Montreal Canadiens: What to know ahead of Free Agent Frenzy

Back-Ups

The Montreal Canadiens have Charlie Lindgren signed for another two years at $750,000 but this season may have deterred the team from maybes. Antti Niemi forced the Habs to have to play Carey Price consistently down the stretch and I doubt they want to do that again.

Curtis McElhinney would’ve been a good add for Montreal considering what he’s been able to do in the last three years. The Toronto Maple Leafs picked him up off waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets and he’s been a steady back up ever since. McElhinney was one of the key reasons why the Carolina Hurricanes were as good as they were giving them solid goaltending on their way to an Eastern Conference Final.

Unfortunately, he’s going to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Keith Kinkaid is still an option if Bergevin chooses to go down that route.

Lee-ave That Alone

The most interesting news to come out in the last day has been on Anders Lee. The New York Islanders captain is hitting the open market and the Habs could benefit from having a player of his calibre. As I looked at it in my break down, Lee isn’t a player who drives tempo himself, but he’s a hardworking player that can produce down low and in the crease.

Again, that can be an asset to the Montreal Canadiens man advantage, giving them a player who is creative in that area.

The downside of it is Lee may make $9 million.

Lee getting an AAV of $7 million was a little outrageous, but this is a whole new level. Signing Lee may be beneficial but not at that number and even though the Habs have the space to do it, Bergevin and company should steer very clear of this kind of contract.