Everyone agrees that there is a well-defined 'big-five' in this draft class, and then there's the rest of the draft. This group includes Connor Bedard, Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, Matvei Michkov, and Will Smith.
Technically, the Canadiens got lucky by getting a top 5 pick, as they will be able to get their hands on a very high-level talent.
However, everything indicates that the complex situation of Michkov's case scares off some NHL teams, including the Habs. There's a high chance that he will be the last one available from the leading group.
Since Kent Hughes and his team are hesitant to lay their hands on a potential generational talent with the Russian forward, there is a high probability that the club will decide to pick from the second tier of the draft.
According to the expert from The Athletic, Corey Pronman, the Canadiens will select defenseman David Reinbacher with their 5th overall pick, therefore allowing Michkov to slide to another team.
Is the Montreal organization about to make a big mistake by selecting him 5th overall?
Let's just say off the bat that Reinbacher is a good defenseman with certainly the potential to become a solid top-4 in a defensive corps. He could even become a first-pair defenseman, although acting more as a complement to a number one defenseman, rather than being the pillar of the defense himself.
Some believe he is a Moritz Seider 2.0, unfortunately, that's completely false. He doesn't have the robust side or the shot of the Red Wings player. His offensive instinct is there, but I highly doubt he will become an elite defenseman in that respect.
Moreover, even if he is right-handed and would fill a certain lack in the Canadiens' pool, the organization currently has great depth in that position.
In this regard, in my opinion, it would be a big mistake to choose a defenseman who doesn't have the potential to become an elite player in his position, especially if Matvei Michkov is available, as well as a Zach Benson or a Ryan Leonard.
Defensemen like Reinbacher come around every draft, but elite forwards like Michkov only come once every 10 years.
POLL | ||
What would be your impression of the potential selection of David Reinbacher with the Canadiens' 5th pick? | ||
Very satified | 10 | 5.2 % |
Satisfied | 26 | 13.6 % |
Dissapoint | 59 | 30.9 % |
Very dissapointed | 96 | 50.3 % |
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