What to expect from Canada's teams as NHL off-season heats up

The NHL off-season is in full swing with the NHL Draft taking place in Montreal on Thursday and Friday and free agency getting underway on July 13. TSN Hockey reporters and analysts give their takes on the storylines for Canada's teams going into a very important couple weeks. 

The Canadiens aren't giving any indication of which direction they may take in the NHL Draft but what could they still be debating with the top three prospects? What will this pick mean to Kent Hughes as his first selection as general manager of the franchise? TSN Canadiens reporter John Lu discusses.

What do you expect to happen with the Habs owning the No. 1 pick in Thursday's Draft?

John Lu: Kent Hughes said if the draft were to take place tonight (Monday), the Canadiens would be selecting first overall. They wouldn’t be trading that pick away is what he’s saying as of this moment. However, he didn’t close the door to other possibilities, saying there would be a greater chance that they would trade up from their No. 26 position as opposed to trading away their first overall pick. Hughes inferences a lot can happen between now and Thursday night and especially Thursday night on the draft floor. So he’s open to possibilities, but at this moment and time it looks like the Canadiens will be selecting first overall.  

How is the front office debating who to pick?

Lu: Hughes inferred that the debate is between three players: Shane Wright, Juraj Slafkovsky and Logan Cooley as opposed to just the two top picks. What the Canadiens are debating about are not just hockey issues, but a lot of it has to do with projection. What these players will look like at 23 to 24, not necessarily at 18. And where will be the best place for them in the short term…in