On the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens …
Jim Matheson: Back in 2016 the Montreal Canadiens wanted Milan Lucic. They had also offered him seven years and possibly more money than the Oilers. Just theorizing but would a Lucic for Andrew Shaw trade work for both sides? Lucic has basically only had one bad season in his past eight years. Now, if he is back and struggles again, they a buyout could become an option.
Jim Matheson: For those Canadiens who are asking about Lucic, the Oilers wouldn’t “sweeten the pot” with the No. 10 pick in the draft. There is no way they would do that.
On the Montreal Canadiens and Arizona Coyotes …
Eric Engels: Just throwing out a trade scenario at the draft. The Sabres and Hurricanes will likely select Rasmus Dahlin and Andrei Svechnikov at No. 1 and No. 2. Could the Canadiens trade the No. 3 pick and one of their four second-round picks to the Coyotes for the No. 5 pick and Max Domi?
There may not be any other teams that are picking in the top 10 that makes sense in the Canadiens trade down, so it could be more likely that they pick at No. 3.
The Canadiens have nine picks in the first four rounds, so they should have plenty of options.
“You pay a hefty price to get that pick,” Bergevin said. “Obviously having the season we had (finishing 28th overall), that’s what gave us the right to pick that high.”
There has been some speculation that they could be interested in drafting centerman Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who has been projected in the No. 4 to 10 range.
Kotkaniemi at the draft combine said.
“I’ve heard they’re going to draft a centre, I hope it’s me.”