First attempt at projecting the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft https://t.co/IgeOtwHzvx
– Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) May 14, 2024
![Ivan Demidov in Montreal: the result of The Athletic’s mock draft](https://dose.ca/app/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1662125812.jpg)
And that’s even if Levshunov is a (right-handed) defenseman… since that would make it even easier to trade a current club defenseman for immediate reinforcement up front.
In an ideal world, in order and disorder, we wouldn’t see these three guys go out in the top-4 with Macklin Celebrini, question of at least one remaining for Kent Hughes. In an ideal world, Beckett Sennecke or Tij Iginla wouldn’t be the #5 choice either.
What this means is that in order to draft one of these three guys, at least one left-handed defenseman will likely have to come out ahead of the Montreal Canadiens’ pick.
According to Corey Pronman (The Athletic’s prospect expert), it’s definitely possible.
Demidov may be a little smaller, but he’s the only one for whom the Habs have to make an exception to their “unwritten rule” of drafting a big guy with their fifth overall pick.
After all, he’s got so much talent coming out of his ears thatwe often talk about moving up to make sure we draft him.
Executives are confident they’ll be in a good position to draft a forward they love → https://t.co/0gcqWu5s3R
– DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) May 2, 2024
Note that in such a scenario (The Athletic’s), Cayden Lindstrom would end up with the new Salt Lake City team, which has the sixth right to speak at the auction. He would be the first choice of the new expansion franchise that purchased the assets of the inactive Coyotes.
Pronman sees him moving up quickly. He doesn’t rule out his being drafted higher.
Pronman ranks Tij Iginla 13th, behind Berkly Catton and Carter Yakemchuk. He sees Cole Eiserman going to the Capitals (17th) and Trevor Connelly to Vegas (19th), because that’s a club that’s not afraid to get the word out.
In gusto
– Really?
Shawn Lemon trains at #Alouettes camp. No one was expecting this one this morning. We can’t wait to hear more. Probably who decided to appeal his suspension. That would be great news for the team @RDSca
– Eric Leblanc (@eleblancRDS) May 14, 2024
– Slaf wants to win.
Bro is a fucking menace out there lmao.
“Smarten the fuck up”.
Playoff Slaf will be a different type of monster.pic.twitter.com/2EZc42HCho
– Alex Jodoin (@colegoalfield) May 13, 2024
– One to watch.
Matias Coccaro and Raheem Edwards are the two players closest to a return.
Martinez and Opoku: their rehab is going well. That’s all we know.
Laurent Courtois didn’t mention Saliba and Lassi.
– Maxime Truman (@MaximeTruman) May 14, 2024
– He’s 63 years old.
Happy birthday to former Canadiens head coach Alain Vigneault, who turns 63 today. @mtlgazette file photo by John Mahoney. pic.twitter.com/TucLoVVj8m
– Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) May 14, 2024
– What do you think?
“If nearly 30% of the roster plays little or no play in the playoffs, how can we claim to see the league’s executives increase without irreparably damaging the quality of the show?! ” https://t.co/4EZiZ1B9lL
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) May 13, 2024