The Canadian’s situation in 6 questions

Kent Hughes provided an update on his star goaltender on Thursday, in addition to announcing the acquisition of Sean Monahan. But several questions remain. Explanations.

Simon Olivier Lorange
The Press

The Canadian exceeds the salary cap: is this normal?

Yes. By getting immediate confirmation that Carey Price won’t play at the start of the season, and probably not at all in 2022-23, the Habs can take advantage of the fact that their goaltender will be placed on the long-term injured list (LBLT). Under this process, the team will benefit from a relief that will allow it to exceed the salary cap, established at 82.5 million, by a value less than or equal to Price’s salary: 10.5 million. In fact, the closer a team’s payroll is to the cap, the greater the relief. Following this logic, Sean Monahan’s salary (6.375 million) is timely.

Will we be looking for a replacement for Carey Price?

No. Anyway, not right away. Kent Hughes was very affirmative on this subject: it is Jake Allen, Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau, even if the latter is still without a contract, who will compete for the two positions available in front of the CH net at training camp. Unless one of the front two is injured, or he himself has an incredible camp, Primeau’s chances of starting the season in Montreal are slim, since he can still be transferred to the Laval Rocket, in the American League, bypassing waivers.

What are the conditions attached to the acquired first-round pick of the Flames?

Thursday’s trade, in its official wording, reads: “The Canadiens have acquired forward Sean Monahan and a conditional 2025 first-round pick in return for future considerations. Don’t hold your breath, you’ll never see the color of these “future considerations.” As for the conditional choice, it required an explanation of 687 words in the press release published by the CH. The fact that the Flames don’t have their own 2025 first-round pick, but the Florida Panthers, and that pick is already subject to other conditions, makes the situation infinitely complicated. This is why we spare our readers the enumeration of possible scenarios. However, details are available here:

Are all the players in the squad under contract?

No. Agents for Primeau and newcomer Kirby Dach are still in negotiations with the management of the Canadian. Kent Hughes said he was “optimistic” to reach an agreement with the two before training camp; in his long career as an agent, he has always completed his clients’ files before the fall, he pointed out. The DG also affirmed that he was exploring “different avenues” in these negotiations. Without going too far, we can speculate here that these “avenues” relate to the number of years provided for in the contracts concerned.

Should we expect other transactions by October?

Maybe, maybe not. Hughes didn’t close any doors. What we do know, however, is that a surplus of attackers is already evident. Currently, 16 centers and wingers have guaranteed NHL contracts or are virtually guaranteed to start the season in Montreal — Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky are in that second category. If Sean Monahan is employed in the center, Kirby Dach or Jake Evans will have to be moved to the wing. Regardless, that means 12 wingers will be battling for 8 spots heading into the inaugural game on October 12. We can probably cross Paul Byron’s name out of the lot, since his rehabilitation does not seem encouraging, but the fact remains that young forwards who hope to make the jump to the NHL this season will have to be perfect in camp since the available positions are practically non-existent.

Should we expect other changes within a year?

Absolutely. With Monahan, the Canadiens now have four forwards who will become unrestricted free agents in July 2023, the others being Jonathan Drouin, Evgenii Dadonov and Paul Byron. Goaltender Jake Allen will also be free as the air at the end of the next season. With the exception of Byron, all could be traded before the trade deadline. Other regular players in the formation – Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak, Joel Edmundson … – could also arouse interest elsewhere. The holidays have been short, if not non-existent, for Kent Hughes since he took office almost seven months ago. “I learned a long time ago that a vacation could be interrupted,” he said with a laugh on Thursday evening. Obviously, he won’t be getting much rest in the next year.