A Winning Habit
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Panthers to Cup Final, Canadiens Draft Pick Drops Yet Again

By Ryan Praught

SUNRISE, FL - MAY 24: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers scores a goal against goaltender Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four during first period action against of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the FLA Live Arena on May 24, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FL - MAY 24: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers scores a goal against goaltender Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Four during first period action against of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the FLA Live Arena on May 24, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /
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A couple months ago, there was hope that the Canadiens could still have two lottery picks in this year’s NHL Entry Draft. Then the Panthers made the playoffs, and that dream died. But that was alright, so long as the Panthers lost in either of the first two rounds. In that scenario, the Canadiens would’ve ended up picking 17th, a very good pick in what is a deep 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Then that dream died once the Panthers defeated the Maple Leafs handily, moving into the third round of the Playoffs.

With that victory, the pick would have become the 29th, so long as the Panthers don’t advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. Otherwise, the Habs would see their pick fall to 31st or 32nd. But, of course, the Canadiens won’t be picking 29th, either. Hockey can be so cruel sometimes.

The Canadiens will now be waiting for the results of the Stanley Cup Finals to finally know where their second selection in the first round will be. If the Panthers lose, the pick becomes #31; if they win, it becomes 32. At this point, the difference between the two is almost entirely irrelevant, so there really is no point in cheering against the Panthers at this point. The worst-case scenario result for the Canadiens has already happened.

It’s crazy to think this could’ve been avoided had the Pittsburgh Penguins just taken care of business against the lowly Chicago Blackhawks to end the season. Had they done so, the Panthers likely miss the playoffs, and the Canadiens would have had an additional lottery pick. And the Blackhawks might not have finished third last, and who knows if they win the lottery in that case. Of course, that’s a whole other can of worms, but the main point is the Canadiens were so close, painfully so, to picking 16th, with a chance to move up 10 spots in the lottery. Instead, they’re picking in the 31-32 range, a place that was a second-round pick just a few seasons ago.

They say hockey is a game of inches, and Habs fans have had to learn that the hard way. Let’s not forget the Panthers needed a last-minute goal against the Bruins just to tie it up in Game Seven before winning in overtime. At several points, this run could’ve ended, but improbably so, it’s continued. Hockey can be so cruel.

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