Before the start of the season, when the leaders of the Montreal Canadiens spoke to the media during the CH golf tournament, the objective was clear: to be in the mix.
We wanted to see the Habs improve and fight for the playoffs longer than in recent seasons.
Well, after a fairly difficult start to the season, CH is exactly where it wanted to be, in the mix, while it is two points from the playoffs.
CH’s current excellent streak has allowed it to move up the rankings, and therefore to be in a competitive position where everyone wants to see the team win.
There is a lot of buzz and excitement in town, as players and fans believe in it more than ever and have all forgotten the idea of drafting in the top-5.
We want to win and make the playoffs.
This turnaround in the situation at the CH therefore changes many things, especially with regard to the decisions that management will have to make in view of the transaction deadline.
And on this subject, Kent Hughes affirmed that the Habs will not be buyers of rental players at the deadline.
Indeed, in an interview with Jean-Charles Lajoie at TVA Sports, the general director of CH explained that there was still a lot of hockey to play between now and March 7, i.e. 20 games, and that no definitive strategy had been chosen.
However, Hughes was clear that the CH would not seek rental players by sacrificing future elements of the organization.
So, even though the Habs are very well positioned in the playoff race at the trade deadline, Kent Hughes won’t spend to get a rental player(s) who won’t be a part of the team long term.
The CH CEO subsequently explained that this does not mean that he will not complete a transaction, and that if he completes one or more, it will be in the same type as the transaction to obtain Alexandre Carrier.
The Habs will therefore want to improve to obtain elements that will contribute to the team’s success beyond this season, as is the case with Carrier, who still has two years of contract after this season.
In short, Kent Hughes obviously didn’t get too wet, because he can’t know now whether he will be a seller or a buyer, but he still gave some interesting information in view of March 7.
The next 20 games between now and the trade deadline will be truly crucial and determine which path Kent Hughes takes.
In Burst
– Today is the day that Eric Staal’s jersey will be retired with the Hurricanes.
– To read in preparation for the next Formula 1 season.
– Interesting.
