Speculation: Early predictions: contracts for UFAs and RFAs next year

Steve Shutt

Don't Poke the Bear
May 31, 2007
1,687
901
I'm curious how Montreal will handle some of their upcoming UFA & RFA decisions - here's my thoughts:

UFA's
Jordan Weal UFA 1.75 --> Extremely valuable down the stretch. Hoping we can extend for two years
Nate Thompson UFA 1.65 --> Nice 4th Line C but I prefer to give ice time to youth unless he comes cheap
Jordie Benn UFA 1.10 --> Reliable 3rd liner, we need depth at LD
Christian Folin UFA .65 --> Nice to have depth but Juulsen should beat him out next season
Antti Niemi UFA .95 --> Gone

RFA's
Joel Armia RFA 1.85 --> Ideal defensive RW - extend for 3 years
Artturi Lehkonen RFA .84 --> Hope he finds his offense - extend for 3 years
Charles Hudon RFA .65 --> Didn't build on his great rookie season. Extend & Trade or hope he pass through waivers and refind his game in Laval
Brett Kulak RFA .90 --> Nice depth - extend for 2
Mike Reilly RFA .73 --> I think he walks
Michael McCarron RFA .87 --> Started the year well. Nice veteran for Laval
Daniel Audette RFA .67 --> I think we let him go
Hunter Shinkaruk RFA .65 --> Goodbye
Gustav Olofsson RFA .73 --> Let's see what he can do when healthy. Bonus that he's an LD
Xavier Ouellet RFA .70 --> Extend the Captain
Brett Lernout RFA .65 --> Not sure if he ever gets another shot at the NHL with Brooks, Fleury, Juulsen at RD but nice depth for Laval. Likely depends on our 50 contract status
 

EXPOS123

Registered User
Jun 29, 2010
1,417
1,713
Lehks should be packaged in a trade while he still has some value to help us get a pure scorer. This whole thing about how he helps the team in so many other ways is so overated.

Hudon, and Audette are finished here and will lucky to get sniffs at the NHL level elsewhere.

Outside of Niemi and Shinkaruk, the rest should be resigned if the price is right and only for depth purposes.
 

Gravity

Generational Poster
Feb 27, 2017
11,690
19,411
In a Barred Spiral
I'm curious how Montreal will handle some of their upcoming UFA & RFA decisions - here's my thoughts:

UFA's
Jordan Weal UFA 1.75 --> Extremely valuable down the stretch. Hoping we can extend for two years
Nate Thompson UFA 1.65 --> Nice 4th Line C but I prefer to give ice time to youth unless he comes cheap
Jordie Benn UFA 1.10 --> Reliable 3rd liner, we need depth at LD
Christian Folin UFA .65 --> Nice to have depth but Juulsen should beat him out next season
Antti Niemi UFA .95 --> Gone

RFA's
Joel Armia RFA 1.85 --> Ideal defensive RW - extend for 3 years
Artturi Lehkonen RFA .84 --> Hope he finds his offense - extend for 3 years
Charles Hudon RFA .65 --> Didn't build on his great rookie season. Extend & Trade or hope he pass through waivers and refind his game in Laval
Brett Kulak RFA .90 --> Nice depth - extend for 2
Mike Reilly RFA .73 --> I think he walks
Michael McCarron RFA .87 --> Started the year well. Nice veteran for Laval
Daniel Audette RFA .67 --> I think we let him go
Hunter Shinkaruk RFA .65 --> Goodbye
Gustav Olofsson RFA .73 --> Let's see what he can do when healthy. Bonus that he's an LD
Xavier Ouellet RFA .70 --> Extend the Captain
Brett Lernout RFA .65 --> Not sure if he ever gets another shot at the NHL with Brooks, Fleury, Juulsen at RD but nice depth for Laval. Likely depends on our 50 contract status

Weal Extend 2 years
Thompson possibly a 1 year deal
Benn Leaves
Folin Leaves
Niemi Leaves

Armia, resign 3 years
Lekhonen, bridge deal 2 years
Hudon, gone,
Kulak, resign 2 years
Reilly, gone
McCarron, Laval
Audette, Laval
Shinkaruk, gone
Olofsson, gone,
Ouellet, Laval,
Lernout, Laval or gone
 

Kriss E

Registered User
May 3, 2007
55,329
20,272
Jeddah
Re-sign Armia and Lek. Weal and Thompson, can re-sign if for 1 year, and get rid of Weise and Peca who have another year.
Re-sign Kulak on D, get rid of the rest.

