Report: First overall pick on the move?

It's been widely believed and speculated that the contending Cape Breton Eagles will move the first overall pick in next week's QMJHL Entry Draft.

That pick may be on the move to the rebuilding Quebec Remparts, reports Mikael Lalancette in Le Soleil.

Les Remparts repêcheraient premiers au total lors du prochain repêchage de la LHJMQ https://t.co/jxhkhWzcU3

— Mikaël Lalancette (@MikLalancette) May 31, 2024

Although we don't know the full details, the move makes sense for both clubs. The Eagles, who made the league semifinals this past season and are poised to contend again, likely want to make moves that help them win immediately. The Remparts, meanwhile, are in the early stages of a complete rebuild, and drafting first overall would certainly assist in that.

Lalancette reports that the Remparts are eyeing forward Maddox Dagenais, who was ranked No. 1 by QMJHL Central Scouting, with the first overall selection.

Many top prospects for this year's draft are believed to be considering NCAA options, so there could be quite a few "fallers" and "risers" based on player intentions. The Remparts, even during this stage of a rebuild, are certainly a team that could sway a player away from college hockey.

The Eagles won the league's draft lottery with a pick that originally belonged to the Saint John Sea Dogs. Cape Breton is currently picking first followed by the Val-d'Or Foreurs at No. 2 and No. 3, the Remparts at No. 4 and the Sea Dogs at No. 5.

The QMJHL Entry Draft takes place next Friday and Saturday at Moncton's Avenir Centre.