2nd Round, 61st Overall
Original Pick: C Maxim Lapierre
Redraft Pick: RW David Backes
Honorable Mentions: G Jimmy Howard(64th to DET), LW Daniel Carcillo(73rd to PIT), LW Clarke MacArthur(73rd to BUF)
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This draft truly is deep. Montreal didn’t do too badly with this pick. Lapierre combined size, grit and an ability to agitate opponents for over 600 NHL games. He spent just over 5 seasons in Montreal and was a cult favorite among fans. After Montreal, Lapierre saw time in Anaheim, Vancouver and St. Louis before moving to Europe last season.
Backes has been a stalwart in St. Louis for 10 years now. He looks to be about to leave via free agency but his Blues career has been pretty good.
At 6-3 and over 220 lbs, Backes has established himself as a big power forward. He’s shown an ability to also play center but with Getzlaf, Bergeron and Plekanec up the middle, Backes would be a pure right wing.
Backes is a 6-time 20 goal scorer and has twice topped 30 goals. Having him in the lineup with those already mentioned, it would have given the Canadiens unprecedented depth up front.
Next: 3rd Round