Without including Carey Price's contract on long-term injured reserve, Hughes has a bit over $5 million in cap space, which means he couldn't trade for Laine's full $8.7 million salary with just a draft pick.
Three options are on the table for Kent Hughes:
Among these options, the second would be the most favorable, and this is exactly what Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell is waiting for.
This is an opportunity for Hughes and other GMs who are struggling to stay under the salary cap, but Hughes has the advantage because other teams rarely have a player making $8.7 million or more available, who might interest the Blue Jackets.
The Anaheim Ducks are also in the mix, but they're not yet reaching the salary floor. Furthermore, it would be surprising if they traded Trevor Zegras for Patrik Laine.
Kent Hughes, on the other hand, has several contracts he could move in a potential transaction. Josh Anderson, Christian Dvorak, or Brendan Gallagher could therefore be on the move if the Blue Jackets agree.
In any of these scenarios, Hughes wouldn't need to place Carey Price's contract on LTIR during the off-season, which would be advantageous for him.
This is a developing story, but according to what Waddell has mentioned in recent hours, he is actively working to complete a transaction.
Source: Habsolumentfan.comLe Canadien parmi les trois équipes favorites pour acquérir Patrik Laine
POLL | ||
1 AOUT | 226 ANSWERS Patrik Laine file: Opportunity has just knocked for Kent Hughes and the Habs Do you think Kent Hughes really has a chance to trade a bad contract for Patrik Laine? | ||
Yes | 151 | 66.8 % |
No | 75 | 33.2 % |
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