That's it. Time to make some trades to get a top 2D. Package a top 6+prospect/pick. Adding a top 2D is a must, it's not debatable. Target specific wingers that you expect to be great fits next to KK as you want to give him more responsibilities next season. Armia and Lek aren't going to cut it.
 
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HabsDood

We're the best
Jun 30, 2008
7,038
1,786
Montreal
I'm curious how Montreal will handle some of their upcoming UFA & RFA decisions - here's my thoughts:

UFA's
Jordan Weal UFA 1.75 --> Extremely valuable down the stretch. Hoping we can extend for two years
Nate Thompson UFA 1.65 --> Nice 4th Line C but I prefer to give ice time to youth unless he comes cheap
Jordie Benn UFA 1.10 --> Reliable 3rd liner, we need depth at LD
Christian Folin UFA .65 --> Nice to have depth but Juulsen should beat him out next season
Antti Niemi UFA .95 --> Gone

RFA's
Joel Armia RFA 1.85 --> Ideal defensive RW - extend for 3 years
Artturi Lehkonen RFA .84 --> Hope he finds his offense - extend for 3 years
Charles Hudon RFA .65 --> Didn't build on his great rookie season. Extend & Trade or hope he pass through waivers and refind his game in Laval
Brett Kulak RFA .90 --> Nice depth - extend for 2
Mike Reilly RFA .73 --> I think he walks
Michael McCarron RFA .87 --> Started the year well. Nice veteran for Laval
Daniel Audette RFA .67 --> I think we let him go
Hunter Shinkaruk RFA .65 --> Goodbye
Gustav Olofsson RFA .73 --> Let's see what he can do when healthy. Bonus that he's an LD
Xavier Ouellet RFA .70 --> Extend the Captain
Brett Lernout RFA .65 --> Not sure if he ever gets another shot at the NHL with Brooks, Fleury, Juulsen at RD but nice depth for Laval. Likely depends on our 50 contract status
Are you sure?
 

calder candidate

Registered User
Feb 25, 2003
4,697
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Montreal
Visit site
Need be resign
Armia, Lehkonen, Weal, Reilly, Kulak
None of them will break the bank
Even if they aren’t part of the future the still hold some value.

Should be resign
Hudon, McCaron, Folin
They should be fairly cheap and could be useful.

Could
Benn and Thompson short term solution

AHL
Our AHL team need to make playoff so resign anyone that will help.

Bye
Neimi
 
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Kudo Shinichi

Registered User
Apr 20, 2012
20,346
26,103
I wouldn't re-sign Benn and Thompson.
Benn will want 3-4 years at 3 M, which we shouldn't do.
Thompson is old. I would much rather give a chance to Evans, Poehling, Suzuki or Vejdemo next season.
 

HabsWhiteKnightLOL

Registered User
Apr 29, 2017
34,191
45,262
Somewhere on earth in a hospital
Habs just need a trade for a D

this D is just awful

I wouldn't re-sign Benn and Thompson.
Benn will want 3-4 years at 3 M, which we shouldn't do.
Thompson is old. I would much rather give a chance to Evans, Poehling, Suzuki or Vejdemo next season.

In what world , Benn Deserves 3m a year

-------------------- My suggestion

UFA's
Jordan Weal 1 year for 1.35m. Not because he played 8 good games he deserves a golden bridge , he was healthly scratch in Arizona.
Nate Thompson Goodbye
Jordie Benn Goner , should have been traded.
Christian Folin Not needed with Juulsen
Antti Niemi Goodbye
RFA's
Joel Armia 3 years around the same money A good 4th liner.
Artturi Lehkonen Keep him unless we add him into a bigger trade for a D , 2 years 1.85m
Charles Hudon Goodbye cant skate
Brett Kulak 1 year minimal. 7th
Mike Reilly GoodBye
Michael McCarron Resign for Laval
Daniel Audette Goodbye
Hunter Shinkaruk Goodbye
Gustav Olofsson 1 year in laval i guess
Xavier Ouellet Laval or bye
Brett Lernout Goodbye hes bad
Juulsen Hope he takes a good 3rd pair dman in the NHL hes young and a first pick....
 
