Montreal Canadiens

2022 - 5 - 21

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Image courtesy of "The Hockey Writers"

Canadiens 5 Easy Steps Away from Tanking 2022-23 Season (The Hockey Writers)

Instead of signing a few free agents soon to be on the decline, the Montreal Canadiens should get rid of a few instead (just for starters).

After 10 years of writing hockey, Ryan decided it was as good a time as any to actually join The Hockey Writers for the 2014-15 season. Keep in mind, after Nick Suzuki, there’s a sharp drop-off at center for the Canadiens. Christian Dvorak is arguably more of a third-line center, Jake Evans a fourth. Wideman isn’t the answer on the right side, but the Canadiens need someone, if Petry is in fact out of the picture. The Canadiens would have to take into account what’s best for his overall development. That could mean retirement, a stint on long-term injured reserve or even a return to relative health, but, in the case of the latter, Price has said he likely won’t be able to play ~60 games again. It obviously wouldn’t be one for one (because there are more hypothetical moves to come on this list), but a Drouin for Connor Bedard trade, which is what the Habs should be aiming for, would be a hands-down victory. Meanwhile, in the short term, i.e., 2022-23, when the Habs would be tanking, he’d only improve the team. He didn’t necessarily “ want to close the door on the organization,” but, after he reportedly requested a trade, general manager Kent Hughes has openly talked about accommodating him if the right deal materializes (from ‘Jeff Petry open to remain in Montreal, but Canadiens might have other plans,’ Montreal Gazette, April 30, 2022). Now, Petry can fetch a lot in theory, especially after his renaissance under head coach Martin St. Louis. He’s proven himself to still be the same 1B defenseman he was behind Shea Weber, albeit a year older. There’s always a chance the Montreal Canadiens can turn it around in a single season after a last-place 2021-22. Whether you believe the Canadiens should tank 2022-23 or not, most objective observers would agree with the assessment that the Habs aren’t good enough to make the playoffs based on the current construction of the roster. One way or another, goalie Carey Price won’t be playing as much as he has in the past.

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Image courtesy of "NHL Trade Rumors"

Goalie targets for Montreal if Carey Price retires? - NHL Trade Rumors (NHL Trade Rumors)

NHL trade rumors for May 21, 2022 feature the Montreal Canadiens searching for a goalie if Carey Price retires.

Husso went 25-7-6 with a 2.56 GAA and .919 save percentage in the regular season. The Habs will have $10.5 million opened up in salary cap space if Price goes on long-tern injured reserve or retires. Jimmy Murphy of Montreal Hockey Now reports if Price decides to retire, who should be Montreal’s goalie for next season and beyond?

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Image courtesy of "The Hockey Writers"

4 Canadiens Unlikely to Return For 2022-23 Season (The Hockey Writers)

Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes hinted that the team will look to make changes over the summer, but simply going out and signing UFAs in free agency may ...

Jim is a daily must for readers who want to be “in the know.” And, just a few days ago, Marco D’Mico of Montreal Hockey Now also noted that so much uncertainty surrounding Drouin’s LTIR status and how it affects the team’s cap flexibility, “might make Hughes want to move Drouin, despite being a very talented player…” There is there a real possibility that Carey Price’s most recent game for the Canadiens was his last. His cap hit is just under $8 million, but he won’t need to be paid since he’s not returning and his contract is insured. A budget team wouldn’t mind paying $6 million for four years on his contract, especially if they could put him on the ice. When he’s on LTIR, it’s not a huge deal unless there are multiple transactions that affect the number crunching. There was talk that they were close to doing so ahead of this past NHL Trade Deadline, but delays forced the Arizona Coyotes to trade for Bryan Little’s contract instead. If there’s no Price and Allen isn’t a starter, the Canadiens need someone. Jeff Petry seems to be a common name among many of the lists constructed by journalists taking a look at the Canadiens’ offseason plans. Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes hinted that the team will look to make changes over the summer, but simply going out and signing UFAs in free agency may not be the organization’s modus operandi. Below, we’ll instead focus on players or contracts that likely aren’t going to return to the team, even if these are players the Canadiens would ideally like to keep. THW’s own Melissa Boyd took a look at four predications for the Canadiens’ offseason and Trege Wilson examined five players that should be moved by the organization.

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