Habs Finally Shore Up Backup Goalie Position

[30ranfordfan]

If I'm not mistaken they now have $14 million in cap space with Domi as the only notable FA.

It's favourable - after this move the team has a projected cap space of just over $14M. Lindgren hasn't proven he's capable of handling a 25-30 games workload, so they don't have much for options within the organization unless they want to rush Primeau.

I suspect that their pending UFA may be allowed to walk - Weise, Folin - while the RFA's aren't big name players other than Domi, whose future is murky at the moment. Guys like Mete, Ouellet, and Hudon won't command a large premium. Hopefully a good opportunity for a guy like Josh Brook to step up and take 6th D-man role, while Jake Evans can slot in a bottom-six forward role.

Yup. About 14 million in space... and that's with 9 forwards, 5 defense, and 3 goalies under contract. Looks like they need 4 forwards, 2 defense, and they're set. (The third goalie is Lindgren, they could always send him down to call up another skater).

I'm assuming Domi will want something in the 5-6 range. If they move him, a suitible replacement will cost about the same. Let's call that 5.5m Leaves them with 9.5 million to sign 2 depth forwards, and 2 depth defense. Weise / Hudon / Folin / Mete. Those roles.

If they want comparable players - I would expect they'll have no trouble filling the roles with the money available. Let's say they keep Mete & Hudon around, and give them raises.... 2m, 1.5m. They resign Ouellett too, for a million bucks. They'll just need a depth forward, have about 5 million to spend. Easy to get a half-decent vet to play in the bottom 6 for under $2m

Having cap space to work with in the season isn't a bad thing either, so having that wiggle room is good.

I know this is all easier said than done, but doesn't it still make more sense (especially with Domi wanting out) to be looking to add an 8-10m forward? I don't have a good answer as to who.... but that's what the GM's job is.

I dunno. Having that much tied up in goaltending seems to me that they'll ice a roster about as good as last year's, but they're banking on Carey Price being better rested (and a backup that doesn't stink) improving the team.

It would make much more sense to me for them to have kept the picks, targeted a UFA goalie that makes half the money, and then tried to get an upgrade on Domi.

Of course they've got a bunch of Free Agents after next season, so sitting back a year might make more sense to the team.

[subban7677]

I'd rather the team develop what they have, rather than trying to sign a big-name, over-paid free agent. Kotkaniemi and Suzuki are looking good, Romanov will help, and Caufield isn't too far away. Domi will get moved, I have little doubt there.

[creasecollector]

The timing threw me off guard, but good move for the Habs. It's only for a season, so the goalie salary shouldn't be looked at too hard here. A rested Carey Price is a competitive team. Good step forward with the Habs here!

[canucksfan007]

So why doesnt Lindgren get a shot? He isnt that bad, is he Habs fans?

Seems to me like he never really got his job, a handful of games here or there .... where he hasnt looked too bad with a weaker Habs team in front of him

[subban7677]

So why doesnt Lindgren get a shot? He isnt that bad, is he Habs fans?

Seems to me like he never really got his job, a handful of games here or there .... where he hasnt looked too bad with a weaker Habs team in front of him

I think I can safely say nobody really has any faith in him being able to do the job.

[canucksfan007]

I think I can safely say nobody really has any faith in him being able to do the job.

But if he hasnt gotten a legitimate shot to play any amount of games when anything matters ..... how can anyone safely say that?

Niemi, Kinkaid, Scrivens, Montoya ..... all got shots and have failed miserably. Starting to think its personal in the Habs organization

[RGM81]

So why doesnt Lindgren get a shot? He isnt that bad, is he Habs fans?

Seems to me like he never really got his job, a handful of games here or there .... where he hasnt looked too bad with a weaker Habs team in front of him

Look at his AHL numbers for the past three years. Does that give you any sort of belief that he'd be capable of handling a 30-game workload at the NHL level?