[ad_1]
Breadcrumb Path Hyperlinks
SportsNHLMontreal CanadiensHockey Inside OutHockey
Habs will transfer ahead with Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau as goalies, whereas David Savard continues to mentor younger defencemen.
Article content material
Basic supervisor Kent Hughes is hoping his endurance will finally repay as he continues to rebuild the Canadiens.
Hughes remained affected person this season with a three-goalie system that wasn’t good for Samuel Montembeault, Jake Allen or Cayden Primeau. The GM lastly mounted that scenario Friday when he traded Allen to the New Jersey Devils in change for a conditional third-round draft choose in 2025 that may turn into a second-round choose if Allen performs at the very least 40 video games subsequent season and his staff qualifies for the playoffs.
Commercial 2
Article content material
Article content material
It was an honest return contemplating the 33-year-old Allen’s statistics with restricted enjoying time this season: a 6-12-3 file with a 3.65 goals-against common and a .892 save share. Hughes needed to retain 50 per cent of Allen’s wage, which has a US$3.85-million cap hit subsequent season within the remaining 12 months of his contract.
When he met with the media in Brossard after Friday’s 3 p.m. NHL commerce deadline had handed, Hughes defined why he determined to maintain three goalies. Montembeault was eligible to turn into an unrestricted free agent after this season and the GM discovered via his sources one other NHL staff would declare Primeau off waivers if he tried to ship him right down to the AHL’s Laval Rocket.
Montembeault performed effectively sufficient to persuade Hughes he could possibly be the staff’s No. 1 goalie and the GM rewarded the 27-year-old on Dec. 1 with a three-year, US$9.45-million contract extension that runs via the 2026-27 season. Primeau performed effectively sufficient to persuade Hughes he could possibly be Montembeault’s backup. Hughes stated after signing Montembeault, the strain was on him to commerce a goalie.
Highway to the Cup
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
“Given the place we’re and the age distinction of the three goalies, Jake turned the extra seemingly candidate to be traded,” Hughes stated.
In fact, Hughes needed to discover a buying and selling accomplice and he lastly did on Friday.
The Allen commerce was the one one Hughes made Friday as he displayed extra endurance by protecting veteran defenceman David Savard. Hughes stated he wasn’t trying to commerce Savard, however added the 33-year-old wasn’t untouchable and he listened to affords. Ultimately, Hughes determined there was extra worth in protecting Savard as he heads into the ultimate season of his contract with a salary-cap hit of US$3.5 million.
Commercial 4
Article content material
“I believe if we’re environment friendly by way of how we handle our belongings we put ourselves in a greater place to construct a hockey staff,” Hughes stated. “However, in the end, we’re making an attempt to construct a hockey staff. And if a participant has worth to us by way of what we’re making an attempt to construct by being bodily current and a part of our group, then that’s going to trump buying and selling that participant at a later level for one thing slightly bit inferior as a result of there’s worth in his time with us that we’re going to hold past his time with us — and that’s actually one thing that we had been contemplating within the case of David.”
The very fact Arber Xhekaj has performed his greatest hockey over the past eight video games since being paired with Savard most likely factored into Hughes’s determination to maintain the veteran, who will proceed to be a mentor to the staff’s younger defencemen.
The Canadiens have a 24-29-10 file heading into Saturday’s sport in opposition to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the Bell Centre (7 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports activities, TSN 690 Radio, 98.5 FM) and can miss the playoffs for a 3rd straight season.
Hughes stated throughout his information convention Friday consistency is among the final issues to come back with younger gamers, noting there are nonetheless going to be ups and downs with the likes of Juraj Slafkovsky and Xhekaj.
Commercial 5
Article content material
“However, I believe, by and huge, we’re seeing a development and it’s beginning to assist us kind a view of what our staff may appear to be and what we’d like,” Hughes stated.
Commercial 6
Article content material
I requested Hughes why Canadiens followers must be blissful he’s remaining affected person.
“I can’t reply for Habs followers,” he stated with a smile.
“I don’t know if affected person is the phrase, however we’re making an attempt to make choices for the appropriate causes,” Hughes added. “As a way to try this, if that requires endurance we’re making an attempt to do it. Hear, I stay up for the day that we’re shopping for, not promoting. I’m as aggressive as the following individual. I need to really feel the highs and lows of successful and dropping that come whenever you’re anticipated to compete for a Stanley Cup. So the sooner that it may occur, the higher off it’s. I’d prefer to be round for it. However I don’t need to do it on the expense of doing it the appropriate approach and I believe that’s how all of us really feel as a administration group and as a corporation.”
So, how far are the Canadiens away from being consumers on the commerce deadline?
“I assume we’ve been consumers to a sure diploma on the drafts and sellers on the commerce deadline,” Hughes stated. “So if we see a possibility once more on the draft we’ll look to proceed that path. Being a purchaser on the commerce deadline actually will depend on the efficiency on the ice. I don’t know if I may give you that reply proper now.”
scowan@postmedia.com
twitter.com/StuCowan1
Really helpful from Editorial
Canadiens commerce goalie Jake Allen to New Jersey Devils
Pat Hickey: Stats do not inform the entire story about Canadiens’ progress
Habs Mailbag: Lane Hutson may make his Canadiens debut this season
Canadiens’ Arber Xhekaj enjoying a few of his greatest hockey | HI/O Bonus
Commercial 7
Article content material
Article content material
Share this text in your social community
[ad_2]
Source link
