Team: 2021-22 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Jul. 8, 2021

Published: Jul. 8, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

They got their asses handed to them by Tampa, but Tampa also used legal Cap circumvention to be 18M over the cap in the playoffs so **** happens. In the end they proved they are a legit team that can win when the games get tougher.

I think prior to the playoffs people thought the Habs were a joke but they proved they are a good team with some real hi-level skill making its way through the ranks and they may not be primed for a true blue rebuild just yet. Price proved he is still one of the top 3 goalies in the league (in my opinion him and Vasli are 1a and 1b) and Weber proved that he's one of those guys like Chara that ages like a fine wine. I think the best path forward this year for the Habs is to continue to add skill from within as they possess a deep prospect pool and retain as many character players as they can.

For the purposes of the expansion draft I am projecting a 7/3/1 scheme with: Josh Anderson, Tyler Toffoli, Brendan Gallagher (NMC), Artturi Lekonen, Phillip Danault, Jasperi Kotkaniemi, Jake Evans, Shea Weber, Jeff Perty (NMC), Joel Edmundson and Carey Price (NMC) being protected.

Notable Singed Players Exposed: Jonathan Drouin, Paul Byron, Ben Chiarot, Jake Allen and Brett Kulak --> Seattle Takes Chiarot based on his playoff performance and the questions surrounding Drouin and his personal issues.

With growth from Suzuki and Caufield the habs can find that high end offense to be a threat every night. I do not think now is the time to try to swing for the fences because that's when mistakes are made in free agency that hamstring you in the future.

My one FA signing taking a chance on the oft injured Ryan Murray who has had a tough career injury wise but has proved when healthy can be a very good D-man in this league and could add mobility and some offense to the habs blueline after losing Chiarot to expansion.