Atlantic Division Offseason Report: Montreal Canadiens
Will the Price be right for the Habs in 2016-17?
Offensive woes and an injured Carey Price were too much for the Montreal Canadiens to overcome this past season, as the hallowed franchise joined the rest of its Canadian brethen on the outside looking in when it came to the postseason.
Montreal's biggest move this offseason was swapping uber-talented, Norris Trophy-winning defenseman P.K. Subban for Nashville's Shea Weber. Weber is a few years older and not as dynamic as Subban, but the former Predators captain might be a better fit in the Canadiens locker room.
Alexander Radulov, who has spent the last four seasons in the KHL, was signed to one-year deal to help provide more goals. The deal carries a pretty hefty cap hit for a player who only has one twenty-goal NHL season to his credit, but the short-term deal carries little risk and the potential for high reward from the mercurial Russian scoring ace.
Florida Panthers backup Al Montoya was signed as the new number two to Price. Montreal will need its All-Star keeper to bounce back, and to get more than 53 games from forward Brendan Gallagher, if they want to return to the playoffs in 2016-17.
New Additions
Alexander Radulov signs one-year, $5.75M contract
Al Montoya signs one-year, $900K contract
Zach Redmond signs two-year, $1.225M contract
Philip Samuelsson signs one-year, $600K contract
Chris Terry signs one-year, $600K contract
Canadiens' Free Agents
Group 2 FAs: Daniel Carr (re-signed), Phillip Danault (re-signed).
Group 3 UFAs: Victor Bartley (signed: MIN), Mike Brown, Tom Gilbert (signed: LAK), Bud Holloway, John Scott, Ben Scrivens.
Group 6 UFAs: Gabriel Dumont (signed: TBL)
UFAs: Mac Bennett, Michael Bournival (signed: TBL), Darren Dietz (signed: WSH), Morgan Ellis, Lucas Lessio.
2016 Draft Class
Round 1 (9) D Mikhail Sergachev (Windsor Spitfires)
Round 3 (70) F William Bitten (Flint Firebirds)
Round 4 (100) D Victor Mete (London Knights)
Round 5 (124) D Casey Staum (Oreboro Jrs)
Round 6 (160) D Michael Pezzetta (Sudbury Wolves)
Round 7 (187) F Arvid Henrikson (AIK Jrs)
Salary Cap Space: $1,430,359 (courtesy of General Fanager)
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