Expert Craig Button reveals his draft rankings list: �the Habs are in solid business'

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MarcO
January 10, 2023 (4:51 PM)

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If the race for the playoffs is one to forget for the Habs, there is another race just as exciting to follow, and that is the race for the top picks in the upcoming draft.

Currently, the Tricolore has the 6th and 10th picks in the upcoming draft, thanks to their own pick, as well as the one from Florida. Because of the immense talent of the 2023 draft, if fate is favorable for the CH, two selections in the top-10 could be worth gold in a few years.

TSN's Craig Button, has just released his mid-season list for this summer's draft.

If there is one thing that is certain, it is that the CH would have the opportunity to add two very high level talents to the franchise. These two players will allow the club to greatly accelerate its rebuilding process.

Here is Button's mid-season top-10 for 2023:

Unsurprisingly, the unchallenged pick is Connor Bedard at No. 1. The second spot is where it could all change depending on which teams hold the picks. Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson are looking more and more like the candidates that will round out the top-3.

Taking into account the fact that the Habs have some interesting lottery odds right now, the most likely scenario is that they draft at the aforementioned 6th and 10th spots.

Based on Button's ranking, Kent Hughes could possibly add one of Will Smith, Colby Barlow, Andrew Cristall and Zach Benson. These are all players with tremendous offensive potential, something the Habs are sorely lacking right now.

I have a huge soft spot for Smith, Cristall and Benson. If the Tricolore adds two of these three players to their organization, you'll realize that the candy of a difficult season will have been totally worth it.

However, it's not only in the top-10 where there will be players with great potential. Let's not forget that if Hughes can add a third first round pick in return for a Sean Monahan, for example, there will be some very promising prospects available between the 20th and 32nd rounds.

The Montreal Canadiens are currently in an excellent position to revive their franchise with the 2023 draft.

For Craig Button's full list, it's here: RDS.ca