Team: 2022-23 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 18, 2022

Published: Aug. 18, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

The Canadiens are apparently now in the market for a starting goaltender after Kent Hughes announced that Carey Price will not be ready to start the season, and perhaps missing the entire 2022-23 season. Does this still make Jake Allen expendable? In the interest of the rebuild and getting another top-5 pick, it should.

Hammond is still an NHL back up goalie as proved in his stint with Montreal last year. He was a good mentor for Montembeault when Allen and Price were down with injuries. If signed by FLA after his PTO, Montreal should consider a waiver claim.

Dadonov, Allen and Monahan shouldn't be hard to trade as long as they're completely healthy and performing when dealt at 50% retained.

If injured at any point, Drouin and/or Monahan will likely be untradeable. They'll be put on LTIR and shut down for the rest of their contracts with Montreal. The max return either of them would receive is a mid to late second round pick. If offered, Hughes should accept.

The next challenge for the team is evaluating the remaining pieces of the old core: determine whether Anderson and Gallagher are able to bounce back and play to their worth.

We shouldn't rush anyone into a role that they aren't prepared for like the last management/development group. Now that Price likely never plays again, we can take our time with a rebuild and do it right.
Last note: does Suzuki deserve to be the captain? Yes. Is now the right time when the team is abysmal and gunning for a top-5 pick? No.

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