Montreal Canadiens: With the playoffs finished, it’s time to make some moves
By Omar L
The NHL 2018-19 season has it’s Stanley Cup Champion, and now that the offseason has begun, it’s time for the Montreal Canadiens to get active.
The offseason started as soon as Alex Pietrangelo raised the Stanley Cup. All other 31 teams, especially the Boston Bruins which was a delight to see, watched with heavy hearts as the St. Louis Blues did what they tried to fight for. However, the process to get to that point has now begun, and the Montreal Canadiens will be one of the more interesting teams this summer.
It can go one of two ways for the Habs. Either Marc Bergevin takes a similar approach as he did during the season, small additions while avoiding the big splash, or just going for the big splash.
That said, there are two windows in which Montreal will likely be active. The buyout window is set to open soon, and many believe Karl Alzner could be a prime target for Beregvin. There isn’t a place for the veteran on the Montreal Canadiens roster, and it doesn’t make sense to have a contract that big in the minors playing for the Laval Rocket.
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A buyout is the easiest way to deal with things, but as I looked at further, there is a massive downside to it. A similar downside to the one the Anaheim Ducks will need to face if they choose to buyout Corey Perry. The cap penalty in year two is a little north of $4 million which would put the Habs in a possible bind given the players who will need new contracts by then.
It only lasts a year, but you never know what can happen in that time frame, and it would be unfortunate to see the Habs handcuff themselves thanks to a buyout.
Perhaps Bergevin feels like it’s worth the risk despite the penalty. If that’s the case, the maneuverings to get around it in a year will be something else to look out for.
The second being the free agent window. Bergevin may have to do his due diligence and meet with a number of restricted free agents, but I doubt the Montreal Canadiens sign any of them to offer sheets. Mitch Marner, Brayden Point, Matthew Tkachuk, and Mikko Rantanen would be incredible adds and also cost the organization a number of high draft picks.
Additionally, the owning team likely matches any offer anyway which would just create bad blood between general managers. Should that matter? Yes and no.
The gentleman’s agreement has prevented GMs from making use of the offer sheet for over ten years, and it doesn’t look as if it’ll change. At the same time, you tend to find certain teams and GMS who have a steady friendship and are always willing to make deals with one another.
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The Habs have made a number of deals with the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings for example. Bergevin may not want to tarnish a relationship with another GM to add a player. That said, I believe a team should do whatever they can to put themselves in a position to succeed and win a championship. If throwing an offer sheet does that then go ahead, but I don’t think will see one from anyone much less Bergevin.
The UFA market is a different story. There’s been two-way talk on the possibility of Matt Duchene coming around while the possibility of Erik Karlsson or Artemi Panarin is well worth looking into as well.
The draft could be another possible window for movement. The Montreal Canadiens have the 15th pick, and there are a number of top talent within reach. Bergevin has shied away from deals to move up in the first round, but it might be worth it this year depending on who they have circles on their list.
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Teams make trades regardless, and the Habs could be in on a deal or two that helps relieve some salary cap pressure for future moves. Perhaps the draft is also where Montreal can land a top-pair left-shot defenceman to complete the blue line for years to come.