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Whenever a francophone Quebecois participant turns into out there or is rumoured to be out there on the commerce or unrestricted free company (UFA) market, many among the many fanbase and media demand that the Montreal Canadiens purchase or signal them.
Related: Canadiens Prospect Pyramid – Summer of 2023
After 5 seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, left winger Maxime Comtois has parted methods with the staff that selected not to tender him a qualifying provide. Because of this, the 6-foot-2, 209-pound Longueuil, Quebec native is now a UFA. However, he’s not a participant that common supervisor (GM) Kent Hughes wants or ought to wish to add to the roster.
Comtois Snubbed by Montreal
The 24-year-old, chosen fiftieth total by the Ducks within the 2017 NHL Draft, is now trying for a contract. During a charity occasion, he spoke to French-language TVA Sports concerning the purpose behind his departure.
“It’s a mutual decision between both parties. I had a good start to my career, but certain things happened (injuries) that ended up putting me and the team on different wavelengths. When I sat down with my agent and family at the end of the season, I realized it was better for me to find a job elsewhere.”
-Max Comtois
Comtois had a breakout marketing campaign in 2020-21 and led the Ducks in objectives (16) and factors (33). These aren’t big numbers, which factors to how unhealthy the staff was at the moment. But as a top-line ahead, he produced nicely sufficient to steer the staff. Unfortunately, Comtois has had a precipitous drop in manufacturing and position since then.
During that very same interview, he made it clear he’s prepared to play with the Habs however admits that Hughes hasn’t referred to as. “The Canadiens haven’t contacted my agent,” Comtois mentioned, “but I have no problem playing in such a demanding market where the pressure is high.”
Canadiens Have No Room
There are greater than a few explanation why he could possibly be a match with the Canadiens. First, he’s native. While many argue that language shouldn’t play a position in participant acquisition – and so they’re proper – it’s nonetheless a consider Montreal. Second, he’s in the identical age vary because the staff’s core group, who’re all 24 and youthful. Finally, Comtois is a big-bodied ahead who likes to go to the online and will assist the staff’s energy play.
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Additionally, the Canadiens are $3.5 million over the cap, however beneath the ten% threshold they will overspend over the offseason, and as soon as Carey Price is returned to long-term injured reserve (LTIR), the Habs may have roughly $6.9 million in out there cap house. This signifies that there ought to be no points signing a participant on a low cost, one-year “show-me” deal to show themselves with out hurting the staff’s cap state of affairs.
As a participant recognized to be aggressive and bodily, Comtois nonetheless can present offensive abilities in a depth position. More importantly, he might develop into the staff’s spark plug by taking part in a arduous forechecking model, ending his checks, and taking part in a gritty cycle sport, working to increase possession.
However, he merely is just not a good match for Hughes’ roster. First, Comtois has a downside with consistency and nonetheless goes lengthy stretches when he appears to be like misplaced within the NHL. Furthermore, the position he would fill, as a gritty spark plug, is already spoken for, and never simply by Micheal Pezzetta. Fans might not like to listen to this however Joel Armia, Brendan Gallagher and even Rafael Harvey-Pinard are all used on this position to various levels of effectiveness.
Yes, Armia is inconsistent as nicely, however it’s no secret that administration is procuring his two remaining years below contract at $3.4 million per season. Then there’s Gallagher, who’s paid $6.5 million for 4 extra years. There is much an excessive amount of wage already allotted to filling that position.
But the obvious purpose is the sheer variety of NHL-capable forwards the Habs have already got on their books. Comtois would push a number of proficient prospects down the depth chart, taking away vital roles that might assist their improvement. Even placing him on the fourth line would push Harvey-Pinard out and take away a chance for the reclamation venture Hughes has already signed; a former first-round choose, the 24-year-old Lias Andersson will doubtless fill the position that Comtois would have been positioned in.
Montreal has fifteen forwards signed who performed on the membership final season, not counting restricted free agent Jesse Ylonen, who has but to be signed. There is just no room on the inn for Comtois. His addition could be good PR throughout a quiet offseason, however it could develop into a downside nearly as quickly as coaching camp started. The threat far outweighs the reward on this state of affairs.
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