HabsWorld.net -- 

The NHL held their draft lottery on Saturday night.  The Habs had a 5% chance of landing the #1 overall pick but after the dust settled, they remained where they started the night at, holding the 9th selection.

This will mark the second highest selection for the Habs in Marc Bergevin’s tenure.  Of course, their highest pick in that time span was Alex Galchenyuk back in 2012.  Before that, the only other time the Habs have picked in the top ten in the last fifteen years was Carey Price back in 2005.

There have been some very talented players to be picked 9th overall in recent years although there have been a few duds as well.  Here are the last ten players to be picked at that spot:

2015: Timo Meier (SJ)
2014: Nikolaj Ehlers (WPG)
2013: Bo Horvat (VAN)
2012: Jacob Trouba (WPG)
2011: Dougie Hamilton (BOS)
2010: Mikael Granlund (MIN)
2009: Jared Cowen (OTT)
2008: Josh Bailey (NYI)
2007: Logan Couture (SJ)
2006: James Sheppard (MIN)

Montreal has only picked ninth overall once in their franchise history, back in 1975 when they selected Canadian defenceman Robin Sadler.  However, he never suited up in the NHL and instead spent several years in Austria, eventually becoming a naturalized citizen, suiting up for them in the 1988 Olympics.  Suffice it to say, this selection should turn out better for the Canadiens.

The 2016 NHL Entry Draft will be held on June 24th and 25th in Buffalo.