Could the Buffalo Sabres or Montreal Canadiens Trade Their First-Round Picks?
Cole Caufield and Ukko-Pekka LuukkonenEric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports The 2024 NHL draft will be held on June 28 and 29 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. It’s expected the San Jose Sharks will select top prospect Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick. After that, it’s anyone’s guess which prospects each club will choose with their picks in the first round. With the fifth overall pick, the Montreal Canadiens stand a good chance of landing another promising youngster. The Buffalo Sabres, meanwhile, could add to their deep prospect pool with the 11th overall selection. One or both clubs could also surprise us by trading their respective picks for more immediate roster help.
The Hockey News’ Michael Augello made that suggestion about the Sabres earlier this month. Their recent hiring of Lindy Ruff as coach, their large stockpile of talent within the organization and the quest to end their 13-season playoff drought could prompt GM Kevyn Adams to consider that option. Augello believes trading that pick for veteran help won’t affect the Sabres’ development. They already have former first-rounders Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund, Isak Rosen, Matthew Savoie and Ryan Johnson in their CHL pipeline or their AHL farm team. Then there’s 2023 first-rounder Zach Benson, who jumped from major junior to the Sabres this season. The Buffalo News’ Lance Lysowki shared that view, citing Ruff saying the Sabres are in a “win-now situation.” He suggested targeting cap-strapped teams like the Vegas Golden Knights, Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets.
The rebuilding Canadiens are still a few years from “win-now” mode. This is the second straight year they’ve held the fifth overall pick, choosing defenseman David Reinbacher at the 2023 draft. They also have the Winnipeg Jets’ first-rounder, but that’s much lower in the draft order and won’t draw as much interest in the trade market. Following the recent draft lottery, The Hockey News’ Chris Galanopoulos cited GM Kent Hughes saying he’ll likely select a forward given their depth in prospect defensemen. He also indicated he could be open to a trade if it helps his team.
A reader asked the Montreal Gazette’s Stu Cowan about Hughes’ intentions. He believes the only way the pick gets traded is for a young, established NHL scoring forward. Another reader mentioned the possibility of acquiring Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks. Cowan didn’t know if Hughes was interested in the 23-year-old winger but felt he’d be a good fit given his scoring abilities. Media rumors linked Zegras to the Canadiens earlier this year, but Ducks GM Pat Verbeek insisted he’s not shopping him nor had anyone called about him. Nevertheless, some observers still wonder about his future in Anaheim.
Zegras would cost the Canadiens the fifth overall pick as part of the return. Verbeek could also ask for Reinbacher or promising defenseman Lane Hutson to be included in that deal.
