The Montreal Canadiens decided to go for the centre at the 2018 NHL Draft and fans have had polarizing reactions to the selection.
The second major milestone for the Montreal Canadiens has come and gone. The Habs were in an interesting spot at the NHL Draft. With Rasmus Dahlin and Andrei Svechnikov being no-brain picks for the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes respectively, the NHL Draft really started with Montreal at three.
Ironically, there were three names connected to the organization. Filip Zadina was the first consensus pick amongst fans and scouts. The Czech winger was a dynamic force in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads coming out as one the league’s best pure goal-scorers.
Brady Tkachuk was a player who brings a lot of physicality and grit to his play on the ice and looked to have more offence to his game than what he’s shown so far. But Jesperi Kotkaneimi was the centre the Montreal Canadiens need. The 17-year-old excels on both ends of the ice and made sense to be the organization’s selection at three.
However, trading down was an option that fit as well. When the Habs went up to the podium, it was announced that Kotkaniemi was their guy.
The perception of the selection was pretty polarizing amongst Montreal Canadiens fans. Some loved it based on Kotkaniemi the player and his position. Others hated for two reasons. Firstly, because they felt Bergevin should’ve traded down. Although scouts started to believe that taking the Finn third wouldn’t be considered an off the board pick, he could’ve been around at five.
Secondly, they wanted Zadina.
Fans didn’t hold back on Twitter after the pick was made. Here are some of the better responses.
https://twitter.com/_Renato_21/status/1010312307208085504
Hey #Habs fans, what do you think of your 3rd overall pick? #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/45uUy60cyo
— Jesse - 96🏆 01🏆 22🏆 (@JBarb87) June 23, 2018
Gutsy pick Bergevin. #Habs #NHLDraft
— The Derp Report Podcast (@thederpreport) June 23, 2018
Called it .. #Habs take Kotkiniemi !
— hotandcoldrunningmom ☮️ (@donnasfood) June 23, 2018
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO #HABS
— Alex Nyko (@AlexNyko) June 23, 2018
Over the moon with the Kotkaniemi pick for the #Habs. So happy for my team! Kotkaniemi and Poehling! Skilled centers with size.
— Habs Draft Nut (@cvsportsguy) June 23, 2018
Part of me thinks that Bergevin drafting Jesperi Kotkaniemi for Montreal means Zadina and / or Tkachuk will become future Hall of Famers. I really hope I'm wrong... #NHLDraft #Habs
— PEI Beer Guy (@PEIBeerGuy) June 23, 2018
If Kotkaniemi can be the next Saku Koivu, I’d be pretty damn happy. #NHLDraft #Habs
— Ryan Higgison (@ryanhiggison) June 23, 2018
The Eagle is here! #Habs pic.twitter.com/dvj7C9iizJ
— Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) June 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/onmint/status/1010313508490080257
What!!!!! Lmao #habs #NHLDraft they don't agree with the pick! pic.twitter.com/EL1KtQXwEx
— Adam Peters (@adampete78) June 23, 2018
Next: Players to look out for in the second round
Kotkaniemi can change the response of the portion who weren’t a fan of the pick. It’ll be interesting to see how he thrives within the organization.