New core is not done. Dvorak, Kovacevic, Pez, Armia, Savard and Evans are on their last year, Not sure what they garner on the trade market. Late picks are a possibility, but the team only has one retaining spot available this year. Gallagher, Anderson and Price will still be around for more years. Obviously, the Habs would need to send picks, buy them out, retain on them or get an equally horrible contract in return. No real issues with Price, they can thank those who instigated the LTIR rule. Matheson, is the intriguing piece. Do they still keep him around? His value is tremendously high right now.
Cauf Suz Slaf
Demidov Dach xxx
Newhook xxx RHP
Roy xxx xxx
Hage, Farrell, Kapanen, Tuch, Beck, Kidney, Davidson, Mesar, Heineman, F Xhekaj, Simoneau will need to be given chances to prove themselves.
Can Dach and Newhook stay healthy? Demidov will come to North America next year.
On D, they are quite set:
Guhle, Harris, Hutson, Struble, Xhekaj, Barron, Reinbacher, Engström and Mailloux. That's pretty solid, but many of them are still intriguing players with high potential. All speculation right now.
The team is heading in the right direction, but big name UFAs would need to complement this roster or they can continue being mediocre to get a top 5 pick for years to come.
Capwise the Habs are in a great position. Hughes has done great things.