Team: 2017-18 Montreal Canadiens

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 18, 2017

Published: Jun. 18, 2017

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

This is what MB should do, not what he will do.

1) Don't worry about cap-space. I brought up all NHL-ready players just for your understanding. With 4 f-lines, 3 d-lines, 2 goalies, plus 2 extra skaters, we have at least 1.4M cap space.
2) Cap will not be an issue for next year either, as Plekanec and Emelin will leave, opening 10.1M alone. If Mitchell leaves as well, that's 11.3M.
3) I'm putting a lot of preliminary trust in Jerabek with Weber as his mentor, but I honestly have no idea if he can take that kind of heat. We will know at the beginning of the season. The alternate would be Markov-Weber, Jerabek-Petry, Emelin-Benn. Note that Emelin-Benn was pretty terrible last time around, hence why I avoided that.
4) Lehkonen has already played at center just fine, as have Hudon and Drouin. I chose not to put Drouin because his defensive and face-off track record is slightly worse than Galchenyuk's. I rather only have one defensive liability at center. Lehkonen is very responsible (but btw, coach Julien will have flexibility in trying Hudon there instead)
5) All four lines are insanely deep in offensive threat, and the bottom-six is also mainly defensively-responsible-but-can-kick-your-ass-if-you-take-them-lightly.
6) I chose to play McCarron. He shouldn't spend another season in the AHL. His development is going sour like this, and he needs a permanent spot with no fear of being constantly scratched.
7) Notice how keeping Plekanec has given us a very defensively sound fourth line. No need to get rid of him, guys. Not unless you're expecting another blockbuster trade.