Major trade coming up for the Canadiens? Kent Hughes has just made a decision on his position this season
PUBLICATION
Elias Edmonson
October 15, 2023 (12:18)
The egg or the chicken? Which comes first? Should we sacrifice the present for a bright future with no guarantee? Should we sacrifice the future for an imperfect present to quench the fans' thirst for victory? These are all questions that the Montreal Canadiens' senior management, led by Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton, must juggle. The Canadiens are not yet a complete team, aspiring to major honors or even a long playoff run.
During an interview with TVA Sports, Kent Hughes revealed several interesting pieces of information about the team's plans.
"We will not sacrifice the future to win this year!" - Kent Hughes
That is clear enough. Much to the dismay of the victory-thirsty supporters of the Habs. The arrival of a rental player is highly doubtful. The young core already in Montreal seems to be on the right track, led by Suzuki, Caufield, Dach, and Guhle. The addition of Newhook with resounding debuts and a Slafkovsky 2.0, along with the prospect pool, makes the future look more promising than the present.
DEVELOPMENT, A MATTER OF TIME!
Experts all agree that the Montreal Canadiens have a well-stocked prospect pool. Now it's up to the staff to develop them properly so that they reach their full potential. Although there is no single answer, a success and achievement-based development approach might be recommended.
Graduating a player to the NHL from junior or even college ranks is a risk that the Canadiens should not take. Unless they are a generational player like Connor Bedard, Auston Matthews, or Connor McDavid, a mandatory stint in the American League seems to be a route that increases the chances of success.
Imagine for a moment that the Canadiens systematically send all young talents to do an internship in the American League. The Canadiens would thus offer them time to adapt to a faster, more robust game where victory is not everything. Time to acquire physical, psychological, and emotional maturity by keeping them away from the popular and media pressure of Montreal. All factors that would help their talent emerge.
In conclusion, what is the risk of requiring talented young prospects to go do their classes in the AHL? In the best-case scenario, they would dominate at the lower level and the Canadiens would recall them to the big club. A player never arrives too late in the NHL, but many arrive just a bit too early. Development takes time!
| POLL |
15 OCTOBRE | 137 ANSWERS Major trade coming up for the Canadiens? Kent Hughes has just made a decision on his position this season Which Canadiens forward will have the most improvement for the 2023-24 season? |
| Dach | 8 | 5.8 % |
| Caufield | 18 | 13.1 % |
| Newhook | 42 | 30.7 % |
| Slafkovsky | 69 | 50.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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