Free washer | Ten files to follow in anticipation of the draft

The NHL Draft is upon us. Not only does it promise to be exciting with the amount of discussion and potential trades, but the order in which the prospects will be selected between second and 12th overall remains a complete mystery. Here are ten picks to watch ahead of Friday night’s event.

1. Who will Chicago draft?

This draft will start after San Jose picks first overall. Macklin Celebrini will put on the Sharks jersey, do his interviews, and then the horde of Blackhawks managers and scouts will take to the stage. Their decision will have a huge impact on what happens next, especially the fate of the Canadiens. If they go with defenseman Artyom Levshunov, a forward among Ivan Demidov and Cayden Lindstrom could be available at fifth overall. If it’s Demidov, and Lindstrom ends up in Columbus at fourth overall, for example, the Canadiens could turn to a defenseman.

2. Will Montreal make a trade?

In 2022, the Canadian traded defenseman Alexander Romanov to the New York Islanders for 13^e overall pick, then passed it to the Blackhawks, along with a third-round pick, to get Kirby Dach. In 2023, Montreal traded the 31^e overall pick, obtained from the Florida Panthers for Ben Chiarot, and the 37th^e overall pick in the second round for Alex Newhook. The Canadiens have plenty of assets to make another trade this year, and Kent Hughes’ phone is ringing off the hook, confirms VP hockey operations Jeff Gorton. Simon-Olivier Lorange took part in his press conference on Thursday and he sums up the team manager’s thinking well here. In addition to the fifth overall pick, Montreal has the 26th^efrom the Winnipeg Jets for Sean Monahan, a late second round pick, acquired from the Avalanche in the Artturi Lehkonen trade (his was traded to the Coyotes for Christian Dvorak), two third round picks, a fourth-round picks, two fifth-round picks, one sixth-round pick and three seventh-round picks.

3. Senators want more reinforcements

Ottawa will not be satisfied with the acquisition of goaltender Linus Ullmark. New boss Steve Staios has promised to do everything in his power to improve the club. Staios doesn’t appear inclined to trade away his seventh overall pick like his predecessor Pierre Dorion did in 2022 to get Alex DeBrincat, but defenseman Jakob Chychrun is on the market and if he can’t make a deal Friday or On Saturday, the Senators will undoubtedly be active on the free agent market. Who knows if a club will not make him an irresistible offer to interfere in the top 10 ?

4. Philadelphia wants to draft in the top 5

The Flyers would have offered the Blue Jackets their 12^e overall pick, an established player and the 2025 first-round pick, obtained from the Colorado Avalanche for Sean Walker, to acquire the fourth overall pick, says insider Elliotte Friedman. The Blue Jackets would rather have the 12th overall pick^ethe 32^e and the Avalanche’s 2025 first-round pick for their pick. It’s a bit of a price to pay for a rebuilding club that exceeds expectations in the regular season but doesn’t make the playoffs.

5. Martin Necas on the verge of being traded

Many clubs, including the Canadian, would knock on the door of the new CEO of the Hurricanes, Eric Tulsky, to obtain winger Martin Necas, 28 and 24 goals over the last two seasons. If the Devils are willing to sacrifice their tenth overall pick, the Hurricanes might bite, but it’ll take more than a late first-round pick.

6. Will Mitch Marner stay in Toronto

The rumors won’t go away in his case. GM Don Waddell simply replies that he doesn’t listen to them. The Maple Leafs need reinforcements on defense. Marner is flirting with 100 points per season, but has disappointed in the playoffs. He has one year left on his contract. This decision will have enormous repercussions on what’s to come in Toronto. We’ll think twice before making such a spectacular transaction, but nothing is impossible.

7. Panthers want to clear payroll

Aaron Ekblad, first overall pick in 2014, remains a slightly overrated defender. But he did a fantastic job in the final against Connor McDavid. 6-foot-4, 215-pound defensemen with certain skills remain prized players. Ekblad, 28, will be in his last year of contract next year, at an annual salary of 7.5 million, and the Panthers would like to get rid of him to reduce their payroll. He was reportedly asked to submit a list of twelve clubs he would not want to play for. He holds a full no-trade clause until 1^er July, but it becomes a partial clause from this date. Another tough right-handed defenseman, Jacob Trouba of the Rangers, would also be available.

8. Who wants a brilliant 22-year-old goalkeeper?

Twenty-nine-year-old goaltender Juuse Saros is set to sign an eight-year, $7.74 million per season contract extension with the Predators. He will block the rise of Russian prodigy Yaroslav Askarov, 11^e overall pick in 2020, smoking in the American League last year. Nashville could get a lot for this boy. Among the clubs looking for a goalkeeper, there is always Toronto, Detroit, Colorado…

9. We are looking for a nest for Patrik Laine

Second overall pick in 2016 behind Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine scored 44 goals in his second season in the NHL. His career has been derailed recently. He had just nine points in ten games last year before being admitted to the National League assistance program. The Columbus Blue Jackets are looking for a new nest for him. With a contract still valid for two years at an annual salary of 8.7 million, and given the uncertainty surrounding it, Columbus will not get the moon for his services. But if he can get rid of his contract, we probably won’t complain about it on the Jackets.

10. NCAA prospect on the market

Rutger McGroarty has waived the Jets for next season and will return to the University of Michigan. Winnipeg does not seem to entertain the hope of signing him subsequently and is looking for an exchange partner. The fourteenth overall pick in 2022, McGroarty, 20, had 52 points in just 36 games last year in the NCAA. It will cost at least one choice in the top 15 or a leading hope.

* This column will be on hiatus for the summer. Looking forward to seeing you somewhere in late August, early September!

Quote of the day

He will be entitled to full autonomy in a few days. Stamkos obtained 81 points, including 40 goals, last year, at age 34. BriseBois seems more optimistic in the case of Victor Hedman, who still has one year left on his contract.