We now know the main reason behind the trade made by Kent Hughes
Given the recent trade for Alexandre Carrier, Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens appear to be setting the stage for more moves.
If I were in Hughes' shoes, I'd prioritize trading at least one of the veteran defensemen in Mike Matheson or David Savard to balance the roster and maximize returns.
They like Carrier's character and his contract as well.
Barron was part of a multitude of young right-handed defensemen in the organization." - Pierre LeBrun
David Savard seems the most likely candidate since at 33 years old, his physical, defensive style makes him a valuable asset for a playoff-bound team.
With a cap hit of $3.5M AAV expiring after next season, David Savard's trade value is high and moving him now could fetch a solid draft pick or prospect while also clearing space for younger defensemen like Logan Mailloux and Alexandre Carrier to play regular minutes.
Mike Matheson offers a different skill set and his ability to contribute offensively and move the puck makes him an attractive option for many teams.
His contract of $4.875M is reasonable for a productive top-four defenseman and if the Canadiens receive a strong offer like a first-round pick or a high-end prospect then trading Matheson makes sense.
However, his leadership and skill could still be valuable for a rebuilding team over the next couple of years.
In this scenario, the Canadiens benefit either way since trading Savard would provide immediate returns and opportunities for younger players and moving Matheson would further accelerate the rebuild, but only if the offer is good.
Ultimately, trading David Savard is the safest and most strategic move, while dealing Matheson depends on the market.
This plan helps Montreal transition smoothly, strengthens its future core, and gives promising young players the experience they need to succeed.
| POLL | ||
Who do you think is the better player, Justin Barron or Alex Carrier? | ||
| Alex Carrier | 108 | 89.3 % |
| Justin Barron | 13 | 10.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
