Confirmed with Link: Canadiens Will Pick 5th (Hughes Presser in OP) NO POLITICS

[Ozmodiar]

I mean Anaheim really doesn't need more prospects. They've got a shit ton already.

Zegras: 22
Drysdale: 21
McTavish: 20
Zellwegger: 20
Mintyukov: 20
Dostal: 22
Gaucher: 19
Luneau: 19

Are all pretty considered top prospects, and there's more depth prospects behind them. 4 of the above are D-men.

Habs in a similar boat. A lot of young talent. Would probably want quality over quantity. I doubt Anaheim would be the trade partner.

/ not comparing players, just saying the prospect depth is there.

Zegras: 9 (caufield)
Drysdale: 6 (Michkov)
McTavish: 3 (Slaf)
Zellwegger: 34 (beck)
Mintyukov: 10 (Guhle)
Dostal: 85 (Engstrom)
Gaucher: 22 (Mesar)
Luneau: 53 (Hutson)

 

[HuGort]

I mean Anaheim really doesn't need more prospects. They've got a shit ton already.

Zegras: 22
Drysdale: 21
McTavish: 20
Zellwegger: 20
Mintyukov: 20
Dostal: 22
Gaucher: 19
Luneau: 19

Are all pretty considered top prospects, and there's more depth prospects behind them. 4 of the above are D-men.

Anaheim two excellent young centers. Chance they may look at Fantilli trade.

 

[NORiculous]

How often are top 5 picks even moved? We hear these “trying to move up” rumors before every draft and then they all die with a whimper once the team who is trying to move up, gets wind of what it would cost.

Not often but the biggest move I can remember is described here :

Burke traded defenceman Bryan McCabe and their 2000 first-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for the fourth overall pick. Burke then paired the fourth overall pick and two third-round picks to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the 1st overall selection.
A deal was then made by Burke to trade the 1st overall pick to the Atlanta Thrashers in a deal for the 2nd overall pick with the assurance they would not take a Sedin. Atlanta took future draft bust Patrik Stefan first overall.

In turn, Burke got his wish — a pair of electric teen’s from the SHL.

 

[26Mats]

Anaheim two excellent young centers. Chance they may look at Fantilli trade.

Could be smart for them to trade down to 5, collect a king's ransom, and take Michkov.

 

[NORiculous]

Could be smart for them to trade down to 5, collect a king's ransom, and take Michkov.

Yeah was thinking about that but it obviously depends what the king’s ransom is.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Wow they desperately do not want to pick Michkov. Look the only reason to move up would be to pick him. Stop being dumb, HuGo. Mich is the second most skilled guy in the draft. People would freaking love him. We need franchise players, don't be Bergevin.

These trade murmurs - to move up a few spots - have me thinking: Michkov.

Hugo doesn’t want another team jumping up to grab the talent.

If Hughes wanted one of the centers, wouldn’t he take best available at 5, even if that means Dvorsky? Is there that much of a gap between he and Smith?

I think he wants Michkov. Plus there’s Gorton - biggest acquisition with the rangers - Panarin.

 

[Detroit Knights]

Yeah was thinking about that but it obviously depends what the king’s ransom is.

I would assume both of montreal's 1sts this year plus an A to A+ prospect of yours. Maybe a roster player that is like a 2nd/3rd line tweener

 

[Kimota]

These trade murmurs - to move up a few spots - have me thinking: Michkov.

Hugo doesn’t want another team jumping up to grab the talent.

If Hughes wanted one of the centers, wouldn’t he take best available at 5, even if that means Dvorsky? Is there that much of a gap between he and Smith?

I think he wants Michkov. Plus there’s Gorton - biggest acquisition with the rangers - Panarin.

I hope you are right! If I wanted Mich, I would definitely try to move up.

 

[Jack Skellington]

Could be smart for them to trade down to 5, collect a king's ransom, and take Michkov.

That would be pretty badass not gonna lie

 

[Kimota]

I was trying to keep an open mind but that RadCan article has me wondering — Michkov looks like a hot potato the Habs don’t want to have to deal with.

Hot potatoes are good for you. They taste good.

Seriously though, I hope we don't have that type of cowards in management.

 

[26Mats]

Yeah was thinking about that but it obviously depends what the king’s ransom is.

Calgary 2025/26 1st + Lane Hutson + 5th overall (Michkov) would be good pieces and we may be tempted to let go of them for the big center.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

Calgary 2025/26 1st + Lane Hutson + 5th overall (Michkov) would be good pieces and we may be tempted to let go of them for the big center.

Sure, why not? We've been horrible at asset management forever. Don't see why we should start getting good at it now.

