Predicting what Kent Hughes will do with the 26th pick

Two options at pick 26

If I'm Hughes, I think picking a forward with the fifth overall selection makes the most sense, given the fact that David Reinbacher joined an already solid group of blueliners. I would go as far as to say that double dipping in the forward prospects pool available at the draft makes a ton of sense also. Adding one of the top 30 ranked forwards would be a great boost for the Canadiens offence.

Dean Letourneau is an interesting player to me - the 6 foot 6 centre is a commit to Boston College for the 2024-25 season. And, while he hasn't dominated in a prominent league, he will make the jump St. Andrew's College in the u18 AAA league to the NCAA. Letourneau scored 127 points in 56 games and with his blend of size, smooth skating and great puck skills for a big man, he could be a nice addition to the Canadiens.

Andrew Basha, a teammate of projected top-10 pick Cayden Lindstrom is a smaller winger. The six-foot-tall winger weighs in at 180 pounds. After scoring 85 points in 63 games, the majority of which were without his No. 1 centre, Lindstrom. Basha then followed that up with five points through five WHL playoff games.

Both players have the potential to play in the Canadiens' top six in the future and could beef up the Habs' attack. With Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach down the middle in the top six, adding some more talented wingers into the mix won't hurt the Canadiens. Adding in Letourneau, a huge centre could also free up Dach on the wing.