be a cornerstone piece for the Grizzlies' future.