The off-season is fast approaching and the general manager of the Montreal Canadiens Kent Hughes will have his work cut out for him. Whether it is the draft files or those of the contract extensions of Juraj Slafkovsky and of Kaiden Guhle.
There is, however, one issue that is not discussed enough: that of the goalkeeper Carey Price. Indeed, in an excellent text, Marc Dumont of Montreal Hockey Now reports the possibility and importance of trading the goaltender to another team in the National Hockey League.
The Canadian will have almost $17 million under the salary cap to maneuver this summer. However, due to Price’s contract, there must be some timing in place for each gesture.
The Canadiens must place Price’s contract on the long-term injured list, which has its own limitations because of how it is calculated. This allows the team to spend additional funds beyond the projected salary cap. However, this also comes with some complications as Dumont mentions.
If the Canadiens had managed to move his contract before today, they would enter the season with a $17 million cap hit that would generate significant gains throughout the year.
Cap space and expenses are calculated daily during the season (186 days). If a team is under the salary cap, its available cap space will increase each day.
Marc Dumont
Thus, a good solution for the Habs would be to get rid of Price’s contract as was the case with that of Shea Weber a few seasons ago.
With now 11 teams under the salary floor, it would not be surprising to see one of them interested in the Canadian’s contract. However, we would have to wait until July 2 when Price has a bonus which will be granted to him on July 1. This would save the acquiring team $5.5 million.
Obviously, Price won’t bring much in a transaction so the Canadian might have to give some extra bargaining chip. However, freedom under the salary cap is a value in itself!
For more details, please read Dumont’s text below.
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