Apr 11, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Boston U. forward Macklin Celebrini (71) looks on in the semifinals of the 2024 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament during the first period against the Denver at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
- The 2024 NHL Draft takes place Friday night (June 27) in Las Vegas
- Ivan Demidov is an intriguing choice to be the second selection
- Read below for 2024 NHL Draft picks, predictions, and odds for Friday night
The 2024 NHL Draft goes down Friday night in Las Vegas, and oddsmakers have some props available for hockey bettors. Macklin Celebrini is expected to go first overall to the San Jose Sharks, and his draft odds are currently off the board.
While you can’t bet on the first overall pick due to it being obvious, odds are available for the second overall pick. Artyom Levshunov is the -300 favorite to go to Chicago, but Ivan Demidov holds values as the +200 underdog.
Let’s take a look at some 2024 NHL Draft props and provide you with our best bets.
Odds to be 2nd Pick – NHL Draft
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Artyom Levshunov | -300 |
| Ivan Demidov | +200 |
| Cayden Lindstrom | +2500 |
| Anton Silayev | +3000 |
| Zeev Buium | +10000 |
| Zayne Parekh | +10000 |
| Sam Dickinson | +10000 |
| Berkly Catton | +20000 |
| Carter Yakemchuk | +20000 |
| Macklin Celebrini | +20000 |
In the odds of being the second overall pick at the NHL Draft, Artyom Levshunov is the heavy favorite to be drafted second overall to the Blackhawks at -300.
Odds as of June 28, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Demidov to Chicago?
Oddsmakers are forecasting the Chicago Blackhawks to draft Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov with the second overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft. However, there have been rumblings the team will draft Russian winger Ivan Demidov instead.
The Blackhawks are building around Connor Bedard right now, and it makes more sense for them to draft an elite forward to play with him rather than a blueliner. Demidov has been a force in the Russian junior league and possesses elite playmaking ability to complement a sniper like Bedard.
#Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson shares his impressions after meeting Ivan Demidov last week in Florida. pic.twitter.com/3eoS8kXTtp
— CHGO Blackhawks (@CHGO_Blackhawks) June 27, 2024
There’s undoubtedly a reason Levshunov is favored in this spot, as he is a talented offensive defenseman who can drive play from the back end. However, we don’t feel like the Blackhawks are super desperate for a rearguard that they would pass on an elite playmaker for Bedard.
Chicago’s defensive prospect core includes Kevin Korchinski, Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel, Ethan Del Mastro, and Nolan Allan. You can never have too many defensemen, but with Bedard the main focus, we see great value in the 100-point scorer in the NHL Draft odds.
- 2nd Overall Pick Prediction: Demidov (+200)
Head-to-Head Matchup Odds
| Matchup | Player 1 | Odds | Player 2 | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st to Be Drafted | EJ Emery | -200 | Charlie Elick | +160 |
| 1st to Be Drafted | Julius Miettinen | -300 | Aron Kiviharju | +230 |
| 1st to Be Drafted | Trevor Connelly | -125 | Liam Greentree | -105 |
| 1st to Be Drafted | Michael Brandsegg-Nygard | -115 | Stian Solberg | -115 |
| 1st to Be Drafted | Sam O’Reilly | -165 | Marek Vanacker | +135 |
| 1st to Be Drafted | Zeev Buium | -250 | Zayne Parekh | +200 |
DraftKings is offering six different head-to-head matchups for the NHL Draft, allowing you to bet which player will be drafted first. The heaviest favorite is Julius Miettinen at -300 in his matchup with Aron Kiviharju (+230).
O’Reilly vs Vanacker Pick
One player who has seen his draft stock continue to rise is Sam O’Reilly of the London Knights. He is priced as a heavy -150 favorite in DraftKings head-to-head NHL Draft matchups. However, there is value in this bet as he should likely be a -200 to -300 favorite.
O’Reilly really improved as a two-way forward throughout the 2023-24 season, finishing with 20 goals, 36 points, and a plus-32 rating in 68 regular-season games. He also played a key role in London’s playoff run, potting five goals and adding seven assists in 16 playoff games.
Sam O’Reilly szn 🥜#NHLDraft | #Knights pic.twitter.com/7OLs8X6b6G
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) January 16, 2024
Several draft experts are forecasting O’Reilly to be drafted late in the first round, potentially to the Calgary Flames or Philadelphia Flyers. At 6-foot-1, he’s exactly the type of responsible defensive forward teams will feel comfortable taking with a late pick.
Marek Vanacker, meanwhile, has seen his draft stock trend in the opposite direction after revealing he played most of the 2023-24 campaign injured. Some teams are reportedly worried about his shoulder injury at the end of the season.
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler forecasts Vanacker falling to the second round due to concerns around his injury. Vanacker also didn’t see much ice time at the U18 World Championship, so the cards are stacked against him in this head-to-head DraftKings matchup.
- O’Reilly vs Vanacker Pick: O’Reilly (-165)
Brady is the lead NHL and College Football editor at Sports Betting Dime, where he specializes in betting odds and data-driven analysis. Brady has over 10 years experience working in sports media, with work published by outlets such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports.
The 2024 NHL Draft is shaping up to be an exciting event with a number of talented prospects expected to be selected in the first round. One player who has been generating a lot of buzz is Russian forward Ivan Demidov. The 18-year-old has been turning heads with his impressive play in the KHL and is considered by many to be a top prospect for the upcoming draft.
Demidov is a dynamic forward with a great combination of size, skill, and hockey IQ. He has shown an ability to score goals and create scoring chances for his teammates, making him a valuable asset for any team looking to add offensive firepower to their lineup. Many scouts believe that he has the potential to be a top-line forward in the NHL and could make an immediate impact at the next level.
As for his potential landing spot in the draft, there has been speculation that the Chicago Blackhawks could be interested in selecting Demidov with their first-round pick. The Blackhawks are in need of young talent up front and Demidov could be the perfect fit for their roster. With his scoring ability and playmaking skills, he could provide a much-needed boost to Chicago’s offense.
In terms of odds, it’s difficult to predict where exactly Demidov will be selected in the draft. However, many experts believe that he will be a top-10 pick and could even go as high as the top five. His impressive performance in the KHL has only solidified his status as one of the top prospects in this year’s draft class.
Overall, the 2024 NHL Draft is shaping up to be an exciting event with a number of talented prospects vying for a chance to make their mark in the league. Ivan Demidov is one player to keep an eye on, as he has the potential to be a game-changer at the next level. And if the rumors are true, we could see him wearing a Chicago Blackhawks jersey sooner rather than later.