Montreal Canadiens Free Agency Outlook, Potential Fits

Montreal Canadiens Free Agency Preview/Outlook, Salary Cap Situation, Restricted Free Agents, Team Needs, and Potential Fits

After a busy NHL Draft Weekend, the Montreal Canadiens set their sights on free agency. They have a little over $60 million dollars committed to the 2016-17 salary cap, and still have new acquisition RFA Andrew Shaw to sign. GM Marc Bergevin should have roughly $8-9 million to spend beyond July 1st after locking down his new winger.

There’s still a chance that Montreal could be active on the trade market with names that don’t include P.K. Subban. Potential movement of players that could free up cap space include forward David Desharnais (one year, $3.5 million dollars) or defenseman Alexei Emelin (two years, $4.1 million dollars).

Montreal would be wise to find a way to trim salary on the blue line. This writer made the same comment heading into 2015-16, and we saw how well the season worked out once Carey Price and Brendan Gallagher went down.

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Even without Tom Gilbert on the books, the Canadiens are still committing 36.85 percent of total salary to defenders. That might be acceptable if the team still managed to play .500 hockey without Price.

Call the 2015-16 season whatever you’d like for Montreal. Words such as “epic collapse” seem to top the list. Some have deemed it the worst catastrophe in franchise history. Given the organizations rich history, it certainly ranks among one of the greatest debacles.

After matching the Washington Capitals as Eastern Conference powerhouse to open the regular season, Montreal eventually finished 13th in the East going 38-38-6 with 82 points.

The Canadiens had the 9th overall pick heading into the NHL Draft. They selected big Russian defender Mikhail Sergachev. TSN Analyst Craig Button believes Sergachev has the makings of a future Norris candidate.

Heading into 2016-17, Montreal may find some help via the prospect pool. Mike McCarron, Charles Hudon, and Nikita Scherbak are prime candidates for NHL duties.

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Montreal Canadiens Free Agency Outlook/Preview

Salary Cap Committed to 2016-17: $60,437,499
Number of Players Signed: 40

Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Mike Brown, Tom Gilbert, Ben Scrivens, Victor Bartley, John Scott, Gabriel Dumont

Notable Restricted Free Agents: Andrew Shaw, Phillip Danault, Daniel Carr, Lucas Lessio, Darren Dietz, Morgan Ellis, Michael Bournival

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Andrew Shaw is the only player remaining without a contract who will have any impact on the salary cap. If the rumors are correct, he should garner between $4-5 million dollars/year.

If the Canadiens choose not to move out anymore big contracts, that $73 million dollar projected salary cap should leave Montreal with enough money to sign at least one of the higher sought after free agents.

Marc Bergevin would be wise to target one of those top-six left-wingers due to be available.

Lars Eller was generally used as a top-six forward, although his skill-set is much better suited for a third line role. An experienced upgrade on Eller’s now vacated spot would give the Habs a more dangerous top-six forward group.

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Montreal Canadiens Free Agency Team Needs

Top-Six LW, 2nd/3rd Line RW Upgrade, Defensive Depth (Bottom Pair/No.7 Type D-Men)

As noted above, top priority in free agency for the Montreal Canadiens should be to find another top-six left-winger.

They could also look for an upgrade at RW. They have players that can slide into that 2RW slot, although an extra option on the right side gives the team a bit of versatility for under performing prospects/players.

Lastly, the Canadiens could look to add short-term options on the back end. Most of the quality defensive talent is still a year or two away (at least) from having an NHL impact. Signings could be players who sit in the press box, or remain the short-list for a call up down in the AHL.

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Potential Montreal Canadiens Free Agency Targets

Top-Six LW: *Thomas Vanek, Andrew Ladd, David Perron, Mikkel Boedker

*This would be a cheap low-risk signing similar to Alex Semin last summer. Much uncertainty would surround what you’re getting based on his diminished play over the past two seasons. Someone is going to see if they can rejuvenate him, so why not Montreal considering they were rumored to be interested awhile back?

2nd/3rd Line RW: Radim Vrbata, Teddy Purcell, Loui Eriksson, Kyle Okposo, David Jones, Troy Brouwer, Lee Stempniak

Depth Defenseman: Matt Bartkowski, Mike Weber, Eric Gryba, Jakub Nakladal, Matt Irwin, Brian Strait, Zach Redmond, Matt Tennyson, Zach Trotman, David Schlemko, Matt Taormina, Justin Falk, Kyle Cumiskey

*Salary/Free Agent information was obtained through www.generalfanager.com