SALT LAKE CITY – The 2024 NHL Draft is less than a month away and Utah’s front office is preparing to make its first selection as a new franchise following its relocation from Arizona.
The NHL Draft will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 28 and 29.
Utah owns 13 picks in the draft, including No. 6 overall in the first round.
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While Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini is projected to go to the San Jose Sharks with the first pick, there is uncertainty with the subsequent selections.
Leading up to the NHL Draft, we’ll dive into some of the top prospects, aside from Celebrini, who might end up on Utah’s roster.
We already looked at Russian forward Ivan Demidov, Michigan State’s Aytyom Leshunov, and WHL product Cayden Lindstrom.
Next, we dive into U.S. National Development Team left wing Cole Eiserman.
RELATED: Top 2024 NHL Draft Prospects For Utah
The Newburyport, Massachusetts native, and Shattuck-St. Mary’s product is considered one of the top offensive prospects in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
COLE EISERMAN!!!
WE. ARE. TIED!@usahockey | #U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/emA6rQQown
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) April 30, 2023
Eiserman’s uncle, Ed Hill, was a draft pick by the Nashville Predators in the late 1990s. His older brother, Shane, was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the 2014 NHL Draft.
ESPN’s Rachel Doerrie has Eiserman sliding past Utah to No. 10 and the New Jersey Devils in her mock draft from May.
Despite being 17 years old and one of the youngest prospects in the draft, Doerrie says Eiserman’s “ability to create shots and release the puck with extreme accuracy is a coveted skill in the NHL.”
Celly game is on point Cole Eiserman👌USA is on the board! 🇺🇸#NORUSA#U18MensWorlds @usahockey pic.twitter.com/pEtYLDg7To
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) April 27, 2024
In their latest mock draft from June 13, NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman and Mike G. Morreale each have Utah taking a defenseman and Eiserman slipping into the teens.
However, both NHL analysts are high on Eiserman’s game. Eiserman “possesses one of the best shots of any player in the draft class and can utilize that big asset every shift from anywhere in the offensive end,” wrote Morreale. Kimelman said Eiserman “has the best shot in the draft” and “has the chance to be one of the top players in the draft class.”
Kimelman projects Eiserman to the Washington Capitals at No. 17. Morreale thinks he’ll go a little earlier at No. 14 to the San Jose Sharks.
During his two seasons with the U.S. National Development Team, the forward has recorded 53 goals and 25 assists for 78 points in 56 games.
COLE EISERMAN RESTORES THE LEAD WITH A RECORD-BREAKING GOAL!
He sets a new all-time US National Team Development Program goalscoring record with 127. #U18MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/3lTFNXLkmj
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 5, 2024
Many mock drafts project a defenseman landing in Utah with its first round selection. Will Eiserman’s raw offensive potential tempt general manager Bill Armstrong?
Date of Birth: August 29, 2006
Height: 6′ 0″
Shoots: Left
League: USHL
Current Team: U.S. National Development Team (NTDP)
Games: 24
Goals: 25
Assists: 9
Points: 34
PIM: 6
The 62nd NHL Draft will be held at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada from June 28-29.
The NHL Draft order for the first round has been set for picks 1-16.
Pick 17-32 will be assigned based on the results of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Kyle Ireland is a Utah Hockey Club Insider for KSLSports.com. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
