Disaster for Kent Hughes and the Canadiens ahead of the draft

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David St-Jean
June 15, 2024 (0:39)

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Kent Hughes and the Canadiens' management have one main objective for the draft: to add a promising young forward.

To achieve this, several favorable factors need to align for the team, including many imponderables.

There are three forwards worthy of top-5 discussions: Macklin Celebrini, Ivan Demidov, and Cayden Lindstrom.

While several good defensemen are also available and the Ducks, Blackhawks, and Blue Jackets need depth at that position, they could still opt for a forward.

It can already be confirmed that San Jose will select Macklin Celebrini, leaving Lindstrom and Demidov available for the three teams picking before the Canadiens.

Disaster for Kent Hughes: Cayden Lindstrom gravely injured
For those hoping to see Ivan Demidov in Montreal, it would now be very surprising if he's still available at the 5th spot.

We have just learned that the injury that kept Lindstrom out for a long time this season was a herniated disc.

"Via Corey Pronman on a podcast with The Athletic:

'Cayden Lindstrom was affected by a herniated disc last season, not a muscle injury.' A bit less fun that!"

- Marc-Olivier Beaudoin

This type of injury tends to recur and is treacherous. It's really unfortunate because Lindstrom has a bright future, but this diagnosis could significantly drop his ranking.

This means that if the Canadiens find this too concerning, which wouldn't be surprising given their more conservative approach, they won't select Lindstrom.

I could be wrong, but if Demidov is no longer available at the 5th spot, it's possible Lindstrom won't be the Canadiens' choice. In that case, a defenseman could once again be picked in the first round.