The new general manager of the Canadian, Kent Hughes, presented himself to the media on Wednesday in Montreal, and he approaches the new challenge that awaits him with great pride.
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It was on a stage placed on the Bell Center ice, in front of the journalists in the stands to respect social distancing, that Hughes, along with owner Geoff Molson and vice-president Jeff Gorton, held his first press conference. . There was no question of being satisfied with a videoconference on Zoom for a news of this magnitude.
“It’s kind of a homecoming for me, and it’s with great pride that I accepted this position with the team of my childhood,” said Hughes in French.
Hughes leaves behind Quartexx, where he represented several National Hockey League (NHL) players, including Kristopher Letang, Anthony Beauvillier and Patrice Bergeron.
Although the decision was not easy due to the many implications, Hughes did not hesitate. The 51-year-old Montrealer needed to think, he who was one of the 11 candidates met by the organization, but also to discuss with the people around him.
“No, I had no hesitation in taking the job,” Hughes said. It was rather a period of reflection. This decision has an impact not just on me, but also on my clients and my family.”
The challenge will be great for Hughes and Gorton. It will be a question of taking a team which stagnates at the 32nd and last rank in the NHL and making them contenders for the Stanley Cup.
In office for a few hours at the time of meeting the media, Hughes obviously had no specific plan to present.
“The first thing is to sit down with Jeff and Geoff to have a chat,” he explained. My first step will be to join the team in Las Vegas and take the time to get to know the players and the staff. We will evaluate the structure. Next, it will be to prepare for the sharing period. We have two months.”
One thing is certain, however, in his eyes: changes are necessary.
“The choice of word is not important, whether it is reconstruction, ‘retool’ or ‘reset’. I believe my vision is to establish a team that is capable of winning in future years. It’s not for next year, not for two years from now, it’s not for a single year.”
“It’s to establish an organization and a process that we are confident will allow us to compete for the future years.”
About head coach Dominique Ducharme, Hughes did not come forward, indicating that he wanted to meet him soon. He also indicated that he was aiming, in the best of all possible worlds, to build a team focused on speed and attack.
Advanced statistics will also figure prominently in Hughes’ work. However, he still has to assess what kind of use he wants to make of it.
Not his best friend
Moreover, if he knew Hughes well for having negotiated a few contracts with him when he worked for the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers, Gorton made one thing clear.
“No offense, Kent is not my best friend,” Gorton said. I never socialized with Kent.”
Hughes was named Habs GM on Tuesday. He thus replaces Marc Bergevin, who was dismissed on November 28 and who has since found a job with the Los Angeles Kings. A committee, consisting of Molson and minority owner Michael Andlauer, as well as former CEO Bob Gainey and Gorton, then proceeded with the hiring process.
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