Whether the Canadiens make the playoffs or not, GM Marc Bergevin is going to have money to go free-agent shopping this summer.
The Canadiens’ projected cap space, according to CapFriendly.com, is US$8.5 million, money the team and Bergevin have been sitting on the last two seasons since failing to re-sign Alexander Radulov and/or Andrei Markov. Last summer, John Tavares refused to even meet with the Canadiens before signing his seven-year, US$77-million free-agent contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Canadiens have had trouble attracting free agents in the past and Bergevin made a mistake when he signed defenceman Karl Alzner to a five-year, US$23.125-million contract two summers ago. The Canadiens paid Alzner US$6 million this season to play for the AHL’s Laval Rocket and he has three more seasons on his contract with a $4.625 million annual salary-cap hit.
Montreal was not an attractive destination for free agents last summer after the Canadiens finished 28th in the overall NHL standings and the future looked bleak. But they have made an impressive turnaround this season and now have a young, talented team while goalie Carey Price has shown he can still play some very good hockey at age 31. Maybe that will make the city and the team more attractive to free agents this summer and the time has come for Bergevin to spend his extra money. The players and the fans deserve it.
If Bergevin needs help selling Montreal and the Canadiens, he could get help from Nate Thompson and his wife, Sydney, who have fallen in love with the city since he was acquired from the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 11. The 34-year-old centre has played for seven teams during his 12 years in the NHL, including the Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings.
“I don’t know if it’s been one thing, I think it’s been a lot of things,” Thompson said Tuesday morning in Brossard when asked what he’s enjoyed most about playing in Montreal. “I think just being able to play for the Montreal Canadiens, I’ve really enjoyed all the guys here on the team. Playing with these guys, it’s been a really fun group. I’ve had a lot of fun. Living here, like I said, I don’t think I can narrow it down to one thing. I think it’s just a variety of things that I’ve really enjoyed since I’ve been here and it’s been a pleasure.”
Thompson and his wife found a place to live downtown with their two dogs — a 4-year-old miniature golden doodle and a 2-year-old yellow lab — and they have all taken to the city, enjoying walks along Ste-Catherine St. Sydney, who is from Beverley Hills, Calif., hasn’t even minded the weather in Montreal, where there is still snow on the ground.
“She got a little taste of it last year when we were in Ottawa,” Thompson said. “So I think maybe that warmed her up a little bit for this. I think the biggest thing is just kind of the culture and she’s really enjoyed being able to walk around everywhere and kind of take in the city. Obviously, the food, too.
“The food’s been really good. I think she joked around that she’s gained a little bit of weight since she’s been here,” Thompson added with a laugh. “I haven’t told her that. But she said she has and I said: Well, that’s a good thing. It’s cold outside and it’s good food, so what are you going to do?”
Working off the pounds won’t be a problem for Sydney, who has a background as a Pilates instructor and helps her husband train during the off-season.
“I like that when we walk out the door, there’s always something to do, something to eat,” Sydney told canadiens.com. “At home in L.A., we usually have our routine. Here, we can do something new every single day. I’m really enjoying it. We both are.”
Sydney said she had a gut feeling Thompson would end up in Montreal this season.
“When I found out, I was so excited because I knew this was a bucket list dream for him,” she told canadiens.com.
Thompson can become an unrestricted free agent this summer, but would love to stay in Montreal.
“Obviously, that’s not my call and I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “But right now I’m just worried about tonight (against the Tampa Bay Lightning) and not really thinking about too far ahead. It’s been a lot of fun. Like I said, I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
“My perception is that this is a great place to play,” he added. “I’ve enjoyed every second of it and it’s definitely a place that if you’re a free agent — if you’re anybody — I think this is a good place to be.”
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
