Welcome back to The Journey, where we track the development of prospects as they excel in junior, make the NHL, and push towards stardom.

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Welcome back to the second installment of my three-part series analyzing the first-round picks from the 2024 NHL Draft. You can find Part 1 here. This week, we’re focusing on the players chosen in spots 11 through 21. I’ll evaluate how each pick fits the team’s needs and highlight any surprises. Let’s dive in.

Pick No. 11 – San Jose Sharks

Sam Dickinson – D

The Sharks nabbed Sam Dickinson with their second first-round pick, bringing in a defenseman who’s the picture of calm and poise with a 200-foot game. Finishing fourth among OHL blueliners, Dickinson racked up 70 points (18 goals, 52 assists) and notched 11 power-play goals over 68 games. His skating and all-around skill allows him control the game’s tempo, and he’s got a hard slap shot from the point that promises a decent goal tally in the NHL. However, his vision isn’t the highlight of his game, which is in all likelihood why he was passed up until the 11^th pick, which is still a steal. All in all, Mike Grier and the scouting team should be thrilled with their haul. Snagging the first overall pick and a top-tier defensive prospect? That’s a job well done.

Pick No. 12 – Minnesota Wild

Zeev Buium, D

The Wild pulled off some interesting moves to make this draft pick a reality. They traded their 2025 third-rounder to the Flyers to move up one spot. It might seem a bit strange since it didn’t look like Philly was eyeing Zeev Buium, but Bill Guerin wasn’t about to take any chances. As I mentioned in my previous article, the Wild’s salary cap constraints make drafting impact players crucial. Buium is definitely one of those players. He was the NCAA Rookie of the Year and Offensive Defenseman of the Year, leading all freshmen with 11 goals and 39 assists in 42 games. With one more season in the NCAA before likely making the jump to the NHL, Buium, alongside Faber on the back end, will be a duo to watch.

Minnesota Wild comes up one spot and takes Zeev Buium 👀

Faber and Buium on the blue line in Minny 💪 pic.twitter.com/VcuP9P3CMe

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) June 29, 2024

Pick No. 13 – Philadelphia Flyers

Jett Luchanko, C

It's puzzling that the Flyers were willing to leave a lot of value on the table by passing on Buium and Helenius, opting instead to trade back and select Jett Luchanko. Luchanko has made significant strides this past season, emerging as a viable NHL prospect. However, Philly had a chance to draft superior players, which they passed on. Luchanko is an explosive skater who could potentially contribute on both the top power play and penalty kill units, adding some much-needed center depth to their pipeline. He skates well, and has offensive upside which will play well in the city of brotherly love. I see him more as a middle-six forward with the potential to crack the top six. Not sure if I would've made that trade or pick, but time will tell how this one pans out.

Pick No. 14 – Buffalo Sabres

Konsta Helenius, C

Konsta Helenius is a solid center, shining brightly in Liiga and standing out for Finland’s U20 squad. He’s already proven his skill against seasoned pros in both Liiga and the World Championship, showing he’s got what it takes to handle bigger, stronger competition. With his sights set on the NHL this offseason, Helenius brings a wealth of experience and raw talent, making him a prime candidate to break into an NHL lineup this fall. Though he's not the biggest center out there, Helenius is a maestro at controlling the game's tempo. He's easily got the chops to step into a second-line center role and could even vie for a top-line spot. But will that be with the Sabres? That’s the million-dollar question. The Sabres are loaded with high-end prospects, sitting pretty at No. 7 in our Dobber Prospects Organization Rankings. They might hold off on his debut until next year or beyond, given their overflowing pipeline of talent. With such a deep bench, Helenius might find it tough to crack the lineup right away. However, this abundance of talent also means that if he can’t secure his spot, he could become a valuable trade asset to help the Sabres make a playoff push.

BUFFALO SABRES SELECT KONSTA HELENIUS AT PICK #14

Helenius played the whole year in the Liiga and saw really nice production there as well. Couple that with how young he is… he profiles very well in the model.

Not many look just like this (W. Nylander and Lehkonen are some… pic.twitter.com/A4ULHIT8vc

— Byron Bader (@ByronMBader) June 29, 2024

Pick No. 15 – Detroit Red Wings

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard made history as the first Norwegian player ever drafted in the first round. And, true to form, Yzerman saw something in him that nobody else did. Does Yzerman’s unconventional approach always work? Not necessarily, but that never stops him from going with his gut. With players like Pasarak and Eiserman still on the board, many expected the Red Wings to snag Eiserman. Instead, Yzerman opted for the hardworking, two-way winger who’s a beast on the forecheck and dominates physically on the ice. Now, that's not to say Nygard lacks potential—far from it. It's just that there were arguably better options available. Nygard still has a year left with Skelleftea in the SHL, so we'll have to wait and see where he ends up after that.

