The Montreal Canadiens’ offseason has been quiet thus far, with only one minor free-agent acquisition and the long-term contract of one of their finest players, Juraj Slafkovsky. Prior to the draft, general manager (GM) Kent Hughes intimated that they planned to make a few trades, but nothing that would jeopardize the long-term goal or impede a prospect’s advancement. The summer isn’t done, and there’s still plenty of time to make moves. There are also a few trade rumors involving players who may improve their top six, but nothing has happened yet.
Since the offseason is getting a little boring, let’s inject some excitement by making wild predictions about what might happen between now and the start of the 2024-25 season.
1. The Canadiens will trade. Josh Anderson
When Josh Anderson joined the Canadiens, the team anticipated he would be the significant scoring power forward they had been waiting for. After scoring 27 goals and 47 points for the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2018-19, Anderson had a shoulder injury and missed the majority of the next season. Then, following Anderson’s injury, GM Marc Bergevin took a bet and signed him to a seven-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $5.5 million. It looked like a good bargain for a young power forward with 30-goal potential.
In his debut season with the Habs, he struggled with consistency and injuries but scored 17 goals in 52 games, followed by a 19-goal record in 69 games in 2021-22. Things were looking up. Anderson scored 21 goals in 2022-23, but he struggled with consistency and injury, playing 69 games.
Last season was a catastrophe for Anderson; he remained pretty healthy but couldn’t get anything going consistently and appeared to drag down whatever line he was on. He suffered the worst season of his career, scoring nine goals and 20 points; it’s unclear whether his struggles were due to injuries or a lack of confidence.
If he can stay healthy this season, he has the potential to score 20 goals again. With a few clubs nearing the cap floor, Anderson’s $5.5 million contract may be appealing, especially if Hughes can persuade other GMs that last season was an outlier and Anderson can be a consistent power forward.
2. Canadiens will try to acquire Mitch Marner
Everyone is waiting for the Canadiens to trade for Patrick Laine, Rutgar McGoarty, Trevor Zegras, or Martian Necas; at the very least, these are the top rumored players to join Montreal. The Habs have assets that can assist them acquire top-tier talent, including an abundance of youthful top-four potential defencemen, a solid deep goalie prospect pool, and seven draft picks in the first three rounds of the 2025 Draft.
They also have the cap space to accept a terrible contract if it is necessary to acquire the player they desire. The Toronto Maple Leafs have a player that can score points and create offense; yet, due to his playoff performance, supporters are growing tired of him, despite the fact that he is a major cause for the team’s playoff success. The Canadiens need offense, while the Maple Leafs need to free cap space.
Of course, I am talking about Mitch Marner. He has 639 points in 576 career games, with only his first two seasons averaging less than one point per game. Marner is the type of offensive player that the Canadiens may include in their top six. He is only 26 and still in his peak. There are some issues, though.
His contract is only for the next season, and he will expect a large salary for his next one. He now has a $10.9 million AAV, which may rise to $11.5 – $12 million when he becomes a free agency. Montreal will eventually need to go above their $8 million cap restriction, and Marner is the guy they may do so for. In terms of the playoffs, the Canadiens have assembled a strong enough roster that he will not be required to lead them to victory. As a great GM once remarked, you have players who get you into the playoffs and players who get you through them. (Yes, this is the same GM who signed Anderson for $5.5 million).
3. Canadiens trade Carey Price.
This prediction may not be as daring as people believe. Carey Price has two seasons remaining on his contract, with an AAV of $10.5 million. It would be easier for Montreal to shift his contract and include that $10.5 million in their cap to deal with any cap difficulties or sign new players. Having his agreement placed on long-term injured reserve complicates matters with its regulations and limits, and the general manager must exercise caution when and how it is employed. Price will never play hockey again, and keeping that AAV till the end would be horrible cap management by Hughes.
Several clubs are currently near to the cap floor, including the San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames, and, interestingly enough, the Detroit Red Wings, which is slightly more than $60 million, and all three teams have less than $70 million in projected salary space at the time of this article. The Canadiens could trade Price’s contract for a mid-range draft pick, lifting one of these teams above the cap floor for at least the next two seasons. The Habs profit from having actual money and not having to use LTIR. Montreal could also trade Price to a team that is above the cap and can use the LTIR for cap relief, such as the Washington Capitals.
If any of these predictions come true, it would be a miracle, particularly the first two. With Anderson’s performance and cap impact, I don’t see clubs wanting to sign him, and Marner is too rich for Hughes’ blood. The only realistic option here is the Price trade, which is perhaps better suited for next season. Hopefully, something will happen soon, giving us something to speak and write about. Until then, enjoy the off-season.
