5 free agents the Canadiens can sign to get back to playoffs

3.  LW Evander Kane

After tallying 20 goals and 40 points in 61 games for the Buffalo Sabres this year, Kane sparked the San Jose Sharks after being acquired at the trade deadline with 14 points (nine goals) in 17 games (11-5-1 record). He missed time late in the regular season with an arm injury, but played in the season finale and should be ready for a productive contract push during his first chance in the playoffs.

"I’ve said it in the past. I think I’m a playoff player,” Kane said. “I’ve watched the playoffs and when I look at the style of play and it’s something I was jealous because I wasn’t involved in it. Now I get that opportunity and I have to back those words up."

The Canadiens would have to part with Pacorietty or Galchenyuk to make room for Kane, both financially and on one of their top forward lines at left wing. But he’s a combination of still pretty young (27 in August) and experienced (574 regular season games over nine seasons), which will bring multiple teams to court him as a free agent with a nice multi-year offer.

Kane has a documented troubling off-ice issue in his past. But talent has to win out this time around, and the Canadiens need what Kane can bring to the table after finishing 29th in goals per game (2.52) this season.