The Montreal Canadiens embarked on their rebuilding journey in 2022 by selecting Slovakian forward Juraj Slafkovsky as the top overall pick. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 230 pounds, Slafkovsky didn’t immediately shine, tallying just 10 points in 39 games before a knee injury sidelined him for most of his rookie season.

The trend continued into the start of the 2023-24 season, with Slafkovsky managing only seven points in his first 28 games. However, his fortunes changed after being promoted to the top line alongside captain Nick Suzuki and sharpshooter Cole Caufield.

In his last 24 games, the 19-year-old winger has showcased his talent with nine goals and 20 points, culminating in a three-point performance in the Habs’ recent 5-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

General manager Kent Hughes expressed satisfaction with Slafkovsky’s progress, attributing it partly to the young player’s growing confidence on the ice.

“We anticipated his significant role in our team’s future. The timing of his development was somewhat uncertain, considering he was drafted at 18. Last year and even this year, there were doubts about when he would hit his stride,” Hughes commented during an interview on the Got Yer Back podcast with TSN’s Ryan Rishaug and TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun.

“However, what we’ve witnessed from him, especially in the last 20 to 25 games, is a deep understanding of his game and where he can make the most impact. He’s playing to his strengths more consistently now.”

“When you start seeing results, confidence naturally follows, and you can observe that in his game and his overall demeanor at the rink.”

The Montreal Canadiens are in the midst of a complete rebuild, just two seasons after making it to the Stanley Cup finals. Currently ranking 25th in the league with a record of 22-23-8, the Canadiens are far from playoff contention. However, there have been notable advancements with the development of players like Slafkovsky and the ongoing emergence of Suzuki as a top-line center.

Despite the progress of individual players, General Manager Kent Hughes acknowledges that there’s still much work to be done, both in terms of acquiring assets and constructing a competitive roster.

“It’s difficult to gauge the progress of the rebuild when we’re still in the bottom 10 of the league. Ultimately, our goal is to be in the top 10. Until we achieve that, it’s hard to claim significant progress,” Hughes remarked. “In terms of asset accumulation, we’re content with our current position. We’ve managed to accumulate assets, primarily through draft picks.”

“However, in terms of building a competitive team, we still have a long way to go. There are numerous tasks that need to be addressed. I’m hopeful that we can expedite the process rather than prolong it.”

Hughes is known for his activity during drafts, having traded first-round picks for young talents like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook in the 2022 and 2023 events respectively. With 23 draft picks, including four first-round selections, in the next two drafts, Hughes hinted at another move to acquire a young player that aligns with the Canadiens’ rebuilding timeline.

“We’ve acquired some promising players and utilized our draft picks effectively. However, we need to continue adding to our pool of established NHL players within a certain age range,” Hughes stated. “In the grand scheme, these players need to be younger. We’re focused on both adding new talents and monitoring the progress of our current roster.”

As the trade deadline approaches on March 8th, Hughes anticipates a busy period, especially considering goaltender Jake Allen’s position at No. 8 on the latest TSN Trade Bait list, along with veteran defenseman David Savard.

Ahead of the deadline, Hughes emphasized the team’s commitment to acquiring assets while balancing the need for veteran leadership.

“One consideration is how quickly we can compete for a playoff spot. Additionally, it’s about the readiness of our players to take on more responsibility and how veteran leadership influences their development,” Hughes explained regarding the possibility of moving Savard. “It’s a complex situation. While our goal wasn’t necessarily to make the playoffs this season, we didn’t intend to simply coast through either.”

“Whether it’s David Savard or other players, these decisions are fluid and dynamic.”

Hughes also addressed the ongoing roster situation, particularly concerning the surplus of goaltenders, with Sam Montembeault, Jake Allen, and Cayden Primeau all under contract.

Since Montembeault’s signing to a three-year contract, the focus has shifted towards potentially moving either Allen or Primeau. However, Hughes notes that the goaltender market has been slow due to teams maneuvering around the salary cap.

“While I can’t promise a resolution before the deadline, we don’t anticipate going into next season with three goaltenders on the roster,” Hughes affirmed. “Between now and the start of next season, we plan to address this situation. The timing will depend on the market and the needs of other teams.”

“People want a resolution, and in this market, they prefer it before the trade deadline. If the opportunity arises, we’ll act on it. Otherwise, I’m confident it will be resolved before next season.”