Boston University’s stellar freshman center, Macklin Celebrini, the projected No. 1 pick for the 2024 NHL draft, can further his case as the NCAA men’s hockey tournament opens this week.
So who is in the best position to draft the Hobey Baker Award finalist?
The current leader with the best odds is the San Jose Sharks, who have never won a draft lottery in team history and sit in last place in the NHL.
They trail the Chicago Blackhawks by seven points, losing twice to the 31st-place team within a week. The Sharks blew a 4-0 lead and lost 5-4 in overtime in the second game and have one win in their last 18 games.
The Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Arizona Coyotes, all eliminated from playoff contention, round out the bottom five.
The Ducks, Blue Jackets, Blackhawks and Sharks were the bottom four teams last season. The Blackhawks won the lottery and drafted Connor Bedard and the Ducks (Leo Carlsson) won the second pick.
Teams can move up a maximum of 10 spots in the lottery so only the bottom 11 teams have a chance to gain the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL draft.
Which NHL teams have the best draft lottery odds? This file will be updated during the season.
Which NHL teams have the best draft lottery odds?
Odds in parentheses. Standings as of March 27, based on points percentage.
1. San Jose Sharks (25.5%): 71 GP, 40 pts., .282 points percentage
2. Chicago Blackhawks (13.5%): 72 GP, 47, .326
3. Anaheim Ducks (11.5%): 72 GP, 52, .361
4. Columbus Blue Jackets (9.5%): 72 GP, 58, .403
5. Arizona Coyotes (8.5%): 72 GP, 65, .451
6. Montreal Canadiens (7.5%): 71 GP, 66, .465
7. Ottawa Senators (6.5%): 71 GP, 66, .465
8. Calgary Flames (6.0%): 71 GP, 71, .500
9. Seattle Kraken (5.0%): 71 GP, 71, .500
10. Buffalo Sabres (3.5%): 73 GP, 73, .500
11. Pittsburgh Penguins (3.0%): 71 GP, 72, .507*
*-The Penguins dealt their 2024 first-round pick to the Sharks in the Erik Karlsson trade, but it’s top 10 protected.
Who is Macklin Celebrini?
The 6-foot, 190-pound center is the top scorer for Boston University as a 17-year-old freshman. He is third in the NCAA in points per game and is second in goals per game with 31 goals and 59 points in 35 games. He was Canada’s leading scorer at the world junior championship with eight points in five games.
He’s one of 10 finalists for the award for the top men’s college hockey player. Boston University will face RIT Thursday in the first round of the NCAA hockey tournament.
NHL Central Scouting says Celebrini plays a complete game and is a strong skater with a fluid stride and top-end NHL speed.
“Macklin plays at a level all his own and it’s truly impressive to see how he thrives in every environment he competes in,’ Dan Marr, vice president of NHL Central Scouting, told NHL.com.
Who are the top prospects in the 2024 NHL draft?
Behind Celebrini, the remaining top five North American skaters in Central Scouting’s midseason rankings are Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov, Medicine Hat center Cayden Lindstrom, University of Denver defenseman Zeev Buium and Tri-City (USHL) left wing Trevor Connelly.
The top three international skaters are Finnish center Konsta Helenius and two Russians, 6-foot-7 defenseman Anton Silayev and right wing Ivan Demidov.
How does the draft lottery work?
There are two drawings, first for a chance at the top pick and then for a chance at the second pick. The last-place team can draft no lower than third overall. Beginning with the 2022 lottery, a team cannot win more than twice in a five-year period. There are 14 ping-pong balls in the machine and each team is assigned a series of four numbers. The lower a team is in the standings, the more series of numbers it gets. If a team’s numbers are chosen, it wins the lottery. If a team in the 12 to 16 range wins, it moves up 10 spots and the last-place team retains the No. 1 overall pick.