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CH: A look at Kent Hughes

2022-09-14 08:11:24 Updated on 2022-09-14 08:13:30

The Montreal Canadiens have changed quite a bit over the past few weeks.

A look at Kent Hughes

It is often said that it takes years for a new general manager to really get the team under his or her belt. In Hughes' case, things are moving quickly!

A look at Kent Hughes

Since his arrival in January, there has been a lot of personnel movement. Players like Shea Weber have left...

A look at Kent Hughes

...as Sean Monahan (pictured) and Evgeny Dadonov arrived.

A look at Kent Hughes

The Beaconsfield man knows the ins and outs of the salary cap and contracts, as he used to be a player agent. Dadonov will make $5M, Monahan a little more.

A look at Kent Hughes

As an agent, Kent Hughes has shuffled some big deals. The 52-year-old has negotiated over $290M in contracts (puckpedia.com) for his clients (active players).

A look at Kent Hughes

The current Montreal Canadiens GM's main clients have been Kristopher Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins...

A look at Kent Hughes

...Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers.

A look at Kent Hughes

To prove that Kent Hughes was a good agent, let's take a close look at Nurse's contract. 8 years, $9.25M per season!

A look at Kent Hughes

Hughes knew the Oilers were precarious on the back end, and he made them pay top dollar to keep one of their only dependable pieces. Reliable, but expensive...

A look at Kent Hughes

It's easy to see why Kent Hughes' priority this spring was to get defenseman Jordan Harris under contract and graduate quickly. You can never have enough good defensemen!

A look at Kent Hughes

Those youngsters, Hughes decided to surround them with good veterans. Chris Wideman got a new two-year contract to provide some stability to the club.

A look at Kent Hughes

The draft sequence was also important in the arrival of Kent Hughes with the Canadiens.

A look at Kent Hughes

First, he was selected at the very top of the amateur auction, which is not something everyone gets.

A look at Kent Hughes

Junior Juraj Slakovsky heard his name called by Kent Hughes.

A look at Kent Hughes

Interesting note: Hughes was also the agent for Vincent Lecavalier, the first pick in the 1998 draft!

A look at Kent Hughes

Also in the 2022 draft, Hughes concocted a trade to bring young Kirby Dach to Montreal. Really, the face of the team will not be the same this season!

A look at Kent Hughes

In closing, note that Hughes has represented many Quebec players over the years. Perhaps this reality will also follow him to the head of the Habs, as it once did...