Surprising Name Emerges in Last-Minute Trade Rumours: Could Kent Hughes Be on the Verge of Trading an Underrated Defenseman?
Lately, the names of Jake Allen, David Savard, and Tanner Pearson are the ones most often mentioned in speculation regarding the Canadiens as we approach the trade deadline.
During a recent episode of Radio-Canada's podcast Tellement hockey, the excellent Marc-Antoine Godin added a name not often heard to this list. It's defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic.
The 26-year-old right-handed defenseman indeed has some value on the trade market. His salary of $766,667 against the cap combined with his physical style of play could be of interest to many teams. In 51 games this season, the defenseman has accumulated 6 goals and 3 assists for a total of 9 points.
As Simon-Olivier Lorange mentions in a recent article for La Presse, Kovacevic's efficiency could be a plus for a team during the playoffs. The problem for Kent Hughes is that he wouldn't bring back much. Given his low value and the lack of depth and experience on the right side of the defense, the GM might simply decide to keep him.
@radio.canada.sports ♬ son original - radio.canada.sports
| POLL | ||
MARS 5 | 626 ANSWERS Surprising Name Emerges in Last-Minute Trade Rumours: Could Kent Hughes Be on the Verge of Trading an Underrated Defenseman? Would you trade Kovacevic for a 3rd round pick? | ||
| Yes | 286 | 45.7 % |
| No | 340 | 54.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Fans watch Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) warm up prior to the during the first period against Team USA during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531534.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Fans watch Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) warm up prior to the during the first period against Team USA during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) skates against Team Finland in the third 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/531488.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) skates against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
