Development: Three Montreal Canadiens players reportedly played their last game in Montreal, including one who has just arrived in town

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Elias Adaime
May 1, 2023 (9:42 PM)

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In their recent press conference, the duo Kent Hughes/Jeff Gorton stated that they want to raise expectations for the upcoming season.

To move on to this new phase of rebuilding, it's likely that the team's lineup will change this summer, as passengers will presumably no longer be allowed on board.

According to a report by Eric Engels from Sportsnet, two players considered dead weight by fans may leave this summer. These are Mike Hoffman and Joel Armia.

Although Engels does not believe the Canadiens will buy out Hoffman's contract, he does think that he could be traded, even if his $4.5 million salary would make it difficult.

"But, if that proves impossible, the Canadiens could package him with one of their three fourth-round picks to entice a team to take on his full cost. Or, they could offer to retain $1.5 million of his salary in the deal, and that would likely still be preferable to buying him out for $3.33 million, then carrying $1.66 million of his dead cap hit on the books until 2025. I'm not saying the Canadiens definitely won't buy out Hoffman, but I think it would be a last resort. I don't expect them to do it." - Eric Engels.

Another player who could be leaving is newcomer Denis Gurianov. Engels would not be surprised to see him head to the KHL this summer. His qualifying offer of $2.9 million is too high to match when considering his performance, or lack thereof, in a game.

"Moving on to Denis Gurianov, I don't think there's a chance the Canadiens qualify him for $2.9 million. Could they come back with a lower offer once he's tested the market? Maybe. I think they'll have the opportunity to do that because I don't think a team will pay Gurianov more than a million on a one-year deal, unless that team is in the KHL.
And no, I wouldn't be surprised if that's where Gurianov ends up next season." - Eric Engels

If Kent Hughes manages to offload Hoffman, Gurianov, and even Armia, he would create space in the lineup for three young forwards. Rem Pitlick, Sean Farrell, Michael Pezzetta, Jesse Ylönen, Emil Heineman, Riley Kidney, Joshua Roy, Owen Beck, and the Canadiens' 1st pick in 2023 (among the top-7) will all be in the running for these available spots. Unless Hughes reserves one for Pierre-Luc Dubois.

On this matter, Engels is ambivalent about a trade this summer to acquire the Quebec native. He believes the Canadiens could do it, but doesn't see the need if the price is too high. This will be what tips Hughes on whether to trade now or take the risk of waiting a bit!

"Because if people are really wondering why the Canadiens might want to trade for Pierre-Luc Dubois based on who he is as a player, they haven't watched him this season and they don't know how he elevates his game in the playoffs. He's been so good that the Canadiens may want to move for him at the end of the season. Even if they think there's a good chance he'll join them as an unrestricted free agent a year later, they have no guarantees, and a lot can change in a year. If the acquisition cost of Dubois this summer turns out to be too prohibitive, perhaps they'll roll the dice and wait. Because paying his new contract, in addition to paying a hefty price through trade, might not be worth it." - Eric Engels.

We are already looking forward to the Cup being awarded so we can see what the Canadiens' off-season has in store for us!