2024 NHL Entry Draft Preview: Best First-Round Predictions, Props, Odds, and Picks

Before getting to the best 2024 NHL Entry Draft props and picks, be sure to check out BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from NHL draft odds to early Stanley Cup markets and everything in between.

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It’s an exciting week if you’re a fan of sports drafts. After the NBA had its fun on Wednesday and Thursday, the 2024 NHL Entry Draft begins its seven-round event on Friday as the annual spectacle invades the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It’s also exciting to see the next generation of hockey stars realize their lifelong dreams. The excitement is only taken further by the fact that most online sportsbooks — including BetOnline — have a wide variety of NHL draft betting markets that only add to the stakes.

This 2024 NHL Entry Draft preview has everything you need to get in on the action, so let’s check out the latest odds and markets that stick out.

2024 NHL Entry Draft Round 1 Order

1. San Jose Sharks
2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. Anaheim Ducks
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
5. Montreal Canadiens
6. Utah Hockey Club
7. Ottawa Senators
8. Seattle Kraken
9. Calgary Flames
10. New Jersey Devils
11. San Jose Sharks (via BUF)
12. Philadelphia Flyers
13. Minnesota Wild
14. Buffalo Sabres (via PIT>SJ)
15. Detroit Red Wings
16. St. Louis Blues
17. Washington Capitals
18. Chicago Blackhawks (via NYI)
19. Vegas Golden Knights
20. New York Islanders (via TBL>CHI)
21. Los Angeles Kings
22. Nashville Predators
23. Toronto Maple Leafs
24. Colorado Avalanche
25. Boston Bruins
26. Montreal Canadiens (via WPG)
27. Carolina Hurricanes
28. Calgary Flames (via VAN)
29. Dallas Stars
30. New York Rangers
31. Anaheim Ducks (via EDM)
32. Philadelphia Flyers (via FLA)

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2024 NHL Entry Draft: First-Round Props, Odds, & Picks

All 2024 NHL Draft odds are courtesy of Bovada as of Friday, June 28 at 11:11 a.m. ET. 

First Overall Pick Odds

• Macklin Celebrini, Boston U (-20000)
• Artyom Levshunov, Michigan State(+5000)
• Ivan Demidov, SKA St. Petersburg (+5000)
• Anton Silayev, Nizgny Novgorod (+10000)
• Cayden Lindstrom, Medicine Hat (+10000)
• Beckett Sennecke, Oshawa(+15000)
• Carter Yakemchuk, Calgary (+15000)
• Sam Dickinson, London (+15000)
• Zeev Buium, Denver (+20000)
• Berkly Catton, Spokane (+25000)
• Konsta Helenius, Jukurit (+25000)
• Zayne Parekh, Saginaw (+25000)

The San Jose Sharks won this year’s NHL Draft Lottery, awarding them with the first overall selection. It’s the first time in franchise history that the Sharks hold the No. 1 overall pick, leaving time to tell who they’ll take to begin the night.

Just kidding. There isn’t much of a mystery as to who San Jose will land. Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini has been the consensus No. 1 prospect throughout the 2024 hockey season and oddsmakers agree, giving him -20000 odds to go first overall — an implied probability of 99.5%.

In other words, there’s no reason to wager on this prop. There’s no value to be had with these odds and it’s hard to imagine the Sharks going with anyone else but Celebrini.

NHL Draft First Overall Pick Prediction: Macklin Celebrini (-20000) — but don’t wager

Second Overall Pick Odds

• Artyom Levshunov, Michigan State(-400)
• Ivan Demidov, SKA St. Petersburg (+225)
• Cayden Lindstrom, Medicine Hat (+2500)
• Anton Silayev, Nizgny Novgorod (+2800)
• Sam Dickinson, London (+7500)
• Zeev Buium, Denver (+7500)
• Beckett Sennecke, Oshawa(+10000)
• Berkly Catton, Spokane (+10000)
• Konsta Helenius, Jukurit (+10000)
• Zayne Parekh, Saginaw (+12500)
• Carter Yakemchuk, Calgary (+15000)

When it comes to the next prospect off the board, Bovada is favoring Michigan State’s Artyom Levshunov to go to the Chicago Blackhawks at No. 2. The promising Belarussian defender was tremendous in his lone year with the Spartans, amassing nine goals and 35 points in 38 games before being named the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Again, I agree with oddsmakers here. After drafting Connor Bedard at No. 1 last year, it makes sense for the Blackhawks to add a prospect who could lead their blue line for the next two decades. Levshunov looks like he could be that player, especially with his versatile play likely making him an instant Chicago fan favorite. The value isn’t the greatest, but it’s unlikely that the Hawks go in a different direction.

