Cole Caufield reunites with former teammates. Rafael Harvey-Pinard hints at contract negotiations. We compare the three most searched Canadiens' buyout candidates.
The NHL's first buyout period began on Friday and Canadiens fans navigated to CapFriendly to view the cost of buying out several contracts. Brendan Gallagher, Mike Hoffman, and Joel Armia all cracked the site's most searched players.
Gallagher's Expensive Cost
A buyout of Gallagher's last four years of his contract, would be on the books for the next eight seasons. The cap hit for the next two seasons would be minimal but in the following six seasons, the impact would range between $2.2 million and $4.9 million.
No one doubts Gallagher's effort when he's on the ice, but the forward has missed significant time in the last four seasons due to multiple injuries. If the opportunity presented itself, Kent Hughes should not hesitate to completely get rid of Gallagher's $6.5 million cap hit.
Worth Considering Hoffman
Hoffman's contract that carries a $4.5 million cap hit expires at the end of the 2023-'24 season. If the Canadiens decide to buyout the final year, it would count $1.16 million against the salary cap for the next two seasons.
In Hughes' shoes, I would proceed with the buyout and take the cap hit for two years. The team is still in a rebuild mode and the benefit of freeing up a roster spot for a player with a long term future outweighs the cost.
In 2022-'23, Hoffman totaled 34 points in 67 games.
Armia's Lengthy Impact
A buyout of Armia's contract would affect the club's cap for four years. He has two years remaining on his current deal that counts for $3.4 million on the salary cap.
The forward recorded 14 points in 43 games during the 2022-'23 season. The ideal scenario from management's perspective is for Armia's production to increase next season and raise his value on the trade market.
It's not expected that the Canadiens buyout any of these players before the window closes on June 30th at 5:00 pm. ET.
Caufield Reunites with Former Teammates
Cole Caufield was in Montreal over the weekend to enjoy the festivities surrounding the Formula 1 race held at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The 22-year-old was joined by New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes and Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras. The trio were teammates at USA Hockey's National Development Program.
Current teammate Chris Wideman was also at the event and took advantage to spend some time with the 22-year-old.
Caufield also spent some time with Winnipeg Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois. Dubois has made it well known that he would like to continue his career with another organization and the Canadiens are on his list.
Harvey-Pinard's Objective
Rafael Harvey-Pinard confirmed to Jonathan Bernier of Le Journal de Montreal in a story published on Sunday that discussions have begun on a new contract between the two parties.
The 24-year-old restricted free agent's objective is to play full time with the Canadiens next season. In 2022-'23, Harvey-Pinard began the season with Laval before being recalled by Montreal full-time on January 17th. He was returned back to the AHL in the final week of the regular season to assist the Rocket in their playoff push.
The Saguenay native finished the season with 16 goals, 31 points in 40 AHL games, and 14 goals, 20 points in 34 NHL games.
Harvey-Pinard did not provide specifics whether he's looking for a short-term or long-term contract. "We will go with what is best for both sides," as the forward hedged his comment to the newspaper.
A short-term contract would allow Harvey-Pinard to bet on himself and earn a larger contract down the road if the results follow. Since March, he has been represented by agent Philippe Lecavalier from Quartexx Management, the former agency of Kent Hughes.