The Montreal Canadiens have had a quiet offseason so far, with only a minor free-agent signing and securing Juraj Slafkovsky with a long-term deal. GM Kent Hughes suggested before the draft that they aimed to make a few strategic moves without compromising their long-term goals or hindering any prospects’ progress. Although the summer is still ongoing, and there’s plenty of time left for transactions, trade rumors about players who could enhance their top six have yet to come to fruition.
As the offseason drags on, let’s inject some excitement by making bold predictions about what might happen between now and the beginning of the 2024-25 season.
1. Canadiens Will Trade Josh Anderson
When Josh Anderson joined the Canadiens, the team hoped he would be the key offensive power forward they had been seeking. After an impressive 2018-19 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he scored 27 goals and 47 points, Anderson suffered a shoulder injury that caused him to miss most of the following season. Despite this, GM Marc Bergevin took a chance and signed Anderson to a seven-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $5.5 million, which seemed promising for a young forward with 30-goal potential.
In his first season with the Habs, Anderson faced challenges with consistency and injuries but still managed to score 17 goals in 52 games. The following season, he improved slightly with 19 goals in 69 games in 2021-22. In 2022-23, Anderson scored 21 goals but continued to struggle with consistency and injuries, playing 69 games.
Last season was particularly difficult for Anderson; although he stayed relatively healthy, he couldn’t maintain consistent performance and struggled significantly, resulting in a career-low of nine goals and 20 points. It’s unclear whether his struggles were due to lingering injuries or a loss of confidence.
If Anderson can stay healthy this season, he has the potential to return to form and score 20 goals again. With several teams needing to reach the salary cap floor, Anderson’s $5.5 million contract could be appealing, especially if Hughes can persuade other GMs that last season was just an anomaly and that Anderson can still be a dependable power forward.
2. Canadiens Will Try to Aqcuire Mitch Marner
People are eagerly anticipating the Canadiens making a trade for Patrick Laine, Rutgar McGroarty, Trevor Zegras, or Martin Necas, as these players are heavily rumored to be heading to Montreal. The Canadiens have plenty of assets to acquire top-level talent, including an abundance of young top-four potential defensemen, a strong pool of goaltending prospects, and seven draft picks in the first three rounds of the 2025 Draft.
Additionally, they have the cap space to take on a bad contract if necessary to get the player they desire. The Toronto Maple Leafs have a player capable of scoring and providing offense, but due to his playoff performance, fans are growing impatient with him despite his significant role in getting them to the playoffs. The Canadiens need offensive power, and the Maple Leafs need to clear cap space.
I’m referring to Mitch Marner, who has accumulated 639 points in 576 career games, with only his first two seasons being below a point per game (P/G). Marner is the kind of offensive talent the Canadiens could benefit from in their top six. At 26, he is still in his prime. However, there are challenges.
Marner’s contract is only for the next season, and he will seek a substantial raise for his new deal. Currently, he has a $10.9 million AAV, which could increase to $11.5 – $12 million when he becomes a free agent. Eventually, Montreal will need to exceed their cap limits of $8 million, and Marner could be the player worth doing it for. Regarding the playoffs, the Canadiens have built a solid team that won’t rely solely on him to go far. As a wise GM once said, you have players who get you to the playoffs and players who get you through them (the same GM who signed Anderson for $5.5 million).
3. Canadiens Trade Carey Price
This prediction may not be as bold as it seems. Carey Price has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $10.5 million. For Montreal, it would be more straightforward to trade his salary and free up that $10.5 million cap space to address any cap issues or sign players. Keeping his contract on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) complicates things due to its rules and restrictions, so the GM must be cautious about its use. Since Price will never play hockey again, holding on to that AAV until the end would be poor cap management by Hughes.
Several teams, like the San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames, and surprisingly the Detroit Red Wings, are close to the cap floor, which is a bit over $60 million, and all three are under $70 million in projected cap space at the time of this article. The Canadiens could trade Price’s contract for a mid-range draft pick and help one of these teams reach the cap floor for the next two seasons. This move would benefit the Habs by providing actual cap space without the need to use LTIR. Montreal could also trade Price to a team over the cap that could use LTIR for relief, such as the Washington Capitals.
If any of these predictions come true, it would be remarkable, especially the first two. Given Anderson’s performance and cap hit, I don’t see teams wanting to acquire him, and Marner is likely too expensive for Hughes. The only realistic move here is trading Price, which might be a better option for next season. Hopefully, something will happen soon, giving us more to discuss. In the meantime, enjoy the offseason.
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