- What: 2024 NHL Entry Draft
- Date: June 28-29, 2024
- Location: Sphere is Las Vegas, NV
- Time: Day 1: 7:00 p.m. ET, Day 2: 11:30 a.m. ET.
- How to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+, NHLN, SN, SN1, TVAS
The 2024 NHL Draft Lottery took place on May 7. The San Jose Sharks, who finished the 2024 NHL regular season at 19-53-9, were the betting favorites to win the lottery and get the first pick of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. Those betting odds held. It’s almost a lock the Sharks will choose Macklin Celebrini from Boston University with that pick. The 17-year-old Celebrini racked up 32 goals and 32 assists in 37 games before winning the Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the best college hockey player. Celebrini is the youngest player to ever win the award.
The Chicago Blackhawks, who finished the 2024 NHL season at 23-53-6, get the No. 2 pick. The Blackhawks picked No. 1 in the 2023 NHL entry draft. Chicago selected Connor Bedard with that pick. Bedard made the jump to the NHL in 2024, playing in 68 games. He scored 22 goals and added 39 assists. Bedard led all NHL rookies in points and goals. He was tied for first in rookie assists. Bedard is a betting favorite to win the Calder Trophy for the NHL’s top rookie.
The Anaheim Ducks have the third pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens round out the teams who have the first five picks in the draft.
Before we look at the picks, odds, and predictions for the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, check out our tips on betting on the 2024 NHL Draft and our list of the best NHL betting sites for the upcoming 2023-24 NHL season.
2024 NHL Entry Draft second overall pick betting picks
Artyom Levshunov
A defenseman for Michigan State, Artyom Levshunov isn’t a lock to go with the second pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, but he is a player the Chicago Blackhawks could use sooner rather than later. A college freshman, Levshunov, has the size and skill to develop into an elite blueliner. He had 35 points (nine goals, 26 assists) in 38 games for Michigan State. Levshunov, who was born in Belarus, has a right-handed shot. Despite his age, many see the 18-year-old as the most NHL-ready defenseman in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Ivan Demidov
An 18-year-old is under contract with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL, Ivan Demidov is an excellent forward. He sees the ice well and has deceptive skating skills that make him a threat whenever he is on the ice. He has a great shot, but Demidov is not a greedy player and will make a pass if that’s a better option. One knock against Demidov is that he sometimes looks to make flashy plays instead of high-percentage plays. That’s something that will need to be coached out of him in the NHL.
Demidov is a highly-rated player ahead of the 2024 NHL draft, but some see him as a risky pick inside the top five.
Anton Silayev
A big left-shooting defenseman, Anton Silayev, had 11 points (three goals and eight assists) while playing for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL. Silayev is a 6-foot-7 and 207 pounds. He doesn’t just use his size to shut down opponents, he also has hockey smarts and isn’t afraid to be a physical force on the ice. The 18-year-old is also good at starting his team up the ice from his own end. He added 74 blocked shots and 98 hits to his stat line in the KHL.
Silayev is a good pick for a team looking for a defenseman who can also add offense.
Best betting pick to go second in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft
The Chicago Blackhawks need young talent they can build a future around. They got one piece of that puzzle in Connor Bedard with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, look for them to add another piece to that puzzle in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The betting pick is that the Blackhawks will select Artyom Levshunov with the second pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
See below the top offshore sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
