By JD Lagrange – In the bustling kitchen of a hot hockey market, Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes dons his apron, poised over a simmering pot of talent with the precision of a Master Chef. The aroma of anticipation fills the air as Hughes orchestrates a culinary masterpiece, his latest creation: a tantalizing blend of prospects and picks, seasoned with strategic foresight and a dash of daring. As Canadiens’ fans awaits the unveiling of his culinary coup, the ingredients bubble and brew, hinting at a feast of trades and transformative moves yet to come. Welcome to the Canadiens’ kitchen, where Hughes has something cooking, and it’s about to reach a boiling point: a delectable dish known as “Players Overload.”
Players overload
For many fans, the notion of prospects overflowing in the Canadiens’ system is a novel experience, shaped by past management’s penchant for trading picks for immediate gains before 2018. However, under Marc Bergevin’s 2018 Reset, the team’s draft strategy took a seismic shift, resulting in the accumulation of 58 promising prospects.
Looking ahead, the Canadiens find themselves with a bounty of picks, boasting 12 selections in each of the next two NHL Drafts, including a dozen in the coveted first three rounds. Yet, despite this wealth of talent, the team faces the constraints of the NHL’s 50-contract limit, with Capfriendly.com currently listing 46 players under contract, a number that’s poised to fluctuate as negotiations ensue.
Amidst this roster puzzle, impending free agency looms large, with notable names like Tanner Pearson, Colin White, Chris Wideman, Philippe Maillet, Mitchell Stephens, and Brady Keeper on the brink of unrestricted status. Additionally, a cadre of seven players awaits decisions on their restricted free agent status, underscoring the pressing need for strategic roster management amidst the team’s ongoing reset and rebuild endeavours.
The Art of Differing
Given that prospects and picks serve as valuable assets to a team, it’s essential not to squander them by allowing them to languish without yielding any returns. Allowing prospects to become unrestricted free agents by neglecting to qualify them is a missed opportunity. Thus, the optimal approach to managing an overabundance of prospects is to diversify current assets.
While some picks may find their way into larger trade packages, I anticipate the team will also explore avenues to exchange both picks and prospects for future considerations, particularly picks in the 2026 draft and beyond. Given the sheer volume of assets at their disposal, the Canadiens could opt to employ this strategy by leveraging prospects and 2024 picks to secure future assets. This forward-thinking approach ensures that these assets can be leveraged effectively when the team transitions into a buyer’s market in the years to come.
Keeping an eye on the Draft
You know that feeling when your instincts kick in? Well, mine are telling me that Kent Hughes is gearing up to make a splash at this year’s NHL Draft, and it could be even bigger than the moves we’ve seen in the last couple of drafts with Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook. While many are speculating about the possibility of the Jets’ first-round pick, acquired in the Sean Monahan trade, being up for grabs, I’m going out on a limb to suggest that the Canadiens’ own first-round pick this summer might also be on the table for the right deal.
Of course, there’s the popular idea among Habs’ fans of reuniting Trevor Zegras with Cole Caufield. However, my personal preference would be to pursue someone like Martin Necas from Carolina—a solid 6-foot 2-inch, 200-pound center/right-winger. With tough decisions looming for the Hurricanes this summer, the 25-year-old Czech native has been rumored to be available.
Yet, my gut tells me that Hughes might have something even bigger in mind. Why do I think that? Because he has the assets to pull it off. I can’t shake the feeling that, unless the Canadiens win the Draft Lottery and snag Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick, they may not end up selecting at their current rank. Yes, it might ruffle some feathers among those who prioritize prospects over established players, but don’t be surprised if Hughes trades the team’s first-round pick in a move that catches everyone off guard and shakes up the hockey world.
As the anticipation builds proportionally to the hope for better days, Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes stands ready to unleash his culinary masterpiece upon the hockey world. With prospects and picks simmering in his kitchen of talent, Hughes’s strategic vision promises a feast of transformative moves yet to come. From the bustling trade market to the negotiation table, the Canadiens’ kitchen is alive with the sizzle of potential deals. So brace yourselves for a serving of hockey history in the making, as Hughes prepares to serve up his signature dish, one that promises to leave fans and pundits alike craving for more.
Hi JD,
Just curious as to why the article only focuses on Hughes, when obviously, Gorton also has a massive influence on creating the team and all the deals that happen? He should also get the recognition along with Hughes.
I simply went from a position stand point. Gorton is the VP of Hockey Ops and oversees all hockey decisions. He is Hughes’ boss. While I’m sure that he helps when needed, the position of GM is Kent Hughes and GMs are the ones completing trades. I’m sure that it’s a “team decision” but ultimately, I simply went with the duties included in the position. Just like when Marc Bergevin decided to give Subban $9M (or to trade him) Geoff Molson was involved.
When the soup is finished, they will serve it from The Cup.