BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 23: Montreal Canadiens fans watch warmups before an NHL game against the Buffalo Sabres on March 23, 2018 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

Montreal Canadiens select Jesperi Kotkaniemi with No 3 pick at NHL Draft by Omar L

Montreal Canadiens: Jesperi Kotkaniemi has high aspirations for his future by Omar L

The Montreal Canadiens decided to go for the centre at the 2018 NHL Draft and fans have had polarizing reactions to the selection.

The second major milestone for the Montreal Canadiens has come and gone. The Habs were in an interesting spot at the NHL Draft. With Rasmus Dahlin and Andrei Svechnikov being no-brain picks for the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes respectively, the NHL Draft really started with Montreal at three.

Ironically, there were three names connected to the organization. Filip Zadina was the first consensus pick amongst fans and scouts. The Czech winger was a dynamic force in the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads coming out as one the league’s best pure goal-scorers.

Brady Tkachuk was a player who brings a lot of physicality and grit to his play on the ice and looked to have more offence to his game than what he’s shown so far. But Jesperi Kotkaneimi was the centre the Montreal Canadiens need. The 17-year-old excels on both ends of the ice and made sense to be the organization’s selection at three.

However, trading down was an option that fit as well. When the Habs went up to the podium, it was announced that Kotkaniemi was their guy.

The perception of the selection was pretty polarizing amongst Montreal Canadiens fans. Some loved it based on Kotkaniemi the player and his position. Others hated for two reasons. Firstly, because they felt Bergevin should’ve traded down. Although scouts started to believe that taking the Finn third wouldn’t be considered an off the board pick, he could’ve been around at five.

Secondly, they wanted Zadina.

Fans didn’t hold back on Twitter after the pick was made. Here are some of the better responses.

Hey #Habs fans, what do you think of your 3rd overall pick? #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/45uUy60cyo — Jesse – Colorado Avalanche Fanboy (@JBarb87) June 23, 2018

Called it .. #Habs take Kotkiniemi ! — hotandcoldrunningmom (@donnasfood) June 23, 2018

Over the moon with the Kotkaniemi pick for the #Habs. So happy for my team! Kotkaniemi and Poehling! Skilled centers with size. — CV Sports Guy (@cvsportsguy) June 23, 2018

Part of me thinks that Bergevin drafting Jesperi Kotkaniemi for Montreal means Zadina and / or Tkachuk will become future Hall of Famers. I really hope I'm wrong… #NHLDraft #Habs — PEI Beer Guy (@PEIBeerGuy) June 23, 2018

I like that smile from Kotkaniemi! The C! #Habs — Luca LaPorta (@Luca_LaPorta) June 23, 2018

A new development system in Laval, Kotkaniemi and Poehling in the pipleline…this could be reallllly good. #Habs — Jason O (@BigRedHabs) June 23, 2018

If Kotkaniemi can be the next Saku Koivu, I’d be pretty damn happy. #NHLDraft #Habs — Ryan Higgison (@ryanhiggison) June 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/onmint/status/1010313508490080257

Want your voice heard? Join the A Winning Habit team! Write for us!

Kotkaniemi can change the response of the portion who weren’t a fan of the pick. It’ll be interesting to see how he thrives within the organization.