Canadiens Rumor: Kent Hughes Searching For Trade Partner To Move Veteran
The Montreal Canadiens have already made a big trade as they moved Sean Monahan to the Winnipeg Jets for a first round pick and a conditional third round pick in return.
They will now turn their attention elsewhere, as that was the most obvious piece of business that needed to be taken care of ahead of the trade deadline. There are not other pending unrestricted free agents, like Monahan, that make the most sense to move next.
However, according to Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes, he is actively searching for the next trade partner.
Hughes was on the Got Yer Back podcast with Ryan Rishaug and Pierre LeBrun and was asked specifically about the team's three goaltender situation. Hughes agreed that ever since they signed Sam Montembeault to a contract extension, they have been actively searching for the right trade partner to solve their three goaltender issue.
Pod Stream: Interview with Habs GM Kent Hughes. Plus: McDavid, Rielly, Flames, Trade Talk! #GoHabsGo #LetsGoOilers #LeafsForever #Flames https://t.co/uyeREgXf6s
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) February 14, 2024
Hughes also mentioned it is not an easy trade to make as the goaltending market is not an active one in the middle of the season and other factors such as the salary cap and a limited number of interested teams who would need to place someone on waivers to make room for a new goalie on their roster.
The Canadiens GM didn't mention anyone by name, but LeBrun pointed out it was going to be Allen that would eventually move and Hughes certainly did not deny that possibility. Hughes did talk about how all of this goaltenders are signed through next season so a solution does not need to be found before the trade deadline, but he does expect that would get done in the summer if not in the next three weeks.
Allen's last start was not pretty, as the entire Canadiens team struggled over Super Bowl weekend, but he had posted around league average save percentage on a bottom ten team before that.
There are not a lot of great options out there for teams seeking goaltending help so Allen could very well be on the move before March 8th. But don't expect Hughes to take a lowball offer just to get rid of a goalie.
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