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Payroll mass: Here is a portrait of what awaits Kent Hughes this summer with the signing of Evans

The Canadian has settled an important case today with the signing of Jake Evans.

This is one less problem in view of the deadline… But also in view of the coming summer.

This also allows Kent Hughes to have a better idea of what to expect from July 1st.

For now, there are players who do not have a contract for the next season.

Among the current players on the team, there will be restricted free agents: Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, Emil Heineman, Jayden Struble, and Jakub Dobes.

And there will be unrestricted free agents: Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, Michael Pezzetta, and David Savard.

If we calculate the expected amount for forwards ($53,990,833), for defensemen ($16,425,000), and for goalies ($3,150,000), that gives a total of $73,565,833.

Also note that the Canadian will not have salary retainers (unless it changes by Friday) on its payroll for the next season.

Obviously, we must also think about Carey Price’s contract… But we know that his salary can be hidden once the season starts.

Ah, and there’s also the salary cap that will increase to $95.5 million for the 2025-2026 campaign.

What I’m trying to say here… Is that Kent Hughes should have room to have fun – even if he has to think about Hutson and Demidov, who will command a big salary soon:

(Credit: CapWages)

Obviously, we can’t give a precise amount to spend since there are other guys who will be added to the team by the next training camp.

Ivan Demidov, Owen Beck, Oliver Kapanen, Florian Xhekaj (?), Joshua Roy, Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher (?)… These players may have a chance to make the team for the next season.

But still: with the salary cap rising and with the current amount in the Canadian’s books, Kent Hughes could have nearly $20 million to have fun (not counting Price’s contract, let’s remind ourselves).

He will have room to make a big splash in the free agent market because there aren’t many spots to fill right now.

If we assume that Dvorak, Armia, Pezzetta, and Savard are leaving (Heineman, Struble, and Dobes will likely stay), the lineup would look like this for forwards, defensemen, and goalies:

  • Patrik Laine (A)
  • Nick Suzuki (A)
  • Cole Caufield (A)
  • Brendan Gallagher (A)
  • Josh Anderson (A)
  • Kirby Dach (A)
  • Alex Newhook (A)
  • Jake Evans (A)
  • Juraj Slafkovsky (A)
  • Emil Heineman (A) – new contract
  • Owen Beck (A)
  • Ivan Demidov (A) – arrival in Montreal
  • Mike Matheson (D)
  • Alexandre Carrier (D)
  • Arber Xhekaj (D)
  • Lane Hutson (D)
  • Kaiden Guhle (D)
  • Jayden Struble (D) – new contract
  • Samuel Montembeault (G)
  • Jakub Dobes (G) – new contract

We understand that Struble, Heineman, and Dobes won’t break the bank.

That being said, with the signing of these guys at a reasonable price, the Canadian would have 12 forwards, 6 defensemen, and 2 goalies signed for the next season… And Kent Hughes would still have room under the salary cap to improve his team.

It’s going to get interesting, at the very least.

In a nutshell

– I love his point.

– Nice contract for the Panthers.

– 43-0… Pardon?

– Too bad for the Raptors.

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Kent Hughes listened to his players

For the Canadian players, the plan is quite clear at the moment.

We want to participate in the playoffs.

Nick Suzuki sent a message to his GM after last night’s game at the Bell Center saying he wants to give the fans some big hockey… And he wasn’t the only one to do so.

After all, last week, Alexandre Carrier took the opportunity to speak up.

The Quebecer said he wanted the team to remain intact after March 7th. When it comes from a veteran like him, it’s quite significant.

But we can also add Slaf’s name to that group, who shared his desire to see “everyone” stay after this morning’s training.

According to what Arpon Basu (The Athletic) reported in an article, Nick Suzuki went to see Kent Hughes before the 4 Nations to share his desire to see the group stay intact.

Kent Hughes’ response to his captain? Go win games.

And that’s exactly what the Canadiens have done since then.

In fact, the CH has won its last five games and hasn’t lost since the recent Super Bowl:

(Credit: ESPN)

Kent Hughes listened to his players, then.

The guys proved to him that they want to do everything they can to participate in the playoffs and there, the GM may not have had a choice but to give them a treat with Evans who won’t be leaving.

But it also fits with what Jeff Gorton said at the end of January.

