The argument I'm making here is that everyone is talking about "Aneheim has a plan" as a reason they suck so much. Since the 2019 draft, they've picked Top-10 or higher in 5 consecutive drafts. And they are still at the bottom of the standings and will be picking there again for a sixth year in a row.
2019: Zegras 9th
2020: Drysdale 6th
2021: McTavish 3rd
2022: Mintyukov 10th
2023: Carlsson 2nd
2024: they are currently the 3rd to last team in the overall standings = another top-5 pick.
That means Montreal would need to pick in similar spots until the 2027 draft.
2022: Slaf 1st
2023: Reinbacher 5th.
2024: they are currently 7th to last but could be lower = another Top-10 pick or higher.
2025: ??
2026: ??
2027: following Anahiem's "plan," still one of the worst teams in the league.
That's not a plan to me. That's being stuck in a losing pattern. I really wouldn't be happy if Montreal is still at the bottom of the standings in the 2026-27 season.