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According to insider David Pagnotta, the Montreal Canadiens find themselves in a position to do something special with the salary cap following bad news with one of their core players.
Montreal Canadiens Ready To Weaponize Cap Space Following Long Term Injury
The recent announcement that forward Christian Dvorak will miss the rest of the season due to a torn pectoral muscle opens up significant cap space for the team.
General Manager Kent Hughes could capitalize on this situation, as reported by David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period. The Canadiens might leverage the available cap space to facilitate a three-team trade, aiming to secure valuable picks and assets. This strategic move could position GM Hughes with increased bargaining power and options in the approaching nine weeks leading to the March 8 trade deadline.
«The Montreal Canadiens, already active in the trade market with the likes of Jake Allen and David Savard available, announced this morning that forward Christian Dvorak will undergo surgery tomorrow on a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the rest of the season. That could potentially free up an extra $4.15M in extra LTIR cap pace, and we all know the Habs aren't against weaponizing their cap space as a third-party facilitator.»
As the trade deadline looms, several teams seeking roster enhancements could reach out to the Canadiens. The current salary cap constraints have hindered many clubs from making necessary lineup changes, potentially turning Montreal into a pivotal player in facilitating a blockbuster trade.
It remains to be seen which teams will engage with the Canadiens, but the upcoming weeks are poised to reveal the potential for significant moves in the NHL trade landscape.
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