If there was an opportunity to help the team because the players deserved it, the CH would do it.

That’s what happened with the signing of Jake Evans. But now, should we wonder if Hughes has a plan to go get other pieces to help the team as it should be before the end of the campaign?

Not necessarily… But we know that the CH’s GM is not afraid to make moves to improve his club as needed.

To be continued until Friday, then.

In a hurry

– Sick.

– There is interest in Scott Laughton’s services.

– It would be so surprising… #OrNot

– Already?

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Jake Evans accepted less money with the CH: is this the end of the demolition?

It’s done: this is the end of the Jake Evans file.

Kent Hughes pulled off a big move by ensuring he would stay with the club in the long term through a contract extension. He will be signed until 2029 with the Canadiens… and it will be at a modest price.

Four years and $2.85 million, it’s really an excellent contract from the Canadiens’ GM for a center like Evans.

We must remember that initially, we were wondering if Evans wasn’t in a position to ask for a lot more money. After all, rumors suggested he had demands of $20 million over five years.

And now, he’s getting 57% of that amount ($11.4 million) over four years instead of five? #Victory

What I notice is that with Evans staying, we can think that Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, and David Savard won’t be worth enough to justify their departure. The guys have likely managed to convince management not to sell… thanks to Evans and his contract.

Is this the end of the team’s demolition? I think so.

After all, this summer, I don’t see which big piece of the team will leave – unless it’s part of a huge transaction that would improve the Canadiens. At this point, the guys who are in town with a contract can, to some extent, hope to be part of the solution.

And if we look at Evans, who accepted less money to stay in town, we can believe that the desire to build something in Montreal is strong.

This is a great moment for the Canadiens. And by force of circumstance, there are several elements to note from this signing, which seems more important than usual for a bottom-six guy.

What do I take away?

1. This afternoon, I wrote an article saying that considering offering a contract to Christian Dvorak (a small one, that is) was possibly something that needed to be thought about.

But with Jake Evans to support Nick Suzuki, it helps with depth. It doesn’t help fill the role of second center, but okay.

2. In the long term, we know that Juraj Slafkovsky is signed until 2033. Cole Caufield and Kaiden Guhle are signed until 2031, and the captain’s contract will expire in 2030.

Jake Evans (2029) has security like few players in Montreal right now. And since he wanted to stay, it’s all the better for him and his family: they’re buying stability and ensuring they won’t be traded.

3. Martin St-Louis must be happy to keep his penalty-killing pillar among the forwards. Evans has an important role and doesn’t disrupt the team’s salary hierarchy.

But the second aspect, St-Louis shouldn’t be too worried about it.

4. Jake Evans was one of Joël Bouchard’s most important development projects in Laval. He turned him into an NHL player who serves his team well.

The Canadiens will reap the rewards of Bouchard’s work for a few more seasons. For a seventh-round pick, that’s not bad.

5. At this point, we can say goodbye to a first-round pick. If Evans and Armia (will he want to stay in town too?) had been traded together, that’s probably what it would have brought.

But it was a signing that had to be made, so all’s well.

6. Still on the draft: at this rate, we shouldn’t be surprised if the Canadiens trade one of their first-round picks to get reinforcements for the team. Whether it’s now or this summer.

A top-right defenseman or a #2 center: who would say no?

7. I don’t think Jake Evans’ agent will be fired because the player signed for less than expected. After all, there was no rush to sign since he could have done it this summer.

I really think we’re seeing a case of a guy who wanted to stay in town.

And if he wants to stay, it’s probably because the Canadiens are building something good and the team spirit must be very pleasant in the dressing room.

It must be a celebration in the plane to Edmonton: the group will obviously stay together.

8. Canadiens fans like players who want to play for the team and they like guys who are willing to do the dirty work to make the logo shine – and not just the name on the back of a jersey.

And Evans is that. If he stays healthy (there have been questions about his health, especially after the 2021 playoffs), he’ll give the Canadiens their money’s worth. After all, he’ll only be 29 years old this summer.

Evans’ reputation was already good among fans. Expect to see him get a warm welcome when the team returns to Montreal at the end of their trip.

