Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is reportedly shopping for help up front in the form of a player with edge.
There have been games this season in which the Montreal Canadiens were too easy to play against, not hard enough, and according to insider Elliotte Friedman, GM Kent Hughes is working to fix that.
Skillful forwards are great and can pull off some spectacular play, but a successful hockey team needs to have the right mix of characteristics. Having a wrecking ball in the lineup can be useful.
Montreal does have some defensemen who can lay the body on opposing forwards as they come into the defensive zone. Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble certainly come to mind, but they're not the ones who can go deep in the attacking zone and apply forechecking pressure.
There once was a time when Josh Anderson did that regularly, but his play seems to have changed over the last couple of years. Michael Pezzetta does bring some energy, but last night, in just 13 shifts he landed in the box twice, plus, you need someone who can do that regularly and not be in and out of the lineup.
A few days ago, Pierre Lebrun told us that Montreal was looking for a top-four right-handed defenseman. It seems like the GM is quite busy these days. Trades in the early days of the season are not common, though, and considering Hughes doesn't want to jeopardize his long-term plan for the team, it won't be easy for any deal to come to fruition.
The New York Rangers have sent Matt Rempe down to the AHL, and some believe he won't be seen again in a Blueshirt uniform, but I struggle to see him be a target for Hughes.
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