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The contract situation with the Montreal Canadiens is starting to generate buzz across the city, as Paul Ryan’s predictions for next season raise new concerns for fans.<\/p>\n
We’re talking about a potential serious handicap when it comes to the Canadiens salary cap.<\/p>\n
Roughly $2 million in performance bonuses from this season.<\/p>\n
It’s the kind of detail that comes back to haunt a general manager when shopping on the market.<\/p>\n
Kent Hughes will once again have to juggle complex numbers to improve his lineup.<\/p>\n
The case of Brendan Gallagher also remains at the center of discussions with his $6.5 million cap hit.<\/p>\n
A contract buyout would bring that number down to $3.833 million, which would create some room to maneuver.<\/p>\n
Samuel Montembeault is the other hot topic mentioned by the analyst with his $3.15 million cap hit.<\/p>\n
If the organization ever decided to buy out his deal, the impact would drop to just $1.1516 million.<\/p>\n
Managing the cap will dictate the pace of the rebuild. The team doesn’t want to end up stuck with contracts that prevent it from signing its young stars.<\/p>\n
A financial puzzle for Kent Hughes<\/p>\n
“The Canadiens could face serious salary cap challenges next season: about $2M in performance bonuses from this year, Gallagher at $6.5M ($3.833M if bought out) and Montembeault at $3.15M ($1.1516M if bought out).”<\/p>\n
– Paul Ryan<\/p>\n
The Canadiens absolutely need to maintain a certain level of flexibility for the coming seasons.<\/p>\n
We can all agree that every dollar matters when you want to become a powerhouse in the East again.<\/p>\n
The Atlantic Division shows no mercy, and management mistakes come at a high cost in the standings.<\/p>\n
The team will need to be smart to ensure those bonuses don’t become a burden.<\/p>\n
The decisions made by management during the offseason will be crucial for what comes next.<\/p>\n
We will be watching closely to see whether a contract buyout becomes a real option.<\/p>\n
Let’s be honest, nobody wants to see the Canadiens handcuffed by avoidable financial constraints.<\/p>\n
Operating efficiently under the cap is now just as important as execution on the ice.<\/p>\n
Previously on All Montreal Hockey<\/p>\n
POLL<\/p>\n
17 MINUTES AGO|12 ANSWERS<\/p>\n
Montreal Canadiens cap outlook raises buyout debate around Brendan Gallagher and Samuel Montembeault<\/p>\n
Should the Canadiens buy out Brendan Gallagher’s contract?<\/p>\n
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