montreal Canadiens’ Kent Hughes Faces critical decisions as Playoff Hopes Dim
The Montreal Canadiens are at a crossroads. With the team slipping further from the playoff “mix” and the absence of key defenseman Kaiden Guhle exacerbating their struggles, general manager Kent Hughes is under pressure to make strategic decisions ahead of the March 7 trade deadline. While some fans advocate for selling off future unrestricted free agents (UFAs) to avoid losing them without compensation,Hughes appears to have a different plan in mind.
According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, Hughes’ strategy is to keep the Canadiens in the playoff race until the deadline. “Their way of being buyers would be to stay in the race until March 7 and to keep most of the autonomous players without compensation in the making,” LeBrun explained during the “Insider trading” segment. This approach suggests that Hughes is not looking to panic or liquidate assets but rather to maintain a competitive roster.
The Canadiens’ rental players—David Savard, Jake evans, Christian Dvorak, and Joel Armia—are the ones most likely to be considered for trades if Hughes were to shift to a seller’s mindset. However, for now, the team remains focused on staying in contention.
As of Thursday night, the Tricolore sits four points out of a playoff spot following a fourth consecutive loss, this time to the Minnesota Wild. The Eastern Conference race is incredibly tight, with teams like the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders also vying for postseason berths.
Even if Hughes doesn’t make a significant move by the deadline, the Canadiens are already positioned with two first-round picks for the 2025 NHL Draft. This provides some flexibility as the team continues its rebuild.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Playoff Position | Four points out of a playoff spot as of Thursday night. |
| Trade Deadline Strategy | Hughes aims to keep the team in the race, avoiding panic trades. |
| Rental Players | David Savard, Jake Evans, Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia. |
| Future Assets | Two first-round picks for the 2025 NHL Draft. |
The coming weeks will be crucial for the Canadiens as they navigate a challenging season. Will Hughes stick to his plan, or will the team’s performance force a change in strategy? Fans will be watching closely as the trade deadline approaches.
