PHILADELPHIA - Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin sees picking 26th in the NHL draft as a sign of success. For Bergevin, the best pick is the 30th — which traditionally goes to the Stanley Cup winner. "Thats our goal. Every team wants to win," he said Thursday on the eve of the draft. "Picking 26th, yeah its far back but again you want to make the playoffs and you want to have success. And thats what happened. Thats the price you pay." After falling short in the Eastern Conference final, the Habs find themselves with a first- and third-round pick and then five selections well down the draft ladder (117th, 125th, 147th, 177th and 207th overall). Their second-rounder went to the Islanders in the Thomas Vanek deal. Bergevin says he is open to moving higher or lower with his first pick, depending on the offers or scenarios. "We could use help everywhere," he said candidly. "Were a good team but we need to get better. Im always open to make our team better." The Canadiens have already made some decisions. Bergevin says free agents Vanek, defenceman Douglas Murray and tough guy George Parros wont be back. Defenceman Andrei Markov and coach Michel Therrien have signed new deals. Talks continue with three other free agents: captain Brian Gionta, and defencemen Mike Weaver and Francis Bouillon The Montreal GM also says there has been a meeting with star defenceman P.K. Subbans agent about a new contract. While much has been made of the Habs lack of size, Bergevin says its only one variable. "Size is something every team looks at," he said. "But character for me and compete (level) always comes into play. You can have a big guy who doesnt compete or you have (five-foot-nine) Brendan Gallagher — Ill take Brendan Gallagher all day long." Trevor Timmins, the Habs director of amateur scouting, said his staff will be keeping its fingers crossed as the first round unfolds. "We think positive about the player we want to get," he said. The good news is he believes there is a lot of parity in players available between the 15th and 40th picks. However he said it is a down year for francophone talent compared to 2013. The Habs scouts have done their homework, with Timmins and his staff having met with some 100 prospects. Custom New England Patriots Jerseys . -- Kansas City Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar will have Tommy John surgery that will sideline the pitcher for the season. New England Patriots Pro Shop .com) - Roosevelt Jones had 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to lead No. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/.com) - St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko, Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk and Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury have been selected as the NHLs top players for last week. New England Patriots Gear . He says he will have the operation Wednesday and be ready in time for training camp in September. Bernier missed five games in March due to the injury. Wholesale Patriots Jerseys . Moments after scoring and setting off another wild celebration at Minsk arena, Platt leapt into the arms of Belarusian captain Alexei Kalyuzhny.British Speedway chairman Keith Chapman says this summer’s British Final is a golden opportunity for a new champion to be crowned after Tai Woffindens withdrawal. Three-time winner and reigning world champion Woffinden is standing down from the meeting at Belle Vue on June 13, opening up the title race.And Chapman says its a great chance for a new name to be engraved on the trophy, saying: Im sure the likes of Craig Cook and others will see this as a great chance to win the British title, as well as Scotty Nicholls and Chris Harris looking to add to their titles. It also opens up the British Final and Im sure we will still see a very entertaining meeting.dddddddddddd Keith Chapman Tai made me aware of this and whilst it is a disappointment we, as an association, wish him well.Were pleased he is committed to the World Cup team and I wish him all the best in attempting to win a third world title. The publicity his titles have generated for the sport are a major plus for British speedway.It also opens up the British Final and Im sure we will still see a very entertaining meeting. Also See: Bet on Speedway with Sky Bet ' ' '