2018 was a challenging year for the Montreal Canadiens, who were in desperate need of a center and faced a difficult decision when faced with the upcoming NHL draft, where they had the third overall pick. On one hand, the talented Jesperi Kotkaniemi was a young center who had a bright future, and on the other hand was Brady Tkachuk, a dynamic winger who was one of the best players available.
The Canadiens, who needed a center, went with the safer pick of Kotkaniemi, but what if they decided to go the route of Brady Tkachuk?
7 years ago today, Brady Tkachuk was selected fourth overall by @Senators 🫡 pic.twitter.com/um34eR0vVp
— Locked On Senators (@SensCentral) June 22, 2025
Fast-forwarding to the current day, Kotkaniemi left Montreal in 2021 to go to Carolina, now just being remembered as a decision that never quite worked out. While Tkachuk is still steadily carrying his weight over in Ottawa, the same team that chose him back in 2018, a curious scenario unfolds as to what would have happened if the Canadiens had taken the gamble with Brady instead.
Statistic | Jesperi Kotkaniemi (2018-2023) | Brady Tkachuk (2018-2023) |
|---|---|---|
Games Played | 265 | 358 |
Goals | 46 | 140 |
Assists | 98 | 154 |
Points | 144 | 294 |
+/- | -30 | +18 |
Hits | 281 | 1239 |
Following this table, Kotkaniemi's numbers are decent, but never met the level of expectation that came with being a third overall pick and struggled to find a consistent and impactful role in Montreal, as they parted ways and joined Carolina in 2021.
What if Brady Tkachuk was the Better Option?
Brady Tkachuk is a power forward who excels at driving to the net with aggressive forechecking, hits, and is always willing to drop his gloves. A huge offensive threat, he can score goals, contribute to power plays, and is an extremely passionate player.
Impact on Montreal's Roster:
Known for his leadership qualities and tenacity, Tkachuk would have a great effect on the Canadiens with his high energy, passion, and hard work. The addition of Tkachuk would have been a great addition to their current top-six forwards, which had gaps after the loss of Pacioretty and Galchenyuk.
His offensive prowess and experience could have provided excellent mentorship for young stars like Caufield, Suzuki, and Demidov. With his grit and leadership, this could have allowed the Canadiens to build balance and stability. Tkachuk's opportunity could have provided them with the physicality that the Canadiens constantly seem to be missing out on during playoff times.
One of the most glaring issues that the Canadiens have faced during their numerous early playoff exit is getting outmuscled by the more physical teams. Whether it was against Tampa in 2021 in the final or even in the first round of 2025 playoffs vs Washington, Montreal finds themselves on the losing end of board battles, in front of the net, and where it matters most. This is where Brady Tkachuk could have made a big difference.
NHL playoffs are a different kind of ground where offence slows down and space tightens, and net front presence and sustained physical pressure are what can make the difference in winning a series. Brady Tkachuk is built for playoff hockey, with his ability to crash the net, win board battles, and constantly landing solid, physical hits.
If Montreal had selected Brady Tkachuk over Jesperi Kotkaniemi in 2018, the Habs' landscape today could look very different. A more competitive roster could have been possible over the past few seasons, with the dynamic leader of Tkachuk and Ottawa would be without one of the most important pieces of their young core
Tkachuk's combination of skill, leadership, and aggressive/physical play style could have been exactly what Montreal needed, even though at the time, the center position was the biggest need. A gamble was taken, and unfortunately, Montreal ended up on the wrong side, and the story of both teams could have been written completely differently.