Domino Effect
May 2, 2024
By Bob Trask
Kent Hughes has clearly stated that one of his off-season goals is to acquire a scoring winger for the Montreal Canadiens. While that effort is widely applauded, it will have a significant impact on what the bottom six will look like if Hughes is successful. It likely means that young prospects on offense, like Joshua Roy, will have to be patient before they get a legitimate shot at a full time NHL job. Veteran wingers like Gallagher, Anderson and Armia won’t bring that top scoring winger to Montreal in a summer trade. Nor are they likely to beat out Alex Newhook for a spot on the second line with Kirby Dach and a newly acquired winger. The domino effect means they would be on the roster in one role or another but not in the top six. With only two wing positions on the third line, it could lead to one of this trio playing on the fourth line. Which one would it be? Of course this is all dependent upon Hughes being successful in his efforts to acquire a top scoring winger. An interesting summer is shaping up with regard to where some of the veteran forwards will open the season. – Trask