Kessel to Habs? Don’t expect that to happen
NHL: Leafs sniper apparently wants out, but Canadiens remain an unlikely fit
SUNRISE, Fla. — Phil Kessel is on the trading block and ESPN’s Pierre Lebrun reports the Toronto Maple Leafs sniper has listed Montreal as one of the eight approved destinations under the terms of his limited notrade contract.
But fans shouldn’t expect to see Kessel in a Canadiens uniform next fall because even if the Leafs were willing to trade him to another Atlantic Division team, his offence-first approach to the game is the antithesis of general manager Marc Bergevin’s vision.
In his post-season recap, Bergevin recognized the need for more scoring and size up front, but also said there aren’t many quality players on the market.
But that doesn’t mean Bergevin won’t be talking to people as GMs gather for meetings this week in Las Vegas and at the draft here later this week.
Bergevin’s strategy is to build through the draft, but he has shown a willingness to make trades to acquire a key piece or to shed an unfavourable contract.
The trade deadline last March provided the Canadiens with at least two valuable additions to the team.
Defenceman Jeff Petry was brought in as a rental player to boost the defence corps for the playoffs, but he turned down a chance to test the free-agent market and signed a sixyear, $33-million deal with the Canadiens.
Another potential unrestricted free agent, Torrey Mitchell, signed a three-year, $3.6-million deal to give the Canadiens added depth at centre.
The signing of Petry provides some flexibility for Bergevin if he decides to make a trade. When Nathan Beaulieu recently signed a two-year, $2-million extension, there were suggestions he would play a larger role in the top four while being mentored by Andrei Markov. They would be the No. 2 pair, with Petry and P.K. Subban eating up the most minutes.
While Bergevin believes he can never have too many defencemen, that scenario could allow him to move Alexei Emelin and his $4.1-million salary-cap hit and provide an opportunity for Greg Pateryn or perhaps Jarred Tinordi to play more on the No. 3 pair with Tom Gilbert. Emelin is a physical defenceman who stands out in a group known more for its finesse, but his salary is on the high side.
Alternatively, Bergevin could package Tinordi, a former first-round draft pick whose progress has been slower than anticipated.
The salary cap for the coming season is expected to be slightly above $71 million.
Bergevin will be close to that figure after signing restricted free-agent Alex Galchenyuk and a depth forward.
Dumping bad contracts has been a Bergevin trademark since he arrived on the scene three years ago. He traded Erik Cole when the veteran came out of the 2012-13 lockout physically and emotionally battered.
Before this season, the GM unloaded the final year of Daniel Briere’s contract and obtained P.A. Parenteau, who was a younger upgrade when he was healthy.
Dustin Tokarski, Dale Weise, Mike Weaver, Brian Flynn, Sergei Gonchar, Devante SmithPelly, Mitchell and Petry are among the players who were added to the roster through trades in the Bergevin era.
Bergevin also made a splash at the trade deadline in 2014 when he acquired Thomas Vanek from the New York Islanders as a rental.
Vanek did his job in helping the Canadiens secure a playoff spot, but he disappeared during the post-season. There was no attempt made to sign him.