Over the last few weeks, lot has been made about the Canadiens’ track record with first round draft picks. It started with the Pittsburgh Penguins winning the Stanley Cup. At the deadline, the Penguins acquired Ron Hainsey; a player who had never appeared in an NHL playoff game.

In his first run through the playoffs, the former Habs first round selection (13th overall in 2000) would win his first Stanley Cup. Hainsey became the first Canadiens first round pick to win a Stanley Cup since Turner Stevenson (12th overall in 1990) won with the New Jersey Devils in 2003. Yikes.

On top of that painful history, the present hasn’t been lovely either. All of the first round selections originally owned by the Canadiens from 2007 to 2011 have been traded at some point: Ryan McDonagh in 2007, 2008’s pick went to Calgary in the Alex Tanguay trade, Louis Leblanc in 2009, Jared Tinordi in 2010, and Nathan Beaulieu in 2011. Max Pacioretty was selected in 2007 with a draft pick acquired from the San Jose Sharks, but I’m only counting picks the Canadiens originally owned. Why? Other team’s picks acquired via trade aren’t a guarantee. Your original picks are. If you want to get technical, Tinordi shouldn’t be there either as the Habs swapped pick with the Coyotes, but I thought that was almost inconsequential.

Looking forward, if Montreal trades Alex Galchenyuk, that would leave one Canadiens first rounder since 2007 who has played semi-regularly, and that’s Michael McCarron. With Mikhail Sergachev a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and former Everett Silvertips Noah Juulsen and Nikita Scherbak teaming up in Laval this season, Galchenyuk and McCarron are the only first rounders left.

All that bad juju leads us to this year’s pick: the 25th overall selection in a round that now features 31 picks. Marc Bergevin has always stressed the importance of building through the draft, but his results have been a mixed bag so far, with Galchenyuk, Charles Hudon and Artturi Lehkonen being the bright spots. Could this be the year Bergevin finally moves that first round pick to get immediate help, or will he play this patiently and draft a player who might make an impact in three or four years?

Draft Options:

There’s not a ton of depth in this year’s draft, and with the Habs drafting where they are, anything can happen. Here are three picks I like with the Canadiens drafting 25th overall.

1. Kailer Yamamoto – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Position: RW/LW

Size: 5′ 7.5″ 153 pounds

2016-17 Stats: 65GP, 42G, 57A, 99PTS

Rankings:

26th by ISS

24th by Future Considerations

17th by NHL Central Scouting (Among North American Skaters)

Scouting Report:

This is a “best player available” pick, assuming he’s still on the board. Not often is there game-breaking talent available at this position in the draft, but that’s exactly what Yamamoto brings in his game. Let’s get this out of the way now: he’s small. Admittedly, his size is the only reason he’ll even be available at 25. Dennis MacInnis, director of scouting for ISS and friend of Rabid Habs, says in ISS’s annual guide “Size is a concern but if he was two inches taller, he’s a no-brainer.”

No, Yamamoto doesn’t fill a positional need for the organization, but offense is something the Canadiens have needed for quite some time. Yamamoto can easily fill a top-six role with the Canadiens at some point with an ability to quarterback a power play from the half-wall and below. And in a league that is only getting faster, Yamamoto’s elite skating should be too much for the Canadiens to pass up. If he’s still in his seat when pick 25 comes around, Trevor Timmins should call him up to the stage.

2. Shane Bowers – Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)

Position: C

Size: 6’1.5″ 178 pounds

2016-17 Stats: 60GP, 22G, 29A, 51PTS

Rankings:

27th by ISS

31st by Future Considerations

16th by NHL Central Scouting (Among North American Skaters)

Scouting Report:

This is just what the doctor ordered for the Canadiens. A 200-foot centre, Shane Bowers of the USHL is a multi-tool centre with a nose for the net and a strong sense for the defensive side of the game. Bowers can play the penalty kill and the power play, and although he doesn’t project as a first line centre, he could be a solid second line guy. Think peak Tomas Plekanec.

While intangibles make some fans’ eyes roll, consider this from MacInnis of ISS:

Steady improvement with all-around game, responsible centre. Looks to lead the team when it’s needed the most with good character.

Could be a slam-dunk pick for Bergevin and the Habs.

Video curtesy of NHL Prospects on Youtube

3. Henri Jokiharju – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

Position: D

Size: 5’11.75″ 176 pounds

2016-17 Stats: 71GP, 9G, 39A, 48PTS

Rankings:

29th by ISS

35th by Future Considerations

19th by NHL Central Scouting (Among North American Skaters)

Scouting Report:

The NHL is a copy-cat league, and picking Henri Jokiharju (yo-key-har-yu) follows the Nashville model of building from the blueline. Jokiharju is a puck moving defenseman with excellent offensive instincts. A pass-first kind of guy, Jokiharju can move the puck with his stick or by skating it out of danger. Jokiharju is the future of defending in the NHL, as the model for successful defense involves moving the puck quickly and exiting the defensive zone with possession of the puck. Doing all these things well, Jokiharju could be a nice asset for the Canadiens to select.

Again, size may be a concern for some teams, as he will slide because of his sub-six-foot frame. For the Canadiens, Jokiharju’s right-handedness may be somewhat problematic, but a good defenseman is a good defenseman. Definitely my third choice, but should still project to be a top-four defenseman in a league that is trending towards defenseman of his skill set.

Trade the Pick

Marc Bergevin’s nuclear option. Since taking the helm in 2012, Bergevin has always made a selection with his first round pick. With the chaotic movement expected over the next few days, maybe Bergevin moves his first to fill a hole on his team. In a draft year that seems to be a little thin on talent, it may be a smart idea to package the pick with another asset to find a top-six centre or a top-four defenseman.

Ultimately, Bergevin’s first round picks haven’t amounted to much, so why not roll the dice and add an asset that can help now instead of one that might have an impact in two or three years? Statistically, only about 25% of draft picks play at least 100 NHL games.

Just like the draft, trying to figure out what Marc Bergevin is up to might as well be a guessing game. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Follow Ian on Twitter @BoisvertIan and follow @Rabidhabs for more updates!