Habs Daily: Drafting Michkov, Draft Rankings, Calgary

All the latest Habs news, recent Montreal Canadiens stories, as well as information from around the National Hockey League.

Habs News

• The 2023 NHL Entry Draft is one of the most talented draft classes in recent history. That means a player like Matvei Michkov, who would usually go first overall in most years, might be available once the Montreal Canadiens take to the podium with the 5th overall pick. [Canadiens: Matvei Michkov Scouting Report]
• Speaking of Michkov, Bob McKenzie released his final consensus draft rankings. The extremely talented winger happens to be 5th on McKenzie’s list. [McKenzie Draft List Offers Insight To Potential Canadiens Pick]
• There’s a storm brewing in Calgary, and it might have an impact on the Canadiens’ future draft plans. [Habs Could Benefit From Flames Mass Exodus]
• The Canadiens’ ECHL affiliate keeps making headlines for all the wrong reasons. Marc-Andre Bergeron, the Trois-Rivières Lions general manager and interim head coach, abruptly resigned on Thursday. [ECHL Affiliate Tumultuous Year Continues]

National Hockey Now Network

• After a couple of years together with the Florida Panthers, Derek MacKenzie and Andrew Brunette have been reunited in Nashville. [Florida Panthers]
• The Pittsburgh Penguins have undergone just a few changes this offseason. Ownership cleaned house at the top and the team could see its goalie, longtime top-pairing defenseman, and energetic left winger leave via free agency. The new Penguins front office, led by Kyle Dubas, got a late start, and we’re down to the final week. [Pittsburgh Penguins]
• Highly-talented centre Will Smith will reportedly not meet with the San Jose Sharks ahead of the 2023 Draft. [San Jose Sharks]
• GM Steve Yzerman’s history suggests that if you read about trade rumors about the Red Wings they are not necessarily going to become reality. Yzerman is an aggressive trader, but the deals he makes are ones you usually don’t see coming. [Detroit Red Wings]
• It sounds as though the longest-tenured player on the Colorado Avalanche will be playing for a new team next season. According to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, the Avalanche are unlikely to re-sign 35-year-old defenseman Erik Johnson, meaning he will hit the free agent market in a little over a week. [Colorado Avalanche]

• Daniel Briere said the Philadelphia Flyers could meet with Matvei Michkov at next week’s draft. [Philadelphia Flyers]