Hughes is targeting a trade involving a young defenseman and names are revealed

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MarcO
August 1, 2024 (9:25)

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The general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes, is targeting a trade involving a young defenseman.

Which one? That is the real question.

As the renowned Elliotte Friedman from Sportsnet recently mentioned, the Canadiens are open to trading a defenseman, and quite honestly, it's absolutely not surprising.

Kent Hughes could be forced to trade one, sooner rather than later.

A trade targeted by the Montreal Canadiens on defense

As you know, Arber Xhekaj and Justin Barron have just signed new contracts with the organization, and due to these recent signings, they can no longer be sent to the Laval Rocket without passing through NHL waivers.

«Not only have Barron and Xhekaj signed, but their contracts do not allow travel to Laval without going through waivers. This means they will stay in Montreal. Hughes will never take the chance of sending them through waivers, knowing very well that they will be claimed.»

- Samuel Doiron

That is very well summarized.

And despite the trade made with the New Jersey Devils involving Johnatan Kovacevic (which brought back a 4th-round pick in 2026), the Canadiens still have far too many defensemen.

In addition to Barron and Xhekaj, we also have Kaiden Guhle, Mike Matheson, David Savard, Jayden Struble, and Jordan Harris, who are all under contract in the National Hockey League.

So, that's already seven defensemen for six positions, and we haven't even talked about Lane Hutson, David Reinbacher, and Logan Mailloux.

Justin Barron
Arber Xhekaj
Kaiden Guhle
Mike Matheson
David Savard
Jayden Struble
Jordan Harris
Lane Hutson
David Reinbacher
Logan Mailloux
Adam Engstrom

That's way too many defensemen for six or seven positions on the Montreal Canadiens, and that's too many defensemen that Kent Hughes risks losing to waivers.

As he showed with Cayden Primeau last season, Hughes refuses (rightly so) to lose a young player to waivers.

This will be a fascinating situation to watch, but don't be surprised if a Jordan Harris or a Justin Barron is traded before the start of the season.

And you, which one would you trade?

Such a trade could precisely prevent Logan Mailloux or Lane Hutson from having to start the 2024 season with the Laval Rocket, even if they deserve to start in Montreal.

Credit: HABSolumentFan
Un autre défenseur devra bientôt quitter le CH et son identité est de plus en plus évidente