Quoting: Hockeyfan1986
The money you are going to sign for Reinhart, should prioritize to Slaf, Guhle, Xhekaj & Reinbacher. It doesn't need to big high end contracts for the guys listed, but it ALL depends on want Reinharts contract will look like. We've all seen what a Tavares 11mil a year looks like now. Also, Reinhart has been playing with Barkov(one of the top Selke Centres). To me if the contract will be more than 8.5mill, for Montreal it's not worth the long term issues. If They wouldn't Gallagher/Anderson/Dvorak contracts, THEN it would be a different conversation.
I also don't think he would sign in Montreal.
Appreciate the comments. I have a few counter-points:
Isn't Barkov one of the two centers Suzuki is most often compared to (along with Bergeron)? If it works with Barkov, why not with Nick?
You also seem to be inferring that Reinhart doesn't "create his own opportunities". I really feel that's not true. Looking at this year compared to the rest of the team, no one other than Barkov comes close in terms of offensive production. I guess what I am saying is, if he wasn't creating opportunities, his linemates would need to have more assists.
Between Armia, Evans, Dvorak, and Savard, we have over 12M (16M with expected increase) coming off the books next season and a lot of young players coming up to take their place like Beck, Mesar, Farrell, Xhekaj, Tuch, Kidney (some of them have to make it, right?) The following year we could "buy out" Gallagher or Anderson or both if we need cap space. I mean, how much cap space do we realistically need to hold in reserve for unproven players?