Montreal Canadiens: Hughes, Gorton Reflect on Season, Plan Summer Moves
The Montreal Canadiens’ season might be over, but the work isn’t done yet for GM Kent Hughes and Executive VP Jeff Gorton. They_updated on the 2024-25 campaign and shared insights into the team’s path for the summer at a recent media session.
Free Agency & Building Balance
Hughes addressed the looming free agency, First off, regarding our unrestricted free agents, we’ve informed them all that we need to meet and make those decisions – no decisions have been made at this time.
He emphasized the team’s focus on balance, stating, When you’re in a rebuild, you’re constantly balancing the present with the future. We recognize the value of experience, but at the same time, we don’t want to put restraints on our younger players.
Gorton echoed Hughes, “We’re not a finished product, and there’s not one area of our team where we’re saying, ‘we’re done there.’ So, we’ll continue to look at everything and try to build it out.”
The Playoffs: Stepping Stone or Accelerator?
Making the playoffs was a significant achievement, but Hughes and Gorton see it as a stepping stone rather than a fast forward switch. Gorton said, I don’t think it’s fast forwarding anything. We’ve come in here with a plan of what we want to do to rebuild this team, and I think it’s certainly helpful in a lot of ways, but we’re certainly not done.
Kirby Dach & Lane Hutson’s Futures
The Canadiens are looking at the futures of Kirby Dach and Lane Hutson. On Dach, Gorton said, Obviously, he’s had two really tough years… but there’s certainly a place for him in our lineup; it’s going to be up to him to decide where that’s going to be.
Hughes confirmed the team’s interest in signing Hutson, saying, Yes. I noticed Lane mentioned he’d like to sign a contract sooner than later, so we’ll be reaching out to his agent, and we’ll see.
In Praise of Martin St-Louis
Hughes and Gorton praised head coach Martin St-Louis’ performance. Hughes noted, I think Martin and his staff as a whole did an excellent job this year… He’s extremely competitive, and when you doubt him, instead of hiding, he comes out and proves himself.
Key Priorities for the Off-season
- Adding more talent to the team
- Determining the extent of adding experience vs gaining experience with existing players
- Continuing to prioritize player development in Laval
FAQs
Where do the Canadiens see themselves heading after making the playoffs?
Hughes and Gorton view the playoff appearance as a stepping stone, not an accelerator. They continue to build toward competing for the Stanley Cup consistently.
What are the biggest areas of focus for the off-season?
The Canadiens plan to add more talent, determine their approach to experience, and continue developing players in Laval.
Did you know? The Montreal Canadiens have a rich prospect pipeline in the Laval Rocket, with many young stars ready to make an impact.
Bottom Line: What Lies Ahead for the Montreal Canadiens?
Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton have outlined a clear plan for the Montreal Canadiens’ off-season: foci_ning on additions that bring talent and experience, patiently developing their prospects, and building a team capable of consistent playoff appearances. Fans can expect an active summer from the Canadiens, as they continue to shape their roster for the future.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Montreal Canadiens’ off-season moves! If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media and leave a comment below.