On the one hand, they don't want to deviate from the initial plan and (rightly) they don't want to start trading away picks and youngsters to try to make the playoffs, but on the other hand, it becomes harder to be a "seller" when the team performs like this.
There are also the names of Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli that continue to move away from Montreal.
With a record of 10-9-1 in 20 games, the Habs are closer to the playoff race than the race for the first overall pick.
We're in a pretty tough "in-between" situation, and the worst-case scenario would be for the Habs to finish 18th or 19th overall in the NHL, so out of the playoffs and well outside of a top-5 overall pick in the next draft (of an extraordinary class).
A complex situation
So much so, that management thinks the team is playing a little too well, according to what Jean-Francois Chaumont of the Journal de Montreal reports.
It's still major, but we absolutely understand what he means here, and there's obviously some truth to this statement.
One thing is certain, no matter how well the club does, Hughes' plan doesn't change.
And that's just fine. To listen to the full segment, it's here:
Credit: Alex Desrosiers, Rumeursdetransaction.com
POLL | ||
25 NOVEMBRE | 213 ANSWERS Important statement from a Montreal Canadiens executive and it's causing a huge reaction Do you want the Habs to trade players and lose to get a top 5 pick? | ||
Yes | 87 | 40.8 % |
Non | 126 | 59.2 % |
List of polls |