The 2024 NHL Draft starts today! That’s right San Jose Sharks fans, the dream we have all been envisioning since those ping pong balls picked San Jose, will become a reality tonight. We will watch General Manager Mike Grier walk to that podium and announce who the team will pick with the first overall pick.
Macklin Celebrini
We’re not saying that GMMG will pick Celebrini at number one. We know that anything can happen on draft day. That said, if we’re making bets, we’re betting on Celebrini’s name being called. This isn’t Kevin Costner’s “Draft Day,” there are no surprises here.
Celebrini also seems to be aware that he’s headed to the Sharks, though he too isn’t taking anything for granted. When asked by The Mercury News’ Curtis Pashelka whether Celebrini planned to go pro or stay in college, this is what the young forward said:
I asked Macklin Celebrini what his decision — to turn pro or return to school — will come down to pic.twitter.com/qrHtN8FdTC
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) June 27, 2024
“It’s just something that I can’t really make a decision on until the draft happens, and I talk to the team that selects me, and I talk to my coaches at Boston University as well,” said Celebrini.
Even though Celebrini never mentioned the Sharks specifically, Pashelka made the mention, he seems to already know the rules of being a Shark. Specifically, the Fuck Vegas rule.
Macklin wouldn't chant "Go Knights Go" at a youth hockey camp in Vegas 😂 pic.twitter.com/FGSyGhSJqF
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) June 26, 2024
Notice how he seemed to forget to cheer “Go Knights, go.”
San Jose Sharks draft picks
After pick number one, things get interesting for the Sharks. San Jose has two picks in the first round. Yesterday, the team traded up from 14 to 11, putting it in a prime position to draft one of the top defensive prospects.
While we’ve previously explored the idea of moving up in the draft, and what situations might occur for San Jose to move down on draft day, Grier’s move has shown his hand early.
Here’s how San Jose’s draft board shakes out at the moment:
- Pick #1
- Pick #11 (Buffalo)
- Pick #33
- Pick #53 (Tampa Bay)
- Pick #85 (Tampa Bay)
- Pick #116 (Las Vegas)
- Pick #131 (Chicago)
- Pick #143 (Pittsburgh)
- Pick #194
Nine picks including four in the top 55 is a good place to be.
San Jose’s options for pick 11
The Sharks have moved up in the draft to pick 11, making it clear that the team’s target is a hot commodity and likely one of the “big six” defensemen in the draft. The “big six” are Artyom Levshunov, Zeev Buium, Zayne Parekh, Carter Yakemchuk, Anton Silayev and Sam Dickinson.
Of the defensemen on the list above, Yakemchuk is the most likely to be there at 11.
That said, if all six are gone, there are also some top forwards that could be an option at 11. You can take a look at some of the forwards that could land with the Sharks if the big six defensemen are already off the board in this previous post.
What time is round 1 of the 2024 NHL Draft?
Round one of this year’s NHL Draft starts at 4 p.m. in Las Vegas. You can watch it on ESPN or stream on ESPN+.
Fear the Fin will be updating everyone via Twitter with draft analysis the day of as well. Be sure to follow us on Twitter if you aren’t already.
And as always, you can talk to other Sharks fans about everything happening on Day 1 of the Draft right here on Fear the Fin.
