Everyone else first and PLD if we can as RFA if not as UFA

Team: 2023-24 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 31, 2022

Published: Jul. 31, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Caufield scored 22 goals and 35 pts in 37 games
For arguments sake lets say he scores 3/4 of that
That's 55-60 pts range with likely around 25-30 goals
7m makes sense especially given they hired MSL outta no where to play mentor with no Experience

Dach i clued into the other day could succeed by Dubois
Dubois is a GREAT Power Forward but a Crap Center
That said Secondary Centers to mentor youth makes a lot of sense
Put him on a Line with Dach and Anderson ... WOW our top 6 looks tough and skilled

That said i believe Dach gets a 2 year deal this year and im just signing the 1 remaining year
he'd have so he'll be on the roster. I figure 2.2m similar to Kakko

Harris gets 1750000 x 3 as at best he's Mike Reilly 2.0 and while i'm a Reilly fan actually
anything more makes him a cap problem in a deep LD system



Dvorak will have had a full season and up until TDL on another to raise his value in a system where MSL plays him at 3rd line only and so Dvorak Succeeds.(Ducharme wasnt that smart)

I see that team being NSH who's trying one last time to retool and support their aging Center and Dcore before making anymore Ellis level moves that backfire trying to keep everyone.

RS on Dvorak as a Rental who has 2 year left at 2.25m
NSH is deffinately interested as he slots in perfect with Duchene,Johnson, Dvorak and Sissons who are all 55-60% win rate guys of which 3/4 have finished top 10 NHL faceoff wins(all but sissons who gets closer each year)

The cost is high but the idea is if Dvorak doesnt fit
He's got 1 year left in which NSH can recoop assets selling


MTL waits to sign PLD as a UFA
But if they wanted to they could package what they got below for Dubois as a Rental
Personally i'd wait using Pitlick as a place holder until then
Have PLD slot in on 2nd line
We'd still have 9m + in cash thats before Price is considered
We'd have kept our best players and be able to over pay a Dubois without regretting it(for 2-3 years anyways lol)


Going this route ensure's we have a team built the Dubois as a UFA will commit to.
That said while i believe he's an Incredible Power Forward
He's put in no effort to what actually defines a Center's value and progressing there.
For that reason i think its time to stop wasting time holding him back and let him play.
He'll shoot more, use his body more along the boards and not worry about controlling Center Ice

Dubois-Dach-Anderson i believe might get good enough to help Steamrole opponents
They'll succeed in high volume and when they dont other lines will as teams try to contrain them
Dubois comes to a team that actually see's his Value as a Goal Scorer first
Maybe now he'll stop asking for a trade every 2-3 years


Slavkovsky-Suzuki-Caufield
Dubois-Dach-Anderson
Ylonen-Evans-Gally(next Tatar-Danault-Gally line)
Faksa-Glass-Armia( Faceoff Support , Size and Goal Scoring )
Pezetta

Harris-Matheson
Ghule-Barron (Future top pair just like WJC)
Xhekaj-Mailloux (2 big guys who can shoot or play physcical known for Special Teams)
Wideman(Boullion type 7D you like to keep around cause he has good work ethic)



*****EDIT*****

Its been pointed out that i should have stated the results of 2023 draft selection and MTLs pick
I think MTL gets 3rd OA not 1st and Fantilli falls into their laps
I also think Kidney will be in AHL his 2nd year leading their Team
Mysak and Beck with him most likely

RD we'll upgrade if needed with all the cap we have
Goaltending we'll find Primeau partner if needed with Price's cap hit
I didnt put Price on LTIR as im honestly not sure
His former Goalie Coach and Friend says he's recovered
He didnt say that when he tried returning last year
Instead he wished him luck and hoped everything worked out with the return
So Price could be back , He could also retire
But that's for another post in and of itself i think hahaha

1.

2.

3.