In ten days, the NHL's annual draft will take place, and Montreal Canadiens fans eagerly await to find out whom Kent Hughes and his team will select with the 5th overall pick this year.
Before the Canadiens make their choice, four other teams will step up to the podium: the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, and Columbus Blue Jackets will all have the opportunity, in that order, to pick a player before Montreal.
Notably, with the 4th overall pick, the Blue Jackets will have the final say on the player available for the next selection, and Trevor Timmins, former Canadiens' director of scouting, will play a key role in this decision.
According to journalist and insider Pierre LeBrun from The Athletic, the new Jackets' general manager, Don Waddell, will have very little influence on Columbus' first-round pick this year. Not only was he not heavily involved in the drafting process in Carolina, but he hasn't had enough time since arriving in Columbus to assess the 2024 class.
Thus, Timmins, who has been assistant director of scouting for the Jackets for several years, could come back to haunt his former team, knowing the Canadiens' needs well for June 28th.
Many believe it would be very surprising if Columbus passed on Cayden Lindstrom, a big center who is among the top targets for the Canadiens, if he's still available with the 4th overall pick.
