The Canadiens organization enters the 2023-24 season still without a stable, permanent GM. Under interim management, give or take a few days where a local guy took over only to back out, the Habs have had to part with some key players to stay under the cap while still managing to bring back the core of a contender.
The big decision before free agency was whether to re-sign Alexander Ovechkin or Mike Richards, since both was virtually impossible. Ovi was re-signed for one year at $9 million while Richards was traded to Pittsburgh to move up from 26th overall to 11th. The Habs took the top defenceman in the draft, David Reinbacher.
There were several pending UFAs on defence. Montreal decided to let Thomas Vannelli and Marc McNulty walk, while re-signing Shea Weber, PO Joseph and Nikolai Glukhov. Another free agent, Michael Downing, was sent to Chicago for Devante Stephens and picks. Montreal also signed Joe Morrow for two years at $2.05 million and acquired Braydon Coburn from Edmonton for D prospect Ty Nelson.
In net, the Canadiens let Kari Lehtonen walk and signed Magnus "Big Hell Mountain" Hellberg to a two-year deal for $1.1 million. He'll battle Dustin Wolf for starts next year.
Habs off-season review
Moderator: SharksGM
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Habs caretaker
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Re: Habs off-season review
Montreal 2023 draft review
The Canadiens left the draft in Nashville with four new picks, one more than they'd entered with. After trading superstar pending UFA Mike Richards to Pittsburgh to move up from 26th overall to 11th, this was their draft:
11. David Reinbacher, D
Some pegged this as a little high for the Austrian rearguard, but with the highest defensive upside in the draft and Shea Weber nearing retirement, it makes sense for the organization. Reinbacher won't likely be a power play guy in the NHL, but can deliver hits every night and anchor the top PK.
82. Juraj Pekarcik, LW
Pekarcik projects as a speedy defensive winger at the next level. With no second round pick, there's quite a dropoff here but he's a safe bet as a bottom six NHLer who can contribute the odd bit of scoring.
116. Connor Levis, C
Another non-offensive forward. Levis hits like Terry Tate and does a solid enough job on defence. Not enough scoring here to hold down a top nine job, but he can make the show.
142. Nikita Susuyev, LW
Finally, an offence-first forward. Susuyev is a decent playmaker and skater with hands. He makes out OK on defence but doesn't have a physical bone in his body. He might make a rebuilding team.
The Canadiens left the draft in Nashville with four new picks, one more than they'd entered with. After trading superstar pending UFA Mike Richards to Pittsburgh to move up from 26th overall to 11th, this was their draft:
11. David Reinbacher, D
Some pegged this as a little high for the Austrian rearguard, but with the highest defensive upside in the draft and Shea Weber nearing retirement, it makes sense for the organization. Reinbacher won't likely be a power play guy in the NHL, but can deliver hits every night and anchor the top PK.
82. Juraj Pekarcik, LW
Pekarcik projects as a speedy defensive winger at the next level. With no second round pick, there's quite a dropoff here but he's a safe bet as a bottom six NHLer who can contribute the odd bit of scoring.
116. Connor Levis, C
Another non-offensive forward. Levis hits like Terry Tate and does a solid enough job on defence. Not enough scoring here to hold down a top nine job, but he can make the show.
142. Nikita Susuyev, LW
Finally, an offence-first forward. Susuyev is a decent playmaker and skater with hands. He makes out OK on defence but doesn't have a physical bone in his body. He might make a rebuilding team.
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AvalancheGM
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Re: Habs off-season review
After a sluggish start to the year, the bleu blanc et rouge have found their game and sit atop the league at 6-2.
Despite this, Montreal has been weak down the middle behind Kirby Dach, particularly on faceoffs, since parting ways with Mike Richards. The Habs made two trades Friday, one of which directly addresses that need.
First they dealt forward prospect Antti Saarela to the Minnesota Wild for defensive centre and faceoff man David Gustafsson. He will anchor the third line between Jimmy Hayes and Taylor Beck (who we'll get to later). Saarela is NHL-ready and nearly made the team out of camp. He'll be a decent bottom sixer but several similar forwards are in the Habs' system.
The bigger trade saw forwards Brendan Warren and Matthew Boldy and defenceman Devante Stephens go to Chicago for forwards Mike Forney and Taylor Beck and rearguard Noah Juulsen.
Forney's rocket shot and crushing hits have fueled him to a long career, with nearly 300 goals and 558 points. He doesn't upgrade the team on draws, but isn't worse than Warren. If they can find a legitimate second line centre, Forney should make for a strong winger.
Warren and Boldy are talented two-way guys with significant experience and many years ahead. Montreal has a surplus of talented two-way wingers. Beck will take Boldy's place on the third line. He is a defensive liability but has a huge shot and brings a little more physicality.
Stephens was an off-season acquisition who is paid a little much for his third pair role. Juulsen brings a similar game at a much cheaper price.
Although it was a big jolt to the team's middle six, getting Forney without giving up picks or prospects leaves plenty of trade capital leading up to the deadline.
Despite this, Montreal has been weak down the middle behind Kirby Dach, particularly on faceoffs, since parting ways with Mike Richards. The Habs made two trades Friday, one of which directly addresses that need.
First they dealt forward prospect Antti Saarela to the Minnesota Wild for defensive centre and faceoff man David Gustafsson. He will anchor the third line between Jimmy Hayes and Taylor Beck (who we'll get to later). Saarela is NHL-ready and nearly made the team out of camp. He'll be a decent bottom sixer but several similar forwards are in the Habs' system.
The bigger trade saw forwards Brendan Warren and Matthew Boldy and defenceman Devante Stephens go to Chicago for forwards Mike Forney and Taylor Beck and rearguard Noah Juulsen.
Forney's rocket shot and crushing hits have fueled him to a long career, with nearly 300 goals and 558 points. He doesn't upgrade the team on draws, but isn't worse than Warren. If they can find a legitimate second line centre, Forney should make for a strong winger.
Warren and Boldy are talented two-way guys with significant experience and many years ahead. Montreal has a surplus of talented two-way wingers. Beck will take Boldy's place on the third line. He is a defensive liability but has a huge shot and brings a little more physicality.
Stephens was an off-season acquisition who is paid a little much for his third pair role. Juulsen brings a similar game at a much cheaper price.
Although it was a big jolt to the team's middle six, getting Forney without giving up picks or prospects leaves plenty of trade capital leading up to the deadline.
The Colorado Avalanche - missing the playoffs every year since EHEC began