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Another 65 in Montreal?

June 4, 2019, 8:07 PM ET [744 Comments]
Karine Hains
Montreal Canadiens Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Citing an unnamed well-connected source, the report goes on to say that Erik Karlsson's wife is homesick and would like to be near the Ottawa region where she's from. Given the last couple of years that the couple have experienced (the whole bullying issue by Matt Hoffman's girlfriend and the death of their unborn sun), it's not outside the realm of possibilities that Mrs. Karlsson would want to be near her friends and family. Of course, this is all just a report and it's not like Erik Karlsson is actually quoted saying he's interested in coming to Montreal BUT the fact remains that it's a story worth investigating for the Canadiens' front office.





I know, Karlsson has had a tough couple of years injury wise and he'll decide shortly wether or not he wishes to undergo a groin operation this summer... On top of that, his production has steadily declined since 2015-2016... A season in which he had 82 points, 71 in the following one, 62 the one after that and finally 45 last season. However it is worth notting that his number of game played also decreased during those years and that he definitely remains one of the top puck moving d-man in the league.

Now though, would he really address a need for this line-up? We've talked time and time again of needing a first line centre and hopefully, that need will be fixed shortly. Domi did a rather good job of it for his first season in the position, Kotkaniemi is learning by the second and both Poehling and Suzuki could be knocking on heavens...erm...the big club's door this season. As for the other major need, a left D-man, this is not Erik Karlsson. The Swedish puck moving wizard is a right D just like Shea Weber and Jeff Petry. Does that mean that the idea shouldn't be explored? No, if you have Karlsson and Weber, Petry (as useful as he was this season) becomes expendable and could then be used to fetch some help on the left side of the blue line. Furthermore, Petry had his best season yet and his value is as high as it will go.... Of course, there are some who would rather move Shea Weber, but that monster of a contract makes it pretty much impossible.

To be honest, signing Karlsson would definitely be a gamble but I feel that it is one that's worth considering. I know I will get some grief for this, but the brand of hockey he will bring, the exciting plays and the ability to fly from one end of the ice to the other will fill a void that has been glaringly obvious since Subban was sent to Nashville. It's also obvious that not everyone was a fan of his and that many resented the risky plays and turnovers that came with him. Karlsson would also come with his share of mistakes and heart attack inducing plays for the coaching staff but can anyone say that he wouldn't ease the Canadiens' sorrows on the power play? Can you not picture him setting up Weber for one of his patented Weber rocket? In 680 games, he's got 215 power play points and that kind of numbers would come a long way to giving the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge a respectable man advantage.

As hockey is also a business though, there's the small matter of the money. As things stand, the Canadiens have got over 11 700 000$ in cap space for next season with 39/50 possible contracts signed. There's no doubt that Karlsson would eat most of said cap space especially given the fact that Drew Doughty inked an 8 years 11 million a year deal with the Kings. Karlsson will be in the market for something similar (although unless he signs with the Sharks, 7 years is the best he can hope for). Should the Habs sign him, moving Petry would free-up 5.5 million in cap space and maybe, just maybe Bergevin could use some of his magic to unload Alzner somewhere (a woman can dream), that would be another 4.625 M if by miracle the Canadiens don't have to retain any salary.

Whether or not this report is actually accurate, it's hard not to think of the possibilities that signing as talented an athlete as Karlsson would open for the Habs. While there's no way to be sure of this is a real possibility or not right now, we can at least be comfortable in the knowledge that Karlsson knows what a Canadian winter looks like and he's used to paying a heck of a lot of taxes so neither of those would come as a shock to him...




So, what say you Habs fans? Should Bergevin consider trying to sign Karlsson?
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