Our collaborator Pierre LeBrun is in Buffalo on the sidelines of the NHL evaluation camp, which allowed him to have interesting conversations with different general managers over the last few days.
In his latest article published on The Athletic, LeBrun explores the files of interest, notably among the Montreal Canadiens and the Anaheim Ducks, after discussions with GMs Kent Hughes and Pat Verbeek.
The informant notes that according to him, “Anaheim and Montreal have reconnected about Trevor Zegras” to follow up on discussions that took place between the two teams a few months ago. The 23-year-old forward has been at the heart of trade rumors for quite some time now and several teams are still trying to attract his services, including the Canadiens.
However, LeBrun notes that he doesn’t expect Hughes to aggressively pursue Zegras, who was held to just 15 points in 31 games during a recent injury-plagued season.
Although Hughes is careful not to comment on other teams’ records, LeBrun’s other sources also suggest that Montreal has seriously investigated the availability of Martin Necas, who appears unhappy with his situation with the Carolina Hurricanes. .
While the tipster doesn’t expect Montreal to be able to aim for the playoffs next year, he notes that the team is looking to move to the next level of its development with the goal of playing meaningful hockey. throughout the regular season.
“We recognized that it was important to take a step forward. I guess the size of that step is something that plays out over the course of the year and depends, to some extent, on what we do or don’t do this summer. We will try. We will explore possibilities to improve our team,” Hughes told The Athletic.
At the same time, Hughes continues to insist that he will not make a splash that could compromise the organization’s future plans.
The general manager has proven his ability to improve his roster without affecting his core or prospect bank over the past few years by acquiring Kirby Dach in a three-team trade with the Islanders and Blackhawks. summer 2022.
A year later, Hughes repeated the exercise by acquiring Alex Newhook from the Colorado Avalanche for a 1st and 2nd round pick in 2023, in addition to defenseman Gianni Fairbrother .
Once again this year, this is the type of transaction that Hughes and his staff are looking for.
“If we can get a player, if we can move up in the draft, we have to look at every way to improve this team,” Hughes told LeBrun. “We will not be limited to something that will make us better next season. But if it does, it will be the icing on the cake. »
Possessing the 5th overall pick in the draft, the Canadiens could well make a last minute move during the draft, depending on the identity of the prospects who will have been selected with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th picks.
“I think the selection is less predictable. Whereas last year we had a lot of requests (in advance) for number 5 because everyone thought they knew what the top four choices would be – maybe not the order, but it was assumed who the top four picks would be. first four. I don’t think that’s the case this year,” Hughes continued to LeBrun.
In another conversation, LeBrun attempted to learn more about Verbeek’s intentions for his young Ducks. If he was stingy with comments about Zegras, multiple sources have confirmed that discussions about him are far from over at this time.
The general manager expects his team to take a major step forward next season. Verbeek would like to add some good veterans to surround the young core of his team.
“I would like to find a top winger and a top defender. You know, 31 other teams could say the same thing, right? “, Verbeek explained to The Athletic.
“I’m trying to build out our team while allowing the younger guys to gain more experience, learn from the veterans and not have to carry the burden of offensive production,” Verbeek continued.
The Ducks GM was also asked about goaltender John Gibson, who turns 31 next month. The veteran has three years left on his contract for an average annual value of $6.4 million.
While the presence of a veteran goalie is an important aspect of the Ducks’ current roster, a team hungry for reinforcement in net, like the New Jersey Devils, could prove to be a good dance partner for a potential trade.
