Regardless of what the scenario looks like by the end of the trading period, the Canadians will have stuck to their game plan.
Even if the decision makers had to change their strategy due to several unforeseen events in terms of player personnel.
We’ve been repeating it since last year. It is propagated that the organization will attach great importance to development and culture.
It’s the order and everyone gets their hands dirty. The decision-makers continue their work, respect the business model, the trainers teach and provide daily leadership to the workforce, creating an atmosphere in which every resident of the dressing room feels comfortable.
And the results are amazing.
- So if Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes fail to meet the goals set at the start of the season including:
- the acquisition of Sean Monahan with intent to trade him for a first-round pick;
- trying to secure a first-round pick for the services of Joel Edmundson – a veteran defender with a Stanley Cup ring in his collection – as was the case with Ben Chiarot;
- declassifying the organization of some veterans whose contracts make managing the salary cap difficult;
- Gathering picks in the first round to improve moves, resulting in a more enviable position in Connor Bedard’s derby.
An important step
Still, the Canadian will have taken an important step towards a bold plan to get the organization back on track.
The progress of the young defensive brigade pleases the leaders of the formation. The arrival of Rafaël Harvey-Pinard surprised everyone and shows that the Laval school club is achieving good results.
The administrators have therefore successfully carried out this first phase of the plan. And let’s remember that they achieved those goals without the presence of a skater like Cole Caufield in the second half of the season, who was heading for a 40-goal production.
So for Gorton and Hughes we now need to move on to step number 2 of the plan.
Many veterans will change addresses. Others place the organization in a context where all available options must be analyzed to correct a major flaw in financial commitments.
Take the example of Brendan Gallagher – once again on the sidelines – a skater who could no longer rely on the resources that provided him with the energy that always defined him.
A question
One question immediately comes to mind. Where would he play if he got active again in the next few days?
Granted, teams always find a way to accommodate veterans who take over after a long absence. On the other hand, will we slow down the progress of a promising young player to revive a veteran?
It happens a lot, but you need results, and most importantly, you need the veteran to have the same impact on the team. In the meantime, the coach must ensure that the young player continues his development in ideal conditions. Gorton and Hughes’ biggest challenge will be the future of a popular skater.
Do we have to buy out the contract signed by Gallagher? This is a complex situation. The winger’s deal allows him to earn $8,000,000 next year and $9,000,000 for the 2024-2025 season. As for the salary cap, Canadians must enter $6,500,000 per season for the next four years.
According to the CapFriendly website, if we explored the possibility of a contract buyout, we would have to pay him $2,291,667 per season for the next eight years.
In the meantime, there’s still the possibility of putting Gallagher’s name on the long-term absentee list, a decision that allows the Canadians to ignore the $6,500,000 sum.
The Caufield Pact
It is therefore to be expected that Canadian decision makers will be very active in the offseason. They will need more wiggle room on the salary cap as Cole Caufield will, if not already, sign a new pact.
The period of time until the completion of the workforce is one thing. This is even more important for organizations trying to bid farewell to the playoffs, but for an organization that has a plan to get back on track, you need to know the steps and be aware of any business opportunities that will help them can team grows faster.
Dorion played the right cards
Photo archive, AFP
Pierre Dorion
We wondered if Pierre Dorion would surprise his National League colleagues.
His patience did him good. Jakob Chychrun is a defender who will add depth to a defensive team that relies on two very talented skaters: Thomas Chabot and Jake Sanderson.
With Chychrun, the Senators have the personnel to compete at a high level and make a formidable team in the final push to qualify for the spring tournament.
Veterans respond well. The young players develop with more confidence thanks to the support of experienced players like Claude Giroux and Derick Brassard.
Dorion achieves extraordinary things in a very specific context. The squad is up for sale but he needs to ensure the team has top-notch assets, making progress each season and growing fan interest.
A team that we will be watching closely over the next few weeks.