If the Canadiens’ infirmary is empty, Kent Hughes will surely receive phone calls from his teammates looking to acquire a veteran. The general manager is attentive to proposals, but avoids exhausting the main knowledge resources of his club.
In this regard, Canadiens general manager Joel Edmondson or David may be tempted to part ways with Kaiden Guhle, Arber Shekaz, Jordan Harris and Justin Barron, as the under-23s are doing well in the rebuild. Savard.
We’re talking about two Stanley Cup-winning veterans, a valuable commodity for a team contemplating a long run in the playoffs.
While acknowledging that compromise is possible, Hughes once again stresses the importance of balance.
“If we can trade for a draft pick or bring depth to a position where we’re down, we might be looking,” he said.
“We are talking about two very important players in the locker room, but also important on the ice to teach our young players. The way they play, they help the youngsters learn,” he added.
Moreover, as a right-hander, Savard was practically untouchable. Of the Canadian’s four right-backs, for now, he is the only true regular. The others are Barron, Jonathan Kovacevic and Chris Wideman.
Watch part one of Kent Hughes’ press briefing in the video above and part two below.
Press Briefing by K. Hughes, Part 2 –
The Monahan case
Sean Monahan, if he fully recovers from his foot injury, is likely to have Hughes’ phone vibrate.
Everyone except Monahan, who saw everyone under different skies in the final stretch of the season, gave the Habs two stellar performances before going down in battle in Vancouver on Dec. 5.
We have to see how this absence will affect Nick Suzuki’s performance to be convinced. Maybe Hughes would be better off offering him a new deal?
Of course, that’s a reduction in salary compared to the $6.37 million he received in each of the past seven years.
“We’re definitely better with Sean in training,” Hughes said.
Then, he shared the following anecdote.
“After five games, everyone said we’re going to trade him. I called him into my office. I told him he’s part of this team, that he’s not going to be traded for the next few weeks and that he should enjoy Montreal.
Photo credit: Getty Images via AFP
Almost a comeback
Hughes still doesn’t know what the future holds for a 2025 first-round pick acquired for absolutely nothing.
“I told him three things could happen: he stays here, we trade him, or we trade him and bring him back in the summer.”
And it won’t be fixed until Monahan returns to the game.
“Sean is close to a comeback,” Hughes concluded on the matter.
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