As reported by journalist Arpon Basu (The Athletic), in the end, Kent Hughes as well as the Montreal Canadiens executives will surprisingly not go to dinner with the best European prospect, and the one expected to come out top-3 in the 2022 draft, Juraj Slafkovsky.
As part of the famous "Combine", it has become a real tradition in the NHL (to invite the favorite prospects of an organization, for a dinner). This is especially the case for the top prospects, those who come out in the first round.
So some people think that this diminishes the chances of Juraj Slafkovsky being drafted by the Montreal Canadiens, but let's wait and see, especially since the young Slovak got his 30-minute meeting with Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, as did several other prospects for that matter. (including Jack Hughes, the son of the CH's GM)
In short, is this a positive sign for Wright and Cooley, and a negative one for Slafkovsky? You be the judge, but let's also remember that Hughes and Gorton were in Finland recently to see the young Slovakian for the World Championship. Does this explain it? No idea.