It's simple.

We can all agree that Bedard, Fantilli and Carlsson will be gone by 5. Michkov SHOULD be gone by 5, but if some GMs buy into the Russian scare, he could drop. If he's there at 5, he's a must pick. He's one of the most skilled players the draft has seen in years, you'd be crazy to not take him at 5 if you're the Habs, a team that needs more elite talent desperately.

If Michkov goes top 4. You take either Will Smith or Zach Benson. I think Benson is a bit better overall, but he's small and Smith is a better fit for the Habs. So I'd be really happy with either of them.

Picking players like Reinbaucher or Dvorsky over Smith or Benson would be a disaster in my opinion. We need to go for talent and upside.

If Michkov is there I’m for it. I’m willing to wait and Bobrov is close to the situation so if Smith is gone I don’t think it’s far fetched

Michkov if he falls to 5th, Or Will Smith with his connections to Kent Hughes.

We are in such need for a talent like that I’m gonna be so upset if we pass for mid

Agree with all, if Michkov is avalable at 5th, I will take him.

My second choice will be Smith.

Yeah Michkov has so much untapped potential, I can definitely see him has the 2nd best prospect behind Connor Bedard. he only slips due to the fact that he's at least 3 years away from coming over to North America.

Agree with all the comments here:
- 1st (8.5%): Bedard
- 2nd (8.6%): Fantilli
- 3rd (0.3%): Carlsson / Michkov / Smith
- 5th (24.5%): Carlsson / Michkov / Smith

It gets more debatable should the habs drop in the draft, I think:

- 6th (44%): ???
- 7th (14.2%): ???

Best case scenario, Michkov would also drop to 6th or 7th, but it's hard to say.

Michkov would probably top my list, but I'm gonna trust Bobrov on this one, as he surely has way more intel regarding Michkov's situation in Russia than all of us, combined. So if he decides to pass on him, I'm okay with that.

I'm a lot higher on Smith than I am on Benson. In fact, I think I'm higher on Leonard than Benson at this point. Unlike many here, I actually like Reinbacher a lot. So if it goes Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson and Michkov, I'd go Smith. If it goes Bedard, Fantilli, Carlsson and Smith, I'd go Michkov, but only if Bobrov aproves. If he doesn't...then I'd be tempted to contact Detroit to see if there's a possibility to trade down at #9, while also getting NYI's 1st (adding on our side). Detroit gets Michkov at #5, and Habs select one of Benson, Leonard or Reinbacher at #9, while adding #18 to our already existing FLA's pick at #17.