San Jose Sharks: Adam Jiricek, D/HC Plzen
This pick makes sense as the Sharks would land a franchise forward in Macklin Celebrini and a defenseman who can be part of a future top pairing. He will need time to grow, but this puck-mover should enjoy some substantial improvement in Czechia this season.
Detroit Red Wings: Beckett Sennecke, RW/Oshawa Generals
Beckett Sennecke just makes an outstanding prospects pool even more impressive and one whose steady output should continue into 2024-25. The only dilemma here is that, with so many exceptional prospects in the pool already, would there be room for Sennecke in the Red Wings lineup when he’s eventually NHL-ready? And you can say the same for quite a few organizations Sennecke may find himself in.
St. Louis Blues: Carter Yakemchuk, D/Calgary Hitmen
I honestly wouldn’t mind seeing the St. Louis Blues land Carter Yakemchuk, and you can even argue he would be the ideal prospect here as they need nothing more at the moment in their prospects pool than a dynamic blueliner.
Washington Capitals: Emil Hemmerling, RW/TPS
This was one I didn’t see coming, but since the simulation was running this one, I penciled Emil Hemmerling in at 17th overall. That said, Hemmerling wouldn’t be too bad of a pick here, as he has the size and quite a few games of pro hockey experience over in Finland.
Chicago Blackhawks: Liam Greentree, RW/Windsor Spitfires
Talk about a mock draft simulation full of surprises: Liam Greentree was not somebody I thought would be there at No. 18, even if places like Tankathon’s Mock Draft had him going at No. 21 to the Los Angeles Kings. Either way, if he falls to the Blackhawks at No. 18, there should be little hesitation here for them to take Greentree.
(Statistics powered by Elite Prospects)