Montreal Can Stay on the Sidelines of the Trade Market
Arpon Basu of Athletic: Basu writes that, unlike last year when the Montreal Canadiens were in the Pierre-Luc Dubois saga, this year, the Canadiens are not tied to anyone, but are looking at big names in the trade market.
Although they did their best for Martin Necas of the Carolina Hurricanes and Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks, the cost was as high as last year for Dubois. The Hurricanes are asking for star-level talent in return, and Anaheim will be asking for the same from a player with time left on his contract.
NHL Rumors: Montreal Canadiens Prioritize Draft Move
The Canadiens do not want to move Mike Matheson as they have many young players who will play next season. So there aren't many options. However, if history is any indication, the Canadiens will look to make moves in the NHL Draft like they did two years ago.
Do The Canadiens Already Have An Internal Salary Cap In Place
Arpon Basu of Athletic: Staying with Basu for a moment, he writes that Juraj Slafkovsky and Kaiden Guhle are eligible for new deals this summer. The increase in salary may affect the Canadiens in these negotiations.
Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield took about 9.5 percent of the flat cap. Suzuki's $7.875 million served as part of the Canadiens' internal salary cap. Caufield fell under him. Based on that percentage, Slafkovsky could get $8.65 million, but the Canadiens will want him for less than Suzuki's number if they can.
The same can be said for Guhle. We saw defenseman Alex Vlasic sign a six-year contract with an AAV of $4.6 million. That could be a sign as both players are playing in difficult conditions for their own. It will be interesting to see where this goes.
NHL Rumors: Colorado Avalanche, and Nashville Predators
Could the Avalanche target Patrick Kane or Kaapo Kakko?
Evan Rawal of Colorado Hockey Now: Rawal has the latest post bag and was asked what the Colorado Avalanche will do this offseason, including their interest in Patrick Kane and Kaapo Kakko.
He writes that the Avalanche would be interested in Kane if he had a one-year contract, but not a multi-year contract. Kane put up excellent numbers for the Red Wings last season. Not to mention, there are other priorities the Avalanche need to address.
As for Kakko, he doesn't think the Avalanche should trade him. He has good numbers and is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. He could see the Avalanche doing this if the New York Rangers didn't suit him up.
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