Honorable mention to Kent Hughes, who did well. Would you be surprised to learn that he got exactly the amount he wanted?

extension

With that, the trade deadline day promises to be long. Evans was the big piece to watch in Montreal, but he’s no longer a factor after signing his contract.

What will happen on Friday, then? #LongDay

My prediction: a minor transaction (maybe to help the Rocket?) and a trade where the Canadiens will get involved to retain salary as the third team in the transaction.

Poor TVA Sports, RDS, and all sports channel analysts who will have to fill hours of airtime…

Note that Kent Hughes could very well go after a big piece for the present and the future (not a rental player, of course), but nothing is certain.

Let’s see what he has in store for the fans.

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Joel Armia can breathe a sigh of relief: trading him would be counter-productive

I wonder if Jake Evans is having a good day… Hehe.

No joke, it’s the news of the day in Montreal: Evans and the Canadiens have agreed on the terms of a contract extension for him to stay in Montreal.

This is great news for the player, the fans… and the organization:

Naturally, this news changes everything.

Especially with the trade deadline in the NHL being on Friday.

Because we must not forget one thing: the Evans file has an impact on that of others in Montreal as well…

When I say that the Evans file has an impact on that of others in Montreal, I am mainly referring to Joel Armia.

Why?

Because in recent weeks, we have talked about the possibility of seeing Evans and Armia being traded together to get a more interesting return.

The two guys are excellent when they are on the ice in a numerical disadvantage, after all. They were seen as intriguing pieces for teams that want to fight until the end because the two players do not command an astronomical salary this season either.

But ultimately, Joel Armia can start to breathe a sigh of relief because trading him would be counterproductive.

It would be illogical to see Kent Hughes send him elsewhere when he has managed to come to an agreement with Evans… and when the Canadiens are in the middle of a playoff run in the East at the moment.

Anyway, by trading Joel Armia alone, it’s not like the Canadiens’ general manager is going to manage to get a first-round pick for his services.

Armia’s contract ends at the end of the season, of course… but at the moment, his value is higher in Montreal due to the team’s current situation.

Because we also know that the Finn has what it takes in his toolkit to help the Canadiens fight for the playoffs until the end of the campaign.

In rafale

– Nice move by the Oilers.

– To be continued.

– Oh yeah?

– Well done.

– Good.

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Jake Evans agrees with the Canadiens

There you go. It’s done!

Jake Evans and the Montreal Canadiens have agreed on the terms of a contract extension.

The agreement, which will start this summer, is for a duration of four years. Evans will receive an average of $2.85 million per season.

Jake Evans’ name had been circulating for a few weeks already.

No one was convinced that he would stay in Montreal due to his salary demands… But it seems that Kent Hughes managed to make a good deal.

Because Jake Evans at $2.85 million per season is a very good deal. Let’s not forget that the salary cap will also increase in the coming years…

More details to come…

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Christian Dvorak: the Canadiens should consider offering him a contract extension The article likely discusses how Christian Dvorak, a Canadian professional ice hockey player, has performed well and deserves a contract extension from the Montreal Canadiens. The team’s management should consider this to keep him on their roster, as he has been a valuable asset to the team. Offering a contract extension to Christian Dvorak would be a strategic move for the Canadiens, as it would allow them to maintain a strong and consistent lineup. By considering a contract extension for Christian Dvorak, the Canadiens can ensure that they retain a talented player who can continue to contribute to the team’s success in the future

To win in the NHL, you need a good center line.

Right now, there’s only one long-term certainty: Nick Suzuki is there. He’s the team’s first center and unless a better center comes along to replace him, he’ll be there for many years to come.

Thanks to Marc Bergevin for getting him and signing him, right?

But behind him, it’s thin. After all, Kirby Dach won’t play again this season and fewer and fewer people want to see him at center on the second unit (and at center in general) next year.

Jake Evans and Christian Dvorak? They’ll be free agents in a few months if nothing changes.

So, as it stands, if we take the four regular centers since the start of the season, only one is guaranteed to play center for the team next year.

And it’s not like Alex Newhook and Owen Beck are ideal solutions.

What I’m trying to say is that the team, which has a good chance of trading Evans in the coming days, has a good chance of having a thin center line in 2025-2026.

And that’s the year the Canadiens want to take a step forward. #Concerning

It’s possible that a top center joins the organization – and that would be good to support Nick Suzuki, who played well with Sean Monahan behind him.

