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

2.  D John Carlson

Carlson just finished his most productive scoring season, with 68 points (15 goals, 53 assists) and nearly half of them (32-four goals, 28 assists) coming on the power play alone. He definitely teed the puck up more (a career-high 452 total shot attempts times-5.5 times per game), with a better shooting percentage (6.3 percent) compared to 2016-17 (5 percent). But that shooting percentage was more in line with 2014-15 (6.2) and 2015-16 (6.5)for Carlson.

Purely shooting more points to a keen awareness of a contract drive with looming free agency, and as a direct result of slinging more rubber Carlson set a career-high in Offensive Point Shares (6.0). But his Defensive Point Shares stayed good (3.9), and his advanced possession metrics remained stable.

Carlson will be atop the heap of free agent defenseman this offseason, in line for a big six or seven-year contract with a heavy cap hit. The Canadiens may find the cost prohibitive, but they must have Carlson on their radar amid what will surely be a lot of competition to sign him.