At least theoretically.
The Montreal Canadiens are picking first overall this season, the eighth time they’ve done so. Montreal leads all NHL teams in No. 1 overall picks, and it’s their first time picking first since 1980.
It’s difficult to pin down where the Habs are leaning with that first pick. Shane Wright is the odds-on favorite, but Juraj Slafkovsky’s name has built up some traction. The variance of first-overall success is high, but Montreal will hope to land a player they’ll look back on as a success rather than the disastrous choice of Doug Wickenheiser in 1980.
Complete list of first overall picks in NHL history
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The last player to go first overall was Owen Power to the Sabres last year. Power played in eight games and scored two goals and an assist at the professional level.
The last No. 1 overall pick to win the Calder Memorial Trophy was Auston Matthews with the Maple Leafs in 2016.
Some of the more notable picks from recent years include Nathan MacKinnon, Aaron Ekblad, Connor McDavid, and Matthews.
Here is the complete list of No. 1 overall picks in NHL draft history.
