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We can now say that Kent Hughes has indeed pulled off the most important acquisition of his career so far for the Montreal Canadiens.
Just a few months after arriving as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens, Kent Hughes had to make the biggest decision of his career.
He had to choose the best player to select with the first overall pick at the 2022 NHL Draft.
Why are we talking about the most important decision of his career here?
Precisely because it was a first overall pick!
You can’t miss with a first overall pick, you simply can’t.
After a few years, we can say that Kent Hughes succeeded with what would become the most important pick of his young GM career
At the 2022 Draft, Kent Hughes selected Juraj Slafkovsky first overall. Shane Wright slipped to fourth overall, to Seattle.
In Montreal, that pick was debated for months.
Early on, Slafkovsky took his share of criticism, because things were not easy at first.
But his statistics began to pile up, season after season. And when the numbers go up, the debates fade.
Last season, Slafkovsky played 79 games with the Habs. He scored 18 goals, added 33 assists, and finished with 51 points.
On his side, Wright played 79 games in Seattle, with 19 goals, 25 assists, and 44 points.
That doesn’t say everything, but some people began to have doubts again.
This season, the gap is even more noticeable. There’s no longer any debate possible.
“Shane Wright: 16 points in 44 games.
Juraj Slafkovsky: 18 points in his last 12 games.
Crazy how things can turn around in three and a half years.”
– Anthony Martineau
This season, Slafkovsky has 19 goals and 40 points in 49 games, while Shane Wright has 16 points in 47 games.
On July 2, 2024, Slafkovsky signed an eight-year deal worth $60.8 million. That comes out to an average annual value of $7.6 million per year, and it already looks like an incredible bargain.
Kent Hughes can clearly say “Mission accomplished!”
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics