Kent Hughes targeting a sandpaper forward with scoring touch: two names emerge
Photo credit: Montreal Hockey Fanatics
It's starting to get serious for Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens on the NHL trade market.
The Habs are sending a clear message to everyone. Thursday night at the Bell Centre, the Montreal Canadiens struck again by pouring in six goals against the Florida Panthers in a 6-2 win.
Alexandre Texier stole the show with the first hat trick of his career, coming the day after a three-point game against the Calgary Flames.
People are still talking about it today-imagine that.
At the same time, things are also heating up on the rumor front, as word is that Kent Hughes is monitoring the market to add a rugged forward capable of contributing in the top nine.
Two names keep coming up, and they fit well with the Canadiens' current context, as the team is playing with visible confidence.
Blake Coleman and Kiefer Sherwood are already generating buzz around the Montreal Canadiens
It seems pretty clear. Kent Hughes is in the process of trying to acquire a solid, physical forward capable of playing on a second or third line.
"Sources indicate the Canadiens are looking to add the rare combination of sandpaper and scoring to their middle-six.
Names like Kiefer Sherwood and Blake Coleman have come up, but there could be more as the Habs have the luxury to wait out the market."
- Marco D'Amico
Names like Kiefer Sherwood and Blake Coleman have come up, but there could be more as the Habs have the luxury to wait out the market."
- Marco D'Amico
For Kiefer Sherwood, last season's numbers are easy to understand. With the Vancouver Canucks in 2024-25, he played 78 games and produced 19 goals and 21 assists for 40 points.
That's the kind of production that grabs attention when you're looking for a support player who can keep up the pace.
Blake Coleman, meanwhile, brings a different kind of experience, especially when it really counts. In 2019-2020 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, he recorded 13 points in 25 playoff games, with five goals and eight assists.
When you see that, you understand why his name comes up whenever a team talks about getting tougher for the spring.
Let's just say that if the lineup gets healthier, Kent Hughes is going to have some interesting decisions to make.
Also read on Montreal Hockey Fanatics :
Former first-round defenseman placed on waivers emerges as free option for the Canadiens
Former first-round defenseman placed on waivers emerges as free option for the Canadiens
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 10 | 1054 ANSWERS Kent Hughes targeting a sandpaper forward with scoring touch: two names emerge Should Kent Hughes target Blake Coleman or Kiefer Sherwood? | ||
| Blake Coleman | 305 | 28.9 % |
| Kiefer Sherwood | 234 | 22.2 % |
| None | 422 | 40 % |
| Both! | 93 | 8.8 % |
| List of polls | ||