Is Kent Hughes about to acquire a future star defenseman? Major update
For several weeks now, most experts have been discussing Cayden Lindstrom and Ivan Demidov as the top candidates for the 5th overall pick by Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.
But what if the Canadiens end up drafting another defenseman this year? There are new developments regarding this scenario that would surely stir up conversation.
One thing seems unchanged.
If Kent Hughes has the opportunity to draft Cayden Lindstrom and/or Ivan Demidov with the 5th pick, he is expected to select a forward.
However, a new scenario is being considered.
According to recent information reported by Arpon Basu, Kent Hughes might surprise everyone and draft another defenseman if a specific situation occurs.
If Ivan Demidov and Cayden Lindstrom are unfortunately selected in the top 4, the management will choose the best player available, and that best player available might very well be a defenseman.
«But in the equally unlikely event that neither [Ivan Demidov nor Cayden Lindstrom] is available, I think the Canadiens would lean towards a defenseman.
And I don't think they would trade down later in the top 10 to get an asset and pick one of the top wingers available, like Tij Iginla or Beckett Sennecke, because they see the fifth pick as an opportunity to add a significant piece to their rebuild, and trading down would reduce the likelihood that this player would be a significant piece.»
- Arpon Basu This is major news, but not entirely surprising.
We've seen over the past few weeks that Sam Dickinson seems to be a very special player.
If he is the best player available at the Canadiens' 5th pick, Kent Hughes will select the best player available, even if he is a left-handed defenseman.
Of course, the Canadiens would prefer to add a forward, but not at any cost. (which is really not a bad thing)
According to Basu, two defensemen, in particular, are of great interest to the Montreal management: Zeev Buium and Zayne Parekh.
«The Canadiens really like the left-handed defenseman from the University of Denver, Zeev Buium, and the right-handed defenseman from the Saginaw Spirit, Zayne Parekh, who are excellent with puck possession, something the Canadiens lack on their blue line.
I think both Buium and Parekh could be considered at the 5th pick, although it's hard to determine which one would be preferred, even though Parekh has the advantage of being right-handed.»
- Arpon Basu
This is a scenario to keep in mind, in addition to the one involving Sam Dickinson.
Personally, I believe the top 5 players in this draft are Macklin Celebrini, Artyom Levshunov, Ivan Demidov, Cayden Lindstrom, and Sam Dickinson.
If we can select one of these five names, we have a good chance of landing a future star player and a very promising young talent.
Stay tuned!
Credit: Marqueur.com -
Canadiens: acquisition surprise d'un défenseur de premier plan par Kent Hughes?
POLL |
Would you be disappointed if the Canadiens drafted a defenseman with the 5th pick? |
Yes | 469 | 62.1 % |
No | 286 | 37.9 % |
List of polls |
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