During our interview, to the question: “The Canadian buyer at the trade deadline, reality or fiction?”, Kent Hughes wanted to calm things down by reminding that there are 22 games left on his team’s schedule before the time of personnel movements.
Since then, Montreal has beaten the Capitals at home in Washington and snatched a big ranking point from Dallas here in Montreal on Saturday night.
There are therefore 20 games left for the Habs between now and the trade deadline. A data which is very likely to be distorted by the holding of the confrontation of the 4 nations which will be held in the weeks of February 10 and 17.
I think the deadline is really February 10 to make decisions about the trajectory that organizations want to take heading into the final stage of the season.
GM Hughes was very clear about the Canadian’s non-intention to rent a player. Montreal does not want to strip itself for the services of a veteran who would spend the last months of his contract with the team.
I must say that I completely agree with this strategy. The return value of organizations from rental players is as hazardous as it is variable.
However, Montreal decision-makers could be tempted to conclude a structuring transaction, which would bring with the team an established player under contract beyond the current campaign.
“JiC”: Interview with Kent Hughes (part 1) –
Patrik Laine is a perfect example in this sense. Acquired at 26 with two years of contract remaining, he also cost a pittance in Jordan Harris who no longer had space to develop here in Montreal.
Alexandre Carrier is another acquisition which certifies the trend towards the preferred model of the hockey authorities in place at the Bell Centre. Acquired at age 28, he will be 30 at the end of his current agreement in July 2027.
The nuts well accumulated by the Gorton-Hughes tandem over three years made these two transactions possible. The Canadian capitalized in both cases on a need to reduce payroll, especially in Nashville, but also to a certain extent in Columbus where there was a common desire for divorce between Laine and the organization.
All that being said, there’s no doubt in my mind that if Hughes gets the chance to get his hands on an experienced center, he’s going to do it. At least, in compliance with certain criteria.
First, the target must have a few years left on his contract beyond the current campaign. Of course, Hughes will also have to be able to relieve his general manager counterpart of a few million on his payroll, so as not to overpay to acquire the center who will pair with Laine.
And finally, Martin St-Louis’ men will have to continue their current momentum between now and the 4 nations break. According to the current ranking, nine times during its next 14 games, the Habs will face a team ranked in the playoff table. Seven of those nine games will be against teams in the top-10 overall, including two tough games at the end of January against Winnipeg and Minnesota, both in the top-5.
If the CH maintains an efficiency percentage above .600 during its next 14 games, Hughes would send a very bad message to his players by remaining immobile on the transaction market. The value of respect is fundamental in the eyes of the general manager, he must honor it by supporting his players through an acquisition.
It remains to be seen who the Habs could acquire. We’ll talk about the list of candidates later.
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