LAS VEGAS | The Montreal Canadiens made a first transaction by trading three draft picks to the Los Angeles Kings (26th)^e57^e and 198^e) to get to 21^e First round rank. But why move on without even knowing which players will be available? Here are some hypotheses.

It’s actually a bit of a trend this year. On Thursday, the Sabres and Sharks also made a trade choice, just like the Blackhawks and Islanders did a few weeks ago.

For the Canadian, this can mean several things.

1. An asset for a larger transaction?

Jeff Gorton mentioned it on Thursday: The Canadian is involved in numerous trade talks. Several names have been circulating in rumors for several weeks, including those of attackers Martin Necas and Patrik Laine as well as the promising Rutger McGroarty.

Could the CH be involved in negotiations for immediate aid, but the election^Ö26 was too far out for the other formation’s liking? It’s not impossible. Certainly there are only five rank differences between 26 and 21, but if a team has created a bylaw and divided players into different ranks, there can be a big difference between 21 and 26 in the eyes of recruiters (we’ll come back to that).

In addition, journalist Darren Dreger mentioned in the last few hours that Hughes is looking for another pick in the top 10 and that he does not rule out the idea of ​​moving up or down slightly with his fifth overall pick. He also mentions that Hughes is involved in numerous discussions with players.

2. Do you hope to sign Cole Eiserman?

We understand that we have to take some with us and leave some behind with the dinners at the NHL evaluation camp (combined). But the CH not only spent an evening with winger Cole Eiserman in Buffalo, but also met him in person in Las Vegas in the last few days. The interest is clearly there.

Considered a top-five prospect heading into the season, Eiserman has seen his stock drop in recent months and some believe he will be one of the players taken in the first round. Is CH hoping he will reach them on the 21st?^e Rank? It may be a bit far, but the CH gives itself the opportunity to climb a few more ranks if it sees that the talented American outsider is still available at, say, 17 years old^e18^e or 19^e Rank. One of the organization’s young defenders could serve as a complement to the 21 players^e Decision to move on.

3. Because they assume that there will be a cut after the 21st^e Choice in the quality of hopes

When developing draft rosters, recruiters often talk about “thirds.” This year, for example, it seems that the first third, the group of players considered the best in the entire draft, consists of just one name: Macklin Celebrini, while the second third consists of up to ten players, depending on who you talk to.

What if, after this second third, the CH had discovered that the third ended at 21? He would then have the certainty of recruiting a player who ranks at least in his third quality third.

A few names quickly catch your eye: Sacha Boisvert and Cole Beaudoin.

Boisvert is a center from Quebec who spent last season in the United States. He plays an aggressive style and wasn’t afraid to throw down the gloves a few times last season (that’s not a problem). keep going). He would fit the CH philosophy, and a recruiter recently told us he wouldn’t be surprised if Boisvert came out earlier than we see on most public lists that place him at the end of the first round.

As for Beaudoin, several groups told us they believed the CH valued him highly. He was the player with the best work ethic in the entire draft, we were assured. In 68 games last season with the Barrie Colts, the 6’2″ and 200-pound center scored 62 points.