Not sure if you saw THG’s mock, but IIRC, he had the same top-5 but in a different order…Athletic staff did a mock draft based on what they heard at the combine/know of their teams.
1 - Celebrini
2 - Levshunov
3 - Silayev
4 - Lindstrom
5 - Demidov
Pronman's analysis of it after speaking with scouts: The first five picks going Celebrini, Levshunov, Silayev, Lindstrom then Demidov seems to be the emerging “chalk” scenario for the somewhat consensus top five prospects. There is plenty of room for surprises in the top five, but this seems to be the most likely scenario. It would also fit how NHL teams tend to prioritize centers and defensemen over wings and players in North America versus Russia.
And an interesting tidbit with our 26th pick:
26. Montreal Canadiens: Andrew Basha, RW, Medicine Hat (WHL)
I’m not convinced the Canadiens will be making this pick; it will in all likelihood be included in a trade prior to the draft. But if they hang on to it, and he’s still on the board the way he is here, Basha is a player they really like; his speed, compete and motor really pop. The Canadiens met with Basha five times over the course of the season, even after his linemate Cayden Lindstrom was injured, and they see an NHL projectable game. Basha says he can play anywhere in the lineup, from the first line to the fourth, and the Canadiens seem to see something similar. — Arpon Basu
1. Celebrini
2. Demidov
3. Levshunov
4. Lindstrom
5. Silayev
I know there’s some chatter about Sennecke who I have warmed up to, but if the first four go something like the above, is Sennecke a better option than the remaining D, despite D being an organizational strength? IMO, I think we’re still lacking that stud #1D. Not saying Silayev is the answer BTW, but maybe he is.