By Joce, Senior Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

PENTICTON, BC. — Much is being said and written about the contract negotiations between Habs’ GM Marc Bergevin and restricted free agent to be P.K. Subban on a contract extension, but little so far about the team’s impending unrestricted free agents. While some are somewhat irrelevant, a few play an important role on this team and it will be interesting to see what the organization decides to do with some of them.

The Canadiens technically have approximately 16 million dollars tied into pending UFAs at the end of the season, with almost 11 million dollars between defenseman Andrei Markov ($5.75M) and team captain Brian Gionta ($5M). Another key free agent is Swiss defenseman Raphael Diaz, who should be getting a substantial raise from the $1.225M he’s getting this season. The other UFAs are defensemen Francis Bouillon and Douglas Murray ($1.5M each) and heavyweight enforcer George Parros ($937,500).

Whether Parros is re-signed or not, there is definitely a need for a heavyweight enforcer as we’ve noticed this season when playing the teams that used to take liberties against the Habs, as they are not doing it this season. If not Parros, Marc Bergevin will need to fill that hole and the salary for a top end enforcer at about the same cap hit.

Where it becomes very interesting is on defense. As it stands at the time of writing this article, the Canadiens only have three defensemen in the current roster under contract for next year: Josh Gorges, Alexei Emelin and Davis Drewiske. While youngsters Jarred Tinordi and Nathan Beaulieu will make a push to make the squad next season, we know that Bergevin understands the need for depth, especially on defense so he has his work cut out for himself, whether he re-signs some of his pending UFAs, trades for help or looks on the free agents’ market. As it stands right now, there are some interesting names scheduled to become UFAs this summer, guys like Dan Boyle, Dion Phaneuf, Joni Pitkanen, Brooks Orpik and Matt Greene, just to name a few.

Let’s have a look at the pending UFAs on the Canadiens…

1- ANDREI MARKOV ($5.75M)
Markov bounced back this season and he is doing an excellent job at mentoring not only P.K. Subban, teaching him how to be a force with smart plays on the ice, but he’s also an important influence for fellow Russian defenseman Alexei Emelin, on and off the ice. Yes, he has lost a step or two in the skating department but he is by far the best passer on the team and his vision of the ice is one of the best in the entire league. It is however concerning that he just recently fired his agent, Don Meehan, one of the most prominent players’ agents in the NHL, in a contract negotiation year. What does “Marky” have in mind by doing so? In the past, he has always made it clear that he wanted to stay in the NHL, play for the Canadiens. No words yet on his intentions. And if he does decide that he wants to re-sign, it is said that he will be looking for another long term deal. It is important to note that Markov will turn 35 on December 20th of this year, and that his next contract will be classified as 35+, meaning that it will remain in the books and count against the cap regardless if he is injured and/or retires. Considering his recent injury history, this is a huge risk for management and definitely something to think about. This is likely one of Marc Bergevin’s highest priorities to deal with, at least in importance if not time.

2- BRIAN GIONTA ($5M)
The team captain has been healthy so far this season and while his offensive production has slightly slowed down this season (on pace for 14 goals and 44 points), he has been excellent defensively and he is fifth on the team in shots on goal. The team fell apart when he was out last year and players acknowledge his leadership on and off the ice. But the fact remains that the Canadiens are small on the Top 6 and this could be an opportunity for Marc Bergevin to address the issue. Marian Gaborik, Dany Heatley, Thomas Vanek, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Paul Stastny and Ryan Callahan are all scheduled to become UFAs this summer, although it’s hard to imagine that some of those names won’t re-sign with their respective teams. The Canadiens lack top end talent on their Top 6 and Bergevin must try to address the issue, whether it’s through free agency or preferably, through trades. Having said all of that, I personally would like to see Gionta re-sign with the team to play on the third line, if he’s willing to take a bit of a pay cut, say in the neighbourhood of $3-3.5M for a couple of years.

3- RAPHAEL DIAZ ($1.225M)
Diaz is one of the most underrated players on the team, in my humble opinion. He does provide a good option on the second wave on the power play and he moves the puck quite well out of his zone. He sits third on the team in blocked shots, two behind Markov and four behind team leader Josh Gorges and his 10 assists in 31 games are respectable. It has been reported that Marc Bergevin is currently negotiating with Diaz for a contract extension and it wouldn’t be too surprising to see them agree to a deal in the $3M per season ball park. I actually liked seeing him paired with a tougher defenseman like Douglas Murray as coach Michel Therrien has done recently as he’s not the most physical player but he’s smart with the puck and his speed allows him to cover for a slower and tougher defenseman. I’m expecting him to be back next season, unless Bergevin has to sacrifice him in a trade.

4- GEORGE PARROS ($937,500)
I place Parros fourth in level of importance, not necessarily for himself, but rather for his role on the team. So far this season, he’s only been playing about four minutes a game but having him in the line-up (along with Murray) has kept the opponents rather honest, especially the Leafs and the Bruins, in comparison to previous years when Brandon Prust had to go against bigger guys. While he will do it because he’s that kind of teammate, Prust is too valuable to send him against heavyweights, Bergevin recognized it and that is why he acquired Parros to start with. I have a feeling that Parros won’t be back, for the simple fact that Michel Therrien doesn’t feel confident in him as shown by his playing time, but I fully anticipate that Bergevin will fill his spot with a guy who can do this job, perhaps while being able to be relied upon for more minutes on the ice each game. With the Canadiens and Avalanche scouting each other since the beginning of the season, I wouldn’t be shocked if Montreal-born Patrick Bordeleau was a throw-in piece in a bigger deal.

5- DOUGLAS MURRAY ($1.5M)
Murray’s best years are definitely behind him and the Canadiens got him for cheap because he declined similar offers earlier in the summer, wanting more term and/or money. In spite of his lack of foot speed, he does bring toughness and physicality at the back end for the Canadiens, and he is a decent penalty killer. This is, in my opinion, the spot that Jarred Tinordi will occupy next season so don’t expect to see Murray back and that’s why Bergevin signed him for one year only.

6- FRANCIS BOUILLON ($1.5M)
I have a feeling that this is Franky’s last season in the NHL. Just like Patrice Brisebois did, it’s great that he came back to Montreal for one more time but age is catching up to the 5’8” defenseman, especially with his physical style of play. With Davis Drewiske under contract for next season, there is simply no more room for him and it is doubtful that another team will make him an offer, especially not when looking as his dismal plus-minus on a relatively successful team, and I doubt that Bouillon will want to leave Montreal one more time.

Of course, things can change in a hurry in the NHL, when injuries and trades can happen at any given time. Subban should be signed, hopefully soon, followed by Diaz. It will be interesting to see what happens with Markov and with the enforcer position. Stay tuned.

Go Habs Go!!!