Trade between Montreal and Calgary: Hughes may acquire a first or second overall pick

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Jeff Drouin
August 22, 2022 (2:48 PM)

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Now that several days have passed since the trade between the Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames involving Sean Monahan, the picture of the transaction is much clearer.

We looked for several ways, over the weekend, to clarify (as much as possible) the famous and extremely complex conditions of the trade.

Review them right here:

According to many journalists who have been covering the National Hockey League for a very long time, this is probably the most complicated deal in NHL history (mostly because it depends on other conditions, previous trades)

Anyway, we were trying to sum this up for you in a line or two, but we came across a very interesting article from HABS EOTP and they explain it perfectly.

Here is the easiest way to understand the exchange:

- The best pick the CH can receive in 2024 is 20th overall

- The worst pick the CH can receive in 2024 is 32nd overall

- The best pick the CH can receive in 2025 is the 2nd overall (or if not, there is also the possibility of receiving the 11th and 107th overall picks in 2025)

- The worst pick the CH can receive in 2025 is the 32nd overall (but we would also receive the 128th overall)

- The best pick the CH can receive in 2026 is the 1st pick overall (plus the 97th pick overall)

- The worst pick the CH can receive in 2026 is 31st overall (but that one is almost impossible)

Basically, the best pick the CH can receive goes from 20th overall in 2024, to second overall in 2025, to first overall in 2026. Remember that in 2026, the Flames might be much less competitive than they are now, but that's still a long way off.

Everything will depend on Kent Hughes' decisions and the Flames' performance.

It will be interesting to watch honestly and it will bring interesting debates, including these:

Which year will be the best for Hughes? Which year will be the worst for the Flames, in terms of ranking? This could be a very interesting pick!

How do you get the 2nd overall pick in 2025?

The Florida Panthers must have a top-10 pick (in 2025), and also, the Flames must not draft first overall. (and that will make them pick at the second rank)

On the other hand, if the Flames pick first overall in 2025, the Canadiens get the first pick from Calgary in 2026 (which can be the first overall pick)!

There are several possibilities.

Credit and details: www.habseyesontheprize.com