In English, the translation is: JiC wonders if John Tavares could sign in Montreal

Dose
Crédit:

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about Mitch Marner in Toronto. Indeed, he is the big unrestricted free agent in sight of July 1st, especially since the signing of Mikko Rantanen’s contract.

Naturally, guys like Sam Bennett and Nikolaj Ehlers are also free agents, but there is one name that is rarely mentioned recently. It’s John Tavares.

And Jean-Charles Lajoie wonders if Tavares could interest the Canadiens. Because, as we know, Montreal is looking for a second center. It won’t be Kirby Dach or Alex Newhook. Michael Hage is coming, but he shouldn’t make the jump to professional hockey next season.

That’s where signing a leader like Tavares could become interesting, but a signing would come with many conditions.

Firstly, the price. I don’t know how much he’ll demand on the free agent market, but it can’t be more than $10 million. If his demands exceed that figure, Kent Hughes won’t be in the running and we won’t even be talking about it. JiC proposes a four-year, $36 million contract (so $9 million annually).

That’s not bad, especially considering the salary cap increase in the coming years. By the end of a potential four-year deal, the former captain of the Islanders and Leafs would be 38 years old. Tavares has a style of play that will allow him to be good until that age. He would allow guys like Ivan Demidov to grow alongside a leader and Patrik Laine to count on a responsible linemate over 200 feet.

Will Tavares, who will probably be a third-line center in three years, be expensive? Yes. Will $9 million be worth it for the first two seasons? Maybe.

Hage would learn from an exceptional mentor and Suzuki would finally have protection at center. A win-win for everyone?

Yes, acquiring Mitchell Marner would be a better signing on paper, but Hughes has to fix the center position in the attack. Lajoie also proposes other alternatives, like Ryan O’Reilly, Brayden Schenn, and even Sam Bennett, who, without being a number one center, can bring energy and production to the top-6.

One thing is certain, the Canadiens’ general manager won’t be idle this summer.

In a hurry

— Yes.

— Teemu Selanne’s rookie season goal record (76) is not in danger.

— We were expecting it.

— Before KK?