4 Possible NHL Draft Options for Utah at No. 6

We officially now that the NHL franchise formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes will simply go by Utah for the 2024-25 season, with a team name and branding to come in time for 2025-26. We also know that the newly relocated organization will make their first draft selection (barring a trade that is) under their new name and geographic location with the No. 6 pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Still to be determined, however, is who will be the first drafted player to don a Utah hat.

Whoever is selected No. 6 over-all will join an impressive treasure trove of prospects and young talent, but will also be coming into an organization with needs all over the ice and who are likely looking to draft the best player available. Last year with the same sixth pick, GM Bill Armstrong landed Russian blue liner Dmitry Simashev, who showed promise over 63 games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl despite averaging just 14:36 of ice time.

Here are four options who could be poised to join Simashev as part of the Utah organization on June 28:

Zeev Buium

Assuming injury-marred center Cayden Lindstrom and Russian winger Ivan Demidov are off the board by the No. 4 pick, Utah's pick could spark a run of defensemen. And it's entirely possible that University of Denver standout Zeev Buium might be the best of the group.

The younger brother of Shai Buium, a prospect in the Detroit Red Wings organization, Buium racked up 11 goals and 50 points in just 42 games to lead all NCAA defensemen in scoring. He also starred for the United States' gold medal-winning 2024 World Junior team, registering three goals and five points in seven games.

Although he still stands to improve on the defensive end, Buium combines an extensive offensive skill set with a calm, cool demeanor that has helped the 18-year-old step up in big moments.

Sam Dickinson

Thanks to prospects like 6'7" Maveric Lamoureaux, 6'4" Conor Geekie and 6'2" Simashev, Utah's farm system has come to be known for its size. If that's a trend that Armstrong wishes to see continue, then 6'3", 204-pound blue liner Sam Dickinson could be an intriguing option.

The London Knights star isn't just some lumbering d-man, though. Dickinson boasts tremendous skating ability for his size and has demonstrated an elite hockey IQ, which helped cement him as the Knights' primary power play quarterback this past season.

Cole Eiserman

One of the most intriguing storylines of the whole 2024 Draft could center around where US National Development Team star Cole Eiserman ultimately lands. The winger is currently tabbed in most mock drafts to last further into the teens, but it wasn't that long ago that he was being touted as one of the top 2024 prospects.

Although Eiserman's 25 goals in 24 games this year was plenty impressive, scouts were left cold by the 17-year-old's lack of multi-dimensional play. Everyone knows he's got an exceptional shot and carries serious potential as a goal scorer, but his play making and defense are still lacking. If Utah is looking to make a high upside play, though, then Eiserman will certainly get consideration.

Tij Iginla

Last year, Josh Doan, the son of Coyotes legend Shane Doan, made his NHL debut to much fanfare and nice little dose of early success. Perhaps Utah would be interested in another son of former Kamloops-Blazer-turned-NHL-star.

Tij Iginla followed in his father Jarome's footsteps this past year with the Blazers, putting up 47 goals and 84 points in 64 games. While he will surely have to contend with comparisons to his Hall of Fame dad throughout his career, the younger Iginla carries his own blend of offensive talent, speed, play making and vision that could give a franchise their No. 1 center for years to come.