The Canadiens have a (very) good probability of selecting a defenseman in the first round.
It’s widely accepted that the general manager and his staff should choose the player with the highest ranking on their list in the first round—and even in the second, in my opinion. Naturally, different companies have distinct lists for two reasons: first, different scouts have varied preferences for different players, and second, different evaluation procedures. For instance, the Habs appear to value raw skill, size, character, and the possibility of developing into a top player over hitting a home run. Different organizations hold different opinions. While some teams adore these picks, others don’t draft players from Russia, Quebec, or specific European nations.
However, history has shown that a club that chooses the top player on its list is ultimately more likely to make wise decisions than a different team that works its way down the list to select a player who fits a particular position. To put it briefly, drafting based on necessity should be avoided. Particularly when the chosen (or overlooked) player won’t matter for several years… Needs might evolve throughout time. It also steers clear of blunders that, years later, bring the management group’s reputation into disrepute! Mathias Brunet commented on this in La Presse yesterday.