Difficult to predict what the organization of the Canadian intends to do with the two choices it has in the first round. Two choices of peloton medium, located at 16e and 17e rang.
Let’s say that the situation is quite different from the first three drafts of the Hughes-Gorton era in which the Tricolore owned the very first selection and the fifth (on two occasions).
Photo Agence QMI, JOËL LEMAY
Since Montreal training had absolutely to take advantage of these speaking rights to get their hands on hopes that could help it in the short term, it was practically unthinkable that it deprived it by exchanging it.
This time, we can expect everything.
“We had discussions to come forward and others to retreat. It depends on the price, ”said Jeff Gorton, who met the Montreal media on Thursday afternoon at the Bell Center.
To say that or not to say anything, it comes back quite the same. However, the vice-president of hockey operations added this: “We would be happy to recover 16 and 17, but there are players in the top 10 that we like. If the opportunity arises, we could ride a few ranks. ”
It hits a lot
The possibilities seem interesting. Especially since the tricolor also has two choices in the second round (41e et 49e rows) and a relatively well -stocked hopes bank.
“I cannot determine the percentage [de chance que ça arrive]but we have discussions to compromise one of our two choices. It remains to be seen if it is worth it and if it agrees with what we want to do. ”
Besides, Gorton argued that the competition could be fierce during the hours preceding the start of the auction.
“There are several teams who have more than one first -round choice and there are several teams trying to come forward. You can feel it, ”he said.
Including the tricolor, eight training courses have at least two first -round choices, including flyers and predators, which have three.
There are also 10 teams that have no first round choice. So many training courses that will probably want to improve their fate.
Forget Desnoyers … and maybe Carbonneau
In addition, those who wish to see the Habs exchange his two choices to get closer to Caleb Desnoyers can forget that. No managing director among the first five or six teams to speak will accept back as far. Especially since several recruiters believe that the quality of the available pool will fall after 12e rang.
On the other hand, Justin Carbonneau, classified in the middle of the first round, could be still free when Kent Hughes speaks. If this were to be the case, Gormon and would they feel the pressure of having to recover it?
“We do not take players based on their place of origin,” he replied, “without saying that he did not select it. I worked for Bruins and we didn’t do that either.
“Within our organization, whether in Laval or Trois-Rivières, we have a lot of Quebecers,” he added. It’s the same thing about our staff [d’entraîneurs].»
So do not tear your shirt if the Canadian passes his turn. You will have been warned.
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