'I don’t see the Canadiens making a hostile bid'

In fact, I agree with Stu Cowan. Why? Because, logically, it's clear why the Canadiens aren't in a position of strength in this matter.

As we discussed in a previous article before the hostile bid frenzy took over the NHL, the team is in a poor position to make one, following the trade with the Golden Knights to move up two spots in the draft.

• Offers the Habs can make: less than $1,575,970; between $2,387,833 and $4,775,666; more than $11,939,166
• Offers the Habs cannot make: between $1,575,970 and $2,387,832; between $4,775,667 and $11,939,166

This leads me to believe that Kent Hughes knew the wave was coming but didn't want to be part of it. Why? Because those amounts are laughably small for signing a player.

And let's just say it doesn't fit with the club's sacrosanct salary structure…

In reality, the Canadiens can't really make a massive hostile offer to a player without clearing salary space first. The club has $14.23 million in cap space… which is too little for the new price scale established by Leo Carlsson and Daniel Brière.

Reminder: that amount doesn't include Kirby Dach, Zachary Bolduc, Arber Xhekaj, or depth on the roster.

Cowan, on the Sick Podcast, mentions that, in his opinion, the Canadiens have targeted a few players who really fit their needs and that they're working on those deals to improve the team.

And clearly, that won't happen through a hostile bid. And it makes sense, when you stop to think about it.

In a nutshell

– Enjoy the podcast.

– Nicolas Deslauriers' name is on the Stanley Cup. [ TVAS]

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– What will Anthony Mantha do?