Negotiated Trade Between Canadiens and Blue Jackets: Price Too High for Kent Hughes

Kent Hughes of the Montreal Canadiens has once again shown a cautious approach to roster management after talks with the Columbus Blue Jackets broke down allegedly over the price tag.

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The Canadiens, who needed an upgrade to their roster and were said to be in talks for an impact player, ended up in conversation with the Blue Jackets. But it has been reported that Columbus’ conditions were considered too hard for Hughes, who then left the bargaining table.

The details still remain a secret, but the speculated trade involved a top talent in Columbus potentially a defense man like werenski or boqvist. As for the Blue Jackets, they were said to want Montreal’s best youth talent, draft choices, or young talents like Juraj Slafkovský or Kaiden Guhle.

Hughes, who always preferred sustainable development instead of one-time fixes, decided to keep Montreal’s assets when he could risk winding up overpaying in a deal.

In a post-negotiation statement, Hughes hinted at his decision-making process:
We are to solve for the biggest picture of making a sustainable contender. Althoᵘgh we pursue every opportunity, we will not jeopardise our potential for the present requite.”

This patient approach is consistent with the Canadiens’ on-going reconstruction process, which relies considerably on the qualification of prospects and on the maximization of draft assets.