2024 NHL MOCK DRAFT: UTAH

The Arizona Coyotes are relocating to Utah starting in the 2024-25 season, and although they don’t have a team name yet, they do have plenty of draft assets to build a good future in this year’s draft. In the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft, they have one 1st-round picks, Three 2nd-round picks, and Three 3rd-round picks. Utah also has two 4th-round picks, a 5th-round pick, two 6th-round picks, and a 7th-round pick, so they will have plenty of chances to select impact players in the draft. Utah has 7 picks in the first three rounds of the draft, and another 6 picks in the rest of the draft, for a total of 13 in the 2024 NHL Draft. Utah has the 6th overall pick in the draft.

Next: 2024 NHL Mock Draft: Montreal Canadiens

6. Cayden Lindstrom (C), 6’4/205, Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

The three S’s that teams absolutely covet with players are; speed, size, and skill. Medicine Hat Tigers centreman Cayden Lindstrom utilizes those strengths in his game consistently. Coming in at a towering 6-foot-4, 205 pounds Cayden Lindstrom has the makeup of the kind of top-six center that NHL teams covet, and for good reason. The Towering 6’4 pivot has high-end athletic tools and a defensive upside, but his game is in no way defined by these attributes. Lindstrom’s skills are best showcased on the offensive side of the puck and in the attacking zone. Lindstrom is highly effective in transition where he can build a head of steam to create entries and quality rush chances. Lindstrom is an absolute force when he’s on the ice, displaying great strength and offensive awareness. He was on pace for an impressive draft year production-wise, as he had 26 goals and 46 points in 32 games. However, he has been sidelined with an upper-body injury that has kept him out for some time, but it’s one that isn’t a concern for scouts as he’s still ranked high. Lindstrom’s power-forward-like game instantly takes over. He constantly shows the competitive nature and drive that makes him excel. Be it establishing a forecheck down low and battling along the boards, he’s constantly involved to win the puck over. Without the puck, he has no problem laying the body and making a big open ice hit to show his presence. Lindstrom utilizes his size to his advantage very well, getting the inside edge on defenders, and has the strength to instantly push them off when dealing with sustained pressure and bully his way to the high-danger area. His long reach and strong puck control allow him to maintain that space between him and defenders making it difficult to knock the puck off him. Combined that with his smooth skating stride when attacking the middle, he’s a dominant force. Defensively, Lindstrom is just as effective as those same strengths allow him to be the first one on the back check, break up plays and regain possession to transition the other way. He’s strong in one-on-one coverage and keeps attackers to the outside taking time and space away from them when he closes in. He definitely has the potential and upside to be a top-line centre, second-line as a worst-case scenario, and is exactly the type of center that Utah should look to build their team around.

38. Tomas GALVAS (D), 5’10/148, Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia)

When you look at the height and weight for Tomas Galvas, you might wonder how a prospect who weighs just under 150 pounds is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. While he may be undersized, Galvas has many positive characteristics in his overall approach and play despite being undersized. He’s a smooth skater who can create time and space for himself at both ends of the ice with his shiftiness. Galvas is fast and very sharp on his edges. He complements his skating with great hands, and when the two are working in harmony, that makes him a very effective player. He can walk the blue line and support the offense with relative ease, activating with smart, well-timed attacks into the offensive zone. As a last-minute replacement for Team Czechia at the 2024 World Juniors Championships, Galvas did not disappoint and made an excellent impression on scouts. In their Bronze Medal Game against Switzerland, Galvas used a nifty backhand pass to Jiri Kulich for the game-winning goal. He had two assists and was a +2 for the tournament. In spite of his slight build, Galvas is likely to be taken in the second round. The younger brother of Blackhawks 2023 fifth-round selection, Jake Galvas, Tomas competes with confidence and has no problem handling the puck, which could lead teams to take a shot with him late in the first round, but most likely will fall out of the first round in into the second round. Galvas has the chance to be a productive NHL player, possibly in the mold of another undersized defenseman such as Jared Spurgeon. Galvas has the potential to be a top 4 defenseman, who quarterbacks the powerplays in the future for Utah.

49. Linus ERIKSSON (C), Djurgardens IF (HockeyAllsvenskan)

Linus Eriksson is a highly intelligent centerman who could easily jump a dozen or more spots by the time our final rankings roll around. His tools aren’t particularly difference-making factors, but his level of composure, reading of the game, and 200-foot off-puck habits have enabled him to play really reliable minutes in HockeyAllsvenskan this season and make him quite a projectable bottom-six NHLer. His motor is high and consistent, and his off-puck positioning has consistently created advantages on both sides of the pick against professional competition. He is a capable system player who applies a ton of defensive pressure, whether it be on the forecheck or against the cycle. At his best, Eriksson would be an awesome checking line center, at his worst, he would be a 4th line center who can have a long NHL career. Linus Eriksson is one of those prospects that wouldn’t really take long to develop and it wouldn’t surprise me if he makes the roster as soon as in two years.

63. Yegor SURIN (C/RW), 6’1/192, Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)

Yegor Surgin is a highly competitive and skilled prospect who has mostly played on the wing lately, though his skill set would lend itself well to him becoming a pro center. Surin is one of the youngest players in the 2024 Draft, with his August birthday making him roughly a month away from being eligible in 2025 instead. Surin is a polarizing prospect out of Russia this season as his discipline (or lack thereof) and decision-making can lead to him putting himself or his team in unenviable positions. When he’s at his best, Surin uses his teammates well, both as passing options and as distractions for opposing defenders. Surin’s best trait is his compete level, which is strong enough to make him that classic fan-favorite type of player who just never seems to quit on a play. He works incredibly hard in all three zones, putting as much effort into a forecheck/backcheck as he would a two-on-one situation on offense. He spent this season in Russia’s top junior league, the MHL, where he scored 53 points in 43 games, as well as 23 points in 19 playoff games. Surin has a very clear path to becoming a middle-six forward in the NHL, with the offensive skill to provide offense and the work ethic to absorb tough matchups. While he is no star player by any means, he could be a versatile player, you can play on the 2nd or third line like Andrew Copp. Utah is getting a very, solid player, if and when he eventually comes over to play in the NHL.

71. Julius MIETTINEN (C/W), 6’3/207, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

Julius Miettinen is a 6’3 two-way forward who stands out for his forechecking, playmaking, and net-front positioning. Miettinen’s strong stick work and body positioning make him adept in winning back pucks off dump-ins and extended in-zone sequences. Miettinen is always looking to move pucks across the slot, complemented by his smooth rush game and his slick hands. Without the puck on his stick, Miettinen funnels to the slot and demonstrates a solid blend of power and soft skill to get high-quality shots and deflections, or to make dangerous passes. played for the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League (WHL), totaling 31 goals and 67 points in 66 games this past season. He played in two games for Finland’s national team at the U18 level but totaled no points. Perhaps Miettinen’s most attractive asset is his versatility, and ability to play both center and wing, although he will need to make drastic improvements either defensively or offensively to play center at NHL level. Miettinen projects as a high-end, dependable third-line piece. Big, speedy forward who loves to score in transition, but needs to add defensive value and creativity to his game; he could become a solid third-line power forward someday. Most of Miettinen’s rankings have him projected as a late second or early third-round pick and could be an ideal third-line player for Utah in the future.

89. Joona SAARELAINEN (LW), 5’9/176, KalPa (Liiga)

Saarelainen is one of those Finnish players that you will fall in love with if he plays for your team. He worked so hard to win battles, which he had to do often as a 5-foot-9 winger. He didn’t put up explosive numbers but he rarely had an off period and was the one that most often brought the energy to the top line. He’ll be a mid-round pick, but I can see him being one of the smaller guys that carves a role in the NHL. Saarelainen is not the biggest or fastest player, but displays excellent hockey sense, very slick hands, and stick-handling skills; he’s a traditional playmaker with excellent vision and fine passing touch. Consistently a dangerous threat and natural finisher from the circles in, has a great motor and never stops moving his feet. Saarelainen creates nice looks and feeds with cross-ice passes through traffic, setting up teammates. can control pucks at top speed and draw them to him, before dishing the puck with either side of his blade. In the recent Five Nations tournament he lit up the ice with six goals (of their team’s 12 goals) in four games, all in a variety of ways. He is everything you would want in a 5’9″ winger and would be a huge asset to Utah in the future.

90. Kasper PIKKARAINEN (RW), 6’3/195, TPS (Liiga)

What every scout likes about Kasper Pikkarainen is that he is a true playmaker, he knows how to make quick plays to his teammates and has the eye to see passing lanes nobody else sees. If he cannot find any place he wants to pass, he may also move the puck into the empty space where a teammate is heading. He will find passing lanes others regularly miss. His father, Ilkka Pikkarainen, was an aggressive, annoying power forward who played 31 games for the New Jersey Devils, so it is not much of a stretch to see where Kasper got his skills and hockey IQ. At the most recent U18 Worlds, he demonstrated that he is not afraid to be part of the action and will actually seek it out. His offensive skills are a work in progress. He can shoot in various ways, along with the occasional handling and playmaking flash, but he lacks higher-end skill and sometimes makes poor choices with the puck. NHL scouts love that Pikkarainen is a big, physical forward who always finishes his checks and is not afraid of making the big hit on open ice. The big question is, how much improvement do teams think he can make on his offensive skill set. Because of some notable weaknesses and holes in his game, he could be picked late in the 3rd round as a high-risk, high-reward pick. Pikkarainen fits into what Utah is building and with his skillset, he could be a good power forward in the league.

