The 2023 draft could have a Jesperi Kotkaniemi-style trap

For a long time I was one of those who believed in Jesperi Kotaniemi. But I have to admit that my confidence flame is flickering and could be extinguished forever if things don’t open up to him soon. He will never be able to say that he was not given a chance to assert himself. Both in Montreal and in the Carolinas, KK was always in a more than enviable mood. If he had been picked late in the first round, he would never have been the target of a hostile bid, and he would never have started his NHL career on day one and never would have been offered. Show more consistency in his game and put the points on the board.

KK is an outstanding hockey player. It’s one of those we think highly of, but never get through. So much so, that he was the third kid called up to the stage in the 2018 draft.

But his choice did not come out of nowhere. It is the result of a combination of circumstances. The Canadian, like many teams, desperately needed talent in the quarterback, but Manna, that year, was very weak. very likely. To the extent that the Canadian chose a young man who clearly had no place in this rank. There were better options available like Quinn Hughes, Noah Dobson, K’André Miller, Evan Bouchard, and of course, the most outrageous of them all, Brady Tkachuk.

The Arizona Coyotes, with the fifth overall pick, also gambled on a spot to fill their need by selecting Barrett Hayton. Again, this was not the ideal choice. As if it wasn’t blatant enough, the two youngsters scored 43 points last season. Sometimes life is poetic where you least expect it!

All that said, the next draft could contain the same type of snare.

In his daily script, Guillaume Levranso evokes that a situation similar to the 2018 draft seems to be on the horizon, but this time it’s the Defenders.

NHL Draft | Mystery Defenders and Ghost 2018 https://t.co/aJ90DdCwom

– The Sports Press (LaPresse_Sports) June 19, 2023

Basically, three names seem to stand out because the demand for top guards seems so high among NHL teams. David Reinbacher, Axel Sanden-Belica and Quebecois Étienne Morin (in his case, ratings vary widely according to the observers questioned), these are the three young defenders in question.

The catch is that teams risk being picked much earlier than they should be, because the good (defenders) is so scarce and the needs so great.

To give you an idea, Reinbacher’s name has been regularly associated with the Montreal Canadiens who will pick their fifth pick in a few days. According to his current coach with the Zurich Lions, Mark Crawford, he will at best be a second or third defender.

As useful as a right-handed defender will be in Montreal, he can be the equivalent of a soft cheese hooked to a mousetrap. In the absence of a good meal, the rodent may regret the temptation.

Even Kent Hughes mentioned that David Reinbacher was the best defenseman available in the draft according to him. The question now is whether he values ​​him enough to risk Jesperi Kotaniemi and perhaps stick his nose in a rodent trap as he watches his friends devour cheese left hanging.

a lot of

– Here’s the summary in the Canadian boys’ Formula 1 weekend photos.

Did you find any Habs in F1 this weekend? 👀#GoHabsGohttps://t.co/Eac3u4k7wk

– Montreal Canadiens (CanadiensMTL) June 19, 2023

Another great honor for Chantal Machape

Honored to receive a Larry Fredericks Media Award! thanks for the @employee @employee @zababes1 And everyone who @employee Thanks!! 🙏❤️ pic.twitter.com/dXqI3jIzN4

– Chantal Machabee June 19, 2023

– I think it’s safe to say that Connor McDavid is good.

Since joining the NHL in 2015

Conor McDavid Ratings:

Point: 850 (1st)
Made: 547 (first)
PP Score: 289 (1st)
EVS Goals: 225 (1)
GWG: 64 (first)
S/GP: 1.49 (first) pic.twitter.com/IDbkjg0m0q

—Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) June 19, 2023

– There were a lot of people in the block, they say.

Formula 1 | Canadian Grand Prix attendance record https://t.co/svLIFto7vh

– The Press (LP_LaPresse) June 19, 2023