By Dante, Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine
| Player | Status | Team 2013-14 | Should the Habs sign him? | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P.K. Subban | RFA | Montreal Canadiens | Yes. He’s a Norris trophy winner and a franchise defenseman. In my opinion, you give him a blank cheque. | Filed for Arbitration |
| UFA | Montreal Canadiens | Toss up. The long-time Hab logged the most amount of ice time during the season, but he is 35-years old and has had two knee reconstructive surgeries. He can be replaced. If not, he must be re-signed. | Signed: Canadiens. 3 years, $5.75 million per year | |
| Lars Eller | RFA | Montreal Canadiens | Yes. He had a rough season but led the team in points during the playoffs. Should be a reasonable re-signing. | Filed for Arbitration |
| RFA | Montreal Canadiens | Yes. Many Habs fans were skeptical as to why Marc Bergevin traded one of their only right-handed defenseman for a player who was constantly in John Tortorella’s doghouse. Those skeptics have been silenced as the speedy winger proved to be an excellent third line player as well as chipping in goals when the Habs really needed them. | Signed: Canadiens. 2 years, $1.025 million per year | |
| Ryan White | RFA | Montreal Canadiens | No. With the emergence of Dale Weise, there is no longer a roster spot for White. He should be traded. | Released to UFA market |
| UFA | Montreal Canadiens | Yes. It’s not everyday that player of his calibre plays for Le Bleu, Blanc et Rouge. He had a lackluster playoff but, although unlikely, the Habs should re-sign him at the right price. Update: Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin announced that Vanek will not re-sign with the Habs. | Signed: Wild | |
| Francis Bouillon | UFA | Montreal Canadiens | No. He should hang up his skates. | |
| Douglas Murray | UFA | Montreal Canadiens | No. See Francis Bouillon. Update: Bergevin annoucned that Murray will also not be re-signed. | |
| Mike Weaver | UFA | Montreal Canadiens | Yes. Excellent depth defenseman. He proved valuable on the penalty kill. Weaver was solid all-round during the playoffs. Should be a reasonable signing as well. | Signed: Canadiens |
| Brian Gionta | UFA | Montreal Canadiens | Toss up. He was a valuable defensive forward alongside Tomas Plekanec. However he is 35 years old and at 5’8″, he is too small on an already undersized roster. | Signed: Sabres |
| George Parros | UFA | Montreal Canadiens | No. In my opinion, there is no place in the NHL for enforcers anymore. Update: Bergevin said that Parros will not be re-signed by the Canadiens. | |
| Matt Niskanen | UFA | Pittsburgh Penguins | No. He would have been an upgrade over Markov but there is no longer a need for him now that Markov was re-signed. | Signed: Capitals |
| Jarome Iginla | UFA | Boston Bruins | Yes. With Vanek likely out the door, Iginla could prove quite valuable as he is a perennial 30-goal scorer. A one year deal would be superb. | Signed: Avalanche |
| Anton Stralman | UFA | New York Rangers | Yes. Although Markov was re-signed, Stralman would still be an upgrade over Alexei Emelin if the Canadiens were able to trade Emelin. Update: The Canadiens were able to trade Gorges, but opted to sign the cheaper Tom Gilbert instead. | Signed: Lightning |
| Saku Koivu | UFA | Anaheim Ducks | Toss up. The former Habs captain is about to hit the open market and many Habs fans want him to finish his career wearing La Sainte Flannelle. He could provide depth barring injuries but is he really an upgrade over players like Ryan White or potentially Jacob De La Rose? |
Who do you think the Canadiens should sign? Who do you think they should let walk?
Please comment below!