New Canadiens Connection: Summer Patience

A funny thing happened over the past couple of weeks: As we got closer to the NHL Draft and free agency, it felt like the expectations around the Montreal Canadiens just kept growing. Fans were excitedly talking about blockbuster trades, big-name free agent signings, the addition of top-six forwards, and the idea that Kent Hughes was ready to push this team another step closer to Stanley Cup contention.

And then… not much happened.

The Canadiens made their draft picks, they stayed away from the frenzy in free agency. While many of the names fans had been dreaming about found new homes, Montreal largely stood pat. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean the offseason has been a failure. And it doesn’t mean that the general manager has stopped making calls. It may simply mean that the Canadiens never felt the right opportunity presented itself. We’ve heard Kent Hughes say before that he’s not interested in making a move just for the sake of making one, and history suggests he’s willing to be patient if the price isn’t right.

Many of our podcast listeners have said, ‘We’re totally okay with that,’ especially if it’s the right decision for the long run. The question now is whether that’s still the right approach for this team.

This Week’s Show

Have the Canadiens earned the right to bet on internal improvement? Is another year of growth from their young core enough to keep them moving in the right direction? Or was this the summer to be more aggressive? Do fans believe that there still a potential big move lurking out there that Hughes could pull off?

These are the questions we break down on this week’s episode of the Canadiens Connection podcast. And ultimately, will Habs fans be comfortable with the Canadiens standing pat this offseason, or are they urging Kent Hughes make a bigger splash?

NEW PODCAST: Montreal’s Offseason Dilemma: Chasing Big Moves or Standing Pat? | Canadiens Connection ep 407

We also discussed these important topics on this week’s episode of the podcast:

• Canadiens sign two players this week who are important for their future success.
• Montreal Canadiens development camp features potential future stars.
• A chaotic week of trades and signings in the NHL including an offer sheet bombshell.

CC Question of the Week: Can you get onboard with a mostly ‘stand pat’ summer from Kent Hughes and the Montreal Canadiens?

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Canadiens Connection Podcast: Chasing Big Moves or Standing Pat

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