As you said, trading the first overall pick is extremely rare. I doubt Chicago’s does it.

I would not be 100% sure Montreal does this trade either. If they had #4 there is a pretty good chance that Demidov or Lindstrom would be available (as Levshunov is likely a top 3 pick) and I am curious as to whether they think the difference between either of them and Celebrini is still Roy + Struble + Winnipeg’s first. It’s an interesting question though.

No chance CHI trades that pick. I understand Celebrini isn't Bedard level #1 OA caliber, but they simply need more elite talent and he's clearly the beat in this draft. Consensus #1 with a clear drop off at #2.

I think the Habs want quality over quantity, and Celebrini is clearly the best quality player.

Not disagreeing, but just wanna make the point that Chicago needs SO MANY players, yes it's a small step down in quality in the draft, but you can get 3 assets that all full holes in your future 10 best players.

Why would the Hawks be any different?

If you look at all of the high picks Chicago has made the last couple of drafts as well the stockpile of picks they have for the next couple of drafts, they already have the quantity. Now they need the very high end quality which is where Celebrini comes in… Hawks decline.

They have a very good prospect pool as is with tons of picks already. If it were a deeper draft I'd argue they should move up in the draft vs down.

Fair point. I suppose the thinking would be that the team is so very bad and that Celebrini to Lindstrom is not a huge drop. Plus with all the smaller bodies, maybe Chicago wants a big body forward or a top paire defender more than a top line center which they drafted last year.

We'd never move #1. I think at #2 Demidov is a slam dunk for the hawks too but that might just be my personal opinion. If the hawks fall #3 or #4 I'd consider a move back to the #5-7 range if MTL wanted to come up for Demidov/Lindstrom/Levshunov and we're willing to give a late 1st+ to do it

Call me crazy but I think I’d keep Roy, Struble, a late first and possibly Cayden Lindstrom over Celebrini. Celebrini is going to be a stud but I have very high hopes for Roy and I also think Lidstrom would be a fantastic 4th overall pick, not to mention Struble has been great whether he sticks around long term or is used as a trade chip. Not to say a rebuilding team like Chicago would ever trade a winning lottery ticket in the first place…both teams decline.

You forgot to add Reinbacher and swap Hutson in for Struble. Honest mistake I'm sure.

If you have the 1st pick, you take the best player available regardless of position, size etc., you can always draft size later in the draft.

Hawks are loaded with prospects at LHD. So if this was a top RHD prospect then maybe we could talk. But unlikely this moves the needle.