We just found out why the Montreal Canadiens signed goaltender Connor Hughes

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Elias Edmonson
June 4, 2024 (12:12)

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Earlier today, Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens announced the signing of goalie Connor Hughes.

It's an acquisition out of left field and has raised several questions among fans, but the situation is becoming clearer.

«No, Connor Hughes is not Kent's son. He's a 27-year-old Ontario-born goalie who also has Swiss nationality. He has been playing in Switzerland since 2017. Are they bringing him in to be Dobes' backup in Laval? I wonder if this will be another Demchenko-like trial» - Marc Antoine Godin

Connor Hughes should play with the Laval Rocket

Hughes had truly sensational stats in Switzerland this season, and he practically single-handedly led his team to the grand final, but the goal of this signing seems very clear.

«Stellar numbers in the Swiss NL this season, particularly in the playoffs helping lead Lausanne to the finals. Instantly improves the goaltending situation in Laval, in addition to the improvement of Jakub Dobe�. Important item checked off the summer to-do list» - Arpon Basu

This confirms that Hughes should be a goalie for the Laval Rocket, along with Jakub Dobes, and he possibly just «pushed aside» Kasimir Kaskisuo.

He has a good reputation there, anyway:

Big frame. Excellent numbers in Switzerland.

«He was very good. You need to put traffic in front of him to beat him,» one of his opponents from last year just told me.

- Via Anthony Martineau, TVA Sports

He certainly fills an organizational need for the Montreal Canadiens, and he will try to follow in the footsteps of a goalie like Pavel Francouz, who was an excellent goalie discovered in Europe by the Colorado Avalanche.

We see him with the Laval Rocket, but don't be surprised if he gets his chance with the Montreal Canadiens eventually.

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