Kent Hughes announces a change in strategy for the Habs for the NHL Draft

We told you earlier this week that the day after the NHL trade deadline, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton were available virtually to answer questions from fans.

There were some great questions and many of them were about the future and the future of the team. In particular, the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.

For the 2022 draft, which will take place in Montreal in July, the Habs currently have a grand total of seven picks in the first three rounds, and ten picks in the first four rounds. (as well as 14 picks in total)

At that famous roundtable discussion on Tuesday, Simon Servant (of Everything Hockey) asked the two executives about their strategy for the upcoming auction.


We know that in the Marc Bergevin era, we've been used to backing off in the draft, to go after more picks. (Simply put, it seemed to be about quantity of picks, before quality) Unless I'm mistaken, Marc Bergevin has never moved up to talk earlier in the first round.

Now, what about Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes?

In their case, they clearly seem open to considering the option of using these numerous selections to advance in the draft.

Hughes mentioned that he really wants to work with the list prepared by his scouts.

If, for example, at the 30th pick, there is a player that the CH has ranked 15th on their list that is still there, the GM will not hesitate to offer picks to move up and advance in the draft.

The same goes for first round picks.

In the future, Hughes really seems to want to prioritize the quality of the picks, the prospects, before the quantity, as it was the case in the last years.

I like this approach. From now on, expect the CH to trade up to move up in the draft, rather than back down and get their hands on next year's picks.

Do you like the idea?


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