With the Montreal Canadiens struggling early in the season, GM Kent Hughes is aggressively looking for ways to enhance the team, specifically a forward with grit. For what it’s worth, the Habs lost their key offseason acquisition, former Columbus Blue Jackets winger Patrik Laine, whom they traded for over the summer. The sniper suffered a knee sprain during the preseason and will be out for several months, but he has avoided surgery for the time being. According to Elliotte Friedman, who appeared on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday, Hughes prioritizes aggressiveness while remaining committed to protecting the team’s long-term goals.
“It’s been widely reported that the Canadiens are looking at defensive help,” Friedman told the press. “We can also add that they have started peeking around for a forward, too.””Especially someone with an edge.” Friedman’s comments on the Habs’ readiness to add players are similar to those of NHL insider Frank Seravalli, who claimed on Friday that the Canadiens are also looking for a top-four right-handed defenseman.
#GoHabsGo are checking prices to add a top-four, right-shooting defenseman. With the future well arranged, it’s expensive for a stopgap solution, but Canadiens also recognize this current situation isn’t ideal.
Details tonight on @SportsOnPrimeCA:pic.twitter.com/8DI9jFJO4q
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 25, 2024
“[The Canadiens] are checking prices to add a top-four, right-shooting defenseman,” Seravalli stated on X. “With the future well arranged, it’s expensive for a stopgap solution, but Canadiens also recognize this current situation isn’t ideal.” Although Hughes intends to address Montreal’s present needs in both the forward and defensive corps, he is adamant about not delaying future plans for short-term fixes. “One thing the Canadiens are telling everybody is that they will not do anything that interferes with their long-term planning,” according to Friedman. Hughes looks to be looking for a tough and physical forward who can put pressure on opponents in the offensive zone, something Montreal currently lacks.
While defensemen like as Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble have offered physical play, Hughes is looking for a comparable edge up front. The issue, clearly, is to identify the proper player without jeopardizing future assets or trading away draft picks or prospects such as Lane Hutson, Logan Mailloux, and David Reinbacher. The Habs are coming off a weekend win on Sunday, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 on the road to level their non-overtime record at 4-4, with an overtime loss bringing their total to 4-4-1 after nine games.
