Montreal Canadiens
Who Joins the Sure-To-Be Talented Montreal Canadiens Taxi Squad?
With so many new additions to the Montreal Canadiens roster, who makes the taxi squad to start the 2020-21 season?
Just when you think the Montreal Canadiens are done making moves, they add another player. Most figured general manager Marc Bergevin was done and then he added Michael Frolik for depth. Many figured that was it… then he signed Corey Perry. Bergevin has tinkered and toyed with his lineup all offseason, but with so many players coming in, there are difficult decisions to be made now.
Related: Perry Excited For Things to Get Heated as Part of Canadiens Roster
Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette spoke about some of those decisions and focused a lot on the latest two additions to the Canadiens roster — Perry and Frolik. Considering how stacked the Habs are, what happens to some of the contracts? Clearly, there’s not enough room for everyone.
As Hickey writes, the Canadiens now sit just over a $1 million over the salary cap ceiling and will need to make a move by the start of the season to become cap compliant. Some of the players who are putting the Canadiens over the cap will have to be assigned to the new four-to-six player taxi squad. Could Frolik or Perry be in that group?
What About Frolik?
Frolik, 32, spoke to the media during a video conference call Monday and knows there are challenges ahead when it comes to making this Canadiens team out of camp. As part of an underwhelming Buffalo Sabres team last season, he’s also not played a game in since March. He said he’s looking forward to a fresh start.
Hickey notes:
Frolik said he has been compared with a Swiss Army knife because of his versatility. He’s primarily a right winger, but he’s a left-handed shot and can play on the left wing. He has extensive experience as a penalty killer and, in a bit of an understatement, he said that was one area is where the Canadiens need help.
It could be Frolik’s experience on the penalty kill which gives him better odds of making the team out of camp. He’s seen his production drop in the past two seasons, but as part of the Flames kill, he was excellent.
What About Perry?
The veteran forward already knows there’s no guarantee when it comes to playing time. He’s got to prove himself every day. That said, Perry is a proven power play guy and experienced vet when it comes to the post season. His five goals and 16 assists with Dallas last season, along with the five goals and four assists he added in the playoffs should help him secure a spot.
He plays with an edge and logged over 70 penalty minutes last season. The Canadiens will take that into consideration.
So, Who Then?
If Perry and Frolik make the team, that means two other pre-existing players might be destined for the taxi squad. Early candidates would see forwards like Jordan Weal, Alex Belzile, Paul Byron start the 2020-21 sitting on the sidelines.
One thing is for sure. Whoever makes the team, the taxi squad is pretty good.
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