The Anaheim Ducks drafted Canadian forward Beckett Sennecke with the third overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.

Beckett Sennecke

Sennecke was clearly stunned to hear his name called so early.

"I was just super shocked. I think, obviously, my face kinda said that all," he said. "That was definitely an unexpected moment."

"I had a couple of meetings yesterday and today, and Anaheim wasn't one of them," he added, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.

Propelled by a dominant second half to his season, Sennecke clambered up draft boards everywhere, rising two spots between NHL Central Scouting's midterm and final rankings. He registered 17 goals and 42 points over his last 31 regular-season games with the Oshawa Generals and carried that momentum into the playoffs, where he chipped in with 22 points in 16 contests.

Though he got hurt in the Eastern Conference Finals, Sennecke said he believes his strong postseason showing was behind his stunning rise.

"I think it was definitely my playoff performance," he said. "I kinda peaked at the right time there."

Sennecke has been lauded for his strong skating ability, which is uncharacteristic for his large stature, and he's also known for his creativity as a puck-handler.

What they're saying

"He sees the ice well and is creative as a passer, although not to the level of his (one-on-one) abilities," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote in May. "There have been times when I've questioned his compete and consistency, but he answered those questions as the season continued. ... He looks like a player who can be a difference-maker at the next level."

Pronman also compared him to Winnipeg Jets sniper Kyle Connor.

"(Sennecke) offers good size, strength, and skills with his hockey sense in generating quality scoring opportunities. ... Sennecke is an all-around 200-foot player with a positive work ethic at both ends of the ice," NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale wrote in June.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets selected center Cayden Lindstrom with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Cayden Lindstrom

Lindstrom battled injuries in the latter half of the season, but he showed enough promise at the start of the campaign to still finish third on Central Scouting's North American skaters list. He offers an NHL-ready frame, along with impressive puck skills and speed for a player of his size. Lindstrom has all the tools needed to be an impact player once he enters the league.

Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said Lindstrom was the organization's top-ranked player after first overall pick Macklin Celebrini, per The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. The executive added that they had a fallback trade in place if Lindstrom wasn't available at No. 4.

What they're saying

"He has the quick twitch feet of a smaller forward and can get by opposing defenders," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman, who ranked Lindstrom 11th among this year's prospects. "He's a big, powerful center with a ton of physicality in his game. Lindstrom has good offensive skills and can score goals. His playmaking is something I've questioned at times, although he's shown good instances this season."

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The Chicago Blackhawks drafted Belarusian defenseman Artyom Levshunov with the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.

Artyom Levshunov

Levshunov checks a lot of NHL boxes simply by being a 6-foot-2 rearguard with a right-hand shot, but he's got the game to back it up, too.

Lauded for his offensive play, the soon-to-be 19-year-old made his North American debut with the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers in 2022-23. There, he started generating some buzz after amassing 42 points in 62 games, but he broke out this past season after making the jump to the NCAA look easy.

Levshunov operated at a near point-per-game pace for the Michigan State Spartans and ended his freshman year tied for the 10th-most points among all blue-liners in the NCAA and the second most out of all draft-eligible defensemen, trailing only Denver's Zeev Buium.

Of course, Levshunov isn't perfect in his own zone, but he's shown incredible growth at his position through his first two years away from Belarus, enough to make him the fourth-ever Belarusian player to be selected in the opening round and the first to get taken in the top eight.

What they're saying

"He is extremely skilled and creative, both as a puck-handler and passer," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman while ranking Levshunov No. 2 on his May board. "He has the hands of a top offensive defenseman and looks very comfortable with the puck. He skates well and can play an up-tempo style in how he attacks with his skill. ... His defensive play doesn't stand out as much, particularly because he tries to attack so much, but he can make stops due to his athleticism and has physicality in his game."

Pronman also compared him to veteran blue-liner Brent Burns and previously likened Levshunov to New York Islanders standout Noah Dobson in his April rankings.

"It feels like Levshunov as the top defenseman (in the draft) is almost the consensus now," Daily Faceoff's Steven Ellis wrote in April. "He's just got everything scouts want in a high-end defender - size, mobility, and puck-moving skills, just to name a few quality traits. ... There aren't many notable deficiencies in his game."

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The San Jose Sharks took Boston University star forward Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft on Friday.

Celebrini went wire to wire as the consensus top prospect in the class. He dominated the NCAA at just 17 years old, becoming the youngest to win the Hobey Baker Award as men's collegiate hockey's top player.

