Kent Hughes will be in his first free agent market as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens as of July 13, he who previously held the role of player agent. Will he be able to take advantage of his vast contacts within the hockey world?
Remember, before succeeding Marc Bergevin, Hughes represented several big names on the Bettman circuit: Patrice Bergeron, Kristopher Letang and Anthony Beauvillier, among others.
Although the connection is easy to make between the Habs’ new staff and the coveted future unrestricted free agents; Patrice Bergeron and Kristopher Letang, let’s face it, home runs will be tough for the duo of Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, who have projected space under the salary cap of just under $2 million. . It’s lean, very lean to afford to dream!
Supporters of the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge, which means that we will have to forget the Evgeni Malkin, Claude Giroux, Phil Kessel, Johnny Gaudreau, Filip Forsberg, Nazem Kadri, Ondrej Palat and company who will be free as the air, less than a major turnaround, in other words, a transaction that would free up a lot of money. Very unlikely scenario.
Along these lines, here are eight candidates who have the potential to join the ranks of Sainte-Flanelle. These are listed in order from most to least likely. For the sake of practice, here is Martin St-Louis’ projected line-up for the upcoming campaign.
Attackers
: Jonathan Drouin – Nick Suzuki – Cole Caufield
: Mike Hoffman – Rem Pitlick – Josh Anderson
: Evgenii Dadonov – Christian Dvorak – Brendan Gallagher
: Paul Byron – Jake Evans – Joel Armia
: Michael Pezzetta – Rafaël Harvey-Pinard – Jesse Ylönen – Ryan Poehling
Defenders
: Joel Edmundson – Jeff Petry
: Alexander Romanov – David Savard
: X – Justin Barron
: Chris Wideman – Jordan Harris – Kaiden Guhle – Corey Schueneman – Mattias Norlinder
Guardians
Carey Price
Jake Allen
P.K. Subban / 33 ans / 77PJ 5B 17A 22PTS / 9 000 000 M$
Although PK Subban has slowed down a lot over the past few seasons, his wealth of experience could definitely help the young defensemen in the organization. Ideally, it would be in the chair of fifth or sixth back who can still do well on the power play.
In other words, in a role similar to that of Chris Wideman. For a salary of around one million dollars, and this, for a single season, he deserves to give it some thought. This signing would also allow Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris and Mattias Norlinder to perfect their game in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Laval Rocket.
Nikita Zadorov / 27 ans / 74PJ 4B 18A 22PTS / 3 750 000 M $
In the case of Nikita Zadorov, his impressive stature of 6 feet 6 inches and his 235 pounds paired with his robust style of play would make the Montreal defensive brigade a physically formidable squad. His presence would lighten and facilitate the robust contribution of Alexander Romanov who would find himself less alone in this area. Considering the presence of a healthy Joel Edmundson, this hiring would compensate for the loss of Ben Chiarot and would recreate the identity that the Habs defense had during their impressive epic of the 2020-2021 season.
Andreas Athanasiou / 27 ans / 28PJ 11B 6A 17PTS / 2 700 000 M $
Andrea Athanasiou represents in a way the bet all or nothing. The electrifying merchant of speed is capable of the best offensively as well as the worst defensively. It is mainly in terms of its dynamism and its speed that the attacker would make the CH an improved team at “low” cost. Able to evolve as much in the center as on the wing, his versatility would be an additional asset.
The one who has already reached the 30-goal plateau with the Red Wings in 2018-2019 could also complete the duo of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, as well as bring a touch of speed lacking to the Gallagher and Dvorak of the team, by example. Athanasiou represents one of the candidates if not the one with the best report probable commissioned talent/salary of this free agent market.
Nick Leddy / 31 ans / 75PJ 3B 21A 24PTS / 5 500 000 M$
The main quality prospects belonging to the Canadiens evolve into the position of defenceman. You will have to supervise them properly and be patient. The arrival of an established and mobile defender like Nick Leddy would help CH’s transition game, which was deficient last year, and would offer pilot Martin St-Louis additional latitude since Leddy can play both on the left and on the the right.
Finally, the back has 130 post-season games and a Stanley Cup behind the tie, an added value if the two clans can find common ground for a short-term contract.
Mason Marchment / 27 ans / 54PJ 18B 29A 47PTS / 800 000 M$
Mason Marchment’s record differs from nearly all future free agents. Never drafted, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound power forward had a thundering season that could be described as a breakout season, mainly in terms of his offensive production, claiming nearly 20 goals and 50 points. After spending six seasons in the minors, Marchment made his way to the Florida Panthers.
The Florida organization will have important decisions to make this summer and may have to sacrifice the Ontarian because of the salary cap. It remains to be seen what type of contract the son of former National Hockey League (NHL) defenseman Bryan will want. If the duration and the amount are reasonable, the CH must assess whether the last campaign was window dressing, or if it is a style of player in the process of disappearing to be repatriated to Montreal.
Evan Rodrigues / 28 ans / 82PJ 19B 24P 43PTS / 1 000 000 M$
The name of Evan Rodrigues too often passes under the radar. Never selected in the draft, the one who has as his main weapon a lightning wrist throw has finally made his mark with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, scoring 19 goals and 43 points.
Rodrigues, linemate of a certain Jack Eichel in the American university program has maintained a production of 0.40 points per game since his debut in the Bettman circuit in 316 games played. Skilled skater, dynamic offensively and versatile since he can be inserted in the center as well as on the wing, the native of Toronto has the talent to evolve on a ”top 6” when needed and can give an attacking touch to a depth trio.
Due to the many attackers under one-way contract with the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge, he could interest the club once a transaction is completed, for example.
Vincent Trocheck / 28 ans / 81PJ 21B 30A 51PTS / 4 750 000 M$
If it was a question of realism for this exercise of players to target for the Habs, Vincent Trocheck is not the ideal candidate because of the salary he will be granted. On the other hand, the second floor must find a way to charm him. Why? Since the fast skater would fill the hole at the second center position caused by the departure of Phillip Danault last summer.
The center position is usually the most coveted and few are the quality free players. The author of 378 points in 555 career games has the assets sought by the Hughes, Gorton and St-Louis clan, namely speed, hockey intelligence and dynamism, as mentioned when they were hired. A center line made up of Nick Suzuki, Vincent Trocheck, Christian Dvorak and Jake Evans sounds pretty good doesn’t it?
Marc-André Fleury / 37 ans / 56PJ 28V 23D %,908 MOY: 2,90 / 7 000 000 M$
Will Carey Price return next season? Won’t he come back? Impossible to answer at the moment. Despite a more than satisfactory performance by young goalkeeper Cayden Primeau with the Laval Rocket during the AHL playoffs, the staff will have to assess the possibility of adding a goalkeeper to their ranks in the event of non-return of number 31 .
For one season, the time to allow Primeau to accumulate as much experience as possible before taking the plunge, Quebecer Marc-André Fleury becomes an oddly interesting contender. Despite his 37 years, the goalkeeper offered performances worthy of the goalkeeper he is for the benefit of the Blackhawks and the Wild. Why not end such a great career at home in front of family and friends, in a duet positioning him alongside Jake Allen?
It is to follow from July 13th during the special broadcast presented on the airwaves of TVA Sports.