unoptimistic look - year of the rookies - CapFriendly

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unoptimistic look - year of the rookies

Created by: zk97

Team: 2023-24 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Nov. 3, 2022

Published: Nov. 3, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Description

Lines explanation:

First line: Cole Caufield // Nick Suzuki // Kirby Dach
This line is currently proving to be effective for Montreal, so why not see if the line is effective next year? The only downside I see in this is that Dach is going to hopefully be our second line centre of the future, so deploying him at RW isn't too effective for his development. Maybe Dvorak can take his spot... but he's also good at faceoffs. Hopefully Slafkovsky eventually takes Dach's spot, but for now I don't think he'll be that good.

Second line: Juraj Slafkovsky // Christian Dvorak // Filip Mesar
Mesar looked very good in the preseason, and he's doing very good in the OHL currently. I think one of the rookies on Montreal will take over a top six spot... it's just a question of who it'll be. My guess is on Mesar, who could also be motivated by playing with his buddy Juraj. Dvorak would centre the two as an experienced, defensively responsible centre.

Third line: Nils Hoglander // Owen Beck // Brendan Gallagher
Hoglander hasn't been very good on the Canucks this season... the Habs acquire him hoping to put a spark in him. Owen Beck was another force in the preseason, and is also dominating in the OHL. He was so good that some were wondering whether he'd get a shot in the NHL this season... but it wasn't meant to be. Both are put with a hardworking veteran in Brendan Gallagher to mentor them.

Fourth line: Rem Pitlick // Jake Evans // Jesse Ylonen
Pitlick and Evans provide some great energy on the fourth line, and both are very good defensively. Ylonen is put with them to add even more energy to that line. I personally don't see any more than middle six potential in him anymore, which is why he's on the fourth line and not in the top nine.

First pair: Mike Matheson // Kaiden Guhle
Guhle has looked very good this season so far, and Matheson was a great puck moving defenseman in the preseason before his injury. I believe that with Guhle's defensive responsibility, Matheson can somewhat run a bit free with breakouts. As long as one of them can play right side, I feel like this pair would be very effective.

Second pair: Jordan Harris // Johnny Kovacevic
This pair has been, arguably, Montreal's best pairing this season. They've been solid defensively, and unnoticeable offensively (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). I don't see any reason to split this pairing up unless something changes with them.

Third pair: Arber Xhekaj // Justin Barron
Xhekaj's emergence has been a very good sign for Montreal. This pickup was a very under-the-radar one, and I don't think he's been that bad (save for the first couple games where he was figuring things out). He could be a good player to play with Barron as he works his way into the NHL.

Scratches: Michael Pezzetta, Joel Armia, Chris Wideman
I feel like all three of these guys are, at this point, NHL-caliber, just not good enough to crack the lineup. Pezzetta could enter the lineup if Xhekaj is out (for whatever reason), and Armia is the 14th forward. Wideman is the 7th defenseman.

2023 Draft:

6th overall (MTL pick): Dalibor Dvorsky
16th overall (NYI pick): Cameron Allen
18th overall (FLA pick): Riley Heidt
26th overall (CAR pick): Quentin Musty

Free Agent Signings

RFA	YEARS	CAP HIT
Beaudin, Nicolas	1	$775,000
Caufield, Cole	7	$7,875,000
Condotta, Lucas	1	$775,000
Harris, Jordan	3	$2,350,000
Harvey-Pinard, Rafaël	2	$850,000
Pezzetta, Michael	2	$775,000
Richard, Anthony	1	$775,000
Schnarr, Nathan	1	$775,000
Stephens, Mitchell	1	$775,000
Teasdale, Joël	1	$775,000
Ylönen, Jesse	1	$800,000
Höglander, Nils	3	$1,450,000

Trades

MTL

2023 1st round pick (CAR)
2024 2nd round pick (PHI)

CAR

Jonathan Drouin: Traded at TDL @ 50% for a 2nd round pick
Evgenii Dadonov: Contract termination
Sean Monahan: Traded at TDL @ 50% for a 1st round pick

MTL

2024 1st round pick (TOR)

TOR

Edmundson, Joel ($1,750,000 retained)

Additional Details:

With the emergence of Kaiden Guhle, Jordan Harris, Johnathan Kovacevic, and Arber Xhekaj, the Canadiens have four young NHL defensemen, as well as four veterans. This is not a long term solution. Therefore, the Canadiens make the tough decision to trade Joel Edmundson away to a contender.

