Leon Muggli's path could lead him to the NHL with the Washington Capitals. The 17-year-old Zug defenseman will be drafted 52nd overall in the 2nd round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Muggli played 53 games for EV Zug's first team last season. As expected, he was the first Swiss draft pick this year. His possible future team is the current one of superstar Alexander Ovechkin (38).
The 18-year-old goalkeeper Christian Kirsch followed in 116th place in the 4th round. The San Jose Sharks opted for the Basler, who plays for the Zug juniors. The 19-year-old Davos forward Rico Gredig was drafted in the 6th round by the New York Rangers, while the 17-year-old Basile Sansonnens from Fribourg, who will play for Lausanne next season, was selected in the 7th round by the Vancouver Canucks.
As in the previous year, no Swiss talent made it to the first-round draft. ZSC defenceman Daniil Ustinkov, who was highly touted a few months ago, even missed out completely. The number 1 draft pick in 2024 is Canadian forward Macklin Celebrini. The left-handed forward had been traded as the favorite and was drafted by the San Jose Sharks. He could make the acquaintance of Kirsch at the Sharks' preparation camps.
