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2024 NHL Draft: Date, location, order of picks & how to watch

The Florida Panthers' name has barely been etched onto the Stanley Cup, before the 2024 NHL Draft is already upon us.

It’s where teams begin to rebuild and restructure for the offseason ahead, so we’re here to make sure you’re locked into all that there is to know.

Ice Hockey

2024 NHL Draft date

Like the popular NFL Draft, the NHL Draft spans multiple days in the US. It begins on Friday, 28th June, which will include solely the first round of picks. Then, rounds two through seven will take place the following day on 29th June. However, in the UK both the first round picks and the subsequent day of picks will start on Saturday, 29th June.

2024 NHL Draft times

So, we know the days, but what time should we be tuning in? On the first day, the San Jose Sharks will officially be on the clock to take the #1 overall pick at 12am BST. As for the day two picks, they will begin later that same day at 4pm BST.

2024 NHL Draft venue and location 

As the NHL grows more and more popular, so too do the events surrounding it. That’s why the 2024 NHL Draft will be at the famous Las Vegas Sphere, which has held some of the most exciting events since officially opening at the end of September 2023.

2024 NHL Draft format

The format of the NHL Draft is extremely straightforward. There are seven rounds in which teams take turns taking their picks from collegiate and amateur players from a variety of leagues.

The more unique aspect is the Draft Lottery, which determines the draft order, providing lesser-performing teams with the higher percentage chances at the #1 overall pick.

2024 NHL Draft order

The 2024 NHL Draft order for the first round is as below:

1. San Jose Sharks

2. Chicago Blackhawks

3. Anaheim Ducks

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

5. Montreal Canadiens

6. Utah Franchise (formerly Arizona Coyotes)

7. Ottawa Senators

8. Seattle Kraken

9. Calgary Flames

10. New Jersey Devils

11. Buffalo Sabres

12. Philadelphia Flyers

13. Minnesota Wild

14. San Jose Sharks

15. Detroit Red Wings

16. St. Louis Blues

17. Washington Capitals

18. Chicago Blackhawks

19. Vegas Golden Knights

20. New York Islanders

21. Los Angeles Kings

22. Nashville Predators

23. Toronto Maple Leafs

24. Colorado Avalanche

25. Ottawa Senators

26. Montreal Canadiens

27. Carolina Hurricanes

28. Calgary Flames

29. Dallas Stars

30. New York Rangers

31. Anaheim Ducks

32. Philadelphia Flyers

2024 NHL Draft top prospects

The 2023 NHL Draft was headlined by Connor Bedard, who was touted as the top prospect since Connor McDavid in 2015.

While the 2024 NHL Draft doesn’t have another Bedard atop the list, there is another forgone conclusion as the #1 overall pick is set to be Macklin Celebrini.

Things may get very interesting with the next two picks, as there has been plenty of debate between Ivan Demidov and Artyom Levshunov.  

NHL Draft history 

Perhaps the most unique aspect of the NHL Draft is the abundance of players selected from overseas and other leagues compared to other sports.

It’s been held since 1963, and one of the most significant changes was in 1974 when the required age went from 20 to 18 years old.

It’s also worth noting that Canada has had the most #1 overall picks, including each of the first 20, with Garry Monahan selected by the Montreal Canadiens as the first.

Connor Bedard, another Canadian, was the most recent first-round pick in 2023, joining the likes of elite superstars Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews who have all been lighting up the NHL as a No1 selection.

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