Could a huge surprise occur at the draft? Canadiens fans would be ecstatic
For several months, all the experts have agreed that five forwards stand out significantly for the 2023 Draft. Indeed, Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, Matvei Michkov, and Will Smith have long been predicted as the top five players to be selected on June 28th.
However, an NHL scout mentioned to San Jose Hockey Now that we could witness a massive surprise, even before the Canadiens get a chance to make their selection. According to him, Austrian defenseman David Reinbacher has the necessary talent to be drafted in the top-3.
Several reports over the past few weeks have indeed indicated that the Canadiens' top brass holds the defenseman in high esteem. However, considering all the young defenders already in the organization and the extremely talented forwards available this year, the vast majority of fans would prefer to see Kent Hughes draft a forward.
Could the Columbus Blue Jackets or the San Jose Sharks make the Canadiens general manager's job easier?
One thing is for sure, a player like Will Smith would allow the Canadiens to finally have two top-tier centers, and his offensive contribution would undoubtedly do wonders for the Habs offense. Personally, we genuinely believe that Kent Hughes cannot afford to select any player other than the five forwards mentioned above.
| POLL | ||
Which player would you like the Canadiens to select on June 28th? | ||
| Matvei Michkov | 129 | 54 % |
| Will Smith | 99 | 41.4 % |
| David Reinbacher | 5 | 2.1 % |
| Ryan Leonard | 6 | 2.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
