Hughes, who is 27 years old, played in the Swiss National League with Lausanne HC past season. Although he was born in London, Ontario, he is a dual citizen of Switzerland. He participated in 19 games in the previous season, going 10-6-1 with a 1.73 goals against average and a.940 save percentage. In 18 playoff games, he was 11-6-1 with a 1.91 GAA and a.933 save percentage. He had the top GAA and save percentage in the National League by the end of the season.
Over the past seven seasons, he has participated in 148 games in the top two Swiss leagues. He competed for Canada at the Spengler Cup in 2023 as well.
Along with Jakub Dobeš, Hughes is expected to share time in the American Hockey League and add organizational depth. Dobeš was only eligible for a call-up by the Canadiens last season if something occurred to Samuel Montembeault or Cayden Primeau in the closing minutes. Since the team also had Jake Allen for the majority of the season, the problem wasn’t very concerning. They’ll have a more conventional lineup this year and provide Laval two reliable goalies.
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“Have Inquired” about Hurricanes Free Agent Forward by the Canadiens
With just one postseason game left and free agency approaching, the majority of NHL teams are starting to lose their minds far in advance of the summer.
In a semi-joking tone, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported in his most recent piece, which was published on June 4, that “half the teams in the NHL” have expressed interest in Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas.
However, LeBrun went into great depth about the Montreal Canadiens’ interest in the future restricted free agency (RFA). He mentioned Montreal’s general manager when he talked about the summer before the Habs, writing, “League sources suggest Montreal has inquired” about Necas.
Additionally, during the 2024 World Championship, Necas scored 7 points in 5 games, helping the Czech Republic win the gold medal in the global competition.
According to Evolving-Hockey, Necas will receive a contract worth more than $70 million spread over eight years. CapFriendly projects that the Canadiens will have $9.1 million in salary space going into the offseason.
The Hurricanes must extend the contracts of a few notable pending free agents, namely Jake Guentzel. The Canes will therefore look into possible ways to free up some cap space.
Necas of the Hurricanes is “likely moving this summer.”
Prior to going to the NHL combine in early June, LeBrun penned an additional piece in which he predicted that Necas will move this summer.
That article, which appeared in The Athletic on May 27, came after Elliotte Friedman’s May 24 report in which he disclosed Vancouver’s interest in making a trade for Necas.
Regarding Martin’s future, LeBrun stated in the story from late May that “Necas’ father kind of blew the lid off.”
For background, on May 18, Martin Necas’ father expressed his desire to be dealt and expressed dissatisfaction with his son’s position in Carolina’s offensive to the Czech media outlet Denik Sport, via @ARHockeyStats.
Necas discussed his circumstances with NHL.com’s Aaron Vickers on May 27.
