5 of the best players still available for the Jets to select at 37th overall

Night 1 of the 2024 NHL Draft is officially in the books. It was quite the spectacle to watch on TV, and I can only imagine what the scenes would’ve been like inside the Las Vegas sphere. It was a pretty underwhelming night in terms of trades, as there were only 5 trades, and they were all just pick swaps. Like every other draft, there were some surprises, some steals, and everything in between.

The Winnipeg Jets did not have a 1st round pick this year, as they traded it as part of the deal to acquire Sean Monahan from the Montreal Canadiens at the trade deadline. The Jets do have a 2nd round pick though, courtesy of the Pierre-Luc Dubois trade 1 year ago, and it will be in the Canadiens spot at 37th overall.

That being said, now that the 1st round is all complete, who are some of the best players still available in the draft? Teams with an early 2nd round pick will have the chance to draft one of a few players that were projected to be picked in the 1st round. The Jets will be making the 37th overall pick tomorrow morning, as rounds 2-7 get going starting at 10:30 am CT.

A few of the players that I hoped would have been available for the Jets at 37 have already been taken, but here’s 5 players that are still available. I can guarantee that at least a few of these players will be available by the time the Jets step up to the podium at 37, so let’s see if it will be one of these 5, who all have their own unique skills.

The 1st player who most are surprised is still available is Andrew Basha. The Calgary born forward is 6’0′, 187 lbs, shoots left handed, and is described by scouts as a energetic two-way forward and playmaker. He’s the type of forward that is able to find the right gaps in the o zone, and has the puck handling skills to create space and set up his linemates. In 63 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers this season, Basha posted 85 points (30-55-85). One of the Jets needs this draft is a winger, so Basha could be a great pick if he’s available at 37.

Another player who I commonly have seen people online say “how is he still available?” is Russian winger Igor Chernyshov. The Penza, Russian born forward is 6’2″, 196 lbs, shoots right handed, and is a workhorse, power forward type player. Scouts describe Chernyshov as the type of player who you see dashing around the ice on both ice ends and positioning himself in the right spots. If the Jets are looking for more of a two-way forward, Chernyshov should be the pick at 37.

10 defence were selected in round 1, but there are still some good options in round 2, including Leo Sahlin Wallenius. I’ve wrote about what Wallenius brings before, and he’s a very solid two-way option. The 6’0″, 183 lbs Swede is a skilled skater, and scouts say that he excels in creating space using his speed and skill. If you remember back to when I asked Jets Nation what position the Jets should draft at 37, over 75% said a defenceman, so Wallenius could be a great option.

One of those other talented defence that remain undrafted after round 1 is Cole Hutson. The American defence plays what some people call the “new style” of defence, as a mobile, offensive defenceman. With the U.S. National U-18 team, Hutson scored an impressive 51 points (15 goals and 36 assists) in 51 games. Hutson might need some more development with his defensive game, but he more than makes up what he lacks at defending with his impressive offensive-defenceman abilities.

I had to include a centre on this list, simply because you can’t go wrong with drafting what most teams find the most important position on a team. This player I was less surprised that he wasn’t selected, but I’m more surprised that no Swedes went in the 1st round tonight. The 5’11”, 174 lbs left handed forward is a skilled centre who uses his speed to set up his linemates with scoring chances. With the Modo Hockey U-20 team this season, Pettersson scored 27 goals and added 30 assists for 57 points in 44 games. You can’t go wrong with a centre early in the draft, and the Jets should definitely consider Pettersson at 37.

Of course, I’m not a Jets scout, so I have no idea what the Jets could be thinking as to who will be their guy at 37th overall. Two players that are rumoured to be on the Jets trading block, Nikolaj Ehlers and Rutger McGroarty, have not been dealt yet, but they could definitely bring the Jets more draft picks tomorrow if that’s what they are looking for as a return. Another option for the Jets could be to trade down from the 37th overall pick, gaining another pick in the 3rd or 4th round, while still hopefully getting the player that they have in mind. Get ready, because in around 12 hours from now we will once and for all know who the Jets select with their 1st of their 5 picks in the 2024 NHL entry draft.