Cap Compliant to start season

Team: 2022-23 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Oct. 3, 2022

Published: Oct. 3, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Confirmed out:
Price-Season
Byron-Christmas(mimimum repeat injury same timetable as last year)
Eddy-Christmas (minimum repeat injury same timetable as last year)

That leaves MTL roughly 8.1m according to Capfriendly
Perfect storm to take advantage of VGK desire to move Karlsson.
Karlsson > Evans but plays the same role for too much to justify paying on contender.
5.9m for a player who's declined 5 straight years but his worst was better then Evans Best
Its a Gamble for sure but what if he turns it around and spends the next 5 years producing?

Either way both teams get what they need without giving up much.
VGK clears 5.9m x 5 year deal off the books for a much more managable 1.7 x 3 year deal.
With Eichel and Marchessault on top 6 Evans fits nicely behind them as a bulk faceoffs defensive Center. It not only makes them cap compliant but gives them money to finally sign Hague who reports say left VGK for Ontario after contract talks broke down showing they're not close on a number likely due to limitations cap wise.


I dont think MTL does this for 1 fo 1 simply because of the Term
I also dont think MTL is looking for anymore players just NHL ready players.
Nolan Patrick how ever injury prone he is still holds value
Jesse Ylonen dubbed Lehkonen Lite in Laval played with mini Gallagher RHP to help take them to a ECF with Primeau last year. His offense suits his style of play given how little time he gets in the OZ he does well creating offense for himself. Much like Lehkonen and his Dad he projects to be a middle 6 main stay who plays a game revolved around back checking and gaining possession back largely in odd man situations.


While Patrick >Ylonen i have little doubt Ylonen's Career>Patrick's sadly.
The hope is in taking him rehabing him like NJD did Coleman for almsot 2 years that he'll rebound

Karlsson>Evans on paper but 5 year decline vs cap hit put him to make more and produce less then Evans.
Its the Cheapest and easiest way for VGK to become cap compliant without losing squat and gaining caphit of 4.2m a year over 5 years back


Why Karlsson on Top 6 LW?
Dach will need faceoff support as he'll get waived out a lot just like Suzuki did at first.
Karlsson can help him transition then when Dach's ready take 3rd line Center.
Regardless we'll get more value out of him over 3 years then Evans offensively.
We can always sell him in his final years retaining salary to get a better yield.
Worst Case Scenario he declines on continued path becoming a Monahan type bulk faceoffs guy /mentor