If everything is confirmed as the information regarding Shea Weber seems to indicate, the Canadian will have solved an important problem.
The Gorton/Hughes duo will benefit from greater flexibility in salary management. For an organization that has set up a new business model, it is essential to have the flexibility to begin the process of relaunching the dealership on the right foot.
Weber’s contract will reportedly go to the Arizona Coyotes, who must find a way to meet the floor, not the salary cap. Kent Hughes and his counterpart Bill Armstrong of the Coyotes had laid the groundwork for a Weber deal at the trade deadline, but at the last minute, or so they say, Armstrong allegedly forgot to fulfill certain commitments.
It seems that the file has been reviewed and that, finally, the people involved in the negotiations have found a plan of agreement.
Therefore, a sum of $7,857,143 will disappear from the payroll. But, be careful, let’s not forget that Nick Suzuki’s contract of $7,875,000 will come into effect next season.
What will happen with Price?
The next step will be Carey Price’s future with the organization.
His state of health does not inspire anything very reassuring.
His $10.5 million salary then becomes a major problem. We can always rely on the rules of the player placed on the list of injured players for a long period. But, if we might avoid this solution, we would be delighted with the leaders of the Canadian.
What strategy will we deploy?
For example, do we believe in the chances of getting a bye to the playoffs?
Even if we attracted players to Montreal with a well-stocked curriculum vitae, I’m thinking of Kristopher Letang, will that be enough?
But, can we ignore the free agent market?
Gorton had no hesitation in hiring Artemi Panarin, thereby changing his business model.
Panarin was instrumental in reviving the new managerial program at Rangers.
Igor Shesterkin too. And Gorton got Adam Fox from the Carolina Hurricanes.
And, in terms of recruitment, Alexis Lafrenière ended up in New York.
It will be necessary to sniff out the bargain while ensuring that the young players progress within an adequate environment.
Bruins in trouble
The Boston Bruins fared poorly once morest a well-endowed team like the Carolina Hurricanes.
- A goalkeeper unable to make saves that might change the turn of events.
- A defense unable to counter the repeated attacks of the Hurricanes.
- On offense, in recent seasons, we might count on an explosive trio: Marchand, Bergeron, Pastrnak. Now, to balance the forces, Pastrnak evolves within the second line, but the results are disappointing.
- The Bruins have aged. They have fewer resources.
Will they be able to compete at a higher level now that the series moves to Boston? Since the start of the season, regular season and playoffs, they have been outrageously dominated by the Hurricanes.
The hard reality
The rejoinder brought the Los Angeles Kings back to harsh reality.
It’s true that they caused a big surprise by winning the first game in Edmonton. It’s also true that the Oilers were showing the signs of a team unable to step up their play in the playoffs.
Except that, in Game 2, the Oilers set the record straight. A one-sided game. The Kings simply didn’t make the cut and it’s to be wondered if this team will worry the Oilers by the end of the first round.
Of course, there’s always Mike Smith who can mess up…but the Kings are in serious trouble on the blue line.
Phillip Danault and Anze Kopitar have the tough job of stopping Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but they need help. The Kings are a very young team, a courageous formation, but do they have all the elements to compete at the same level as the Oilers?
To ask the question, is to answer it !
