Eric Engels reveals Kent Hughes' next big potential free agency signing
The excellent Sportsnet journalist, Eric Engels, has just published an excellent article about Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.
He answered many fan questions, notably concerning special teams and potential linemates for Patrik Laine, but one topic in particular caught our attention.
What will be Kent Hughes' next big acquisition?
The general manager of the Montreal Canadiens has gotten us used to (at least) one big acquisition per summer.
There was Kirby Dach and Michael Matheson in 2022, Alex Newhook in 2023, and obviously Patrik Laine in recent weeks.
As the Canadiens seem to be on the verge of turning the corner in their rebuild, we shouldn't be surprised if Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton make one last big move in the summer of 2025.
That's precisely what the New York Rangers did to officially end their rebuild, with the signing of star forward Artemi Panarin.
If we go back to journalist Eric Engels, he did indeed answer the following question.
It's true that for several months, sources have been talking about a potential big move for the Canadiens in the summer of 2025. Who will be the Artemi Panarin of Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton in Montreal?
Here is Engels' response.
If Rantanen does, I'm not sure where the Canadiens' attention will really turn. [...]
But I'd look at some of the veteran talent likely to be available and see if they fit the needs. Looking through the list, I see more than a few names that are probably on the Canadiens' radar."
- Eric Engels
It's true that Kent Hughes has mentioned that the summer of 2025 will be even more important for the Montreal Canadiens compared to the summer of 2024.
It's up to you to judge what he means by that.
If Mikko Rantanen remains available until next July 1st, I truly believe Hughes will take a shot, but otherwise, there will be other very intriguing options.
And what do you think, is the Canadiens' rebuild nearing its end?
Source: SportsnetCanadiens Mailbag: Who starts with Dach and Laine?
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