Hughes and the Canadiens Officially Cut Ties With First Player This Offseason
Photo credit: TVA sports
Since nothing happened last night with the Montreal Canadiens, we can now confirm their first personnel move.
Kent Hughes had until yesterday to reach an agreement with prospect Joe Vrbetic, which ultimately did not happen, meaning the young goaltender has officially been released.
His rights no longer belong to the Montreal Canadiens organization.
Kent Hughes cuts ties with prospect Joe Vrbetic
The Canadiens now have one less young player in their organization.
In fact, nearly 40 players had their rights expire on June 1st, including Vrbetic in Montreal.
The Canadiens GM ultimately decided not to offer him a new contract, so the young goaltender officially becomes an unrestricted free agent.
"Montreal Canadiens prospect Joe Vrbetic was not signed to an ELC by 5 p.m. ET [yesterday], making him an unrestricted free agent, according to PuckPedia.
Vrbetic spent the 2024-25 season in the ECHL with the Indy Fuel and the Trois-Rivières Lions."
Cooper Godin
Vrbetic spent the 2024-25 season in the ECHL with the Indy Fuel and the Trois-Rivières Lions."
Cooper Godin
We imagine the 50-contract limit played a role in Hughes' decision, as did the organizational depth in net.
We wish him the best of luck going forward!
Only 22 years old, Vrbetic is a 6-foot-6, 186-pound goaltender who was selected 214th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2021 draft (7th round).
With the Trois-Rivières Lions this season, he posted a goals-against average of 0.81 and a save percentage of .957 in two games.
Vrbetic also has four career starts with the Laval Rocket (4.05 GAA / .871 SV%).
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