2024 NHL Mock Draft: Final Predictions for the First 32 Picks
Draft weekend is here! In just two days, over 200 players will be selected by NHL teams, each hoping to someday hoist the Stanley Cup. Teams aim to draft future key players for their contending rosters. The excitement is building for Friday night’s first round (7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN+), and while the first pick seems destined for the San Jose Sharks, the rest of the draft is full of anticipation and uncertainty.
With Matvei Michkov arriving in North America earlier than expected, does this improve Ivan Demidov’s chances of being picked second overall? What will the order of defensemen selections look like? Who will be the biggest surprises, whether rising or falling? How many trades will occur by Friday night? Which team will make an unexpected pick?
There are many questions, and one thing is certain: surprises are guaranteed.
The mock draft is notably different from the Big Board. The Big Board ranks players based on model outputs, viewings, industry insights, and other factors. As we approach the draft, the mock draft reflects what industry knowledge suggests might happen on Friday night in Las Vegas. Each team has its own list, and this year, the differences are remarkable. Some teams have players ranked in their top five that others place in the late teens, showcasing the subjectivity in player evaluations.
Dallas Stars
Terik Parascak, F, Prince George (WHL)
The Dallas Stars, known for their successful picks between 20 and 64, have a chance to draft a player who scored 105 points in 68 games. Although Parascak is ranked lower in the mock draft compared to the Big Board, the model highly values his statistical profile. However, scouts are concerned about his ability to drive play independently and his reliance on a playmaking linemate.
Fortunately, Dallas has plenty of play-driving talent in their system, and Parascak is intelligent enough to develop into a play driver himself if he improves his speed and physicality. The Stars will appreciate his precise finishing, ability to exploit defensive gaps, and strong work ethic. To become a solid middle-six contributor in the NHL, Parascak will need to further develop his offensive game.
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