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Montreal Canadiens Worst 5 Draft Busts During the 2000’s

By Kenric Mannette

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Noah Juulsen on stage with team executives after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Noah Juulsen on stage with team executives after being selected as the number twenty-six overall pick to the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Montreal Canadiens
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Mikhail Sergachev poses for a photo after being selected as the number nine overall draft pick by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

The Montreal Canadiens draft classes between 2000-09 had a couple great selections, but it also had many whiffs in the 1st round. Examining the five worst 1st round picks the Habs made during the decade.

The Montreal Canadiens are the most successful, and storied team in NHL history. The Canadiens have a long legacy of drafting excellent players who’ve gone on to help them win 24 championships. Those 24 Stanley Cup championships are still the most ever in the NHL.

However, it has been more than 23 years since the Canadiens have last won a Stanley Cup. The last time the Habs won it all was in 1993. Star Goaltender Patrick Roy backstopped the Canadiens through unbelievable playoff run in which they upset Wayne Gretzky, and the Los Angeles Kings for the Championship.

Since then, the Canadiens have struggled to have a championship caliber team, and partly due to poor drafting. The Canadiens from that point on always seemed to be on the cusp of rebuilding. The Habs were able to put together a few playoff teams, but usually wound up being bounced early on.

From the start of the 2000’s the Canadiens Management made some very poor choices in the draft that which has hurt the club right up to the present day. They Canadiens could have landed elite shutdown defensemen or top notch scoring on the wing. Also, the Habs could have landed a few elite number one centers, which the Canadiens lacked for years.

What Makes a Draft Bust?

Put simply, the player never produced, or never lived up to the hype of being a first round pick. What also can hurt a player on this list is who else was available for selection, but was passed over by Habs Management. Unfortunately, the Canadiens had far too many first round busts during the decade.

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