Montreal Canadiens Three Options With the First Overall Pick

Trade for a recent 1st overall pick

Admittedly, this is the least likely scenario of the three laid out here, but it is far from an impossibility. Teams rarely trade the first overall pick. The last time it happened was back in 2003 when the Pittsburgh Penguins traded up from third to first with the Florida Panthers.

So, it is unlikely, and if it were to happen it would probably be the Arizona Coyotes offering the third overall pick and another prized pick or prospect. Or, maybe another team could step up with a prized prospect that opens the Habs eyes.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes is part of a management group that includes Jeff Gorton at the top. Gorton was previously the general manager of the New York Rangers who recently had a first overall pick of his own. He selected Alexis Lafreniere with that pick.

Lafreniere was the first overall pick in 2020 but hasn’t broken out at the NHL level just yet. He has plenty of skill and speed and offensive instincts, but scored just 19 goals and 31 points in 79 games this season, his second in the league. He had 12 goals and 21 points in 56 games as a rookie.

But, the Canadiens could use a young, skilled left winger to form a tremendous trio with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield. The Rangers could use a centre like Shane Wright if they are going to lose Ryan Strome this offseason. There is a fit, but that’s a lot of risk taken by the Canadiens. The Rangers would have to offer something else significant with Lafreniere to get the Habs to bite.

It becomes hard to work something out that makes sense for both teams. The Habs would want another top prospect thrown in, but that would likely make it too rich for the Rangers. Again, it is admittedly unlikely, especially since the first overall pick hasn’t been moved in 19 years, but a Lafreniere for Wright deal could possibly get done.