On Tuesday, May 7, we’ll find out where the Canadiens will be drafted next month. #Lottery #Draft
Of course, in an ideal world for team executives, the hockey gods would reward the Habs with the chance to draft Macklin Celebrini.
But chances are good that won’t happen. In fact, according to 91.5% of possible scenarios, the Habs will draft between second and seventh.
If the Canadiens were to draft a player other than Celebrini, the club wouldn’t have its first choice on its list. Because yes, I’m assuming Celebrini is number one.
But even so, the club likes its chances of drafting a forward – because no, it won’t be a defenseman – that it likes.
Why do they like him? Because, as Arpon Basu points out in an (excellent and comprehensive) paper on the Flanelle’s off-season, so many defensemen will be drafted early that the Habs, if they do draft between five and seven, are hopeful that several big forwards will be available.
And of the lot, there will undoubtedly be one to his liking.
A deep dive on the Canadiens offseason and the process of trying to open a competitive window. There are many possibilities and several factors to juggle and manage, but one overall premise will guide all of it. They will trust the process. https://t.co/jX2pyp5BkL
– Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) May 2, 2024
Among the forwards he likes is Ivan Demidov. We’re talking about an excellent Russian player who is sometimes compared to Matvei Michkov, but that’s not a good comparison.
Demidov is seen as a more complete player and is much less controversial than Michkov. He also has a single-year contract from now on, compared to Michkov’s three seasons from 2023 to 2026.
While the Habs weren’t thrilled with Mishkov last year, they feel differently about Demidov. He would have no hesitation in choosing him if he were available. – Arpon Basu
It’s to be expected that the Habs won’t be able to draft him unless he’s in possession of the auction’s second right-of-way. But according to Basu, the Habs like him so much that they might even consider going up to the draft to select him, if he doesn’t win the lottery.
That’s a big statement.
In fact, if it takes a defenseman from the youth bank to move up a few spots, it would fit in with the goal of the off-season: to use the surplus of defensemen to go after a quality forward.
Yes, things will get moving this summer.
In bursts
– This is early.
CF MTL will play at 11 AM next Tuesday in Hamilton. #Students https://t.co/VCoY9EfDfu
– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) May 2, 2024
– Good for the habs hopeful.
Should be good for #Habs Yevgeni Volokhin who played for Yugra MHL team, this leaves a roster spot open in the VHL and should make for an easier path to KHL.
Volokhin’s impressive season also means the trade makes sense from Yugra’s point of view. #GoHabsGo https://t.co/Qivw80o3up– Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) May 2, 2024
– Magnifique.
The iron is well and truly turned in the wound. https://t.co/RyutxdtIaX
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) May 2, 2024
– The future won’t be easy.
The future isn’t necessarily rosy for coach Patrick Roy’s Islanders, writes @SCadoretteJDQ.https://t.co/WhpydO9dc7
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 2, 2024
– Yes.
Free puck | Los Angeles will have to be held accountable https://t.co/FcBTsAYfdc
– La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) May 2, 2024
– Pierre-Luc Dubois continues to be the talk of the town.
Pierre-Luc Dubois had 2 goals in his last 21 games, regular season and playoffs, for the @LAKings. He had 9 assists during that span.
– Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 2, 2024
Dubois scored two goals in his final 21 games of this season. Sure – he is due another $59.5M in salary over the next seven years but he won 50 percent of his faceoffs in those 21 games, and only took three costly penalties in his five playoff games. The Habs missed the boat.
– Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) May 2, 2024