Though scouts don't consider the Vancouver native a generational prospect like Chicago Blackhawks phenom Connor Bedard, Celebrini's success at every level and his complete game make him a future No. 1 center and star for the Sharks.

San Jose legend Joe Thornton announced the pick.

Celebrini said he hasn't yet decided if he's going to return to Boston University or join the Sharks next season.

"I've still gotta talk to (general manager) Mike Grier and the San Jose organization and my coaches back at BU," he said. "But I'll make a decision soon."

"We obviously think he's ready to play in the NHL and would love to have him," Grier said. "But those are discussions we'll have with him and his family."

Macklin Celebrini

Celebrini is no stranger to the Bay Area. His father, Rick Celebrini, has worked for the NBA's Golden State Warriors since 2018. Macklin even played a season with the San Jose Jr. Sharks at the Under-14 level.

"It's crazy," Celebrini said after being drafted. "It's surreal that life came full circle and that I'm back to where I was."

He began cementing his place as the best prospect in the 2024 class with the USHL's Chicago Steel. At 16 years old, Celebrini led the league in goals (46) and points (86) in only 50 games. He became the first player to win Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year in the same campaign since the USHL became a Tier 1 junior league in 2001.

He backed up that impressive campaign at the 2023 World Under-18 Championship. Celebrini led Team Canada with 15 points in the seven-game tournament, the most ever by a 16-year-old Canadian at the time (Gavin McKenna broke the record this spring). Connor McDavid, Connor Bedard, and Shane Wright had the previous mark with 14 points.

The huge USHL campaign and U18s put pressure on Celebrini to perform immediately as the youngest player in college hockey. And he more than delivered.

We've seen draft-eligible players like Jack Eichel and Adam Fantilli dominate college hockey. What differentiates Celebrini's season is how young he was.

Both Eichel and Fantilli turned 18 in October of their draft year. Celebrini didn't celebrate his 18th birthday until June 13. The last 17-year-old to score like Celebrini did was Craig Simpson in 1985.

Though Canada disappointed at the world juniors, Celebrini was easily the team's best player despite being its youngest.

It's rare for someone as young as Celebrini to play in the NCAA, let alone become the league's best player. He's crushed the competition at each stage, both at the club level and internationally. Next up is the NHL.

What they're saying

"(Celebrini) checks every box you want in a top prospect and is one of the few players I've scouted where it's hard to see any noticeable weakness," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote.

"An all-around center with commitment to defensive play and playing on the interior, Celebrini has skill, competitiveness, work ethic, and hockey sense that is consistent with a top-line center in the NHL," wrote FloHockey's Chris Peters.

"He has shown again and again that he has … everything you look for in the mold of a center and has looked like a true star-forward prospect domestically and internationally," The Athletic's Scott Wheeler wrote.

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Ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, which starts Friday in Las Vegas, theScore's Kyle Cushman, Nick Faris, John Matisz, and Josh Wegman project the 32 first-round picks.

No drama at No. 1. Celebrini, the youngest player ever to win the NCAA's Hobey Baker Award, immediately becomes a franchise cornerstone in San Jose. He possesses an extremely diverse skill set for an 18-year-old, doing basically everything at a high level. Bonus: Celebrini has a strong connection to Northern California. His dad, Rick, is vice president of player health and performance for the Golden State Warriors.

While the idea of getting Connor Bedard a running mate up front is tantalizing, both Ivan Demidov and Cayden Lindstrom come with some question marks. Levshunov, who's spent the last two years in North America, has very few. He's a well-rounded, 6-foot-2 defenseman with an explosive skating stride and great offensive instincts. As a righty, he complements left-shooting blue-line pillars Kevin Korchinski and Alex Vlasic.

The Ducks could draft a big center (Lindstrom), slippery winger (Demidov), or towering defenseman (the 6-foot-7 Silayev). Their decision will influence the next several picks. In Silayev, they get an elegant skater with shutdown potential who managed to chip in offensively in the KHL, tallying 11 points in 63 games, at a precocious age.

Lindstrom barely played in the second half of the season due to hand and back injuries, but what he showed out of the gate in Medicine Hat is enough to entice the Blue Jackets. The 6-foot-3 center plays a physical game and possesses exciting speed and a lethal shot. He'll form a potent one-two punch with last year's third overall pick, Adam Fantilli, for years to come.

Montreal's core lacks a dynamic, game-breaking forward, and Demidov is exactly that. The strong, 6-foot winger is considered the most skilled player in the draft class. He used his creativity and elusiveness to post 60 points in 30 games in Russia's top junior league, and he reportedly told teams that he plans on jumping to North America in 2025-26.

