By JD Lagrange – The Montreal Canadiens’ management appears to be shifting gears from their rebuilding phase to a focus on “learning to win” in their player development strategy. After enduring three seasons at the bottom of the NHL standings and stockpiling high-caliber draft picks, the team is eager to see tangible improvement on the ice.
Although they’re not outright declaring a playoff berth as the next season’s goal, everyone in the organization agrees: the Canadiens need to start winning more games and converting those close, one-goal losses into victories.
UFA market
Reports from Montreal indicate that Canadiens’ GM Kent Hughes is eyeing a significant acquisition in the upcoming summer by targeting a pending Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA). His strategy reportedly involves offering a more lucrative deal with a shorter term to the player. Given the team’s pressing need for goal scoring, Hughes is facing a somewhat narrow selection but is determined to explore his options. Here’s a list of the top forwards expected to hit the UFA market this summer:
| AGE | POS | GP | G | A | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Reinhart | 28 | W | 82 | 57 | 37 | 94 |
| Steven Stamkos | 34 | W/C | 79 | 40 | 41 | 81 |
| Jake Guentzel | 29 | W | 67 | 30 | 47 | 77 |
| Jonathan Marchessault | 33 | W | 82 | 42 | 27 | 69 |
| Sean Monahan | 29 | C | 83 | 26 | 33 | 59 |
| David Perron | 36 | W | 76 | 17 | 30 | 47 |
| Elias Lindholm | 29 | C | 75 | 15 | 29 | 44 |
For many of these players, especially those in the 28-29 age range, this summer represents a prime opportunity to secure a long-term, lucrative contract that offers job stability. Consequently, Hughes will need to be particularly persuasive to entice them into signing shorter-term deals.
Patrik Laine
Breaking news from Columbus indicates that Patrik Laine is seeking an opportunity to start fresh with another team in the NHL.
When faced with a decision like this, I find it helpful to weigh the pros and cons. Let’s break it down:
Pros:
- Age: Laine is 26 years old (by comparison, Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki will be 25 in August).
- Size: At 6’5″ and 215 lbs, he brings a significant physical presence.
- Draft Pedigree: Selected 2nd overall in the 2016 draft, indicating his high potential.
- Scoring Ability: Averages 35 goals per 82 games over his career.
- Contract: He has 2 years remaining on his contract, aligning well with the Canadiens’ timeline for a UFA acquisition.
- Skill Set: Renowned for his great shot and quick release, making him a potent goal scorer.
- Power Play: Could significantly boost the Canadiens’ power play unit.
- Top-6 Forward: Proven as a reliable top-six forward.
- Trade Value: His current trade value is at an all-time low, potentially making him an affordable acquisition.
- Potential Impact of Coaching: Working with a coach like Martin St-Louis could unlock further potential.
Cons:
- Player Assistance Program: His participation in this program may raise concerns about his consistency or off-ice issues.
- Injury History: Over the past four seasons, he has averaged just 44 games per season due to injuries.
- Frequent Moves: If acquired, this would be Laine’s third NHL team, which might signal potential adaptation issues.
Cap Hit:
I’ve left out his $8.7 million cap hit over the next two seasons because it’s a double-edged sword. If he stays healthy and productive, it’s a reasonable cap hit. If injuries persist, his salary could become a burden. In such cases, long-term injured reserve (LTIR) could be an option.
Given these factors, if the Canadiens can acquire Laine at a reasonable cost, it seems prudent to consider taking a chance on him. Even if it doesn’t pan out, it’s comparable to signing an aging UFA who would likely demand more than Laine’s $8.7 million salary. Players like Reinhart, Stamkos, and Guentzel are expected to command higher salaries.
When you evaluate the pros and cons, there are compelling reasons for the Canadiens to pursue Laine. Personally, I’d prefer Laine over any of the other available UFAs. If I were Kent Hughes, I’d aggressively explore this option, as he has the assets to facilitate such a move.