Trade market: four players from the Canadiens have just been targeted and a big surprise
In a recent press conference, Kent Hughes stated he wanted to avoid placing Carey Price's salary on the LTIR (Long-Term Injured Reserve) during the offseason. His goal is to maximize the strategy by placing him on this list after the start of the next campaign.
To achieve this, he will need to find a way to start the season below the maximum allowed by the collective agreement, which is $83.5M. If we rely on the excellent site CapFriendly, the Habs are currently over the cap by about $3.7M. With salaries owed to Jeff Petry ($2.34M for two more years), Joel Edmundson ($1.75M for one year), and Karl Alzner ($833,333 for one more year), the GM must be regretting some decisions made by his predecessor regarding contracts.
Here are four contracts that must particularly bother him, four contracts he might try to trade.
While the former forward's contract was a great deal ($3.75M during his prime), the gift Marc Bergevin gave him in October 2020 can hurt the team. He has been on the injury list more often than not in recent years. In 128 games over the last three seasons (out of a possible 246), he has only amassed 61 points.
His $6.5M cap hit for the next four seasons is painful. While he is appreciated in the locker room and gives his all on the ice (when he plays), he can now only be considered a supporting player for the team.
Expectations were high when Marc Bergevin acquired the Finnish forward in June 2018. In 259 games with the Canadiens, he scored only 49 goals and 46 assists for a total of 95 points.
His stats are even worse since Bergevin granted him a $13.6M contract ($3.4M per year) in July 2021. He only amassed 14 points each of the two seasons following his signing. Given his performance, it would be surprising if any team wants him, especially if he doesn't use the physicality nature gave him. Hughes' best hope in this case is to trade him at a discount at the 2025 trade deadline.
The one supposed to make us forget Jesperi Kotkaniemi's departure did not succeed. His lack of offense, with only 21 goals and 40 assists for 61 points in 120 games, isn't even compensated by his defense, as he has a -42 differential since joining the team. That's a hefty price for a third-line center taking $4.45M from the team's cap.
Hughes must be eagerly awaiting summer 2025 when the American's contract ends, as the chances of trading him without retaining salary are slim before then.
Many thought the 7-year, $5.5M contract given to the forward when he joined would be a steal, but it turned out not to be. Injuries have slowed him down during the three seasons he played with the team, not allowing us to see the 29-year-old forward's full potential.
Even though he has performed at a higher level than the other three players mentioned, his annual salary cannot be justified. Fortunately, other teams in the League still seem intrigued by the Canadiens' number 17, as his name often comes up in trade rumors. He could very well be the easiest contract to trade on this list.
EXTRA
Carey Price
The goalie's long and lucrative contract has been a source of debate since the day he signed. While he provided excellent services to the Canadiens during his active years, we now see the limitations and drawbacks this agreement poses for Kent Hughes. Not having this contract would make the GM's job a lot easier.
On the other hand, placing the goalie's salary on the LTIR during the season offers Hughes a great opportunity to maneuver. Having a $10.5M cushion is significant, especially at the trade deadline. Still, Hughes must find a way, as he wishes, to reduce his salaries below the cap before the first game of the season.
Trading Carey Price would be a surprise, and it would be special, but it could help financially.
| POLL | ||
Which one will leave first, in your opinion? | ||
| Gallagher | 43 | 9.1 % |
| Dvorak | 225 | 47.7 % |
| Anderson | 69 | 14.6 % |
| Price or Armia | 135 | 28.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
