Insider reveals first-round picks are in high demand; lists two defenceman who could fetch that return
There's no question that teams that are selling this season would like to add an extra first-round pick this year. Along with Connor Bedard, the 2023 NHL draft class is loaded with talent including Adam Fantilli, Leo Carlsson, Eduard Sale, Dalibor Dvorsky and Matvei Michkov, just to name a few.
During Tuesday's edition of Insider Trading, TSN's Chris Johnston revealed that first-round picks are in high demand this year, leading up to the deadline and that teams will be asking for them in return for their top available asset(s).
Johnston went on to mention that there are two defenceman, if they become available, that could fetch a first-round pick, plus another asset. Those players being Joel Edmundson of the Montreal Canadiens and Vladislav Gavrikov of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Both Edmundson and Gavrikov would warrant a first-round pick in return for various reasons, but it would be certainly interesting if the Canadiens are able to add another one.
Currently, they have two first-round picks in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, their own and Florida's, which they acquired in the Ben Chiarot trade last year. Going into Tuesday's action, Montreal has the sixth and ninth best odds at landing the first overall pick in June's draft.
The National Hockey League's trade deadline is set for Friday, March 3rd at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
Source: Chris Johnston - Insider Trading
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Brandon Hagel | - | 5 | 5 | |
| Nico Hischier | 3 | - | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Will Cuylle | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Sebastian Aho | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Ivan Barbashev | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Jack Eichel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Morgan Frost | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Seth Jarvis | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Mason Marchment | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brayden Schenn | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Tyler Seguin | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matt Duchene | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Emil Andrae | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Drake Batherson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Zachary Bolduc | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Sean Couturier | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Pavel Dorofeyev | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Lars Eller | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 21 | 17 | 4 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 30 | |
Devils | 23 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 30 | |
Hurricanes | 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 29 | |
Golden Knights | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Maple Leafs | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 20 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 27 | |
Flames | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 27 | |
Stars | 19 | 13 | 6 | - | 26 | |
Rangers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||