Transactions: Kent Hughes comments on potential trade of pending free agents
At a press conference earlier today during the annual golf tournament, Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes made an interesting comment.
When asked about the new approach to making decisions for building the Canadiens' roster, now that the team seems ready to take the next step, here's what the general manager responded (especially in light of the message sent by acquiring an established player like Patrik Laine):
As we are somewhat coming out of this phase, we are reaching a point where maybe a player will have an expiring contract, and we won't trade him (at the trade deadline or otherwise) because he helps us win hockey games, even though we could trade him for future assets.»
- Kent Hughes
These are the kinds of decisions the Montreal Canadiens' management is currently evaluating at an organizational level.
Could Kent Hughes refrain from trading David Savard at the deadline if the team is in the playoff race? It certainly looks like it!
I really don't like putting words in anyone's mouth, but it seems obvious that in this case, we're likely thinking about a player like David Savard.
The Canadiens players who will be in the final year of their contracts this season are:
- Christian Dvorak
- Joel Armia
- Jake Evans
- Michael Pezzetta
- Alex Barré-Boulet
- David Savard.
I really don't believe Kent Hughes would hold back from trading Dvorak, Pezzetta, or Barré-Boulet, even if the team is doing well (at the right price, of course).
I also don't think trading Jake Evans is really an option, especially considering what the return would be in a trade and his usefulness in Martin St-Louis' lineup, which leaves Joel Armia and David Savard.
Essentially, what Kent Hughes is telling us is this:
Unlike last year (with a guy like Sean Monahan), Hughes might hold back this season from trading David Savard around the trade deadline, even if he could fetch, at minimum, a first-round pick.
Hughes could do what he didn't do with Ben Chiarot in 2022.
Personally, I've always had the same opinion, and I truly believe the late first-round pick we would receive in exchange for David Savard isn't worth it.
He's too useful to the team, too important for the development of the young players, and such an ideal partner on the blue line to pair with someone like Lane Hutson or Logan Mailloux.
It's no coincidence that every defenseman who plays with David Savard drastically improves their stats and efficiency.
In any case, I wouldn't trade David Savard, but hearing Kent Hughes clearly say he'd consider keeping a player like him to help the team win more games - I love it.
A story to follow this season!
| POLL | ||
Would you trade David Savard for the 20th overall pick in 2025? | ||
| Yes | 408 | 68.8 % |
| No | 185 | 31.2 % |
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