Here are the Canadiens' chances of getting hold of the exceptional Connor Bedard, according to the bookies

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Jeff Drouin
September 15, 2022 (9:31)

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If during the last NHL draft different experts had difficulty deciding who was going to be the first player selected, it will certainly be a different story in 2023.

Only one name comes to mind for scouts and hockey fans alike: Connor Bedard. The forward for the Regina Pats of the Western Junior Hockey League made many eyes glaze over at the last World Junior Hockey Championship and most experts agree that he should be the first pick in the next draft.

The right-handed center still had 100 points, including 51 goals, last year in 62 games and already some Canadiens fans are dreaming of seeing him in a Canadiens uniform in the near future.

However, new captain Nick Suzuki had mentioned earlier this summer that there was no way the Habs could be in the running for the young prospect, but as Jeremy Pearman of Habsolumentfan.com reports, the odds are pretty good that Kent Hughes could announce his selection in the upcoming NHL draft.

Informant Jimmy Murphy of Montreal Hockey Now recently published the predictions of the reputable sports betting site BetOnline.ag and according to them, the Habs could be in a good position to potentially draft Connor Bedard.

The predictions in question are actually based on the overall NHL standings projected for the 2022-2023 season and according to the site, the Habs are rated at 70.5 points, which would be good for 30th in the final season standings. So, only two teams are rated lower than the CH, the Arizona Coyotes and the Chicago Blackhawks, who have the same rating of 67.5 projected ranking points.

Okay, these are just predictions, you'll tell me, it's true. If we take last year's numbers, the Canadian was rated at 89.5 points and finished the season with 55 points. This means that a lot can happen in the 2022-2023 NHL season and there is no guarantee that the Coyotes and Blackhawks will finish in the bottom of the standings.

And it's also important to remember that the team that finishes last is not guaranteed the first overall pick, talk about the Buffalo Sabres passing on Connor McDavid in the 2015 lottery to the Edmonton Oilers.

But the fact remains that Bedard's progress will be watched very closely this year by hockey fans, especially fans of the Blackhawks, Coyotes and of course the Habs, in hopes of drafting a talent that is said to be generational in Connor Bedard.

You can check out the full list of predictions by reading the article below.