Colorado's Latest Signing Delivers a Major Blow to Kent Hughes and the Canadiens
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
An important announcement from the Colorado Avalanche will have major implications for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens.
Center Brock Nelson has just signed a hefty contract, a three-year deal worth 7.5 million per year over there.
There are two impacts for the Canadiens.
A big name is taken off the list of possible acquisitions for the Montreal Canadiens at center
First, obviously, a forward is suddenly removed from Kent Hughes' list of acquisition possibilities, as Nelson will ultimately stay in Colorado.
"$7.5M AAV.
As I reported last week, talks got going then and clearly led to a new deal to keep Nelson in Denver.
A big forward off the UFA board"
- David Pagnotta
As I reported last week, talks got going then and clearly led to a new deal to keep Nelson in Denver.
A big forward off the UFA board"
- David Pagnotta
It's clearly unfortunate to lose a strong option on the second-line center market, and I know many experts would have liked to see the Canadiens sign Nelson, but this announcement is also important for another reason.
Second, the prices just went up!
Now that Brock Nelson has signed for $7.5 million per year, it's obvious that the price tags for players like Sam Bennett and Matt Duchene just skyrocketed.
Sam Bennett must be very happy with this announcement, but it's not good news for Kent Hughes (if he was planning to sign a major free agent).
Finding an already-established second-line NHL center won't be so easy after all for Kent Hughes and his staff.
More details to follow.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 4 | 2794 ANSWERS Colorado's Latest Signing Delivers a Major Blow to Kent Hughes and the Canadiens Who do you think is the best centerman among the following names? | ||
| Brock Nelson | 250 | 8.9 % |
| Sam Bennett | 1995 | 71.4 % |
| Matt Duchene | 260 | 9.3 % |
| Ryan O'Reilly | 289 | 10.3 % |
| List of polls | ||