The 2024 NHL Entry Draft is approaching, with the Montreal Canadiens set to potentially acquire another top five prospect. While their preference seems to be drafting a forward, recent developments suggest they might pivot if desired forwards are unavailable. This could lead them to consider a top defenseman, which poses a strategic dilemma given their focus on elite forward talent.
To forecast the draft, insights suggest the San Jose Sharks will select Macklin Celebrini first overall. Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks appear keen on Artyom Levshunov, a defenseman seen as integral to their future lineup, despite initial assumptions of bolstering around Connor Bedard. This insight comes with caution, as pre-draft information can vary widely in accuracy.
Anaheim, like Montreal, is exploring multiple top prospects. Reports indicate they favor Beckett Sennecke, yet there’s strong buzz around Anton Silayev, a standout Russian defenseman in the KHL, suggesting a potential shift in strategy towards defense.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, holding the fourth pick, remain undecided amidst speculation they may trade down. Names like Cayden Lindstrom and Ivan Demidov are prominent, with a noted interest in defensemen such as Sam Dickinson and Silayev. Their strategy hinges on the outcomes of earlier picks, mirroring Montreal’s cautious approach.
Overall, while draft intentions remain fluid, these insights provide a glimpse into the dynamic decisions facing teams like the Canadiens, amidst the uncertainties of the draft process.
The 2024 NHL Entry Draft is just a couple of days away, which means the Montreal Canadiens are close to putting their hands on yet another top five prospect.
Of course, the position of the aforementioned prospect is up for debate. The Canadiens have made it quite clear they’re intent on drafting a forward, a logical approach given the David Reinbacher selection in 2023, but as we all know, intentions can change. If the desired forwards are off the board, the best player available could very well be a defenceman, putting the Habs in a rather delicate situation when it comes to acquiring forwards with elite talent.
Now, here’s the rub. You hear a lot of things before a draft. Some people will sprint to social media to share every tidbit of information they hear, whether it’s legitimate or not. That’s not how I operate, as I will never be considered an insider, and I don’t need to pretend that I am one. Like most people in the industry, I hear a bevy of rumours, some good, some bad. The fact of the matter is that very few of them come to fruition. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re all false, as negotiations break down and teams can change their draft intentions, but when I see someone who I trust confirm the information I have heard a few times already, I have no issues adding to the veracity of the claim.
In this case, Scott Powers, a colleague, has suggested it would be surprising if Chicago did not draft Levshunov. Scott does not delve into wild rumours, and I am certain he only offered this information because it was close to being ironclad.