This lineup though

Équipe: 2020-21 Canadiens de Montréal

Date de création initiale: 6 oct. 2020

Publié: 6 oct. 2020

Mode - plafond salarial: Basique

you have one too many lines for forwards and defense. I think that Mete has a chance to be traded, although I personally wouldn't. Seeing as we will lose Chariot or Edmundson next year, Mete should stay, and I would trade Kulak instead. He probably has some good value right now, although I don't know what that would be.

Poehling is also a player that could get traded, either to free up cap by including a Byron or to trade for someone bigger.

Everyone else in the fifth line/4th pairing could be dealt now for picks to teams that need cheaper depth (obviously not Byron) and the extra cap space that creates could be used to take on a bad contract from another team with a prospect included. Again, I'm not going to try to figure out the details, but something of this nature could definitely happen (and I think it will).

Another thing to add, is if you clear up enough cap, you could potentially sign Hall for a year or two, since he has said that he would be open to an offer like that. That cap would have to be cleared by trading a few of those guys at the bottom, and I personally don't see an advantage in doing that unless you get Hall for a longer term.

Finally, Gallagher and Danault should be seeing extensions in the next week, especially after free agency starts. I expect Gallagher to get 6 for 5, and Danault to get around the same, but maybe a little less (5.5 or even 5) considering he will move below Suzuki by the end of next year. Getting Danault for 5.5 would allow you to trade him later, as he would have great value for that money.