Kent Hughes, general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, clearly stands out from his counterparts for his intelligence and his ability to avoid costly mistakes.
While many NHL executives spend lavishly, Hughes remains calm, refusing to overpay declining players.
Watching the Blue Jackets sign Sean Monahan to a five-year, $5.5 million per year deal, Hughes knows that Monahan, with his worn-out body and disappointing playoff performance, isn’t worth the investment.
He must be pretty upset about the San Jose Sharks’ decision to offer Tyler Toffoli four years at $6 million per year.
Aware that Toffoli, now as slow as a turtle, will take it easy alongside Macklin Celebrini, Meanwhile, Hughes keeps his calm.
The CH GM also observes Marc Bergevin, whose harmful influence on Rob Blake pushes the Kings to sign Joel Edmundson for 4 years at $3.8 million per year, despite his broken back.
It is still funny to realize that today, the buyout of Karl Alzner’s contract is officially over, while the CH payroll is finally freed from this burden, courtesy of Marc Bergevin.
And now the Kings’ assistant GM manages to convince Rob Blake to sign his former defenseman Edmundson for almost $4 million per year spread over 4 years…
Hughes also sees the Canucks offering a seven-year, $5.5 million per year contract to Jake DeBrusk, a forward he wanted but never got at that price.
Kent Hughes does not panic and follows his plan to the letter. While other general managers burn their money down the drain, he maintains his prudent management of his payroll.
In the end, he tells himself that he, with his thoughtful strategy, his patience and the fact that he doesn’t panic, is the smartest of all.
When we look at the annual salaries of Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, both below $8 million, we say to ourselves that even if nothing happens, the CH is the big winner on July 1.
Often the best decision in life…is not making a decision…
