Habs could have a big off-season according to Elliotte Friedman

The Montreal Canadiens enter the off-season with many unknowns. First with the news that Shea Weber will likely be unprotected for the Kraken expansion draft and that he could miss the entire 2021-22 season with multiple injuries. Then came the report that centerman Phillip Danault will hit the open market when free agency opens on July 28th. The Canadiens could have a fair amount of cap space to work with and Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman believes they could make a big splash this summer.

On this week's 31 Thoughts podcast, he mentioned that the Canadiens could be in a position to make a big move due to cap space being freed up. Friedman said that Habs general manager Marc Bergevin could take a run at signing either pending UFA Gabriel Landeskog or trading for Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel.

A move for either player would significantly improve Montreal's top-six forward group. It's more likely the Canadiens take a run at Landeskog given the fact he is a free agent on July 28th. The Avalanche captain is looking for a long term deal with an AAV of around $7 million. Elliotte Friedman mentioned on the podcast that the closest comparable contract for Landeskog is Islanders captain Anders Lee. Lee is currently in a seven-year contract with an AAV of $7 million.

As for Jack Eichel, that one might be tougher for Marc Bergevin because he would have to move some significant pieces to acquire the former 2nd overall pick. The Sabres would probably want at least four pieces in return for Eichel, which would include multiple picks and a top prospect or two.

Friedman on 31TP says with the Weber news and also with Danault looking like he'll go to market it would not surprise him if Bergevin takes a big swing this offseason, mentions Landeskog and Eichel's name, says it wouldn't surprise him if the Habs took a run at them. #GoHabsGo— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) July 16, 2021

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