Free agent targets early addition.
This is the habs re-sign no one and make no trades to bring anyone else in.
Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen would be some really nice targets.
Yes, there are questions about Marner's playoff play, but when there's that amount of skill available you get that if you can and worry about the playoffs later.
However, those players are probably, more than likely not coming here.
Aaron Ekblad - Panthers have him and Bennett as UFAs and there's always a possibility that Florida finds a way and keeps both, but if they can't, I have to imagine they let Ekblad go.
Ekblad is a big boi, right handed d and could be the nice player who solely slides down the lineup. You sign him, you play him as you're number 1 RHD. The guy was 1 of 3 dmen that helped take Florida to the cup final in back-to-back years and helped them win in the 2nd time. He along with Forsling carried the defensive play to help try and shutdown the other team.
Solid production and would fit nicely in that the habs can let Reinbacher play most, if not all of next season in the A, then come up and start on the 3rd pairing and work his way up.
If it looks like he's struggling, it gives the habs time to sign/acquire another right hand d to take the mantle from Ekblad as his play starts to slide.
The habs should be able to have him come in and be their number 1 RHD, then slide down to the 2nd pairing and eventually be a 3rd pairing/ buyout candidate towards the end of his career, but given that a 7 year contract would take him to 36 he should be fine to be a top 4 dman just at the end of it.
The problem is, you're potentially looking at a contract towards 9 mill.
Jakob Chychrun - Yes, he's a left hand d. However, he's a UFA at almost the earliest you can be. The habs could get him in his prime, 27-34 for a dman is prime time. Big shot, tough d, but he has been often injured. However, last year he played all 82 and this year he's missed 5.
He can be a really nice fish, but that fear of his typically injury-riddled season is still there imo.
Sam Bennett - Doubt he makes it, but you got a physical, dirty, skilled player that elevates his game in crunch time. Would be a huge win. Highly doubt he even makes it to free agency.
Anthony Mantha - Guy is often injured, but he started off really well for Calgary and got a bad injury. Would bring him on in a 1 year contract to replace Armia with that big body, bottom 6 lines.
Fredrik Andersen - Either goes back overseas, or re-signs in Carolina, but he would be a nice 1 year goaltender if the stop gap is needed. Issues are he's hurt quite often and every year.
Jordan Greenway - Big body, physical, can PK, so he's got multi-use and would be a replacement/upgrade on Armia.
Justin Brazeau - 6'5, physical forward who was a menace in junior, but that took time. He went to the ECHL and became a menace there. Then he became one in the A. Now he's slowly trending up wards and could be a player you bring in and leave a spot open for him to try and take to get some prime playing time.
Luke Kunin - Likely to be dealt at the deadline and hopefully not re-signed. PK, 50% on the dot and physical. Would potentially be a cost effective replacement to Evans.
Will Borgen - Physical, RHD could be a nice option to round the d/ bring in another vet/not vet.
Tanner Jeannot - Energy, physical forward, fights, pks, solidifies the team for toughness.
Trent Frederic - A big body who can play in the middle 6, brings toughness, physicality.
Nick Bjugstad - A big 6'6 centre would be perfect for the 4th line, but I think he likes being apart of the Seattle organization.
Mason Appleton - 6'2 winger enjoying another nice season in Winnipeg and could be a nice, cheap option for the 3rd line who might do alright moving up to the top 6 incase of injury.
Klim Kostin - 13th forward. Big body, physical and can fight while also being a Russian who could help Demidov should he need any. Assuming he isn't tendered an offer.
Mathieu Olivier - If he makes it to UFA status, you neeeeeed to get him. After talking to the top free agents he needs to be next and court him until he says yes. He's intense, physical, probably the heavyweight of the NHL and he can play a regular shift.
Brett Leason - 6'5 big, physical forward whos on pace to set a career high again. Could be a nice buy low, put him into the top 6 with some pp time and see what happens to him.
Andreas Englund - Potential number 7 d. He's a big dman who can handle himself.
Egor Sokolov - He's on pace to set a career high in points in the AHL. Might be a player the habs bring in and see if he can win a spot if he isnt tendered an offer.
Dylan McIlrath - A guy who could potentially be a number 6, but as the 7th d would be really nice for the habs and Laval. If he makes it down to Laval you now have him if you need to call someone up and could sort of replace Xhekaj should he get hurt. He's also a RHD, so he would fit a few needs for the team just not the need of a top 4 RHD.
Riley Tufte - A big body for the AHL who, if injuries strike with the big club give him a chance to prove what he can do at this point in his career.
Phillippe Myers - Big right handed dman that can be helpful in the A, but if need be the NHL, too.
Alex Nylander - Good AHL vet.
That's some of the players that could help the habs and the rocket.
Could also be wrong on the status of some, as the website I used had Mesar as a RFA already, which isnt true.
Once again, there will be players available that can add what players the habs have/had do already while adding size to the team.
Should be no reason to get smaller this summer and that's just for UFAs.
