CANADIENS

MONTREAL

Of all the problems the Canadiens have with their roster – and there are many – keeping their players under contract is not one of them. The only real UFA of note is backup goalie ANTTI NIEMI, who actually performed quite admirably in Carey Price’s absence. At 34, however, Niemi is also likely expendable with the emergence of Charlie Lindgren. The Habs have four RFA forwards with arbitration rights, the most prominent of whom is Phillip Danault. Given that Ales Hemsky played only seven games after signing a bargain-basement one-year deal, it’s clear he won’t be back. Montreal has more than $15 million to sign its players and fill its many roster holes.