Announcement: Canadiens Agree $3.3 Million Deal To Sign Free Agent Forward To Provide The Scoring They Need
The 2024 NHL Free Agent frenzy definitely lived up to its name. This year’s July 1st was jam-packed with action. On the first day of free agency, capfriendly.com reported 190 signings and over $1 billion in spending. However, the Montreal Canadiens did not spend heavily. In addition to signing forward Juraj Slafkovsky to a new contract, the Canadiens also signed Alex Barre-Boulet to a one-year agreement. The Canadiens were not expected to go big game hunting in free agency this year. Furthermore, it was suspected that any roster additions were expected to come through trades. General Manager Kent Hughes certainly has some irons in the fire. However, if he strikes out on the trade market, there is an enticing piece still available as a free agent. His name is Daniel Sprong.
Daniel Sprong Could Provide the Canadiens with the Scoring They Need
When thinking about the Canadiens needs, the very first thing that comes to mind is goal scoring. Daniel Sprong can certainly do that. Over the last two seasons while playing with the Seattle Kraken and Detroit Red Wings, Sprong recorded 39 goals and 89 points in 142 games. Nine of those goals came on the power play along with 26 points and four of the goals were game winners. This was achieved while averaging less than 12 minutes of ice time per game. That rate of scoring is simply impressive. No one can deny his ability to put the puck in the net, which the Canadiens desperately need. Not only is Sprong a great goal scorer, he is an excellent skater, with decisive speed and an exceptional set of hands. He is also a very capable playmaker. Of his 25 assists last season, 14 of them were primary.
Sprong possesses all of the offensive tools necessary to jump-start the Canadiens’ secondary scoring. He has demonstrated his ability to do so in a little number of minutes. Sprong will find a way to spark the offense, regardless of whether Head Coach Martin St. Louis chooses to put him next to Kirby Dach on the second or newly formed third line.
Improving the Power Play
The arrival of Sprong greatly boosts the offense. One key strategy would be to play on power. As previously stated, Sprong has nine goals and 26 points on the power play over the last two seasons. Sprong is used similarly to Cole Caufield. On the off-wing, looking for a one-timer. Sprong’s shot is fantastic, and he can execute it swiftly. However, if it is not present, he has a high hockey IQ and playmaking talents. This allows him to make an extra pass to an open player in order to score rather than always pressing the shot. He is not a one-trick pony. Which makes him extremely dangerous.
Cost to Land Daniel Sprong
Another reason the Canadiens consider Sprong is that he is a low-cost option for the amount of offense he can generate. Evolving-hockey.com’s contract prediction tool suggests Sprong will have a cap hit of $3.378 million per season. Whether the Canadiens want to trial him for a year or sign him to a multiyear contract, Sprong will undoubtedly earn every penny of that deal. At just 27 years old, Sprong fits into the Canadiens’ current and future game plans.
Again, it’s no secret the Canadiens are in desperate need of offence. While there are a number of young players they have been in talks of acquiring via trade, they need to have a contingency plan in place. Sprong would certainly be a solid plan B. Given what it will likely cost to acquire him and his ability to play up and down the lineup and still provide high-end offence, he should be looked at on top of anyone else they acquire. Whether they decide to have him as a stop-gap until players like Ivan Demidov and Owen Beck make the jump or keep him long-term would be up to them. However, he should certainly be a target of Kent Hughes as the offseason continues.
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