The 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas concluded with a flurry of strategic moves aimed at strengthening team rosters. Among the standout selections and trades, several teams made noteworthy decisions that could shape the future landscape of the league.
Montreal Canadiens' Bold Picks
The Montreal Canadiens made headlines by selecting Ivan Demidov, a highly skilled Russian winger, with the fifth overall pick. Demidov's addition promises to bring an offensive spark to a team looking to climb the standings. The Canadiens didn't stop there, as they also picked up Michael Hage at No. 21 overall. Hage, who previously played for the USHL's Chicago Steel, recorded an impressive 33 goals and 75 points last season, showcasing his potential as a dynamic forward.
Utah Hockey Club's High-Profile Acquisitions
In one of the more significant trades, the Utah Hockey Club secured Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sergachev comes with an $8.5 million cap hit, a considerable investment for Utah. Tampa Bay received a package that included J.J. Moser, Conor Geekie, a second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick in return for the skilled defenseman. This move was partly influenced by salary cap considerations as the Lightning look to reshape their roster after back-to-back first-round playoff exits.
Utah didn't stop there. They also acquired John Marino from the New Jersey Devils along with a fourth-round pick. In exchange, Utah sent over two second-round picks. Furthermore, Utah signed defenseman Sean Durzi to a four-year, $24 million contract, signaling their intent to build a robust defensive unit.
Minnesota's Defensive Reinforcement
The Minnesota Wild made a significant pick at No. 12 overall, drafting Zeev Buium. Buium, a defenseman from the University of Denver, stands 6 feet tall and weighs 186 pounds. His impressive stats from last season—11 goals and 39 assists in 42 games—highlight his offensive capabilities from the blue line. Buium joins a promising Minnesota roster that already features Brock Faber, the 2024 Calder Trophy runner-up.
San Jose Sharks' Top Pick
Winning the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery, the San Jose Sharks secured the coveted No. 1 overall pick and selected Macklin Celebrini from Boston University. Celebrini, who posted 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games last season, is expected to make an immediate impact. His performance at Boston University has set high expectations for his transition to the NHL.
Tampa Bay's Roster Reshuffle
The Tampa Bay Lightning's decision to trade Mikhail Sergachev was partly driven by salary cap concerns. With Sergachev's $8.5 million cap hit and Ryan McDonagh's $6.75 million cap hit, the Lightning aimed to balance their books while remaining competitive. Tampa Bay's recent playoff struggles, having been eliminated in the first round for two consecutive seasons, likely factored into their moves to retool the roster.
Intense NHL Schedule
This year's NHL schedule has been particularly condensed. The Stanley Cup Final concluded on the Monday before the draft, with free agency set to commence the following Monday. This tight timeline leaves little room for teams to rest, adding an element of urgency to their decision-making processes.
As teams finalize their rosters and prepare for the upcoming season, the effects of this year's draft and subsequent trades will be closely monitored. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how these strategic moves will pay off on the ice, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in NHL history.