OPINION | Habs Have Dollars, But What Are the Options?

by Gregorio Lentini, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

It’s October, and you know what that means: the regular season is back! We finally get a look at official rosters and opening night lineups. That said, there is still one major question mark when it comes to the Montreal Canadiens.

No, I’m not referring to what’s happening with Alex Galchenyuk or who will play alongside Shea Weber. I’m referring to the more than eight million dollars left in cap space.

It’s been a long time since the Habs have had this much money to play with, but the question is: what should be done with it? After a lot of thought, here are a few sensible options.

Matt Duchene, Centre, Colorado Avalanche
January 16, 1991 | Haliburton, ON
5′-11″, 195 lbs. | Shoots Left

The trade watch has included the name of Matt Duchene since last season. Unfortunately,  General-Manager of the Colorado Avalanche, Joe Sakic, doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to complete a transaction.

Sakic has been waiting for a team to pay an (reportedly) exorbitant amount for Duchene. And as he’s still with the Avs, it’s clear that no one has taken the bait.

My sense is that Duchene’s value will only decrease on a team that didn’t reach the 50-point mark last season and that failed to make any significant improvements over the summer. Jonathan Bernier and Nail Yakupov were notable additions.

If a trade does takes place with the Canadiens, Duchene could arguably become Montreal’s No. 1 centre. If Jonathan Drouin solidifies the role as the team’s top centerman, then Duchene could serve as a true No. 2 center or an excellent winger.

Either way, this option should only be considered for the right price. Otherwise, the Habs should save their resources for the next option.

John Tavares, Centre, New York Islanders
September 20, 1990 | Mississauga, ON
6′-1″, 208 lbs. | Shoots Left

I know, I know. John Tavares will probably sign back with his current team like almost every star in the NHL. But ask yourself: if he really wanted to stay, wouldn’t he have already signed like Carey Price and Connor McDavid?

That’s not to say he’s leaving. In fact, the closest an elite player has gotten to free agency in recent times is Steven Stamkos, and even he ended up signing with the team that drafted him.

However, there are several reasons why Tavares may want to leave. If he does want out, then the Islanders will have no choice but to trade him.

If this is the case, the Habs are the perfect fit. They have the cap space and enough notable assets to make a deal happen. In fact, a trade involving Charlie Lindgren, Alex Galchenyuk and two first-round draft picks could possibly get the job done. The Habs still need a guaranteed No. 1 Center and Tavares would undoubtedly fill that role. This would then allow Drouin to return to his natural position on the wing.

Mind you, unless the Islanders are out of a playoff spot, a trade won’t happen until next summer. Therefore, though there is a possibility that Tavares plays for the Habs this season, it isn’t very likely.

Take on an Expensive Contract

At first glance, this makes no sense, but hear me out. If the Habs don’t manage to make a deal for a game-changing player, they shouldn’t let the cap space go to waste. They can take on a bad contract from a team up against the cap at the deadline.

In doing so, they can collect high draft picks and noteworthy prospects to add to their assets.

The only problem is that this option doesn’t help the Canadiens’ quest for the Stanley Cup. Therefore, it should only be taken if no major player can acquired. Otherwise, the Habs should save their money. That brings us to the final option.

Do Nothing

This option is the least enticing, but it appears to be the most realistic. Marc Bergevin himself reiterated this fact during an interview with Antichambre. He stated that valuable players are not available on the market at this time. Even though this may simply be a negotiation ploy as well as a way to keep his cards close to his chest, I believe Bergevin.

The old adage ‘no deal is better than a bad deal’ applies to the Canadiens’ situation.

Having $8.4 million gives the Habs a lot of wiggle room to make a deal, but they also shouldn’t rush into one. Overpaying for a player (not named Tavares) simply because there is money available would be counterproductive, and anyone other than a highly-skilled forward is not worth paying for at all.

At this current moment, aside from Duchene and (possibly) Tavares, there really doesn’t appear to be any impactful players available.

So unless Bergevin has a secret plan (which he usually does), it looks like the Canadiens will hold their money until the trade deadline. This is a shame considering that Andrei Markov or Alexander Radulov could have been brought back with the remaining cap dollars, but it’s still probable that the cap flexibility will translate into substantial additions.

If nothing is done by the trade deadline, something will certainly be done during the summer of 2018.

By then, Edmonton will be in cap trouble and this might make Ryan Nugent-Hopkins available. Amongst others, John Tavares may actually head for free agency. He would be joining possible UFAs such as Paul Stasny, James van Riemsdyk and Joe Thorton, each of whom could benefit the Habs.

All fans can really do at this moment is to wait and see what happens. The truth is: Bergevin can take several paths, so for all we know, we might be in for another blockbuster deal.