Doubt if Minni has the cap for Kutz. Besides Minni could find better value elsewhere without giving up two first rounders.

To convince Kaprizov to stay if he is concerned about the quality of his linemates

7.8m gets or 9.8m with Rask retention gets you a better player in UFA or even a trade that doesn't cost you two first rounders.

Who would be a better current UFA center available? I really can't see any other than Danault who is likely staying with MTL.

I’m one of the more Kuzy interested wild fans on here, but this just simply doesn’t work. We can’t take on that cap without dumping more than $2M. Even if you left off salary retention, we wouldn’t do it. The only thing that really makes sense is a Kuzy for Dumba+ package. Which won’t happen.

Still don't want Kuznetsov, still can't fit his contract

pfft. They just re-signed Bjugstad, that should ease and and all of the linemate concerns.

It's a weak argument. MN has Kaprizov's team control over Kaprizov for 3 more years. Kuzy has 4 years left on his deal, and isn't young anymore, so it doesn't really do much on that front.

If Kaprizov is set on becoming a UFA as soon as possible; which is my guess; then it really doesn't matter what MN does to the team this offseason. From the sounds of it GMBG hasn't even put a shorter term deal on the table yet. He will eventually, or MN's owner finds a new GM that will.

Maybe there isn't this year, but geez seems like Kutz at 7.8m X 4 just hurts the cap so much long term. Gee Kaprivov still might be complaining about the quality of his linmates with Kutz.

None this year, get a bandaide for the year if anything. Go after next year's UFA centers; which looks to be much better; or maybe Rossi pans out as "the guy".

I'm not sure Danault stays in MTL. He'll get some very good offers as a UFA. simply because he's the best UFA center on the market and nobody else is even a close 2nd to him.

It's unlikely, but you could call on Krejci to see how much a 1-2 year would cost and if he'd have any interest. I wouldn't be opposed to overpaying him for a year, if you can shimmy the cap.

In Kuznetsov's last 27 regular season games, he got 25 points. That's a 76 point pace. And he mostly was in a middle six role, with limited power play time. Kaprizov this year was on a 76 point pace all year, while playing mostly top line and top power play. I think together they'd each get 90 points a year, and maybe each break 100 once or twice. Check out Kuznetsov's minutes under Laviolette. He should benefit from a change of scenery.

Danault is better defensively and at killing penalties than Kuznetsov. But unless he gets ten points a game from here on out, Kuznetsov's still a better playoff scorer. Also notable: regular season points.

Montreal doesn't want to pay him, or role he's asking for

Also, wild have not been connected to Kuznetsov because everyone knows wild gm will have zero interest in trading for him.

No one is giving up two 1st round picks for Kuznetsov

Top line and top PP unit in MN really didn't mean much. The PP was awful and basically him and Fiala + 3 other guys trying not to get in the way. The top line was Zucc (when he got healthy) and a 4th liner playing center.

I'd like Danault with Kaprizov. He needs a 2-way center (ideally Eichel or Barkov, but that's a pipedream) so his line stops get hemmed in the d-zone, Danault isn't a big goal scorer but he is a fine playmaker, and really that's all Kaprizov and Zucc, Fiala, or Boldy (in 2 years probably) would need.

MN wouldn't need to bother matching lines with Danault, JEE, and Foligno all on different lines. It's not the TOR/EDM pretty hockey, but it's a team that'll get to the Playoffs and be a really tough team to get past. If Rossi pans out then it could be really dangerous.

Kuzy is a fine player, but he's not really a good fit for MN. Same goes for guys line Money for CGY.

Danault has really eaten some playoff minutes this year, and if you put him with Kaprizov he's bound to get some assists. And if this series goes long enough, he might get his tenth career playoff point.

It really will be interesting to see Canadiens fans on here react to the big roles that Danault and Chiarrot played in carrying their team to the Finals. I'm guessing both stay in Montreal. But Eric Staal might be available?