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With the arrival of Tyler Toffoli, the Montreal Canadiens’ payroll is above the ceiling for the next campaign, according to the Cap Friendly site.
• Read also: The Canadian awards a 4-year contract to forward Tyler Toffoli
The Habs will have to offload a little more than $ 1 million to meet the ceiling, set at $ 81.5 million. So here are three players who are likely to leave the team before the start of the next campaign.
Jordan weal
With a reasonable salary of $ 1.4m, Weal could be a nice addition for a club looking for depth. The 28-year-old Canadian totaled eight goals and 15 points in 49 games in 2019-20.
Free agent without compensation at the end of the next campaign, he could be the way out for director Marc Bergevin, who could opt for waivers, if ever the situation becomes problematic.
If he is not selected through this tool, his dismissal in the American Hockey League (AHL) would greatly reduce the impact of Weal’s salary on the payroll.
Paul Byron
Paul Byron seems to have lost his place in the sun in the lineup of the Canadiens during the most recent campaign, being limited to four goals and 10 points in 29 games.
The small striker had yet managed two seasons of at least 20 goals between 2016 and 2018, in addition to having moved the ropes 15 times in 56 games in 2018-2019. Thus, a change of air could be favorable to him.
His contract, which is still valid for three seasons and $ 3.4 million per year, could however represent an obstacle for a possible transaction. Indeed, several CEOs seem rather to want to reduce their payroll due to the financial uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joel armia
With the acquisitions of Josh Anderson and Toffoli and the presence of Brendan Gallagher, the right-wing positions on the top three lines appear to be occupied. Thus, Armia should have to play on the fourth line.
His salary of $ 2.6m is a bit steep for a support player, however, and he will surely want to use his scoring skills elsewhere, where he will be found a place. He still scored 16 goals in 58 games in 2019-2020.
Armia is due to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
