As the National Hockey League prepares for a significant increase in the salary cap, the landscape of player movement is poised for dramatic change. With more financial flexibility on the horizon, teams are expected to become increasingly aggressive in their pursuit of young talent, especially through the often-controversial offer sheet process.

This evolving environment is creating new opportunities—and challenges—for general managers across the league, as they look to strengthen their rosters while navigating complex salary structures.

For a storied franchise like the Montreal Canadiens, these changes could not come at a better time. The team is eager to build on its recent progress and take decisive steps toward contention. The upcoming offseason presents a unique chance for the Canadiens’ management to be bold, targeting emerging stars who may become available due to cap constraints faced by their current teams. As speculation swirls and fans eagerly await the next big move, the possibility of high-profile offer sheets has added a fresh layer of excitement and intrigue to the hockey world.

With several intriguing names reportedly on the Canadiens’ radar, the stage is set for a summer filled with anticipation, strategy, and potentially game-changing decisions.

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

With the considerable increase coming to the salary cap in a few years in the National Hockey League, we can expect to see some movement.

We should expect general managers to be much more active when it comes time to submit offer sheets.

That was the case last summer when Doug Armstrong, the GM of the St. Louis Blues, submitted offer sheets to Dylan Holloway and Filip Broberg of the Edmonton Oilers, and since the Oilers were stuck because of the salary cap, they had to let them go.

As we know, the Canadiens will be looking to improve this summer, and Nicolas Cloutier, journalist at TVA Sports, has made a list of four players he would like to see Kent Hughes target with an offer sheet during the offseason.

Four Targets for a Montreal Canadiens Offer Sheet, Including a Very Interesting One in Matthew Knies

First, there’s Mavrik Bourque.

The Dallas Stars forward collected 25 points in 73 games during his first season in the NHL, but due to the depth of Dallas’ offensive lineup, he could be on the move before long.

Furthermore, according to PuckPedia, the Stars will have only $5.7 million in available cap space for the 2025-2026 season.

There are also two New York Rangers players among the interesting offer sheet candidates: Will Cuylle and K’Andre Miller.

Much like the Blues did with Holloway and Broberg, the idea of submitting offer sheets to two teammates could be tempting, as Chris Drury would have to act quickly in such a situation.

Remember that after an offer sheet is submitted, the team has seven days to match the offer, otherwise the player (or players) involved will switch teams.

Finally, there’s Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs, who is truly blossoming alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

If Brad Treliving manages to reach agreements with Marner and John Tavares, who are both unrestricted free agents this summer, there could suddenly be less money available for Knies, who just had the best season of his career so far.

Knies amassed an impressive 58 points in 78 games including 29 goals.