Kent Hughes' Patience Has Likely Screwed the Canadiens

Kent Hughes has been greedy about the return expected for the veteran goalie, absolutely not wanting to move him as long as he did not get his price. It seems he has just burned himself.

Due to Allen's very ordinary performance, combined with his hefty salary of $3.85M for another season, it would now be very surprising to learn that a team would dare to acquire his services by the end of the campaign.

If he fails to trade Allen, the Canadiens' general manager will have to make a big decision for the good of the team, but especially, for the good of Cayden Primeau's development.

The young goalie is not playing enough, due to the fact that they want to boost Allen's value. However, the Canadiens are hindering the progression of a future player, for the benefit of a veteran who no longer has his place in Montreal.

Even if the CH would agree to pick up 50% of Allen's salary, I doubt that a team aiming for the top honors would want to take a chance with the 33-year-old goalie.

Unless there's a significant surprise, the only viable option would be to place him on waivers, to free up his spot in the lineup.

A contract buyout is also a more than plausible reality for him this summer.

In short, although we appreciate his mentor role and leadership in the locker room, it's high time to move on for Primeau's sake.