The draft really begins to open up here. As many as seven players would be worthy candidates for this selection. General manager Bill Armstrong opts to take Dickinson - a smooth-skating, 6-foot-3 blue-liner who has "minute muncher" written all over him - with the first pick in Utah history.

Immediate needs are best addressed in free agency, not the draft. That means Steve Staios, Ottawa's rookie GM, shouldn't feel compelled to use this pick on a right-handed defenseman. Evaluating all options leads the Senators to Sennecke, an exhilarating puck-handler whose dominant postseason (22 points in 16 OHL games) helped him rocket up draft rankings.

The Kraken haven't drafted a defenseman in the first round in their brief history, but that changes here. Buium had one of the best freshmen seasons by an NCAA blue-liner, producing over a point per game and leading Denver to a national title. Even if he doesn't hit the same offensive heights in the NHL, his superb puck-moving ability and developing defensive game give Buium top-of-the-lineup upside.

The Flames choose a franchise icon's son who also happens to be a top-10 talent. In other words, while it's impossible to ignore the familial ties, the selection's completely justifiable. Iginla's a high-compete winger with a fantastic shot and great handles. He put up 84 points in 64 WHL games, then starred for gold medal-winning Canada at the world under-18 tournament.

Talented, undersized forwards often slip in the draft. The 5-foot-10 Catton is the latest example. Whether he sticks at center or moves to the wing in the pros, GM Tom Fitzgerald is glad to add another dynamic presence up front. Catton is one of just four Canadian Hockey League players since 2000 to score at least 50 goals and 115 points in his draft year, joining No. 1 picks Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, and Bedard.

The move up the board from No. 14 to No. 11 pays dividends for the Sharks, who have their choice of two top-10-caliber blue-liners to address a barren cupboard of defense prospects. They debate taking Zayne Parekh but grab the 6-foot-3 Yakemchuk, who has the tools to lead dangerous rushes, snipe goals from above the faceoff circles, and play competent or disruptive defense in the NHL. He's drawn comparisons to Sharks legend Brent Burns.

The Flyers simply can't pass on the best player available. Yes, they acquired Jamie Drysdale this season and drafted Oliver Bonk last year, but Parekh has legitimate star potential that's too appealing to pass on. His production in the OHL over the past two years (133 points in 116 games) was historic, and he plays with an edge that will endear him to Philadelphia fans.

The Wild think long and hard about two-way center Konsta Helenius but opt to keep the defenseman train going. Solberg has top-four potential as a 6-foot-2, mobile, physical defender who can make a clean first pass. The Norwegian showed very well at the world juniors and World Championship.

Helenius' mature game could help him reach the NHL sooner rather than later, especially compared to other picks in this range. That makes him an intriguing fit for the Sabres after they traded down from No. 11. Helenius was a top-six center in Finland's main pro league all season and produced at an impressive clip. He's not a home run swing, but he could become an impactful top-nine piece.

Targeting a versatile player, Detroit drafts the second Norwegian of the round. Brandsegg-Nygard's effort level, defensive awareness, and pinpoint shot helped him fit in with adults in Sweden's second pro division and Norway's world championship group.

The Blues need help on the back end at the NHL level and in their farm system. Jiricek - the younger brother of Blue Jackets prospect David Jiricek - is a mobile, right-shot defenseman with size. Adam garnered some top-10 buzz before a knee injury at the world juniors ended his season prematurely.

Hage is one of the biggest risers in the class due to a productive second half. He's a speedy center who bagged 33 goals and added 42 assists in 54 USHL games and is off to the University of Michigan in the fall. Hage joins Ivan Miroshnichenko, Ryan Leonard, and Andrew Cristall in Washington's next wave of forwards as the club slowly transitions out of the Alex Ovechkin era.

Eiserman, who entered the season as a possible top-three pick, plummets after scoring 58 goals in 57 games - the third-most in NTDP single-season history. What gives? There are concerns about his vision, hockey IQ, and compete away from the puck. But the Blackhawks would surely be thrilled to add Eiserman to an organizational forward group that lacks dynamic offensive threats outside of Bedard.

The Golden Knights swapped prospects they'd drafted in Round 1 to acquire Ivan Barbashev, Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, and Mark Stone. Even if Luchanko becomes trade fodder, his speed, smarts, scrappiness, and promise in the dot (ranked ninth in the OHL in faceoff wins) make the 5-foot-11 center a wise pick.

