Milan Lucic is a classic power forward. He scores goals, punishes opponents with physical play and sells jerseys with his exciting brand of hockey.
These are among the many reasons why interest in the left winger as an unrestricted free agent is so intense with NHL free agency beginning Friday at noon ET.
Lucic is a pretty good bet for 20 or more goals and around 55 points, but his heavy style of play makes him more prone to injuries and breaking down as he retires. He might get close to $7 million per season on a long-term deal, which has the potential to be a salary cap-burdening contract soon after its signed.
As for the Montreal Canadiens, who just traded elite defenseman P.K. Subban in an all-time bad deal, they don’t need Lucic. They just traded for bottom-six pest Andrew Shaw and overpaid him on a long-term contract worth almost $4 million per season.
Montreal must upgrade its blue line and find a reliable backup in case goalie Carey Price’s injury woes continue. But of course, general managers easily fall in love with players like Lucic, so anything’s possible when the market opens for business.
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Thumbnail photo via Sergei Belski/USA TODAY Sports Images
