The Montreal Canadiens are just three years removed from appearing in the Stanley Cup Final, but things have gone south for them since losing that series.
Marc Dumont of Montreal Hockey Now suggested on June 11 that the Canadiens should consider trading franchise legend Carey Price to create cap room and give the franchise financial relief.
According to Dumont, Price’s contract (which can be considered dead money because the goalie is virtually retired) has a negative impact on the team’s salary cap. He said he believes it limits the Habs’ flexibility in roster management entering the offseason.
“The Habs will have almost $17 million in available funds,” Dumont wrote, “but given that Price’s contract is still part of the mix, to reach maximum financial maneuverability, the Canadiens must place Price’s contract on the long-term injured reserve (LTIR).”
CapFriendly projects the Habs to enter the offseason with even more money at $19.9 million. That includes 19 of 23 players currently under contract and on the active roster of the organization.
The Canadiens could place Price on LTIR, but that wouldn’t help the franchise much.
Placing a player on LTIR does not remove the salary cap hit from the team’s overall budget, but it does allow the team to spend additional funds above the $88 million 2024-25 salary cap.
“Having Price on LTIR isn’t ideal from a salary cap standpoint,” Dumont wrote. “As Price’s funds are tied into the LTIR, it’s virtually impossible for the Canadiens to improve their cap space throughout the season.”
