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Dans les coulisses

Draft: teams around the Canadiens consider backing out

RALEIGH, NC - JANUARY 11: Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Don Waddell address the media about gambling during the second period of the game against the Anaheim Ducks at PNC Arena on January 11, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)*** Local Caption ***Don Waddell

If an NHL GM is publicly asked if he’s willing to trade his first draft pick, chances are he’ll say yes. Why would he say yes? So as not to close any doors.

Does that mean it’s going to happen? Not necessarily.

But to varying degrees, we know that the Sabres (11th), Devils (10th), Senators (7th) and Utah (6th) would all be open to trading their picks. Some have said so publicly, but not everyone.

For what it’s worth, there are some clubs that would be open to trading their pick.

And the Blue Jackets are obviously on that list. The club is drafting at No. 4, and owner Don Waddell has said he’s willing to consider a trade at a high price. Does anyone want Ivan Demidov that badly?

Interesting stuff. After all, it’s rare for a top-5 pick to be traded.

In fact, he’s talking more about backing off than trading his pick completely. He still wants to draft high, but he’s prepared not to draft fourth.

My theory: if this is true , don’t forget that he was in charge of Carolina this year. Maybe he didn’t watch enough of the big talents and fall in love with one of them?

What interests me is that he mentioned that clubs around him are potentially looking to move back in the draft.

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The Senators are close to the Blue Jackets. So is Utah. Are these the teams that want to back out? Surely, yes. Is it the Ducks or the Blackhawks? I don’t think so.

Is it the Habs?

I’d be very, very surprised if the Habs were thinking of backing out of the next draft. If forwards come out quickly in the next draft, the quality of the available defensemen doesn’t justify backing out to take a lesser prospect.

And I think the Habs know that.

Overtime

– Matvei Michkov: the Flyers aren’t preparing like a club that will have him in 24-25.

– Worth watching.

– Interesting.

– Of note.

– Logical.