Canadiens GM Hughes discusses rebuild progress, Players likely to be acquired ahead of trade deadline

In 2022, the Montreal Canadiens initiated their rebuilding phase by selecting Slovakian forward Juraj Slafkovsky as the top overall pick. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 230 pounds, the rookie initially struggled to make an impact, managing only 10 points in 39 games before a knee injury sidelined him for a significant portion of his debut season.

The trend continued into the beginning of the 2023-24 season, with Slafkovsky registering just seven points in his first 28 games. However, his performance took a positive turn after he was placed on the first line alongside captain Nick Suzuki and sharpshooter Cole Caufield.

In the most recent 24 games, the 19-year-old winger has excelled, tallying nine goals and 20 points. His impressive streak culminated in a standout performance with three points in the Canadiens’ 5-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.

The team’s general manager, Kent Hughes, expressed satisfaction with Slafkovsky’s progress, attributing it to his growing confidence on the ice.

Hughes stated on the Got Yer Back podcast with TSN’s Ryan Rishaug and TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun, “We envisioned him as a key figure in the future of our team. However, the timeline of his development is always somewhat uncertain when drafting an 18-year-old. There were moments last year and even this year where the timing of his impact was unclear.”

He continued, “What we have observed from him, particularly in the recent 20 to 25 games, is a deeper understanding of his strengths and how he can make the greatest impact on the game. He is now focusing on playing to his strengths above all else.”

Hughes added, “As he begins to see positive outcomes, his confidence grows, evident in his gameplay and the energy he brings both on and off the ice.”

The Canadiens are in the midst of a significant rebuilding phase, just two seasons after reaching the Stanley Cup finals. They currently hold the 25th position in the league with a record of 22-23-8. While they are far from competing for a playoff spot, there have been noticeable improvements in the development of Slafkovsky and Suzuki as a top-line center.

Despite the progress made by the young players, Hughes acknowledges that there is still much work to be done for the team. He emphasizes the importance of acquiring assets and constructing a competitive roster that can contend for a playoff position.

Hughes commented, “It’s challenging to assess the progress of the rebuild when we are still in the bottom 10 of the league. Our ultimate goal is to be among the top 10 teams in the league. Until we achieve that, it’s difficult to consider our efforts successful.”

Regarding asset accumulation, Hughes expressed satisfaction with their current position, having acquired assets primarily through draft picks. However, he acknowledged that there is a substantial amount of work involved in building a competitive team and hopes for a quicker rather than a prolonged timeline to achieve their goals.

Known for his active involvement in the draft, Hughes traded first-round picks for young centers Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook in the 2022 and 2023 drafts, respectively. With 23 draft picks, including four first-round selections, in the next two drafts, Hughes hinted at potentially making another move to bring in a young player who aligns with the Canadiens’ rebuilding timeline to complement their group of developing prospects.

“We have indeed acquired some players and utilized those draft picks. I believe we should persist with this strategy and keep enhancing our roster with established NHL players within a specific age range that can elevate us to the next level,” stated Hughes. “In the grand scheme of things, these players need to be younger individuals. Our current position involves seeking to bring in these players while monitoring the progress of our current roster.”

Hughes could be quite active leading up to the trade deadline on March 8, as goaltender Jake Allen is currently ranked eighth on the latest TSN Trade Bait list, along with experienced defenseman David Savard.

In preparation for the deadline, the third-year general manager highlighted the team’s objective of consistently acquiring assets while also factoring in the importance of veteran leadership.

“One factor to consider is how quickly we can be ready to challenge for a playoff spot. It also depends on how soon our players can assume greater responsibilities on defense and how veteran leadership can guide their development,” Hughes remarked regarding the potential trade of Savard. “It’s a complex scenario. Although we didn’t enter the season with playoff expectations, we were not conceding defeat either.

“We opted to trade Sean [Monahan] to Winnipeg, a move that we knew would weaken our team momentarily