Statement from Kent Hughes on top 2024 prospect Macklin Celebrini

Celebrini, a teammate of Lane Hutson at Boston University, has been turning heads among many scouts, including Hughes, who had extremely flattering words for the 17-year-old forward.

From listening to the Canadiens' GM talk about the young man, it's easy to understand that he's hoping for a stroke of incredible luck at the lottery to be able to add this talent, which some describe as almost generational.

In the same vein, Hughes goes even further by declaring something huge about Celebrini, which says a lot about what he will bring to the team fortunate enough to draft him.

Wow! Such high praise from a senior executive like Kent Hughes is significant and certainly intriguing for what's to come.

Currently, the Canadiens have the fifth-best odds at the NHL lottery, with an 8.5% chance of winning the first overall pick.

However, nothing is set in stone yet with three games remaining in the season. The Coyotes and Senators could potentially push the Canadiens down if Martin St-Louis' squad accumulates points in the standings by the end.

In 38 games this season in the NCAA, Celebrini has scored an impressive total of 32 goals and earned 64 points. This remarkable performance recently earned him the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in college hockey.