Trades, picks, signings? Habs GM confirms top three candidates
A few days ahead of the Montreal Canadiens first overall draft pick, general manager Kent Hughes says there are still three candidates in the running for the top spot.
Speaking to the press on Monday, he said it's between forwards Shane Wright, Juraj Slafkovsky and Logan Cooley -- but the general consensus appears to be that Wright will snag the first pick.
The Burlington, Ontario-native is a 6'1", 200-pound, right-handed centreman who spent his playing days in the OHL for the Kingston Frontenacs. He's 18.
After a rough season, Thursday will be the first time in over 40 years the Habs have the first pick.
Hughes said he's looking for a player with long-term potential -- someone who can grow the team year after year.
"We're not just evaluating hockey players, we're evaluating character," he said. "It's hard to be 17 years old and be under the microscope."
Canadien's special advisor Vincent Lecavalier also addressed the media on Monday.
As a former first-pick himself, he had some advice for whoever is chosen Thursday: don't let it go to your head.
"It doesn't matter if you're first or 200th. Forget about the draft and move on. You're part of the team now."
Since 2001, the Habs have picked in the top 10 spots.
Mike Komisarek (7, 2001), Carey Price (5, 2005), Alex Galchenyuk (3, 2012), Mikhail Sergachev (9, 2016), and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (3, 2018).
Coming off a last-place, forget-as-soon-as-possible season of misery, it's safe to say the Habs could use help in just about every position, and two young stars would give fans something to salivate (or obsess) over.
Draft aside, the ongoing "will he ever play again" saga surrounding star goalie Carey Price continues, and it would come as little surprise if the Habs moved a veteran or two like Jeff Petry or Christian Dvorak (maybe Josh Anderson?).
The draft starts Thursday in Montreal.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.