The Montreal Canadiens biggest draft night decision will be who to select with the 5th overall pick. There have been constant rumours about who they are interested in taking, or not interested in selecting, and that decision will dominate their thought process from now until June 28th.
That, and where to go for supper before the draft starts. I hear there is quite a selection in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Canadiens do still hold another first round pick. They have the Florida Panthers first rounder as part of the Ben Chiarot trade a year ago. With their successful run in the postseason, that Panthers pick has dropped to 31st overall.
It is difficult to debate who the Canadiens will take 5th because there is uncertainty about who will be taken before then. So, trying to figure out who will be available at 31 is nearly impossible. Still, there is one prospect who believes he could become a member of the Canadiens before the draft is over.
Ethan Gauthier was interviewed by Anthony Martineau of TVA Sports and the young player suggests he is confident the Canadiens are interested in selecting him with the 31st pick.
Gauthier, who played on the same team as Canadiens prospect Joshua Roy with the Sherbrooke Phoenix this past season, is a skilled and tenacious forward who piled up points on a stacked team.
He scored 30 goals and 69 points in 66 games during his 17 year old Junior season. He also scored six goals in five games at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer, which is a tournament that showcases the best draft prospects for the upcoming season.
Gauthier has already been traded in the QMJHL to the Drummondville Voltigeurs who are looking to load up for a championship run, so Gauthier will once again be surrounded by great players in 2023-24.
He was born in Phoenix, Arizona when his father Denis played for the Coyotes. Denis is from Montreal and his son Ethan grew up in the area and knows all about the demanding market that the Canadiens play in.
Gauthier also mentioned the Canadiens like his phsyical, grinding style of play and he believes the team will select him with the 31st pick if he is still available. Of course, his combination of physicality and skill could lead to him being selected earlier, though he seems to be ranked right around the end of the first round by a lot of scouting outlets.
A lot of focus will be on the Canadiens first pick of the night on June 28th, but adding a player like Gauthier late in the night would be a huge win for the Canadiens as well.
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