2024 Very Early Mock Draft w/ Trades

Love it. NJD picking #32 is best part.

Philly takes Eiserman #2 (if San Jose doesn’t take him 1st)
Chicago takes Howe #19

And San Jose’s prospect pool, after adding Celebrini (or Eiserman), Connelly, Skahen and Emery is going to be atop the league.

How could the flames pass up the opportunity to add yet another Ritchie to the roster

Was actually going to comment that I think OP got it right with Philly going Demidov over Eiserman at 2. I think Demidov is a better stylistic fit than Eiserman, and giving Michkov a fellow countryman and teammate to 0lay with is a big added bonus

I agree.



Philly is already waiting a while for Michkov. The trend for Russian prospects is play a couple of seasons in the KHL before coming to North America to play. Since the KHL doesn't doesn't put a cap on rookie contracts. When Putin invaded the Ukraine the NHL and KHL cut ties so they no longer have a transfer agreement. Will it still be an issue by the 2024 draft I have no idea.

It's mostly all up to the player and when they want to come over so long as they're not under contract. In Michkov's case, his contract ends in 2026, in Demidov' case 2025. You're correct that in theory the player could sign another KHL contract and *really* screw over the team that drafts him, but that's where a team's FO needs to be comfortable that the player really wants to come over.

The only other complicated factor is the mandatory military service/upper education they require, although that's usually handled pretty swiftly and effectively by most of the player's agents (unless your name is Ivan Fedotov)

I'm aware that it's up to the player and that's why I mentioned that a lot of players choose to play a couple of seasons in the KHL first because they can sign over $!M un like the NHL where ELCs currently max out at $950K. As far as compulsory military service goes before Russia invaded The Ukraine, if you played for Russia internationally that could count as your compulsory military obligation. I saw the IIHF sided with the Flyers so he has a valid contract. When the NHL severed with the KHL it voided all agreements the 2 leagues had in place. Around that time the IIHF banned Russia from all international play. So Russia doesn't have to comply with any decisions made by the IIHf. Russia is a f****** mess right now. So you really can't accurately predict how it will play-out.

you're not getting a first and third from us for duclair lol