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Wednesday, June 20, 2001
Montreal Canadiens
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First-round picks: Nos. 7 and 25 (from Washington)
2000-01 record: 28-40-8-6, 70 points (24th overall)
What they need
The Habs' top two scorers, Saku Koivu and Oleg Petrov, each had 17 goals and 47 assists. Needless to say, offense and depth at the forward position are concerns that will be addressed at the draft table this year. The Habs could use more depth on defense. Their future between the pipes looks bright in the form of Jose Theodore.
In the system
Montreal had two selections in the first round last year, and they used the second one (16th overall) on Western Hockey League center Marcel Hossa. The Habs are hoping Hossa, along with fellow centers Eric Chouinard (16th overall in '98 out of the Quebec Major Junior League) and Mike Ribiero (45th overall in '98 out of the Quebec League) can develop sooner, rather than later, to add some punch to the Habs lineup. Chouinard scored 50 goals two seasons in a row in the QMJHL before making his NHL debut last season, when he scored one goal in 13 games for the Canadiens. Chouinard and Ribiero will see a lot of ice time in Montreal this season, while Hossa may be another year away.
On the blueline, the Habs used their first selection (13th overall) last year on Ron Hainsey. The Connecticut native pent the last two seasons with UMass-Lowell of Hockey East. Another defenseman who could make an impact in the NHL is fellow collegian Chris Dyment (97th overall in '99). Dyment is an offensive-defenseman who has spent the last three seasons playing Boston University. He could make the Canadiens roster this season.
Recent draft history
Montreal has not made many good, first-round picks in recent times. Dating back to their last No. 1 pick -- center Doug Wickenheiser in 1980 -- only three first-round picks by Montreal have made any type of an impact in the NHL. Defenseman Petr Svoboda (fifth overall in 1984) and forward Turner Stevenson (12th overall in 1990) are no longer with the club. Saku Koivu (21st overall in 1993) is the only one left.
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