Four years later, we can conclude that Jeff Gorton was not wrong with Kent Hughes. We can add that the same goes for each of the hockey men who were selected to relaunch the Canadian franchise.
There is still work to be done, but the future definitely looks good. In fact, no edition of the Habs has aroused so much hope since the 1993 championship.
There have been some good teams over the intervening three decades. Still, it wasn’t solid. The Canadian was no match for the best teams in the National League.
But in this year 2026, it is truly reasonable to believe that the future looks rosy for your favorite hockey team.
There is something to be excited about.
Finally!
The happiness of the Canadian, the misfortunes of the Rangers
One after the other, Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughes and Martin St-Louis broke down the prejudices that were held about them.
In Gorton’s case, the question of language added to the doubt that was felt about him. Well, he may never give an interview in French in his life, but he is nonetheless a friendly guy with a leadership attitude.
Today, we can think that the Bruins and the Rangers should have given him the chance to finish the job he started with them. The Rangers blundered badly by showing him the door after six years of service.
This decision, again made through a letter to New York fans, comes less than five years after Gorton was fired by Madison Square Garden executive chairman and CEO James Dolan.
Gorton must be laughing under his breath.
From shadow to light
When hired by Geoff Molson, Gorton indicated that he would explore all possible options in his search for a general manager.
Again, there were skeptics in the room when he chose Hughes. The latter was not the first to move from the role of agent to that of CEO, but he did not arrive preceded by a reputation like Pierre Lacroix or Brian Burke.
We didn’t know him as much as these two.
Hughes preferred to remain in the shadows. But as Gorton taught us in an interview with him three years ago, his CEO is a stubborn person who defends his points of view dearly.
Gorton described him to me as a tough guy who always wants to have the last word.
Nothing assured yet
Fourteen players from the current edition of the Canadiens were acquired under the Hughes regime. My distinguished colleague Dave Lévesque also lists the important transactions and notable draft picks made during the Hughes administration, work with which the name of Gorton must be associated, obviously.
During his review of the first half of the season two weeks ago, Hughes expressed his opinion that his team is ahead of schedule.
Despite its good position in the standings, the Habs are not assured of participation in the series. As we hear on election night, the rankings numbers are too close to predict which teams will punch a ticket to the spring tournament.
What is certain – and Hughes knows this more than anyone – is that weight will have to be added to the training.
