Alexandre Picard

Alexandre Picard was drafted 85th overall in the 2003 NHL entry draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. After his rookie season at the Junior Level with the Halifax MooseHeads in 2001-2002, Alex Picard helped bring the team to the 2002-2003 Presidents Cup Finals. The following season he would be traded but returned to Halifax in his final year of junior in 2004-2005 to round out his 4 year junior career.

Alexandre Picard spent one complete season refining his game in the AHL with the Philadelphia Phantoms in 2005-2006. He was called up to the NHL the following season after just 6 games with the Phantoms to replace an injured Mike Rathje. The following season in 2007-2008 sparked a series of trades for Alex Picard.

On August 29, 2008, Alexandre Picard was traded to the Ottawa Senators along with Filip Kuba and a first round draft pick for Andrej Meszaros. Then on February 12, 2010, Alexandre Picard (who had been a healthy scratch for much of the season) along with Ottawa's second round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Matt Cullen. Finally on July 31, 2010, Alexandre Picard signed a one year contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

Alex Picard is a puck moving defenceman who likes to take his time. Patience is his virtue and he would rather hold onto the puck while he has time to examine the play. Usually his delayed play leads to the defense closing in on him and ensuing turnovers.

He finds his place on the third defence pairing in Montreal. Picard can be utilized on the powerplay but is better off with sparing minutes. He has come into his own of late and although he isn't an all star defenceman he is versatile and plays well enough to blend in.

Some of Alex Picard's strengths include his vision. He is a defenceman that sees the ice well. On top of this he is a decent puck mover. He makes crisp passes and is not afraid to delay play to make the right decision.

Like all defenceman Alexandre Picard has his hiccups and will occasionally make a bone head move to turn the puck over. Alex Picard's defensive play needs to be improved and at times he needs to be faster and make quicker decisions to keep up with the fast pace of the National Hockey League.

Alexandre Picard proved he could stay in the NHL when, on February 1, 2007, he recorded five assists in a game against the New Jersey Devils, nearly tying the franchise record set by Eric Lindros.