Pick No. 16 – St. Louis Blues

Adam Jiricek, D

Adam Jiricek, the younger brother of David Jiricek (drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets), was a solid choice for the St. Louis Blues. The Blues needed to bolster their blue line, and Jiricek fits the bill. While he might not light up the scoreboard, he's got some offensive chops and knows how to move the puck efficiently. He uses his big frame to his advantage and has a high compete level, making him a reliable presence on the ice. If he can fully recover from his knee injury sustained during the World Juniors in December, Jiricek has the potential to develop into a top-four defenseman. He is expected to be in playing shape for the upcoming season in Czechia. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his progress, as his physicality and puck-moving skills could make him a valuable asset in the future.

Yeah, Adam Jiricek (2024) is going to be some fun pic.twitter.com/VxtQEhihJJ

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) July 30, 2023

Pick No. 17 – Washington Capitals

Terik Parascak, D

I think the Captials did good with this pick. Terik Parascak had a stellar year in the WHL, racking up 43 goals and 105 points in 68 games with the Prince George Cougars. Known for his high hockey IQ, Washington getting him at 17th overall is solid. Parascak consistently makes high-end plays at the net, kills penalties, and brings his A-game every night. He excels in all situations and can be trusted on the penalty kill. While he may not be the flashiest player, he's incredibly effective and reliable. Parascak projects as a strong middle-six winger who can contribute on the second power play unit and potentially move up to the first. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on him; his ability to produce and his all-around game makes him a player to keep an eye out for.

Pick No. 18 – Chicago Blackhawks

Sacha Boisvert, C

If you were thinking, “Hey, the Blackhawks need a big body center,” you were spot on. Enter Sacha Boisvert, standing at 6-foot-2 and 183 pounds. While that might not sound huge, consider the Blackhawks' recent center picks: Conor Bedard (5-foot-10), Oliver Moore (5-foot-11), and Frank Nazar (5-foot-9). Boisvert brings some much-needed size to the table. He was a force in the USHL this year, notching 36 goals and 68 points in 61 games. Skilled and instinctive with the puck, Boisvert looked poised for the NHL. He's got the size, skating ability, skill, and scoring touch, plus he competes hard every night. With all the talent the Blackhawks have drafted down the middle, Boisvert projects more as a middle to bottom-six role player. However, his size and skill set fill a crucial need for the team, making him a valuable addition to their lineup.

With their second pick of the first round, the #Blackhawks select Sacha Boisvert! #2024NHLDraft

🔗: https://t.co/8oBWeJNpBP pic.twitter.com/geutmHfOfu

— Elite Prospects (@eliteprospects) June 29, 2024

Pick No. 19 – Vegas Golden Knights

Trevor Connelly, LW

Trevor Connelly is a dynamic offensive talent and a fantastic skater, with a style reminiscent of Anthony Duclair. His edge work and top speed are impressive. Skill-wise, he’s among the top prospects in the draft, but concerns about his off-ice maturity likely caused him to slip to 19th overall, where the Vegas Golden Knights picked him up. Vegas isn't one to shy away from controversy, whether in their hockey operations or player management. Connelly's talent is undeniable, making this a solid pick from a pure hockey standpoint. Now, it's up to him to show he's matured and ready to make a positive impact in the NHL. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Connelly—if he can put it all together, he has the potential to be a dynamic force in any lineup.

Pick No. 20 – New York Islanders

Cole Eiserman, LW

Cole Eiserman boasts the best shot in the 2024 draft. He sees the ice well and can make tough passes, but he absolutely prefers to shoot, often a bit too much—a habit he'll need to curb. However, he’s shown a commitment to becoming more of a playmaker and earning his coaches’ trust with his off-puck play. Honestly, I thought the Red Wings would snag him in the first round, but Eiserman’s star value dipped as a high lottery pick over the past six months. The Islanders grabbing him at 20th is a worthwhile gamble. He still has the skill and potential to be a top-six winger in the NHL. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his development; if Eiserman can balance his playmaking and shooting, he could become a significant offensive force.

#Isles select Cole Eiserman 20th overall. I ranked him 7th overall.

Eiserman is a natural goal scorer and an excellent point scorer as well. He failed to improve on his insane D-1 season, but still had a very strong draft year. Statistically, he is a massive steal here. pic.twitter.com/4hMEjTSoJR

— Patrick Bacon (@TopDownHockey) June 29, 2024

Pick No. 21 – Montreal Canadians

Michael Hage, C

Michael Hage was one of the best players in the USHL this past season. His journey is a testament to mental toughness and resilience, especially after the recent passing of his father. His ability to maintain focus and strive toward his NHL dreams earned him the 2024 E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence, recognizing his commitment to excellence through character, competitiveness, and athleticism. This season, he ranked among the top five in league with 33 goals and 42 assists in 54 regular-season games. While he showed moments of inconsistency, he finished the season strong. Although he’s on the smaller side, he has room to grow physically and refine his skills back in Michigan. He’s projected to be a middle-six winger with potential for more, driven by his determination to succeed in the NHL. From a fantasy perspective, he should be monitored, as he possesses the promise and work ethic to carve out a successful career at hockey’s highest level.

Stay tuned for next week's Draft picks from 22-32. Thanks for reading and see you next week! Follow me on X  @Punters_hockey for more content and fantasy hockey analysis.