Are Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens shopping for a defenseman?
Numerous questions start to take shape in light of the Montreal Canadiens’ recent changes on the blueline. Arber Xhekaj was called up to the Montreal Canadiens, while Justin Barron was sent down to the Laval Rocket. This indicates that the left-shot defensemen Jordan Harris, Jayden Struble, Arber Xhekaj, Kaiden Guhle, and Mike Matheson are all in the lineup for the Habs. By contrast, the right side consists solely of Jonathan Kovacevic and David Savard.
Xhekaj will start for Barron in the Habs’ game against the Senators, as the latter has been having a lot of trouble lately. Kovacevic will start in the starting lineup while Harris will sit. Guhle and Matheson and Savard and Struble make up the same top four.
Harris has played well, thus it appears that a potential deal is in the works or imminent. If not, why is he sitting? Not that the defence was playing its finest hockey, but Barron was the only one making mistakes. The other five defensemen were performing fairly well, aside from him.
It would be prudent, in my opinion, to begin shopping immediately. Hughes would be wise to listen, since the Habs have excellent trade assets and might acquire draft money or another elite prospect through trade. I have faith that he will choose wisely because Hughes is skilled at getting the most out of every item he trades and Kirby Dach made a wise choice.
I have no idea what Kent is cooking, but his trade resume speaks for itself, so hang on to your socks. It is appropriate to take Kovacevic, Savard, Matheson, and Harris into account. It makes the most sense to seize a fantastic deal as soon as possible if the price is correct.