Modifié 6 mai 2023 à 18 h 5
First, I'm gonna have to disagree with the notion that Anderson plays on an "infamously bad contract". He tends to produce in sequence, which can be a little frustrating at times, but he also brings a lot more than just points to the table, and can become the most noticeable player on the ice at any given time. His contract isn't the reason why you see some Habs fans throwing his name outhere. It's his age...for some, he doesn't fit the Habs current window.
Now as far as the trade goes, I doubt the Habs would be okay with retaining. I know $1.75m may not seem like a lot, but with that retention, it's like paying Sam Reinhart $8.25m. Then, you either lose him as a free agent, or extend him (probably at close to $8.0m per) and you're now paying him close to $10.0m per for the next 3 years, when you factor-in the $1.75m retained on Anderson. That's almost twice Anderson's current caphit, who would now be playing in FLA for a very capfriendly $3.75m a year, for the next 4 years.
...Reinhart for Anderson would be an upgrade, I'm not disputing that. But he's a pending UFA, would cost a lot more to extend than Anderson's current contract, and is only a year younger (the reason why some want to trade Anderson in the first place).