Last edited:

Vachon23

Registered User
Oct 14, 2015
17,971
20,723
Victoriaville
I wouldn't re-sign Benn and Thompson.
Benn will want 3-4 years at 3 M, which we shouldn't do.
Thompson is old. I would much rather give a chance to Evans, Poehling, Suzuki or Vejdemo next season.

For Thompson I would offer him a try out if he’s not sign like Joël Ward this year. And one that I would let go is Brett Lernout.
 

Le Barron de HF

Justin make me proud
Mar 12, 2008
16,251
3,880
Shawinigan
What I expect:
Armia 2 years at 2.4M
Thompson 1 year at 1.25M
Weal 1 year at 1.5M
Lehkonen 3 years at 2.5M

Kulak 2 years at 2M
Benn 2 years at 2.2M
Folin 1 year at 1.2M

Audette, Mac Olof and Lernout qualified. Hudon and Rielly walk.
 
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CoopersFalls

Director of Armchair Operations
Mar 5, 2010
2,333
2,792
Central Ontario
UFA's
Jordan Weal UFA ----- Wouldn't mind extending him for 2 years @ what he makes now. 1.75 mill.
Nate Thompson UFA ----- Prefer to leave the reigns to Evans/Poehling/Weal
Jordie Benn UFA ----- Resign for 1.5 mill as long as Claude promises to leave him on the 3rd pairing.
Christian Folin UFA ------ Resign for Juulsen insurance at under 1 mill. Very, very solid. Impressed with him.
Antti Niemi UFA ------ Time has passed him bye. Thanks for your service, but it's Lindgren's time.

Outside the organization:
I would go after Wayne Simmonds if for 4 years or less.
Anders Lee would be ideal if he makes it to the market.

We need a big, powerful winger real bad.

RFA's
Joel Armia RFA ----- Extend for 3 years for around 2-2.5/year
Artturi Lehkonen RFA ----- Championship teams need checking forwards like him. Dog on a bone. Extend for 3 @ 1.5-2 per year.
Charles Hudon RFA ------ Qualify and trade or just let him walk. No future here.
Brett Kulak RFA ------ 1.5/2 years. Ideal 3rd pairing LD.
Mike Reilly RFA ----- Claude doesn't trust him, he's gone.
Michael McCarron RFA ----- I'd give him one more year, but I think Bergy will not qualify him and let him leave.
Daniel Audette RFA ------ Bye.
Hunter Shinkaruk RFA ------- Bye.
 
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EveryDay

Registered User
Jun 13, 2009
13,008
4,982
UFA's
Jordan Weal UFA ----- Wouldn't mind extending him for 2 years @ what he makes now. 1.75 mill.
Nate Thompson UFA ----- Prefer to leave the reigns to Evans/Poehling/Weal
Jordie Benn UFA ----- Resign for 1.5 mill as long as Claude promises to leave him on the 3rd pairing.
Christian Folin UFA ------ Resign for Juulsen insurance at under 1 mill. Very, very solid. Impressed with him.
Antti Niemi UFA ------ Time has passed him bye. Thanks for your service, but it's Lindgren's time.

Outside the organization:
I would go after Wayne Simmonds if for 4 years or less.
Anders Lee would be ideal if he makes it to the market.

We need a big, powerful winger real bad.

RFA's
Joel Armia RFA ----- Extend for 3 years for around 2-2.5/year
Artturi Lehkonen RFA ----- Championship teams need checking forwards like him. Dog on a bone. Extend for 3 @ 1.5-2 per year.
Charles Hudon RFA ------ Qualify and trade or just let him walk. No future here.
Brett Kulak RFA ------ 1.5/2 years. Ideal 3rd pairing LD.
Mike Reilly RFA ----- Claude doesn't trust him, he's gone.
Michael McCarron RFA ----- I'd give him one more year, but I think Bergy will not qualify him and let him leave.
Daniel Audette RFA ------ Bye.
Hunter Shinkaruk RFA ------- Bye.

