The 2024 NHL Draft’s biggest surprises from Round 1 include some unexpected picks that left everyone talking.
– *Beckett Sennecke’s Early Selection*: The Anaheim Ducks stunned everyone by picking Beckett Sennecke third overall, ahead of more favored prospects like Ivan Demidov and Zeev Buium ¹ ² ³.
Sennecke himself was shocked, considering he was projected as a fringe top-10 candidate ².
– *Ottawa Senators Passing on Zeev Buium*: The Senators opted for Carter Yaremchuk at No.
7, letting Buium, the top-ranked NCAA defenseman, slide to the Minnesota Wild at No. 12 ¹ ³. This pick raised eyebrows, given Yaremchuk’s lower ranking among North American skaters ¹.
– *Norway’s Historic Night*: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Stian Solberg became the first and second Norwegian-born players to be selected in the first round, at No. 15 and No. 23, respectively ³.
– *Ivan Demidov to the Montreal Canadiens*: Demidov, considered one of the best Russian players in recent memory, slipped to the fifth spot, where the Canadiens snatched him up ¹ ³. This pick is seen as a steal, given Demidov’s immense offensive skill.
These surprises have fans and analysts buzzing about the potential impact on team dynamics and future performances.