Analyze This: Slim pickings for Canadiens at NHL free agent buffet

With the recent news that the Canadiens requested, and were refused, a meeting with coveted star centre John Tavares, the team finds itself in a very precarious position.
Betting on an elite NHL free agent signing with a struggling franchise is the epitome of a long shot, but the positive side effect of that reality check is that the Canadiens can focus on other targets, and perhaps change their entire view of building a hockey team.
There are other centres available, although, as is tradition i