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While the Montreal Canadiens were eliminated nearly three weeks ago, there are still plenty of things to discuss, including Kent Hughes’s possible game plan this offseason. The GM and Jeff Gorton have been clear: the Habs’ surprise appearance in the Stanley Cup final does not mean they will accelerate the rebuild; they still intend to stick to the plan.
However, free agency is a special animal, as different players are available yearly. If one particular player catches their eye, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see them pounce on their target this Summer. This year’s free agent class is interesting and features John Tavares, Mitch Marner, Brad Marchand, Nikolaj Ehlers, Brock Boeser, and Sam Bennett.
Canadiens: The Grades Are In – Kirby Dach
Canadiens: Could The Ducks Entertain A Big Trade?
Canadiens: The Maple Leafs’ Cautionary Tale
It wouldn’t make any sense to target either Tavares or Marchand. They are both past their prime, and at 34 and 37 years old, respectively, they’d be too old by the time the Habs are ready to contend. Furthermore, Tavares has clearly said he’d like to return with the Toronto Maple Leafs. I’ve already discussed the Sam Bennett case, but I find another one intriguing.
In the dying minutes of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ elimination on Sunday night, every time homegrown right winger Mitch Marner touched the puck, he was booed mercilessly by a crowd applauding his drafting and six-year contract extension back in 2019. The Toronto crowd can be cruel and no different from Montreal’s. We’ve seen this fandom turn on Quebecers in the past; Jonathan Drouin, David Desharnais, and Patrice Brisebois come to mind.
I feel Marner is being targeted unfairly, however. Yes, the Leads have been eliminated, but he did put up 13 points in as many games and just finished a 102-point regular season. Granted, he’s been part of a Toronto team that has consistently fallen short, winning only two series since the arrival of the Core Four, but how much blame should actually be laid at his doorstep?
Auston Matthews was no better in the postseason; he notched 11 points in 13 games, including only three goals. This is a three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner. To put things in perspective, he played eight more playoff games than Cole Caufield, but the Habs sniper got three goals in the five games he played.
Marner may not have been able to turn the Leafs into winners, but who sent that perfect feed to Connor McDavid in the 4 Nations Face-Off final overtime? It was Marner. That’s not a sign of someone who shies away from pressure and the big moments.
He may not be THE guy who makes you win a championship, but he’s one of the guys who can help you get there. Of course, it depends on how much money he asks for; he was already paid nearly $11 M per season, and I can’t see Hughes splurging an insane amount of money, but it’s worth at least a call to test the water.
Of course, it may be that Marner doesn’t want to wear the Sainte-Flanelle. After all, he grew up a Leafs fan and has bled blue and white for years, who could forget when Josh George nixed a trade to Toronto because he had spent years hating them? Maybe, just maybe, though, the way the fans have treated him for the last few years has taken its toll, and he would like to show them what he could do playing for a rival. Helping the Canadiens to win a 25th Stanley Cup would be quite the revenge.
Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
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However, free agency is a special animal, as different players are available yearly. If one particular player catches their eye, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see them pounce on their target this Summer. This year’s free agent class is interesting and features John Tavares, Mitch Marner, Brad Marchand, Nikolaj Ehlers, Brock Boeser, and Sam Bennett.
Canadiens: The Grades Are In – Kirby Dach
Canadiens: Could The Ducks Entertain A Big Trade?
Canadiens: The Maple Leafs’ Cautionary Tale
It wouldn’t make any sense to target either Tavares or Marchand. They are both past their prime, and at 34 and 37 years old, respectively, they’d be too old by the time the Habs are ready to contend. Furthermore, Tavares has clearly said he’d like to return with the Toronto Maple Leafs. I’ve already discussed the Sam Bennett case, but I find another one intriguing.
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In the dying minutes of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ elimination on Sunday night, every time homegrown right winger Mitch Marner touched the puck, he was booed mercilessly by a crowd applauding his drafting and six-year contract extension back in 2019. The Toronto crowd can be cruel and no different from Montreal’s. We’ve seen this fandom turn on Quebecers in the past; Jonathan Drouin, David Desharnais, and Patrice Brisebois come to mind.
I feel Marner is being targeted unfairly, however. Yes, the Leads have been eliminated, but he did put up 13 points in as many games and just finished a 102-point regular season. Granted, he’s been part of a Toronto team that has consistently fallen short, winning only two series since the arrival of the Core Four, but how much blame should actually be laid at his doorstep?
Auston Matthews was no better in the postseason; he notched 11 points in 13 games, including only three goals. This is a three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner. To put things in perspective, he played eight more playoff games than Cole Caufield, but the Habs sniper got three goals in the five games he played.
Marner may not have been able to turn the Leafs into winners, but who sent that perfect feed to Connor McDavid in the 4 Nations Face-Off final overtime? It was Marner. That’s not a sign of someone who shies away from pressure and the big moments.
He may not be THE guy who makes you win a championship, but he’s one of the guys who can help you get there. Of course, it depends on how much money he asks for; he was already paid nearly $11 M per season, and I can’t see Hughes splurging an insane amount of money, but it’s worth at least a call to test the water.
Of course, it may be that Marner doesn’t want to wear the Sainte-Flanelle. After all, he grew up a Leafs fan and has bled blue and white for years, who could forget when Josh George nixed a trade to Toronto because he had spent years hating them? Maybe, just maybe, though, the way the fans have treated him for the last few years has taken its toll, and he would like to show them what he could do playing for a rival. Helping the Canadiens to win a 25th Stanley Cup would be quite the revenge.
Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
Continue reading...
