Montreal Canadiens: The next point of interest are the Los Angeles Kings
By Omar L
After Al Montoya met the conditions for the Montreal Canadiens to have their draft pick upgraded, the Los Angeles Kings are the next point of focus.
Al Montoya and the Edmonton Oilers finally did it yesterday, and the veteran had his seventh start against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your stance for the team, they dropped the game 3-1, and Montoya made 37 saves in the process. The good news for the Montreal Canadiens is that they officially have the conditional fifth-round draft pick in 2018 upgraded to a fourth as the conditions have been met.
The Habs now have eight draft picks in the first four rounds heading into Dallas this summer. That’s plenty of room to work with for Trevor Timmins and the rest of the Habs scouting staff. However, there is still an opportunity to add to their pool in the top 122.
Tracking the Oilers and Montoya’s starts is over and done with, the next point of interest for the Montreal Canadiens are the Los Angeles Kings. Thanks to a trade made back in November for Torrey Mitchell; the Habs can have the same thing happen for that conditional fifth-round pick if the Kings make the playoffs.
Mitchell has fit in nicely on the Kings fourth line putting up five goals and five assists in 43 games. He’s also played a role on the penalty kill which is the best in the league at 84.1%. Los Angeles is currently in a playoff spot, but as always, the race for the post-season in the Western Conference is intense. The Kings were third in the Pacific Division behind the San Jose Sharks before, but have been bumped down to the second wild-card spot after the Anaheim Ducks defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-2.
More from Habs News
- Montreal Canadiens: Biggest Questions Going Into 2023-24
- Montreal Canadiens: Quentin Miller’s Poise And Confidence Fuel His Game
- Montreal Canadiens: Laval Rocket Top Defence Pair Could Be Set
- Montreal Canadiens: Worst Move Of The Pierre Gauthier Era
- Montreal Canadiens: Could Casey DeSmith End Up In Colorado?
The bright side is the Kings have a game in hand on the Ducks. The not so bright side is that they have the likes of Dallas, St. Louis, and Calgary on their heels to make the playoffs as well. Habs fans would be doing well to send all their positive energy over to Andre Kopitar and the gang to pull up their socks and have a strong end of the season.
If that happens, the second draft upgrade is in place and down the line could make these two small deals by Marc Bergevin important ones. Remember Victor Mete? Yeah, a fourth-round pick. Just saying.
Morning Links
Rocket – Crunch: Penalties, Discipline Give Syracuse the Upper Hand
Shorthanded time has cost the Laval Rocket games in the past, and it was the same story Saturday night against the Syracuse Crunch.
Charlie Lindgren is ready to be the Montreal Canadiens’ backup
Ever since the Montreal Canadiens signed Charlie Lindgren to a three-year extension, the expectation was that the would be the team’s backup next season. The performances that he’s been able to put up for the Habs definitely prove that he’s ready for the grind of the NHL.
Would the Canadiens be better off tanking the rest of the way?
Maybe. Probably. Yes. Although it’s a lottery, the Habs would benefit long-term from putting themselves in the best position to win. However, we’re talking about professionals here.
Next: Three Things That Saved Bergevin's Job
Do you think the Los Angeles Kings will make the playoffs? Have these conditions on picks changed your opinion of Bergevin this season? What are the chances that they get the Habs another NHL player? Let us know in the comments.