It has finally happened: one of the greatest days in Sharks franchise history and a massive turning point in this team’s rebuild, as the Sharks have been awarded the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. This will also mark the first time in franchise history that the Sharks have won the draft lottery and will get to select first overall in the NHL Draft.
Heading into this year’s draft lottery, the Sharks had the best odds to land the first overall pick since they finished dead last in the entire league during the 2023-24 season. Although they finished this past season with their third-worst record in franchise history, it was all worth it in the end. The Sharks will have the honor to draft one of their future franchise cornerstone players in Macklin Celebrini, who is the top collegiate prospect this year. It is only fitting that Macklin Celebrini ends up in San Jose, since GM Mike Grier has ties to Boston University, Macklin Celebrini was a former Jr. Shark, and Celebrini’s dad Rick is the vice president of player health and performance for the Golden State Warriors.
In addition, the Sharks have earned the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2024 first-round selection at 14th overall from the Erik Karlsson trade back in August of last year. No other draft lottery-eligible teams moved from their projected spots in the top 16 picks in this year’s draft. The 2024 NHL Draft will begin June 28 at the Las Vegas Sphere with Round 1, followed by Rounds 2-7 on June 29.
Before diving into my thoughts, here’s the full draft order for the first 16 picks in 2024:
1) San Jose Sharks
2) Chicago Blackhawks
3) Anaheim Ducks
4) Columbus Blue Jackets
5) Montreal Canadiens
6) Utah Hockey Club
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 (From Pittsburgh Penguins)
15) Detroit Red Wings
16) St. Louis Blues
Overall, I am super stoked and over-the-moon thrilled that the Sharks were awarded the first selection of the 2024 draft after the season they just had. The entire process of the draft lottery this year was an emotional roller coaster, and I almost cried tears of joy right as the first selection was awarded to San Jose. However, if somehow the Blackhawks, Utah, or even the Ducks moved up in the lottery and were awarded the first overall pick, I would be disappointed and claim that the NHL rigged the lottery this year, but luckily that wasn’t the case. It was about damn time the Sharks won the draft lottery, and the future of Sharks hockey just got a whole lot brighter. I am absolutely looking forward to the NHL Draft this year and seeing what else is in store for the Sharks this offseason.
Sources: ESPN, NHL App
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