Forget about Benn, it might be his last NHL contract, he's not going to sign a 1 year deal. he's going to get 2.5M a year for 2-4 seasons.

I wouldn't mind signing Thompson as a 12th/13th forward for 1.5M.
 

EveryDay

Registered User
Jun 13, 2009
13,008
4,982
UFA's

Jordan Weal ---Extended 2 years 1.5M
Nate Thompson --Extended 1 years 1.5M
Jordie Benn ----Gone
Christian Folin --Extended 1 years 1.5M
Antti Niemi ---Gone

RFA's

Joel Armia ---Extended 3 years 2.75M
Artturi Lehkonen---Extended 4 years 2.75M
Charles Hudon ---Gone
Brett Kulak --- Extended 3 years 2.5M
Mike Reilly ---Gone or sign and trade
Michael McCarron --- Extended 2 year for Laval
Daniel Audette ---Gone
Hunter Shinkaruk ---Gone
Gustav Olofsson --- Sign 2 year for Laval
Xavier Ouellet ---Sign 1 year for Laval
Brett Lernout ---Sign 1 year for Laval
 

OB5

Registered User
May 2, 2015
5,577
3,997
UFA's
Jordan Weal-Must keep, at least 2 years.
Nate Thompson-on the fence, good C depth but super old, I'd probably let him walk.
Jordie Benn-Let him walk.
Christian Folin-keep, one year deal.
Antti Niemi-Retire

RFA's
Joel Armia-Must keep, 2-3 year deal.
Artturi Lehkonen-Obvious keep-2-3 year deal.
Charles Hudon-They're going to let him walk.
Brett Kulak-1-2 year deal.
Mike Reilly-Theyre going to let him walk.
Michael McCarron-I think they give him one more shot.
Daniel Audette-Gone unless there's nepotism.
Hunter Shinkaruk-gone
Gustav Olofsson-theyre definitely going to keep him, they acquired him for a reason.
Xavier Ouellet-good tweener depth they should keep him.
Brett Lernout-gone, time to move one, they have Tyszka and Walford waiting to be signed.
 

Carl182

Registered User
Mar 31, 2019
1,355
854
RFA
Lekhonen and Armia : I would give 3-4 years around 1.5-2.5 M.
Hudon : I think he will walk, I would do 1 year 925 000$.
Kulak : 1-2 years around 1-2 M
Reilly : will walk, I would propose 1 year 925 000$
McCarron : I would give him the same 2ways 1 year contract than last year. Hé was good for Laval before his injury.
Audette : AHL contract or walks. He's been good in Laval the second half of the season.
Shinkaruk : walks, he is bad...

UFA
Niemi walks
Thompson : 1 years 925 000$ or walks
Weal : I would give 2 years at 1.50-1.75 M
Benn : 1 year at 1.5 M or 2 years at 1M
Frolin : 1 year at 925 000$, so Juulsen has time in Laval.
Ouellet : same 2ways 1 year contract or AHL contract for more terms.
Lernout : AHL contract or walks. He has the tools to be a bottom 6 (speed, grit, shot,...) but he cant read the game for shit. I give up. And we will probably have Juulsen, Brook and Fleury on the right side in Laval at the start of the season.
Olofsson : walks, this guy is méga prone injury.

We will also sign Walford and Tyszka entry-level contracts.

If everyone I would like to keep sign, it gets us to 46 contracts (Audette and Lernout AHL contract, Niemi out, Olofsson out, Shinkaruk out).
If we let go some players (Hudon, Thompson, Reilly) it gets us to 43 contracts.

Then the 1st or July, Thèse would be the players I would try to sign in that order depending on the price and the lenght. I know most of these guys probably dont want to come to Montreal.

