Montreal Canadiens fans have been entertained since the NHL Draft with no less than three trades in less than 10 days, in addition to persistent rumors about Quebec’s Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Winnipeg Jets.
Decidedly, a majority of amateurs expect other personnel movements by September.
In a poll published Thursday on the front page of TVASports.ca, more than 55% of 1,757 respondents answered in the affirmative within 24 hours whether general manager Kent Hughes will complete another major trade by the fall.
The GM of Beaconsfield pulled off a bang in the first round of the auction, in Montreal, in securing the services of young center Kirby Dach of the Chicago Blackhawks, transferring to them the 13th overall selection obtained simultaneously from the New York Islanders in return for defenseman Alexander Romanov.
Then, last Saturday, Hughes relieved Jeff Petry sending him to the Pittsburgh Penguins with Ryan Poehling, in return for Michael Matheson, a young fullback also from the West Island.
Barely an hour after this announcement, the CH granted a two-year contract to the very versatile Rem Pitlick, to whom he had not given a qualifying offer, to everyone’s surprise.
At a recent press briefing, Hughes didn’t deny rumors involving Dubois and dithered with a smirk when asked about his interest in the Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts forward.
On July 13, Dubois’ agent, Pat Brisson, indicated that his client would like to play for the Habs, but reminded that his rights will belong to the Jets as long as he is a restricted free agent.
The club’s financial situation also complicates the possibility of a major transaction to improve the Montreal center line, because despite its laudable efforts to free up space, management only benefits from a cushion of $248,334. below the salary cap to maneuver on this day, according to the CapFriendly site.
Finally, goaltender Carey Price ($10.5 million) and forward Paul Byron ($3.4 million) will be cases to watch for training camp in September.
The first said he will know more about his future at the end of the summer, while the other confided that his right hip is not healing at the expected rate.
Jake Allen and Samuel Montembeault, who has just signed a two-year contract, are the two goalkeepers behind Price in the current hierarchy, while waiting for Cayden Primeau to be ready for the NHL.