The two losses to the Arizona Coyotes and Vegas Golden Knights wasn’t enough for the Montreal Canadiens. An Edmonton Oilers win has pushed them even further.
Welcome to Team Tank. Team Push has been pushed out of the minds of Montreal Canadiens fans after their two losses to the Coyotes and Golden Knights, but the Edmonton Oilers’ win over the Colorado Avalanche had them fall even deeper in the standings. The Habs are now 29th in the league, and if things continue, they’ll stay at least in the bottom five.
“But celebrating losses invites negative thinking,” true; I can understand that. “But tanking is for losers,” in some instances yes. The Draft Lottery is what the title says it is: a lottery. Finishing last in the league doesn’t guarantee a first overall pick unless you’re the Oilers. However, positionally, the Habs are in one of the best spots to succeed.
Things can go wrong though. Montreal could end up like Colorado or Vancouver in watching teams ahead of them draft higher. At the same time, if the Habs can get a top-five pick, I think the majority of the fanbase can consider that a victory.
So, besides tuning into the games, what else can Habs fans do? Why not kill some time by going through NHL Draft Simulators. They’re not exact, but it can give you close to an idea of how things may (emphasis on may) go in June.
For example, I just did one, and the Habs (with a 10.5% chance of first overall and a 36.2% chance of getting in the top three via Tankathon.com) won! After Montreal it was Detroit at two, jumping up from five, followed by Vancouver. Again, that doesn’t confirm what will happen once the real balls get spun around. Doing the simulator for a second time had the Habs at fifth, so there are highs and lows.
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There are some solid prospects up for grabs, and obviously, Rasmus Dahlin is at the head of it. Then again, Andrei Svechnikov, Brady Tkachuk, or Noah Dobson would be spectacular additions to the organization as well.
It’s not only the draft lottery. Hopefully, the Habs choose to give some of the younger prospects a look at some points. As the theme of a previous post went, just try it. Noah Juulsen, Daniel Audette, or Jèrèmy Grègoire to name a few could make their NHL debut down the road.
Blain Potvin of allhabs.net put it best on Twitter:
It would be easier to sell the tank to fans if they played more youth. Traded away vets like Plekanec/Pacioretty/Deslauriers/Benn/Morrow and just let the youth play. #Habs still end up with a top 5 pick
— Blain (@BlainPotvin_THW) February 18, 2018
If the plan is to promote the future, then show the fans what the future is! Montreal has already started with Nikita Scherbak, and he’s looked great. That on top of a top pick may make this year an easier pill to swallow, especially if those players to get the call perform well.
The next 25 games may be tough to watch, but the possibilities of what can result from it could make it worth it. Of course, that isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. But short-term pain for long-term gain should always be the easier option.
Next: Where is Nicolas Deslauriers?
Are you on board with the tank? Which prospects would you like to see play a few games with the Habs? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments.