2023-24 Season

Approaching Free Agency

Habs Remaining Patient

Sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. Click here to sign in

No Rush For Hughes

Kent Hughes is sitting in an enviable spot. Not only does he have a solid pipeline of potential NHL players in the system, he has 12 picks in the upcoming draft and most of his key players have not yet reached their peak. Hughes can scrutinize the market in search of a player or players who will help take the team to the next level without the pressure of being forced into a disadvantageous trade. Any additions made this summer will have a full season with the Canadiens before the pressure to compete for the Cup truly ramps up. That doesn’t mean Hughes won’t take a big swing in the trade market or the UFA market but he has the luxury of time on his side, at least for now. The lack of urgency to compete for the Cup next season also means he doesn’t have to dump veterans at below-market value this summer and he can allow them to show their value before the trade deadline. But if the right deal comes along, history shows us that the Montreal GM will pull the trigger. – Trask

Goaltenders – Drafting Oddity

Sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. Click here to sign in

Domino Effect

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

Curing Josh Anderson

Sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. Click here to sign in

Free Agent Target?

Sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. Click here to sign in

Unlikely Summer Trade Candidates

Social media is awash with suggestions on which players Kent Hughes should trade over the summer and how little he should expect in return. The usual candidates are Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, Josh Anderson and at times, David Savard and Mike Matheson. But every seller needs a buyer and many fail to take that into account. Summer is when the big trades most often occur and is when contenders or near-contenders look to add a significant difference-maker to their rosters. Complementary pieces are often added at the trade deadline when the need to strengthen a position or two has been identified during the season. An honest look at these names on the Canadiens and you would be hard-pressed to find a difference maker other than perhaps Matheson who seems unlikely to be moved. And buyers are unlikely to take on any of the contracts on the above named players for a full season. They may be able to live with that cap hit for a couple of months if they are still in contention, but not for a full season. For the most part, these are complementary players who fill a specific role on a team. Matheson aside, the value for each of them is low right now although it has improved for both Armia and Savard – and Kent Hughes is averse to selling low. Since Jeff Gorton and Hughes don’t see the Canadiens as serious Cup contenders for the upcoming, there is nothing to lose in keeping these players for the bulk of the season as the team strives to reach the playoffs. It allows top prospects to marinate a little longer in Laval. Ongoing evaluation of how they are playing along with how in demand they might be from other teams and how the prospects in Laval are progressing will determine the eventual fate of a few veterans. The situation will remain highly fluid but don’t expect any earth-shattering trades involving these players over the summer. Expectations need to be tempered. – Trask

Joshua Roy – Where Will He Play?

Sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. Click here to sign in

Reclamation Project?

Sorry, but you must be a subscriber to view this content. Click here to sign in