Canadiens To Meet With Michkov, NHL Draft Options Clearer

With the 2023 NHL Entry Draft just a few days away, we’re starting to get a better idea of the players that should be available to the Montreal Canadiens with the 5th overall pick.

We can confidently say both Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli will be the 1st and 2nd overall picks, respectively. They both project as franchise-altering forwards, the type of players that both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks cannot afford to ignore.

And now we have a much better idea of who the Columbus Blue Jackets are intent on drafting with the 3rd overall pick.

Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekelainen was on the Rundown Podcast this week, discussing some of his team’s plans going forward.

He mentioned that scouting a player such as Russian phenom Matvei Michkov was rather difficult, owing to the ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, among other things.

“It’s obviously been harder with what’s going on in that side of the world,” said Kekelainen. “We’ve relied a lot on video. There’s no doubt he’s a great talent. We feel like we’re in a good spot as far as our evaluations go.”

The most interesting aspect of the interview was Kekelainen’s comments regarding the player they are intent on picking 3rd overall at the 2023 Draft: a “franchise centre”.

We were also joined by #CBJ GM Jarmo Kekalainen today. Not breaking news, but he says the Blue Jackets are going to draft a "franchise center" at No. 3 on Wednesday night. Great insight from Jarmo. ⬇️ https://t.co/ZA2mSkNWQA

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 26, 2023

That doesn’t necessarily mean the Blue Jackets will draft Leo Carlsson, but when evaluating the remaining players expected to be in the top 5, there are only two options at centre.

Carlsson and Will Smith.

Smith may be one of the most talented players available in the draft, but unlike Carlsson, he has not been described as a franchise centre.

Carlsson, on the other hand, has been labelled as a franchise centre by scouts.

That leaves two likely options for the Canadiens in terms of players that are most often ranked among the top 5 available players at the Draft: Smith and Michkov.

In a sense, the San Jose Sharks, who are drafting 4th overall, might decide for the Canadiens.

Of course, we also can’t dismiss players like David Reinbacher or Ryan Leonard, both of whom have attracted interest from the Canadiens, but there is one thing working in Michkov’s favour just a few days ahead of the draft.

More Michkov News

It’s worth noting that the Montreal Canadiens will meet with Michkov ahead of the first round. Again, this is not confirmation that they’ll draft the extremely talented forward, but it’s a very strong indication that the Canadiens hold a significant interest in drafting Michkov at 5th overall.

Hearing #GoHabsGo are one of the teams scheduled to meet with Matvei Michkov early this week in Nashville.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 26, 2023