Speculation: Montreal keeping an eye on San Jose defenceman

According to the Athletic's Kevin Kurz, the Montreal Canadiens have been keeping an eye on Montreal-born defenceman Marc-Edouard Vlasic since the beginning of the season. As their scout Sean Burke, their pro scout responsible for the Western Conference was at 3 of the Sharks' 6 first games.


San Jose has two main left-shot defenceman, Marc-Edouard Vlasic who has 7-year remaining on his 8-year, $56 million contract he signed in the summer of 2017, which also contains a no movement clause up until 2023, where he will have to submit a 3-teams list he would accept a trade to. And there would be Brendan Dillon who is in the final year of his 5-year, $16.35 million contract he signed in June of 2015 which does not contain any clause.

Bergevin has $6.913 million in available salary cap with which he could acquire Vlasic's $7 million cap hit if he waives his clause. The Sharks are $736,000 under the cap according to Cap Friendly, and the idea of retaining salary could make a transaction easier.

What would Montreal have to offer to acquire him from San Jose?