Promising Sean Durzi, a possible big move for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens?

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Jeff Drouin
September 3, 2022 (0:29)

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At the time of writing, there are about a dozen restricted free agents remaining without contracts for the upcoming season.

We're talking about players who are still owned by their respective teams, but who could be traded more easily if contract negotiations continue to stagnate as camps approach. They could also be acquired via the famous hostile bidding.

Most experts are talking a lot about the young Nils Lundkvist:

And it would indeed be an interesting trade to consider, but there may be another very interesting option for Kent Hughes and the CH, precisely on the autonomous player market with compensation.

SEAN DURZI (Right-handed defenseman)

It's no longer a secret to fans that Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton do indeed want to add a right-handed back by the start of the season.

I wonder if they have analyzed Durzi's case.

Obviously, the Kings are having a hard time getting along with him. We're talking about a 23-year-old (right-handed) defenseman who was drafted 52nd overall in 2018, who is highly mobile, dynamic, reliable, offensive, and has had a really impressive progression.

He is truly on his way to becoming a good top-4 NHL defenseman.

Sean Durzi had a solid 27 points in 64 games in his rookie season with the Los Angeles Kings last season and 16 points in 13 games in the AHL.

This could be a potential big move for the CH and is a name to watch, especially if the Kings continue to delay signing him, because he really seems to be on his way to becoming a solid defenseman, but Los Angeles really doesn't have a lot of room under the salary cap.

Plus, they have several other promising young defensemen, although Durzi is possibly their best right now, along with Brandt Clarke.

Could Sean Durzi be a possible target for Kent Hughes and the CH? It's at least worth considering, because he represents exactly what Montreal is looking for: a right-handed defenseman, a young guy who is already ready to contribute and who could be dominant very soon.