Speculation: Kent Hughes press conference (Jan 18 12:30PM TSN690)

[Habs Halifax]

Engels asked why it's better for him (Slaf) to stay in the NHL than AHL.


Lehkonen was in his final year of his deal.

Anderson has 4 years left with 5.5 mill cap hit.

Teams may inquire, but at this point it's likely too much to move to accommodate his contract.

I think teams want Anderson a lot but think we will trade him for cheap. The part that annoys me is some fans are obsessed at trying to trade him. Hughes said it... what you see on TV or the internet is just not true and he talked to Anderson about it.

 

[Runner77]

I was reading a transcription on RDS...they say someone asked Hughes a question about tanking for Bedard, and his answer was along the lines of "I told MSL wins are good, but only up to a certain point"

anyone who watched/listened able to elaborate on what was said exactly? Seems surprising he'd imply he told the coach it's ok to tank/lose

That's such a thorny issue. If the team really wanted to tank, it wouldn't come from Marty but from the pawns that would be left over after Hughes traded a few difference-makers.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Toronto NY and Boston have tough reporters. Philly too — Philly have tough fans in general.

The problem is in Montreal the media are acolytes of the religion of the Habs. And so are we. Even the grumpy critical fellows (like myself) need to see a crumb of micro-success and we get all hopeful and optimistic. It happens often here because we’re fans of the Habs more than we are fans of hockey or whatever.

But it creates an absolutely dire and hollow media situation unfortunately.

Respectfully, if you think Montreal's media/fans aren't comparable or worse than Toronto, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Vancouver, then you clearly haven't experienced the markets. As a Torontonian whose been to Leaf pressers, the idea that they have tougher reporters is laughable.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I thought there was a TON to take away from his feelings on their approach to Slafkovsky being in the NHL.

There is a lot of context and what Hughes said is in line with what you and I have said. The AHL is not the solution for all players. Some other fans didn't like his answer cause it didn't fall in line with their narrative which has been flawed in our herd for a long time now.

I remember a few fans saying "Guhle should play AHL to develop properly" before this season started.

Every player needs to be managed differently. Not sure how long it takes for some fans to come to grips with that but it's likely they have fell into the Bergevin/Timmins trap. Kind of funny that Gorton/Hughes are doing some development management the same eh? Go figure. Marchand quote... Some fans in Canada need to take a look in the mirror

 

[Team_Spirit]

"Slaf needs to find how to define his game"

Really

 

[McGees]

I don't know if it is because the Slaf injury, the failed tank or that I haven't had breakfast but I'm feeling really salty about this team right now.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Respectfully, if you think Montreal's media/fans aren't comparable or worse than Toronto, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Vancouver, then you clearly haven't experienced the markets. As a Torontonian whose been to Leaf pressers, the idea that they have tougher reporters is laughable.

100% agree.

 

[Runner77]

I think teams want Anderson a lot but think we will trade him for cheap. The part that annoys me is some fans are obsessed at trying to trade him. Hughes said it... what you see on TV or the internet is just not true and he talked to Anderson about it.

Hughes has also brought up Anderson at almost all of his pressers since last summer.

 

[417]

"I don't think there's one path to developing a player" - Kent Hughes

There is a lot of context and what Hughes said is in line with what you and I have said. The AHL is not the solution for all players. Some other fans didn't like his answer cause it didn't fall in line with their narrative which has been flawed in our herd for a long time now.

I remember a few fans saying "Guhle should play AHL to develop properly" before this season started.

Every player needs to be managed differently. Not sure how long it takes for some fans to come to grips with that but it's likely they have fell into the Bergevin/Timmins trap. Kind of funny that Gorton/Hughes are doing some development management the same eh? Go figure. Marchand quote... Some fans in Canada need to take a look in the mirror

Same one's who are telling everyone how amazing his development is going now.

Go figure.

 

[nhlfan9191]

"I don't think there's one path to developing a player" - Kent Hughes

Same one's who are telling everyone how amazing his development is going now.

Go figure.

Hughes went on to say they were worried about where Slafkovsky’s mind would be if he does get sent down and doesn’t produce in the AHL, which is a fair concern but that’s a self inflicted wound by this management which is unacceptable imo. They knew he was green when they saw him in training camp and should’ve seen that he would likely need more time outside of the NHL. Now they’ve created a problem that shouldn’t have been there to start.

 

[Runner77]

Full presser loaded at the above link, if anyone wants to see it.

 

[Gravity]

I like Hughes. He did everything he possibly could to tank this shitty roster. Not his fault Hoffman, Monty and Dadonov show up inopportunely to ruin the process.

 

[BenchBrawl]

People already missing the Maestro.

For myself, I thought Kent Hughes was OK today.

