Do the Canadiens Already Know Who They Are Drafting?
By Ryan Praught
The Montreal Canadiens hold the fifth overall pick in this year’s NHL Entry Draft, set for Wednesday. They will no doubt have a tough decision on their hands, having to decide between numerous talented prospects. It’s the kind of decision that could change a franchise’s fortune for the next decade. In many ways, the Canadiens can’t afford to make the wrong choice. But could they already have decided who they will be selecting?
Some teams, namely the Chicago Blackhawks, already know exactly who they’ll be picking. For others, it’s less of a guarantee and more of a wait-and-see. Despite reports suggesting the Canadiens could be eyeing Ryan Leonard with the fifth overall pick, I would think the Canadiens have yet to make a final decision yet, nor are they that close.
Based on conversations I've had this AM, there seems to be a sense that MTL (as has been documented at length recently) has strong interest in Ryan Leonard while AZ are looking hard at David Reinbacher.
— Anthony Di Marco (@ADiMarco25) June 24, 2023
If this is the case, Matvei Michkov will likely be available to PHI at #7.
Keep in mind, the Canadiens held the first overall pick in last year’s draft, and yet, at this time last year — 5 days before the draft– the Canadiens had not decided on Juraj Slafkovsky. That doesn’t mean they were not seriously considering him or that he wasn’t the favourite amongst management, just that they hadn’t fully decided yet. Hughes himself said that after speaking with him on the day of the draft, they made up their minds then and there.
Why is this relevant? While the Canadiens, like many teams, have yet to speak with top prospect Matvei Michkov, the wild card of the draft. He’s slated to meet with several teams in the days leading up to the draft, and that could be huge in determining where he will end up being selected. It seems likely he will be there at 5; it certainly wouldn’t shock anyone if he is. So there’s a really good chance the Canadiens will have to decide on him, as opposed to having that decision made for them. That meeting looms large then.
Momentous occasion today: I have to get dressed up. Hope I remember how to tie a tie.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 22, 2023
Quick Matvei Michkov update: He arrives in the U.S. in the next day or so and will be in Nashville by early next week.
His agent Max Moliver has scheduled interviews with multiple clubs,… https://t.co/CgXciFfUmg
The Habs may ultimately choose Ryan Leonard, but I think it’s foolish to act as if they’ve made up their mind on that just yet. I mean, If Michkov goes in the top four, that changes everything and all of a sudden, Leonard is not the favourite. Then Will Smith, Leo Carlsson, or whoever dropped out of the top four seems like the likely choice. Not to mention, the Canadiens may still be trying to trade up. The moral of the story is, the Canadiens still have time to deliberate who they’re going to pick, and I bet they use it right up until Wednesday, perhaps until they’re on the clock.
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