The Impact of New Goalie Hughes on the Canadiens Organization
Originally published by Marc Dumont on Montreal Hockey Now. Last updated on June 4, 24.
Goalie Connor Hughes was signed by the Montreal Canadiens on a one-year contract on Tuesday, in an unexpected move.
Canadian player Hughes, 27, is a free agent who has spent the 2017–18 season playing in both the National League (NL) and the Swiss League (SL). Throughout his tenure in Switzerland, he has maintained a 2.31 goals-against average and a.914 save percentage in 75 NL games, which is extremely impressive.
His final campaign with Laussane HC was outstanding, resulting in a 10-6-1 record, a brilliant regular-season save percentage of.940, and a postseason save percentage of.933.
It’s also worth noting that Christobal Huet, a former goalie for the Montreal Canadiens and one of the team’s most underappreciated players, was coaching him.
Although Hughes doesn’t appear to be a particularly slow goaltender given his size based on the few accessible clips, his 6’4″ frame gives him the kind of wingspan that can save him in a situation where his agility is called into doubt.
Hughes is presently in his statistical peak and is regarded as one of the league’s finest goaltenders, according to Thibaud Chatel, a friend of the site and analyst for Swiss Hockey.
Hughes put up the seventh-best number on the penalty kill and concluded the season as the best goaltender at 5v5. His glove-side saves could use some work, as they do for many goalies, but all things considered, the data points to the Habs signing a decent value.
Effect on the Organization of the Montreal Canadiens
Though he won’t be vying for a position in the NHL, Hughes will be a valuable mentor and backup plan for youngster Jakub Dobes, who will play with the Laval Rocket, the Canadiens AHL affiliate, in 2019–20.
Dobes’ debut season started poorly since he didn’t have much support when Cayden Primeau was in the NHL’s moratorium. After the Canadiens acquired experienced goaltender Kasimir Kaskisuo, Dobes’ play immediately improved. In addition, Kaskisuo’s run of victories moved the Rocket up the standings and into contention for the postseason.
The Rockets did not make the playoffs, of course, but their chances of making the playoffs would have been far higher if the team had taken some initiative to address the goalie situation.
Thankfully, it appears they learned from last season’s error and are taking care of the goalkeeper position well in advance of the midway mark.
Kaskisuo played fairly well for the Rockets and was a really pleasant guy, so it’s strange that the Habs are not keen to bring him back given Hughes’ deal, but that’s the way of the AHL.
Veterans arrive and depart.
This also means that Primeau’s job will be rather clear from the beginning of the season. Since joining the team, Primeau has been forced into packed creases, which has resulted in few opportunities for him to start games. This is by no means the best circumstance for a player in development, much less a goalie.
It makes sense to give him an opportunity to demonstrate his value at last, as this will free him up to concentrate on the work at hand rather than counting down the weeks until he gets his next opportunity.
