Stop Trading for Dubois or anybody really

Team: 2024-25 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 5, 2023

Published: Mar. 5, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

We don't need Dubois before he becomes a free agent. We are still in development mode next season. We need a strong healthy year that reinforces that the players we are expecting to perform well will continue to do so, before we can justify going out and making big acquisitions.

We will still likely be in need of a goaltender at this time (Montembault is not worth a long term investment, imo, as admirable as his efforts have been). Hellebuyck is just one free agency possibility that season used as a representation of the possible need to sign a starter.

I'm not counting on Gallagher and Armia to be in the lineup, but I am counting their cap hits in case they are not on LTIR.
Beck and Roy I have penciled in as good bets to make it sooner rather than later, but there are other possibilities in that time frame as well. Consider them as swappable parts should they need more time in the AHL.
I also have Ylonen on standby should he stick around in place of another option.

Cap hits for bridge contracts and free agency signings can be adjusted depending on the market at the time. I've left a cap cushion and assumed a stagnant cap raise.

No matter what happens, we are going to be in the market for a top pairing RHD to replace/succeed Savard, or at least a top 4 to complement Guhle (assuming he secures his position). The draft isn't likely to provide one in this timeline, which leaves a trade or UFA signing, but we may dip our toes into the playoffs this season before making such a move.

In the meantime, we are stockpiling all our assets. The time to spend will begin, either before, during, or after this season.
We may have to make a big trade for a defenseman and/or move out some contracts from non-performing players, and with a successful season, we may need to consider deadline rentals the following year.
We may have both positive and negative occurrences during this time and need to make changes, and the assets saved on not making moves now, will come in handy to adapt and strengthen the team when it makes more sense to do so.

P.S. I'm not forgetting Gurianov, I'm just leaving him out until we know whether he's worth the investment. He'll probably be here next year on at least a trial run, but the year after is yet to be determined.