Montreal Canadiens secure best odds in upcoming 2022 Draft Lottery

One year ago, the Montreal Canadiens were just about to shock the entire sports world by overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to the arch rival Toronto Maple Leafs and once again send them packing with a 1st round series defeat, and eventually find themselves marching to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993. 

And earlier this week, they became the 1st team in NHL history to finish dead last in the standings the following year after qualifying for the championship round. Talk about a major swing of events. 

Not only did captain Shea Weber miss the entire season (his career is most likely over), but former Hart Trophy-winning goaltender Carey Price missed all but four games after checking himself into the NHL Player Assistance program as well as rehabbing from offseason surgery. Head coach Dominique Ducharme was terminated, and former NHL All-Star Martin St. Louis took his place on an interim basis behind the bench. 

And while Montreal was the first NHL team officially eliminated from postseason contention, there is one good thing that otherwise came from this season of darkness. Thanks to their finishing in last place, they have the highest odds of landing the top NHL Draft selection later this summer with an 18.5% chance of being the first team up to the podium. 

Meanwhile, one of the Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken will have an 11.5% chance in the lottery, while the team that finishes 29th in the standings will get a 9.5% chance. 

Of course, the 2022 NHL Draft will be held in Montreal's Bell Centre this year. 

OHL's Kingston Frontenacs forward Shane Wright is projected to be the first overall pick, while Logan Cooley, who is currently representing the United States at the U-18 World Hockey Championship in Germany, is projected to be drafted 2nd overall.