The National Hockey League is currently entering the twelfth expansion draft in its history, in order to welcome its 31st team, the Vegas Golden Knights.
During the previous eleven expansion drafts the Canadiens lost some talent, but were generally masters of their own destiny through backroom dealings with the expanding team and shrewd resource management.
Goaltender Frederic Chabot holds a very infamous distinction of being the only player to be lost by the Montreal Canadiens on two separate occasions, and a total three times, during expansion drafts.
In the 90’s the NHL began a concentrated effort to grow the League into non-traditional markets where the winter sport of ice hockey was not played nor popular, which included forays into California and Florida.