Heading for their second consecutive postseason appearance, the Montreal Canadiens are looking on all fronts for trade deadline acquisitions. Earlier today, on 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that the Canadiens have checked in on Rasmus Ristolainen‘s availability.
The main roadblock for any target of Montreal will be their ability to shed cap space. According to PuckPedia, the Canadiens have $1.49MM in space for the deadline, leaving them with very few options. Ristolainen, who’s making a $5.1MM salary through next season, wouldn’t be affordable at this time.
Additionally, it’s not clear where exactly Ristolainen would fit in the Canadiens’ lineup. Montreal already has Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, Mike Matheson, and Kaiden Guhle in its top four. There’s no indication that the team would be eager to move any of them in a potential trade for Ristolainen, nor should they.
That would only leave room in the bottom pairing for Ristolainen. Theoretically, the team could create a package around Alexandre Carrier ($3.75MM AAV) to make the money work, but it’s unlikely that the Philadelphia Flyers would be interested in him. Still, if Montreal wants to put its defensive corps over the top for the postseason, acquiring a blueliner like Ristolainen would certainly do that.
Injuries have limited his availability over the past few years, but he has consistently performed well when healthy. Over the last two years with Philadelphia, Ristolainen has recorded five goals and 25 points in 84 games with a -2 rating, averaging 20:25 of ice time. Additionally, he’s recorded 122 blocked shots and 118 hits over that stretch, proving his two-way effectiveness.
Regardless, given their financial and roster limitations, it’s unlikely that the Canadiens will acquire Ristolainen. Still, it doesn’t hurt to reach out about any available player leading up to the deadline, especially for a team in Montreal’s position. It is more likely that Ristolainen will end up with a team with a more significant void in their top-four, unlike the Canadiens, if he’s moved at all.
I wouldn’t say Montreal’s *ability* to shed salary is a roadblock; it’s their *need* to shed salary. If they’re *able* to shed salary, that would actually make it easier, not harder.
More importantly… Nothing burger of an article. He may move. Montreal may shed salary. Doesn’t mean it lines up.
If you want to get into specifics. I don’t see why a team needing a 2C would invest in a top 4D, especially when everything seems solidfied there.
Habs have a 2C on the roster doing just fine. They don’t need a top 4 D but good thing Rasmus isn’t that anyway on a playoff roster. He’d provide an upgrade as a third pairing and insurance if Guhle gets hurt.
The real question is what they’d trade for him as this article doesn’t really do more than make odd speculations.
Hey, I root for the Bruins. I am all for the Habs burning assets for a guy they don’t need, carrying a cap hit they can’t afford.
Ooof. You were my favourite until you told me your allegiance :D
Habs fan (French immersion) until my dad got me a Gilmour jersey. Sakic my favourite player, Roy goalie. So Avs we’re a sneaky tertiary team for me to root for. Still have a toque from 96.
Sakic and Roy are certainly great choices for favorites. I’ll never forget Joe *immediately* handing the Cup off to Ray Bourque to hoist and skate around the rink. The ultimate class act for one of the classiest players ever to lace up the skates.
Still engrained in my mind. Joe was pure class and he knew when moments were greater than him.