In a recent paper, the excellent Arpon Basu of The Athletic mentioned that the Montreal Canadiens will not use the buyout strategy to free up cap space. Kent Hughes would not want to cut his payroll for future seasons.
We therefore understand, if we read between the lines, that the CH is already planning to have a big summer in 2024. This has even been confirmed to Basu by several of his sources in recent weeks.
According to Basu, however, this does not mean that the CH will be quiet this summer and no free agents will be signed, it's just that the organization is targeting next summer to make a big splash. It should not be forgotten here that the cap will increase significantly during this off-season and that the CH will have one more year on the clock in its recovery plan.
To date, the CH has 17 players under contract in 2024-2025, not counting Samuel Montembeault who can sign a contract extension as of July 1. However, this will mark the end of the contracts of David Savard ($3.5M), Christian Dvorak ($4.45M), and Joel Armia ($3.4M), which will allow them to be traded, if necessary, at the trade deadline. This will save no less than $11.35M.
Basu's sources are clear. Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton want to keep room to add in the summer of 2024, and presumably, the rebuilding of the Montreal Canadiens will end next summer, in July 2024.