Greentree scored 36 goals and 90 points on a poor Spitfires team. Named an OHL captain at 17 years old, he brings top-six potential to an Islanders prospect pool that's devoid of high-end upside. An underwhelming end to the campaign at the under-18s drops his stock slightly.

The Kings' prospect pool needs centers with upside and, at this point in the first round, Beaudoin's the right choice. The Ottawa native's competitiveness and sound two-way game will take him places. He's a solid bet to make the NHL. The question: can Beaudoin produce offense at the pro level?

Based on talent, Connelly would be worth a top-10 pick. He's a true game-breaker offensively. But there are behavioral red flags: Connelly posted an offensive photo to Snapchat in 2022 that got him kicked off his Triple-A team. A year earlier, he was accused of directing a racial slur at an opponent. It's unknown if Predators GM Barry Trotz would be willing to look past this, but he did tell his scouts to swing for the fences.

Elite fitness results at the scouting combine - where Emery won several jumping tests, crushed 12 pull-ups, and had the third-longest wingspan - enhanced the 6-foot-3 defenseman's draft stock. He becomes Toronto's first high pick at the position since Rasmus Sandin in 2018.

Chernyshov is a powerful winger with finishing touch. His style could make him a textbook complementary top-six forward, and his lack of KHL production (four points in 34 games) doesn't scare the Avalanche. Demidov was the only draft-eligible player to outscore Chernyshov in Russia's junior league over the past two seasons.

The Bruins, who acquired this pick in Monday's Linus Ullmark trade, are thrilled Elick's still on the board. Elick's a right-handed shutdown blue-liner who kills plays with his phenomenal skating and willingness to get physical. Put another way, he's exactly the kind of prospect Boston could use.

Letourneau is one of the biggest wild cards in the draft. The 6-foot-7 center with Tage Thompson-like upside produced 61 goals and 127 points in 56 games - but he did so at a prep school facing relatively weak competition. As an organization rich with prospect depth, the Canadiens can afford to make this risky pick.

Parascak isn't big or quick, but he's highly intelligent and fills the net. He ranked in the top 15 in WHL goals (43) and assists (62) as a linemate of the league's top sniper, Capitals prospect Zac Funk. Rather than lament Parascak's limitations, Carolina ventures that he'll keep lighting the lamp.

Sahlin Wallenius is an excellent skater who played big minutes for Sweden at the under-18s. He's a modern two-way defenseman who would be considered much earlier in the draft if he were taller than 6-feet.

The Stars love to draft out of Ontario (see: Jason Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, Thomas Harley) and O'Reilly's coming off a solid showing for London in the OHL playoffs and Memorial Cup. The center, who's a projected bottom-six NHL forward, gets high marks in hockey sense and motor.

Boisvert boasts an intriguing combination of good size (6-foot-2) and a dangerous shot: think Sean Monahan or Josh Norris if everything goes right. The Rangers love the idea of adding a player with that potential to a prospect pipeline that's thin down the middle.

The rebuilding Ducks own multiple first-round picks for the fourth time in six years. Drafting Silayev and Vanacker, the scoring leader (36 goals, 82 points) for a strong OHL team, elevates a prospect pool that's already deep and balanced.

The Flyers lack centers in their system and address that with Miettinen. The Finnish pivot projects more as a shutdown forward than an offensive dynamo - his physicality and 6-foot-3 frame could make him a fit on the third line.

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Following the Memorial Cup and scouting combine, theScore's Kyle Cushman, Nick Faris, John Matisz, and Josh Wegman united to project the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft. A final mock will be published closer to the June 28-29 event.

This pick requires little explanation. Celebrini is the consensus top prospect in the draft after becoming the youngest player ever to win the Hobey Baker Award. He might be a notch below Connor Bedard, but Celebrini has franchise player potential and will aim to lead the Sharks' turnaround.

The Blackhawks face a big decision: Should they tap a dynamic forward to play with Bedard or strengthen the foundation of their blue line? Door No. 2 is the wise choice, and it nets them Levshunov, the best prospect Belarus has ever produced. He outmuscles puck carriers, eagerly jumps into the rush, and pairs good playmaking instincts with the ability to bury shots.

The Ducks already have two young left-shot defensemen in Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger. But with the right-handed Levshunov off the board, general manager Pat Verbeek continues to build Anaheim's new defense by snagging a unicorn prospect in Silayev. At 6-foot-7 and with some of the best skating in the draft, Silayev has the makings of an elite shutdown defender.

