A big free agent name is linked to the Canadiens

Despite a tremendous regular season with a 54-20-8 record and an impressive 116 points, the Carolina Hurricanes' playoff run ended in the second round on Monday against the New York Rangers.

Now that his team is eliminated, Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell will certainly have some important decisions to make as several of the team's forwards will become free agents without compensation this summer.

Among them is one Vincent Trocheck and as reported by Keven Mawn, of Fanadiens.com, his name is already linked to the Habs.

Grant McCagg, a former scout for the Habs and now very active on social media, speculated via his Twitter account that Trocheck could very well end up in Montreal next year.



One remembers the events between the two organizations over the past few years. But all kidding aside, it would be very surprising if Trocheck was back in Carolina next year due to the fact that the Hurricanes have plenty of center players in their organization.

The 28-year-old American has 51 points in 81 games this season and has added 10 points, including six goals in 14 playoff games. Could Vincent Trocheck be a good pickup this summer by Kent Hughes on the free agent market?

Maybe, but with the team rebuilding and the possibility of Shane Wright becoming the team's first choice, it would certainly create congestion at the center position for the Habs.

In addition, Trocheck was commanding a salary of $4.75 million this year and with him coming into his prime, it's likely he'll be looking for a long-term, highly lucrative deal.