Major development: we just learned that Hughes has made a trade offer to acquire young Noah Ostlund in the draft
In an extremely interesting article published by journalist Mathias Brunet (La Presse), we learn several major pieces of information related to what happened in the 2022 NHL draft.
In particular, we learn that Kent Hughes was seriously interested in a center named Noah Östlund.
Also according to Brunet, the Swede Östlund was (according to some rumors) ranked in the top 5 of the best prospects available at the 2022 draft, according to the Montreal Canadiens.
This means that the CH would have drafted him in the top 5. Wow.
The idea of drafting him with the 13th pick acquired from the Islanders doesn't cross management's mind since we're convinced he won't be available at that rank anymore." - Mathias Brunet
The journalist then adds that after the selection of the Detroit Red Wings, at the 8th rank, the Habs' management started hoping to get their hands on Ostlund :
The Sabres finally settled on Östlund at number 16. The effort to advance to the first round is over for Montreal." - Mathias Brunet
Kent Hughes would have actually tabled (at least) one trade offer on the draft floor in an attempt to acquire a pick to get his hands on Noah Östlund (who, remember, was ranked top 5 overall on the CH's list).
So this is the Swede that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton tried so hard to acquire. It would have been solid for the show, and Ostlund is excellent, but it must be said that the Tricolore did very well with the selections of Filip Mesar, Owen Beck and Lane Hutson.
Ostlund, 18, 5-foot-10 and 163 pounds, has a solid 11 points in 16 games this season in Sweden. He is the second leading scorer on his team.
For details:
Credit: Mathias Brunet
| POLL | ||
Which "package" would you choose, with a little hindsight? | ||
| Noah Ostlund | 41 | 14.2 % |
| Filip Mesar + Owen Beck | 248 | 85.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
