The repechage remains a rare day when all 32 teams come out on top. Maybe less the Tampa Bay Lightning this year, with only a first pick in the sixth round, but the acquisition of hopefuls precisely sows a lot… of hope.
Here are ten quotes to remember in the environment of the Canadian following each of his first round choices between 2011 and 2020, for better and for worse!
2011
I was a little surprised that he was still there (at 17e rank). I thought he would be drafted ninth overall by the Boston Bruins. But that’s good, the Canadian’s defense has several older defenders…
Jacques Beaulieu, trainer and father of Nathan, interviewed at The Press.
The Bruins instead opted for another defenseman, a certain Dougie Hamilton. This one ranks first for points among the defenders of his vintage with 445, 232 more than the second, Jonas Brodin.
PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, PRESS ARCHIVES
Nathan Beaulieu
Beaulieu is still in the NHL, but he was never able to settle in Montreal and replace these defenders agingthe Andrei Markovs, Roman Hamrlik, Jaroslav Spacek, Josh Gorges and company.
2012
The big center players do not run the streets. When there is one that passes, you have to seize the opportunity. He’s the type of player that’s practically impossible to pick up through a trade.
Marc Bergevin
We did everything in the following years to make Alex Galchenyuk, third overall choice that year, the famous number center of the CH. But he had neither the understanding of the game nor the efficiency in defense to meet the challenge. He is still rolling around in the NHL, but his 30-goal season in his fourth year in the League remains the highlight of his career. At least he will have been traded for Max Domi, who will then have brought back Josh Anderson.
2013
It wasn’t a surprise to be chosen by Montreal, but I didn’t necessarily expect to go out in the first round. I’m so happy, it shows that the Canadiens believe in me. I get chills just thinking about joining one of the original teams.
Michael McCarron, 25e total choice.
For a second consecutive year, the CH drafted according to specific needs. He had just been bullied, injured and eliminated by the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the playoffs and they were looking for a vindicator capable of playing hockey. Standing 6-foot-6 and with a decent skate, McCarron seemed to fit the bill for the job. But he was downright lacking in talent. He gets called up on occasion by the Nashville Predators, in a supporting role, which is already noteworthy.
2014
We already have Russians in the team to supervise him, we have Markov, Galchenyuk, Emelin. Of course, I can’t guarantee 100% that he won’t play there. We can never guarantee that. There is a risk and that’s why he wouldn’t have started in the top 10. But 26e, for us it was worth it. It’s a calculated risk. It could be a home run.
Marc Bergevin
PHOTO ANDRÉ PICHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Nikita Scherbak and Alex Galchenyuk
Nikita Scherbak has always expressed his desire to play in North America, he was already playing in the junior ranks in Saskatoon in his year of eligibility. The KHL has never been a problem, but Scherbak’s poor understanding of the game has. He has played just 37 NHL games and was playing in Slovakia last winter.
2015
He was the player we wanted. We had no hesitation. Our scout who saw him the most told me he was going to sleep like a baby knowing he was wanted. Members of other organizations came to tell me that we had made a good choice.
Marc Bergevin
The DG of the Canadian was not all wrong. Had it not been for two unfortunate facial injuries, each time after receiving a head-on puck, Noah Juulsen might have become a top-four defenseman in Montreal. He seemed on the way to becoming one when bad luck struck him. He still plays for the Vancouver Canucks organization and played a dozen games there this winter.
2016
He has the potential to become a player of Drew Doughty’s caliber.
Rocky Thompson, the head coach at the Spitfires of Windsor of Mikhael Sergachev, ninth choice in total of the Canadian.
Rocky hit the nail on the head. Unfortunately, Sergachev was traded a long time ago to the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he became the number one defenseman at age 24 last season. He had 64 points in 79 games with almost 24 minutes on ice. Damage…
2017
I’m having trouble finding a fair comparison, but I have visions of a player who could become a bit like Mikko Koivu later on. The only reason people put limits on him is because he hasn’t had big stats this season. It’s unfair in my opinion because this guy is going to go to another level and become a much better offensive player.
Bob Motzko, coach at University of Minnesota Ryan Poehling, 25e total choice.
Despite his three goals in his first career game, Poehling was ultimately limited offensively. He found a niche in the center of the Penguins’ fourth line, but settled for 14 points in 53 games. The CH offered it to Pittsburgh in the Jeff Petry transaction to free up some money to retain Rem Pitlick. He found himself a chair conforming to that of most of the players chosen at this rank.
2018
The center position is very difficult. All DGs are aware of this. Young centers with potential don’t run the streets, so you have to draft them. We had the chance to fish one out, we couldn’t miss it.
Marc Bergevin
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Same speech as in 2012 with Alex Galchenyuk, drafted like Jesperi Kotkaniemi in third place. The two no longer play for the Canadian and the team’s first two current centers, Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach, were obtained in exchanges, including Suzuki by Bergevin himself!
2019
The Canadian is better in the center than before. It was a great opportunity to add a scorer on the wing.
Marc Bergevin, after drafting Cole Caufield at 15e rank.
Well…
2020
When Kaiden is in Montreal, I know Shea will have an eye on him and help him grow. He couldn’t have a better role model. But I don’t know if Kaiden will become so strong, because Shea is the mountain man!
Marc Habscheid, coach in the junior ranks of Kaiden Guhle, 16e choice in total, at La Presse.
Shea Weber fell in battle before he had a chance to guide Guhle. But this one has already shown last year that he was a damn good defender, worthy of a first pair. Like Sergachev by the way…
The Jack-Adams or the Cup?
PHOTO GEORGE WALKER IV, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jim Montgomery
This is not a criticism of anyone. But it is nevertheless amusing to note that the winner of the Jack-Adams trophy, awarded to the coach par excellence in the National Hockey League, was won by Jim Montgomery, who replaced Bruce Cassidy for the Bruins. It was quick to find a job after his dismissal in Boston, he was rescued by the Vegas Golden Knights. Less than a year later, Cassidy won the Stanley Cup. For the record, Cassidy finished fourth in the votes to get him the Jack-Adams trophy…