Cap Space for J.T

Team: 2017-18 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Feb. 15, 2018

Published: Feb. 15, 2018

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

In a buyers market I see teams willing to pay the price I have listed. The 2 big trades are with PHI and CGY may be hard to see value but PHI needs a D and would love goaltending depth and young prospect, them having 2 1st round picks this year is a big part of why they would trade 1 away. CGY doesn't have much for picks but Bennet is playing third line wing and doesn't get much power-play time, Pacioretty has another year on his contract making his trade value quite high.

With the Salary Cap going up next season, the Habs can offer J.T a max contract. If J.T waits and decides not to return to the Isle the Habs will trade for his signing rights. In a dream world that happens and the Habs win the draft lotto and get Dahlin. Realistically the Habs draft picks is in the top 5, they will take the best player on the board at that time.

If the Habs do not get Dahlin I see them trading for Noah Hanifin, Andrew Shaw and 2/4 of the Habs 2nd round picks should be enough for him.

If J.T decides to return to the Isles, the Habs will try to trade for a #1 center. Malkin comes to mind, if Pittsburgh has an early playoff exit, they will want to get younger, he would still cost a lot. Because Montreal's GM is not willing to trade for a number 1 centre. The Habs will liking move Weber and Price and commit to a rebuild.

Everything depends on if J.T comes to MTL, with Barzal looking better and better J.T may want to stay but with the Isle having a number of players to resign and iffy goaltending he may want to leave. Knowing he could play with Price Weber Drouin possibly Dahlin and a bigger pay day with the Habs might intrigue his interest quite a bit.

If J.T signs with the Habs are see the lines as follows: F1: Drouin - Tavares - Galchenyuk
F2: Lehkonen - Bennet - Gallagher
F3: Byron - Danault - Scherbak
F4: Carr - Froese(or Jacob DLR) - Leivo
D1: Dahlin (or Hanifin) - Weber
D2: Mete - Petry
D3: Schelmko - Juulsen

Starter: Price
Backup: Lindgren

I see Hudon going to the Isle for trading rights for Tavares and think the Habs may move on from Andrew Shaw, could be a piece in a trade for Hannifin if need be.

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