Kent Hughes may be forced to put on waivers one of the fan favorites
This is an issue that has been the talk of the Montreal Canadiens for several weeks now, as there really seems to be too many NHL-caliber forwards on the roster.
Some very big decisions will have to be made soon by Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, and it's almost certain that unless a trade or two is made, the Habs will have to put a popular and interesting name on the block.
It's just not possible to give everyone spots in the lineup, and Jeff Gorton has openly mentioned that some veterans could be bailed out and placed on waivers.
The Canadiens currently have at least 16 forwards on NHL contracts, and if you add in the youngsters who seem to be in the picture (at least to start the season), like Juraj Slafkovsky, Owen Beck, Filip Mesar and Emil Heineman... you realize that's a lot of people!
Of course, we remind you that out of the four trios, there are only 12 positions.
So there are a few regulars that will have to be bailed out, and according to many experts, under these circumstances, one of the fan favorites could be placed in the pack or traded.
Pezzetta inevitably on his way out of Montreal?
Michael Pezzetta is certainly the kind of player who could be claimed and barring an injury or an impending trade, according to some people, that's the scenario Kent Hughes will have to consider.
Sooner or later, he will have to make room on the team's payroll and in his lineup.
It certainly wouldn't go over well with the fans and players (Pezzetta is really liked in the locker room), but know that it could actually happen.
Look at all the active CH forwards that appear to be ahead of Pezzetta, if you look at CapFriendly :
1- Nick Suzuki
2- Brendan Gallagher
3- Josh Anderson
4- Evgeny Dadonov
5- Mike Hoffman
6- Christian Dvorak
7- Joel Armia?
8- Paul Byron?
9- Jake Evans
10- Rem Pitlick?
11- Juraj Slafkovsky?
12- Cole Caufield
13- Kirby Dach
14- Sean Monahan
15- Jonathan Drouin
And then there's Pezzetta. So if he wants to break into the lineup, he'll have to outperform the "?", and even if he does, he'll obviously be the 13th forward, especially since young Slafkovsky is going to break into the lineup at some point.
Even if Byron is placed on the injured list, there will still be too many people.
Kent Hughes will have to move over the next few weeks and there will be interest in the feisty "Pezz".
Pezzetta, 24, has 11 points (including 5 goals) and 81 penalty minutes in 51 games with the CH in 2021-2022.
Who do you think should be traded? Do you think Pezzetta should be traded for a draft pick?
| POLL | ||
What do you think should be done with Michael Pezzetta? | ||
| Keep him | 176 | 50.6 % |
| Trade him | 103 | 29.6 % |
| Put him on waivers | 69 | 19.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