98. Mikhail YEGOROV (G), 6’4″/179, Omaha Lancers (USHL)

Yegorov (6-foot-4, 179 pounds) was 8-25-3 with a 3.86 goals-against average, .892 save percentage, and one shutout in 43 regular-season games with Omaha of the United States Hockey League. He faced the fourth-most shots in the USHL this season (1,262) and the Lancers averaged a league-low 2.58 goals per game. He is No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American goalies for the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft. He didn’t play much at the start of the year but became the starter and played a lot throughout the second half of the season. He has a huge upside just the way he plays the game; he’s very smart and his technical game is sound. For a 6-foot-4 goalie, he moves well and has great structure in his game. If you draft him, work with him, and in 4-to-6 years watch this kid. Mikhail Yegorov offers a huge upside with his quickness and with the way he covers a lot of the net and many scouts think that he has the potential to be the best goalie from this draft class, long term. Utah will need their goalie of the future in about 4 years, so this selection makes sense for the long-term future.

Rounds 4-7

103. Colin RALPH (D), 6’4″/227, Shattuck St.Mary’s 18U Prep (PHC)

Colin Ralph, a 6’4″ 207 left-shooting defenseman is committed to St. Cloud State University, following the season where he recorded 2 goals, and 35 points in 54 games with Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep. In the recent 2023-24 season, Ralph helped Shattuck St. Mary’s win the PHC, recording 16 points in 14 games. At 6-foot-4 and 227 pounds, he’s huge, takes up a lot of space, and moves well, too. He’s got all the tools to become a physically strong offensive defenseman with a good hockey IQ. I could see him going in the second round in the draft because I feel like a player his size will start to really excel against older, tougher competition in college. Ralph has the potential to be a stalwart top 4 defenseman in the NHL and joins the crop of young defensemen that Utah has collected in recent years.

135. AJ SPELACCY (RW), 6’3″/195, Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

AJ Spellacy joined the Spitfires and made an immediate impact. With impressive size and speed to burn, he skated around the offensive zone like he was born to do it. Through 47 games, he had seven goals and 17 points and looked like he could break out soon. Unfortunately, an injury after a hit sidelined him for the rest of the season. His combination of speed, size, and intelligence is tough to find. There’s no off-switch for his motor and, once he finds offensive consistency, he’s going to be a force. The NHL recognized that, too, ranking him 125th at midterm. If he can keep trending up, someone is going to get a steal. Utah wants to be a big, physical team that is tough to play against, and Spelaccy perfectly fits
this description.

167. Eric Jamieson (D), 6’3″/203, Everett Silvertips (WHL)

An Alternate Captain for the Everett Silvertips of the WHL, Eric Jamieson Jamieson’s growth as a defender has started to attract the attention of NHL scouts. He has played top pair minutes for Everett this season and was able to put up 10 goals and 32 Points in 66 games. His offensive game has grown astronomically from the previous season and has made strides to becoming an effective two-way defenseman. He shows tremendous leadership and maturity at a young age, which is why his coach trusts him in all situation. Utah likes their big defenseman so this selection would be a no brainer for them, especially with his offensive upside.

192. Jack Bodin (D), 6’4″/220, Orebro HK J20 (J20 Nationell)

Jack Bodin is a 6-foot-4 draft-eligible defenseman who weighs around 220 pounds. I mention these stats because the league is getting bigger on the blueline, and players like this are on every team’s boards, and it’s just a matter of where they get selected. In the five nations, Bodin was very versatile. He skated well and had a lot of pushback. There seems to be a temper there, and he delivered some big hits. All of this helps him. That package makes him hard to play against. Bodin is not going to produce many points, but he could be the Big, physical defensive, Right-shot defenseman, that many teams covet. Utah could strike gold with a late-round gem, as he could be a potential top 4 defenseman, but even if he doesn’t, he would be an effective bottom-pair defenseman.

199. Nolan REED (C), 5’11″/185, Tri-City Storm (USHL)

Physical player who’s good on the faceoff dot. There’s some skill there but not an overwhelming amount. I could see him being a 5th-7th rounder and being a 4th liner maybe even 3rd but it’ll be interesting to watch how he produces in St. Cloud State for next season. He will have a long road to the NHL, but he does have the potential to be a 4th line Center in the NHL. Utah will be getting a solid 4th line center, nothing more.

Draft Recap

A-

Cayden Lindstrom (C)
Tomas Galvas (D)
Linus Eriksson (C)
Yegor Surin (C/W)
Julius Miettinen (C/W)
Joona Saaralainen (LW)
Kasper Pikkarainen (RW)
Mikhail Yegorov (G)
Colin Ralph (D)
AJ Spelaccy (RW)
Eric Jamieson (D)
Jack Bodin (D)
Nolan Reed (C)

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