Sam Montembeault on His Future with the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault, when questioned about his future with the team, stated, “I have one year left on my deal, I don’t make those decisions. All I can control is having a good summer.”
Potential Big Swing Targets for the New York Rangers
New York Rangers GM Chris Drury reportedly aims to be active this offseason. While he may be willing to make a significant move, identifying available players who fit the bill is key. The Rangers could potentially move Vincent Trocheck for a package of assets.
For established top-six forwards and top-four defensemen, here are some potential targets:
- Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs): Alex Tuch could address positional needs with his size and scoring, but his age and role as a complementary player might make a substantial contract less appealing. Similarly, spending big on right-handed defenseman Darren Raddysh is unlikely.
- Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres might need cap space to re-sign restricted free agent (RFA) forwards Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs. Given their abundance of left-handed defensemen, they might consider trading players like Bowen Byram (UFA after next season) or Owen Power (five years remaining at $8.35 million).
- Dallas Stars: While expected to re-sign RFA Jason Robertson, the Stars may need to make moves to accommodate his contract. Roope Hintz, with five years left at $8.45 million and a no-movement clause, is a player of interest. Mavrik Bourque is an RFA with arbitration rights.
- San Jose Sharks: The Sharks might be open to trading their No. 2 overall pick, potentially dropping back in exchange for a defenseman. The Rangers, holding the No. 5 pick and needing a forward, could explore a trade. A deal involving Braden Schneider for William Eklund would be ideal, but the Sharks also have prospects like Filip Bystedt, Igor Chernyshov, and Quentin Musty.
- St. Louis Blues: Players like Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, both at $8.125 million through 2031, are unlikely targets for the Rangers given their limited trade assets that would interest the Blues.
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Auston Matthews is a long shot. The Rangers are among the teams monitoring the availability of Matthew Knies (23), who posted 66 points last season and has a $7.75 million cap hit for five more years.
- Vegas Golden Knights: The Rangers could consider RFAs like Pavel Dorofeyev. To make such a move, they would need to reacquire their 2027 second-round pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Golden Knights might move players like Tomas Hertl and Adin Hill to free up cap space. The Rangers could potentially take on contracts like Hertl, William Karlsson, Nic Dowd, or Keegan Kolesar using their cap flexibility.
- Ottawa Senators: If Brady Tkachuk were ever made available, the Rangers would express interest.
English Translation
Sam Montembeault on His Future with the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault, when asked about his future with the team, stated: “I have one year left on my deal, I don’t make those decisions. All I can control is having a good summer.”
Some Potential Targets If the New York Rangers Are Looking to Take a Big Swing
It sounds like New York Rangers GM Chris Drury would like to be active this offseason, but it can be easier said than done. He may be willing to take a big swing at someone, but who is available that they’d consider?
The Rangers could look to move Vincent Trocheck, but that would likely be for a package of assets.
If they’re looking for an established top-six forward and top-four defenseman, here are some options.
- UFAs: Alex Tuch definitely fits the positional need, and he brings size and scoring, but does it really make sense to spend that kind of money on a 30-year-old who is more of a complementary player. Can’t see the Rangers wanting to spend big money on right-handed defenseman Darren Raddysh either.
- The Buffalo Sabres may need some cap room to re-sign Tuch, and RFA forwards Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs. They’re loaded with left-handed defensemen. Would they move Bowen Byram (UFA after next season) or Owen Power (five years left at $8.35 million)?
- The Dallas Stars will likely re-sign RFA Jason Robertson, but may need to make some moves to fit his money in. Some people are curious about Roope Hintz, who has five years left at $8.45 million. He’s got a no-movement clause. Mavrik Bourque is an RFA with arb rights.
- The San Jose Sharks may be willing to move their No. 2 pick, and maybe would consider dropping back a bit and selecting a defenseman. The Rangers own the No. 5 pick and could use a forward. The Sharks have some young forwards and could use a young defenseman. Would they be interested Braden Schneider for William Eklund would be ideal, but they have prospects like Filip Bystedt, Igor Chernyshov, Quentin Musty.
- The St. Louis Blues have Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, both at $8.125 million through 2031. The Rangers shouldn’t offer the No. 5 pick, and they don’t have much else that would interest the Blues.
- Auston Matthews would be a long-shot. The Rangers are among the teams interested to see if Toronto Maple Leafs Matthew Knies is available. He’s only 23, put up 66 points last season and has $7.75 million cap hit for five more years.
- The Rangers should be looking at Vegas Golden Knights RFA forward Pavel Dorofeyev. If they wanted to offer sheet him, they’d need to get their 2027 2nd round pick back from the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Golden Knights would likely move Tomas Hertl and Adin Hill to gain the cap space needed. Maybe the Rangers can use their cap space to take on a Hertl, William Karlsson, Nic Dowd or Keegan Kolesar.
- If the Ottawa Senators ever made Brady Tkachuk available, the Rangers would be interested.
