The 2023 NHL Entry Draft is a long way from September, but there’s a long road ahead to get to that point. While the Montreal Canadiens fell to the lottery picks in 2021-22, some fans hope they can do so again in 2022-23 to re-group and add another top piece.
Not to mention, the consensus top pick in next year’s draft is already known. Hockey Canada’s own Connor Bedard, who’s playing in the WHL with the Regina Pats, is expected to be the first overall draft choice in the 2023 draft. The Montreal Canadiens have two bids at him.
After their trade last year to send defenceman Ben Chiarot to the Florida Panthers, the team picked up their 2023 first-round pick. They’ll have two shots to land Bedard in next summer’s draft. t was essentially like buying another lottery ticket to increase their odds.
The Montreal Canadiens have two chances at Connor Bedard.
It’s not that simple, though; a few things hinge on that being a reality. The draft lottery can be a cruel place for teams, and finishing last in the standings does not always lead to a first-overall pick.
That said, the Florida Panthers would have to go from first in their division to the bottom to end up in the lottery. While the Canadiens have a better shot at ending up in the lottery than the Panthers, having a second first-rounder increases the team’s odds.
Either way, two first-rounders are better than one for the Canadiens; this means that the team struggling through the 2022-23 season is not the worst thing in the world. It would allow them to do a few things.
They could clear some cap space with several players coming off the books after this season and allow them a chance to develop some of their younger players further to compete again in 2023-24. The crown jewel of tanking is that it could enable them an opportunity to add a generational talent in Bedard.
So tanking is not the worst option; taking a season to focus on development could work out in their favor down the road. After all, they have two chances to land Bedard. If the Canadiens did not end up with the first overall pick but are set on targeting Bedard, they have the draft capital to do so.
It feels like dumping a ton of draft capital for Bedard is a bit risky, but with the way scouts talk about him, he has the chance to be an elite NHL player who might help the Canadiens get things back on track.
The Canadiens have an opportunity to get in on the Bedard sweepstakes; in fact, they have two. While one chance hinges on the Panthers’ pick, the other hinges on how the Habs come out and perform this year.
Why should the Montreal Canadiens be interested in Connor Bedard?
While the Montreal Canadiens have two picks in the first round, why should the team be so excited about this prospect? The bottom line is that there’s a plethora of scouts who are “up” on Bedard, and his performance has spoken for itself.
In his first year in the WHL, Bedard scored 51 goals and 49 assists for 100 total points over 62 games played for the Pats. With Hockey Canada, Bedard came out and played four games with the U18 team, scoring six goals and adding an assist for seven points. He had four goals and four assists for eight points with the U20 squad over seven games.
The points speak for themselves as Bedard finds his way on the scoresheet. If you go on Twitter and search him up, there are plenty of highlights of Bedard showing his stuff. He’s someone who’s got the skill and is tough to play against.
Bedard is skilled with the puck, being able to navigate through traffic while keeping the puck on his stick, and even in a 5-foot-10, 185-pound frame, he has strength. It’s not often that he’s getting his bell rung or getting knocked off the puck.
He does a good job staying strong, and he’ll throw the body around, too, in some situations. Obviously known for his finesse and scoring ability, but he’s tough to play against, using the body and not being afraid to get hit.
Bedard has plenty to be desired as a future NHL player, and it’s easy to see why many scouts label him as the top pick in this draft class. The Canadiens would be better off for the future if they land him, and lucky for them, they have two first-rounders.
Even if the Panthers are unlikely to be near the top of the lineup, with some changes to their roster, they may end up in the lottery if things go poorly with their new squad. The Canadiens have to be hoping for the downfall of the Panthers to help their odds of landing Bedard.