According to Renaud Lavoie, the Habs are Michael Frolik's preferred destination this summer.

Playing for the Canadiens would be on top of Michael Frolik list, I've learned. He aways loved MTL and spends his summers training here. — Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) June 29, 2015

Let's take a look at how Frolik has performed over the years

Frolik is essentially a quality top six player, verging on a top line winger. He's not a particularly high-volume shooter, nor does he enjoy a very high shooting percentage, however he's generated a lot more shots and goals in the past two years as he's hit his prime. His most frequent line mates last season were Andrew Ladd & Bryan Little followed closely by Mathieu Perreault and Mark Scheifele. His score adjusted Corsi for was 55.9%, good enough for second on the Jets. He generated 156 individual scoring chances according to War On Ice, which is roughly the same amount as Brendan Gallagher created for the Habs. In the faceoff start department Frolik was given ample offensive opportunities, starting 54.27% of his shifts in the offensive zone, again very similar to Gallagher's deployment (54.89%).

Throughout his career Frolik has generally had a positive impact on his linemates, both in the offensive and defensive zone. It's also worth noting that unlike many of the free agents available on July 1st, Frolik is reasonably young. .

The Salary Cap Situation

Now that the Habs have bought out P-A Parenteau, their sixth buyout since 2005, they have roughly $7.59M in cap space left, and that's without signing Alex Galchenyuk, who's expected to earn at least $2.5M bridge contract. That leaves them with a little over $5M to sign Brian Flynn, Jarred Tinordi, Michael Bournival, and Christian Thomas. Meaning the Habs will have very little money left over, even if they attempt to pass some of their younger players through waivers, and if they hope to acquire an impact forward like Frolik they have to shed some cap space.

The Winnipeg Free Press is reporting he's interested in a $4-$4.5M deal.

Bye-bye, Michael? It seems Michael Frolik's future with the Jets can now be measured by days and hours. The pending unrestricted free agent was in Florida meeting with 10 different NHL teams face to face during the interview period that leads up to the opening of the market July 1. He's 27, had 19 goals last year, and is a durable and reliable contributor. He's going to get paid more than the Jets are willing to offer, likely in the $4-4.5 million range, with term, and his loss is going to sting.

The Habs would have to move one of their contracts in the $3M or more range; Tom Gilbert, David Desharnais, or Alexei Emelin.

Interestingly, Frolik's agent is Allan Walsh, who happens to represent both P.A. Parenteau and Jiri Sekac, two players that were jettisoned from the roster this season, although hopefully that wouldn't affect negotiations very much.

Frolik won't come cheap, but if he's willing to accept a contract in the $4M range he could definitely be a legitimate solution to Montreal's current lack of right wing talent.

(If you enjoyed the charts presented above, consider following the creator Domenic Galamini, on Twitter.)

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