Upcoming transaction for the Montreal Canadiens: Important statement from Kent Hughes

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David St-Jean
November 5, 2023 (4:21 PM)

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Similar to last year, the Canadiens are quite surprising in the early part of the season. They have two more points in the standings than they did at the same time last year, but there is a significant difference.

Indeed, the team started to decline with all the injuries in December last season. However, this year, injuries have arrived from the beginning, and the team continues to hang in there. The long-term outcome remains to be seen.

Let's be realistic; the Canadiens may not make the playoffs, even though they are currently in the picture. Nevertheless, there could be a surprise. Kent Hughes does not intend to be swayed by good performances.

"We will make the decision at the trade deadline, but we won't sacrifice the future to win this year. If we can improve the team for the playoffs without sacrificing the future, we will evaluate it, but it won't be a scenario where we sacrifice good young prospects to win this year."

So, the plan remains the same, and Kent Hughes has no intention of being a buyer at the trade deadline, even if his team is still in the playoff picture.

There's nothing surprising about that. Now it remains to be seen what his strategy will be regarding the veterans on the team, such as Sean Monahan and Tanner Pearson. Many people would like to see Monahan return in the coming years, but will Hughes trade Pearson? That remains to be seen.