In a significant development reported by respected hockey insider Renaud Lavoie, Montreal Canadiens General Manager Kent Hughes has apparently made the decisive move to withdraw two players from the trade market as the deadline approaches.

This strategic decision suggests a shift in the organization’s approach, potentially influenced by recent team performance and internal evaluations. The timing of this announcement is particularly intriguing, coming amid widespread trade speculation and heightened activity across the league.

Hughes’ choice to protect these assets indicates either their increased value to the team’s current trajectory or a failure to receive offers meeting their perceived worth. According to Lavoie’s report, this decision has already impacted ongoing negotiations with several teams who had expressed interest in these players.

The move demonstrates Hughes’ commitment to maintaining certain core pieces of the roster, possibly signaling a more focused approach to the team’s rebuilding process. This development has generated considerable buzz among fans and analysts, with many speculating about the identity of the protected players and the broader implications for the Canadiens’ trade deadline strategy.

The decision could mark a significant turning point in the team’s reconstruction plans under Hughes’ management.

The recent winning streak of the Montreal Canadiens will inevitably force general manager Kent Hughes to change his plans.

For the past few weeks, numerous highly reliable sources have painted a clear picture of the Canadiens players who were placed on the trade market.

We’re talking about Jake Evans, Joel Armia, Christian Dvorak, David Savard, and Michael Pezzetta.

However, two names from this list are reportedly no longer as available today, and two names from this list are no longer as likely to be traded before the March 7 deadline.

Christian Dvorak and David Savard: Don’t expect them to be traded

That’s what TVA Sports journalist Renaud Lavoie stated last night.

“According to Renaud Lavoie, Savard and Dvorak will stay. At the very least, he would be surprised if they were traded.

That’s what he mentioned during the first period.”

Excerpt from the article by Raphaël Simard, on DansLesCoulisses

 

In Dvorak’s case, it is assumed that Kirby Dach’s serious injury makes him important to the team for the rest of the season. As for David Savard, there is clearly no intention of trading him for a fourth- or fifth-round pick, which makes perfect sense in my opinion.

Kent Hughes’ reasoning in these cases seems fairly obvious.

If he receives first- or second-round picks for Savard and Dvorak, he will obviously listen, but he no longer actively wants to trade them. More importantly, he clearly does not want to trade them for late-round draft picks.

At this point, they are far more valuable to the team than a fourth-round draft pick would be.

This will be something to watch leading up to Friday and throughout the week.