Jonathan Drouin could soon be traded along with Shea Weber

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Jeff Drouin
June 2, 2022 (10:19 PM)

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An interesting article was published yesterday, by Mathias Brunet (La Presse), and it made a lot of noise.

Brunet discusses the Montreal Canadiens' priorities for the off-season, and he focuses on one aspect in particular, one aspect that everyone agrees with!

Even Kent Hughes has openly mentioned, several times in a press conference, that it was his priority this summer.

What is it? Finding a way to free up space under the salary cap.

At the most recent trade deadline last March, Hughes started the work, and he's reportedly about to continue it.

According to several sources, it's definitely expected that some of the Canadiens' heavy contracts will be traded. Jeff Petry could get traded, Joel Armia could get traded, Mike Hoffman could get traded.

On top of all that, a trade involving Shea Weber to the Coyotes seems imminent.

In this famous article describing Kent Hughes' six jobs this summer, Mathias Brunet goes further about this possible Weber deal with Arizona.

The journalist states that he would not be surprised to see Jonathan Drouin included in this transaction.

"There still seems to be hope for Shea Weber's contract to go to the Arizona Coyotes. His salary will account for 7.8 million of the package over the next four years and he still has 6 million left on his salary, averaging 1.5 million per season. His contract makes him very attractive to a club looking to hit the salary floor without spending too much. Don't be surprised to see Jonathan Drouin go to the Coyotes in such a deal. Far from a done deal, but you'll have read it here first if it ever happens. This would free up over 13 million on Montreal's payroll for next year." - Mathias Brunet

That would be big. However, don't think it's a done deal, it's just one of the options available to Hughes to free up mass (Drouin will be entering the final season of his deal worth $5.5M on the CH payroll)

Whatever it is, expect this trade, with the Coyotes, to happen relatively soon. (by the time of the draft) We absolutely expect it to include at least Weber. As for Drouin, you be the judge, but Brunet seems to believe it.

More often injured than healthy in recent years, it would be interesting to see if adding Jo Drouin to the deal would help the CH GM get a bigger return or not.

The Quebecer had 6 goals and 14 assists for a total of 20 points in 34 games last season.