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Cap Crunch

September 8, 2020, 5:46 PM ET [569 Comments]
Karine Hains
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
As free agency looms, multiple teams are feeling the cap crunch, especially since the expected rise in the cap did not happen this season. Thankfully, the Canadiens have nothing to worry about, in fact, they are in a position to either help some teams be compliant by taking some assets in trades or to just go out themselves and sign new players on the free agent market. With over 14 millions in cap space for this upcoming season, Bergevin could do what he did last year and take a swing at a restricted free agent, but this scenario appears unlikely considering that at the end of next season, plenty of his regulars will be due for a raise. As things stands, after the 2020-2021 campaign Thomas Tatar, Jeff Petry, Brendan Gallagher, Philip Danault and Joel Armia will all be unrestricted free agents. Furthermore, hostile offers are a rare occurrence and it’s not because the GM decided to go that way last season that he will elect to try his luck again this year. Still, it doesn’t hurt to speculate a little bit so let’s have a look at the teams who could be vulnerable to such offers.

Please note that all the numbers are taken from the site Spotrac . According to their data, here are the teams that are the most susceptible to feel the cap crunch:

1. Arizona Coyotes

Currently, Arizona has a tiny $381,098 in cap space and have 19 out of 23 active players signed. Of course, should they wish to make any kind of offer to the retain pending unrestricted free agent Taylor Hall, they will need to miraculously shed some salary one way or another. This may very well explain why there are rumours about Oliver Ekman-Larsson and his massive contract (7 more years at a $8,250,000 cap hit) being available. A left shooting defenseman, he certainly could be used by the Canadiens but it’s doubtful that Bergevin will want to commit that much money for that many years, especially since he has big hopes in Alexander Romanov being the piece that will help him sort out his defense.


2. Anaheim Ducks

Right now, the Ducks have 20 out of 23 active players signed with only $1,470,001 left in cap space. However, there really aren’t any interesting RFAs or UFA that might tickle Bergevin’s fancy.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Jackets are rather tight against the cap with only $5,202.501 in cap space. Considering that most of their players are already signed, it shouldn’t be that bad right? Expect for the facts that two of the players who aren’t signed are franchise player Pîerre-Luc Dubois (who is a RFA) and RW Josh Anderson (who has arbitration rights so could decide to go that way). In Dubois’ case, don’t kid yourself the Jackets will find a way to make it work as for Josh Anderson he is a big forward (6’3”, 222 lb) who can also contribute offensively at times but he’s in no mean a top points producer (his best season was in 2018-2019 when he got 47 points in 82 games).

4. Tampa Bay Lightning
Next up, Julien Brisebois’ Lightning currently projected to have $5,333,334 in cap space with only 15 of 23 active players signed. Amongst those that need to be resigned, there are 2 interesting RFAs in Anthony Cirelli and Mikhail Sergachev. Cirelli is a centre who currently finds himself on the Lightning’s 2nd line between Killorn and Johnson and is still progressing offensive production wise. However, right now, the Canadiens seem set when it comes to their centre line. As for Sergachev, we know that the Canadiens like him, they drafted him after all, but considering how important he has become for the Lightning, I very much doubt there will be anytime to make an offer sheet. I expect he might just be priority one for the Lightning’s GM once his team is out of the playoffs or raises the Cup.

5. Vegas Golden Knights
With 17 of 23 active players signed for next season, the Knights have a projected $5,803,456 in cap space, but none of their impactful players are set to become RFAs or UFAs. Well, unless you consider Nick Cousin an impactful player of course. It would be rather surprising to say the least to see Bergevin attempt to bring him back.

6. Chicago Blackhawks
The Hawks are next with 21 of 23 active players signed and $6,475,461 in cap space. Chicago is no stranger to this position, with Kane and Toews’ contracts having prompted them to shed salary in the past with the likes of Panarin, Saad and Byfuglien having been sent packing. Their most interesting free agent this season is probably Dominik Khubalik. The 25-year-old has only been in the league for a single season and scored 30 goals while also gathering 16 assists for 46 points in 68 games on the Hawks’ first line. At 6’2” and 179 lbs, he does have size as well, but he has arbitration rights. It’s highly likely that the Hawks will want to retain him, but they’ll have to make room somehow. Could they be tempted to try and trade Brandon Saad again? The winger has got only one year left on his contract and comes with a 6 M cap hit. At 6’1” and 206 lbs, he could be an interesting option to explore for the Canadiens. He might only have had 33 points this season, but that was playing on the 3rd line and in 58 games. Furthermore, looking at his career stats, he appears to be a good bet to reach 20 goals every year.



7. St-Louis Blues
St-Louis is looking for cap space, that is a well-known fact and Bergevin has already made a trade with them, allowing the Blues to take Jake Allen off their books. Even then though, they only have $6,603,096 in cap space and they need to find a way to extend captain Alex Pietrangelo who was making 6.5 M this season. Furthermore, RFA Vince Dunn also needs to be signed. Dunn is a left shot defenseman who finds himself on the Blues’ third pairing and second powerplay unit. 3 years into his NHL career, there is still room for him to improve on his points total (24,35,23) but he is a good player and safe in his own zone. Could Bergevin be tempted to put pressure on the Blues by giving him an offer sheet?

Personally, I do not think that Bergevin will go down the offer sheet root this offseason. He’s done it last year to try and land a first line centre, but with what he’s seen from his youngsters in the playoffs, he seems to feel comfortable with his centre line. As for the defense, the organization does see Alexander Romanov as a top-4 defenseman and I believe he’ll be tempted to see how that goes before attempting to sign someone else long term. Besides, just like the last time the Canadiens make the playoffs, the issue wasn’t the defense but the Habs’ lack of finishing touch. Now that Bergevin has addressed the back-up goalie issue, I fully expect him to try and find at least a big body up front who can put the puck in the net. Who is that likely to be? Well, your guess is as good as mine. We’ve heard plenty of rumours about the likes of Ehlers, Laine or even Taylor Hall but at the end of the day, Bergevin is in the driver’s seat and generally, there are no leaks about what the Habs GM intends to do.
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