The Montreal Canadiens have experienced a rather uneventful offseason thus far, marked by minimal activity in free agency and a focus on long-term planning, including securing Juraj Slafkovsky to a lengthy contract. General Manager Kent Hughes has hinted at potential moves but remains committed to not jeopardizing the team’s future or hindering prospects’ development. Despite ongoing trade rumors involving upgrades to the forward lines, no significant transactions have materialized yet.
Given the current monotony of the offseason, let’s inject some excitement by making bold predictions about potential developments before the 2024-25 season kicks off.
Firstly, it’s plausible that the Canadiens could part ways with Josh Anderson. Initially signed with high hopes of becoming a dynamic offensive force, Anderson’s tenure in Montreal has been marked by inconsistency and injury struggles. Despite showing glimpses of promise with seasons of 17, 19, and 21 goals, his performance has been uneven, culminating in a disappointing nine-goal season recently. Nevertheless, Anderson’s physical style and potential for a rebound could attract interest, particularly from teams seeking to reach the salary cap floor.
Next, a daring prediction suggests that Montreal might pursue Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner, known for his offensive prowess and consistency, could address the Canadiens’ need for scoring in the top six. However, his hefty contract demands—potentially exceeding $11 million annually—pose a significant financial hurdle. Yet, Montreal’s ample cap space and asset wealth, including promising young defensemen and a robust goaltending prospect pool, could facilitate a trade, especially if Toronto seeks cap relief amidst playoff frustrations.
A third bold prediction involves trading Carey Price, the iconic goaltender with two seasons remaining on his contract, carrying a substantial $10.5 million cap hit. While moving Price presents challenges due to his contract’s LTIR implications, several teams near the cap floor could benefit from acquiring his contract to meet salary requirements. Alternatively, teams exceeding the cap ceiling might leverage Price’s LTIR status for cap relief, making him an attractive asset despite concerns over his playing future.
In summary, while these predictions teeter on the edge of speculation, each scenario holds potential to reshape the Canadiens’ roster significantly. Whether through trading underperforming assets like Anderson, acquiring star power in Marner, or strategically managing Price’s contract, General Manager Kent Hughes faces critical decisions that could define Montreal’s competitiveness in the upcoming season.
As the offseason progresses, anticipation mounts for any of these predictions to materialize, offering fans and analysts alike ample fodder for speculation and discussion. Until then, the Canadiens’ faithful can only wait with bated breath, hopeful for decisive moves that will strengthen the team’s position heading into the 2024-25 NHL campaign.
