# WHAT IF: Could Montreal Canadiens have drastically CHANGED history by drafting Kopitar over Price? Friday Habs mailbag

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-canadiens-daily-podcast-on-the-montreal-canadiens-444785/what-if-could-montreal-canadiens-have-drastically-changed-history-by-drafting-kopitar-over-price-friday-habs-mailbag
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-canadiens-daily-podcast-on-the-montreal-canadiens-444785/what-if-could-montreal-canadiens-have-drastically-changed-history-by-drafting-kopitar-over-price-friday-habs-mailbag.md
Podcast: [Locked On Canadiens - Daily Podcast on the Montreal Canadiens](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-canadiens-daily-podcast-on-the-montreal-canadiens-444785)
Published: 2026-07-31T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-canadiens/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/7394b4/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/89bc21bd-170a-47f3-9426-fcea89a4bba1/episodes/e027ef2b-4eb0-40b8-9b95-052d017ae1e9/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=89bc21bd-170a-47f3-9426-fcea89a4bba1&awEpisodeId=e027ef2b-4eb0-40b8-9b95-052d017ae1e9&feed=sKoAYobd
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Duration seconds: 2575

## Resource

What if the Montreal Canadiens had drafted Anze Kopitar instead of Carey Price? Laura Saba and Ian Boisvert break down how this alternate history could have reshaped the team’s identity, from Jaroslav Halak’s role to Saku Koivu’s future and the evolution of Montreal’s centre depth. The hosts debate whether a different approach in the front office and supporting cast might have delivered a championship or left the Canadiens searching for answers in net. Other hot topics include frustrations with the NHL’s expensive TV deals and their impact on Canadian fans, plus listener mailbag questions ranging from ideal all-time Canadiens lineups to realistic trade scenarios for Kirill Marchenko and Elias Pettersson. The episode also tackles ongoing negotiations with Arber Xhekaj, future roster moves under Kent Hughes, and which young Hab deserves fans’ loyalty in the post-Gallagher era. Can Montreal’s management make the right moves to return to contention?

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