Montreal Canadiens: 4 Reasons Why There’s $8.5 Million Left in Cap Space

The Montreal Canadiens still have almost $8.5 million left in cap space, and there are a couple of reasons why that is the case.

The Montreal Canadiens are in an interesting spot cap-wise. In August, usually there are two main categories of teams. There are the teams who are over the cap ceiling, or teams that have a lot of space because they still have players to resign.

The Habs have a noticeable amount of space left at $8.5 million. They’ve already resigned Alex Galchenyuk and Carey Price to three-year $14.7 million and eight-year $84 million contracts respectively. Free agent frenzy came and went as well, and they made their fair share of additions.

After all that, they still have that much space. Why? There has to be a reason right? There’s no way Marc Bergevin and the rest of the Habs’ management planned on having this much flexibility with the season starting fairly soon. Let’s take a look at the possible reasons why this is the case.

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1. More Free Agents to Sign

There are still a lot of players still out there waiting for a contract. August is usually the time where PTO’s are signed, but an actual contract can happen as well.

Some Habs fans have spoken of the possibility of bringing in the legend Jaromir Jagr. The 45-year-old is coming off his 26th NHL season, this last one with the Florida Panthers. The ageless wonder is still able to produce at his age as he put up 16 goals and 30 assists in 82 games. His defensive game has taken a dive, and the speed isn’t there, but the skill and hockey sense will never go away.

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Perhaps Thomas Vanek may want to take another spin in Montreal? From the remaining UFAs, he has the most points at 48. He’d also be a younger option than Jagr (if he were even an option). Those additions wouldn’t make sense for the Habs though. There isn’t any room for any other forward on the wing considering the talent the Canadiens already have.

Another option could be Hobey Baker award-winning defenceman Will Butcher. The 22-year-old is set to become a UFA on August 15th and would be a great addition to the Habs’ blue-line.

It’s safe to say that this probably isn’t the reason why there’s still $8.5 million left.

2. Unleash the Offer Sheets

Another unlikely reason. There’s some kind of gentlemen’s code among GMs in the NHL which basically states, “It’s not cool to offer sheet our players” (that’s not exactly what it is but that’s just an gist of it).

With that being said, if there is any GM that would break the offer sheet slump, it would be Bergevin. The Habs GM has proven time and time again that he will do whatever it takes to make his team a winner. Be it the desired or even unpopular trade.

There are some pretty big RFA names that haven’t been signed by their teams. In particular, centers. Obviously the Canadiens will have to deal with the compensation, but if they can add a young centerman as their future number one, their offseason would be 100% complete.

Leon Draisaitl is still waiting for his next contract with the Edmonton Oilers. Additionally, Alexander Wennberg and Sam Bennett are out there as well. If those players and their team’s are still in disagreement, the Canadiens could definitely swoop in with their $8.5 million and make something happen.

Related Story: Offer Sheeting Leon Draisaitl

3. Couldn’t Bring Them Back

Unfortunately, this is the most believable reason. It looked like it was going to be one or the other, keep Alexander Radulov or Andrei Markov. When the 2016-2017 season came to a close, all signs pointed to Radulov signing long-term with the Canadiens. The common belief among hockey minds was that Radulov would get at least five years at $6-7 million per season.

At the time of the contract negotiations, it makes sense why Bergevin wouldn’t want to agree to something like that. Now as they sit with this cap space, it makes it a harder pill to swallow. Radulov went on to sign a five-year $31.25 million contract with the Dallas Stars. However, this happened on July 1st.

There was still time and space to bring back Markov on a one or two-year deal. Considering he made $5.75 million per season the years before, a cap hit of $6 million would’ve made sense. Then news broke that Markov will not be returning. Who knows why. However, the way Markov spoke in that conference call he had with TSN 690, it looked like he really wanted to come back.

Related Story: Markov Will Not Return

4. Saving For Something Bigger

This is another likely option. Sure Jonathan Drouin is a good addition, but he could be considered a replacement for Radulov. The Habs still do not have a number one center. They need a number one center. There is still hope that Galchenyuk might develop into one, but if management has given up on that option, then there has to be something else in the works.

John Tavares is the name that screams massive acquisition. Trading for him may be an issue though since he has a no-movement clause. If the Habs do end up getting him, it’ll most likely be on July 1st 2018. Another trade option could be Matt Duchene who has been involved in trade rumours forever. If Avalanche GM Joe Sakic decides to deal him, Montreal would be a good trading partner.

Who knows why the Montreal Canadiens still have this space. For all we know it could be a fluke. Being a GM in the NHL is very dynamic and you have to adjust to the new situations you find yourself in. I for one would be very surprised if October came around and they were still sitting on that $8.5 million.

Next: The Ovechkin Rumours

Why do you think the Habs have all this cap space? How and when will it be used? Let us know your thoughts down below!

All Player stats from Hockey-Reference.com and all team and player salaries from Capfriendly.com