Fourth is a can't-lose draft slot; there are so many satisfying possibilities for the Blue Jackets. In Demidov, new GM Don Waddell gets an elusive and creative playmaker to join forces with 2023 third overall pick Adam Fantilli. Demidov recorded 60 points in 30 games in Russia's top junior league this past season. The so-called Russian factor shouldn't be an issue: The country is well-represented in Columbus, with four skaters and a goalie on the roster.

With a deep prospect pool on defense, expect the Canadiens to pick a forward. Lindstrom has every physical tool they could ask for: He's 6-foot-3, skates like the wind, isn't afraid to throw his weight around, and has a bullet of a shot. There are concerns about his vision and injury history (he missed 36 games in 2023-24 with various ailments), but his upside is through the roof.

Defensemen are about to fly off the board, and the run begins with Yakemchuk, the first draft choice bound for Utah. The 6-foot-3 righty's long reach and scoring touch (49 goals over the past two WHL seasons) are coveted traits. An audacious puck transporter, Yakemchuk's dangling opens lanes for him to drive, pass, or rip wrist shots past overmatched goalies.

Parekh's stellar 33-goal, 96-point campaign with the Memorial Cup-winning Spirit made him the Canadian Hockey League's defenseman of the year. He's not the biggest or the best defensively, but Parekh's immense offense and ultra-high competitiveness are too tantalizing to pass on as a right-shot defender.

Seattle's prospect pool desperately needs a defenseman with top-four potential. Zeev Buium and Dickinson are the available players who fit that description, and Kraken GM Ron Francis opts for the bigger, sturdier guy who shined at the Memorial Cup. Dickinson is 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, skates extremely well, is equal parts competitive and athletic, and can contribute in all three zones. Big-time value.

Would Flames GM Craig Conroy pass on Tij Iginla, the son of his friend and colleague Jarome? That's tough to say, but with Catton available, Conroy can make it an easy sell. Catton is one of just four CHL players since 2000 to put up at least 50 goals and 115 points in his draft year, joining No. 1 picks Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, and Bedard. If Catton - a dynamic, 5-foot-10 center - were a few inches taller, he's probably long gone.

The Devils are open to trading this pick to facilitate a win-now move, possibly for a proven netminder. Keeping it to snare Buium, a 50-point freshman on Denver's national championship team, is a fun outcome. Skilled, smooth, and savvy defensemen are valuable players. Why not add another puck-mover to complement Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec?

The Sabres' prospect pool is loaded up front, but with none of the top defenders falling to No. 11, Buffalo opts for a physical, thrilling scorer. Iginla was one of the breakout players of the class with his 47-goal campaign in the WHL. He scored just six the season prior in a depth role.

On the heels of a midseason growth spurt and a strong second half to the OHL season, Sennecke's taken a good 10-15 slots earlier than his preseason projection. The Flyers simply can't pass on the Generals winger, who possesses elite puck skills and a good shot. Sennecke has the skating and frame to someday become an impact top-six power forward in the NHL.

Solberg was nowhere near the first-round radar entering the season. However, the Norwegian's trending in the right direction after strong showings at the World Juniors, where he logged huge minutes, and the World Championship, where he played with Wild forward Mats Zuccarello. Solberg is 6-foot-2, mobile, and tenacious - sort of like current Minnesota blue-liner Jonas Brodin.

Using an asset obtained in the Erik Karlsson trade, the Sharks add the filthy sniper who led the NTDP in career goals (127, one more than Cole Caufield). Defense is an organizational need, but this pick reunites Celebrini with a close friend and former prep school linemate. Eiserman, who turns 18 in August, has runway to round out his game and make smarter decisions with the puck.

There's a case to be made that Hage was the best player in the USHL down the stretch. The Mississauga, Ontario, native found his groove with 22 goals and 48 points in 28 games after Jan. 1. He adds exciting offensive upside to a Red Wings prospect pool that's already teeming with future NHLers.

The Blues are banking on Helenius being the two-way center they watched in Finland's top pro league versus the one who disappointed at multiple international tournaments. Helenius, who's slightly undersized, posted 14 goals and 22 assists in 51 games for Jukurit - an impressive stat line for a draft-eligible player. The kid has top-six upside thanks to great hockey sense.

The Capitals haven't picked a defenseman in the first round since Alexander Alexeyev in 2018, so they're overdue to do so. The younger brother of David Jiricek, Adam boasts many of the same qualities - mobile, right-shot defenseman with size - but isn't quite as offensively gifted. He got some top-10 buzz before suffering a season-ending knee injury at the World Juniors.

