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The Canadiens would have only two untouchables on defense
Photo credit: Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens have a very promising defensive pipeline, yet there would only be two untouchables among them.
Indeed, according to former head coach of the Trois-Rivières Lions, Éric Bélanger, names like Logan Mailloux, David Reinbacher, Arber Xhekaj, and others wouldn't be exempt from a possible trade.
"That being said, I'm not saying I don't like Reinbacher, Mailloux, Xhekaj, and the others, far from it! I'm just saying that if the phone rings for these guys, I'm answering.
You know, when you're leading a hockey team and you have a specific plan, sometimes you have to make heart-wrenching decisions for the good of the team. If there's one thing we've seen since Kent Hughes arrived, it's that he respects his plan.
I'm very excited to see Reinbacher develop in North America, I think Mailloux is going to be a force in the NHL, Xhekaj is a rare commodity, and Struble is a good young defenseman with solid potential, but, at the risk of repeating myself, I would be willing to listen to offers for them." - Éric Bélanger
You know, when you're leading a hockey team and you have a specific plan, sometimes you have to make heart-wrenching decisions for the good of the team. If there's one thing we've seen since Kent Hughes arrived, it's that he respects his plan.
I'm very excited to see Reinbacher develop in North America, I think Mailloux is going to be a force in the NHL, Xhekaj is a rare commodity, and Struble is a good young defenseman with solid potential, but, at the risk of repeating myself, I would be willing to listen to offers for them." - Éric Bélanger
For the former NHL player, there are only two defensemen who are guaranteed to stay in Montreal, and that's Lane Hutson and Kaiden Guhle.
"Guhle has captain material. He's already a leader, and his behavior on the ice (except for the stick slashes when he's on the bench) fascinates me. It's beautiful to watch him play, and he's only 22 years old." - Éric Bélanger
"It's VERY ambitious to label him like this before he's even played a single NHL game, but seriously, what talent!
I don't think I've seen a defenseman as offensively gifted for the Habs since Andrei Markov, and I can already picture Hutson quarterbacking the power play for many years." - Éric Bélanger
I don't think I've seen a defenseman as offensively gifted for the Habs since Andrei Markov, and I can already picture Hutson quarterbacking the power play for many years." - Éric Bélanger
Indeed, despite being often injured, especially with head injuries, Guhle remains a formidable defenseman for the Canadiens. He has all the qualities of a top player in his profession.
As for Hutson, although he hasn't played any professional games yet, he has statistics similar to Quinn Hughes, Adam Fox, and Cale Makar.
In both cases, the Canadiens are in good hands with these two defensemen, even if it's not unanimously agreed upon.
Source La Poche Bleue
Deux intouchables, that's it!
Deux intouchables, that's it!
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 9 | 290 ANSWERS The Canadiens would have only two untouchables on defense Do you agree that the Canadiens only have Kaiden Guhle and Lane Hutson as untouchables on defense? | ||
| Yes | 85 | 29.3 % |
| No | 205 | 70.7 % |
| List of polls | ||