Indeed, the contracts of some veterans like Tanner Pearson, Colin White, and Chris Wideman are set to expire at the end of this season. Clearly, these three players, in particular, are not part of the team's long-term plans, which should make the decision-making process easier for the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge's GM.
However, a few young players will become restricted free agents, which will undoubtedly require a bit more attention from Kent Hughes. Indeed, it's expected that he will try to conclude new deals with defensemen Arber Xhekaj and Justin Barron, who are anticipated to play a key role for the Canadiens in the years to come.
On the other hand, there's a player from the Laval Rocket whose future remains uncertain at this time, and he is a Quebec forward. According to rumors, Philippe Maillet could make a return to the KHL, after just one season in North America. This would inevitably be a significant loss for Jean-François Houle's team since the center from Lachenaie has tallied 19 goals and 28 assists (47 points) in 61 games.
After Lias Andersson, who is being courted by numerous Swedish teams, Philippe Maillet might also head to Europe. Even though the chances of them establishing themselves in the NHL soon are virtually non-existent, their contribution to the success of the Laval Rocket as well as to the development of the Canadiens' prospects is much greater than one might think.
If the two forwards leave for other horizons, the organization will need to ensure their replacement by bringing in veterans to mentor the young players of the farm team, but also to help them progress in a winning environment.
