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24-25

Created by: swinny
Team: 2024-25 Montreal Canadiens
Initial Creation Date: Apr. 16, 2024
Published: Jun. 12, 2024
Salary Cap Mode: Basic
Description
I may be a Leafs fan, but do I ever love this roster! A solid top 6, and a system still producing talent. So much blueline depth you don't know what to do with it. Fowler..... so much to live long term.

Still, outside of Beck (possibly) not sure there is a top 6 talent in the Laval group. Many tweeners, but nothing I would say is legit. And given what Hughes has done the last couple years in adding Dach and Newhook, I think he is at it again to finish it off. Zetterlund may not be the big sexy name Habs fans want - but his size and game style fit what I would say the Habs need.

Signings:

Xjekah: Simply a spark plug on the back end. Some call him expendable. I do not. See him as a long term 3rd pairing option that brings a whole lot of nasty to the D corps.

Barron: The talent is there, and long term I think he becomes a highly effective top 4 D. His development has been slower than I would like, but I have to keep him. Has this whole poor man's Larry Robinson thing going on. (Note: I STRESS poor man's! By no means a straight comparison!)

Side Notes:

1. Health. I don't think I need to dive too deep into that.

2. Dvorak: hopefully he stays healthy to improve his trade value. He doesn't finish the season as a Hab. If he plays an 82 game season (or even something close), recouping a 2nd with retention isn't out of the realm of possibility.

3. Savard: Again, a TDL move. But I think we see that as obvious.

4. Reinbacher: certainly a temptation to put him on the team, but letting him marinate in Laval isn't the worst thing in the world...... and he likely gets the call up and sticks after the TDL. Not someone I want to rush.

5. Bottom D pairing battle for ice: Kovacevic, Xjekah, Struble, Harris amd Barron all battle for time. What an amazing situation to be in. Clearly decisions have to be made on the back end, but after 60 games to fighting to play..... should have a good idea of how this is going to look on 2025-26.

6. And that doesn't include Hutson.... who I 100% leave in Laval for the year. A totally dynamic talent that like Reinbacher.... you simply don't rush. Frankly see a long term pairing of Xjekah (the size) and Hutson (the GOAT). But next season isn't that time.

7. Anderson/Gallagher: Where the temptation is there to move one of these contracts or buy one out is there, from a Cap perspective, it just isn't necessary. In fact, I am now wondering if the Habs can ride them out.... the cap situation is that solid. Now, I would say if an opportunity arises, you absolutely do it - but that requires a massive bounce back for Anderson and a bounce back for Gallagher. As the kids graduate, not sure the ice time is there for it to happen.

Overall:

Not sure this team makes the playoffs, but there is too much to love to say they are that far removed. Staying healthy is paramount.... getting a full season out of Dach and Newhook should greatly improve the chances of being in the mix. Same to be said with Dvorak. The blueline has another year of experience. Montembault looks the part of a solid 50 game goaltender. The system is deep.

Hughes has simply done a fantastic job here.
Free Agent Signings
RFAYEARSCAP HIT
2$1,000,000
2$1,000,000
Trades
MTL
  1. Zetterlund, Fabian
Additional Details:
I am going to assume Habs fans will think I am nuts. But......

1. He is only 24, and thus fits the corr of this team.

2. Built like a truck - 5'11 and 220lbs. And plays using his size as well.

3. Organizationally, RW I would say is the weakest position (no disrespect to Mesar, but not sure he is top 6 material)

4. A 20 goal scorer on a horrific Sharks team.

Hughes is simply dealing from a position of strength here - more RD than he knows what to do with. And where Mailloux does have some insane potential, out of the group of Barron, Reinbacher and he, Mailloux is actually the one I would move.....

Zetterlund just beings a tenacity to the ice and top 6, which given how Dach amd Newhook play the game, could would as a fantastic chemistry mix.
SJS
  1. Mailloux, Logan
Additional Details:
Sharks fans may scratch their collective heads.... but....

1. Sharks cannot move Granlund (they need to male basement, and cannot retain here either). Just don't see a team moving a young asset or puck for him prior to the year.

2. Fantastic depth on RW - Graf, Smith (who I think moves back and forth from wing to centre), Haltinnen (who has a similar game style to Zetterlund). Not saying Zetterlund is expendable, but for the right move, I think you do.

3. Sharks organizationally at RD are thin. Very thin. Mailloux helps address that.

Really I would call this a good ole fashioned hockey deal for the Sharks. Mailloux has the potential at the NHL level, size, offensive acumen. His fist year as a pro in Laval was rather solid.

