Despite never being drafted, Brian Skrudlund ended up being one of the vaunted rookies of the Stanley Cup Champion 1986 Montreal Canadiens. A prototypical 3rd line checking center for the Canadiens for 8 years, Skrudland was a defensive specialist who chipped in a fair chunk of offense. Skrudlund scored 9-15 goals for 6 straight years in a tough role. His hard nosed style won him many fans among the discerning Montreal crowds, and he's still mentioned today as an example of a solid 3rd line checker. Skrudland also managed to set an indelible mark in Canadiens lore as a rookie, tipping a Mike McPhee bullet pass into the net just 9 seconds into overtime to tie the series against the Calgary Flames in 1986. The goal remains the fastest overtime winner in NHL playoff history. In spite of his style of play creating a lot of wear and tear on his body, Skrudland kept playing long enough to win a second Stanley Cup as a member of the Dallas Stars in 1999 alongside former Habs Guy Carbonneau, Craig Ludwig, and Mike Keane.

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A throw in for the trade for Radek Bonk, Huet ended up single handedly making the trade worth it. Cristobal Huet didn't do too much in his first year with the Habs, aside from unseat a Hart and Vezina Trophy winner and the richest contract in Montreal Canadiens history when he beat out Jose Theodore for the starting goaltender job. He also managed to take home the Roger Crozier award for the goaltender with the highest save percentage in the NHL. Injuries forced a platoon situation the following year with the underwhelming David Aebischer,. And as it is for so many Habs goalies, Huet was soon under duress as the starter as another goalie began to outplay him. Young Carey Price made Huet expendable as a rookie, although Huet had continued to play well and increased his trade value significantly, netting a 2nd round pick from the Washington Capitals (Which Montreal later traded away). Huet also made his mark in Habs history as the goaltender of record in the 5-0 comeback against the New York Rangers at the Bell Centre.