Canadiens Ranked Fifth in NHL by THN’s Adam Proteau

The Montreal Canadiens have made a strong impression early in the season, recently being ranked as the fifth-best team in the NHL by Adam Proteau in The Hockey News. This recognition comes just days after the Canadiens were positioned in the top three of Bleacher Report’s NHL Power Rankings, showcasing their potential as a formidable contender.

Proteau acknowledges that while the Canadiens did not make any significant moves during the offseason, they also avoided major losses. This stability means they are poised to maintain the speed and skill that propelled them to a remarkable 106-point season last year. With $13.3 million in cap space, there is optimism that the team could enhance its roster through trades.

General Manager Kent Hughes has been actively seeking opportunities since the end of the playoffs, although finding a suitable trade partner has proven elusive. Additionally, the Canadiens have yet to finalize contracts for key players such as Kirby Dach, Zachary Bolduc, and Arber Xhekaj. Once these contracts are settled, the team may find its cap space considerably constrained.

Hughes’ clever qualifying offer for Dach is expected to result in a contract lower than the $4 million he was initially entitled to, a situation that remains fluid until the offer expires on July 15. Although Dach has filed for arbitration, both parties can continue negotiations until that process commences. If the case goes to arbitration, the Canadiens would have to argue against Dach’s perceived value based on his past performance, injuries, and consistency issues. The outcome could see Dach receiving a minimum contract of approximately $3.4 million.

Bolduc’s negotiations are anticipated to be particularly intriguing, as he possesses significant potential reminiscent of Dach’s early days with the team. Last season marked a period of adjustment for Bolduc, and the Canadiens have yet to see his full capabilities. Hughes is likely to adopt a cautious approach similar to those taken with Dach and Alex Newhook, potentially opting for a shorter deal to reassess Bolduc’s performance before committing long-term.

In 78 games last season, Bolduc recorded 30 points, a dip from the 36 points he achieved with the St. Louis Blues the previous year. This decline can be attributed to limited power play time and the adjustment to the Canadiens’ system. If Hughes can secure Bolduc for under $4 million annually, it would be considered a success, especially in light of recent contracts awarded to players with comparable stats.

Xhekaj’s contract is expected to mirror the two-year deal signed by Jayden Struble last season, which had a cap hit of $1,412,500. Given the increase in the salary cap, Xhekaj’s deal might land slightly higher, potentially around $1.6 to $1.7 million.

These three contracts will likely consume a substantial portion of the Canadiens’ remaining cap space. However, any trade for an impactful player would necessitate moving current players, which could open up new opportunities for the team if a favorable deal can be struck.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.