Happy Friday! It’s time for another edition of Ice Breakers, highlighted on Daily Faceoff Live, with the latest updates from the NHL:
**Canadiens Exploring Defenseman Options**
Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is actively looking into the market for a top-four right-shot defenseman, but the high costs suggest that any acquisition is not imminent. The Canadiens’ defense has struggled this season, which was expected to be an improvement year, worsened by injuries. Kaiden Guhle has been sidelined, and Mike Matheson is contending with back spasms while trying to stabilize the defense.
Given the current circumstances, rookie defenseman Lane Hutson is logging an average of over 23 minutes per game just nine games into his career, and he exceeded 30 minutes in one outing—an unsustainable load. They are also cautious not to overwork 34-year-old David Savard.
A trade for additional support seems necessary, but it would be costly, especially as the future defensive lineup looks promising with prospects David Reinbacher, Logan Mailloux, and Hutson. Thus, the Canadiens are hesitant to invest in what might be a short-term solution, yet the current situation is untenable, making it a storyline to keep an eye on.
**Utah Hockey Club Watching Defense Market Too**
The Canadiens aren’t alone in their search for defensemen. Utah Hockey Club GM Bill Armstrong is also exploring options following the loss of two top-four players, Sean Durzi and John Marino, for at least four months. For now, the team will try to address the gaps with existing roster players. 2022 first-round pick Maveric Lamoureux made his NHL debut on Thursday and performed decently despite a 5-1 loss to Colorado.
They may also give chances to other 2022 draft selections, Artem Duda and Maksymilian Szuber, once he’s healthy, and they have Kevin Connauton, an NHL veteran, in the AHL. Nevertheless, Utah’s record has dropped to 1-4-0 since Durzi’s injury, and they are determined not to let a strong start deteriorate. Losing two top-four defensemen is a challenge for any team, prompting Armstrong to make bold inquiries, sometimes aiming for well-established young stars—even if those conversations are often short-lived. His approach has previously landed him deals, such as acquiring Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning during the June Draft.
**Coaching Seats Heating Up**
As the season progresses, some coaching positions are becoming precarious, but one coach you can rule out is John Tortorella in Philadelphia. Despite a rough start of 1-5-1 and visible disagreements on the bench, he retains the organization’s full backing. The Flyers view Tortorella as the right person to shape their young team, especially since he has two years left on his $4 million-per-year contract. They understand they aren’t in win-now mode but expect noticeable improvement this year.
For the Golden Knights, securing a defense that includes Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin for under $24 million a season strengthens their lineup. The absence of a state income tax becomes an added incentive as NHL salaries are projected to rise above $100 million soon.
The collective sighs heard during the announcement of Shea Theodore’s extension were from other NHL teams, as one more highly sought-after unrestricted free agent is no longer available. This leaves Jakob Chychrun and Aaron Ekblad as the last premier defensemen in the final year of their contracts. Chychrun has settled in well with Washington, while Florida has been focused on extending Carter Verhaeghe and Paul Maurice, with negotiations around Ekblad remaining relatively quiet so far. Perhaps a similar tax situation to Theodore’s might help advance those discussions.
