My Lineup with Karlsson

Team: 2019-20 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 4, 2019

Published: Jun. 4, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Evolving Wild Contract Projection for Karlsson:
- 7 yrs × $9.5M

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15E1qqh3OfHvvhbv_pICfKT7VR1jJEVhWQOyKviWLN54/htmlview

Karlsson is reportedly hoping for MTL or OTT to make a competitive offer in free agency: https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/brennan-this-time-karlsson-might-be-more-inclined-to-consider-senators-offer/amp?__twitter_impression=true

Ottawa has the advantage geographically, and likely can afford to make a more competitive cash offer as well (assuming ownership is on board). Montreal is the next best thing geographically, they have the cap space, but more importantly they have a competitive team unlike Ottawa.

A lot of armchair gm teams I see make the assumption that the habs will trade Petry if Karlsson is added, however I don't think that's necessary. At 5 on 5, the habs can role 3 lines. Petry and Weber both prefer taking one timers on the powerplay, Karlsson will double shift as the PP QB. I think there is added value in Petry to the habs since hes the most reliable RD health-wise. Weber and Karlsson have an injury history now, and Juulsen is majorly injury prone. Fluery and Brook wont be ready until Petry's contract expires anyways.
My defence pairing on paper would be:

Alzner / Karlsson
*Basically Methot / Karlsson. Alzner can be the stay at home guy allowing Karlsson to take more chances. Maybe this would boost Alzner's value and the habs could dump him after next season.

Mete / Weber
* They have good chemistry at 5 on 5 (Mete's Speed and Weber's size compliment each other). They were MTL's top pairing last season so they should make a very solid 2nd pair.

Kulak / Petry
- MTL's 2nd Pair at the end of last season should make for a very good 3rd pair!

Special Teams:
- Karlsson: Doubleshift on the PP. Ocassionally kill penalties. (23:00 / Game)
- Weber: 1st PP Unit and PK, while occassionally double shifting on both units. (23:00 / Game)
- Petry: 2nd PP Unit and PK Unit, Other than when Weber is double shifting or Karlsson is on PK (20:00 / Game)
- Alzner: PK (19:00 / Game)
- Mete: PK (19:00 / Game)
- Kulak: 5 on 5 only. (16:00)

I like the idea that the habs could potentially land either Karlsson or Duchene this offseason due to mutual interest, quite the difference from last year.