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“Imagine Guhle-Ekblad, Hutson-Carrier, Matheson-Reinbacher”
Credit: One thing’s for sure: the Montreal Canadiens need to make a move this summer. And they’re spoilt for choice when it comes to making changes, whether by trading a few prospects, trading one of their two first-round picks (or both) or signing a free agent. The simplest choice: the free agent market. You simply have […]

One thing’s for sure: the Montreal Canadiens need to make a move this summer.

And they’re spoilt for choice when it comes to making changes, whether by trading a few prospects, trading one of their two first-round picks (or both) or signing a free agent.

The simplest choice: the free agent market.

You simply have to offer more than the other clubs (and not just with salary, but the market itself, the core and where the club is going).

The Habs have two urgent needs: the famous second-line center and (at least) a right-handed defenseman to make up for the loss of David Savard.

Ideally, it would take an experienced right-handed defenseman to mentor the Habs’ young defensive brigade.

In fact, there’s a very good right-handed defenseman on the free agent market this summer (if he doesn’t find a deal with his club by then).

That player is Aaron Ekblad.

The 29-year-old defenseman will complete the final year of his eight-year contract on July 1, and could test the free agent market.

And the Habs must try to acquire his services, as he would (greatly) solidify the Habs’ defensive brigade.

That’s the opinion of Martin Lemay, who spoke about this earlier today on BPM Sports’ Retour des Sportifs program.

“Imagine Guhle-Ekblad, Hutson-Carrier, Matheson-Reinbacher… It seems to me it’s no worse.” – Martin Lemay

And he’s right. It’s a dream defensive brigade.

As Lemay pointed out in the excerpt above, Ekblad’s salary should be in the neighbourhood of $7.8 million a year, which falls within the Habs’ “salary margin”.

Apart from Patrik Laine, no Habs player earns more than Nick Suzuki ($7.875 million a year).

As I mentioned earlier in the article, the giant-sized defenseman would bring great stability to the defense.

The only negative about Ekblad is that he’s had trouble staying healthy, especially in the last five years.

But he’ll bring experience, as he’s been a top-notch defenseman since he arrived in the NHL at the age of 18.

He won the Calder Trophy for the best rookie in the Bettman circuit with 39 points in 81 games.

But Ekblad isn’t just about offense. First and foremost, he is a physical monster who is very reliable defensively.

He also has a very good skating stroke, especially for his size (6 feet, 4 inches and 220 pounds), and a very heavy shot.

Without a doubt, the Habs would be much better off with the Windsor native in their lineup.


Overtime

– Read more.

– I don’t think there’s ever been a negative comment about Marc-André Fleury.

– Elliotte Friedman still as creative as ever.

– The Stars will have to keep an eye on him.

– Leon Draisaitl scored the first goal of this third-round series.

– SGA is only the second Canadian in NBA history to win the MVP (Most Valuable Player) trophy. Only Steve Nash had won it before this season.

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