*Montreal gets the 2x4 round picks*

Montreal, and probably no other team, will retain multiple years of salary in trades like this.

Especially when the GM say that he want to make space on cap salary to go hard on free player this summer.

Hughes could retain money for long term contract only if he got something good in exchange exemple a prospect of quality or a good draft pick.

It's only money for this year and next for MTL, but very useful for Toronto and Calgary. Maybe something could be worked.

Assuming MTL retains 50%, Toronto save 3.2M on Monahan and Calgary save 1.75M on Kerfoot. Toronto should give more.

Maybe a 2nd from Toronto and a 3rd from Calgary?

Monahan is or was a quality player. Not sure that is the case anymore. Nonetheless, I don't see how adding him helps fix any of Toronto's areas of concern.

Plus, why would the Habs ever help the Buds by taking on useless salary for only a couple of 4th round coin flips? Just bad business for the original 6 rivals.

Now, I can see why as a flames fan you'd cross your fingers, but I let me say it to you straight... not a chance!

If Calgary offer one of the French QC prospect to Habs for retain salary I think they would be willing to do it. But personally I won't do it if it's other results them a prospect because its limit yourself to do trade and retain salary as the limit is 3 contract at same time. So Chariot, Lehkonen or any other you want to retain salary you may not be able if your doing this for no exceptional return.

@EatMyScoobySnack I want to know what you mean but the way this is written confuses me, could you edit it to emphasize what you mean better?

What I mean is that there limit on how many player you can retain salary and it's 3. Which mean that of MTL does this trade and keep 50% salary from Monahan and kerfoot they will only have 1 remain contract retain salary possible this year. With the fact that one of the contract keep going next year mean that MTL will have only 2 available retain salary possible.

MTL have Chariot, Lehkonen, Petry possible as trade this year and if they do the trade at the top, they will only be able to retain Chariot salary and not other for any other trade possible.

I say that personally if Calgary is willing to add a French QC prospect in Poirier or Pelletier I would consider doing the retain salary for them. It's big return I know but the fact that it's gonna cost us possiblity and flexibility at deadline that what I would ask.