Major Publication Emerges: Canadiens Fans Must Begin to Appreciate Kent Hughes More

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Elias Edmonson
March 22, 2024 (6:54 PM)

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Since his arrival in office, it can be said that Kent Hughes has done well. He brilliantly took over the reconstruction of the club by acquiring numerous draft picks and trading for good young prospects (Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook). It can also be said that he has very rarely lost trades and that his contract signings are at the very least fair and equitable.

Yet, some find a way to criticize the work of the GM by mentioning that he currently has no pressure and that he has a rather easy job. Others will say that he lost some trades (like that of Artturi Lehkonen), that the situation with the three goaltenders was damaging, or that he has not yet been able to acquire an impact player for the club's lineup.

In the eyes of Maxim Lapierre, these criticisms are unfounded. According to the former NHL player, Kent Hughes has been flawless since joining the club.

For me, it's simple: Kent Hughes deserves a 10 out of 10 for his management since joining the Canadiens. Add to that he arrived under very difficult circumstances and had to sell everyone a new reconstruction plan, it's near perfection. Just look at his management of the Sean Monahan case and that should be enough to prove to everyone that he's a patient man, who has a precise plan in mind and doesn't deviate from it. Think also of the acquisitions of Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, it's solid work." - Maxim Lapierre

He has indeed made several steals. One can think of Dach, but also Lane Hutson, Sean Monahan, Ben Chiarot, and company.

Lapierre is not entirely wrong. Without giving him a perfect score (who is perfect?), we can very well give him a 9/10 regarding his team management. When we see, as the former CH said, what he did with Caufield, Suzuki, Slafkovsky, and even Matheson, we can say bravo. However, Hughes will need to continue to maintain his greatest quality, which is his patience.

In my opinion, the recipe is simple for Kent Hughes to maintain his perfect score and lead the CH to great honors, and that is to remain patient, no matter the situation.

Kent's greatest quality is his patience, and you have no idea how crucial that is for building a good long-term hockey team." - Maxim Lapierre

The end of the season, even if it has no stakes in terms of making the playoffs, will be very interesting to follow. It will show if the progress seen in recent weeks is real and if it can last over time.

Via La Poche Bleue