Canadiens Exploring Trading Up In NHL Entry Draft?

The Montreal Canadiens are reportedly interested in trading up from fifth overall at this year’s NHL Entry Draft. According to a report from Andre Gascon at Radio-Canada, the Canadiens have contacted the San Jose Sharks, who sit at pick number four, about swapping places. Athletic reporters Arpon Basu and Marc Antoine Godin have corroborated this report, adding that the Canadiens have contacted the Anaheim Ducks about the availability of pick number two.

So there appears to be something going on there, but the question now turns to whether this is a realistic possibility for the Canadiens. The price to move up to two or four would not be cheap, especially if both the Ducks and Sharks are not comfortable taking Michkov. If they aren’t, I’d say this isn’t feasible, as the Canadiens likely don’t want to give up too much.

In order to move up, especially at two, that likely means parting with something significant, like Kirby Dach or next year’s first-round pick. Even that might just be the start, seeing as we’re talking about the second pick in one of the strongest draft classes in recent history. For the Ducks to be convinced, they need substantial compensation, something I’m not sure the Canadiens are willing to do.

Pick number four might be more manageable, but I’d suspect it would still be pricey even then. Pick five, and 31 might not do it. There is a clear top five in this draft, but seeing as one of those guys is Michkov, it might be a top four for some teams. So, in order for the Sharks to back out of that, they’d need reasonable compensation as well. Still, we know Kent Hughes wants to be aggressive, so this could be the splash he’s willing to make if he thinks it improves the team.

That being said, I do wonder if this is Hughes attempting to trade up or if this is just him doing his due diligence, and it’s being misinterpreted. He wouldn’t be doing his job if he wasn’t at least checking to see what it might cost him to move up, but he may not have any real intention of pulling the trigger, especially if the price is as lofty as expected.

If the Canadiens can pull off a trade, specifically for two, I would do it personally. Adam Fantilli is a superstar and a first-overall pick in almost any other draft. Now that doesn’t mean I’d be giving up anything, but the list of untouchables is relatively short in this scenario. If the Ducks are willing to move down, you must try if you’re the Canadiens. The question is, what would it cost the Habs?

As for moving up to four, I’m less inclined to do that, as I’m not sure it’s worth giving up assets to move up one spot, especially if the Canadiens think it’s Will Smith that will be available at four. I like Smith, but not so much, that I’d be willing to move a key or multiple key assets to add him instead of picking Benson or Leonard at five.

If there’s one thing we can take from this, I think it’s that the Canadiens won’t be taking Matvei Michkov. If they were as high on him as others we’re, I think they’d be content sticking at five and picking him. I feel as though trying to move up is a sign of them not pleased with the drop off of talent from four to five, assuming Michkov won’t be selected for non-hockey-related reasons.

These trades rarely happen, and to be honest, I don’t expect that to change this year. The Canadiens can certainly try, but the best way to land a player like Fantilli will always be through “tanking.” The Ducks are bad right now; they earned Fantilli, they would need a hefty offer to change their mind, and I just don’t think the Canadiens would want to do that.

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