Team: 2023-24 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 28, 2023

Published: Mar. 29, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

In the same day and with a stroke of fate and insane lottery luck, Kent Hughes elevates to Sam Pollock status by getting two elite centres/wingers: Adam Fantilli and Pierre-Luc Dubois. No doubt with the establishing core already including Suzuki and Caufield, and rising defencemen Guhle and Hutson, and with the absence of a true starting goaltender, Montreal would be headed toward cap hell.

Reality check: if the Habs get the second pick, it is ultimately less likely that Dubois will be coming to Montreal due to cap constraints. The Canadiens may want to avoid being pigeonholed like Toronto with a small core of highly paid forwards.

The acquisition of Dubois and the drafting of Fantilli may cause the pair to rotate between centre and the wing (à la Matthews and Tavares) once Fantilli proves he should move up the lineup.

Dumping Armia would be great but I think Arizona would want more so maybe throw in Mysak? I bought out Hoffman for some good cap savings this year —its not necessary but I’d rather see him occupying a roster spot.

Gurianov is a nice bet and potential trade chip for the 2024 Trade Deadline. Could net a 3rd/4th with full retention.

Report from Renaud Lavoie says that Anaheim could end up not qualifying Comtois. So I’d expect him to sign for around $2 million on a prove-it 1 year contract with Montreal to add some more French and size to their bottom-6.

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