Kent Hughes gives a lesson to other GMs and resolves an important issue
When Kent Hughes arrived in Montreal as general manager, few would have predicted the success that would follow.
The GM is on fire, not only with his trades but also with his contract signings, as he has once again proven this week.
Indeed, he has settled the contracts for
Justin Barron and
Arber Xhekaj. Unsurprisingly, their salaries are relatively low since they still have things to prove and these are bridge contracts.
However, when looking at the six most important players on the team, it's clear that Hughes has given a solid lesson to his counterparts, especially now that
Kaiden Guhle is signed long-term.
Kirby Dach will certainly want to stay healthy this season to secure a long-term deal as well. In his case, it's not so much about the amount of money but about longevity.
With his injury history, Kent Hughes will need to be cautious, as Dach will be a restricted free agent next July. His upcoming season will be crucial.
Comparing the Canadiens' top 6 players with the top 4 players of the Toronto Maple Leafs, for example, the difference is striking.
«In comparison, the Maple Leafs' quartet (
Auston Matthews,
Mitch Marner,
John Tavares, and
William Nylander) accounts for 53% of their organization's salary cap. It should be noted that the Canadiens are not relying on athletes of the caliber of Matthews, Marner, or even Nylander, which explains the lower salaries. Nevertheless, there is a significant difference between the two situations.»
In any case, for a former player agent who was practically laughed at when he was appointed GM, Kent Hughes is showing his counterparts a solid lesson.
| POLL |
AOUT 3 | 215 ANSWERS Kent Hughes gives a lesson to other GMs and resolves an important issue Do you think Kent Hughes will ever be named General Manager of the Year? |
| Yes | 169 | 78.6 % |
| No | 46 | 21.4 % |
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