<\/p>\n
Christian Dvorak #28 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal (Photo by Patrick Smith\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
For much of the summer, the Montreal Canadiens<\/a> have been linked to potential trades, but the message from management has been consistent: any deal must improve the roster without weakening another part of it.<\/p>\n \u201cHughes has let it be known that they are not looking to fill a hole by creating another hole,\u201d said a league source familiar with the Canadiens\u2019 approach. \u201cThe Canadiens would much prefer the use of futures to add to their roster, but the problem is, so does half the league.\u201d<\/p>\n That philosophy has effectively ruled out certain high-profile trade chips. \u201cThat\u2019s why the Canadiens didn\u2019t even consider including the names of (Michael) Hage or (David) Reinbacher in trade talks this summer,\u201d the NHL source continued. \u201cThe Canadiens strongly believe in these two. Reinbacher could complete one of the better top-4s in the NHL one day, and Hage\u2019s stock continues to rise.\u201d<\/p>\n Reinbacher<\/a>, the fifth-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, is projected as a future top-pairing defenseman, while Hage\u2019s steady climb up the prospect rankings has given Montreal another potential long-term building block. Keeping both prospects out of trade discussions signals that the Canadiens remain committed to their developmental path, even if it means passing on deals that could provide immediate help.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd when it comes to offer sheets, I wouldn\u2019t hold my breath, said an NHL executive. \u201cIf contending teams are hesitant to give away their 2026 1st-round pick, you can bet that the Canadiens will want to hold onto it until they have a clearer idea of where they\u2019ll land in next season\u2019s standings.\u201d<\/p>\n Price Contract Key to Unlocking Cap Space<\/p>\n While patience is part of Montreal\u2019s strategy, it\u2019s also a necessity given the financial constraints tied to Carey Price\u2019s contract. The veteran goaltender, sidelined since the 2021-22 season due to a career-ending knee injury<\/a>, still carries a $10.5 million<\/a> cap hit.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Canadiens are taking a pulse on the NHL trade market and seeing where they fit in. All eyes are on that September 1 date when it comes to Carey Price,\u201d said the source.\u00a0<\/p>\n The reason why September 1 is on everyone’s mind is due to Carey Price receiving his $5.5M signing bonus on that date. Once paid, he’ll only be owed $2M in actual salary, despite his $10.5M cap hit. And what’s more? Of that $2M salary, 60% of it will be covered by insurance.<\/p>\n That is an extremely attractive and cheap endeavor for a team close to the salary cap floor that knows it will unload major salary throughout the season.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce Price\u2019s contract is moved, and they actually have real cap space, there is potential for a subsequent move, because the Canadiens don\u2019t want to use off-season LTIR right now and they don\u2019t want to sacrifice a roster player,\u201d another NHL source explained.<\/p>\n On top of being able to surpass the NHL salary cap by 10% in the offseason (which the Canadiens are currently leveraging at the moment of this writing), using off-season LTIR provides temporary flexibility, but it\u2019s not the same as having real cap room. It can complicate in-season maneuvering and limit the Canadiens\u2019 ability to respond to new opportunities. Moving Price\u2019s contract \u2014 potentially to a cap-floor team looking to absorb the deal, for financial and asset-based reasons \u2014 would give Montreal freedom to make moves without those restrictions.<\/p>\n