Balancing out the Montreal Canadiens qualifying offers ahead of the deadline
By Omar L
Hudon is going to be an interesting story. The 2012 fifth-round pick rejected his qualifying offer as it was a two-way instead of a one-way. If a player has fallen into a certain rank of games played (60 the year before or 180 over the previous three years) and didn’t clear waivers, they must be signed to a one-way deal.
Unfortunately, for Hudon, he doesn’t fall into any of those categories. Bergevin can choose to give him a one-way contract, but it depend on what the AAV ends up being.
As for the four who received qualifying offers, they will look like this:
Artturi Lehkonen
With playing the full 2018-19 season and having 227 total games played, Lehkonen is eligible for a one-way deal. His base salary was $832,500 falling in between the $660,000 and $1 million mark meaning his qualifying offer salary will be 105% of the base. Lehkonen’s qualifying offer, therefore, comes with an $874,125 salary.
Joel Armia
Armia has more than 180 games played over his career (206) but only played in 57 games last year meaning a one-way deal isn’t a must. He had a base salary of $1.85 million which is over the $1 million threshold meaning he will have the same salary for his qualifying offer.
Mike Reilly
Reilly played in 57 games for the Montreal Canadiens as well and only has 112 games of experience. With a $775,000 base salary, Reilly gets the 105% multiplier making his qualifying offer a two-way $813,750 deal.
Michael McCarron
McCarron spent the entire 2018-19 season in the AHL with the Laval Rocket before having his season shut down with a shoulder injury and later surgery. Nothing has changed between now and his qualifying situation, however, he will be entitled to more money. McCarron’s base salary last year was $874,125 and will be bumped up to $917,831.