Montreal Canadiens’ Draft Pick Increases Rank Thanks To Oilers’ Win

The Edmonton Oilers’ triumphant win over the Calgary Flames in the playoffs helped the Montreal Canadiens gain some clarity on where they’ll be picking with Calgary’s 1st round pick for the 2022 NHL Draft.

With the Oilers moving on to the Conference Finals, the Flames’ pick can be no lower than 27th overall, with the outside chance of jumping to 26th or even 25th overall.

27th Overall At Worst

The 2022 1st round pick that the Montreal Canadiens acquired from the Calgary Flames in the Tyler Toffoli deal earlier this year is not yet finalized. The Flames’ playoff outcome is directly tied to the rank of their 1st round pick, and, should things continue the way they’re going, it may be an earlier pick than previously thought.

With Calgary being eliminated last night the latest the pick land is 27th overall, as the Florida Panthers are guaranteed to pick 28th after being swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning. That’s because the last four picks in the Draft (32 to 29) are given to the final four teams left in the playoffs, while eliminated divisional champions like Florida and potentially Calgary would pick immediately after (picks 28 to 25).

The Flames are among four divisional champions that include the Florida Panthers (122 points), the Colorado Avalanche (119 points) and the Carolina Hurricanes (116 points). If any of these teams fail to make it to the Conference Finals, the Flames’ 1st round pick would become an even earlier selection, as Calgary had the lowest point totals of any divisional champion. As of this junction, should Calgary lose tonight and the Hurricanes/Avalanche prevail in their series, the Flames’ 1st rounder would land at the 27th overall rank as seen below:

• 32nd overall: Stanley Cup Champion
• 31st overall: Runner-Up
• 30th overall: Conference Final Loser With Most Points
• 29th overall: Conference Final Loser With Least Points
• 28th overall: Divisional Champion With Most Points (Florida, confirmed)
• 27th overall: Divisional Champion With 2nd most points (Calgary,  right now).
• 26th overall: Divisional Champion With 2nd most points (Calgary, if one of Colorado or Carolina get eliminated).
• 25th overall: Divisional Champion With 2nd most points (Calgary, if both Carolina and Colorado get eliminated).

Should the St. Louis Blues or New York Rangers complete their comebacks and take their series, the Calgary Flames’ pick has the potential to drop to 26th overall if one of Colorado or Carolina loses. Should both series result in triumphant comebacks from the Blues and Rangers, the pick would then jump to 25th overall.