The Canadiens' first-round pick traded by KH: that's what Eric Engels believes
The Canadiens will certainly want to make a big splash at the draft, perhaps even before or after, and Kent Hughes isn't hiding it.
The team needs quality prospects in the forward positions, and most of their current prospects are potential bottom-six forwards.
To achieve this, Kent Hughes and his scouting team need to select a forward, but the 2024 draft is rich in defensemen, which clearly doesn't help.
For this reason, Sportsnet journalist Eric Engels, who covers the Canadiens daily, believes that the Habs might trade their 5th overall pick to move down.
Among the interesting forward prospects, there is Macklin Celebrini, who is heading directly to San Jose. Then, there are Ivan Demidov and Cayden Lindstrom, who should be taken in the top 5.
If they go in the top 4, the other prospects like Berkly Catton, Tij Iginla, and others should be available around the 10th pick.
Will Kent Hughes be tempted to trade down to get an interesting return, along with a slightly later selection?
"[Engels] talked about the situation, saying that in his view, it would be surprising to see Kent Hughes move up to select a player he really likes.
But the scenario of the Habs trading down in the draft, Engels believes in it:
'I could see the validity of the idea for the Canadiens [] Honestly, I expect something to happen.' - Eric Engels"
When a man like Engels, who has solid sources, claims that something will happen at the draft, it should be taken into consideration.
| POLL |
28 MAI | 402 ANSWERS The Canadiens' first-round pick traded by KH: that's what Eric Engels believes In your opinion, should Kent Hughes absolutely draft a forward, even if the best player on their list is a defenseman? |
| Yes | 306 | 76.1 % |
| No | 96 | 23.9 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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