“The Canadiens are not going to deviate from their plan.”

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
“The Canadiens are not going to deviate from their plan.”
Credit: Screenshot / X

In a few days, NHL teams will face a trade deadline. There will be a trade freeze in effect for the Olympic Games.

Will this force teams to make moves? Possibly.

Or, on the contrary, will teams want to hold off on making moves, so they don't take on salary only to see the player get injured at the Games or get burned out in the South? Possibly.

Regardless of how they proceed, each team will have its game plan. That's normal.

I can't wait to see what the Canadiens have in store. We can imagine that the game plan for Patrik Laine is to make a move before February 4. But what about the rest?

In reality, I have a feeling that Kent Hughes will let himself be swayed by the market. If he gets a good offer on February 2, February 28, or March 6, he'll make a move at the right time.

Because his plan hasn't changed: mortgaging the future for short-term gains is a no-go.David Pagnotta recently reminded us of that.

So don't expect Kent Hughes to jump into theArtemiPanarinderbyjust for the fun of it. That's not what the Canadiens are aiming for.

The plan remains to advance the club in the long term. And if the short term can benefit as well, so be it.

So I don't see the Habs going after a goalie, considering that Jacob Fowler is there for the long term. But a right-handed defenseman, a gritty forward, or a top-six player (to replace Alexandre Texier or Oliver Kapanen) could be a possibility.

To be continued in the coming weeks.


Overtime

– The former Alouettes player is headed to Edmonton.

– When will outdoor games return to markets where there is snow?

– Interesting.

– Good listening.

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