2023-05-09 02:40:28
A few weeks ago, Canadiens fans dreamed of a historic double. In this scenario, the Habs won the lottery twice and drafted Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli with their two first-round picks.
It will not arrive.
The CH will rather fish at 5e rank, then somewhere between the 29e and the 32e rank, if the Florida Panthers reach the semifinals. These are still very good options. Afterwards, was it really worth celebrating the opponent’s goals and cursing the Canadian’s best performances on the networks, to finally come to this? If the hat suits you, I invite you to think regarding it. Before the next season, let’s say…
The Canadian will therefore continue its reconstruction without Connor Bedard. Without Adam Fantilli. Probably without centers Leo Carlsson and Will Smith either. The Columbus Blue Jackets and the San Jose Sharks, who are drafting just before the Canadian, have immediate needs at this position. What will Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes do with the fifth choice? Everything indicates that they will have to make one of the most significant decisions of their mandate.
Fish out Matvei Michkov.
Or not.
It will be a divisive debate. Perhaps as much as that surrounding the selection of Juraj Slafkovsky, last summer. It is that the response of the direction of the Canadian will have important consequences on the plan of the organization.
Michkov is an exceptional hockey player. Really. Last season, at just 18, he was his club’s best player in the KHL. His offensive production, in international tournaments, is also astounding. At the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup in 2021, he had nine goals and four assists in just five games. A record in the history of the tournament. That was four points ahead of another gifted one year his senior.
Juraj Slafkovsky.
So the big question: if Michkov is so talented, why would he still be available at No. 5?
Because he is Russian. Because he is under contract with the Saint Petersburg club until 2026. Because his father has just been found dead in unclear circumstances. Because he might be forced to do his military service. Because nobody really knows when or how Michkov will be able to leave his country for North America, in the geopolitical context of the war in Ukraine.
This is why, in fifth place, the Canadian risks finding himself in a new game of chance. Double or quits. Or he withdraws from the Michkov derby and selects a less exciting prospect, but certain to play in the NHL. Either he takes a risk, goes for it and selects the Russian striker – with the risk of depriving himself of it for several years, or even of wasting a fifth choice in the draft in full reconstruction.
“Michkov is certainly a special case,” commented Canadian general manager Kent Hughes on Monday evening. “We’re going to do our homework. [Au-delà] whether he is Russian or whether he is under contract for future years, it will be necessary to determine what kind of player [il est]what kind of character [il a] and how it compares to the other options one thinks they have at the fifth choice. »
Hard work. It is that access to Russian hopes has been limited for a year. I remind you that Russia is banned from international competitions because of its role in the war in Ukraine, and that it did not participate in the last World Junior Championship.
Will the Canadian dare to select Michkov?
Since the club wants to become competitive sooner rather than later, I believe that in fifth place, they will prefer a safe bet to Michkov.
Then, if the other teams also ignore the Russian striker, the CH can always try to improve the rank of their second selection, and fish out Michkov without risk of harming their reconstruction. If only the Panthers hadn’t caused the surprise in the playoffs, and that their choice passed on to the Canadian had remained in the middle of the first round…
A final word on the lottery. I have often written, I hate the current system, which encourages willful destruction – the famous tanking. This is the height of unsportsmanlike behavior. The Chicago Blackhawks once once more proved the effectiveness of this strategy by destroying their formation, then winning the jackpot.
It is shameful. Deplorable. Disgusting.
The NHL Draft needs to think regarding a new model that will reward hard work and fighting spirit, rather than cynicism and mediocrity.
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#continuation #Canadian #Connor #Bedard
