While the loss of one or both superstars would certainly hurt the Habs, one report indicates that they could have a contingency plan up their sleeves, and it would involve a sneaky maneuver that hasn't been completed since the offseason of 2008.
"Hearing from French sources that if Carey Price is taken by Seattle, thus freeing up his contract, the Canadiens are eyeing up an offersheet to #Canucks Elias Pettersson for the maximum amount that would keep the compensation to 2 1sts, 1 2nd, 1 3rd."
Pettersson, who was drafted fifth overall in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Canucks, has 65 goals and 153 points in 165 career games in the NHL. His entry-level contract is set to expire this offseason, and he will be an unrestricted free agent. Price's departure would not only leave a huge hole in the Canadiens' crease, but also in their wallets, if he were to succumb to the Kraken.
GM Marc Bergevin might put up a large offer sheet, though there's a good chance it won't go through, given that the last offer sheet accepted was by former Anaheim Ducks winger Dustin Penner with the Edmonton Oilers in the summer of 2008. Montreal, you got it, made the most recent offer sheet in 2019, with their sights set on Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho. Montreal's offer would be matched by the Canes.