MTL

Dufour, William
2023 1st round pick (NYI)

Additional Details:

Dufour seems to be a similar player to Anderson when I watched a few games of him at the WJC. Big winger with speed. Islanders may not want to wait for him to develop to have a winger like that, so we assume that Dufour for Norlinder is the swap. On the other hand, Josh Anderson is acquired by the Islanders for a first round pick in the 15-20 range. For the sake of argument, let's say its the 16th overall pick. The Isles reportedly had interest in him on the 2022 draft day for the 13th overall pick, but they eventually moved that to the Canadiens for Alexander Romanov, which was flipped to Chicago for Kirby Dach. This time, the Canadiens will keep the pick.

NYI

Additional Details:

Additionally, the Canadiens' left side on defense is starting to get clogged, as well as the wings on forward. Montreal makes the choice to move on from prospect Mattias Norlinder, and winger Josh Anderson. Norlinder still has some upside as a second pair defenseman, but with Jordan Harris & Arber Xhekaj already cracking the NHL, as well as prospects such as Lane Hutson and Adam Engstrom in the system, something has to give. Josh Anderson, on the other hand, brought lots of interest on 2022 draft day, because he's a big winger with speed. Not saying he's worth this, but it's likely time to move on from him if you can get a good return for him.

MTL

Höglander, Nils [RFA Rights]

Additional Details:

Needing to bolster their blueline a little bit, the Canucks move underperforming prospect Nils Hoglander to the Canadiens in exchange for Savard and a second round pick. Hopefully Hoglander finds some sort of a spark in Montreal, and returns to his former potential.

VAN

Savard, David
2024 2nd round pick (PHI)

Additional Details:

With, hopefully, the arrival of Justin Barron in the NHL in 23/24, the Canadiens decide to move on from David Savard as well. He proved well as a "replacement" for Shea Weber, but in the end, his contract is too long. He has to go.

Pick condition: If Hoglander gets under 40 points, pick is downgraded to 2024 3rd round pick (MTL).

Buyouts

Karl Alzner: $833,333

Retained Salary Transactions

Joel Edmundson: $1,750,000 (200%)

Buried

Mike Hoffman: $3,350,000 ($4,500,000)

Draft	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4	Round 5	Round 6	Round 7
2023
2024
2025

ROSTER

LONG-TERM OUTLOOK

EMBED

TEXT-EMBED

ROSTER SIZE	SALARY CAP	CAP HIT	OVERAGES	BONUSES	CAP SPACE
23	$83,500,000	$63,439,999	$1,170,000	$4,275,000	$20,060,001

Left Wing	Centre	Right Wing
Caufield, Cole $7,875,000$7,875,000 LW, RW UFA - 8	Suzuki, Nick $7,875,000$7,875,000 C UFA - 7	Dach, Kirby $3,362,500$3,362,500 C, RW RFA - 3
Slafkovsky, Juraj $950,000$950,000 ($3,500,000$4M) RW, LW RFA - 2	Dvorak, Christian $4,450,000$4,450,000 C M-NTC UFA - 2
Höglander, Nils $1,450,000$1,450,000 LW, RW RFA - 2	Beck, Owen $885,000$885,000 ($80,000$80K) C RFA - 3	Mesar, Filip $918,333$918,333 RW, C RFA - 3
Pitlick, Rem $1,100,000$1,100,000 LW, RW UFA - 1	Evans, Jake $1,700,000$1,700,000 C UFA - 2	Gallagher, Brendan $6,500,000$6,500,000 RW, LW M-NTC, NMC UFA - 4
Pezzetta, Michael $775,000$775,000 LW, RW UFA - 2		Ylönen, Jesse $800,000$800,000 RW, LW RFA - 1
		Armia, Joel $3,400,000$3,400,000 RW, LW UFA - 2

