The Montreal Canadiens have only moved up once in eight times in the NHL Draft Lottery, and they made it worth it.
That was in 2005, when all teams were entered in the lottery after the previous season was wiped out by the lockout. The Canadiens only had a 2.1% chance at top spot with only one ball in the lottery, and they used that ball to move all the way to fifth overall where they took Carey Price.
Only once have they had a better chance at the first overall pick than they do this year. That was back in 2012 when they finished third from the bottom and had a 14.2% chance. They stayed in third spot and picked Alex Galchenyuk that year.
One of the years they were in the lottery they ended up trading the selection. In 1999, they traded the 10th overall pick to the New York Islanders (which ended up being Branislav Mezei) for Trevor Linden. That trade was made after the draw.
Three Habs lottery picks were in the NHL playoffs this year: Mikhail Sergachev (2016), Ryan McDonagh (2007), and Ron Hainsey (2000).
Canadiens Draft Lottery history
| YEAR | CHANCE (%) | PICK | PLAYER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5.0 | 9 (no change) | Mikhail Sergachev |
| 2012 | 14.2 | 3 (no change) | Alex Galchenyuk |
| 2007 | 1.1 | 12 (no change) | Ryan McDonagh |
| 2005 | 2.1 (1 ball) | 5 | Carey Price |
| 2003 | 2.1 | 10 (no change) | Andrei Kostitsyn |
| 2001 | 4.7 | 7 (no change) | Mike Komisarek |
| 2000 | 1.1 | 13 (no change) | Ron Hainsey |
| 1999 | 1.9 | 10 (no change) | Traded for Trevor Linden |
| 1995 | 2.8 | 8 (no change) | Terry Ryan |
The 2018 NHL Draft Lottery will be held Saturday evening.