That being said, until proven otherwise, it’s not the case yet.

Already lacking help at the top of the pyramid, seeing all the depth leave wouldn’t be a good thing. After all, the Canadiens can’t just rely on the Owen Beck and Oliver Kapanen of the world.

So the question (which was impossible to ask before) arises: how much should the Canadiens consider offering Christian Dvorak a contract?

Obviously, we know it’s not the sexiest idea in town. Dvorak doesn’t have a big fan club among fans because he’s never lived up to expectations.

He never even came close to living up to them, in fact.

Warning: if Evans stays or if the Canadiens find a way to add (or keep) established centers, the proposal can take a backseat. But for now, that’s not the case.

We also have to wonder how much Christian Dvorak would be willing to sign a one-year contract to stay in town. We don’t know the answer from his side.

But I wonder how much Dvorak, who has a good chance of finishing the season in Montreal, would accept a one-year contract to rebuild his market value. I’m talking about one year because the Canadiens won’t want to keep him at all costs… and because I don’t want to keep him for more than that.

And if so, why not in Montreal, where he has the trust of Martin St-Louis? Starting on the power play is proof of his usefulness in the coach’s eyes, let’s be clear.

With a fourth-line contract (he should accept a significant pay cut, it goes without saying), Dvorak would have a specific role for the Canadiens and he would bring depth to a center line that, as we’ve said, will desperately need it.

Dvorak is American, but he chose to play his junior hockey in Canada. He also seems to enjoy being part of the group and is a good friend of Cole Caufield, as you probably know, which makes us think he could be open to the idea.

Obviously, the contract extension shouldn’t happen now (it would be way too early)… but as July 1st approaches, guys like Dvorak and David Savard could become potential candidates for a one-year contract.

Again: it will depend on how the Canadiens’ offseason goes. But it’s not an idea to dismiss out of hand, even if he’s not exactly a fan favorite.

In brief

– Josh Norris to be traded?

– Ah yeah?

– Interesting.

– The question arises.

– A good kid, Lane Hutson.

– It will be long.

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Brendan Gallagher became a father last week

In recent years, Brendan Gallagher met his wife (Emma Fortin) and he proposed to her. And recently, she became pregnant with the couple’s first child.

We knew that at some point during the season, she would give birth.

Last week, when the Canadiens player was absent from practice (Monday) for personal reasons, we could wonder if it was related to the birth of his child.

And the answer, it’s clearly yes.

Yesterday evening, after the win against Buffalo, Gallagher confirmed that last week, he became a father. A little girl has been added to the Canadiens player’s family.

This is good news.

As the Canadiens are unbeaten since her birth, the little girl must think that the Canadiens have found a way to recreate a dynasty of yesteryear. Unless I’m mixing things up…

Let’s recall that Gallagher hasn’t missed a single game this season. His wife’s pregnancy and the birth of his daughter have not affected his ability to play so far.

And he’s also healthy for a second season in a row, which helps.

Note that the Canadiens will soon be leaving for a long trip to the West, which will end on March 12 in Seattle. It won’t be easy for the Canadiens’ veteran, who will have to leave his family behind for several days in order to help the team make the playoffs.

A long paternity leave is not in the NHL’s customs…

in rafale

– Jake Evans and Lane Hutson are among the notable players present at the team’s optional practice.

– Who will leave?

– A name to watch.

– Do we like it or not?

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The Canadian has only 12% chance of making the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck

Will the Canadiens make the playoffs in 2025?

Based on how they’ve been playing for the past five games, yes. But the last few months remind us that highs can quickly be followed by lows, making it tough for a team.

Last year, it took 91 points in the East (and 98 in the West) to make the playoffs. At this rate, the Canadiens would need 26 points in 21 games until the end of the season, which is a pace beyond what Martin St-Louis’ men have been offering since October.

(Credit: Sportsnet)

So despite the winning streak, Kent Hughes might decide not to help his team for the playoffs by Friday.

According to MoneyPuck, the team has only 11.6% mathematical chance of making the playoffs. Will Kent Hughes believe in it despite what the numbers tell him? We’ll see.

If he wants to please his locker room, he’ll buy – or at least not sell.

