For the first time in ages, the Canadiens have plenty of slack as they head into the free-agent market on July 1st. With Carey Price on the long-term injured list, the club will start the season with a $9.24 million cushion under the salary cap, according to CapFriendly.
• Also read: Carey Price could buy a second home in Montreal
• Also read: Crowded net for the Panthers next season?
• Also read: There would be several looking towards Max Pacioretty
A real luxury!
But Kent Hughes, who is undertaking a delicate remodel, will no doubt want to keep a good chunk of it, which could serve as interesting leverage if one of his peers gets stuck on his budget to meet the $83.5 million ceiling.
AFP
The Flames, Bruins, Oilers, Wild and Kings will be grabbed by the throat and will certainly try to get rid of cumbersome contracts. The Canadian’s general manager might well be willing to put that thorn in their side, provided he also lands draft picks or a young hopeful.
Additionally, Canadian Sean Monahan had taken over in similar circumstances. To get rid of the last year of his lucrative contract, the Flames had agreed to forego a first-round pick (2025).
contract purchase
Martin Chevalier / JdeM
Kent Hughes could use that cushion to buy out a contract. That of Mike Hoffman, for example, who will receive $5 million this season, the last one provided for in his agreement.
To buy out a contract, you must calculate two-thirds of the balance and spread that amount over twice the season remaining in the contract. So here the Canadian Hoffman should pay $1.67 million each for the next two seasons.
At the same time, Hoffman’s name would be added to that of Karl Alzner, who is still on the list of contracts bought by the Canadian. In October 2020, Marc Bergevin had decided to buy the last two seasons of the contract linking the defender with the team. Alzner will take home $833,333 for the last time this winter.
A thin market
Martin Chevalier / JdeM
This summer’s market will primarily interest teams looking for depth, which is not the case with the Canadian.
In fact, Hughes has already taken steps in that direction, signing Sean Monahan on a one-year deal ($1.99 million). An interesting bet that allows both parties to take stock of his health. He also reached an agreement with Michael Pezzetta a few weeks ago.
The vast majority of the other unrestricted free agents who played in the Montreal organization last season are unlikely to return. Alex Belzile has hinted he wants a unilateral deal, which Hughes appears unwilling to offer him. At least not for now. The two parties might eventually find common ground.
However, Jonathan Drouin, Chris Tierney and Paul Byron, whose careers are likely to be over, will certainly be severed. Denis Gurianov, who the Canadian refused to make a qualifying offer to, could suffer the same fate.
As for Rem Pitlick and Chris Wideman, who have one year left on their contracts, they risk spending most of their time in the American League.
Might be of interest to the Canadian
Alex Belzile
- Center and Right Wing | 31 years old | 14 points (6g, 8p) in 31 games
- Salary footprint in 2022-2023: $750,000
- Wearing the Canadiens jersey fills him with great pride. Every time he appears on the ice, he puts his heart and soul into the logo he wears on his chest. Belzile and Hughes could certainly find a compromise. An increased two-way deal ($775,000 in the NHL, $400,000 in the AHL) could be a solution.
U.S. TODAY Sports
Alex Killorn
- Left Wing | 33 years old | 64 points (27g, 37 points) in 82 games
- 2022-2023 Salary Print: $4.45M
- He grew up on the West Island just a few miles from the Bell Centre. He grew up in the Lightning organization. He comes from a winning culture. With a lot of passion he experienced the most productive season of his career at the age of 33. Would he enjoy the role of mentoring young Canadians? But there will be multiple teams in the running.
Photo archives, AFP
Ivan Barbashev
- Left Wing | 27 years old | 45 points (16g, 29 points) in 82 games
- 2022-2023 Salary Print: $2.25M
- Stanley Cup champions with the Blues in 2019 and the Golden Knights in 2023. He’s able to use his physicality along the ramps to protect the puck and when the time comes, solid checks distribute. Talk to Radko Gudas, who is not new to this field.
Getty Images via AFP
Canada current squad
- Caufield Suzuki roof
- Hoffman-Monahan-Anderson
- Slafkovsky-Dvorak-Armia
- Harvey-Pinard-Evans-Gallagher
- Pezzetta
- Matheson-Edmundson
- Guhle-Savard
- Harris-Xhekaj
- Barron Kovacevic