The Montreal Canadiens entered the NHL Draft Lottery with the best chance of winning the first overall pick. Though it was far more likely that they drop to third overall, they were fortunate to come out with the top selection.
Even as the team with the worst record in the regular season, the Canadiens had just a 25.5% chance of ending up with the first overall pick and a more than 50% chance of landing at number three.
When Bill Daly flipped that card with the #1 on the back and it had the Canadiens logo on the front, it was terrific therapy for all Habs fans who suffered through an awful season that included just eight wins in the first 45 games and a late season nine game losing streak after some hope was breathed into the lineup by Martin St. Louis.
By the end of the season, they had clinched the worst record in hockey. But the greatest possible silver lining to a bad season is a top draft pick. The Canadiens secured the first overall pick by virtue of the correct ping pong balls bouncing around.
Now, they have to decide what to do with it. Not only, should they keep the pick and draft someone, but who should they take?
There are several different options the Canadiens could take here, so let’s break down the there most likely.