Habs News: Marc Bergevin Trades, Carolina Hurricanes Match Sebastian Aho Offer Sheet, Montreal Canadiens Free Agent Signings
ROCKET SPORTS MEDIA | LAVAL, QC. — The expectations for the Canadiens were high heading into the opening day of free agency on July 1st. On the eve, Montreal traded Andrew Shaw and a seventh round draft pick in 2021 to Chicago in exchange for a second and seventh round pick in next year’s draft and a third round pick in 2021.
Later in the day, Nicolas Deslauriers was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in return for a fourth round draft pick in 2020. A couple of days prior to the trade, Deslauriers told the Journal de Montreal that the Nate Thompson and Jordan Weal contract signings were a slap in the face. Based on the usage of Thompson and Weal since their arrival with the team, Deslauriers didn’t see himself in the lineup on a regular basis.
I think that Marc Bergevin was able to get a reasonable return with both trades. As there were no players acquired in the trades, it gave Montreal cap space ready for July 1st. The Canadiens were linked to some of the elite free agents such as Matt Duchene, Jake Gardiner and Anders Lee.
Offer Sheet
This year’s Restricted Free Agents (RFA) group is the best that we have seen in a long time. With the NHL’s salary cap not increasing as much as expected by the general managers, experts were anticipating as a potential offer sheet to be signed this off season by a RFA.
At his end of season press conference, Bergevin said that an offer sheet is a tool in the CBA that he may use if the situation was right. The right time was on July 1st, as the Canadiens tendered an offer sheet to Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes. The deal was for five years worth a total of $42.27-million. The Canadiens would compensate the Hurricanes with a first, second, and third round draft pick if they didn’t match the offer.
DONE DEAL!
We have OFFICIALLY matched the @CanadiensMTL's offer sheet for @SebastianAho! pic.twitter.com/A9zpAJRUI7
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) July 7, 2019
From Montreal’s perspective, the three draft picks would be worth giving up for the acquisition of the 21 year old that got 83 points last season in the regular season and 12 points in his team’s 15 playoff games. Montreal would finally have a true number one centre. Bergevin’s strategy was to front load the contract thinking that Hurricanes owner, Tom Dundon, wouldn’t want to pay $21-million to Aho in the first 12 months of the contract. Dundon quickly confirmed that they will be matching the offer to keep Aho on their roster.
Hockey Decision or PR move?
There was a lot of criticism towards Bergevin for the amount of the offer sheet. Bergevin said that he didn’t think that signing Aho to a higher AAV would make a difference as the amount owed in the first 12 months wouldn’t significantly changed.
According to my calculations, the first 12 month payout on a five year contract would range between $23-million and $26-million if the AAV was bumped to the compensation that is one level higher than Montreal’s offer. Four million dollars is a lot of money for most of us, but not as significant for Dundon. I don’t think it would have changed his decision to match the offer.
https://twitter.com/SebastianAho/status/1147928380521799680
During his July 1st press conference, Bergevin mentioned a couple of times that the offer sheet shows to the fans and the players that ownership wants to win. The last five offer sheets around the NHL were not successful, so the odds were stacked against the Canadiens. Was the goal of the offer sheet a hockey decision or a public relations move?
In terms of a hockey decision, since Bergevin’s strategy didn’t result in Aho joining the organization, I consider it a bad decision. From a public relations perspective, I would consider it successful as most Canadiens fans applauded Bergevin taking the risk.
It was reported that there was originally an offer sheet presented to Brayden Point of the Lightning that was rejected. Point and Aho are both represented by agent Gerry Johannson.
There’s a history of business relationships between Bergevin and Johannson, as the agent also represents Carey Price, Brendan Gallagher, and Brett Kulak from the current roster and has also represented former Hab Joe Morrow and former prospect Martin Reway.
There are reports that Montreal has inquired about Mitch Marner of the Leafs and Patrick Laine of the Jets. With Carolina officially matching the offer sheet on Sunday, the Canadiens can now use the cap space if they would like to present an offer sheet.
Free Agent signings
The Canadiens did end up signing players in the opening week of free agency. Keith Kinkaid signed a one-year contract worth $1.75-million on July 1st, and will likely be Price’s backup in October. Last season, he had a 3.36 goals against average and .891 save percentage in 41 games played with the New Jersey Devils. He was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the trade deadline last season, but didn’t make an appearance.
On Thursday, the Canadiens signed defenceman Ben Chiarot to a three year contract with $3.5-million average cap hit. The deal also includes a 10 team no trade list. Chiarot joins the organization after playing the last five seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. The scouting report on Chiarot is that he’s a stay-at-home defenceman. In 78 games last season, Chiarot scored five times and added 15 assists for a total of 20 points, a personal best in each of those categories.
On Friday, Nick Cousins signed a one-year contract worth $1-million. Cousins joins the organizations after playing for the Arizona Coyotes for the last two seasons. Cousins is a bottom six forward that can play on the wing and at centre. He set a personal high last season with 27 points in 81 games played.
By Chris G., Senior Writer
All Habs Hockey Magazine
Copyright © 2019 Rocket Sports
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