Special to Sports News Highlights

(SNH) — The NHL Draft is a month away (June 28-29 at the Sphere in Las Vegas). Like last season, when Connor Bedard was the undisputed choice to be taken No. 1 overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, there’s little intrigue about who will go first in 2024.

Scouts, analysts and so-called NHL experts have a pretty good idea who the San Jose Sharks are going to call first. However, there’s a wealth of talent available at the top of the board after No. 1.

Here’s our look at the five best prospects entering this year’s draft. 

Macklin Celebrini, Center, Boston University (NCAA) 

San Jose selecting Celebrini is a given. When it comes to a player ready to make an instant impact, Celebrini stands out within the crowd. 

There’s even an argument to be made that Celebrini, who turns 18 on June 30, is a more complete player than Bedard. He was the best player in college hockey last season, totaling 64 points in 38 games, and can do it all with the puck. 

The Sharks hit the jackpot by landing the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft lottery and desperately need a player the caliber of Celebrini, who gives them a shot to be moderately competitive right away. 
 
Ivan Demidov, Right Wing, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) 

In terms of prospects, Demidov is a special talent who possesses 40-goal, 100-point promise. Whether that’s the direction the Chicago Blackhawks want to go with the second overall pick remains to be seen. 

After taking Bedard, they can use some help on the blue line after ranking near the bottom of the league while allowing 3.5 goals per game last season. Then again, a team can never have too much offense, and selecting Demidov could create a possible Toews-Kane 2.0 situation for the Blackhawks. 

Artyom Levshunov, Defenseman, Michigan State (NCAA) 

OK, we talked about how the Blackhawks need some defensive help. Well, Levshunov can potentially be an answer to the problem.

The Belarusian is considered to be the best defenseman prospect in this year’s draft. At 6-foot-2, and about 200 pounds, Levshunov is a force in a team’s own zone. 

He would also be a solid selection for Anaheim, which holds the No. 3 pick, but already has a wealth of young offensive talent, and can use some youthful promise on the blue line.  

Anton Silayev, Defenseman, Nizhny Novgorod (KHL) 

Sticking with defensemen, and another KHL standout. According to the official NHL website, Silayev is the top international prospect among all skaters.

And at 6-7, 205 pounds, Silayev is quite a sight for a player when bringing the puck into the opponent’s zone. To no surprise, he draws comparison to the great Zdeno Chara, but has more speed and is considered to be a better stick handler.

However, Silayev is under contract with his Russian club through the 2025-26 season. So, whichever NHL team nabs him, must wait for Silayev’s services.   

Cayden Lindstrom, Center, Medicine Hat (WHL) 

At 6-4, roughly 220 pounds, Lindstrom is a potent scorer with size. The perfect figure to position himself in front of the opponent’s net on the power play and can scrap with opposing defensemen in the slot. 

Lindstrom has a history of injuries, so staying healthy will be key. A likely top-six forward down the road, Lindstrom would seem like a good fit for the offensively inconsistent Montreal Canadiens, who currently hold the fifth overall pick. 

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