Everyone is trying to figure out what the Canadiens will do Friday night with the fifth overall pick, and honestly, no one really knows.
The Tricolore has been very secretive so far, so many names have circulated since the lottery.
We decided to draw out four possible scenarios for the Canadiens and predict what they will do in each eventuality. For the sake of the cause, we assumed the Sharks selected Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick and the Blackhawks selected defenseman Artyom Levshunov with the second overall pick.
Scenario #1: The Anaheim Ducks go with Anton Silayev at third and the Columbus Blue Jackets select Cayden Lindstrom at fourth.
The debate at the draft table: the team now faces a major dilemma as the very talented forward Ivan Demidov is still available, as are other interesting forwards, including Beckett Sennecke and Tij Iginla, and defenders Zeev Buium, Sam Dickinson or Zayne Parekh.
Last year, CH made the decision not to take the risk of Matvei Michkov due to his contractual situation, but above all certain concerns in his game. Michkov, who nevertheless had three other years left on his contract with SKA Saint -Petersburg, will make the jump to the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers next season. For his part, Demidov only has one year remaining in his pact with the SKA and has clearly mentioned wanting to land in North America as soon as this agreement ends.
On the other hand, there are safer attacking options in Sennecke and Iginla, but who perhaps have less grand slam potential since Demidov is said to be the most talented of this vintage and we compare him to Nikita Kucherov and Kirill Kaprizov.
What the CH will do: Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton can’t afford to pass up such a unique talent two years in a row. They’ll pick Demidov at No. 5.
Scenario no. 2: Anaheim Ducks draft Anton Silayev and Columbus Blue Jackets take Ivan Demidov gamble.
The debate at the draft table: This is a scenario that satisfies the CH organization, which holds in very high esteem the big center player of the Medicine Hat Tigers Cayden Lindstrom.
There would be other options, but the idea of adding a center (who may be a power forward at the next level) who has been compared to Eric Lindros a few times during the season will reduce reflection at the table.
There are still some concerns about his health, but the potential is too good to pass up.
What the CH will do: he will select Lindstrom.
Scenario #3: The Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets select Cayden Lindstrom and Ivan Demidov, in any order you want.
The debate at the draft table: the Tricolore sees its two preferred options in attack leave before its choice.
The organization will now have to ask itself whether to go for the highest forward on their roster and, thus, fill an organizational need or go with the best player available, even if it is a defenseman. In this scenario, the imposing Russian Anton Silayev and the dynamic American guard Zeev Buium are tempting choices. Up front, Beckett Sennecke and Tij Iginla are the most logical options, while we could also add Cole Eiserman and Berkly Catton.
What the CH will do: He will go with the highest player on his list, a defender, possibly Zeev Buium.
Scenario no. 4: the Anaheim Ducks surprise and choose Beckett Sennecke third and the Columbus Blue Jackets go for Anton Silayev.
The debate at the draft table: The scenario where Sennecke is selected third overall by the Ducks was mentioned by colleague Scott Wheeler of The Athletic, who mentions that more and more rumors behind the scenes point in this direction. This wouldn’t come as a surprise as the Ducks haven’t been afraid to trust their talent in recent years, including last year selecting Leo Carlsson second overall despite the fact that Adam Fantilli was second on most people’s list.
In this eventuality, the CH probably finds itself with the most heartbreaking dilemma possible: choose Ivan Demidov or Cayden Lindstrom?
On one hand, Lindstrom would add an imposing physical presence in addition to a very interesting offensive potential, which fits with what the Habs have been trying to build for a few years, notably with the selection of Juraj Slafkovsky and the acquisition of Kirby Dach. On the other hand, he has the possibility of getting his hands on a winger with certain talent and who has the potential to one day register 80 points or more in the NHL.
What the CH will do: he will go with Lindstrom, since he is the candidate who will help them the most to win in the playoffs.
