Don’t expect the defending Stanley cup champions to make any
big move to try and defend their championship. At this point, they need to find some victories just to get back above the playoff line in the eastern conference. They made a
move earlier this season to try and improve their goaltending, and to date, it
hasn’t really worked with Garret Sparks playing nearly every game since his
arrival and only slipping backward.
The club wouldn’t be in the market for any rentals, likely only watching to see
if any potential goaltending shakes loose and becomes available. At best, they’re
looking at a lateral move with them having to stick very close to Garret Sparks’
$3M cap hit.
If they’ve seen enough to think Sparks can’t be the starting goaltender in
years two and three of his contract, the team could even decide to trade
backward at the position, somewhat, and look for more of a sure-fire, former
first round goaltender. This would not inspire confidence in the immediate, and
would likely signal a throwing in the towel moment for Montreal this season.
Earlier in the season however, they were rumored to be looking at this path.
If that happens, or the team is even lower than 9th in the East come
deadline weekend… don’t bother coming knocking on either Kyle Wellwood or Nik
Bergsfors. The latter being an obvious case, but some wondered, would the team
take a haul from a contender for one of the best playmakers the FNHL has ever
seen? He’s not a lifetime Hab, just a very popular one, and even at 40 years
old perhaps currently their best forward.
Coming in at less than $3M as a rental would make him one of
the most attractive players on the market this upcoming week. Could an
overpayment get them to even look? What if that perfect future starter came
along? The odds are so, so incredibly low.
Though Erik Gustafsson is said to have been placed on the market ahead of
deadline week, so they may not be entirely quiet.
11/22/2023 - 330 words
