The Montreal Canadiens have made some serious changes to the roster this summer but some of the high-priced talent is still in town. Jeff Petry in particular is an odd fit for the rebuilding club, given his age (34) and struggles last season. With his public desire for a different fit closer to home, pressure has continued to build in Montreal for general manager Kent Hughes to find a trade.
Well, perceived pressure at least.
Hughes met with the media today and explained that while it is a priority he will not rush into a decision on Petry that weakens the Canadiens’ moving forward. He reiterated that if a trade is to be made, Montreal will not be retaining any of the money left on the veteran defenseman’s contract. Petry carries a $6.25MM cap hit for the next three seasons.
At the end of the day it’s about finding that trade that makes sense for the Montreal Canadiens. If we’re able to find it, we’ll do it. If not, Jeff will have to return to Montreal and play here. We love him as a player, I think he loves everything about Montreal other than the complications from a family perspective.
The key here is that the Canadiens aren’t considering a Petry trade a salary dump and are maintaining that they will keep him through the end of his contract if necessary. While some of that is likely just a negotiating tactic, if the Canadiens are truly unwilling to retain any salary, Petry’s market will likely shrivel considerably.
It’s hard for any team to absorb a $6.25MM cap hit and even more difficult to do it for a defenseman who is signed through his 37th birthday. Petry’s offensive production fell last season to just 27 points in 68 games as he appeared disinterested (or perhaps just distracted) at times, and there is no sure bet that it will return if he goes elsewhere.
Still, for teams that miss out on other right-shot puck-movers in free agency and other trades, Petry remains an option that is available for the right price. Hughes was asked directly whether John Klingberg’s availability was holding things up, he replied “not necessarily.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Did Detroit make an offer? Probably got nixed because the Habs wouldn’t retain any $. Dumb move on Montreal’s part. Now they will eat his total contract for the next 3 years.
They will circle back
Hronek for Petry (retain $.75M) + FLA 1st
why trade Hronek? Not for Petry. We already signed 3 D men yesterday. Don’t need another 30+ player on the back end. Snooze, you lose.
Yeah. Montreal isn’t trading any 1st round picks.
They will trade him on their terms or he can stay and mentor the young defensemen who are coming along. They will have at least 2 rookies in the starting lineup.
And if not now he can be traded at the trade deadline.
He doesn’t have to move him.
As a habs fan they will surely hold something but if they outwardly say that then the amount goes up. So if teams think they wont hold any and they do pay 1.5 per thats a win relatively. If they are twlling teams they are willing to eat 1.5 buy the time hes traded ot goes up to 2 or 2.5
He’s worried about WEAKENING the team? With that lineup, and those goalies?
@Nha Trang – I thought I saw you leaving the out-patient clinic as I was pulling up. Reading Hughes’ BS about “weakening” the team will cause anybody to bust a rib laughing. They set the worst 82-game marks in franchise history last year. Maybe we can send him a couple of emails showing him how to use HockeyReference.com.
Hell, Mac, I think he’d need a brain upgrade to use hockey-reference.com.
@Nha Trang – I just looked over my schedule. I can’t fit him in until sometime in August, 2027. How about you?
It is hard to believe the Habs would be stupid enough not to retain any salary. I am sure Detroit would like Petry at a cap hit of 4 million per year.
Unless Montreal wants to retain a good chunk of salary or take back another contract Clubs are getting tapped out cap wise this off-season.