While the NHL salary cap is projected to increase by $4.3 million next season, it is being reported that all of that money will not be available to the Montreal Canadiens.
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Houle Contract Discussions
Following the end of the Canadiens' season, the first order of business for Kent Hughes was announcing that the team had exercised a two-year option on the contract for Martin St. Louis. One wonders how quickly a contract can be negotiated for the head coach of the Canadiens' AHL affiliate or if management will look elsewhere. J.F. Houle's contract is due to expire on June 30th after serving a three-year stint behind the bench of the Laval Rocket.
Houle was named head coach of the Rocket on July 20, 2021 by former Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin. Houle had spent the previous six seasons as assistant coach with the Bakersfield Condors.
Since their arrival, Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes have rebuilt all aspects of the Hockey Operations department taking opportunities to install staff consistent with their philosophy. Last season, there were major changes to the training and medical staff. Will they turn their attention to Laval this off-season?
In three seasons, Houle has a coaching record of 103-86-0-25 with the Laval Rocket. Houle's team lost in the third round of the playoffs in his inaugural season, lost in the play-in round last season and did not qualify for the AHL playoffs this year.
Houle has earned a reputation as coach who is more comfortable prioritizing ice time and key roles for his veterans. With top prospects set to dominate the roster of the Rocket, Gorton and Hughes may wish to install a more development-minded head coach in Laval this summer.
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Cap Penalty
All NHL teams will benefit from a $4.3 increase in the salary cap in 2024-'25 projected to jump to $87.7 million. However, as reported by Daily Faceoff, 13 teams will be charged penalties against this increase for cap overages resulting from bonus payments this season including the Canadiens.
Overage penalty 2024-'25:
Montreal Canadiens $1,022,500
Estimated bonuses:
Justin Barron: $225,000 (ice time)
Kaiden Guhle: $225,000 (ice time)
Sean Monahan: $15,000 (games played)
Juraj Slafkovsky: $500,000 (goals, ice time)
Jayden Struble: $57,500 (games played)
In addition, Montreal's available cap space next season will be reduced by retained salary from trades that occurred this season, namely Jeff Petry and Jake Allen. On the positive side, dead cap money for Joel Edmundson and Karl Alzner will end this season.
According to Daily Faceoff, Montreal's effective cap limit will be $82,408,740 for 2024-'25.
First Overall Pick Rankings
In an article for The Athletic, writer Corey Pronman polled six NHL scouts and executives to rank first overall picks since 2015, including presumed first overall pick of the upcoming draft, Macklin Celebrini.
The Canadiens first overall pick of 2022, Juraj Slafkovsky, was ranked tenth by a group of league scouts and executives.
1. Connor McDavid (2015)
2. Connor Bedard (2023)
3. Auston Matthews (2016)
4. Jack Hughes (2019)
5. Macklin Celebrini (2024)
6. Rasmus Dahlin (2018)
7. Owen Power (2021)
8. Nico Hischier (2017)
9. Alexis Lafreniere (2020)
10. Juraj Slafkovsky (2022)
Jake the Analyst
Former Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen has joined the Sportsnet panel for the playoffs and has been impressing viewers with his analysis.
World Hockey Championship
USA Hockey announced the first 15 players to the roster that will compete at the 2024 IIHF World Championship in Czechia. It was confirmed that Cole Caufield will be part of Team USA on Wednesday.
Similarly Juraj Slafkovsky was officially named to Team Slovakia on Tuesday.
Be sure to circle May 13th on your calendar as Caufield and his USA teammates will meet Team Slovakia and Slafkovsky at Ostrava Arena in Czechia.
Sam Montembeault, Mike Matheson and Nick Suzuki declined invitations to represent Canada.
Summer of Love
Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki and Caitlin Fitzgerald announced their engagement on Instagram posting photos from Amanera Resort in the Dominican Republic.
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Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans dubbed the off-season as the "summer of love" as Evans, Brendan Gallagher and Josh Anderson will each be getting married to their fiancées.
Injury List
Injuries: Carey Price (knee), Chris Wideman (back), Kirby Dach (knee), Arber Xhekaj (shoulder), Kaiden Guhle (upper body)
