2024 NHL Draft Picks & Predictions: Don't Doubt Demidov

Macklin Celebrini is on his way to San Jose before the 2024 NHL Entry Draft even begins, but all signs point to Ivan Demidov being the next player to hear his name called.

Neil Parker - Analyst at Covers.com
Neil Parker • Betting Analyst
Jun 27, 2024 • 14:52 ET • 4 min read
Ivan Demidov SKA
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

With it widely accepted the San Jose Sharks are selecting Boston University center Macklin Celebrini with the first overall selection in the 2024 Draft, the action starts with the Chicago Blackhawks and the No. 2 pick.

The Blackhawks brass might not select Russian winger Ivan Demidov — but they should — and he’s the focus of a pair of my favorite NHL picks for this year’s draft.

Check out even more of my NHL Draft picks ahead of Round 1 on Friday.

NHL Draft picks and predictions

Ivan Demidov to go second overall
(+260 at Caesars)

It’s been suggested the Chicago Blackhawks have a decision in the two spot between Belarusian defenseman Artyom Levshunov and Russian winger Ivan Demidov, but I just don’t agree. Levshunov is the betting favorite to be selected second overall, and he profiles as a franchise defenseman who leaves a mark at both ends of the ice.

Again, I’m just not buying Chicago prioritizing a D-man over one of the most talented offensive players in recent memory. Demidov is the perfect Robin to superstar Connor Bedard, and the Blackhawks passing on a 100-point producer for a two-way defenseman who probably profiles better as a defender would be puzzling. 

Ivan Demidov over Cayden Lindstrom
(-110 at bet365)

If Demidov doesn't go to Chicago, I don’t anticipate him slipping in the draft far enough to be selected after Medicine Hat Tigers center Cayden Lindstrom. It isn’t a knock on Lindstrom because he’s the prototypical power forward teams covet who's a fast, fluid skater with excellent puck skills.

He’s just not the game-breaking offensive talent Demidov is. Additionally, Lindstrom looks like a potential fit at No. 4 for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Chicago is set with a pair of top-six centers, and the Anaheim Ducks hold the No. 3 pick while loaded up the middle. So, if Chicago does pass on Demidov, I suspect Anaheim won’t. Columbus might not, either.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard Over Stian Solberg
(-110 at bet365)

Who had two Norwegians going in the first round and just a single Finn and Swede on their bingo card? Fittingly, the two have a betting market for who’ll be selected first, and I’m expecting it to be the well-rounded Michael Brandsegg-Nygard.

Brandsegg-Nygard has the defensive chops, competitiveness, and size to debut in the NHL this fall, and he’s capable of scoring in multiple ways. I suspect there will be a team in the middle of Round 1 delighted to take a safe bet on Brandsegg-Nygard with hopes his offensive game continues to develop.

Defenseman Stian Solberg has a similar high floor, but I don’t think his offensive upside and NHL readiness match his countrymen. This is widely considered a deep class of defensemen, and Solberg isn’t exactly standing out as one of them.

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Betting Analyst

Neil Parker is, first and foremost, a sports fan. A huge supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, and Maple Leafs, he has managed to parlay his passion into writing gigs with Sportsbook Review, USA TODAY, theScore, DraftKings Playbook, and RotoWire, among many others. He also co-hosted the Daily Fantasy Edge podcast and can now be seen offering expert golf and hockey advice on Covers’ Before you Bet broadcast.

Neil takes a numbers-based approach to his handicapping and complements his in-depth statistical analysis with a keen eye on the markets to provide the best available odds. He loves to lean on his rolodex of idioms to offset his inner nerd. When it comes to wagering, he throws down on anything that catches his eye at bet365, Betway and BetVictor. He also keeps a close eye on CoolBet because the polar bear brand often has outlier NHL and NFL moneyline prices.

Neil graduated with honors from St. Thomas University in 2007 before completing his BEd at Acadia University in 2010. After teaching a myriad of courses and subjects, he found a groove delivering fun lessons to exceptional learners in non-traditional classroom environments. If his decade-plus teaching run taught him anything about sports betting, it’s to stay the course and use the summer – or offseason – to refresh and prepare to be better in the year to come.

Neil’s top pieces of advice for recreational bettors are to stay within your means and to remember sportsbooks aren’t bank accounts. Don’t be afraid to pull those winnings and treat yourself to a lifetime experience courtesy of a big win.

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