Will the Montreal Canadiens light up the trade wire before the Christmas break? Don’t hold your breath. For a fanbase hungry for the next big move, that might be frustrating, but from where I’m sitting, it’s the smartest move Kent Hughes can make.
The buzz around town has been about acquiring a top-flight, second-line center. But here’s the thing: the kids are alright. The emergence of Oliver Kapanen and the solid, consistent play of Kirby Dach have effectively put that fire out. Why force a trade and give up valuable assets—prospects or high-round picks—when the internal solutions are not just holding their own, but thriving? This isn’t just luck; it’s the payoff from a well-stocked prospect pipeline. Management finally has the luxury of not making a panic move, and their solid start to the season is all the justification they need. They can let this play out, see what they truly have in Kapanen and Dach, and re-evaluate as the trade deadline looms, not as Santa packs his sleigh.
The Josh Anderson Dilemma: Patience Over Panic
Then there’s the other big question mark: Josh Anderson. His slow start has parts of the fanbase ready to drive him to the airport. But let’s be realistic. Moving a player with his contract (one year remaining after this) and salary is never easy, especially in-season when other teams’ cap situations are tight.
More importantly, management hasn’t soured on him, and frankly, they shouldn’t. Anderson’s game isn’t built for a Monday night in November; it’s built for a Thursday night in May. He’s the prototypical power forward whose “heavy game” is a nightmare for opponents in a seven-game playoff series. The front office knows this. They’re not going to trade him for pennies on the dollar just because his scoring touch is cold right now. They’ll wait for his value to rebound or, better yet, for him to be the X-factor in a playoff push.
The bottom line? The Montreal Canadiens are in a good spot. Their strong start has bought them time—the most valuable commodity in the NHL. They don’t need to make a trade, so they won’t be forced into a bad one.
Find All Your Montreal Canadiens News Here
Looking for the latest Montreal Canadiens news, insider analysis, and trade rumors? You’ve come to the right place. Join our Fantasy Hockey Pool for a shot at cash prizes and find out exactly how to watch the Habs game on TV today, all on our website. Make sure to add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletter below!
The post The One Move Kent Hughes Refuses to Make for the Montreal Canadiens appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