GM Kyle Davidson sought to maximize the value of Chicago's picks by moving up from No. 20 in May. The trade's timing was unusual, but by flipping the Islanders an additional second-rounder, the Blackhawks get to add a feisty, responsible, shoot-first winger out of Oslo. Brandsegg-Nygard scored three goals and five points at the men's worlds.

A good end to the campaign at the Under-18s helped Luchanko's stock rise at the right time. The Storm pivot has superb speed, a high-end motor, and defensive acumen. Even if the offensive side doesn't develop enough to push him into a top-six role, Luchanko's tools are primed to make him a bottom-six stalwart.

The prospect-starved Islanders need to hit on this pick, and Chernyshov is both a safe and intriguing choice. The north-south winger is physically mature, can score (13 goals in 22 games in Russia's top junior league), and grabs your attention with his high compete level. Of note: The Isles signed Maxim Tsyplakov, the top free agent out of the KHL, in May.

Elick possesses traits that scouts gush over: He's 6-foot-3, right-handed, and one of the best skaters in the draft, plus he has a mean streak to his game. Elick's lack of offensive ability could cap his upside in the pros, but he has the potential to be a top-four, shutdown defenseman.

Concerns about Connelly's behavior, which stem from the posting of an offensive image and his alleged mistreatment of fellow youth players, were detailed in The Athletic. On the ice, he's a great skater and creator. Under GM Barry Trotz, Nashville wants to swing for home runs early in the process.

Greentree was named captain of the Spitfires at 17 and tallied 90 points on the second-worst team in the OHL. The 6-foot-3 winger plays with power but also possesses a quality shot, playmaking, and skill. He slips down the board after an underwhelming under-18 tournament.

No team is getting a premade NHLer this deep into the first round. Colorado takes a chance on Parascak, whose skating is a concern. What's not a concern: Parascak's mind for the game and handles with the puck. The Alberta native tore up the WHL as a rookie with 105 points in 68 games.

Letourneau is arguably the biggest wild card in the class. He's a 6-foot-7, 214-pound center who tallied 61 goals and 127 points in 56 games. But he put up those numbers at a prep school, facing severely weaker competition than his draft counterparts. Making this pick will take courage, but GM Steve Staios is on secure ground, and with his second of two first-rounders, taking a shot on upside makes sense. Letourneau grew up in the Ottawa Valley, too.

Besides Owen Beck, none of Montreal's recent premium picks have been centers. Lindstrom and Boisvert, a battler and sniper from nearby Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, are welcome additions to the pipeline. Boisvert's 36 goals ranked fifth in the USHL and were the second-most tallied by a draft prospect, trailing teammate Matvei Gridin's 38.

The Hurricanes have taken nine players out of Russia over the past two drafts and dip into that pool again. Artamonov recorded seven goals and 16 assists for 23 points in the KHL this season - one shy of Vladimir Tarasenko's record for a draft-eligible player in that top-tier pro league.

Having already selected a productive forward in Catton, the Flames use their second pick on a modern defenseman - one with baggage. Kiviharju, a 5-foot-10 puck-mover, is incredibly mobile and smart, the type of blue-liner who can skate himself out of trouble and dazzle in small areas. However, he played in only seven Liiga games this year due to a knee injury.

Could Beaudoin be the latest gem found by GM Jim Nill and the Stars' scouting staff? There's certainly a lot to like. He's a highly competitive 6-foot-2 center who plays a sound two-way game. Question marks about his footspeed could force a move to the wing, but Beaudoin has middle-six potential.

The Rangers like to reel in major point producers (Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann, Alexis Lafreniere) or imposing defensemen (Braden Schneider, K'Andre Miller) with their first-round picks. Emery, a 6-foot-3 North Dakota commit coming off an impressive combine, fits the second group. His nimble feet and active stick help him erase offense.

Note: If the Oilers win the Stanley Cup, Philadelphia will select 31st (acquired Florida's pick in Claude Giroux trade) and Anaheim will select 32nd (acquired Edmonton's pick in Adam Henrique trade).

After opting for a defensive defenseman in Silayev, the Ducks snag a versatile winger in Vanacker. The Bulldogs forward broke out this season with 36 goals and 82 points after tallying just four and 16, respectively, as an OHL rookie.

Surin's one of the youngest players in the class and fresh off a back half of the season in which he imposed his will upon Russia's junior league. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound winger plays with pace, is hyper-competitive, and doesn't shy away from physicality. He's the perfect fit for a franchise with a clear identity.

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The Panthers are favored to win the Stanley Cup over the Oilers after Edmonton punched its ticket to the finals Sunday night.

