The Montreal Canadiens added an important future asset last summer for nothing in return. In fact, they added an important future asset as well as Sean Monahan for nothing in return.
The trade went down last summer, in the middle of August, which is typically a very quiet time on the NHL calendar. The Canadiens had cap space, and used it to their advantage to get a future first round pick from the Calgary Flames.
The Flames were looking to clear space to sign Nazem Kadri and needed to move out the final year of Monahan’s $6.375 million cap hit to make it all work. The trade stipulations are a bit complicated, but the Habs took on Monahan for one year and will get a first round pick from the Flames in 2024, or 2025…. or maybe 2026.
Meanwhile, Monahan played well to begin the season for the Canadiens. He scored 17 points in 25 games, looked comfortable in various positions in the Habs top six, and immediately became a popular teammate and valued veteran presence in the locker room.
Monahan was injured only two months into the season and missed the remainder of the calendar. It was unfortunate as the Canadiens may have been able to land another valuable asset for him at the trade deadline. They did however, re-sign him for next season at a much lower cap hit, this time he will earn a little under $2 million. Once again, he could be a hot commodity at the trade deadline next season.
The Canadiens enter the dog days of this offseason with plenty of cap space once again. They have taken care of most of their necessary business with only Jesse Ylonen left to re-sign. According to capfriendly.com, once Carey Price is placed on long-term injured reserve, the Canadiens have just under $7 million in cap space heading into next season.
With many teams up against the cap, that space could come in handy once again. Who could the Habs target this summer? Let’s take a look at three possible scenarios.