Canadiens could make big push for RFA forward if Price is selected by Kraken

With the expansion draft coming up tomorrow, many people have heard the rumors of Carey Price possibly leaving the Montreal Canadiens. With this being said, if this were to happen, hypothetically the Canadiens would be able to try and bring some star power back with a signing of a restricted free agent.

Elias Pettersson is a restricted free agent that could be of interest to the team if Price is selected in the expansion draft. It would open up about $10 million more in cap space for the team, and the Canadiens would all but likely want to replace that star power.

At least one writer on Twitter is saying this is a possibility. Not only this, but it would also be a much cheaper route than having to trade for him when putting into perspective how much the Buffalo Sabres are asking for Jack Eichel.

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.— Sean Warren (@SeanWarren234) July 20, 2021

The Sabres are asking for the equivalent of 4 first round picks for Eichel, and if the Canadiens were to offer sheet Pettersson, they would be required to give up two firsts, one second, and one third. This would be a very interesting scenario if it were to happen, although it's tough imagining that the Canucks give up Pettersson to restricted free agency.