Montreal Canadiens

[2014olympicgold]

I loved the post-game interviews that showed how tight of a group they are. And how good they are as people. Price said they lost because of the way he played early in the season and Weber instantly said no it was how we played in front of you. Gallagher fighting to answer a question when he didn't have to (reporter moved on after Gallagher couldn't find the words and he said he'd answer his question for him).

This was a group of older guys knowing how tough it is to get to where they were, after being together for a long time, sad for each other. It's a group of guys you cheer for.

Hopefully this wasn't the pinnacle of their careers. Big offseason for the organization, and hopefully they make the right decisions and don't go chasing something that hurts them overall.

[Invictus]

These playoffs gave a really good window to what worked and what didn't (or not as well). I agree much work is needed, but the 'fixes' are more clear.
2m less cap hit from Alzner contract- every little bit helps.

I haven't even looked at their protection options yet lol, was only looking at the Leafs options during this playoff run.

But TBL iced a team thats 21.7m in cap greater than the Habs. Minus 9.5m for Kucherov (gifted) is still 12.2m. Pretty significant efficiency. Not saying it wasn't necessary this year, as it gave options and different outlooks, but the league is too competitive to not ice the best team possible. That's enough money for a difference maker. Not sure if there's a significant free agent I see them going for though.

[Invictus]

Ignoring Drouin for now... Habs have ~20.2m in cap space available.
FA's are:
Perry, Armia, Danault, Staal, Tatar, Lehkonen, KK, Merrill, Gustafsson

Half those names I wouldn't want to lose.

[tweetdrivr]

I’d sign KK, Perry, Lehkonen, Danault, and Armia.

[Invictus]

I’d sign KK, Perry, Lehkonen, Danault, and Armia.

My thoughts too. I'd sign Merrill too, for his price he's decent (minimum cap) and not be a main roster D. If he wants more $$ then he can walk.

Perry I'm on the fence about only because the refs hate him so much lol.

[Axeman33]

Ignoring Drouin for now... Habs have ~20.2m in cap space available.
FA's are:
Perry, Armia, Danault, Staal, Tatar, Lehkonen, KK, Merrill, Gustafsson

Half those names I wouldn't want to lose.

Someone is going to overpay for Phil Danault this off-season. I assume it will be Montreal but we'll see.

From that group, clearly Kotkaniemi will get re-signed (I expect a bridge contract of some sort). I also expect Lehkonen to get a new deal. The rest are question marks and easily replaced but considering Montreal has an issue getting FAs to come to Montreal, that may not be the case.

If it was me wearing the Red Suit, I'd want Perry, Armia, Danualt, Lehkonen and Kotkaniemi back from that group. The rest can walk.

[Invictus]

Protection List I'm thinking 7/3/1:
F - Anderson, Toffoli, Gally, Danault, KK, Armia, Byron (Not sure how 'protected' Evans and Lehkonen are being RFA's.
D - Weber, Petry, Edmundson
G - Price

This leaves Drouin, Chairot, Allen exposed (Tatar will be FA market). If Drouin is picked (which I've also heard he may not be coming back to hockey for awhile If ever), can seek out a scoring forward left side. Maybe trade for Forsberg?
If Chairot is picked, try Romanov and if not ready look to bring someone in. Feury is also ready to make his debut.
Really hope they don't pick Allen, but if they do Raanta Reimer, or even Halak are available...

[tweetdrivr]

Danault will not be protected unless he’s signed. They will not protect Byron. Those two spots will go to Evans and Lehkonen. I think you’re correct on the D.

[rufio.85]

Protection List I'm thinking 7/3/1:
F - Anderson, Toffoli, Gally, Danault, KK, Armia, Byron (Not sure how 'protected' Evans and Lehkonen are being RFA's.
D - Weber, Petry, Edmundson
G - Price

This leaves Drouin, Chairot, Allen exposed (Tatar will be FA market). If Drouin is picked (which I've also heard he may not be coming back to hockey for awhile If ever), can seek out a scoring forward left side. Maybe trade for Forsberg?
If Chairot is picked, try Romanov and if not ready look to bring someone in. Feury is also ready to make his debut.
Really hope they don't pick Allen, but they do Raanta Reimer, or even Halak are available...

Armia is a free agent as well.

[Invictus]

Danault will not be protected unless he’s signed. They will not protect Byron. Those two spots will go to Evans and Lehkonen. I think you’re correct on the D.

I think Danault signs. He was unsure at the start of year, didn't know 'his place' on the team. It's just a matter of the amount.

I protected Byron Armia over Evan Lehky due to thinking Seattle will least want to choose an RFA as opposed to UFA. Not sure if that thinking is right.

[tweetdrivr]

I think Danault signs. He was unsure at the start of year, didn't know 'his place' on the team. It's just a matter of the amount.

I protected Byron Armia over Evan Lehky due to thinking Seattle will least want to choose an RFA as opposed to UFA. Not sure if that thinking is right.

He'll sign - but after the expansion draft so they don't have to protect him.

[Invictus]

I just don't get why protect restricted over unrestricted. Wouldn't restricted be less attractive to pick up since they are restricted to Montreal??

[tweetdrivr]

If a UFA has told the team (Montreal) they will sign/let Seattle know they will not sign there then there is no reason for them to be protected and no reason for Seattle to pick them. It would be a complete waste.

[Invictus]

Why doesn't that apply to RFA's though?
I am missing something.

[Dennis]

Because if Seattle selects a pending RFA they then own that player's rights, the pending UFA player's rights expire a week after the expansion draft