Aaron Portzline explains how Kent Hughes shifts other GM on Patrik Laine's derby
The excellent journalist from Columbus, Aaron Portzline, has published new relevant information regarding the Patrik Laine trade with the Canadiens.
We now know that Kent Hughes was not the only one in the race. Several teams were interested in the big Finn's services.
Among these teams, although there is no official confirmation, it's easy to think that teams like those in Utah, the San Jose Sharks, and the Buffalo Sabres were in the mix.
By all accounts and according to some rumors, Utah and Buffalo were aggressive in the Patrik Laine deal.
That said, Aaron Portzline has indeed revealed a detail that clearly tipped the scales in favor of Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.
Kent Hughes took on Laine's entire contract, and he was the only one willing to do so.
The Canadiens were the only team that agreed to the Blue Jackets not retaining any percentage of Patrik Laine's salary in the trade.
According to the information gathered by the journalist, this is what really made the difference in the end. Hughes was the only general manager in the running who agreed to take on 100% of Laine's contract. He had a lot of financial flexibility with Carey Price's contract on the long-term injured reserve list.
All the other teams wanted the Columbus Blue Jackets to retain part of the salary or to offload a bad contract in return to mitigate the $8.7 million annual salary cap hit.
Still connected to this famous trade between Montreal and Columbus, Portzline also informs us that it was over the past weekend that the negotiations between Kent Hughes and Don Waddell really became serious.
In fact, according to Portzline, discussions even began last weekend.
The Canadiens were the only team not to demand that the Blue Jackets retain part of Laine's salary as part of a trade."
- Aaron Portzline
It's interesting to see the esteem Kent Hughes has for the Finn. If he believes Laine is worth the $8.7 million salary, it means he's confident that number 92 will deliver and silence his critics in the blue, white, and red uniform.
The message sent to Patrik Laine's camp is strong. We're not trying to get you at a discount; we want you at your full price, and we believe in you. It will be interesting to see how the Finnish hockey player responds.
Source: MarqueurUn nouveau détail surprise dans la négociation de l'échange de Patrik Laine avec le Canadien fait surface
| POLL | ||
22 AOUT | 277 ANSWERS Aaron Portzline explains how Kent Hughes shifts other GM on Patrik Laine's derby Do you think the Patrik Laine trade is a good one or bad one? | ||
| Good trade for Habs | 261 | 94.2 % |
| Bad trade for Habs | 16 | 5.8 % |
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