Further, looking at the Sharks depth, they simply need to add a young RD. Set up front, set and LD. landing Celebrini is what makes this move possible imo. Long term, I see a top 6 here of Eklund, Celebrini, Smith, Graf, Bystedt, Haltunnen. I simply think Zetterlund shakes out. Turning that into a top 4 RD...... it maybe smart over the long haul.
Retained Salary Transactions
DraftRound 1Round 2Round 3Round 4Round 5Round 6Round 7
2024
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the WPG
Logo of the COL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MIN
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the SJS
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the EDM
Logo of the WSH
2025
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the CGY
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the PIT
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the NJD
Logo of the VAN
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the DET
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
2026
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
Logo of the MTL
ROSTER SIZESALARY CAPCAP HITOVERAGES TooltipBONUSESCAP SPACE
24$87,700,000$72,288,750$1,022,500$3,977,500$15,411,250
Left WingCentreRight Wing
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$7,850,000$7,850,000
LW, RW
UFA - 7
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$7,875,000$7,875,000
C
UFA - 6
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$950,000$950,000 (Performance Bonus$3,500,000$4M)
RW, LW
RFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$2,900,000$2,900,000
C, LW
RFA - 3
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$3,362,500$3,362,500
C, RW
RFA - 2
Logo of the San Jose Sharks
$1,450,000$1,450,000
RW
RFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$835,000$835,000
LW, RW
RFA - 2
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$4,450,000$4,450,000
C
M-NTC
UFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$5,500,000$5,500,000
RW, LW
M-NTC
UFA - 3
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$812,500$812,500
LW, RW
UFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$1,700,000$1,700,000
C
UFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$6,500,000$6,500,000
RW, LW
M-NTC, NMC
UFA - 3
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$1,100,000$1,100,000
LW, RW
RFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$3,400,000$3,400,000
RW, LW
UFA - 1
Left DefenseRight DefenseGoaltender
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$4,875,000$4,875,000
LD
M-NTC
UFA - 2
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$3,500,000$3,500,000
RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$3,150,000$3,150,000
G
UFA - 3
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$863,333$863,333 (Performance Bonus$420,000$420K)
LD/RD
RFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$1,000,000$1,000,000
RD
RFA
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$890,000$890,000
G
RFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$1,000,000$1,000,000
LD/RD
RFA
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$766,667$766,667
RD
UFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$867,500$867,500 (Performance Bonus$57,500$58K)
LD
RFA - 1
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$1,400,000$1,400,000
LD/RD
RFA - 1
ScratchesInjured Reserve (IR)Long Term IR (LTIR)
Logo of the Montreal Canadiens
$10,500,000$10,500,000
G
NMC
UFA - 2

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Wed. at 12:32 p.m.
#1
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Sharks pass, zetterlund put up 25 goals last year, they need to keep scoring and he’s only 24.
Wed. at 12:37 p.m.
#2
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Quoting: glarson17
Sharks pass, zetterlund put up 25 goals last year, they need to keep scoring and he’s only 24.


I know what he did lol. At the same time, the Sharks need to generate offensive from the back end. Makhamadulin maybe the one that can, but I think they maybe limited. Why I suggested this deal
.....

So, since you are a Sharks fan, I ask.....

As I laid out in my explanation, I see the long term top 6 in San Jose being Eklund, Celebrini, Smith, Bystedt, Graf and Haltunnen.

Out of that group, who plays the bottom 6? Am I overestimating what one of those guys bring?
Wed. at 12:45 p.m.
#3
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Excellent post from a Habs fan. I agree with it all except for Lane, he will play in MTL as he is too good to keep down.
Wed. at 12:46 p.m.
#4
Subbanator
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Until Habs management get answers on what the young group of defense actually are they aren't likely to move one. Drouin - Sergachev trade still looms large and management needs to know what they have before trading anything away
Wed. at 1:06 p.m.
#5
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Sharks easily decline. Not trading Zetterlund. Especially for someone like Mailloux.
Wed. at 1:06 p.m.
#6
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Quoting: keidongiles
Excellent post from a Habs fan. I agree with it all except for Lane, he will play in MTL as he is too good to keep down.


I am a Leafs fan lol.... but thank you.

As for Hutson, you could he right. Just given the depth there, having him hine his craft in Laval isn't the worst idea. Camp will say a lot.
Wed. at 1:11 p.m.
#7
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Quoting: Subbanator7667
Until Habs management get answers on what the young group of defense actually are they aren't likely to move one. Drouin - Sergachev trade still looms large and management needs to know what they have before trading anything away


I get that. But still, there is a glut of D here. Too many to play with the big club. Hughes/Gorton have done an amazing job in identifying talent.....much better than the Bergevin regime.

Having said that, a move like this is coming sooner than later. Waiver exemptions are done after this year for many of them, which is why I would move now. Allows a team like the Sharks to place them in the Minors, suck big, and land another top 5 pick.
Wed. at 1:17 p.m.
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Quoting: DFinn91
Sharks easily decline. Not trading Zetterlund. Especially for someone like Mailloux.


