Canadiens Could Trade Down At 2023 NHL Draft

The Montreal Canadiens are in a very interesting spot for the 2023 NHL Draft at 5th overall, and all options are on the table.

However, with the uncertainty revolving around Matvei Michkov, there could be some teams that will be willing to trade up to select Matvei Michkov, if he’s still available at that rank.

The Montreal Canadiens, who are likely looking to trade up themselves, could also explore the idea of trading down and recouping another asset, as a team like the Washington Capitals or Detroit Red Wings might not want to chance that a team ahead of them finally takes the risk in picking the explosive winger.

For the Canadiens, trading down could make some sense, as trading down from the 5th overall slot to the later part of the top 10 could return a very nice sweetener for the organization, such as a 1st-round pick.

Trading up into the top 10 is usually a very costly endeavour. The last time it happened was in 2008, when the Toronto Maple Leafs jumped from 7th to 5th in order to select Luke Schenn. Toronto paid a 2nd and 3rd-round pick to move up just two spots.

To move up three or more spots will likely require an additional 1st-round pick or a very interesting prospect in order to entice the Montreal Canadiens to make such a move; which then becomes interesting.

If a top forward or right-shot defensive prospect were included in the deal, it could allow the Canadiens to back up a few selections and pick one of David Reinbacher, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Dalibor Dvorsky, Zach Benson or Ryan Leonard; three players they’d likely consider at 5th overall anyway.

Of course, a deal of this magnitude rarely happens in NHL Drafts, as top-five picks haven’t been traded on the draft floor in 15 years, but there hasn’t been another player like Matvei Michkov in his current situation, so the possibilities are as high as they’ve ever been.

Ideally, the Canadiens take the plunge and shoot for the best player available. If Michkov is still on the board at 5th overall, then he is that player, but, if the Canadiens still aren’t convinced about getting him over to North America in an optimal fashion, trading down would be the best alternative to get value for such a coveted pick.

https://montreal.nationalhockeynow.com/2023/05/04/nhl-draft-mhn-2023-nhl-mock-draft-pree-lottery-edition/