I, on the other hand, would suggest keeping 5, drafting BPA, and trhen getting another pick in the top 12 or so to #GetWood

 

[Runner77]

Could be smart for them to trade down to 5, collect a king's ransom, and take Michkov.

Where’s that king’s ransom coming from — are we open to gut out the few good prospects we have?

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Sure, why not? We've been horrible at asset management forever. Don't see why we should start getting good at it now.

I, on the other hand, would suggest keeping 5, drafting BPA, and trhen getting another pick in the top 12 or so to #GetWood

Agred. I would much try to get a mid first than move up from 5. I was alos thinking of Wood with that pick if he was srill on the board.

 

[Kennerback]

I hope you are right! If I wanted Mich, I would definitely try to move up.

According to Flyers fans, Brière (who is definitely not Hextall) seemed to suggest they would take Michkov if available @7 but he didn’t think he would still be there.

 

[BenchBrawl]

According to Flyers fans, Brière (who is definitely not Hextall) seemed to suggest they would take Michkov if available @7 but he didn’t think he would still be there.

Brière, a clutch player extraordinaire, knows greatness when he sees it.

 

[morhilane]

How often are top 5 picks even moved? We hear these “trying to move up” rumors before every draft and then they all die with a whimper once the team who is trying to move up, gets wind of what it would cost.

The last 1st overall to be traded post playoffs happened in 2003, before that year, it happened about 3 times per decade and it was often for a package with the #2 or #3 oa. Last top 5 to be traded as a move up was in 2004 (CAR acquired CJB #4 for their #8 and a 2nd round pick).

So the answer is never since the salary cap was introduced in 2005-2006. Not sure if there is a correlation...

Acquiring a pick in the #7-10 range is still a thing thought.

 

[SlafySZN]

Will Smith making a name for himself in NHL draft class Mark Masters | TSN

U.S. National Team Development Program centre talks to TSN’s Mark Masters about his rise and contemplates a potential reunion with former coach and current Canadiens GM Kent Hughes.

www.tsn.ca

 

[Kennerback]

According to Flyers fans, Brière (who is definitely not Hextall) seemed to suggest they would take Michkov if available @7 but he didn’t think he would still be there.

I found a tweet that mentions the “not be there” but according to me, not necessarily the “take him” part. I’ll dig a bit more.

 

[BenchBrawl]

HERE'S THE DEAL:

If Kent Hughes wants to move up at 4th, it might not be because he's scared that San Jose will pick Michkov, but because he's scared ANOTHER TEAM will try to trade up with SJ, scooping us out of Michkov.

If he's as smart as I think he is, that's what I would do; secure the 4th pick to make SURE we get Michkov.

Anaheim won't trade out of 2nd with Fantilli, and Columbus won't trade down because they want their center in Smith/Carlsson.

So that leaves the SJ pick as the danger. Washington or another team could make them an offer they can't refuse (they should though). We need to get that pick.

 

[River Meadow]

Will Smith making a name for himself in NHL draft class Mark Masters | TSN

U.S. National Team Development Program centre talks to TSN’s Mark Masters about his rise and contemplates a potential reunion with former coach and current Canadiens GM Kent Hughes.

www.tsn.ca

He's gonna look terrific in a Sharks jersey.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I was trying to keep an open mind but that RadCan article has me wondering — Michkov looks like a hot potato the Habs don’t want to have to deal with.

The reason they want to move up might have nothing to do with Michkov and everything to do with acquiring a better center than they would get at 5.

 

[Natey]

HERE'S THE DEAL:

If Kent Hughes wants to move up at 4th, it might not be because he's scared that San Jose will pick Michkov, but because he's scared ANOTHER TEAM will try to trade up with SJ, scooping us out of Michkov.

If he's as smart as I think he is, that's what I would do; secure the 4th pick to make SURE we get Michkov.

Anaheim won't trade out of 2nd with Fantilli, and Columbus won't trade down because they want their center in Smith/Carlsson.

So that leaves the SJ pick as the danger. Washington or another team could make them an offer they can't refuse (they should though). We need to get that pick.

Zero chance. Hughes definitely wants Smith. He's traded for players he's got close connections with already. And he used to coach Smith, I believe.

I just hope San Jose takes Smith and Hughes goes with Benson.

 

[SlafySZN]

He's gonna look terrific in a Sharks jersey.

Habs will snatch him once they move up to 4th

 

[BenchBrawl]

Zero chance. Hughes definitely wants Smith. He's traded for players he's got close connections with already. And he used to coach Smith, I believe.

I just hope San Jose takes Smith and Hughes goes with Benson.

If they move up to pick Smith, unless he becomes a massive superstar, they just ruined this franchise and should be fired. Honestly, they should be ran out of town and be forbidden from ever entering the city again.