Left Defense	Right Defense	Goaltender
Matheson, Michael $4,875,000$4,875,000 LD M-NTC UFA - 3	Guhle, Kaiden $863,333$863,333 ($420,000$420K) LD/RD RFA - 2	Allen, Jake $1,925,000$1,925,000 G M-NTC UFA - 2
	Kovacevic, Johnathan $766,667$766,667 RD UFA - 2	Montembeault, Samuel $1,000,000$1,000,000 G UFA - 1
Harris, Jordan $2,350,000$2,350,000 LD/RD RFA - 2	Barron, Justin $925,000$925,000 ($275,000$275K) RD RFA - 1
Xhekaj, Arber $828,333$828,333 LD/RD RFA - 1	Wideman, Chris $762,500$762,500 RD UFA - 1

Scratches	Injured Reserve (IR)	Long Term IR (LTIR)
		Price, Carey $10,500,000$10,500,000 G NMC UFA - 3

Nov. 3, 2022 at 8:54 p.m.

NorthernLeafsFan05

Amirov Forever

Joined: Mar. 2022

Posts: 6,577

Likes: 6,046

Absolutely zero chance Toronto is trading a first for Joel Edmundson, who doesn't need play a position of need for the Leafs.

Hockeypal liked this.

Nov. 3, 2022 at 8:59 p.m.

zk97

Thread Starter

v5 CBJ GM

Joined: Feb. 2019

Posts: 15,925

Likes: 8,570

Quoting: Nathaniel

Absolutely zero chance Toronto is trading a first for Joel Edmundson, who doesn't need play a position of need for the Leafs.

"to trade Joel Edmundson away to a contender."

doesn't have to be toronto
but i am curious to know... if muzz is done, then your left side is rielly sandin giordano. do you expect sandin to take the next step if gio regresses?

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:05 p.m.

BeautifulIdiot

This team kills me

Joined: Mar. 2021

Posts: 3,251

Likes: 1,511

I liked Savard on CBJ but I dont think that this will happen as he is past his prime, he signed a value deal to be in MTL and Hoglander will probably be used to get a young RD, like a barron type, Not saying barron, barron type

majormoose007 liked this.

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:09 p.m.

zk97

Thread Starter

v5 CBJ GM

Joined: Feb. 2019

Posts: 15,925

Likes: 8,570

Quoting: BeautifulIdiot

ill be honest savard's deal really isn't that "value" per se, he's played like he's worth 2-2.5M imo. hoglander for a young d makes sense tho, i do think MTL could be a good place for him to revitalize his career

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:10 p.m.

evelutions2

Lets Get Kraken

Joined: Apr. 2021

Posts: 8,644

Likes: 3,473

Canes have no need for Drouin or Monahan. Dump them elsewhere.

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:13 p.m.

Db1899

Joined: Aug. 2021

Posts: 15,032

Likes: 12,097

Josh anderson wouldn’t crack the isles lineup so I don’t get the logic of trading a 1st and their best wing prospect for him.

Hockeypal, Not_Isles5513, Warrior24 and 2 others liked this.

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:13 p.m.

The_Rocket

Judd Bracket ripoff

Joined: Jul. 2019

Posts: 6,939

Likes: 3,578

No chance on that Savard deal. Hoglander still has potential. Savard is a redundant piece for vancouver

majormoose007 liked this.

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:13 p.m.

VladislavTretiak

Habs 7th round 1983

Joined: Dec. 2019

Posts: 1,623

Likes: 749

I think we're gonna have to make a choice between keeping Harris or Xhekaj at one point in time. On the left side we have Matheson (signed for another 4 years), Guhle, and there is only room for one other LHD. Down the road we will then have to make room for Hutson.

