Canadiens GM Hughes talks Toffoli trade, Chiarot, Price
Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes spoke to the media earlier today for the first time since trading Tyler Toffoli to the Calgary Flames on Monday.
On top of the trade, Hughes also spent the almost half hour press conference fielding questions about Ben Chiarot, Jeff Petry, and Carey Price, among other things.
When asked about why the Toffoli deal happened, Hughes said that it was the return from Calgary that made them want to trade him.
“The reason we traded Tyler is not necessarily because we identified Tyler as someone we wanted to trade,” Hughes said, “The trade was made because we felt it was a good decision for the future of the team.”
Hughes was asked about if this meant the Habs were looking to pull the trigger early on with expiring contracts like Chiarot. He mentioned he wouldn’t have even known that Toffoli would be traded as early as he did even on Saturday or Sunday.
“We’ve received a lot of phone calls, said Hughes, “Everybody knows how these talks proceed, and it’s really difficult to identify when that would happen.
When asked if the risk of injuries, specifically with Chiarot, might also effect when the deals happen, Hughes said “we’re not going to trade him if we don’t believe the deal is the right deal.” He also mentioned that them being out of the playoff picture this early does make it easier to make trades right now.
Le directeur général, Kent Hughes, s'adresse aux médias en direct du Complexe sportif Bell.
General manager Kent Hughes is addressing the media live from the Bell Sports Complex.#GoHabsGo https://t.co/vJYhEavSo7
As for Petry, Hughes is open to trading him, but stresses that it has to be the right deal, and they don’t want to just give him away for the best offer they can get.
Hughes was also asked about Emil Heineman, the prospect they received in the Toffoli trade, and why he was the prospect they wanted in the deal.
“We love his speed, we love his aggressiveness,” said Hughes, “We are going to try to improve our team speed, that’s certainly an area of focus for us.” Hughes also clarified that speed isn’t their sole focus, but it’s a bigger one for the team.
Another big story in Montreal is Price, and when (or if) he’ll make his return this season.
“Last I heard after the game Sunday there’s still a possibility he returns this season,” Hughes said.
Hughes also mentioned that the Habs are talking with former New York Rangers European scout Nick Bobrov as a potential addition to the front office.