5th Overall Draft Pick by Canadiens: Hughes has just made an interesting decision and it speaks volumes

Of course, as the long-awaited 2023 National Hockey League draft approaches, all eyes here are fixed on the Montreal Canadiens' overall 5th pick.

Will Kent Hughes pick the phenomenon Matvei Michkov? Will Smith? Ryan Leonard? Defenseman David Reinbacher? Or will he surprise us with another player?

That's exactly the question many observers and experts are trying to answer.

You can bet that every little clue is being scrutinized.


One clue that was very revealing last season was the famous dinner between Juraj Slafkovsky and the Habs' Management. It went extremely well for "Slaf", and the rest is history.

So media outlets wanted to ask about it this year, but surprise! We learn that the Canadiens had dinner with absolutely no prospects at the 2023 Combine. Interesting, isn't it?

You can draw your own conclusions, but it is indeed interesting to see that they did not want to go there this year.

Is it because no prospect stands out particularly at the moment? Is it because the two main targets are Will Smith and Matvei Michkov?

After all, Michkov was obviously not available for dinner, and as for young Smith (who would love to go out in Montreal), Kent Hughes already knows him extremely well and doesn't need an extra dinner with him.

And you, what is your prediction?

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