But if he sticks to his basic plan (despite the fact that the team is #DansLeMix right now) with a long-term view, it’s possible that Jake Evans will have to pack his bags.

On this subject, Nicolas Cloutier and Marc de Foy (in a column in the Journal de Montréal) remind us that in 2007, in the middle of the playoff race, Bob Gainey traded Craig Rivet.

The negative: the Canadiens missed the playoffs by two points and ended up in no man’s land.

But the positive? Josh Gorges and a first-round pick – which became Max Pacioretty – arrived in town. It changed the dynamics of the Canadiens for the future (in a year when the Stanley Cup was not really accessible) and ultimately, it even gave Nick Suzuki.

Not too bad.

So with that information in hand, we’ll see how much Kent Hughes values a playoff run for his young team. After all, right now, it’s the big tangible advantage of not selling by Friday for the management.

To be continued…

in a nutshell

– He needs it, yes.

– The Canadiens are #DansLeMix thanks to their captain.

– To watch.

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Jake Evans contract: “the possibility has not been ruled out”

The Canadian can either keep Jake Evans or trade him by March 7 – or by Friday, if you prefer.

If they trade him, it’s likely only if the price is right on the market. And if they keep him, we’ll see if it comes with a contract extension for the rest of the season.

This is the current issue in Montreal, especially with the Canadian’s recent successes. #MessageFromTheGuysToTheLeaders

For a few weeks now, almost everyone has thought that negotiations are not going super well between Evans and the Canadian for a new contract for next season.

On this subject, Renaud Lavoie is the informant who (publicly) believes the most in an agreement.

But another informant has just given hope to those who hope to see Jake Evans continue to play for the Canadian in the coming years: Darren Dreger.

The TSN journalist believes that “the possibility has not been ruled out” by the Canadian, who continues to negotiate with him.

We can wonder if the information was leaked to raise the stakes or if the Canadian really believes, at this point, that they have a chance to sign Evans in the medium/long term.

After all, at the moment, Evans is in demand, but that doesn’t mean the offers are up to what Kent Hughes wants to feel comfortable moving.

Of course, if Evans (who is not talking to the media these days to avoid distractions) wants to sign with the Canadian, both the management and the player will have to put water in their wine. And where is the middle ground in this case? Who knows.

As long as the Canadian doesn’t overpay in the name of the rising ceiling, Evans has his place in town.

In a nutshell

– Was the wrong guy traded?

– Marc-Édouard Vlasic has blocked many shots in his career. #Record

– Deadline: it’s stressful.

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Lane Hutson : fourth best scorer in the NHL among defensemen

When using the eye test, we see that last night, Lane Hutson was sometimes moving a bit too fast.

But we also see that he was excellent at the right moments. He notably allowed the Canadiens to win thanks to his two assists. Without him, we’re not talking about the same game.

This brings him to 48 points in 61 games – and 50 in 63 career games. And reaching that plateau in 63 games is a franchise record. Only 10 guys in NHL history have done better.

 

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Lane Hutson is a guy who has 31 assists since December 1st. And among all NHL defensemen, no one has done better.

His consistency (despite a dry spell before the Four Nations Tournament) means that right now, his 48 points put him in a tie for fourth place in the league for defensemen’s points.

Only Cale Makar, Zach Werenski, and Quinn Hughes, who are obviously big players in the NHL (…), are ahead of him in this regard for now.

Rasmus Dahlin, Shea Theodore, and Adam Fox, other big players on the ice (…), also have 48 points.

And if we go to the rookies, we see that Lane Hutson is among the only three players with at least 30 points this season – and he’s the only defenseman.

Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov, two rivals in the Calder Trophy race, have 44 points. That’s four fewer than the Canadiens’ defenseman.

(Credit: NHL.com)

With Dustin Wolf, these three guys are at the heart of the Calder Trophy race. And if Hutson finishes with more points than the others as a defenseman, it will help his case.

We’re repeating ourselves, but right now, there’s a path to two consecutive Calder Trophies in Montreal. #LaneHutson #IvanDemidov

in a nutshell

– To read.

– There’s something to be proud of this season. [BPM Sports]

– At least, he’s doing better.

– Patrick Roy is not giving up.

– National anthem booed: Brady Tkachuk doesn’t seem to be in a good mood.