Well, I certainly don't agree with what Mailloux did, but he has also paid a debt as a result of it. Bettman has reinstated him...... being young and dumb doesn't mean he remains that way.

Having said that, I actually waffled between Barron and Mailloux, ultimately deciding in Mailloux as he does have much more of an offensive game - which is something the Sharks do lack from the back end. (Addison was, well, meh).

I simply see a long term top 6 in San Jose that doesn't include Zetterlund given the group of kids. Getting what many project as a legit top 4 D out of that makes sense.

I get the off ice concerns. I do.
Wed. at 1:21 p.m.
#9
sharks88
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Quoting: swinny
I know what he did lol. At the same time, the Sharks need to generate offensive from the back end. Makhamadulin maybe the one that can, but I think they maybe limited. Why I suggested this deal
.....

So, since you are a Sharks fan, I ask.....

As I laid out in my explanation, I see the long term top 6 in San Jose being Eklund, Celebrini, Smith, Bystedt, Graf and Haltunnen.

Out of that group, who plays the bottom 6? Am I overestimating what one of those guys bring?


Musty will be top 6. Bystedt will be bottom 6.

Graf might be a good bottom 6 player.

Haltunnen projections are all over the place, and might settle in as a PP specialist on the 3rd line.

RW is actually one of SJ's worst prospect groups, aside from RD.

While your value is honestly probably fair, I think they just keep the more sure thing in Zetterlund who can be a good glue guy (definitely not the best or even 2nd best player on a line) in the top 6.
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Wed. at 1:22 p.m.
#10
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Quoting: swinny
Well, I certainly don't agree with what Mailloux did, but he has also paid a debt as a result of it. Bettman has reinstated him...... being young and dumb doesn't mean he remains that way.

Having said that, I actually waffled between Barron and Mailloux, ultimately deciding in Mailloux as he does have much more of an offensive game - which is something the Sharks do lack from the back end. (Addison was, well, meh).

I simply see a long term top 6 in San Jose that doesn't include Zetterlund given the group of kids. Getting what many project as a legit top 4 D out of that makes sense.

I get the off ice concerns. I do.


IMO Zetterlund is the only right shot wing in the Sharks organization with a high probability of being a good top 6 wing. The projection on Graf is more of a good 3rd liner. Haltunnen has a lot of potential, but I wouldn’t say it’s likely that he’s a future top 6 player.
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Yesterday at 2:52 p.m.
#11
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Quoting: swinny
I know what he did lol. At the same time, the Sharks need to generate offensive from the back end. Makhamadulin maybe the one that can, but I think they maybe limited. Why I suggested this deal
.....

So, since you are a Sharks fan, I ask.....

As I laid out in my explanation, I see the long term top 6 in San Jose being Eklund, Celebrini, Smith, Bystedt, Graf and Haltunnen.

Out of that group, who plays the bottom 6? Am I overestimating what one of those guys bring?



People have graf penciled into the lineup next season, I don’t see it. He’s been described as very small by sharks reporters after seeing him last season. I think he’s father away than people think, 2 ahl years imo. Maybe he’s 2nd line at the top of his game, likely more depth.

Haltunnen has to round out his game, likely a third line winger who is a power play specialist with his shot. Had a great year though. He’s still 3 years out.

Bystedt is a 2nd line C at his peak, likely a 3C. Edstrom is very similar to him in that regard.

Zetterlund is everything Grier wants. He’s tough, competitive and has found a nice scoring touch. Fits in perfectly with the rebuild timeline
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Yesterday at 9:55 p.m.
#12
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Quoting: sharksdoee
Musty will be top 6. Bystedt will be bottom 6.

Graf might be a good bottom 6 player.

Haltunnen projections are all over the place, and might settle in as a PP specialist on the 3rd line.

RW is actually one of SJ's worst prospect groups, aside from RD.

While your value is honestly probably fair, I think they just keep the more sure thing in Zetterlund who can be a good glue guy (definitely not the best or even 2nd best player on a line) in the top 6.


Quoting: DFinn91
IMO Zetterlund is the only right shot wing in the Sharks organization with a high probability of being a good top 6 wing. The projection on Graf is more of a good 3rd liner. Haltunnen has a lot of potential, but I wouldn’t say it’s likely that he’s a future top 6 player.


Quoting: glarson17
People have graf penciled into the lineup next season, I don’t see it. He’s been described as very small by sharks reporters after seeing him last season. I think he’s father away than people think, 2 ahl years imo. Maybe he’s 2nd line at the top of his game, likely more depth.

Haltunnen has to round out his game, likely a third line winger who is a power play specialist with his shot. Had a great year though. He’s still 3 years out.

Bystedt is a 2nd line C at his peak, likely a 3C. Edstrom is very similar to him in that regard.

Zetterlund is everything Grier wants. He’s tough, competitive and has found a nice scoring touch. Fits in perfectly with the rebuild timeline


Appreciate this feedback guys.
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