I wouldn't move Savard yet as he is a sure bet while Barron and Mailloux integrate the line up, but I would start targeting another young RHD prospect.

As for Hoglander, I was wondering what's your take on Sean Farrell.

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:13 p.m.

BeautifulIdiot

This team kills me

Joined: Mar. 2021

Posts: 3,251

Likes: 1,511

Quoting: zk97

I think savard would still fetch a fair penny on the UFA market, look at gudbranson, he just got 4x4. When Savard hit the market people were suggesting 4.5M for him 4m at the floor because again he is a RD. He would not be super easy to move right now but what is the worst that could happen if you try. I dont think MTL is the place for hogs to go, its a hard market to play in, same with van, but the expectation on newly traded players in all canadian markets is astronomically high, that if he were to stumble out of the gates, he would hear it but this time through a translator

zk97 liked this.

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:14 p.m.

#10

Hockeypal

Joined: Jan. 2022

Posts: 1,978

Likes: 683

Islanders aren’t paying a 1st and potential top 6 player for an overpayed 3rd liner and a potential bottom pairing d man

Not_Isles5513, Kyle_Okposo_Lover and Islesforthecup liked this.

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:16 p.m.

#11

palhal

LongtimeLeafsufferer

Joined: Jul. 2015

Posts: 59,550

Likes: 22,693

Quoting: zk97

Yes, I expect Sandin to take the next step. I just wonder if the Leafs management has learned their lesson to quite trading away draft picks for minimal improvement. I know fans beat down the Leafs Dmen, but the Leafs are 12th in GAA. That's with Sandin missing training camp, Liljegren not back yet and has missed all training camp, 7th Dman Benn out but ready to return, and it looks like Muzzin may be gone long term. Certainly the Leafs can't have any injuries to Dmen....which might be a big hope, Not much in the minors to help.

Logan_Ollivier liked this.

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:16 p.m.

#12

Not_Isles5513

1GarthSnowFan

Joined: Dec. 2021

Posts: 11,744

Likes: 4,803

Quoting: Db1899

Josh anderson wouldn’t crack the isles lineup so I don’t get the logic of trading a 1st and their best wing prospect for him.

I’ll trade Dufour for Anderson if they give me Caufield too lmao

Islesforthecup liked this.

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:17 p.m.

#13

Not_Isles5513

1GarthSnowFan

Joined: Dec. 2021

Posts: 11,744

Likes: 4,803

Quoting: palhal

Also Edmunson doesn’t even play 90% of the time

Nov. 3, 2022 at 9:30 p.m.

#14

Logan_Ollivier

Owly

Joined: Jun. 2018

Posts: 4,559

Likes: 932

Quoting: zk97

It already looks good so far. Sandin can get a little risky but he's physical and really smart with the puck. I think he needs a solid partner, I think him with Brodie would be solid. Edmunson isn't half as good as you guys think he is. He'd have to beat Gio and he's just not as good as he is.

Nov. 3, 2022 at 10:06 p.m.

#15

Kyle_Okposo_Lover

Josh Anderson Sucks

Joined: Feb. 2022

Posts: 4,821

Likes: 2,010

Josh Anderson sucks and has a terrible deal and has no spot in the islanders lineup and Norlinder wouldnt crack our top 6 for 7+ years. Not giving up Dufour AND a 2023 first lol. That is waaaaaaaayyyy off. Like the islanders wouldnt take anderson and norlinder for free, let alone that insane haul

I dont normally get upset on here but that trade is just incredibly far off. Nobody in the NHL thinks Anderson has positive value. I dont think a single team would pick him up if he was placed on waivers. That contract is terrible considering he is an average 3rd liner at best

TheHebrewHammer and Islesforthecup liked this.

Nov. 4, 2022 at 10:44 a.m.

#16

slapshot723

NYI

Joined: Jun. 2016

Posts: 3,494

Likes: 1,106

The Islanders are not trading a 1st round pick and their second best prospect for a guy who hasn't hit 50 points since his last year in Juniors.

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