Keys to the offseason for the Montreal Canadiens
Ryan S. Clarke and Kristen Shilton of ESPN: Looking at the keys to the offseason for the Montreal Canadiens after their Conference Finals loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Projected cap space: $9.2 million
2026 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th (WPG), 6th, 7th, 7th (CAR)
The Canadiens don’t have any big holes that need addressing. Patrik Laine is a UFA. Forwards Kirby Dach and Zach Bolduc, along with defenseman Arber Xhekaj are RFAs and need new deals.
They’ll likely look to add a veteran defenseman for their third pairing, to help with the younger kids, and to help their PK.
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The Buffalo Sabres have goaltending questions and different directions they could take
Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic: The Buffalo Sabres goaltending trio of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis were a big part of the Sabres making the playoffs. All three had save percentages of .903 and better. Coach Lindy Ruff and GM Jarmo Kekalainen hinted that they’d be okay with having all three back next season.
During the second round of the playoffs against the Canadiens, the Sabres didn’t get the goaltending. Luukkonen is 27, Lyon is 34 next year, and Ellis turns 26 in the fall. The Sabres also have 24-year-old Devon Levi, who will require waivers next season. It may not be smart of write off Levi with his college and AHL body of work.
Do they want to run it back with the same group? Look to trade someone, or do they look for an outside upgrade?
Could Connor Hellebuyck and his five years at $8.5 million be made available this offseason? He’s got a no-move and wants to win. Has a history of struggling in the playoffs, but he’s one of the best NHL goalies. Luukkonen and his $4.75 million would likely be included in any deal. The Sabres have the young assets to offer up if Hellebuyck and the Jets would consider it.
Sergei Bobrovsky could hit the open market on July 1st. He’s turning 38 but is a Stanley Cup champ. They’d have to trade Luukkonen to make the salary work. Whether Bobrovsky would want to come to Buffalo or not is the key question.
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Jesper Wallstedt trade talk may cool down after it came out that Filip Gustavsson is having hip surgery. At $2.2 million, it would be nice for next season, but he’ll be looking for a big raise after that. The Wild are looking for centers, and the Sabres do have some intriguing young ones in Noah Östlund, Konsta Helenius and Jiri Kulich. A goalie would need to be going the other way as well.
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