Signature table
The Montreal Canadiens were quiet on Monday by signing Alex Barré-Boulet for one year, as well as a few players who will be with the Laval Rocket, when the NHL free agent market opens.
General manager Kent Hughes told reporters at a news conference that he tried to sign a forward who could fill the top six, but terms didn’t work out.
“We wanted to at least look to try to add a player in the short term who could help on our first two lines. We started the day by telling ourselves that if we were able to do it, so much the better… But it wasn’t essential for our long-term objectives,” Hughes indicated in the afternoon at the CN Complex in Brossard.
“For us, the difficulty is that we have good young players coming through. We are not worried about paying a player, but the length of the contract is the most important thing,” he added.
Hughes acknowledged that he had negotiations with the camp of forward Jonathan Marchessault, who ultimately signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Nashville Predators. Hughes, however, said it was impossible for him, given the club’s long-term salary structure, to offer long-term contracts to top-tier players.
Even though the goal of adding a forward at the top of the lineup was not accomplished, Hughes said he is confident the team will be better next season.
“It all depends on the injuries, but I think we’re going to be better. Our idea going into the day was that if we have the opportunity to give our players a chance to compete, we’re going to do it.”
However, the CH is not against the idea of finding this missing attacker via a trade before the start of training camp.
