5 Key Montreal Canadiens questions for the remainder of the season
By Omar L
How Much?
Max Domi and Victor Mete have spent a lot of money this season, more so the former. After Domi’s career season, initial conversations saw the possibility of him making as high as $8 or $9 million a season. But that’s why patience is a virtue in professional sports.
It’s not to say Domi has had a bad year. The 24-year-old is third in team scoring with 12 goals and 24 assists in 50 games. If he continues on that pace, he’ll add another 21 or so points to his total by the end of the season. 50 points isn’t anything to complain about, yet it is a drop off from the pace he established the year before.
Additionally, he’s been pushed to the wing in favour of Nick Suzuki, who has looked like the better of the two for the majority of the season.
That could push Domi to another bridge deal with the Habs, where he’ll be given the opportunity to prove he is worth more money. At the same time, he has an opportunity now to pick up the pace and finish the season strong.
The same goes for Mete. This was meant to be Mete’s season. He was going to take the top pair for himself and shut teams down along with Shea Weber. It started out that way, but he slowly saw his usage fall to the point where he’s on the bottom pair playing on his off side.
Who knows what kind of contract was coming for the 21-year-old. However, the drop in minutes is a downer. What is working in his favour is his production, which looks a lot better than season’s past with 4 goals and 5 assists. Agent Darren Ferris will use that to his advantage in a negotiation that is likely going along the bridge route as well.
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With 50 games left in the season, the Montreal Canadiens will provide answers to these questions soon. Whether they’re in the playoffs or not, the team needs a sense of direction. Commit to one objective. If the plan is to push, then do so. If not, move those assets.