[shutout]

Athletic Wheeler and Pronman do a mock draft of the first two rounds based on what they think the NHL teams will do.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/550...dictions-2024/

1. San Jose Sharks (Pick by Scott Wheeler): Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University
2. Chicago Blackhawks (Pick by Corey Pronman): Artyom Levshunov, RHD, Michigan State
3. Anaheim Ducks (Pick by Wheeler): Anton Silayev, LHD, Torpedo
4. Columbus Blue Jackets (Pick by Pronman): Sam Dickinson, LHD, London
5. Montreal Canadiens (Pick by Wheeler): Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg
6. Utah (Pick by Pronman): Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat
7. Ottawa Senators (Pick by Wheeler): Zeev Buium, LHD, University of Denver
8. Seattle Kraken (Pick by Pronman): Zayne Parekh, RHD, Saginaw
9. Calgary Flames (Pick by Wheeler): Tij Iginla, C/LW, Kelowna
10. New Jersey Devils (Pick by Pronman): Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa

9. Calgary Flames (Pick by Wheeler): Tij Iginla, C/LW, Kelowna

The Flames strongly consider Carter Yakemchuk from their backyard with the Hitmen, as well as centers Berkly Catton and Konsta Helenius, but take Iginla, not because it’s a feel-good story but because he belongs in the range and fits with the player type they’ve targeted in the past.


28. Calgary Flames (Pick by Wheeler): Leo Sahlin Wallenius, LHD, Vaxjo

After taking Iginla with their first pick, the Flames nab the smooth-skating Swedish D with their second pick. WHL defensemen like Charlie Elick and Harrison Brunicke could also be a consideration here.


41. Calgary Flames (Pick by Wheeler): Harrison Brunicke, RHD, Kamloops

The Flames continue to build out their pool on D and add a local boy in Brunicke, whose stock rose in the second half of this season.


64. Calgary Flames (Pick by Pronman): Mikhail Yegorov, G, Omaha

Yegorov is the most purely talented goalie in the class from an athleticism standpoint and has a lot of upside. He’ll need 4-5 more years likely to develop so Calgary can see what they have in Dustin Wolf or others.