When speaking one-on-one with Jean-Charles last Wednesday in Brossard, Kent Hughes knew by heart the number of games that the Montreal Canadiens had to play in’here the transaction deadline of March 7: 22. The CEO of CH is quick to use this argument when asked to side with buyers or sellers.
“We still have 22 matches to play,” he tempered during a long interview with the host of JiCeager to know how far the architect of the Habs is willing to go if his players continue to surprise.
In return, Hughes is quite clear about what he will not do: sacrifice the future of the organization to immediately improve the team for a possible playoff run.
“If buying means renting a player and paying high prices for the future of our organization, then no,” he said, categorically.
In other words, if he moves, Hughes is not likely to target a future unrestricted free agent as is customary at this time of year.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t make an exchange,” said the former agent. But if we make a trade, it won’t necessarily be based on the deadline. It will be more in the spirit of improving the team [à plus long terme].»
The Carrier formula
For example, Hughes recently moved to acquire Alexandre Carrier, a defender who has a contract valid until 2027. We imagine that this is the type of exchange that Hughes would like to make by March 7.
But what would happen if, in the twenty or so matches to follow, CH launched into an irresistible momentum and had the wind in its sails?
This hypothetical scenario launched by Jean-Charles forced Hughes to think.
“It’s difficult to answer without having experienced this sequence,” he argued. At the same time, if I were in the room and we had just won 15 or 16 of the last 22 games, I would ask myself: “What weaknesses need to be addressed?” These kinds of exchanges sometimes work and other times they don’t.”
One could hardly find an answer more in keeping with the Cartesian spirit of Kent Hughes.