Florida is -130 at theScore Bet to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup (56.5% implied probability), while Edmonton sits at +110 (47.6% chance).

The Panthers decisively won both regular-season meetings between these two teams, but Stuart Skinner didn't start either game for the Oilers. Backup netminder Calvin Pickard allowed a combined nine goals.

The Oilers' second trip to Florida came on December 16, and they began their 16-game winning streak two games later. Despite that epic run, the Oilers are still the underdogs. The Panthers won the President's Trophy in 2021-22, made the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, and haven't needed a seventh game on this postseason run.

But the Panthers don't have three-time Hart Trophy and five-time Art Ross Trophy winner Connor McDavid.

Despite not playing for the favored side, McDavid sits atop the oddsboard for the Conn Smythe Trophy at +200. The next three players with the shortest odds are all Panthers: Aleksander Barkov (+400), Sergei Bobrovsky (+400), and Matthew Tkachuk (+600).

Conn Smythe odds

McDavid leads the Stanley Cup Playoffs in points, notably scoring a critical overtime winner in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final alongside a highlight-reel tally to open the scoring in Edmonton's series-clinching Game 6 win.

Bobrovsky's Conn Smythe odds underwent the biggest change in one round, going from +2500 before the Eastern Conference Final to +400, catapulting him to become his team's co-favorite.

Florida is 0-for-2 in the Stanley Cup Finals in franchise history. Meanwhile, the Oilers have only one final appearance since their run of five Stanley Cups in seven years ended in 1990 - three years before the Panthers' inaugural season.

Continue to check in with theScore for more Stanley Cup Final betting content leading up to Game 1 on Saturday, June 8.

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The schedule for the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers is now in place.

Here's how it'll all unfold beginning Saturday at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida.

*If necessary

Every game will be played at 8 p.m. ET. Each will be broadcast on CBC, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports in Canada, along with ABC and ESPN+ in the United States.

The distance between Sunrise and Edmonton of 2,541 miles (4,089 kilometers) is the furthest ever between opponents in a Stanley Cup Final.

It'll also be a true battle of north versus south. The latitude gap between Edmonton and Sunrise is the largest for a championship series in the history of North American professional sports.

Both teams should be fresh, though. The Oilers will enter Game 1 with five days off, while the Panthers will be riding six days of rest before the series opener.

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Now that we're in the conference final round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the race for playoff MVP has started to come into focus.

A stellar two-way defenseman leads the way this time, while more than one goaltender has been instrumental in their teams' respective runs.

Here are our top five Conn Smythe contenders as we enter the penultimate stage of the postseason:

xGF% = Expected goals for percentage at five-on-five
GSAx = Goals saved above expected
GSAA = Goals saved above average

5. Jake Oettinger

Oettinger's bounced back from an uncharacteristically poor regular season with a strong playoff for the Dallas Stars. His 2.09 goals-against average is the lowest of any netminder to advance past the first round. Oettinger also ranks in the top five in save percentage, GSAA, and GSAx among those who've made at least five starts between the pipes this spring. Making matters more impressive, Oettinger delivered his stellar numbers against the Vegas Golden Knights and Colorado Avalanche.

For as good as Oettinger's been, he faces a tough path to hardware as he's perhaps not even the most valuable player on his team - more on that guy later. Oettinger certainly has what it takes to move up our rankings if he keeps it up against the Edmonton Oilers, but our top four are in a different class.

4. Aleksander Barkov

Matthew Tkachuk called Barkov "the best player in the world right now" following the Florida Panthers' series-clinching win in Game 6 against the Boston Bruins. It's not shocking that Tkachuk would be so complimentary of his teammate considering Barkov - who claimed his second career Selke Trophy on Saturday - has a legitimate case as the most complete forward thus far in the postseason.

Barkov's 13 points trail Tkachuk by one for the Panthers lead. And his five goals trail Carter Verhaeghe by one for the team high. He's also made his goals count, potting three game-winners.

The 28-year-old has produced stellar underlying numbers despite facing top competition every night. Nikita Kucherov didn't score in Round 1, and David Pastrnak found twine once in Round 2. Barkov also notably made a heroic game-saving block on Pastrnak late in Game 6. When a captain makes those types of Conn Smythe-caliber plays, it galvanizes an entire team.

3. Igor Shesterkin

Shesterkin has been the best goaltender in the playoffs by several metrics. For one, nobody still playing in the postseason has a better save percentage than the New York Rangers netminder, and he's earned his eight wins in fewer games than the others with whom he's tied for the league lead.

