Top 5 Canadiens Draft Picks in the Bergevin Era

*Originally published in Nov. 2014

One of the greatest Montreal Canadiens success stories to come out of the NHL Entry Draft is Brendan Gallagher, who flourished under former general manager Marc Bergevin. As a fifth-round pick (No. 147 overall) in 2010, Gallagher has developed into a legitimate top-line winger, who in the past could counted on for around 30 goals per season. More than that, though, Gallagher has been described as the heartbeat of the Habs, the team’s emotional leader who takes punishment on an every-game basis for the betterment of the team as a whole.

Before Bergevin was fired, Gallagher had only played under his regime, so some level of credit goes to him, no doubt. That’s primarily with regard to Gallagher’s development and cost-effective second deal (six years, $22.5 million). However, it’s a misconception to believe Gallagher is a Bergevin draft pick, as the forward was actually selected by Bergevin’s predecessor, Pierre Gauthier.

Gallagher only debuted with the Canadiens under Bergevin in 2012-13, which was coincidentally the GM’s first season with the team too. So, when ranking the top 5 Canadiens picks in the Bergevin era, it’s key to consider the Alex Galchenyuk draft as the first. A bit of foreshadowing, maybe?

Before Bergevin Served the Canadiens

Bergevin came over from the Chicago Blackhawks, where he had filled several roles. He got promoted to Director of Player Personnel for the 2009-10 season, his fourth with the team, when the team won the Stanley Cup, its first of the current era. They would go on to win two additional Cups after Bergevin left, as Assistant GM to Stan Bowman, to join the Habs, but there’s a case to be made his fingerprints were over those teams as well.

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Prior to his front-office career, Bergevin enjoyed a long, 20-season NHL career as a stay-at-home defenseman, which is arguably reflected in the construction of the Habs’ defense corps. However, that’s not necessarily the case in his draft selections, at least not the top five selections, as of the 2021 offseason.

Top Selections

During Bergevin’s tenure, the Canadiens made 77 total picks, including a first-round selection each season he was at the helm. Those picks have had success with eight of the 10 going on to play 100 games or more in the NHL.

Only players from Bergevin’s first eight seasons on the job from the 2012 to 2019 drafts are included here as a result. It should be noted from the point at which goalie Carey Price was selected at No. 5 overall in 2005, none of the Habs’ top selections stayed with the team into their stereotypical prime-production years up until Ryan Poehling (2017), who is no longer with the team.

While the Canadiens would probably love to have that McDonagh trade back as well, in the here and now re-acquiring Sergachev would be a bigger coup. It’s ironic, because playing the trade market is generally seen as Bergevin’s forte, whereas his drafting leaves something to be desired. Several names on this list, Sergachev most notably, prove there are still some significant success stories on that front.

Will These Newly Drafted Players Revive the Canadiens?

Hopefully for the Canadiens, the trend continues with recent drafts. Kaiden Guhle (No. 16 in 2020) specifically projects as a difference-maker on defense.

Looking further back, Poehling (No. 25 in 2017) is no longer with the team, however, 2019 picks Mattias Norlinder (No. 64) and Rafael Harvey-Pinard (No. 201) are.

The Canadiens focused on building through the draft under Bergevin, and, even though it hasn’t paid off significantly, there’s reason for optimism that they’ve turned the corner. The draft may not have been Bergevin’s strong suit, but a few home runs can make all the difference. He may have already hit them. Only time will tell.