The
Montreal Canadiens sought to upgrade their blue line during the trade deadline
period, and have attempted to do so with a risky side-step statistically,
moving out Roman Josi as a rental to Winnipeg, and acquiring Nicklas Grossman
from the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 1
and a prospect.
Unlike prior years where Montreal moved assets for rentals, this time they made
a strike on a player with term, three more years in this case.
There’s a moderate increase to the cap burden of $1.75M that will only see
ripple effects next season. Already a cap team at all times, the Habs face an
expiring contract for the most well known person in Montreal, Nicklas
Bergsfors, as well as an assortment of in-and-out prospects.
Reportedly the GM for the Habs tried to do more at the deadline, talking to
other teams about bother another defense upgrade and even another star forward
coming in as a rental, but they were not quick enough in a market that moved
very quickly on the best available assets.
With their final available dollars Montreal made the decision to place Zach
Phillips on waivers, and give his spot to Bulldog Phil Di Giuseppe, who was
dominating in Hamilton, and has been a regular callup already throughout the
season.
Seven different goal scorers showed up yesterday in Montreal’s 7-4 measuring
stick game against the Nashville Predators, but being thoroughly outshot in the
contest means the team will continue to move things around as the fine tuning
for a playoff run begins.
6/1/2022 - 235 words
