Montreal Canadiens: Way Too Early Predictions for Habs Offseason

Habs pass on high priced free agents.

Through a combination of the Canadiens deciding to pass, or the Habs not having the cap space to do much of anything, or the best free agents choosing to go to an actual contender, we won’t see any of the biggest free agent names arrive in Montreal this offseason.

Before he was named the Canadiens general manager, Kent Hughes was an agent. Two of his biggest clients were Kris Letang and Patrice Bergeron who both just happen to be free agents this summer and are from the province of Quebec.

Plenty of rumours have surfaced since Hughes hiring that maybe Bergeron would want to play the final years of his career closer to home. Or possibly Letang would like to move on from Pittsburgh and play some home games at the Bell Centre and actually hear people cheering him on in his native language for a change.

But, it just doesn’t make sense for either player, or for the team really. Passing on Bergeron seems foolish, especially since he could come in and be an unbelievable role model for Suzuki and Shane Wright. But do the Habs have any chance of being good next season? And do they have any money under the cap to give to Bergeron?

Only if Carey Price is on long-term injured reserve all season, but then why would Bergeron want to play on the 32nd best team in hockey? If he really wants to, the Habs should do it so he could mentor the younger players. But it doesn’t make the Canadiens a playoff contender so why would Bergeron, or Kris Letang for that matter, have any interest?