Kent Hughes has never been afraid of taking risks since his arrival as GM of the Canadiens.
Bold bets, sometimes poorly received, but which define its management.
And if Justin Barron, acquired in the exchange of Artturi Lehkonen, has not yet succeeded in making the Finn forget, Emil Heineman seems to be the hidden card which could rewrite this story to the advantage of Hughes.
Let’s come back to the Lehkonen affair.
In 2022, with the Finnish winger becoming a restricted free agent, Hughes traded him to Colorado for Barron and a second-round pick.
Since then, Lehkonen has shined alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, accumulating 101 points in 136 games, including 46 goals, while helping the Avalanche maintain their elite status in the NHL.
Meanwhile, Barron struggled to establish himself in Montreal, posting a modest 31 points in 103 games.
But now Emil Heineman, acquired in a trade involving Tyler Toffoli with Calgary, is starting to offer exciting prospects.
Author of four goals in 17 games, Heineman seems to flourish in Martin St-Louis’ system.
And while Barron’s choice remains a matter of debate, Heineman’s performance is starting to justify Hughes’ moves.
Maxim Lapierre, in a recent exchange with Tony Marinaro, compared Heineman to Artturi Lehkonen: “He has a bit of Lehkonen in him. This guy is special. I hope he is given time to show what he can do given a real chance. »
A strong statement, but one that fuels a crucial question: Can Heineman really make Lehkonen forget?
Anthony Martineau, for his part, noted in 2023 during an interview with Heineman:
“I think I will help any player I play with. The playing conditions in North America are perfect for my style. »
So far, it is difficult to contradict this premonition.
It would be easy to get carried away by seeing Heineman as Hughes’ savior, but let’s stay clear-headed.
Emil Heineman is not yet an established player, and comparing his early performances to Lehkonen’s consistency and impact remains premature.
However, his convincing debut and his effective style of play restore credibility to the vision of Hughes, who has often been criticized for his choices.
For the Canadian, asset management has always been a nerve center.
The franchise cannot afford to waste talent or lose important trades.
With Emil Heineman, Kent Hughes finally seems to show that he can win from a transaction, even indirectly.
And if Heineman continues on this path, he could well silence the critics, while giving hope to a base of supporters who are looking for reasons to believe in this reconstruction process.
For now, one thing is certain: Emil Heineman, with his recent performances, is saving a little face for Kent Hughes.
But as always in Montreal, only time will tell if this story becomes a victory or another lost bet.
To be continued…