The Russian trails only vanquished Boston Bruins puck-stopper Jeremy Swayman in GSAx and GSAA in all situations this postseason, and he accumulated those numbers in two fewer contests. Shesterkin hasn't faced as many shots as his Stars counterpart, but he's been more effective.

Shesterkin has allowed more than three goals only once in these playoffs, giving up four in a Game 4 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes. He also authored a .919 save percentage in the six contests against the Canes, who boast one of the better offenses in the NHL. Shesterkin's been a model of consistency for the Blueshirts this spring and the biggest reason they're in the conference final.

2. Leon Draisaitl

Draisaitl leads all playoff skaters in points and even-strength points (12) as the high-flying Edmonton Oilers march into the Western Conference Final for the second time in three years. Edmonton has a plethora of players playing their way into the playoff MVP conversation - Connor McDavid, Zach Hyman, and Evan Bouchard among them - but Draisaitl has been driving the bus for the Oilers night in and night out. Just ask the captain.

Draisaitl is amid his third consecutive dominant postseason. If Edmonton goes all the way, he'll undoubtedly cement himself as one of the all-time playoff greats. Only Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux reached 100 postseason points in fewer games than Draisaitl, who joined the century club in a Game 6 win over the Canucks.

1. Miro Heiskanen

Heiskanen was arguably the NHL's best two-way defenseman during the regular season, and he carried that over to the playoffs. The Stars blue-liner leads all skaters still active in the postseason in average ice time by a wide margin. But it's not just his hefty workload that puts him ahead of the pack for this award.

The Finnish rearguard is driving possession for the Stars this spring. That's an impressive feat considering they've faced and dispatched stiff competition in the defending champion Golden Knights and the Avalanche, who won it all in 2022.

Throw in the fact that Heiskanen has raised his offensive game by producing a point per contest in these playoffs (after notching 54 in 71 during the regular season), and it's clear he deserves to lead the way in the chase for the Conn Smythe.

Honorable mentions: Wyatt Johnston, Matthew Tkachuk, Chris Kreider, Trocheck

(Analytics sources: Natural Stat Trick, Evolving Hockey)

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The 2024 World Championship will take place May 10-26 in Czechia. With the rosters beginning to take shape, we've compiled the notable names set to partake in the tournament.

Teams are ordered by their men's IIHF ranking.

Canada 🇨🇦

IIHF rank: 1

Pierre-Luc Dubois, Brandon Hagel, and Nick Paul are the latest players to join Canada's roster, while projected No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini and 2023 No. 3 pick Adam Fantilli decided to back out of the tournament. General manager Rick Nash can still add up to two more players for the defending champs if he desires.

Finland 🇫🇮

IIHF rank: 2

Only four NHLers are headed to Czechia to represent Finland so far, headlined by Mikael Granlund. The roster also features projected top-10 pick Konsta Helenius, a pair of recent European free-agent signings, and Montreal Canadiens prospect Oliver Kapanen.

United States 🇺🇸

IIHF rank: 4

The USA has plenty of star talent as it looks to win the tournament for the first time since 1960 when it doubled as the Olympics. GM Bill Guerin named nine more players to the roster Sunday, but lost one with Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin dropping out due to injury.

Germany 🇩🇪

IIHF rank: 5

A hockey program on the rise, Germany took home silver at the 2023 World Championship.

Sweden 🇸🇪

IIHF rank: 6

As usual, the blue line will be Sweden's backbone. It features former Norris Trophy winners Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman, plus a potential future winner in Rasmus Dahlin.

Switzerland 🇨🇭

IIHF rank: 7

Switzerland's preliminary roster includes five active NHLers, including Nino Niederreiter - the latest notable player to commit. There are several other players with NHL experience, though, including Andrighetto, Haas, Kukan, and Berra.

Czechia 🇨🇿

IIHF rank: 8

The host nation is on the rise after medaling at each of the past two World Junior Championships.

Slovakia 🇸🇰

IIHF rank: 9

The first two picks from the 2022 NHL Draft, Juraj Slafkovsky and Simon Nemec, project to be the driving forces behind Slovakia.

Norway 🇳🇴

IIHF rank: 12

Mats Zuccarello was one of two Norwegians to play in the NHL this year.

Austria 🇦🇹

IIHF rank: 16

Marco Rossi is the only active Austrian NHLer.

The remaining six teams in the tournament - Denmark, France, Great Britain, Kazakhstan, Latvia, and Poland - have yet to name notable players to their rosters.

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