When looking at the Habs’ salary, one thing stands out.
No forward makes more money than Nick Suzuki.
Prior to Patrik Laine joining the Montreal Canadiens, Nick Suzuki was the highest-paid forward. There’s Carey Price, of course. But we know his career is gone, even though it hasn’t been officially announced.
When Kent Hughes offered new contracts to Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, he had one goal in mind.
He did not want any player to make more money than his captain, so a “salary scale” was established at the time.
However, the Blue Jackets did not withhold any pay in the deal that brought Laine to town, so he is instantly the highest-paid forward in Montreal.
The distinction, however, is that Laine did not sign his contract while playing for the Habs.
The same is true for Suzuki, Caufield, and Slafkovsky.
Laine signed his contract in 2022, two seasons after joining Columbus. And it’s not like he had six, seven, or eight years left on his deal, as opposed to the three for the Habs’ younger players.
Kent Hughes’ plan was sound at the beginning, but he couldn’t tie his hands by requiring that no player earn more than his captain, as this would have limited his options at some point.
Even if Laine’s value on the ice isn’t as high as Suzuki’s, Caufield’s, or Slafkovksy’s, the Habs have acquired a player who can contribute right away, which is what matters here.
