Kent Hughes comments on the player who will replace Patrik Laine and on a possible trade
In an interview with Marc Antoine Godin of Radio-Canada Sports, the Canadiens' general manager agreed to comment on Patrik Laine's replacement.
This is probably the most asked question since Laine's unfortunate injury, but it is certainly interesting to get Kent Hughes' perspective on the matter.
First of all, Laine's replacement is unlikely to be a player acquired via trade.
Kent Hughes will favor an internal replacement
Here is his response, as reported by Godin:
It's one thing to say we need a top 6 forward, but there were players available this summer that we didn't go after, who fit a certain caliber of player, and I'm not sure we're going to find one for two months.» - Kent Hughes
Interesting.
We strongly recommend the full article (Kent Hughes feels relieved for Patrik Laine and excited about Oliver Kapanen).
Knowing that a trade is unlikely, based on Kent Hughes' comments, one immediately thinks of young players like Oliver Kapanen or Joshua Roy.
If it were your decision, who would you try first?
Kapanen has been the revelation of the camp, while Roy already has some NHL experience and has proven that he is capable of playing at a high level.
Hughes also had very positive words for these young players, which says a lot about the answer we are looking for.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 6 | 705 ANSWERS Kent Hughes comments on the player who will replace Patrik Laine and on a possible trade If it were your decision, who would you try first with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook? | ||
| A veteran | 112 | 15.9 % |
| Joshua Roy | 155 | 22 % |
| Oliver Kapanen | 438 | 62.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531375.webp "Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531078.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada goalie Jordan Binnington (50) in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
