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Montreal Canadiens: The Only Three Free Agents The Habs Need To Sign

By Ken MacMillan

Feb 27, 2020; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Charles Hudon. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2020; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens Charles Hudon. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Montreal Canadiens enter free agency this season with a very short shopping list. That isn’t because they are without holes in their lineup, or that they are a polished contender ready for the upcoming season.

That is not the case at all. But the Canadiens do have a lot of options at each position, and at this point in their rebuild are just better off trusting their young players to go out and play and then see what happens. They really don’t need to sign a big contract or a long term deal to a player that is already old enough to have reached free agency.

In fact, if anything, they should be looking to reduce players from their roster and not add as free agency opens. Shredding a few veterans like Mike Hoffman and Joel Edmundson would be ideal, and still leave them with enough NHL calibre players to fill out a roster.

The Canadiens already have 13 forwards signed who played regular minutes in the NHL last season. Alex Newhook will make that 14 when he is signed and Jesse Ylonen will need waivers next season as well. That doesn’t leave a lot of room for NHLers up front.

The blue line is just as crowded. The Canadiens used a lot of rookies last season but none of them appeared out of place. They now have nine defensemen signed and can not carry that many on an NHL roster. So, there really isn’t room for a defender on the roster either.

They also have too many goaltenders under contract as well. Jake Allen and Sam Montembeault were the tandem in goal last season and both are signed through 2023-24. Cayden Primeau has played most of his pro career in the AHL, but he will require waivers to head back there next season. Jakub Dobes will be making his pro debut with the Laval Rocket next season so there isn’t really room for another goaltender.

So, who should the Canadiens sign? Let’s take a look at three players that would make sense to add to the organization today. Keep in mind, there is no reason for the Habs to sign any of the top free agents.

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