LAS VEGAS | The Montreal Canadiens made a first transaction by trading three draft picks to the Los Angeles Kings (26e57e et 198e) in order to go up to 21e rank of the first round. But why move forward without even knowing which players will be available? Here are some hypotheses.
It’s a bit of a trend this year, actually. On Thursday, the Sabres and Sharks also made a choice trade, just like the Blackhawks and Islanders did a few weeks ago.
For the Canadian, that can mean several things.
1. An asset for a larger transaction?
Jeff Gorton mentioned it on Thursday: the Canadian is involved in numerous trade discussions. Several names have been circulating in rumors for several weeks, including those of attackers Martin Necas and Patrik Laine and hopeful Rutger McGroarty.
The CH could be involved in a negotiation for immediate aid, but the choice is noto26 was too far away for the taste of the other formation? It’s not impossible. Certainly, there are only five ranks difference between 26 and 21, but if a team has established a charter and separated players into different tiers, there can be a major difference between 21 and 26 in the eyes of recruiters (we’ll come back to that).
In addition, journalist Darren Dreger mentioned in the last few hours that Hughes was looking for another choice in the top 10 and that he did not rule out the idea of moving up or down slightly with his fifth overall choice. He also mentioned that Hughes is involved in many discussions involving players.
2. Hoping to draft Cole Eiserman?
We understand that we have to take some and leave some with the dinners at the NHL evaluation camp (combined). However, the CH, in addition to having spent an evening with winger Cole Eiserman in Buffalo, met him again personally in Las Vegas in recent days. The interest is clearly present.
Eiserman, considered a top-5 prospect entering the season, has seen his stock drop in recent months and some believe he will be one of the players who slips in the first round. Does the CH hope to see him reach them on 21e rank? It may be a bit far, but the CH gives itself the possibility of moving up a few more ranks if it sees that the talented American sniper is still available at, say, 17e18e or 19e rank. One of the organization’s young defenders could serve as an addition to the 21e choice to move forward.
3. Because they assess that there is a cut after the 21ste choice in the quality of hopes
When developing draft lists, recruiters often talk about “thirds.” For example, this year it seems that the first third, therefore the group of players considered the best in the entire draft, is made up of only one name: Macklin Celebrini, while the second has up to ten of players, depending on who you talk to.
And if the CH, after this second third, had established that the third stopped at 21? It would then have the assurance of drafting a player who ranks at least in its third quality third.
A few names quickly jump out at you: Sacha Boisvert and Cole Beaudoin.
Boisvert is a Quebec center who spent the last season in the United States. He plays an aggressive style and wasn’t afraid to throw down the gloves on a few occasions last season (that’s not a goon). He would fit into the CH’s philosophy and a recruiter recently told us that he would not be surprised if Boisvert came out earlier than what we see on the majority of public lists, which place him at the end of the first round.
As for Beaudoin, several groups told us they believed that the CH had him in very high esteem. He is the player with the best work ethic in the entire draft, we were assured. In 68 games last season with the Barrie Colts, the 6’2″, 209 lb center collected 62 points.
