HIGHLIGHTS
- The Canadiens are seen as a team who could make another trade this offseason
- However, September 1 remains a date on the calendar for Montreal due to Carey Price’s contract
- The Habs could make a move after that, according to sources close to RG’s Marco D’Amico
The Montreal Canadiens made noise this offseason when they pulled off a blockbuster trade for Noah Dobson, adding a key player to an already talented young core. The Habs continue to explore the market for another deal, but they’ve taken a step back — for the time being.
Sources told Insider Marco D’Amico of RG.org that the Canadiens could potentially make a move after September 1 because that’s when Carey Price receives $5.5 million of his signing bonus, followed by another $2 million in salary. As D’Amico noted, 60% of the $2 million is covered by insurance. Price had to retire due to a career-ending knee injury in 2021-22.
With minimal money owed, a team can take on Price’s contract, which would cost next to nothing. That would give the Canadiens cap space to strike another deal:
“Once Price’s contract is moved, and they (Montreal) actually have real cap space, there is potential for a subsequent move, because the Canadiens don’t want to use off-season LTIR right now and they don’t want to sacrifice a roster player,” an NHL source told RG.
What’s been made clear, as D’Amico noted, is that Montreal does not want to part ways with any long-term projects like David Reinbacher or Michael Hage. They’re both shaping up to be a important pieces of the future for the Habs, who have a very exciting core intact.
The same source predicted the Canadiens to make a deal in the near future, with Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton known for doing business late in the offseason:
“Hughes and Gorton often get a second wind in the month of August and September to make trades, so it wouldn’t surprise me at all,” said the source. “Right now, nothing is really happening, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see them pull off a trade once Price’s contract is off the books.”
The Habs returned to the playoffs last season, losing in the first round to the Washington Capitals. They last made the Stanley Cup in 2021.
