2023-09-28 21:32:33
Mike Matheson. Jordan Harris. Kaiden Guhle. Arber Xhekaj. William Trudeau. Lane Hutson. Adam Engstrom. Jayden Struble. Nicolas Beaudin. Mattias Norlinder.
These guys all have something in common. You will have guessed that we are talking regarding defenders… But we are also talking regarding left-handed defenders only.
That’s actually a lot of people at mass. No?
At a certain point, even if we would like to see them all get a role with the Montreal Canadiens at some point because they are all good young players… We agree that it won’t happen. There are only six spots for defenders in a lineup (if the formation is normal)…
And that also includes right-handed defenders.
Therein lies the problem. The lack of depth on the blue line has often been criticized within the organization and currently, that is not the case.
As flat as it gets… Guys have and will also need to play to develop properly. Again, this won’t happen if things are left untouched because there simply isn’t enough room.
It forces Anthony Desaulniers (BPM Sports) to believe that sooner or later, Kent Hughes will not have the choice to make room for young people (which is logical, we agree)… And that forces him to believe that Mike Matheson might be the one who will be sacrificed by the CEO of the CH.
He’s a defender who is very good currently… But will he still be good in three years, when the Canadian will compete for a Stanley Cup? – Anthony Desaulniers
The Mike Matheson file is becoming more and more interesting for Kent Hughes… ????⚪️????
In the medium or long term, what should the CH GM do with the defender knowing that he is at the peak of his value?
— BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) September 28, 2023
We also have to be realistic in saying that it is possible, that Mike Matheson is starting to show signs of slowing down until the CH is able to compete with the best clubs in the NHL.
He is in his prime, at the moment, at 29 years old. Will it still be the same speed in three years?
By then, Kaiden Guhle will have come of age, and so will Lane Hutson. Arber Xhekaj and Jordan Harris might still be in the picture, but Adam Engstrom is also a name that we don’t always think of when we talk regarding the future CH blue line.
William Trudeau is also gaining a lot of popularity in recent days.
Already, that’s five left-handed defenders… And we haven’t even talked regarding David Reinbacher, Bogdan Konyushkov (who already has what it takes to help CH, according to Igor Larionov) and Logan Mailloux, who should have a position in Martin St-Louis’ lineup by then.
Where is the solution? What does CH do if it wants the chance to develop its best left-handed defenders?
Should Kent Hughes consider trading Matheson, who has good value on the market right now, before it’s too late?
Should Kent Hughes instead think regarding trading a couple of his young left-handed defensemen to get his hands on a tool who can or will help the club right now?
Because deep down, Matheson doesn’t have to be the one to be sacrificed by Hughes. We know he likes it in Montreal and we know his role with young players.
There’s that, too, in the equation. Can the Canadiens afford to trade one of their leaders, a guy who has an “A” on his jersey, in order to go with a defensive brigade with almost no experience?
If this is the case, will young people really progress without a mentor?
That’s a lot of questions and I’m aware of that. It’s a problem… But it’s a beautiful problem.
And at the end of the day, it’s good news to see that the Canadian has this problem whereas in recent years, the club has struggled at this level.
A lot of
– Yes yes.
The Canadian | Quietly, Jake Evans is still there
— La Presse Sports (@LaPresse_Sports) September 28, 2023
– It might be like this all season, plus…
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) September 28, 2023
– The Kings players are back in LA.
they’re baaaaaaaaaack pic.twitter.com/SbgaOmZmVo
— LA Kings (@LAKings) September 28, 2023
– Ouch.
McDavid + Leon = $21M
Giannis + Lillard = $91.2M
Have a great day.
— Jason Gold (@JayGold85) September 28, 2023
1695939242
#Kent #Hughes #choice #sacrifice #lefthanded #defenders
