American Thanksgiving has not yet arrived, but we can already conclude that the Canadian will not make the playoffs.
From there, one has to wonder what Kent Hughes will do. Clearly, he will not look for short-term solutions to “fix” the club this season. But are long-term additions on the table?
It will depend on the price.
But above all, we will have to ask ourselves if the CEO will want to liquidate staff so that the end of the season is even more painful. And if so, which players could leave Montreal?
A name that will come back is that of David Savard. The defender stabilizes the CH defense and without him, it is clear that many guys would take even more in their zone.
But at the same time, if he has good value on the market, we agree that Hughes could be tempted to release a player whose days are numbered in Montreal anyway.
And on this subject, David Pagnotta mentions that the Edmonton Oilers are the kind of club that could be interested in Savard.
The problem with all this is that the season has barely started. The “logical” period for making transactions has not really started yet for teams.
Apart from Lars Eller recently, things have been quiet on the market.
The Oilers will have a defender in the mold of Savard in their sights. But the price will have to be right. Quebecers must be healthy. He will have to fit under Edmonton’s payroll. He should have a good season. The Oilers will have to want him at the expense of other players.
I also have the feeling that Kent Hughes’ phone won’t just ring from Alberta in Savard’s case, if all goes well. And let’s remember that if the CH plays its cards well, the gang of The Fourth Period believes in a first choice in return for Savard.
Prolongation
– The fact of having seen Savard be healthy enough to play tonight against the Oilers, precisely, cannot harm Kent Hughes if he really wants to trade his veteran to Western Canada. CH blanked the Oilers 3-0.
– Remember that Savard is at the end of his contract. It has a salary impact of $3.5 million.
