Not here to try argue how good of a prospect Habs would have to give to get Hall. But the template put forward is an accurate one; A top prospect, and high end draft pick, and a roster player should be what is needed to acquire someone like Hall.
The ramifications I speak of in the title are about what would happen if MTL were able to sign Hall to an extension. Realistically, Hall signing anything less than a 7 year $11mil AAV deal is just never gonna happen for MTL. A 7X11 deal is really just a best case scenario for the Habs. If MTL were to offer anything less, Hall test's the open market and is as good as gone.
So let's say he signs at 7X11. How does an $11mil LW look on the Habs future roster? Well, serious cap management will have to ensue...
1. Resigning Max Domi long term will become less likely. Longer term given to Domi will drive up his AAV, so giving Domi a bridge deal (3 years) that would lead him directly to FA would be the only way to keep his cap hit manageable (likely around the $6-$6.5 range).
2. Depth players with a cap hit above $2mil will have to be traded and replaced with cheaper players. Guys like Byron ($3.4mil), Lehkonen ($2.4mil, and Armia ($2.6mil) all become luxuries MTL will no longer be able to afford. Habs will have to move/replace them by trade, FA with cheaper players, or internally with guys like Evans, Hudon, Belzile, etc. This is 100% the least concerning issue...
3. One top 6 LW will HAVE to be moved or let go before or at the Seattle expansion draft. Most likely candidate being Tatar (even if he's currently leading the team in scoring...). LW depth would still be incredibly solid; Hall, Drouin, and most likely Domi at that point.
4. No more cap space will be left to acquire a SIGNIFICANT top pairing LD. zero, nada, nothing left. No moolah. Better hope Romanov, Norlinder, Struble or Harris become that guy, because not much can be done.
5. Habs will most likely be forced to choose only 2 of the 3 upcoming core UFAs of Gallagher, Danault, and Petry, due to the cap restraints. All will be due a significant raise, so unless one decides to take a home town discount *fingers crossed*, Habs will be losing one of them. From a organizational depth perspective, Petry would seem the logical choice to lose, but I honestly can't see MTL moving on from him with the way he's playing. Him and Weber are legit a 1A and 1A duo on the right side. can't let that go.
Acquiring Hall wouldn't just be a for cup run for this year, but next year as well. Is it worth it? Considering what could be lost 3 seasons from now?
And try to keep. I agree he's not going to sign a new deal without testing water as a UFA.
I think giving him the exact same contract as John Tavares could be enough to entice him to forgo free agency. As in, full NMC all 7 years. Money all upfront in signing bonuses with minimum base salary. Other than a handful of teams (NYR, TOR, MTL) not many others can do a similar deal structure.
If Hall goes to free agency, I highly doubt MTL get him......unfortunately
I think giving him the exact same contract as John Tavares could be enough to entice him to forgo free agency. As in, full NMC all 7 years. Money all upfront in signing bonuses with minimum base salary. Other than a handful of teams (NYR, TOR, MTL) not many others can do a similar deal structure.
If Hall goes to free agency, I highly doubt MTL get him......unfortunately
I have no idea how much he will want but like you said a contract like Tavares that puts in the top 10. I don't think anyone would give him a contract that would put him in the top 5.
I have no idea how much he will want but like you said a contract like Tavares that puts in the top 10. I don't think anyone would give him a contract that would put him in the top 5.
If Panarin can get $11.6mil on the open market, it's really not impossible to imagine Hall getting $12mil. At that point though, I hope my Habs stay away.
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
aedoran a aimé ceci.
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