Big Decision by the Wild Changed Canadiens' History Over the Past Decade
Photo credit: NHL
We've just learned something interesting about Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens, and it comes straight from Bob Gainey.
In short, during an interview with the excellent Tony Marinaro, Gainey revealed that the Canadiens owe a big one to the Minnesota Wild for the selection of Price.
Carey Price would have never been a Montreal Canadien if the Wild hadn't drafted Benoit Pouliot one pick before the Canadiens.
Bob Gainey: "We had Benoit Pouliot; if he had been there, he would've been our pick.
He wasn't there, so the next player on our list was Carey Price."
Bob Gainey: "We had Benoit Pouliot; if he had been there, he would've been our pick.
He wasn't there, so the next player on our list was Carey Price."
Wow!
By selecting forward Benoit Pouliot, the Minnesota Wild essentially gave the Montreal Canadiens a massive gift.
The Montreal Canadiens Wanted Benoit Pouliot Before Carey Price
Just imagine that scenario!
Hats off to Bob Gainey for sharing the story, he certainly didn't have to, but he did.
Carey Price, the 5th overall pick in 2005, went on to become one of the best goalies of his generation and a franchise cornerstone for the Montreal Canadiens.
In 712 career NHL games, he posted a record of 361-261-79, a goals-against average of 2.51, and a save percentage of .917.
Benoit Pouliot, the 4th overall pick in 2005, didn't quite have a career that lived up to expectations.
He didn't even play 70 career games with the Minnesota Wild and ended up recording 263 points in 625 NHL games (across seven different teams).
It wasn't a disastrous career by any means, but let's just say it didn't come close to the level of Carey Price's.
It's pretty fascinating to see how one decision by another organization could dramatically change the course of the Montreal Canadiens for nearly 15 years!
Previously on HabsFanatics
| POLL | ||
MAI 27 | 3595 ANSWERS Big Decision by the Wild Changed Canadiens' History Over the Past Decade Who is the best goalie of his generation, in your opinion? | ||
| Carey Price | 2168 | 60.3 % |
| Jonathan Quick | 135 | 3.8 % |
| Henrik Lundqvist | 557 | 15.5 % |
| Andrei Vasilevskiy | 735 | 20.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
TRENDING NOW
