Major trade involving the Canadiens' 5th pick: Kent Hughes opens the door
Kent Hughes has had the opportunity, since becoming general manager, to select first overall, fifth last year, and now fifth again this year.
Although the seasons have been more challenging due to the rebuild, it's still a real pleasure to select such talented players.
Last year, Hughes surprised many by selecting a defenseman in a year rich in top forwards. This year, it's the opposite, with many excellent defensemen stealing the spotlight, but the Canadiens cannot afford to select another defenseman.
Regarding this, Kent Hughes was questioned by Pierre LeBrun, and the GM confirmed that this year's pick will be a forward. However, the 5th pick could be traded under one condition.
"Hughes did not wish to go into details, but a likely scenario where Montreal would consider moving down in the draft would be if several forwards are selected before the 5th pick." - Via Samuel Doiron
Naturally, we think of Macklin Celebrini, who will go first overall, as well as Ivan Demidov, Cayden Lindstrom, and Berkly Catton.
Other interesting forwards, like Tij Iginla, are also in the mix, though he shouldn't be picked before the 10th spot. It's known that Kent Hughes and his scouting team have met with him several times and are very interested.
If the four teams ahead of the Canadiens primarily select forwards, Kent Hughes could then trade the 5th pick and move down in the draft. The door is open.
POLL |
5 JUIN | 546 ANSWERS Major trade involving the Canadiens' 5th pick: Kent Hughes opens the door Would you prefer Kent Hughes to select a defenseman at the 5th spot or to trade down in the draft to select Tij Iginla? |
Defenseman | 88 | 16.1 % |
Trade down for Iginla | 458 | 83.9 % |
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