Will the draft be kind to the Canadiens?
As this year’s NHL draft draws closer all eyes are on Canada who have five teams in the running for a first pick. This year however, the Montreal Canadiens great form means they are some distance away from a first pick, and unless something dramatic changes between now and the 27th of June they won’t get any closer to a lottery win.
Canadiens battling for the top pick spots
If the Canadiens remain in or close to their current placement within the NHL standings they will face a battle for a first pick. To select drafts the NHL uses a weighted system, and a team with a poor record stands a better chance of landing a top player, rather than the other way around. This is good news on the ice, but not when it comes to the picks and if the Habs remain in their current position and no unforeseen calamity occurs they look set to be drafting in about the middle of the first round.
Of the top five Canadian-only teams predicted to win the first pick lottery the Habs don’t make an appearance and the Edmonton Oilers are in the lead, followed by the Calgary Flames; in third place are the Vancouver Canucks with 6.2%, followed in fourth by the Toronto Maple Leafs at 3.6% and finally in fifth, the Winnipeg Jets with 2.7%. These five Canadian teams are all in with a chance, and unless the Canadiens absolutely disintegrate they won’t be in this top 5 listing.
Looking to add talent to the team
Regardless as to when the Canadiens get the chance to draft they look set to use the opportunity to add talent and size to the team’s forward prospects. The Habs are hoping that the draft will give them a great opportunity to pick and if they can do so they are sure to select Peterborough Petes’ Nick Ritchie in the first round. If this happens the draft will have been exceptionally kind to the team and not being in the top 5 won’t matter.
Fans and team members have their fingers crossed that Ritchie falls conveniently towards the middle of the first round as his 6’3, 235 pound frame will add the exact characteristics the team is looking for. If Ritchie isn’t available, fans will have to keep an eye out on other players such as Nikolaj Ehlers, Oskar Lindblom and Brycen Martin who are pipped to come up in the second round.
Historical success
In the past, the Canadiens have been very busy in the draft and generally their acquisitions have gone on to be successful. In 2013, eight players including Michael McCarron and Jacob de la Rose were snapped up and prior to that, 2012 saw the arrival of Tim Bozon and the popular Alex Galchenyuk.
One of Canada’s favourite players who has now retired will also be keeping a close eye on the picks. Guy Carbonneau started his career drafted at number 44 in 1980 by the Montreal Canadiens and went on to have a hugely successful period on the ice until he hung up his boots in 2000. Carbonneau is more likely to be spotted playing a game of a different kind these days and has become an avid poker player, spending time at the tables at live tournaments and games
All will be revealed on June 27th and Canadien fans are waiting with baited breath to see who will get the top spots!