The first round of the 2024 NHL Draft kicked off in Las Vegas on Friday night, with Macklin Celebrini going No. 1 overall to the San Jose Sharks.
San Jose had never held the top pick before and chose Celebrini from Boston University, who is expected to become a top forward and potential star. One Sharks fan was so thrilled they took over the broadcast with their excitement.
Now that’s some serious enthusiasm!
Canadiens Learn from Past Mistakes:
Last year, Montreal Canadiens missed out on Matvei Michkov, letting him slip to the Flyers. This time around, they didn’t let Ivan Demidov get away when he fell to them at No. 5. Fans might think this could be a turning point for Montreal’s future.
In recent years, blockbuster trades during the draft have become rare. Unlike in the past when big trades were common on draft night, this year saw only a few pick swaps without any player movement.
However, there’s still hope for some major trades between Saturday and Monday as free agency begins.
Stars Shine Bright in Vegas:
Las Vegas brought out some big names for the show. Celine Dion announced Montreal’s No. 5 pick while Michael Buffer introduced Philadelphia’s No. 13 pick later in the evening.
The most talked-about moment came when Vegas Golden Knights picked Trevor Connelly at No. 19 despite his off-ice controversies like posing with a swastika on Snapchat and using racial slurs during games. General Manager Kelly McCrimmon mentioned talking to Connelly twice but didn’t share details about those conversations.
What do you think about these picks?
