2024 NHL Draft Picks, Predictions & Odds: Demidov to Chicago?

• 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 +220 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

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. The implied probability of Demidov going second is 75%.

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Odds as of June 28, 2024, at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out the best sportsbook promotions for the NHL Draft. 

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 (+220)

Head-to-Head Matchup Odds

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 closer to a -200 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 precisely the type of responsible defensive forward teams will feel comfortable taking with a late-round pick.

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 the shoulder surgery he underwent at the end of the season.

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler forecasts Vanacker falling to the second round due to concerns about 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 (-150)