The NHL regular season is quickly coming to a close and half the league will soon shift focus towards the 2024 NHL Draft.

Nine franchises have been eliminated from playoff contention, which solidifies a spot in the draft lottery. 11 teams have clinched playoff spots, which means that the remaining 12 teams are fighting to see if they will be hoping for a playoff run or a lucky break in the lottery.

While the teams prepare to face the final stretch of the season, the top prospects are also preparing. Some have more collegiate or junior play ahead of them, others will show what they can do in international tournaments while the rest are gearing up for the pre-draft process.

Here is a look at the potential draft order and selections in June as well as a spotlight on a few notable prospects.

Updated Draft Order and First-Round Mock

Here's a look at the current draft order based on the NHL Standings.

1. San Jose Sharks: Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University (NCAA)
2. Chicago Blackhawks: Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State University (NCAA)
3. Anaheim Ducks: Cole Eiserman, F, USNTDP
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: Cayden Lindstrom, F, Medicine Hat (WHL)
5. Montreal Canadiens: Ivan Demidov, F, SKA-1946 (MHL)
6. Arizona Coyotes: Sam Dickinson, LD, London (OHL)
7. Ottawa Senators: Zayne Parekh, RD, Saginaw (OHL)
8. Calgary Flames: Carter Yakemchuk, RD, Calgary (WHL)
9. Seattle Kraken: Berkly Catton, F, Spokane (WHL)
10. Buffalo Sabres Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver (NCAA)
11. New Jersey Devils: Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo (KHL)
12. Philadelphia Flyers: Tij Iginla, F, Kelowna (WHL)
13. Washington Capitals: Konsta Helenius, F, Tappara (Liiga)
14. Minnesota Wild: Adam Jiricek, D, HC Plzen (Czechia)
15. San Jose Sharks (From Pittsburgh Penguins) Liam Greentree, F, Windsor (OHL)
16. St. Louis Blues: Igor Chernyshov, F, MHK Dynamo Moskova (MHL)
17. Detroit Red Wings: Ryder Ritchie, F, Prince Albert (WHL)
18. New York Islanders: Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, F, Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)
19. Vegas Golden Knights: Sacha Boisvert, F, Muskegon (USHL)
20. Los Angeles Kings: Michael Hage, F, Chicago (USHL)
21. Chicago Blackhawks (From Tampa Bay Lightning): Andrew Basha, F, Medicine Hat (WHL)
22. Nashville Predators: Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK (Liiga)
23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Beckett Sennecke, F, Oshawa (OHL)
24. Anaheim Ducks (From Edmonton Oilers): Charlie Elick, D, Brandon (WHL)
25. Montreal Canadians (From Winnipeg Jets): Cole Hutson, D, Boston University (NCAA)
26. Philadelphia Flyers (From Florida Panthers): Nikita Artamonov, F, Torpedo (KHL)
27. Colorado Avalanche: Maxim Masse, F, Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
28. Calgary Flames (From Vancouver Canucks): Emil Hemming, F, TPS (Liiga)
29. Carolina Hurricanes: Dean Letourneau, F, St. Andrew's College (U18 AAA)
30. Dallas Stars: Henry Mews, D, Ottawa (OHL)
31. Ottawa Senators (From Boston Bruins): Cole Beaudoin, F, Barrie (OHL)
32. New York Rangers: Jett Luchanko, F, Guelph (OHL)

Macklin Celebrini Remains Top Option

Macklin Celebrini entered the 2023-24 season as a contender for the No. 1 pick and will be leaving it as the consensus top option.

The 17-year-old Canadian forward ditched the major junior route to instead pursue a national championship with Boston University and that dream remains alive. His Terriers won the Sioux Falls region and are Minneapolis Bound for the Frozen Four. This included wins over RIT in the opening round and a win over Minnesota in the Elite Eight.

The Terriers outscored the opponents 12-3 in the regional and Celebrini was a huge contributor to this, registering five assists across the two games. This brought his point total to 64, which is second in the nation. He is also second in goals with 32 and was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

He and the Terriers have a date with Michigan in the Final Four and could possibly get a rematch against arch-rival Boston College in the National Championship. The Terriers went 1-3 against the Eagles in the regular season, although the win did come during the semi-finals of the famed Beanpot tournament.

Artyom Levshunov Poised to Be Top Defenseman

Unlike Celebrini, Artyom Levushunov's collegiate season did not last until the Frozen Four.

His Michigan State Spartans earned the No. 1 seed in the Maryland Heights region but fell to the Michigan Wolverines in the Elite Eight. That does not discount the season the season the 18-year-old had, as he registered nine goals and 35 points while manning the blue line for the Spartans.

The top international defenseman possesses a 6'2", 209-pound frame and had a plus-27 rating during his freshman season. He could be the first European player off the board and will shift his focus fully to the draft.

Cole Eiserman Could Be First American Taken

Eiserman did not spend the 2023-24 season at the collegiate ranks but did showcase his sniping ability for the U.S. National Development Program.

He recorded 48 goals in 48 games for the USNTDP, including 25 in 24 games in the USHL. His time in the USHL is nearing the end, and he will soon prepare to join Boston University for the 2024-25 season.

If Celebrini elects to remain in college for one more season, the duo could be line mates for the Terriers. This would be the first time the two played with each other since 2021-22, when they combined for 203 points for Shattuck St. Mary's in Minnesota.