Antoine Vermette: Could He Fill a Role for the Canadiens?
by Matt Smith, Staff Writer/Social Media Specialist, All Habs Hockey Magazine
In an unanticipated move Monday, the Arizona Coyotes elected to buy out the remaining year of Antoine Vermette’s contract. Vermette’s contract carried a $3.75 million cap hit into the 2016-2017 season. Arizona will now save $2.5 million this season against the cap, and will be charged a $1.25 M cap hit the next two seasons.
Antoine Vermette, Centre, Arizona Coyotes
July. 20, 1982 | Saint-Agapit, Quebec, Canada
6-1, 198 lbs. | Shoots Left |
2015-’16 Stats: 76 GP, 17 G, 21 A, 38 Pts
Coyotes GM John Chayka delivered the following statement on the Vermette buyout, “In order to give our team more flexibility, we needed to make this difficult decision. This move will provide an opportunity for some of our young, talented players to step up. Antoine is a class act and we thank him for all he did on and off the ice for the Arizona Coyotes organization. We wish him the best in the future.”
The Coyotes signed Vermette to a two year, $7.5 M contract on July 1, 2015 as he returned to the organization after winning the Stanley Cup as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. Vermette was traded to the Blackhawks that season for a first round draft pick (Nick Merkley) and defenceman Klas Dahlbeck.
Now an unrestricted free agent after clearing unconditional waivers, Vermette is at liberty to sign with any team prepared to give him a contract or professional tryout.
With that being said, should the Montreal Canadiens have interest in the Quebec native?
Vermette, now 34 years old, registered 17 goals and 21 assists for 38 points in 76 games with the Coyotes last season. Sixteen of those points (six goals and 10 assists) were on the power-play, an area the Montreal Canadiens struggled with immensely last season. With the addition of Kirk Muller to the coaching staff, Vermette could provide the Habs man advantage with another weapon, especially since his ability to win faceoffs is one of his strengths. Vermette finished last season with a 55.8 faceoff percentage.
Another justification Vermette may get a call from the Habs is that he’d provide them with a veteran centre, one who has lifted the Stanley Cup, and is capable of playing a third line role, but could move up the lineup if called upon to either the centre position or the wing. He has also played a limited amount of games with Andrew Shaw as a member of the Blackhawks. Could the two reunite on the Habs third line, adding a player such as Daniel Carr to the left wing to complete the line?
A player such as David Desharnais, in my opinion, is not capable of playing the role of an effective third line centre for the duration of the season. With Lars Eller playing for the Washington Capitals next season, Vermette could be the best option available to fill that empty space. Phillip Danault has already been penciled in by some as the Habs new third line centre, but with Vermette now available, the Habs could take a closer look at the structure of their bottom six before training camp begins.
Vermette could also be a very cost effective move (he’s already being paid by the Arizona Coyotes) and he may jump on the chance to play for the Canadiens organization as a Quebec native for a reduced price. A one-year contract would certainly not break the bank, giving the Canadiens the option to re-sign him or allow him to play elsewhere next season, perhaps even being selected to play for the Las Vegas organization.
Throughout his career, Vermette has registered a total of 211 goals and 260 assists in 910 career regular season games with the Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks and the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes.
Could Antoine Vermette become the newest member of the bleu, blanc et rouge?