1. Panarin or Karlsson or Skinner or Duchenes (more than 5 years)
2. Gardiner (5 years max)
3. Lee or Nelsson or Ferland or Hayes or Dzingel (5 years max)
4. Zuccarello or Connolly or Eberle or Donskoi or Nyquist or Johansson or Simmonds or Chiasson (2 To 4 years max)
5. Pavelski or Edler (3 years max)
6. Lehner or Mazarek (3 years max)
7. McElhinney or Miller or Smith or Ward or Elliot or Kinkaid or Talbot (2 years max)
8. Boyle/Chiarot/Bellemare/Tanev (2 years max)
9. Thorthon or Williams or Spezza or Bouwmeester (1 year max)
10. Pirri/Dea/Gabriel/Gilmour (2 Ways contract)
 
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Hins77

Registered User
Apr 2, 2013
3,819
3,390
I saw Jeff Skinner played in montreal 2 wknd ago and this guy have a lot poise around the net. I think that it could be insane to have him between a guy like max domi and Drouin. A great shot and doesnt fear the traffic. Im montreal. I try to acquire him. He could bring a lot of skill in our PP. guys like nelson/hayes/zuccarello. Are good, but they havent as much skill than skinner
 

HabsDood

We're the best
Jun 30, 2008
7,038
1,786
Montreal
He clearly said "these are my thoughts" not "this is whats going to happen"

Instead of asking a rhetorical useless question, why dont you post what YOU think might happen in each case?

You know, kind of the point of the thread...and message boards in general.
I thought his post was excellent and I liked, my answer was sarcastic
 
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LaP

Registered User
Jun 27, 2012
24,298
17,415
Quebec City, Canada
My guess is:

Weal gets a 1-year NHL contract at $900k.
Thompson gets a 1-year NHL 35+ contract at $950k or retires.
Benn gets two years at 1.5M AAV.
Peca is traded for a late pick (6-7th)
Hudon isn't qualified.
Reilly isn't qualified.
Folin gets 2 years at $950k AAV.

Drouin traded to Edmonton in a package returning the 7th OA, Puljujarvi and a cap dump (one of Lucic, Russel, or Sekera.)

Petry traded for a mid first round pick, a bottom pair defenseman, and a B prospect doing well.

Montreal goes into the draft with 7th OA, 15th OA, another top 25, and several more picks in later rounds.

Mete - Weber
Kulak - Juulsen
Benn - Fleury
Folin

I don't see him accepting such a drop in salary. His salary this season was 1.750 millions. He'll want at least close to 1.5 and MB will give it to him.
 

xNogaitx

Akuna Matata.
Sep 9, 2017
756
267
Edmonton
I don't see him accepting such a drop in salary. His salary this season was 1.750 millions. He'll want at least close to 1.5 and MB will give it to him.
My bad. Didn't know he was getting so much. Yeah then in this case it could be a 1.5M show me contract, or a 2 years at 1.8M AAV
 

Milhouse40

Registered User
Aug 19, 2010
22,058
24,580
Now that the season is pretty much over, it's time to take a look at this summer cause there's a lot of work to be done with this roster.

Armia is RFA and coming out of $1.85M contract.
Weal is UFA and coming out of a $1,75M contract.
Thompson is UFA and coming out of a $1.65M contract
Lehkonen is RFA and coming out of his ELC deal
Hudon is RFA and coming out of a 650K deal
Benn is UFA and coming out of $1.1M deal
Kulak is RFA and coming out of 900K deal
Folin is UFA and was earning 650K
Reilly is RFA and was earning 900K
Niemi is UFA and was on a 950K deal


Remember that to this day, there's only 6 rosters spot available considering only one of Poehling, Suzuki, Juulsen or Brooks makes the team.

There's probably some decision also to be made on players with deal in place for next year but are not contributing to the team's success:

Deslauriers = 1 year left
Peca = 1 year left
Weise = 1 year left

So who do you keep, Who do you let go?
 

A Loyal Dog

Woof!
Oct 20, 2016
9,419
11,154
I can't talk much about RFA/UFAs, but I'm fairly certain Drouin is gone this off-season.

Otherwise, I guess it's likely to see Armia, Weal, Kulak, and maybe Benn extend. I think Lehkonen gets a small bridge prove-yourself contract or gets traded as well.
 

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