MONTREAL – As Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes ponder their next steps, Montreal Canadiens fans can consider this scenario while simulating their 2025-26 roster: Sidney Crosby stays with the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the New York Islanders decide to launch a full rebuild and auction off Mathew Barzal to the highest bidder.
Could you resist acquiring Barzal?
You`ve long dreamed of a second-line center, and he`s arguably too good for that role. A player scoring 60-80 points, a 27-year-old with nearly 600 career games (including playoffs) – he might be the most productive player available. And his $9.15 million salary cap hit for the next six seasons doesn`t seem entirely prohibitive, especially considering the Canadiens` salary cap situation and the expected significant growth of the cap in the coming years.
I understand why you would want to acquire him, but would you understand Gorton and Hughes if they pass on Barzal, feeling he isn`t the right fit for the team?
After all, they aren`t just patching up holes in the roster.
Gorton and Hughes are aiming to build a team that can contend for the Stanley Cup year after year, and this is impossible without achieving the right balance in the lineup.
Tristan Blackwood