Habster’s take:

Pierre Durocher of Le Journal de Montreal writes that the Canadiens have $ 4 million of financial wiggle room to potentially add another player in February if they are still in the playoff race. Julien BriseBois explains that the Canadiens have to follow the salary cap structure of the NHL and he never approaches negotiations with a player as a war. He also stated that negotiations between Michael Ryder and the Canadiens went well with both sides wanting to avoid arbitration.
Mr. BriseBois is only 30 years old but is gaining a reputation as a very good negotiator and salary cap manager. NHL GM are being forced to either hire “Capologist” or to have a strong background in finance/contract negotiations. We will be seeing more CFO/Capologist experts becoming NHL GMs due to the importance of managing team salary structure. I think Julien BriseBois will be a NHL GM in the not to distant future whether it is with the Habs or elsewhere.