Hockey

“The Habs may be holding back so as not to risk blocking a Crosby deal”
Michaël Petit
“The Habs may be holding back so as not to risk blocking a Crosby deal”
Credit: Getty Images

Ever since Price was traded to the San Jose Sharks, Habs fans have been eagerly awaiting another trade to add a 2nd center to the roster. Now that the Habs have more wiggle room under the salary cap, everyone is waiting for a trade to fill that famous need. With the rookie face-off starting last night and training camp getting underway soon, time is running out before the season begins to add that second center, and several names have been rumored to fill the need, including Mason McTavish and Sidney Crosby. McTavish is still without a contract for next season, and that's what keeps the rumour mill rolling. As for Crosby, the chances of him being traded before the start of the season seem pretty slim. Onthe most recent episode of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Elliotte Friedman had his own thoughts. According to the renowned tipster, Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes are probably holding back so as not to risk blocking a potential Sidney Crosby deal. This excerpt can be found at the 60th minute of the episode.

“Gorton and Hughes… Do you sit there and say you're not going to do anything with such-and-such a player because it might block a Crosby deal?”

–

Elliotte Friedman

That would indeed be a possibility, because if the Habs acquire a player, it's bound to increase the club's payroll and would greatly complicate things for adding Crosby's services. But on the other hand, if the Habs were to add a player to their roster, it would most likely be a second center, so Crosby's services wouldn't be needed as much. Let's take the example of a guy like McTavish being acquired from the Habs to fill that second-line center position. The salary of his next contract will bring the Habs dangerously close to the salary cap, even if a contract is sent in return (e.g. Kirby Dach at $3.362 M per season). And acquiring Crosby in addition to McTavish would be rather… ridiculous, knowing that they wouldn't be cheap and that quality players/prospects and picks would be sent in. So, if the Habs really want to keep their chances of getting Crosby between now and the deadline, they'll have to keep a lid on the trade market to facilitate a deal. In short, we'll have to wait and see what Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton come up with.

'Overtime'

– No Ivan Demidov on the horizon,

– The former Trois-Rivières Lions and Laval Rocket player is enjoying his KHL debut.

– Obviously, several teams would be interested in adding the services of a Kirill Kaprizov.

– DeBoer walks back his words.

– To read.

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