YOU VOTED! Which Star Free Agent Do You Want With The Canadiens?
Sometimes the addition of a free agent can have a huge impact on a team. In Montreal, we need only to think recently when Corey Perry came to town and helped bring the team to their first Stanley Cup appearance since 1993.
Names like Ilya Kovalchuk, Alexander Radulov, Mike Cammalleri, Brian Gionta or even Roman Hamrlik come into mind as bigger names singing with the Habs.
Periodically we run polls on Twitter regarding all matters of the Montreal Canadiens. This week, after the news that Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes are looking at adding star free agents this off-season, we asked you which star free agent do you want to see with the Canadiens? Here are the results.
The close second would be Nashville Predators star Filip Forsberg. Of course, Forsberg is mostly famous for that infamous trade between the Washington Capitals and the Predators in 2013.
Erat’s tenure with the Capitals would sum up to 2 goals and 25 assists in 62 games. He was eventually shipped off to the Coyotes where he didn’t fare any better for a season and a half, then took his talents around the Czech league where he would eventually retire there in 2020.
As for Forsberg, we’re looking at an electrifying winger who hit 30 goals twice and averages at least 20 goals per season and has done so on defensive minded squads in Nashville.
As you can see by this video highlight of him scoring 4 goals against the Blue Jackets, Forsberg has silky smooth hands. He’s not afraid to drive the net and has incredible instinct. Now imagine him on the Canadiens with Cole Caufield.
Again though, this is a guy that will cost a pretty penny. He’s currently on the last year of a 6 year $36 million contract at an even $6 million cap hit. At 27 years old and given that still has a lot of good hockey left in him, don’t be shocked if he’s nabbed for at least $8 million per season.
My personal vote would be going after Forsberg. Cost be damned. He’s just too good to ignore and if he’s let loose by Martin St. Louis, he would be a nightly highlight reel.
Current Cap Hit: $6 million
Projected Cap Hit: $7.5-8 million
Fans voted for Kristopher Letang in third place and out of the group, he is probably the most likely to entertain an offer from the Montreal Canadiens.
The Montreal native will turn 35 this April and is aging like fine wine. 47 points in 49 games thus far this season and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Barring a season-ending injury, Cale Makar is already running away with the Norris Trophy this season but Letang should garner at least a few votes. He’s been dynamite at the blue line this season for the Penguins.
Where things get interesting in his case is that Letang has openly said that he won’t take a hometown discount to stay with the Penguins. Granted he’ll likely make less than his current $7.25 million cap hit, but it’s doubtful that he’ll sign for anything less than 6 maybe even $6.5 million on a short-term contract.
The Penguins will have a total of 12 free agents at the end of the year with Evgeni Malkin and Kristopher Letang leading the pack. Regardless of the situation your team is in, it would be hard not to at least consider the addition of Letang on your team.
Current Cap Hit: $7.25 million
Projected Cap Hit: $6-7 million
A couple of interesting names have popped up in the “Other” category so let’s fly by them real quick.
Tomas Hertl
Hertl is another big name hitting free agency and he will get paid. The 6’2″ 215 pound centerman plays a big game and can put the puck in the net. He currently has 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points on a mediocre Sharks squad.
Current Cap Hit: $5.625 million
Projected Cap Hit: $7-8 million
Johnny Gaudreau
A year without Gaudreau being in some kind of trade rumor is almost considered an anomaly. It almost seems that ever since he got drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2011, Gaudreau was on his way out. This however, often happens with underdog stories as Gaudreau. He was picked in the 4th round and ignored by virtually every team due to his small stature – standing 5 foot 9 and weighing 165 pounds soaking wet.
Johnny Gaudreau can dominate a game on his own or be responsible for you losing one as well. However, his 558 career points in 570 NHL games will gladly be taken by anyone around the league.
Current Cap Hit: $6.75 million
Projected Cap Hit: $7-8 million
Nazem Kadri
Here’s a name many fans will recognize from his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kadri is currently having a career year with a stacked Colorado Avalanche roster having thus far accumulated 22 goals and 44 assists for 66 points in only 49 games.
The 31 year old has a reputation for playing a tough game, which has resulted in a few suspensions throughout his career. The former 7th overall pick is one of those players you hate playing against but would love to have on your team. He brings tons of sandpaper and secondary scoring.
Current Cap Hit: $4.5 million
Projected Cap Hit: $5-6 million
Pierre-Luc Dubois & Patrik Laine
Dubois and Laine have been mentioned and i’m putting them together under one banner. Their votes still count since they will technically be free agents but they fall under the RFA rules. It would make no sense whatsoever for Kent Hughes to make an offer any RFA since the Canadiens are set on stacking up on draft picks as well.
Both are expected to have big pay days on long-term contracts. Unless they suddenly become available via a trade, you can forget seeing any of them in a Canadiens sweater.
Who did you vote for and why? Are there other players not on this list you would like to see the Canadiens go after? Comment below!
Related Story. Habs Should Aggressively Pursue Jakob Chychrun. light