Canadiens: Kent Hughes Speaks to Tony Marinaro on French Radio

In an interview with Tony Marinaro on BPM Sports this morning, Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes answered several questions about various topics.

In an interview with Tony Marinaro on BPM Sports this morning, Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes answered several questions about various topics. 

Hughes is not worried that Laine put pressure on himself by saying he wants to be a 40-goal scorer, he believes players do not forget how to play hockey and if he believes he can do it, he's within his right to say so. The GM added that even though he hasn't said it, Cole Caufield probably believes he can be a 40-goal scorer as well. Reading between the lines, for Hughes, whether a player says it or not, that belief in themselves has to be there and they want confident players like that. 

He's not worried about Laine's cap hit making him the highest paid player on the team. The Canadiens didn't sign him to that contract so it's not a factor of importance. However, he added that Laine's acquisition was a reward for the way the team had played last year. He was acquired to help them move forward.

The GM explained that when you look around the league, teams that have 50-goal scorers such as Alexander Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos, have had the opportunity to pick them because they were first at the draft. It's not for lack of desire to have offense, it's a question of opportunity. 

When asked about former GM Serge Savard saying the Canadiens might be too small, Hughes replied that he believes he can win with small players. If he didn't, he wouldn't have signed Caufield for eight years. However, he doesn't think he could win with 12 forwards of Caufield's size, but that's why he's establishing a balance. 

Of course, he didn't miss the opportunity to say that one of the best short players in the history of the league is now on board with the Habs, coaching them. Size is not the be all end all when it comes to evaluating a player. There are some players who may be small but still battle very well in the corners. He used Dallas' Logan Stankoven as an example, he's not tall but he's winning over 50 percent of his battles in the corners. 

He wouldn't comment on where Hutson is likely to play this season, but he was pretty clear the 11 forwards and seven defensemen lineup would protect Hutson and make him a power play specialist. He doesn't want to turn him into a power play specialist, he wants him to be the best defenseman he can be, not the best man-advantage player. 

If there are areas of his game that need rounding up and if he would benefit from time in the AHL, that's where he will be sent. However, if it can be beneficial for him to play in the NHL right away, that's what will happen. If it does though, Hutson won't be shielded, he will be playing the minutes he needs to play to improve, even if he doesn't play every single game. 

Hughes wouldn't confirm the numerous reports about his interest in Yaroslav Askarov, just telling the host the league doesn't like GMs talking about other teams' players. 

He refused to say there wouldn't be another trade this Summer as he needs to keep his options open. As of now however, they are not aiming for a particular trade, but the door remains open to all possibility. 

For now, the Canadiens are not planning to replace Alex Burrows behind the bench, as a result, the power play will be handled by St-Louis and his staff. With Kirby Dach back healthy, Laine's arrival and the possibility to see Hutson join the man advantage unit, it would make sense to see the success rate improve.

Marinaro told the story of how some 15 years ago, a man wrote to him to say his 30-year-old wife wouldn't be alive for very long because of a brain tumor and that it would make her so happy to meet her favorite player Vincent Lecavalier.

The host found out Hughes was Lecavalier's agent at the time and contacted him to see if anything could be arranged. While the player couldn't attend, as he was at Tampa Bay's training camp, the Canadiens GM found a way to make the wish come true. On the woman's birthday, he sent Lecavalier's dad over to chat with the couple and he gave her a Lecavalier jersey. Then, the Lightning forward called in to wish her happy birthday. 

Even though hockey is first and foremost a business, it's always interesting to hear about the human side of it all. After all, hockey executives and players are not robots, they are regular people just like us and they will often go out of their way to make a difference. 

You may also like:

Canadiens: What to Expect From Arber Xhekaj
Canadiens: What to Expect From Martin St-Louis
Canadiens: What to Expect From Nick Suzuki

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens