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Montreal Canadiens: Three Potential Trades To Make With New Found Cap Space

By Ken MacMillan

Apr 1, 2021; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Brendan Gallagher Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2021; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Brendan Gallagher Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 3, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Mike Hoffman. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; St. Louis Blues left wing Mike Hoffman. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Hoffman

The Canadiens had a busy offseason adding Tyler Toffoli, Josh Anderson, Jake Allen, Joel Edmundson and Corey Perry. They were also reportedly interested in Mike Hoffman who was a free agent for the entire offseason.

Hoffman didn’t sign with anyone until he joined the St. Louis Blues for training camp on a tryout. After scoring 29 goals and 59 points in 69 games with the Florida Panthers a year ago, it sure seemed like a deal was already in place as he showed up for his “tryout.”

Once the Blues officially put Vladimir Tarasenko on long term injured reserve and had more cap space (just like the Habs just did with Gallagher) they had room to add Hoffman on a one year contract with a $4 million cap hit.

Hoffman hasn’t been at his best with the Blues this season, scoring nine goals and 21 points in 36 games so far. Even though it isn’t his most productive season, that would still put him in a tie with Jonathan Drouin for 6th on the Habs in points.

Also, gearing up for free agency for a second consecutive season, Hoffman would have a huge financial incentive to finishing the season strong. He can flat out snipe and is excellent as a trigger man on a power play. The Canadiens have been better on the man advantage, but having someone who can bury a puck from anywhere in the offensive zone would be a huge boost for the Canadiens.

His cap hit is well below what the Canadiens can suddenly affords they could even go out and add another player that makes about $1.5 million to add even more depth.

The Blues are reportedly looking to move on from one or two of their free agents and Hoffman, as well as Tyler Bozak are potentially going to be dealt.

If Kyle Palmieri plus Travis Zajac gets the New Jersey Devils a first round pick and a couple of depth prospects from the New York Islanders, the Blues couldn’t expect much more than a first for Hoffman and Bozak combined. The Canadiens can’t afford both, but they aren’t going to have to give up a first round pick for Hoffman.

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