Connor McDavid's name got tossed into Canadiens chatter last night, and Montreal fans noticed fast.
On the Sick Podcast, host Shayne Gaumond raised the idea with Montreal Gazette columnist Stu Cowan.
Cowan didn't call it a done deal. He said Montreal could be an appealing market if the Oilers superstar ever wants out of Edmonton.
Talk like this is the hockey version of window shopping. Everyone glances at the display, but almost nobody actually walks in and buys.
McDavid put up 138 points this season, connecting on 48 goals and 90 assists across 82 games.
His playoff run lasted just six games. He managed six points in that stretch and went minus-8. Is that enough to make him restless?
Edmonton finished the year 41-30-11, with him still holding a $12,500,000 cap hit, tied to the fourth-highest number in the league.
Linemate Leon Draisaitl carries an even bigger deal at $14,000,000, meaning Edmonton has over $26 million committed to two players.
Montreal closed its season 48-24-10, good for 106 points and sixth overall in the full league standings.
Montreal's discount core is quietly building cap space for a run
The Canadiens went 24-9-8 on the road this season, the kind of number that turns rebuilding buzz into contender buzz.
The two clubs split their season series. Edmonton won 6-5 in October, and Montreal answered with a 4-1 win in December.
Nick Suzuki scored 101 points on a $7,875,000 cap hit. Cole Caufield added 88 points for $7,850,000, right behind him.
Lane Hutson produced 78 points while counting just $950,000 against the cap, one of the biggest bargains anywhere in hockey.
Juraj Slafkovsky posted 73 points on $7,600,000, and rookie Ivan Demidov chipped in 62 points for just $940,833.
That's the flexibility that makes this chatter fun instead of laughable. But stacking discounts only works if Kent Hughes actually spends the savings on a winner, not on headlines.
-
Nothing here confirms the Oilers captain is going anywhere. It just means if he ever does, Montreal's name gets mentioned first.
Would you actually want the Canadiens to chase Connor McDavid if Edmonton ever lets him hit the open market?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Bettman's next nightmare? Another NHL team could soon relocate