NHL Draft Second Overall Pick Prediction: Artyom Levshunov (-400)

Third Overall Pick Odds

• Best choice: Ivan Demidov, SKA St. Petersburg (+160)

When it comes to the 2024 NHL Draft rankings, the order typically goes with Celebrini at No. 1 with Levshunov and Ivan Demidov interchangeable at No. 2 and 3. Assuming that Celebrini and Levshunov are already gone when the Anaheim Ducks are on the clock, Demidov could find himself heading out west.

The Ducks already own a promising young forward group and Demidov’s addition would put them over the top. Draft experts see the Russian forward — who racked up 88 points in 47 games between the MHL regular season and playoffs — as a great fit in Anaheim and someone worth considering if he’s still there at No. 3. Given his desire to play in North America, there’s a decent chance that Demidov will be a top-3 selection.

NHL Draft Third Overall Pick Prediction: Ivan Demidov (+160)

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Total Canadians Drafted in Round 1

• Over 15.5 (-115)
• Under 15.5 (-115)

There isn’t a country that’s more associated with hockey than Canada. From Wayne Gretzky to Sidney Crosby to Connor McDavid, the Great White North has produced its fair share of NHL superstars. But how many Canadians will be selected in Round 1 of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft?

Here’s a look at how many Canadiens were selected in Round 1 of the last five NHL drafts:

• 2019: 13
• 2020: 18
• 2021: 18
• 2022: 11
• 2023: 12

Since 2019, an average of 14.4 Canadians were taken in the first round with the Under hitting on three of those occasions. While Canada is still producing some terrific NHLers, it’s clear that other nations are slowly beginning to catch up.

According to NHL draft expert Bob McKenzie’s 2024 rankings, there are 15 Canadian prospects to be taken in the first round. That’s without mentioning how only 23 Canadians are in McKenzie’s top 50 prospects. While the Over on this prop is possible, there aren’t enough Canadian prospects to make me feel comfortable about it. Let’s err on the side of caution.

How many Canadians to Be Drafted in Round 1? — Under 15.5 (-115)

Total Americans Drafted in Round 1

• Over 4.5 (+170)
• Under 4.5 (-225)

NHL bettors can also wager on how many Americans will hear their names called on Day 1 of the 2024 draft. Although it’s the Under that’s being favored, I feel fairly good about the Over here.

Circling back to McKenzie, the draft guru has eight American prospects in his top 32. Even if you feel like more than one man’s opinion is necessary, Craig Button has nine while The Hockey News‘ Tony Ferrari lists eight as well. There’s enough American talent in this year’s class to warrant a sprinkle on the Over.

How many Americans to Be Drafted in Round 1? — Over 4.5 (+170)

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2024 NHL Draft FAQ

When is the 2024 NHL Draft?

• The 2024 NHL Draft begins with Round 1 on Friday, June 28 before the final six rounds occur on Saturday, June 29.

Where is the 2024 NHL Draft?

• The 2024 NHL Draft takes place at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s the first time that the draft has happened in Sin City.

What time is the 2024 NHL Draft?

• Day 1: June 28 @ 7 p.m. ET
• Day 2: June 29 @ 11:30 a.m. ET

How can I watch the 2024 NHL Draft?

• Round 1 of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft can be viewed on ESPN and ESPN+ while Round 2-7 will be available on SportsNet 1, ESPN+, and the NHL Network.

How to Bet on the 2024 NHL Draft

• Most major online sportsbooks feature a wide variety of 2024 NHL Draft markets, odds, and props.