 

[Tanknation]

I was reading a transcription on RDS...they say someone asked Hughes a question about tanking for Bedard, and his answer was along the lines of "I told MSL wins are good, but only up to a certain point"

anyone who watched/listened able to elaborate on what was said exactly? Seems surprising he'd imply he told the coach it's ok to tank/lose

I bet you in was more in line of him saying something to extent of, it's good to win, but also ok to lose. Especially when you have a young developing team, who is learning, and going through a transition stage.... that's my guess anyway.

 

[Habs]

Are trades still 'hard' and nobody wants to make a trade or come to Montreal? Sounds like he took Bergy's notes and fiddled with them a bit.

 

[417]

Hughes went on to say they were worried about where Slafkovsky’s mind would be if he does get sent down and doesn’t produce in the AHL, which is a fair concern but that’s a self inflicted wound by this management which is unacceptable imo. They knew he was green when they saw him in training camp and should’ve seen that he would likely need more time outside of the NHL. Now they’ve created a problem that shouldn’t have been there to start.

Not really because that concern would have existed if they would have sent him down day 1 any way.

Either way, I don't want to recreate the Slafkovsky thread here, that thread is already toxic as is (and I recognize that i've unintentionally contributed to that toxicity).

Hoping his rehab goes well, that he has a strong offseason of training and comes ready to play, whether in Laval or Montreal, next season.

 

[Runner77]

I like Hughes. He did everything he possibly could to tank this shitty roster. Not his fault Hoffman, Monty and Dadonov show up inopportunely to ruin the process.

He also said something about having to play those veterans otherwise the coach would lose the room.

 

[LaP]

I think teams want Anderson a lot but think we will trade him for cheap. The part that annoys me is some fans are obsessed at trying to trade him. Hughes said it... what you see on TV or the internet is just not true and he talked to Anderson about it.

I'm pretty sure teams want Anderson a lot. I'm not so sure they really want his contract though. This contract will scare lot of GMs. Not the AAV but the amount of years remaining.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Hughes is smart, he's saying all the right things, and he has a great understanding of the landscape. Now what matters is: In the final decisions, are his instincts right?

Instincts > Intelligence.

We'll see. I believe in him and Gorton. Hope they succeed big time.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Going to the A and not liking it despite being a necessary step is part of becoming a professional hockey player. Even beta Wright has gotten over it in the CHL.

Hughes has lost the plot.

 

[JoelWarlord]

Respectfully, if you think Montreal's media/fans aren't comparable or worse than Toronto, New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Vancouver, then you clearly haven't experienced the markets. As a Torontonian whose been to Leaf pressers, the idea that they have tougher reporters is laughable.

Yeah, most of the truly insane stuff surrounding the Leafs comes from sports radio and things like that, less from direct reporting.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Not really because that concern would have existed if they would have sent him down day 1 any way.

Either way, I don't want to recreate the Slafkovsky thread here, that thread is already toxic as is (and I recognize that i've unintentionally contributed to that toxicity).

Hoping his rehab goes well, that he has a strong offseason of training and comes ready to play, whether in Laval or Montreal, next season.

This injury may be a blessing. Gives the player and management a chance to reset completely.

 

[LaP]

There is a lot of context and what Hughes said is in line with what you and I have said. The AHL is not the solution for all players. Some other fans didn't like his answer cause it didn't fall in line with their narrative which has been flawed in our herd for a long time now.

I remember a few fans saying "Guhle should play AHL to develop properly" before this season started.

Every player needs to be managed differently. Not sure how long it takes for some fans to come to grips with that but it's likely they have fell into the Bergevin/Timmins trap. Kind of funny that Gorton/Hughes are doing some development management the same eh? Go figure. Marchand quote... Some fans in Canada need to take a look in the mirror

The AHL case would be much better if the AHL team would not be a trainwreck like the NHL team. If the AHL team would be winning and coached by a coach having an history to work well with young players then the decision to send him down would be a lot easier to take.

Atm i fail to see what would help him in the AHL. He would be far better playing in Europe. You could definitely make a case that it would have been better for him to play in Europe and represent his country at the u20 than struggle in the NHL. But i'm not sure the AHL case is as strong as the European league case.

At the end of the day if he got what it takes he'll make it. The most important thing with kids is to be patient and work with them. There must be a dialogue between the coaching team and the kids. Utimately where you work with them doesn't matter too much as long as you do work with them. Obviously if you have a cup contending lineup it's not going to be done at the NHL level.

My expectation for KH next season is to clean up the mess that is our AHL team. It's been a mess for way too long. Fire everyone and put your own team in place.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Yeah, most of the truly insane stuff surrounding the Leafs comes from sports radio and things like that, less from direct reporting.

This is generally true in every market. Teams don't want people asking "hard" or combative questions in press conferences unless its warranted or unavoidable. People who write or speak like that don't get that kind of access.

 

[417]

This injury may be a blessing. Gives the player and management a chance to reset completely.

I don't think i'd ever qualify any injury as a blessing...but it does give him an opportunity to be out of the constant spotlight.