The Montreal Canadiens are in a holding pattern at the moment. But that doesn’t mean the team will sit idly by, waiting for something to happen. The team is willing to improve, but not at the expense of its current core.
In an August 12 piece published by RG Media, an anonymous NHL source discussed the Canadiens’ approach to building their roster this offseason. The Habs are willing to make things work, but they are looking to do so with futures, not current roster pieces.
That approach was palpable in the Noah Dobson trade. The Canadiens pulled the trigger on the deal, sending two first-round picks to the New York Islanders. The move encapsulates the Canadiens’ approach as they look to avoid gutting their current roster.
The piece quoted the anonymous source regarding the Habs’ ongoing plans:
“Hughes has let it be known that they are not looking to fill a hole by creating another hole. The Canadiens would much prefer the use of futures to add to their roster, but the problem is, so does half the league.”
The comments referring to GM Kent Hughes signal that the Canadiens are unlikely to part with prized prospects like David Reinbacher or Michael Hage. Such players are part of the team’s plans and are not up for negotiation.
The source added:
“That’s why the Canadiens didn’t even consider including the names of (Michael) Hage or (David) Reinbacher in trade talks this summer. The Canadiens strongly believe in these two. Reinbacher could complete one of the better top-4s in the NHL one day, and Hage’s stock continues to rise.”
That philosophy puts the Canadiens in a bind. The club doesn’t want to trade away key prospects and current roster players. But with the rest of the league in a similar mindset, making a trade happen is becoming increasingly complex.
That leaves the Canadiens in a holding pattern, biding their time for the right move to come along.
Canadiens could make one more late-summer trade
The Canadiens might still have one late-summer move in them. But that move won’t come until after September 1.
There’s a key reason for that. The Canadiens, according to the piece in RG Media, are looking to the final year of Carey Price’s contract. With the Canadiens currently over the cap, moving Price’s contract would allow them the free up space.
That said, the deadline is September 1, as that’s the date when Price’s $5.5 million signing bonus is due. Once the bonus is paid, Price would only be owed $2 million in real cash despite the $10.5 million cap hit on the books.
Roughly 60% of the remaining $2 million would be offset by insurance. That would leave the team acquiring Price’s contract with a relatively minimal monetary payout.
With that in mind, the Canadiens are believed to trade Price’s contract, free up space, and make one more move before training camp opens. As to what that move is, remains to be seen. The speculation has been that the Canadiens want a second-line centre, especially now that Kirby Dach’s status is up in the air.
If the club can’t land a centre, a top-six forward will do. Several sellers come to mind, like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres. The Chicago Blackhawks or San Jose Sharks may be willing to part with a veteran forward.
The next couple of weeks may be silent. But Canadiens fans should keep their eyes open for a potentially significant deal in the works.